Ruth Henshaw Bascom (1772 - 1848)

Ross Levett Collection;

Northeast Auctions by Ronald Bourgeault, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, New Hampshire Auction, November 6, 1993, lot 771;

Barbara Pollack, Sunapee, New Hampshire.

Remi Spriggs, “Living with antiques: An Americana collection in New Jersey,” Magazine Antiques (April 2005), 94-105;

Nancy Brannigan Painter, “Objects of Affection,” New Jersey Monthly (November 2006), 112-7;

Leslie and Peter Warwick, Love At First Sight: Discovering Stories About Folk Art & Antiques Collected by Two Generations & Three Families, (New Jersey: 2022), pp. 251-2, fig. 423-423a.

Harriet Rugg (January 22, 1815- May 26, 1897) was born to parents Joseph Rugg and Mary Hazen, in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Anson (January 6, 1812-June 5, 1866) was the son and eighth child of Reverend Merari Spaulding and Betty Heald. Harriet and Anson were married on July 3, 1834 and their portraits were taken on July 29, 1834, twenty-six days after they were married as recorded in Ruth Bascom's diary. Anson was primarily a farmer and carpenter, and a part-time teacher during some winters. He was a member of the Leominster school committee and was also a tax assessor. They had five children.