Freehold Library Bookplate Drawing

Period1923

Place MadeFreehold, New Jersey

MediumInk on heavy paper mounted on cardboard

Dimensions20.25 × 14.13 in. (51.4 × 35.9 cm)

Inscribed"EX LIBRIS / PUBLIC LIBRARY OF FREEHOLD"

Signed"W. RHEA MOREAU 1923"

ClassificationsDrawings

Credit LineGift of Freehold Public Library, 2019

Object number2019.18

DescriptionA pen and ink drawing on paper in portrait orientation, depicting an amalgam scene of George Washington on horseback, doffing his tricorne hat to Molly Pitcher. Molly stands in front of a cannon, holding a bucket and cannon swab. To the left of Molly, a male figure holding a sheaf of wheat and a female figure holding an early American flag face Washington. To the right of Washington a figure dressed in collegiate cap and gown and a workman leaning on a large sledgehammer face the central scene. Behind all the figures are identifiable Freehold buildings, including from left to right Covenhoven House, St. Peter's Church, and the old Monmouth Courthouse. The scene is set in three panels of Gothic tracery arches. Below the central scene is a stack of books above the inscription "PUBLIC LIBRARY BOROUGH OF FREEHOLD." The artist's signature "W. RHEA MOREAU" can be seen in the lower left corner, with the date "1923" in the lower right corner.
Curatorial RemarksWilliam Rhea Moreau (1892-1964) produced this lovely pen and ink drawing in 1923 as a bookplate design for the Carnegie Freehold Public Library on East Main Street. The image includes numerous visual references to the area's strong connection to the American Revolution as well as the recognizable rooftops of three of Freehold's surviving Colonial buildings. The building at the far left was Moreau's own family homestead. Known as "Clinton's Headquarters," the structure was occupied by General Sir Henry Clinton and British troops in the days leading up to the Battle of Monmouth on June 28, 1778. St. Peter's Church in the center served as a British field hospital during and after the battle. Monmouth's courthouse building, topped with its weathervane, can be seen at right.NotesWilliam Rhea Moreau was born in Freehold in 1892. The son of William M. and Elizabeth Jones Moreau, Rhea (as he was known to friends and family) grew up in the sturdy 18th century home located along West Main Street known as "Clinton's Headquarters." Moreau attended Freehold High School and graduate in 1908. After receiving a certificate in agricultural studies, he attended the Art Students League in New York City for three years. Moreau was a highly respected expert in agriculture, dairy cows, and horticulture. He also wrote extensively for the Monmouth County Agricultural Society as well as numerous articles for local newspapers. He was also deeply interested in local history, amassing a large collection of antiques, many of which had descended within the Moreau family. A tribute, published in the Freehold Transcript in the days following his death, noted that Moreau "was the fast disappearing country philosopher with moral fortitude and wisdom - salt of the earth." The tribute ended by noting that "Rhea Moreau was a part of Freehold and the community will miss him as one of its most prominent sons."

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