The Mysterious Macphersons of Murney

Figure 1 – Portraits of David Macpherson and Naomi Grant Macpherson. Murney Tower Museum Collection.

Before photographs, portrait painting was used to capture an image of a person at a particular moment in time. The subjects would have been of some significance, usually belonging to the upper class, to warrant a portrait of them to be commissioned. The purpose of these paintings was trifold. For one, paintings were made to convey themes of power, authority, and wealth. Alternatively, they were made in commemoration of loved ones that had passed. The paintings were also given as gifts, commonly in encouragement or promise of marriage, allowing their suitors to preview or select their soon-to-be wife. Thus, this type of painting has a history of capturing important individuals, occasionally pictured with objects which symbolically revealed aspects of their life or how they wished to be perceived.

Within Murney Tower Museum’s vast collection of nearly 1000 artifacts exist two portrait paintings of a husband and wife. The ornately framed portraits stand out with their rich and deep colours. Even more intriguing is the air of mystery surrounding their creation and provenance – the ownership history of an artifact. The portraits were donated by Mr. M.P.H. Hannaford, a descendant of the figures in the portraits, who were his great-great-grandparents. The subjects of these portraits are David Macpherson (1748-1836) and his wife, Naomi Grant Macpherson (1772-1844).

Figure 2 – Portrait of David Macpherson. Murney Tower Museum Collection.

In the portrait of David Macpherson (figure 2), he sits centered in the composition, looking solemnly downwards. His right hand holds eyeglasses and sits on top of a book while his index finger on his left hand holds the book open. The background and surface which he rests on are of a dark, purplish brown tone. The fabric of the background seems to drape from one side of the composition to the other. David wears a black overcoat with a white shirt underneath, the collar of which is visible. There is a bow tied at the center and the cuffs peek from beneath the jacket. He has white hair, the hairline of which appears to be pulled back, perhaps to elongate his forehead to accentuate his downward gaze or a result of improper proportions. David’s lips are small but curved in a slight smile, yet his brows have a slight furrow implying deep contemplation. His eyes look solemn not only due to their direction but also their unfocused gaze.

Figure 3 – Portrait of Naomi Grant Macpherson. Murney Tower Museum Collection.

In the portrait of Naomi Macpherson (figure 3), she sits centered in the composition, with her hands clasped in front of her. She wears two rings on her left hand – one on her index finger, the other on her ring finger. The fabric that lines the background is a deep red color and is bunched on the right side of the composition, where it drapes downwards towards Naomi. The light hits the fabric above and around the woman’s head, as if there are two spotlights shining on her. Her face is thus most illuminated.

Naomi wears a silken bonnet, with a bow clustered on the left side of her head, two tendrils of ribbon cascading down from either side. The bonnet is ruffled with two layers of fabric trimmed in pearl-shaped lace. She wears a white scarf tucked into her overcoat which is secured in front by a brooch. The coat crosses over her front and is black trimmed with lace. On top of her coat is a red shawl, of a shade slightly lighter than that of the background. Her hair is brown and shortly cut, curling inwards towards her face. Her expression is calm, and her eyes are blue. She has a long nose and smaller lips. She looks out at the viewer.

When considering the two paintings simultaneously, there are notable differences between the two. Naomi wears her ring in the portrait whereas her husband does not. She has a calm and contented expression as she stares out at the viewer, whereas her husband is staring down in contemplation. Her husband’s contemplation alludes that his portrait was intended to show him in deep thought to suggest or reference his intelligence, strengthened by the presence of eyeglasses and a book which he holds open with his finger. The use of his finger as a bookmark makes the viewer feel as if we are interrupting him or that he was so taken by what he read that he had to pause to think.

Contrastingly from his wife’s portrait, David takes up more of the composition, which may contribute to the air of intelligence and contemplation about him and make him seem larger than life – alluding to his authority or power. Naomi’s portrait is more friendly, bright, and warm, whereas David’s feels hollow with its dark, cool-toned colours, shadows, and the solemn look upon his face.

