~The Artist~acquired by Maria Moore, Trenton Falls, NY, 1853~Frederick H. Gouge, Utica, NY, 1895~
Thence by descent to the present owner~~The following faint inscription is found on the back of the stretcher:~"Presented to Maria Moore / by Kensett / Presented to F.H. Gouge by Maria Moore / ce. 1895"~~The first owner of the present work, Maria Sherman, married Michael Moore on January 2nd, 1831 in Trenton Falls, NY. For many years, the couple ran the Trenton Falls hotel, also commonly called the Moore's Hotel, since its construction in 1851. The hotel brought increased tourism to the area which was already considered a popular destination between New York and Niagara Falls. Mrs. Maria Moore acquired the present work from Kensett in 1853 and hung the painting in the newly built hotel. Moore's daughter, Abigail Moore, married Frederick H. Gouge on October 25, 1881. Frederick H. Gouge, an architect, relocated with his wife to Utica, NY where he designed many of Utica's notable buildings such as The First National Bank and the Park Baptist church. Mrs. Moore gave the painting to her son-in-law, Mr. Gouge, in 1895, and the painting has since been passed down through the family.