Man - attributed to Jacob Marling (American, 1774-1833), oil on canvas (lined), unsigned, remnants of typed label to verso of frame identifying the sitter as Colonel Theodore F. Birchett, remnant of label to top stretcher inscribed "Margaret Twitty Carpenter" (Stretcher size 29 x 25 in.; Frame dimensions 34 5/8 x 30 5/8 in.) (faint stretcher marks, minor stable craquelure).

woman - unidentified artist, oil on canvas (with clear acetate backing), unsigned, remnants of typed label to verso of frame with some inscriptions in ink (Stretcher size 29 3/4 x 24 1/2 in.; Frame dimensions 35 5/8 x 30 3/8 in.) (several patches to the verso, repaired vertical tear to canvas near proper left stretcher, faint stretcher marks, minor stable craquelure, scattered retouch visible under UV light).

Margaret Twitty Carpenter of Rutherfordton, North Carolina was the daughter of Robert G. Twitty.

Robert G. Twitty was close friends with Theodore Birchett and named one of his sons Theodrick Birchett. Twitty served as executor of Ann's estate at her death in 1844.

Colonel Theodore F. Birchett (1795-1839) was born in Raleigh, North Carolina and died in Rutherfordton, North Carolina. He was elected as a delegate to the 1835 Constitutional Convention, representing Rutherford County. He held several county offices and was instrumental in bringing a road between Rutherfordton and Asheville.

He married Ann Elizabeth Miller Birchett (1811-1844) on November 16, 1836 in Rutherfordton. She was the daughter of Andrew Miller and Anna Abrams Miller, also of Rutherfordton.

Jacob Marling was the first professional artist to practice in Raleigh, North Carolina. He moved to Raleigh from Warrenton in order to be near the political and social center of the state. Marling's portraits of the elite of North Carolina include William Kirkland of Hillsborough, William Augustus Blount of Beaufort County, Montfort Stokes of Wilkes County, Governor William Miller of Warren County and numerous others. In addition to his portraits, Marling also painted an exceptionally fine painting of the North Carolina Statehouse following its restoration from fire damage in 1818.

$1,000 - 3,000