Reuben Rowley
American, fl. 1825-1836 Portrait of a Young Girl with a Coral Necklace, 1826
Inscribed No. 56, signed R. Rowley and dated 1826 on the reverse Oil on canvas 26 x 21 3/4 inches Little is known of the life of Reuben Rowley, an itinerant portrait and miniature painter who lived in the vicinity of Ithaca and worked in Chenango and Susquehanna Valley towns in New York State in the mid-1820s. He was in Albany in 1832, where he is believed to have taught Philip Hewin. He moved on to Boston, remaining until 1838, exhibiting portraits and still life paintings at the Athenaeum. Few examples of Rowley’s work have been identified, and still fewer are signed. A pair of paintings of Colonel and Mrs. Richard Juliand is inscribed in a manner similar to that on the present work; it has been suggested that this, indeed, may be the artist’s signature. [William F. Brooks, Jr., “Reuben Rowley,” Encyclopedia of American Folk Art. New York: Routledge
…. Note* Saving this to research…. look at the obituary listed below, Only married one month? …the wife died so young! 23 years old, So sad!! Who is the young girl he painted, I can’t find where he was buried? Not with his wife, who was only 23 when she died, and of what? …”very large attentive audience…gracious, unassuming disposition, peculiarly mild and amiable,” Peculiarly mild and amiable? hmm why?….. I’m repeating myself, rambling… this is how I get hooked… have to get the facts all straight… stay tuned…… * 
1 vol.: ill (some col.); 39 cm.
Scrapbook contains original drawings, engravings, woodcuts, photographs, cutouts from period publications, wallpaper scraps, and fabric swatches arranged in room layouts. Rooms created include three parlors, four chambers, and a picture gallery, dance hall, sewing room, nursery, kitchen, china closet, music room, etc. A stationer’s label from Salem, Massachusetts, suggests that the album’s compiler was from that town or area.
Folio 288.
Entry 461. A collage album, or scrapbook, containing images of what a room looked like in the mind of a late nineteenth-century young adult interior designer. Ca. 1880s. http://www.winterthur.org/html/downs_collection_and_winterthur_archives/xhtml/JDCMcKinstry.htm
OBSERVERWednesday, March 4, 1829Hartford, Connecticut |
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MRS. ROWLEY DIESMrs. MARY ANN, wife of Mr. Reuben Rowley of Tompkins County and elder daughter of Zachariah Cone, Esq., of Hebron, died at Hebron, Connecticut, on Tuesday, 20th January, aged 23 years. Funeral at St. Peter’s Church …very large attentive audience…gracious, unassuming disposition, peculiarly mild and amiable. On 24th December last she was married to Mr. Rowley, a distinguished portrait painter. |
Rowley Registry Data |
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| NAME | RRN | SPENCER # |
| Mary Ann Rowley | 7694 | |
| Reuben Rowley | 7693 | |
| Zachariah Cone | 18227 | |
| Ancestors and descendants of these individuals have not been determined. There was an Erastus Rowley, son of the Revolutionary hero, Aaron, who was married to Eunice Cone in 1799. They lived in Berkshire County, MA. Erastus had a younger brother named Reuben, born in 1776. This couple had apparently only been married a month when she passed away. | ||
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Contributed by Ernst Spencer, 8/98.
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1909ventilo's Blog 
8 thoughts on “Reuben Rowley Portrait of a Young Girl with a Coral Necklace, 1826 brings $40,625”
Brenda
Hi!!!! We purchased the rowley – Blake home.. I would love to chat with you offf line.. Who posted the portrait by rueben rowley??
Brenda
This is interesting. I would love to chat with whomever is interested in learning more about Rowley. Also, whomever purchased this painting. We purchased the Blake/Rowley home… We have hired a historian to dig deeper than we could as there seem to be lots of “errors” in the homes recorded dates/deeds, etc… One interesting point. Our deed states that “Rueben Rowley was officially declared insane and therefore could not handle the estate so Anson Gardneir Blake was appointed by he court”
Chilli Chilleye
Hello Brenda, my name is Kevin Tulimieri and I am working on a research project on Reuben Rowley. I am quite fascinated by the note on your deed of Rowley being declared insane. I am most curious of the date, but would be interested in any additional information you have uncovered. I can be reached via email at liverantmail(at)sbcglobal(dot)net. Many thanks and all best wishes.
Brenda
I don’t know why I missed this note! It was not until now that someone sent me this link and said “is this your home”. Can you email me directly? The letter I have is from an address down the road and is dated 1850 I believe. I have not read if for a while but the woman states “I hear Mr . Rowley went insane and is at the asylum” or something of that nature. I’ll dig it up again
Brenda
I don’t know why I missed this note! It was not until now that someone sent me this link and said “is this your home”. Can you email me directly? I’m
Trying to email you and it’s not going through denbrenv(at)aol(dot)com
Fred Wallace
I have 4 large portraits by Philip Hewin (related to your post regarding Rowley). The Sweet/Knous family lived in the same area Wrentham/Hartford/Berkshire County. I am having a heck of a time determine whether they are of value or details about Hewin.
Brenda Varvarigos
Remind me of the connection Rowley was thought to have taught Hewin is that correct?
Brenda
Hi Valerie it’s Brenda if you have my email still can you email me?