By Karen A. Smith
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Left: This carefully researched painting depicts the German Hessian soldiers en route to the Battle of Brandywine. They march down "Ye Old Road to Nottingham," today U.S. Route 1. Note that in 1777 the road passed by the south and front side of the 1714 Barns-Brinton House. Right: The Barns-Brinton House as it appeared in the early 1900's before Route 1 was moved to the back and north side of the house. |
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On October 17th, the Chadds Ford Historical Society was honored by the gift of a Barclay Rubincam painting, Hessians Marching Past the Barns-Brinton House at the Battle of Brandywine. Donor M.L. Chandler Hughes, charter member of the Society, feels that the painting "should be in Chadds Ford." The 35" x 52" oil on board painting will be the focal point of the Society’s 2002 exhibit, In the Path of Battle: Chadds Ford & the Battle of Brandywine.
Although M.L. Chandler Hughes was born in New York, her family hails from the Chadds Ford area. Her father, P.M. Chandler, was born in Hamorton, but left as an adult to work in New York City and Philadelphia. He returned every year, however, bringing his family to Pocopson for summers. He owned the dairy farm on which stood the uninhabited and ramshackle Barns-Brinton House. M.L. has fond memories of the house. As a child, she remembers being deliciously frightened by someone rattling chains in the basement on Halloween (this event was set up by her father to entertain the children).
M.L. and her husband became permanent residents of Pocopson around 1945. M.L. joined the Society at its formation in 1968 and was heavily involved in the Society’s restoration of the Barns-Brinton House in the 1970’s. In 1976, as she prepared to retire to Maine, she decided to commission local artist Barclay Rubincam, well known for his historical artwork, to paint the Barns-Brinton House as it may have appeared during the Battle of Brandywine. The resulting painting captures Hessian soldiers en route to the battle. They march down "Ye Great Road to Nottingham," today’s U.S. Route One which, in 1777, passed by the south or front side of the Barns-Brinton House.
Barclay Rubincam (1920-1978) was born and grew up in Chester County, Pennsylvania, where he developed a lifelong love for its charming landscape and fascinating history. Art was an early passion and Barclay spent hours drawing and painting murals, posters, and other decorations and projects during his school years. After graduating from Unionville High School in 1939, he attended the Wilmington Academy of Fine Arts (today the Delaware Art Museum) where he was taught by Gale Hoskins and Frank Schoonover, among others. He also studied with N.C. Wyeth in Chadds Ford. Army service during World War II delayed the start of Barclay’s professional career as a painter, but when he returned from duty, he set up a studio in his newly purchased house in West Chester. In 1946 he married long-time sweetheart Caroline Hannum. The couple had four children: Andre, Reginald, Ghisele, and Christopher.
Barclay became successful at his chosen career, selling enough paintings to support himself and his family. The paintings were exhibited and offered for sale in local museums, art associations, banks, and other stores in and around West Chester and Wilmington. Most of his artwork was not commissioned, but was an expression of Barclay’s personal interests, one of these being local history. A favorite subject was the Battle of Brandywine; Barclay completed many paintings and maps focusing on this topic. Credit for the historical accuracy and detail that Barclay was known for must go to his wife Caroline, who served as his research assistant. The Society’s new painting grandly exemplifies Barclay’s enthusiasm for local history and we are thrilled to own it!
For those interested in learning more about Barclay Rubincam, the Society has purchased two books about his life and work (listed below). They are available to readers in the Society’s library, open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Further Reading
Hutchins, Catherine E. Barclay Rubincam Close Up: Reminiscences by Caroline Rubincam. Chadds Ford, PA: Brandywine River Museum, 1995.
Sheppard, Beverly B. Barclay Rubincam: A Retrospective. West Chester, PA: Chester County Historical Society, 1998.