Since then, these works of art have lived in the
-- B.F.Sawyer home in Newport, NH 1847–1870
-- Franklin St duplex in Napa 1870–1924
-- HH Sawyer home at 605 Jefferson St in Napa, 1924–1960s
-- Martha Smith, Lafayette 1960s-1979
-- Martha Smith, Walnut Creek 1979-1985
-- Bert & Donna Smith, Moraga 1985-2022
In the 1970s, I wrote a school paper on the portraits after interviewing Aunt Marty about them and studying the painter and his style. I loved them so much. After Marty died in 1985, I even expressed an interest in the portraits.
That didn't happen. But this past summer when I was at the cabin, Tim and Aunt Claire approached me about being the next caretaker of these family treasures. Fast forward a few months, and I drove to Santa Rosa today to pick them up at Tim and Robert's home. I'm thrilled to have them.
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