Hope, James, 1819-1892

James Hope was born in Scotland on November 29, 1818 (or 1819). After the death of his mother, his father immigrated to Canada. Hope's father died in 1831, and James left Canada to apprentice as a wagon-maker in Fair Haven, Vermont. In 1841, he married Julia Marietta Smith (b. December 28, 1820) in West Rutland, Vermont. Hope developed a skill for portraiture (and later for painting landscapes). After studying in Montreal, he supported his family by teaching painting and drawing at Castleton Seminary. In the early 1850s, he took a studio in New York City where he painted and marketed his work during the winter and returned to his home in Castleton in the summer. During the Civil War, Hope served as a Captain in the Second Vermont Regiment. In 1872, Hope built a studio and art gallery in Watkins Glen, New York, where he lived until his death on October 20, 1892. Julia Hope died in Watkins Glen on September 2, 1906.

James and Julia Hope's four children who survived to adulthood were: Henry Francis (b. Oct. 4, 1842); (James) Douglas (1846-1929); Julia Adelaide or "Addie" (b. Nov. 13, 1848); and Jessie (b. Nov. 30, 1850) Hope. Addie married George A. Stearns in 1868; she died in 1871 in the Argentine Republic where she is buried. (James) Douglas Hope was born on February 1, 1846 and spent his boyhood in Castleton, Vermont. In 1872, he moved with his family to Watkins Glen, New York. He learned the art of photography and became known as the "glen photographer." In 1878, he married Emily Akester.

From the description of James Hope papers, 1854-1983. (Vermont Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 780066286

James hope was born in Drygarange, Roxburghshire, Scotland, on November 29, 1819 (or 1818) and immigrated to Canada at age nine. At age 15 he moved to Fairhaven, Vt., to apprentice with a wagon-maker. After a year at Castleton Seminary he taught school; married Julia M. Smith of West Rutland on Sept. 20, 1841; and set himself up as a professional artist in 1843. In 1852 he established a winter studio in New York City, spending the summer with his family in Castleton, Vt. While in New York City he served as an agent for Middletwon Healing Spring Water. In 1872 he moved to Watkins Glen, New York, where he opened a gallery to display his paintings. He died there on October 20, 1892.

In 1861, after the outbreak of the Civil War, Hope recruited volunteers for Company B of the Second Vermont Regiment. Hope served as captain. During the Civil War Hope sketched some of the major battles which he later developed into large canvases.

James and Julia Hope had four children who survived to adulthood: Henry F.; J. Douglass, who became a photographer; Jessie; and Addie, who married George A. Stearns and died in Argentina in 1871.

From the description of James Hope Letters, 1853-1954. (Vermont Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 45286906