What Is It? Where Is It? (April): Portrait of Ann Graeme

This month's "What Is It? Where Is It?" should have, at the very least, been obvious that it was part of a painting - you can even see part of the frame along the edge.

It is in fact the right hand of Ann Diggs Graeme, wife of Dr. Thomas Graeme for whom Graeme Park is named. The painting is unsigned, but has been attributed to Robert Feke (most of his existing works are unsigned) and shows many of the characteristics of his portraits, including the background. Most likely the hands, as was typical of 18th century portraits, were painted by an assistant or apprentice, and Feke then came in and did the face while Mrs. Graeme posed for the portrait.

The portrait of Ann Graeme is a reproduction, as are the other adult portraits that hang in the parlor of the Keith House. The originals are owned by descendants of Dr. and Mrs. Graeme's daughter, Mary Jane Graeme, and her husband, James Young, who was also painted by Feke. In fact, it was one of these relatives who correctly guessed what this month's "What is It? Where is It?" was in one of our Facebook comments.

As for what it is that Mrs. Graeme is holding, we're not actually sure but it is often speculated on by our visitors. Our guess has always been a snuff box of some sort. Because of the tradition of having the hands painted separately by an apprentice, we don't really know if it was even an item she owned, or just something the artist chose to depict.

We'll be back in May with our next edition.

R.I.P. Ann Diggs Graeme - May 29, 1765

Excerpted from The Most Learned Woman in America by Ann Ousterhout:

Emotionally exhausted and physically weakened from the relentless pregnancies and deaths [of her children] and her own illnesses, Ann Graeme had long anticipated and been preparing for death. As early as 1752, she had planned her funeral. She had woven her own burial linen, to save her family "trouble," and upon it she had written, "The Lord hath mercifully guided me by his Council, and I humbly hope through the merits of my Dear Redeemer will Raise me up to Glory. This is the Hour the joyful Hour I have waited for and long wished for to be dissolved and to be with Christ which is best of all" and she hoped not to "be Disappointed of my Humble Hopes." Her family and acquaintances firmly believed that God would grant her wish.

Ann Graeme had sent Elizabeth off to England without a word to detain her, despite a premonition of her own approaching death, because this was the way she wanted it. She knew that if Elizabeth had been there praying for her recovery, it would have been difficult for her to let go of life and die. Her daughter's love would have held her, but she believed that she was going to a better life and did not wish to be detained.


Elizabeth, who was in travelling in England did not learn of her mother's passing until a letter reached her on July 15, nearly seven weeks after the fact. The Willing commonplace book, written by Elizabeth between 1787and 1788 and held as part of the Graeme Park collection, contains the following:

Lines engraved on the Tomb Stone of Mrs. Graeme and Mrs. Stedman [this would be Elizabeth's sister, Ann Graeme Stedman] in Christs Church yard by their Sorrowfull Survivor Eliza Graeme 1766

Forgive great God this one last Filial tear!
Permit my Sorrows on a theme so near!
This Earth Born Strain indulge with mourn the Blest
And doubly mourns because thy were the Best
Tho Truth Remonstrates Self Love will prevail,
And Warp the Beam in Natures feeble Scale
A God incarnate Wept over Lazarus Dead;
The Power Divine Re-called the Spirit fled;
A poor frail being mourns a Mother gone!
The Tomb [tears?] closed before a Sisters flown!
Each was a _______, A ______ and a Friend,
She hopes to Join when Lifes Sharp Conflicts End
                                                               1766

I do not know whether or not this stone was ever created and laid. Ann's current stone reads simply:

Mrs Ann Graeme
Died 1765 Aged 65
And Husband
Dr. Thomas Graeme
Died 1772 Aged 84