Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

A Design to Represent the Beginning and Completion of an American Settlement or Farm
1768
Paul Sandby (ca. 1730-1809); Thomas Pownall (1720-1805); James Peake
England
Engraving on paper
overall: 16 3/8 x 23 in.; 41.5925 x 58.42 cm
Special Acquisitions Fund
91.020

Print titled, "A Design to Represent the Beginning and Completion of an American Settlement or Farm." Shows an idealized settlement in an American forest; left scene of men clearing a forest; farm on right with people and wagon; river flowing toward back. Printed lettering at bottom reads, "A Design to represent the beginning and completion of an American SETTLEMENT or FARM.- / [repeated in French] / Painted by Paul Sandby, from a Design made by his Excellency Governor Pownal. Engraved by James Peake. / London, Printed for John Bowles at No. 13. in Cornhill, Robert Sayer at No. 53. in Fleet Street, Thos. Jefferys the Corner of St. Martins Lane in the Strand, Carington Bowles at No. 69 in St. Pauls Church Yard, and Henry Parker at No. 82. in Cornnhill." Written in pencil under printed inscription is "North America Settlement Farm about 1750."

Thomas Pownall (1720-1805) served in North America in various official positions between 1753 and 1760, including Governor of Massachusetts and Governor of South Carolina. During this time, Pownall travelled about the colonies, keeping a journal and making sketches of the sites he visited. Upon his return to England, Pownall hired Paul Sandby, the drawing master at the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich, England, to work with him on producing a set of engraved scenes based upon Pownall's sketches. This set was entitled "Six Remarkable Views in the Provinces of New-York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania in North America," and it was first published in 1761. In 1768 these prints were incorporated into "Scenographia Americana," a portfolio containing twenty-eight prints by Pownell and other artists.