1958.109

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Details

ID Number

1958.109

Category

Communication Artifacts

Sub-category

art

Item Name

painting

Title

Hon. James Baby

Date

1825-1830

Materials

canvas

Measurements

overall: 17 in x 19 in

Description

framed, canvas not attached to stretcher; predominantly somber colours and flesh tones

History

Jacques (James) Baby (painted 1825-1830). Jacques (James) Baby (1763 - 1833) was born in Detroit and was very active in local politics and society. Jacques Duperon Baby, Jacques' (James) father, owned about 20 slaves (Black and Indigenous) and upon his death in 1789 some were inherited by Jacques (James) and his brother Francois. In 1802 he married Elizabeth Abbott and had five sons and one daughter. As Lord Lieutenant of the County of Kent (present day Chatham-Kent, Essex & Lambton Counties) Baby welcomed many important visitors to his home including Shawnee leader Chief Tecumseh and British Major General William Henry Proctor. Baby's wife died during the winter of 1812 - 1813 and, grieving, Baby moved to Quebec with his children. He later moved to York (now Toronto) where he died of a stroke on February 19, 1833. He was buried at St. Paul's, however, in 1860 his remains were removed to Sandwich for reinterrment in the Assumption Church Cemetery. Jacques was the brother of Francois Baby whose house (built in 1812) is the current location of Windsor's Community Museum. Francois was a militia officer, politician, justice of the peace and businessman. The Baby family, who were French and Roman Catholic was one of the most powerful in the Western District of Upper Canada. Following the British conquest of the French in 1760, the family pledged allegiance to the British crown and enjoyed good relations with the government at York (Toronto). However, it was sometimes regarded with suspicion by the local French-speaking population due to their close ties to the governing authorities. Artisit of portrait is unknown, however this was restored by the Quester International Grants Program (South Shore Seekers, Chapter #1156).

Collection Name

Museum Windsor

Subject (Fre)

Y

Subjects

Abbot, Elizabeth person

Baby family / Famille Baby person

Baby, Jacques person

Duff-Baby House / Maison Duff-Baby place

French Canadians / Canadiens-français subject

Government subject