Photo Hunters: Hands

28 Mar

Gerrit Smith and Wife

These sculpted hands of marble were formed sometime in the mid-1800s, by a freed slave. They are the hands of famous abolitionist (and former Congressman and presidential candidate of the old Liberty Party) Gerrit Smith, intertwined with those of his beloved wife, Ann Carroll Fitzhugh. The freedman sculpted this as a labor of love for Gerrit Smith. The Smiths were fervent abolitionists, and Gerrit Smith was called the Stationmaster of the Underground Railroad. He gave money, much of his property, and a life of sacrifice, to runaway slaves and to the abolitionist movement in this country.

This sculpture was in the Smith’s house in Peterboro, NY, for years until a house fire destroyed their home. The sculpture was one of the things saved in the fire, and was brought to the home in 1936 of the Higinbothams of Oneida, NY, family friends of the Smiths. The Higinbotham home is now the Madison County Historical Society. We visited the place a few weeks ago, and I’ve been writing several posts about the wonderful treasures in the house. You can read more about it here.

Here’s a bit of trivia: The Smiths’ grandson, Gerrit Smith Miller, introduced the first herd of Holstein into America when he brought back cows from Prussia!

89 Responses to “Photo Hunters: Hands”

  1. leah March 28, 2009 at 11:46 am #

    hi, nice one.

  2. Judith UK March 28, 2009 at 11:51 am #

    how beautiful and the history is facinating. Judith

  3. KylieM March 28, 2009 at 11:58 am #

    How awesome is that! Perfect fit for the theme :) !

  4. Cindy O March 28, 2009 at 11:59 am #

    Creative hands!!

    http://upcountrysmiles.com

  5. june March 28, 2009 at 12:04 pm #

    That’s a wonderful piece of art…and wonderful to have it in your home!

  6. Mar March 28, 2009 at 12:08 pm #

    Lovely sculpture and perfect for the theme!
    Mine is up!

  7. Hootin' Anni March 28, 2009 at 12:12 pm #

    That’s beautiful!!!!!

    Thanks for stopping by this morning and leaving such a nice comment for my Photo Hunt.

  8. jams O'Donnell March 28, 2009 at 12:34 pm #

    What a beautiful sculpture. Have a great weekend

  9. magiceye March 28, 2009 at 12:35 pm #

    that is an interesting and beautiful post.

  10. Gattina March 28, 2009 at 1:06 pm #

    That’s very special !!

  11. RJ Flamingo March 28, 2009 at 1:12 pm #

    Beautiful! Just beautiful!

    Trying to reverse a personal trend, I’m “celebrating” over at my place – hope you’ll stop by…

    By the way, tonight at 8:30 p.m. – your local time – everyone is encouraged to participate in “Earth Hour”. Join tens of millions of concerned citizens throughout the world in calling for action to save our planet for future generations. To get more information and to sign up for Earth Hour 2009, visit http://www.EarthHourUS.org

  12. JasonsLifeNotes March 28, 2009 at 1:42 pm #

    Beautiful work of art.

  13. Sandy March 28, 2009 at 1:45 pm #

    Very nice shot…great for the theme.
    Mine’s up, too.
    http://sandyben.blogspot.com/

  14. SnoopyTheGoon March 28, 2009 at 2:01 pm #

    A very nice sculpture indeed. Have a great weekend!

  15. YTSL March 28, 2009 at 2:03 pm #

    Nice sculpture! :)

  16. sargecharlie March 28, 2009 at 2:07 pm #

    very nice, thanks for your comment on my post, she is our pride and joy and we love that sailor, a navy flyboy, my hero.

  17. Aileni March 28, 2009 at 2:08 pm #

    Very effective, almost understated – give you a big Hand for that one…:)

  18. sandi @ the whistlestop cafe March 28, 2009 at 2:12 pm #

    that is a great photo hunt for the week!

  19. Teena in Toronto March 28, 2009 at 2:16 pm #

    Great idea!

    I played today with wedding hands!

  20. bingskee March 28, 2009 at 2:29 pm #

    that is a very lovely sculpture. a nice take on the theme, too!

  21. MArites March 28, 2009 at 2:32 pm #

    nicely-done sculpture and a good photo for this week’s theme. have a good weekend.

  22. Ourhomeschool March 28, 2009 at 2:45 pm #

    Great photo entry. The history is a great addtion.

  23. Melli March 28, 2009 at 2:46 pm #

    PERFECT! What a neat sculpture! I bet you were excited when this theme came up!

