Miniature of John Hopton By Yonge
Name/Title
Miniature of John Hopton By YongeEntry/Object ID
92.5.2Description
Yonge John Hopton (b. 1748) England 1771 Watercolor on ivory in velvet case John Hopton (S.1786) was the Brother of Sarah Hopton Russell. Hopton Was One of Charleston's Most Successful Merchants, But His Wavering Political Affiliations Led To His Property Being Confiscated By the Whigs. Hopton Fled SC For London in 1782 and Never Returned. Young John Hopton London, England ca. 1771 Watercolor on ivory in velvet case H. 1 1/4 x W. 2 5/8 x D. 11/16 inches Historic Charleston Foundation, Charleston, SC, gift of Mrs. Henry M. Abbot, 92.5.2 From 1765 to 1769, John Hopton (1748-1831), son of merchant William Hopton (d.1786) and Sarah Ward, clerked in the mercantile firm of notable statesman Henry Laurens. Following the completion of his apprenticeship, Laurens wrote Hopton letters of introduction and encouraged him to travel abroad to expand his business acumen. On July 31, 1770, Laurens wrote to Lisbon business associates John Stephenson and Josiah Holford that "now in prosecution of a plan which I recommended to him he [Hopton] is going to Europe, intends to visit Oporto, Lisbon, Cadiz, &ca., Amsterdam, Rotterdam, & Hamburg, London, Bristol, Liverpoole, & many of the Trading and manufacturing Cities & Towns in Great Britain." While in London, Hopton had this miniature painted by the now little-known artist Young, who is thought to have exhibited at the Society of Artists from 1767 to 1775. Despite the fact that Hopton caused great scandal when he misrepresented himself to Laurens's clients abroad, following his return to Charleston, Hopton launched his career as one of the city's most successful merchants. In 1782, Hopton evacuated with the British during the Revolutionary War, and he lived the remainder of his life in England while maintaining close familial and business ties to Charleston. BSC George C. Rogers, Jr. and David R. Chesnutt, eds. Papers of Henry Laurens Vol. 7 (Columbia: University of South Carolina Press, 1979), 315. Maurie McInnis and Angela Mack, In Pursuit of Refinement: Charlestonians Abroad (Columbia: University of South Carolina Press, 1999), 233.Collection
Historic Charleston Foundation CollectionAcquisition
Accession
92.5.Source or Donor
Abbot, Mrs. HenryAcquisition Method
GiftCredit Line
Gift of Mrs. Henry M. AbbotMade/Created
Date made
1771Place
Location
EnglishInscription/Signature/Marks
Transcription
YongeLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Primary Object Term
PaintingNomenclature Class
ArtNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsOther Name
MiniatureDimensions
Height
1-1/4 inWidth
1-1/16 inDepth
1/8 inDimension Notes
closed box: width: 2", Height: 3.25, Depth: 3/4"Location
Location
Room
303Building
Nathaniel Russell HouseCategory
PermanentMoved By
SJDate
July 28, 2004Location
Building
NR Exhibit RoomMoved By
June HawkinsDate
June 24, 2002Notes
Until: / /Location
Room
303Building
Nathaniel Russell HouseMoved By
June HawkinsDate
June 24, 2002Notes
Until: / /Location
Building
NR 303 C3Category
PermanentCondition
Overall Condition
GoodRelationships
Related Publications
Notes
Charlestonian's Abroad Catalogue P. 233Exhibitions
10
16