Fox Family

In the 1750s, one William Fox—possibly some relation to, if not the father of, the painted subject—was a prosperous ship-owner, merchant, tavern-keeper, and original member of the Kilwinning Crosse Lodge in Port Royal, Caroline County, Virginia. (A Jacob Fox was listed as a member of the same Lodge ca. 1770.) And in 1771, 1772, and 1774, a Jacob Fox (possibly the Lodge member) was listed as a ship's captain trading out of Virginia—a role that corresponds neatly to this portrait subject's elegant telescope and the sailing vessels depicted behind him.

William Williams is not known to have worked in Virginia. After stints in Philadelphia and Jamaica, the English-born artist took up residence in New York City by 1769 and, about 1776, left there for England, where he died. Jacob Fox's clearly-dated 1774 portrait thus falls well within the span Williams is believed to have spent in New York City. Fox could have travelled there. In fact, ship captain Jacob Fox is known to have operated between Virginia and New York in 1774.

William Williams had a son who also took up easel painting. Confusingly, the son was also named William Williams, and the works of the two men have been confused in years past. Jacob Fox's likeness includes all the earmarks of the father's style, including crisp delineation, elongation of the figure, and a contrived, theatrical setting. In this picture, the last is suggested by the dark mound occupying much of the right side and part of the lower edge of the picture and by the stacked, rocky ledge that similarly defines the left side and part of the upper edge. The effect is hardly coincidental: Williams is known to have painted stage scenery in Philadelphia. The full-length format and small scale of the painting belie the artist's English origins, inevitably recalling the conversation pieces that were so much more popular in Britain than America.

Anthony Sayer Lodge No.4225 (EC)

The Founder’s jewel for the Anthony Sayer Lodge in London is dated 1920. The lodge is named after the first Grand Master of England in 1717 according to the Constitutions and shows a very high quality miniature portrait painting.

Born in c.1672, Sayer was a bookseller of modest means living in St Giles in the Fields, London, an area north ofFreemasons’ Hallon Great Queen Street. He was a member of a lodge meeting at the Apple Tree Tavern in Covent Garden, now Lodge of Fortitude and Old Cumberland, London.

Described as a gentleman, Sayer was elected as Grand Master for one year on St. John Baptist’s Day, 24th June 1717. Two years later, Sayer was appointed Senior Grand Warden by the Grand Master, theRev. John Theophilus Desaguliers.

Sayer’s progress as a freemason has become symbolic; having come from a modest background to serveas Grand Master, elected by his fellow members, he can be seen as a person of character and respect. Facing financial hardship, he demonstrated fortitude by setting up lodge rooms for meetings and humility by receivingassistance when needed. It is fitting that the first Grand Master’s own story reflects the merits of freemasonry that endure today.