The Old Tennent Church on the Monmouth Battle Ground

Artist Carrie A. Bowne Swift

Periodca. 1875 - 1895

MediumOil on clam shell

Dimensions4.1 × 5.6 in. (10.4 × 14.2 cm)

InscribedInscribed on the hinge of the clam shell, "The / Old / Tennent / Church / on the / Monmouth / Battle Ground."

ClassificationsLandscapes & Still Life

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Lois D. Schenck, 1979

Object number1979.16

DescriptionDepiction of a two story church building painted white with a five bay facade that includes three doors, a three bay end elevation, a chimney on the ridge line of the roof, and an octagonal cupola atop the left gable end that is surmounted to a conical roof and a weathervane in the shape of a rooster. The church is surrounded by its grassy graveyard, with a gravel path leading to two of its entrances. Two trees in full leaf flank the structure on the left and right. The sky is shown at sunrise or sunset, with a flock of birds passing over the church.
Curatorial RemarksIn addition to painting scenes of Battle of Monmouth landmarks on standard art board, Carrie Swift also used a wide range of unconventional media. In this instance, she has rendered her typical image of Old Tennent Church on a clamshell. She is also known to have used sheets of tin, other types of shells, and a wooden plate, in addition to an occasional use of oils on canvas. An 1880 article that appeared in the Monmouth Democrat noted that “Mrs. Swift has won quite a wide reputation as an artist in this line, and is receiving more orders for her work than she can conveniently fill.”NotesLocated on White Hill in Manalapan, the present Old Tennent Church was erected during 1751–53 to replace an earlier building. A cedar shingled structure constructed in the Georgian style and painted white, the church (initially organized in 1692) has long been associated with the development of Presbyterianism in the United States. However, as reported by the Reverend Frank R. Symmes, “much historic interest is added to the . . . church through its connection with the famous field of Monmouth” (History of the Old Tennent Church [1904]). Old Tennent Church was known as the New or Upper Meeting House (to distinguish it from the earlier Lower or Scots Meeting House, some five miles away). Its role in the events of 28 June 1778 was determined by its location––at the junction of a road running between Englishtown and Monmouth Courthouse.

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