American Artist: Nathaniel Rogers

Elisabeth ("Babeth") Monboucher (1798-1851),
Wife of New Jersey Banker and Steamship Company
Director Miles Cromptom Smith (1789-1861),
Depicted with a Cloudy Sky Background

American
circa 1825
by Nathaniel Rogers (1787-1844)

2 1/8 x 2 7/8 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed in a gilt metal surround (glass lens missing)

Notes written in French (presumably by a family member) on the backing paper
that appears to the reverse of Elisabeth Monboucher's miniature portrait.
An English translation reads as, " Elisabeth (Babeth) Monboucher / wife of /
Miles Crompton Smith / sister of Elisabeth Monboucher-Maillard / mother of
big brother Maillard / (Aunt from America)"

About the Portrait and Subject: This miniature portrait was acquired from a dealer in Germany. The notes to the reverse of the portrait led the seller to believe it was painted by an unknown French artist, but well-studied collectors of American miniatures will immediately recognize the portrait as the work of preeminent New York miniaturist Nathaniel Rogers (1787-1844).

It is not unusual, actually, that an American miniature portrait would end up thousands of miles away in Europe. They were, after all, the photographs of their time and, like photographs today, they were commonly exchanged between loved ones and friends.

Researching the names that appear to the reverse of the miniature provides some important clues as to both the identity of the subject and the likely provenance of the portrait.

Elisabeth Monboucher (commonly referred to as "Babeth" by her family, to differentiate her from her older sister, who was also named Elisabeth) was born on November 2, 1798, in the southwestern French town of Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, in the Gironde department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. At the age of 18, in Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, she married 27-year-old English-born American Miles Cromptom Smith (1789-1861), on October 3, 1817. It is not known what brought Miles Cromptom Smith to France, nor is it known how he met the young Elisabeth. It is known, however, that the couple spent several months in Europe before sailing to America. They are recorded as having arrived with two servants to New York City on August 9, 1818, having sailed 42 days earlier from Havre, France aboard the ship Rubicon. (*1) The Smiths settled in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where Miles Smith established himself as a successful businessman and leading citizen.

Elisabeth Monboucher Smith had her portrait painted by Rogers while visiting New York City, in about the year 1825. It was surely intended as a gift to be sent to her family back in France. Judging by the notes to the reverse of the portrait, one easily imagines that it was passed down through the family of her older sister, Elisabeth Monboucher-Maillard.

Research reveals that Miles Crompton Smith led a life of admirable accomplishment. In March, 1822 he and nine other prominent citizens of New Brunswick jointly founded a savings bank. (*2) In October, 1826, he was elected to the board of directors of the State Bank at New Brunswick. (*3) In May, 1829 he was elected president of the Middlesex and Somerset Protection Society for the Recovery of Stolen Horses and Detection of Thieves. (*4) In 1831, Smith was a founding shareholder of the New Brunswick Steamboat and Canal Transportation Co. (sometimes also referred to as the Napoleon Co., as their flagship steamboat was named Napoleon), which was granted a charter of incorporation by the New Jersey Legislature in January of that year. (*5) The company provided for much needed transport of passengers and goods between New Brunswick and New York City. Smith served as both president and director of the firm for many years. In 1831, Smith also served as a New Jersey delegate to the Free Trade Convention (a gathering in Philadelphia of over 200 prominent citizens from 15 of the then-24 states to advocate for free trade and a reduction in tariffs on imported goods). (*6) Smith also owned timberland in New York state and was an active producer of milled lumber. While more research is required to determine the extent of his land holdings, it is known that in 1839 he sold a large tract of several hundred acres of timberland near the town of Hancock, in Delaware County. (*7) In 1846, Smith and two of his brothers offered for sale or lease water power generation rights on the Delaware River and Raritan Canal, which they described as "valuable water power with land sufficient for the erection of extensive manufacturing establishments, and all necessary buildings appertaining to the same." (*8)

Elisabeth Monboucher Smith passed away on June 17, 1851, at the age of 52. She is buried in the Christ Church Episcopal Churchyard, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Her husband Miles outlived her by ten years, before passing on November 14, 1861, at the age of 72. He is buried beside his wife at the Christ Church burial ground.

(*1) Port of New York: Arrived Since Our Last" (newspaper article), Mercantile Advertiser, New York, New York, August 10, 1818 edition, Issue 8513, page 2. / Also: List of ship arrival notices, New England Palladium & Commercial Advertiser, Boston, Massachusetts, August 14, 1818 edition, Vol. XLVII, Issue 13, page 1

(*2) To the Public (newspaper article), The Fredonian, New Brunswick, New Jersey, March 28, 1822 edition, Vol. XI, Issue 572, page 1.

(*3) Bank Election (newspaper article), The Fredonian, New Brunswick, New Jersey, October 18, 1826 edition, Vol. XVI, Issue 810, page 2.

(*4) Middlesex and Somerset Protection Society for the Recovery of Stolen Horses and Detection of Thieves (newspaper article), The Fredonian, New Brunswick, New Jersey, May 20, 1829 edition, Vol. III, Issue 107, page 3.

(*5) Report of Commissioners Appointed to Investigate Charges Made against the Directors of the Delaware and Raritan Canal, and Camden and Amboy Railroad and Transportation Companies, printed in 1850 by Phillips and Boswell, Trenton, New Jersey, page 91. / Also: Digest of the Bill and Answer in the Case of John D. Hagar, Complainant, against Edwin A. Stevens and Others, Defendants..., printed in 1847 by Arnold and Brittain, Trenton, New Jersey, page 3.

(*6) List of Delegates Who Had Taken Their Seats in the Free Trade Convention (newspaper article), New-York Commercial Advertiser, New York, New York, October 8, 1831 edition, Vol. XXXIV, Issue 4, page 1. / Also: List of Delegates Who Had Taken Their Seats in the Free Trade Convention (newspaper article), Boston Commercial Gazette, Boston, Massachusetts, October 10, 1831 edition, page 3.

(*7) For Sale -- a Large Tract of Timber Land (newspaper advertisement), Commercial Advertiser, New York, New York, March 1, 1839 edition, Vol. XLII, page 4.

(*8) Notice to Capitalists and Manufacturers (newspaper advertisement), Newark Daily Advertiser, Newark, New Jersey, June 27, 1846 edition, Vol. 14, Issue 306, page 4.

Other portraits in the Tormey-Holder Collection by Nathaniel Rogers
(click photos for larger views and additional information):

Jacksonian Era Gentleman
with Long Sideburns

Jacksonian Era Gentleman
with the Initials "J H"

Jacksonian Era Lady Depicted with
an Ocher-Colored Background

Early American Gentleman
Seated in a Bamboo Chair
and Depicted with a Sky Background