Last updated: March 7, 2023
Person
William James Hinchey
Gift of Dr. Bill Mason and Mr. Bob Scharfenstein in honor of Dr. Graham C. Boettcher, AFI.290.2010
Quick Facts
Significance:
Artist who documented the Santa Fe Trail through drawings and writings
Place of Birth:
Dublin, Ireland
Date of Birth:
1829
Date of Death:
1893
Place of Burial:
St. Louis, Missouri
When offered the opportunity to travel to America for a year, Irish-born artist William James Hinchey could not resist. He was studying art in Paris when he was approached by the Bishop of the Diocese of Santa Fe, Jean Baptiste Lamy, and asked to paint religious artworks in New Mexico. Intrigued by the thought of adventure and discovery, Hinchey agreed.
In 1854, Hinchey and Lamy travelled by boat from Europe to New York City, then overland to the Kansas City area where they began the last leg of their journey on the Santa Fe Trail. Hinchey documented the trip through drawings and writings.
Hinchey’s journals paint a picture of the day-to-day life of trail travelers. He relates stories of new landscapes, tremendous storms on the prairie, noisy coyotes and jackals, beautiful mountaintop panoramas, hunger pains, thirst, American troops, Mexicans, and indigenous tribes. Hinchey frequently sketched the scenes described in his journal, offering glimpses of the people, communities, and landscapes trail travelers encountered at the time.
Hinchey was not only an artist, but a social activist who fled Ireland after protesting oppressive British rule. Of the opportunity to visit America, Hinchey wrote, “I had read much and dreamed of the glory of free America and had felt a great gratitude to the United States as the hospitable refuge of those who fled there from the greedy grasp of Europe’s monsters and mighty ones” (published in Wagon Tracks, May 1996, pg. 13). His ideals about America as a refuge would be tested during his visit, causing him to speak against the racism he encountered. After witnessing a particularly cruel act, he wrote a biting letter to the Santa Fe Gazette calling out the blatant and troubling discrimination in the city.
Hinchey lived in Santa Fe for a little over a year, completing artistic works for the Catholic church. On February 28, 1855 he began his return trip eastward on the Santa Fe Trail. Of arriving back in Westport, MO, Hinchey wrote, “When I came in sight of it, it seemed to me as though the houses were all illuminated from within; so did they shine in my eyes” (published in Wagon Tracks, November 1996, p. 18).
Although Hinchey originally planned to return to Europe, he stayed in Independence, MO, after his return from Santa Fe. In Independence Hinchey painted personal portraits, store signs, and banners. Though he was enjoying social life in Independence, Hinchey decided to move to St. Louis in 1856. He had fallen desperately in love with a woman who was engaged, and the devastating heartbreak led him to relocate.
In St. Louis Hinchey established himself as a quality portrait artist for middle-class customers. He moved a few times, got married, and—once the Civil War began—chronicled the war through sketches and descriptions. As an Irish citizen, Hinchey was perceived to be impartial and welcomed in Northern and Southern army spaces. His war sketches and writings were published in national journals.
After the war, Hinchey settled in the St. Louis suburbs with his family and opened a small studio. He passed away in 1893 at the age of 64.
Learn More
The National Frontier Trails Museum maintains a collection of Hinchey’s sketches, artwork, and journals.
Read excerpts from Hinchey’s journals in these three Wagon Tracks issues.