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1860-1870
Matthew Brady; E. & H. T. Anthony
USA: New York, New York
Photograph on paper mounted on board
Overall: 3 3/4" h x 2 3/8" w
Gift of Jacques Noel Jacobsen, Jr.
2009.021.7
Carte-de-visite photograph of General Winfield Scott Hancock seated in a chair. His legs are crossed and he rests one arm on the back of the chair. Subject has dark hair combed away from his face; he has a mustache. He wears a double-breasted military coat with stand-up collar. It has dark cuffs and epaulettes at the shoulders. Printed on the back is a mark for the maker, "Published by / E. & H.T. Anthony / 501 Broadway / New York / from / Photographic Negative / in / Brady's / National Portrait Gallery." Handwritten in pencil on the back is "Hancock."
Winfield Scott Hancock was a general in the Civil War. He was born on February 24, 1824, in Montgomery Square, Pennsylvania. He, his parents and his twin brother moved to Norristown Pennsylvania when he was very young. Hancock attended the U.S. Military Academy at West point in 1840, which he graduated from in 1844. He married Almira Russell in 1850, with whom he had two children. Hancock traveled around the country while on active duty before the Civil War. While he was home on leave in 1860, he became a member of Charity Lodge No. 190 in Norristown. He was also a member of Norristown Chapter No. 190, R.A.M., and Hitchinson Commandery No. 32, Knights Templar of Norristown. He played a significant role at the Battle of Gettysburg by preventing General Lee of the Confederate Army from taking the Union Army's border. Hancock fought in the entire war, except for a short time when he was wounded in 1863. In 1880, he was chosen as the Democratic presidential canidate, but lost to James Garfield by 7000 votes. Hancock died on February 9, 1886 in New York. He was buried in Norristown, Pennsylvania.