The miniatures
All colour images are courtesy of Charles Cottrell-Dormer, with photography by Francis Hamel-Cooke. Each miniature is accompanied by a typewritten note (author unknown) indicating the identity of the sitter and some other details. The black and white images of two of the miniatures are from the Paul Mellon Photographic Archive collection (PA-F08238-0043 and PA-F08238-0063).
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The collection of Smyth miniature family portraits at Ashton Court were not sold in the 1947 sale. In Esme Smyth’s will all of the framed miniatures at Ashton Court were left to Thomas Cottrell-Dormer (a cousin).
“To the said Thomas Cottrell-Dormer …, all the framed miniatures at Ashton Court … .”
Sir Hugh Smyth (1632-1680)
“Another fine miniature, by Samuel Cooper, signed, of Sir Hugh Smyth, his long brown hair falling over a deep white collar wearing a black coat, with a red sash, original frame, 2 ¾ in.”
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Who was Sir Hugh Smyth?
Hugh was born in 1632 and was the son of Thomas Smyth and his wife Florence. Hugh married 17 year old Ann Ashburnham in 1654. Ann was the daughter of John Ashburnham who was Groom of the Bedchamber to Charles I and II and powerful at court. Sir Hugh and Ann had 6 children and in spite of ill-heath Ann took an interest in the Estate. Sir Hugh took up public office and was made a baronet in 1663. He died young at 47. Ann remarried and outlived him by many years. Their eldest son John inherited the Estate on his father’s death in 1680.
Lady Ann Smyth b. 1637 (nee Ashburnham) wife of Sir Hugh Smyth (1632-1680)
“A fine oval miniature of Elizabeth Ashburnham, wife of Sir Hugh Smyth, by Samuel cooper. Signed with stiff cork-screw curls, pearl ear-rings and necklace and a low cut light blue dress, in original frame, 3 ¼ in.”
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Anton Bantock corresponded widely on the subject of Ashton Court. Adrian Shann remarked in a letter to Anton of 1998:
“The Walpole Society in its vol. 47 (1978-1980) has an article on Samuel Cooper: from which it appears that an agent of Lord Conway-Woodshaw, by name - wrote in October 1651 of Anne, wife of Sir Hugh Smyth, sitting for a portrait, & that Cooper did portraits of both Hugh & Anne”.
This evidence and the working dates of Samuel Cooper confirm that this miniature is most likely to be a portrait of Ann Smyth (nee Ashburnham) b. 1637.
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Who was Ann Smyth?
Ann was born in 1637. In 1654, aged just 17, Ann married Sir Hugh Smyth of Ashton Court, the 1st baronet (1632-1680) and went on to have 6 children. She was the daughter of John Ashburnham who was Groom to the Bedchamber of King Charles I and II and powerful in the royal court.
Anton Bantock in one of his books described Ann as follows:
‘She was pathetic. helpless creature, ill-used and neglected by her husband. She never enjoyed good health and coughed so much that she once split the front of her bodice, ‘… I have had the spleen to a violent degree: it broke the lace of my wasecot in two …’
Ann wrote to Hugh about a storm (probably 1658) saying: … made sutch distrucktion in my park and spoiled my walks …’
She instructs him to repair the park pales, clear out fallen timber from the woods: 'And buy young trees to set in the walks whatever it cost …’
On the restoration of Charles II Ann wrote to Hugh saying his mother had not approved of the wine drinking celebrations in the streets of Bristol so Ann sent her mother-in-law a ‘barril of sider’.
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Hugh took up public service like his forbears and was made a baronet in 1663 by the new king but he also died young aged 47. Ann went on to marry a soldier and agent of Hugh’s who then spent time in prison. She outlived him too, dying aged 81.
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Who was Samuel Cooper?
Samuel Cooper (1609 -1672) was one of the greatest English miniaturists of the 17th century. He worked for both sides during the Civil War, and his sitters included Oliver Cromwell and Charles II.
Unknown members of the Smyth family
“A fine miniature of a man, also a Smyth, of Ashton Court, by Samuel Cooper, wearing a full brown wig and cravat tied with a blue bow, and gilt lion mask on his right shoulder, oval, 3 3/8 ins.”
“A fine 17th century miniature of a youth (a Smyth of Ashton Court) with long brown hair, a blue bow at his throat, wearing armour, oval, 3 in.”
Unknown members of the Smyth family
“A pair of late 17th century miniatures of a Lady and Gentleman, Smyths of Ashton Court, the former with a mass of tight curls on each side of her head, pearl ear-rings and necklace, and a light orange dress with a blue shawl, the man with chestnut hair and plump face, falling white cravat and fringed red shawl, ovals. In original frames, 3 3/8 in.”
Images from the Paul Mellon Archive
