This is a view of the Unitarian Church on Nantucket from Stone Alley. Probably about the mid to late 1950s. It is plain, clean, and simple but easily identifiable. It hangs in my own home – a gift from my parents. It was painted by my great grandmother – Other Nana – who has been mentioned a few times in this blog over the years.
She always worked with her hands. She was a milliner – oh please do not have to Google that! – and an excellent seamstress as well. Rheumatoid arthritis did a number on her from her hands and jaw to her feet. But, she kept her hands moving in an attempt to keep them from seizing up and painting and sewing and knitting were something she continued to do – she even smocked dresses for me when I was very little.
So, this painting has a lot of meaning for me.
Maria Mitchell was born and raised a Quaker but like all of her siblings – and many of her Nantucket generation – she left Quaker meeting. Her parents remained Quakers. Maria would attend Unitarian services in this church – renting a pew at one point. Though she attended services, her life still very much remained with one foot in the world of Quakerism. Her dress and daily life remained simple. And when addressing Quaker elders, she still utilized “thee” and “thy” though for younger generations, including her students, she now used the word “you” which Quakers forbade.
And thus the painting has even more meaning for me.
JNLF
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