Mrs. Alexander Rose (Margaret Smith)

Margaret Smith (1747-?) was the thirteenth child of a prominent New York Loyalist, Judge William Smith (1728-1793), and his first wife, Mary Hett. Her marriage in 1779 to the South Carolina merchant and patriot Alexander Rose likely put great strain on both families. The Roses remained in South Carolina and had at least two miniatures painted by Pierre Henri for family members. This one remained in her daughter’s family. The other version, given to her parents, is in the Yale University Art Gallery. Both miniatures feature plaited hairwork visible through the back of the locket.