Miniature watercolor portrait depicting Revolutionary War General Thomas Eaton of North Carolina (c. 1739-1809), depicted in late middle age, balding, with blue eyes and wearing a dark blue coat with gold buttons and a white shirt. Housed under glass in a copper frame with flat loop hanger and ball finial; retains its original oval red leather case with remnants of silk lining. Interior of case is inscribed "Gen. Eaton Continental Army NC." Framed: 2 1/2" H x 2" W. Note: Thomas Eaton served in the North Carolina Militia during the War of the Regulation in 1771 and in the Revolutionary War from 1775 to 1784, leading troops in the battles of Brier Creek and Guilford Courthouse. He was also a member of the NC Provincial Congress and the NC House of Commons, and the NC Council of State under Gov. Richard Caswell (ref. William S. Powell, The Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, p. 131). Gen. Eaton had considerable wealth and was listed in the 1790 census as one of the largest slaveholders in the state; a note found with the portrait states that he equipped a regiment at his own expense. Eaton's first wife, Anna Bland, bore him a daughter also named Anna, who married Guilford Dudley, originally of Halifax County, VA. Guilford and Anna Dudley resided in Williamson County, Tennessee and the portrait descended in their family to Mary Bright Wilson. Additional note: the next portrait in this auction is believed to depict Gen. Eaton's daughter Harriet.

PROVENANCE: Property of the Lincoln County Museum, Fayetteville, TN; Bequest of Mary Bright Wilson (1909-2004), formerly of Fayetteville, and descended in her family.

CONDITION: Two 1/4" areas of exfoliation to lower edge of portrait, on subject's coat; a few other scattered tiny spots of exfoliation; otherwise good condition. Not examined out of frame. Oxidation to frame. Case shows significant wear. Interior has old glue residue and losses to silk lining.