These portraits are visually captivating and intriguing, but the lack of context leaves some questions unanswered. Who were these figures? Why are they relevant? How are they connected to Murney Tower Museum and Kingston? Although from Inverness, Scotland, the Macpherson family’s history was deeply entwined with that of Canada and of Kingston. Not much is known about David and Naomi except that they remained in Scotland until the end of their lives, while their children made successful careers and families for themselves in Kingston and Montreal. It is not clear which child was the first to travel to Canada, only that when their youngest son, Sir David Lewis (1818-1896), made the journey in 1835, his elder brother and sisters had already established themselves in Canadian society.

Figure 4 - Sir David Lewis Macpherson. Library and Archives Canada.

Sir David Lewis (figure 4) was an owner of Montreal & Kingston Railway, a partner in the expansion of the Grand Trunk Railway in Upper Canada, and the director of the Bank of Upper Canada. He was also a Speaker of the Canadian Senate from 1880-1883, and the Minister of the Interior from 1883-1885. Utilizing and reinforcing his social standing, Sir David Lewis married Elizabeth Molson in 1844, a daughter of a distinguished businessman and granddaughter of the founder of Molson’s Brewery.

Naomi and David’s daughter Frances Pasia Macpherson (figure 5) married Honourable John Hamilton (figure 6), a merchant and the founder of the Queenston Steamboat Company. Hon. John Hamilton’s portrait, as well as two others (one of his uncle and one of his aunt), were also donated to Murney Tower Museum. The portraits of Hon. John Hamilton, Rev. George Hamilton, and Mrs. Henderson (née Hamilton) were gifted to the Agnes Etherington Art Centre in 1975.

Figure 5 (right) - Frances Pasia Macpherson. Murney Tower Museum.

Figure 6 (left) - The Honourable John Hamilton. Murney Tower Museum.

The seemingly simple portraits of David and Naomi utilize rich colours to draw viewers into their intricate family history. Once drawn in, the contrasting compositions hold the viewer’s curiosity. Then one begins to wonder who these figures were and why they were salient. By viewing them simultaneously, one cannot help but compare their unique and contrasting expressions which inspire even more interest. As their descendent H.M. Hannaford states, “my great grandmother Naomi Grant married David Macpherson and his picture too.” Perhaps David was quite attached to this presentation of himself. Alternatively, maybe Naomi married a complex, nuanced man who was humble by nature but also at times the intelligent, powerful persona depicted in the painting. Some 100 years later, their portraits remain together in the city their family prospered in, continuing their legacy.

Bibliography

Cruikshank, Ken. “Macpherson, Sir David Lewis.” Dictionary of Canadian Biography 12, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 1990. Accessed June 14, 2025. http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/macpherson_david_lewis_12E.html.

Frances Pasia Macpherson. 1850. Photograph. Murney Tower Museum.

Hannaford, M.P.H. 12 July 1971. Letter from M.P.H. Hannaford to Col. L.J. Flynn. Murney Tower Museum, Kingston, Ontario.

The Honourable John Hamilton. 1850. Photograph. Murney Tower Museum.

Murney Tower Museum accession cards, 72.03.01–72.03.06. Kingston, Ontario.

Portrait of David Macpherson. n.d. Oil on canvas, 63 x 75 cm. Murney Tower Museum, Kingston, Ontario.

Portrait of Naomi Grant Macpherson. n.d. Oil on canvas, 63 x 75 cm. Murney Tower Museum, Kingston, Ontario.

Research notes concerning the Hamilton-Macpherson family portraits (accession no. 72.03.01-06). N.d. Murney Tower Museum, Kingston, Ontario.

“Sir David Lewis Macpherson (1818-1896).” American Aristocracy. Accessed June 14, 2025. https://americanaristocracy.com/people/sir-david-lewis-macpherson.