The Marsh children
Attributed to Edwin Plummer (1802-1880)
Haverhill, Massachusetts, circa 1827-1828
Each, watercolor and ink on paper, 4 ½ x 3 ½ inches, with original gilt frames

The subjects are Elizabeth C. Marsh, age 9, in pink holding a floral bouquet; John James Marsh , age 7, in brown with pocket watch and holding an apple and primer book; Moses Marsh Jr., age 5, in blue and holding a kite; Mary Frances Marsh, age 3, in yellow holding a gray cat, and Charles William Marsh, also known as “The Rockport Baby,” as inscribed on verso; the others with like inscriptions identifying the respective sitters.

These were the children of John Marsh (1780-1849) and Mary Plummer (1785-1869) both of Haverhill, Massachusetts, who were married on December 29, 1811. Mary Plummer was the daughter of Elizabeth Chandler and Thomas Plummer. The artist Edwin Plummer was a nephew of Mary Plummer. Portraits of Thomas and Elizabeth Chandler Plummer by Edwin Plummer are in the collection of The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum.