Painting
Ammi Phillips portrait of Phoebe Doud (Dowd) Gay
Portrait
circa 1835 – 1840 (Date manufactured/created)
Oil Paint
Canvas
Oil on canvas portrait of Phoebe Doud Gay (1766-1856) by Ammi Phillips (1788-1865), painted c. 1835-1840.
Phoebe Doud (Phebe Dowd) was born on June 17, 1766, in Saybrook, CT, the daughter of Samuel Doud. She married Calvin Gay on October 24, 1790. They lived at 316 Gay Street, an impressive brick house often referred to as the Amos Marchant House. The couple had three children George Augustus Gay, Peggy Banks Gay, Sally Gay (1797), and Samuel Dowd Gay.
Phoebe died on April 20, 1856, at the age of 89, and little is known about her life.
Her daughter Sally was sent to the Litchfield Ladies’ Seminary in 1815. Several other Sharon girls had attended the school, including Julia Canfield (daughter of prominent Sharon lawyer and politician Judson Canfield and his wife, Mabel Ruggles) and her younger sister, Elizabeth Canfield (Tallmadge). While Julia attended the school prior to 1812 (records are inconclusive), Elizabeth attended in 1809 and again in 1814.
Phoebe Doud (Phebe Dowd) was born on June 17, 1766, in Saybrook, CT, the daughter of Samuel Doud. She married Calvin Gay on October 24, 1790. They lived at 316 Gay Street, an impressive brick house often referred to as the Amos Marchant House. The couple had three children George Augustus Gay, Peggy Banks Gay, Sally Gay (1797), and Samuel Dowd Gay.
Phoebe died on April 20, 1856, at the age of 89, and little is known about her life.
Her daughter Sally was sent to the Litchfield Ladies’ Seminary in 1815. Several other Sharon girls had attended the school, including Julia Canfield (daughter of prominent Sharon lawyer and politician Judson Canfield and his wife, Mabel Ruggles) and her younger sister, Elizabeth Canfield (Tallmadge). While Julia attended the school prior to 1812 (records are inconclusive), Elizabeth attended in 1809 and again in 1814.
Purchased at auction by the Sharon Historical Society (with funds from Hugh McMillan and Whitney Vosburgh), 1957
1958.04.02