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Table of Contents > Revolutionary War > Lot 103 |
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Browse the Auction in Groups of 25 Lots: |
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Lot Number: 103
Click for a Printable PageSign-in to Bid or Register to Bid Estimate Range: $6,000 - $9,000 |
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Important c. 1795 Miniature Portrait of CAPTAIN ELISHA HINMAN, Offered Command of the USS CONSTITUTION in 1794 by President John Adams but Declined Due to Age |
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c. 1795 Important Watercolor Painting Miniature Portrait of Captain Elisha Hinman (1734-1807) of Stonington, Connecticut, a Revolutionary War Officer and Appointed one of the First Captains of the American Continental Navy, later a succesful Privateer, Oval Brass Framed, Choice Extremely Fine. A choice quality Miniature Portrait of one of America's greatest unsung Naval Heroes, Captain Elisha Hinman (1734-1807), a Revolutionary War Officer and Captain of the American Continental Navy. Artist unknown, it is beautifully painted on a white natural substance, reflecting the stylistic techniques used by James Peale, especially in the incredibly fine treatment of minute details such as gold buttons and a gold jeweled stick pin. Oval, measuring 1 7/8” x 2 1/2” (by sight) with overall brass framed dimensions 3.375” x 2.625” the metal having some tarnish from age, its original brass loop attached atop. Elisha Hinman was born on March 9, 1734 in Stonington, Connecticut. He went to sea at age fourteen and was a Captain at nineteen. On April 6, 1776, he was wounded during a naval engagement with the 20-gun British Warship GLASGOW, as he Commanded the CABOT under Commander Esek Hopkins. He left the merchant service in August of 1776 and was appointed, along with John Paul Jones, and 22 others, as one of the first Captains in the U.S. Navy. He successively Commanded MARQUIS DE LA FAYETTE with 20-guns; the DEAN with 30-guns; the Sloop PROVIDENCE; and the ALFRED with 32-guns. The ALFRED was captured in March 1778 and Hinman was imprisoned in England. He escaped to France and returned to the United States, and was honorably acquitted for the loss of his ship. When the British, under Benedict Arnold, led a British assault on New London, Connecticut, in September 1781 all Hinman's property was destroyed. Nevertheless Hinman commanded several other vessels and returned to the merchant service at the end of the Revolutionary War. In 1794, President John Adams offered Hinman Command of the USS CONSTITUTION, but Hinman, then 60 years of age, was compelled to decline due to his age. However, he returned to active service four years later in the as Captain in the Navy's Revenue Service. He was given Command of the Revenue Cutter ARGUS in 1798 after the death of its Captain Jonathan Maltbie. Elisha Hinman was later passed over for further major commands by President Thomas Jefferson for political reasons (Hinman was a Federalist), and he was subsequently replaced by his first mate in May 1803. Hinman died on August 29, 1807 and is buried at Cedar Grove Cemetery in New London, New London County, Connecticut. Provenance: From the Collection of Charles Richard Smith, senior historian and branch chief of the Marine Corps' History and Museums Division; to our current consignor. He took command of the 'Cabot,' a Brig, in 1776, and Captured Five British ships sailing from Jamaica. In 1777, he was Commissioned a Captain and took command of the 'Alfred.' He Captured one merchantman, then two larger ships from Jamaica which he ferried to France to be sold by American agents there. On his cruise back to the US in March, he was taken by two British ships and made a prisoner. He was incarcerated in Fortune prison on July 18. Five days later, he bribed the guards and walked away. He made his way to Dunkirk by August 11, but was without his ship. In August 1778, he returned to the US aboard the 'Providence' under Captain Whipple. In 1780, Captain Hinman took command of the gunboat 'Dean.' At war's end, the US Government was found to owe him 3,000 dollars in back wages; which was cleared by issuing a Government “promissory note” rather than cash. Desperate for funds, however, he was forced to sell the note for three shillings on the pound (normally 20 shillings per pound). He applied for command of a Revenue Cutter in a letter to John Adams in 1798, citing his former service, good health, lack of further ambition, and financial need. He received Command of the Federal Revenue Cutter 'Argus' following the death of the previous captain. He was replaced as Captain in 1803, when he was 69 years old. He would die just four years later (aged 73). |
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Lot Number: 103
Click for a Printable Page Sign-in to Bid or Register to Bid |
Estimate Range: $6,000 - $9,000 |
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Early American History Auctions, Inc. 1520 Commerce St., # 312 • Winchester, VA 22601 Phone: 858 • 759 • 3290 Email: Auctions@EarlyAmerican.com |
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