  24. Kay March 28, 2009 at 2:48 pm #

    Oohhhh … very very nice … I love it!

  25. SECRET AGENT MAMA March 28, 2009 at 2:49 pm #

    That’s most excellent!

  26. Tab March 28, 2009 at 2:51 pm #

    I am jealous I have always wanted one of those kind of sculptures. So beautiful.

  27. Jenny A. March 28, 2009 at 2:59 pm #

    That was really interesting! Nice shot and sculpture.
    Have a great weekend!

  28. CrAzY Working Mom March 28, 2009 at 3:18 pm #

    Oh, this is lovely! Very beautiful shot for this week’s theme. Thanks for dropping by to visit. Happy Saturday.

  29. chuchie March 28, 2009 at 3:18 pm #

    Oh, this is lovely…nce thought for todays theme

  30. azahar March 28, 2009 at 3:23 pm #

    I like photos with a good story behind them. Nice one.

  31. Dianne March 28, 2009 at 3:26 pm #

    Great play on the hunt. This reminds me that my son stuck his hands in that mold mixture and we have a model of his hands. I may have to add to my hunt.

  32. liferamblings March 28, 2009 at 3:33 pm #

    what a wonderful take for the theme. thanks for visiting mine. :)

  33. Mojo March 28, 2009 at 3:39 pm #

    Fabulous shot, and great take on the theme!

  34. rdl March 28, 2009 at 3:40 pm #

    Good one! is that yet another blog? doesnt’ come up on your list of other blogs.

  35. Gandalf and Grayson March 28, 2009 at 3:45 pm #

    What a wonderful choice for today’s theme. We loved reading the historical dialog along with the photo. Nicely done!

    We’re sorry you had trouble with the embedded comment form. We changed it back to a pop-up. We love your theme! Maybe we should move our blog back to WP so we can get a nice photo theme again!

  36. Debbie March 28, 2009 at 3:48 pm #

    Great choice for the theme – interesting photo and information.

  37. laagan March 28, 2009 at 4:08 pm #

    very nice….looks like a symbol of friendship.

    thanks for visiting my site

  38. Christi March 28, 2009 at 4:08 pm #

    What a beautiful sculpture. It’s so cool to see others thoughts on the theme. Thanks for visiting my site. See you next time.

  39. Alice Audrey March 28, 2009 at 4:14 pm #

    Oh, cool! I like it.

  40. Tammy March 28, 2009 at 4:17 pm #

    Great picture! Thanks for stopping by my PH post! Henna tattoos aren’t permanent, but they do last for several days to a couple weeks!

  41. diXymiss March 28, 2009 at 4:25 pm #

    Intriguing piece of art ~ very nicely photographed.

  42. Marylin March 28, 2009 at 4:54 pm #

    Oh that is gorgeous! :)

  43. srp March 28, 2009 at 5:08 pm #

    What a lovely sculpture. My favorite “hands” art is Michelangelo’s painting in the Sistine Chapel of Adam touching the hand of God. This is lovely! Thank you for stopping by.

  44. FickleMinded March 28, 2009 at 5:11 pm #

    what a very unique entry! I love it!
    PH:Hands

  45. East Gwillimbury WOW! March 28, 2009 at 5:12 pm #

    Perfect for today’s theme! Nice!

  46. Daisy the Curly Cat March 28, 2009 at 6:17 pm #

    Gosh, reading about the history of that piece makes me know how special it is. I’m glad it was saved from the fire.

  47. Candi March 28, 2009 at 6:32 pm #

    Very nice. Cool shot and perfect for the theme.

    Thanks for stopping by and happy weekend.

  48. Mira March 28, 2009 at 6:41 pm #

    So perfect for the theme. Thanks for the visit!

  49. Colin Campbell March 28, 2009 at 7:15 pm #

    Very nice. Thanks for visiting.

  50. ipanema March 28, 2009 at 7:38 pm #

    love the story behind it! thanks for the visit. :)

  51. C. Michael Cox March 28, 2009 at 8:11 pm #

    Nice photo and interesting history. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. From your profile you seem like a very busy person.

  52. Gmirage March 28, 2009 at 8:13 pm #

    What an interesting tale that comes with them! Beautiful even if this is the only piece left…Happy weekend!

  53. Anna March 28, 2009 at 8:26 pm #

    Wow! Beautiful shot and a nice story behind it :)

    Have a great weekend!

  54. liz March 28, 2009 at 8:40 pm #

    a beautiful sculpture and wonderful history!

  55. Rachel @ the schience of music March 28, 2009 at 8:43 pm #

    Love the photo and the story, as always!

