Portrait of William Dowd Scranton

From Madison Historical Society

1860s

Portrait of William Dowd (Doud) Scranton, born April 18, 1844 and died August 18, 1865 at the age of 21.  This death date and age are listed on the back of the portrait and confirmed on his gravestone at findagrave.com.  He is number 653 (see this # on the back of the portrait) on page 76 in the Scranton Genealogy (A Genealogical Register of the Descendants of John Scranton of Guilford, Connecticut who died in the year 1671).  Compiled by Erastus Scranton A. M. of Burlington, Conn.  Printed at Hartford:  Press of Case, Tiffany & Co.  1855).  William attended 2 years at Yale and died of consumption (now called tuberculosis).  He is buried in the West Cemetery in Madison.  He was baptised Nov. 3, 1844 at Madison, Conn. (All information from ancestry.com).  
His parents were Sereno H. Scranton (#275 - see a portion of this # on the back of the portrait) in Scranton Genealogy 1811 - 1896 and Susan Rebecca Dowd 1814- 1894.  They are also buried in the West Cemetery in Madison.  Sereno H. Scranton was a prominent citizen of Madison, owned many merchant ships and was a state representative and senator as well as President of the Shoreline Railroad.  
The oval image is is 22 1/2" x 18 1/12", the heavily gesso'd wooden frame is 30 1/2" x 26 3/4".  The plaster is damaged, especially on the left side.  The portrait is in good condition with some damage around the nose, mouth and left eye.

© Madison Historical Society (photo credit Bob Gundersen)

Accession/ID Number 2019.001.001