Elizabeth "Betty" Dorn

Periodca. 1845

MediumGraphite on paper

Dimensions4.4 × 3.25 in. (11.2 × 8.3 cm)

ClassificationsPortraits

Credit LineGift of Amelia Vredenburgh Knight, 1932

Object number209

DescriptionSmall pencil sketch of an elderly woman facing left in profile. She has hooded eyes, a sharp nose, and a thin-lipped appearance that suggests the loss of most or all of her teeth. She wears a close-fitting simple cap, gathered at the back of the head and trimmed with a single edging ruffle around the face. It appears to fasten under the chin with narrow string ties. The subject wears a shawl or kerchief draped over her shoulders, worn rather high on the back of the neck, and apparently tucked into the front of the sitter's dress neckline. A sketchy depiction of a rolled or turned chair back appears at the lower right corner of the portrait. Retains its original frame.
Curatorial RemarksThe small pencil sketch of Betty Dorn, while quite well done, gives the appearance of an amateur or self-taught hand. It was conserved at the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts in Philadelphia in November of 1980. For other items related to Betty Dorn, see a rush bottom armchair (accession number 207) and a cotton calico printed short gown (accession number 860).NotesAccording to Association records, the donor identified this sketch as depicting Betty Dorn. Elizabeth "Betty" Dorn, an African-American, was born about 1760, possibly in Monmouth County. She worked for the family of Esek Hartshorne (1728 - 1795), a successful farmer who owned almost 800 acres of the family estate called Portland, plus a half interest in Sandy Hook. At some point after Hartshorne's death, Betty moved to the home of his daughter Elizabeth (1771 - 1849) and her husband Tylee Williams (1768 - 1828) in Shrewsbury. Her presence must have been welcomed as between 1792 and 1818 Elizabeth gave birth to eleven children. After the death of her husband, the widow Elizabeth joined the household of her eldest son, Edmund Tylee Williams (1804 - 1888). Apparently so did Betty Dorn, as she was listed there in the 1830 census as a female "55 and Under 100" in the "Free Colored Persons" category. The 1850 census again listed her, this time by her full name "Elizabeth Dorn," age 90, and a "free black female" still living with the Williams family. Betty Dorn died on 28 September 1850. Her obituary appeared in a local newspaper, "On the 28th Sept. last, very suddenly, at the residence of Edmund T. Williams, Shrewsbury, N. J., Betty, aged about 85 years, an honored and faithful domestic in the family of Tylee Williams,Dec'd, upwards of 55 years, and previously in that of his father-in-law Esek Hartshorne dec'd for an indefinite time. She was remarkable for honesty, fidelity, and strong attachment to the family, participating alike in their joy and sorrow. She was interred in the Friends burial ground, Shrewsbury, attended by the children, great-grandchildren, and other relatives of the deceased employers. Long will her memory be cherished."

Collections

ProvenanceEdmund Tylee Williams (1804 - 1888); to his daughter Elizabeth "Bessie" Hartshorne Williams (1844 - 1928), wife of William H. Vredenburgh (1840 - 1920) of Freehold; to her daughter Amelia Lippincott Vredenburgh (1871 - 1968), wife of Dr. Samuel Robinson Knight (1871 - 1931).