William Hull

About this Portrait:
During his family's first visit to the United States, British pastelist James Sharples Sr. (1751-1811) painted a portrait of Hull. Sharples worked in New England, New York, and Philadelphia from 1795 to 1801. After the family's return to England, Sharples published a catalog of pastels including one of General Hull. Until recently, Sharples' Hull portrait was wrongly identified as that of General Anthony Wayne. A second version of this portrait (now owned by the Worcester Art Museum) shows Hull in civilian dress. This pastel is a copy of the Independence portrait, possibly by Sharples or his wife Ellen, and was painted for the subject's family.

Ownership History:
Listed in the 1801 Bath catalog of Sharples' works. Given by Ellen (Mrs. James) Sharples to Felix Sharples in 1811. Given by Felix Sharples to Levin Yardly Winder in the 1830s. Inherited by Nathaniel James Winder from Levin Yardly Winder. Inherited by Richard Bayly Winder from Nathaniel James Winder in 1844. Purchased by Murray Harrison from Richard Bayly Winder around 1865. Purchased by the City of Philadelphia from Murray Harrison in 1875.


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WILLIAM HULL 1753-1825 James Sharples Sr., from life, c. 1795-1801 Pastel on paper. H 9, W 7 in (H 22.9, W 17.8 cm) Independence NHP INDE 11911
		About the Man

	About this Portrait: During his family's first visit to the United States, British pastelist James Sharples Sr. (1751-1811) painted a portrait of Hull. Sharples worked in New England, New York, and Philadelphia from 1795 to 1801. After the family's return to England, Sharples published a catalog of pastels including one of General Hull. Until recently, Sharples' Hull portrait was wrongly identified as that of General Anthony Wayne. A second version of this portrait (now owned by the Worcester Art Museum) shows Hull in civilian dress. This pastel is a copy of the Independence portrait, possibly by Sharples or his wife Ellen, and was painted for the subject's family. Ownership History: Listed in the 1801 Bath catalog of Sharples' works. Given by Ellen (Mrs. James) Sharples to Felix Sharples in 1811. Given by Felix Sharples to Levin Yardly Winder in the 1830s. Inherited by Nathaniel James Winder from Levin Yardly Winder. Inherited by Richard Bayly Winder from Nathaniel James Winder in 1844. Purchased by Murray Harrison from Richard Bayly Winder around 1865. Purchased by the City of Philadelphia from Murray Harrison in 1875.
			ull was born in Derby, Connecticut. After graduating from Yale, he studied law. In 1775, he joined his local militia. During the Revolution, Hull served at White Plains, Trenton, Princeton, Saratoga, Monmouth, and Stony Point. He commanded the winter defensive lines north of New York City. In 1779, he left the military and opened a law practice in Newton, Massachusetts. fter the war, Hull commanded troops in western Massachusetts sent to suppress Daniel Shays's frontier revolt. Later, he accompanied two US diplomatic missions to Canada. He served as a judge in the Massachusetts court of common pleas and sat in the senate. In 1805, President Thomas Jefferson appointed him governor of the new Michigan Territory. At the beginning of the War of 1812, Hull accepted a brigadier general's commission. He led a failed invasion of Canada that resulted in the loss of Detroit to British forces. Though court-martialed and sentenced to death, Hull received a reprieve from President James Madison. Hull died in Newton on November 29, 1825.


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