Love at first sight for me with this tree and a perfect marriage of watercolor and frame--plus provenance pinned to the back of it in the form of notes written on a Prudential envelope postmarked in 1971. The tree pictured is described on that envelope as "Charter Oak, Boston, MA" and the watercolor as having belonged to Almon Babcock of Ravenna, Ohio "who had one of the first taverns here in early 1800s...Supposed to have been made by one of his family." And then, below, "Purchased of Miss Hazel _ whose mother was a Babcok." And a stick pin stuck directly into the envelop, too "from pack of documents dated 1865."
A little digging quickly turns up an Almon Babcock of Ravenna born in 1824 and his father, also Almon, born in Granville, Mass., 1788, who moved to Ravenna, Ohio in 1810. It also turns up the elder Almon's wife, Mary, born in Hartford, Conn., 1789--and it is my guess that it is in fact Mary who painted this tree, not of Boston, MA but, rather, the famous Charter Oak of Hartford, CT (lots out there it, which fell during a storm in 1856.) Whether painted as a girl from sight, or later from memory, I am not certain, but I'd be willing to bet it was Mary's work, handed down and down and down!
9 1/2" x 6 11/16" framed, as found - under glass, presumed original lemon gold frame with wood back, notes on reverse. All the better in hand, special feeling about it, very charming.
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