Eliot family portraits

Shown here are in the Guest Gallery are several out of quite a large group of miniatures that have been sent in by a visitor to the website. They represent miniature portraits of some of his ancestors. Unfortunately none of them are signed, but a selection of those he has kindly submitted are shown here in the hope that an expert on British miniatures can leave a comment identifying the artists.

That has now happened very quickly for William Granville Eliot (as by William Wood) and we are very grateful for that

The miniatures show how clothes and hairstyles changed over a period of around sixty years for members of a single family. Although they are all by different artists, a family likeness can be discerned across the group.

The earliest one is from around 1755 and is of Granville Elliott. He is wearing a blue coat with gold braid. The artist is unknown and could be either British or French.

Granville Elliott (1713-1759), the only son of Major General Roger Elliott, married firstly Jeanne Therese du Han, Comptess de Martigney and he was raised to the title of Compte de Morhange. He died of wounds received at the Battle of Minden during the 7 Years Wars in Germany. For more see - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granville_Elliott

The second is from around 1780 when clothing styles were plainer than in 1750. It is of Francis Perceval Eliot wearing a red coat. Although it is not certain, this looks like the work of the famous British artist John Smart (1742-1811).

Francis Perceval Eliot (1755-1818), was the son of Granville Elliott and he reverted back to the correct spelling of the family name, Eliot. He was a Lieutenant-Colonel in the 2nd Staffordshire Militia in 1803.

He wrote for the Aegis newspaper and also wrote a number of books on finance and military matters.

For more about him see - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Perceval_Eliot

Dating from around 1805 is a fine miniature of William Granville Eliot wearing a blue army uniform. As can be seen in the comment left for this entry, a kind visitor has now attributed it to William Wood (1768-1809) who was one of the very best artists of that period.

William Granville Eliot (1779-1855) was the eldest son of Francis Perceval Eliot. He had a notable military career, including receiving a siver metal clasp for his part in the Battle of Talavera.

He also fought in the Battle of Fort Lillo and the Battle of Bergen-op-Zoom, and was the author of "A Treatise on the Defence of Portugal".

The fourth portrait, from around 1820, is of Henry Algernon Eliot wearing a naval uniform. This miniature is also unattributed.

Henry Algernon Eliot (1788-1857), was 6th son of Francis Perceval Eliot. He was a distinguished Royal Navy Officer, whose life is contained in the "British Naval Biography". He commanded the Tonnards boats up the River Tagus in 1810 in cooperation with the British troops occupying the Torres Vedras.

He also served on the Brazilian station in the Creole under Commander Lord William Bowles and in 1819 was promoted to command of the Icarus sloop, which he commanded until June 1821.