    Thanks for stopping by.

  56. Leslie March 28, 2009 at 9:08 pm #

    Wonderful photo of the sculpture! Have a great weekend. :)

  57. MJPhoto March 28, 2009 at 9:24 pm #

    Oooh nice hands…and they look so nice and cool :)

  58. Lisa March 28, 2009 at 10:09 pm #

    I think this is one of the most beautifull pieces of art that I have seen in a long time
    and it fits perfect with the theme this week!

  59. healingmagichands March 28, 2009 at 11:05 pm #

    What a wonderful combination of beauty and history. I enjoyed my visit here, as always.

  60. JyLnC March 28, 2009 at 11:29 pm #

    Beautiful sculpture, story, and photo. Thank you for visiting my photo hunt this week.

  61. TorAa March 29, 2009 at 12:03 am #

    I see the love and warmth in these hands.
    Excellent entry

  62. ramblingwoods March 29, 2009 at 12:29 am #

    That is beautiful..

  63. kaye March 29, 2009 at 1:31 am #

    lovely picture, and so unique, thanks for visiting

  64. ann March 29, 2009 at 1:36 am #

    Perfect for the theme! Beautiful hands!

  65. Audrey March 29, 2009 at 2:31 am #

    Hi! Great photohunt. And no, Henna tattoo’s are not permanent.

  66. Napaboaniya APAD March 29, 2009 at 3:13 am #

    Too lovely for words :)

  67. Samantha & Mr. Tigger March 29, 2009 at 3:40 am #

    That is a beautiful pair of HANDS!! And thanks for sharing the story of them for us!! Have a nice weekend!
    Your FL furiends,
    and Maverick

  68. Kerri March 29, 2009 at 4:00 am #

    what a beautiful photo and the story to go with it!!

  69. Arlene March 29, 2009 at 4:14 am #

    nice one! sign of being together – forever!

    thanks for the visit at my entry.

  70. Lew March 29, 2009 at 4:27 am #

    Nice shot for the theme!

  71. julie March 29, 2009 at 4:39 am #

    This is wonderful! :)

  72. girasoli March 29, 2009 at 4:47 am #

    Beautiful hands. Perfect for this week’s theme.

  73. Carin March 29, 2009 at 7:40 am #

    Beautiful sculpture! Just read a book about the underground railroad. It was wonderfully written and the story was very touching. I feel great respect for abolisionists! Never heard of that word before.

  74. ian March 29, 2009 at 10:59 am #

    i love the weekly history lesson ably aided by your wonderful pictures =] have a great week ahead! safe journeys always!

  75. Jerry March 29, 2009 at 12:16 pm #

    Great choice for this week’s theme!

  76. Patricia (Pollywog Creek) March 29, 2009 at 4:25 pm #

    How lovely – and so interesting, too. I love your travel blog, Mrs. Mecomber.

  77. Kelly March 29, 2009 at 5:52 pm #

    I had to get new a new antivirus program yesterday so I didn’t to visit yesterday.
    Love it!

    I played too!

  78. Pat March 29, 2009 at 6:59 pm #

    Beautiful and love the history!!

    Have a good week.

  79. Brita March 29, 2009 at 8:03 pm #

    Beautiful shot !
    Thanks for visiting too.

  80. PastormacsAnn March 29, 2009 at 8:09 pm #

    Woah! I doesn’t get much better than this for The Photo Hunt this week!! Nice job!

  81. Sniffie and the Florida Furkids March 29, 2009 at 10:52 pm #

    Great picture for the theme and a great story behind it!!

    Sniffie and the Florida Furkids

  82. tokenhippygirl March 30, 2009 at 12:35 am #

    Nice shot… another excellent bit of history to go with.

  83. Ladynred March 30, 2009 at 12:51 am #

    Great history of the hands and it’s beautiful.

  84. upto6only March 30, 2009 at 2:36 am #

    wow beautiful sculpture of the hands.

  85. annie March 30, 2009 at 1:05 pm #

    Very beautiful and inspiring! Thanks for visiting mine and have a great week.

  86. Rach (Heart of Rachel)f March 31, 2009 at 3:33 am #

    That’s a beautiful sculpture.

  87. Fhaye March 31, 2009 at 3:49 am #

    So lovely!

  88. Chikai April 1, 2009 at 4:51 am #

    this is a nice memorabilia and i like the story behind it. tfs!

    btw, thanks for checking out my entry. see yah next saturday! :)

  89. Digital Polaroids April 4, 2009 at 12:05 pm #

    Very good!

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