Grace Woven Through Time

In the quiet sanctum of C.M. Bell's studio, the venerable faces of the Gilded Age come forth, each portrait a testament to lives steeped in experience and grace. Through his discerning lens, Bell captures the essence of these individuals, their countenances etched with the lines of wisdom and the patina of time. The portraits of Mrs. Brigham, Mrs. M.G. Butler, and Mrs. M. Collins reveal not just the passage of years, but the depth of stories lived and lessons imparted. Each image stands as a silent narrative, inviting the viewer to ponder the rich tapestry of history woven into every gaze and gesture.

These photographs transcend mere documentation; they are visual hymns to the resilience and dignity of those who have traversed the varied landscapes of life. In the poised demeanor of Mrs. N.J. Cunningham (widow), one discerns a strength forged through personal trials, while the serene expression of Mrs. D.G. Fleming speaks to a lifetime of quiet fortitude. Bell's artistry lies in his ability to encapsulate the intangible qualities of his subjects, rendering portraits that resonate with authenticity and reverence. Through his work, we are granted a window into the souls of these elders, whose lived experiences continue to echo through the corridors of time.

Mrs. Field (Wife of Associate Justice Field)

Mrs. Field is of Holland extraction. She was Miss Sue Virginia Swearingen, a descendant of that famous and an ancient family of The Hague, where the European descendants still live. Gewitt Swearingen was a member of the Dutch India Company and settled on the Delaware river when still in possession of the Dutch, before 1657. Members of the Hague family were also famous in the wars of Holland and the Spanish succession. The American branch first settled in New York. Mrs. Field's father having visited Holland returned to the United States and married a Virginia lady, daughter of an Englishman who had settled at Richmond. Mrs. Field was born in Louisville. Her father dying when she was young, her mother, who was a woman of great spirit, removed with her family to California, taking the long journey by the Isthmus. Mrs. Field remembers the journey well, and particularly Captain David D. Porter, now Admiral of the navy, who was in command of the steamer. When Miss Swearingen became Mrs. Field her husband, who was one of the pioneers of Marysville, Cal., his present home, was Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Golden State, jof which he soon after became Chief Justice. In 1863, being a Union Democrat, he was the united choice of the Republicans and Democrats of the California delegation in Congress for Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States for the Pacific circuit and was appointed by President Lincoln. Since her first appearance in Washington, Mrs. Field has been one of the recognized social leaders. It was she and Mrs. Miller who established Mondays as Supreme Court days. Since the Associate. Justice established himself in his historic residence on Capitol Hill; the entertainments of Mrs. Field have been among the most brilliant at the seat of government, which has given her the name of the hostess of the court. She is most exacting in the performance of her social duties. She shows very marked traces of her distinguished Dutch ancestry and might be said to be a type of the matronly beauties of the lowlands.

The Times
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
23 Dec 1888, Sun • Page 10