Portrait of Eunice Noyes, c.1798
c. 1798
19th Century
20 in. x 16 in.
James Martin,
English
Object Type:
Work on Paper
Medium and Support:
pastel on paper over wood panel
Credit Line:
Museum Purchase with contributions from Geoffrey Paul, David Dangremond, John & Werneth Noyes, and Gay Myers
Accession Number:
2002.4.2
The name Noyes is synonymous with the founding of the town of Old Lyme. Eunice Marvin married Judge William Noyes on April 8th 1756. They had four sons.
Between 1740 and 1790 Judge Noyes bought over 400 acres of land on both sides of Lyme Street, including the site of the Bee & Thistle Inn where he built his home, and the northern end of Lyme Street became known as Noyestown. In 1769 Judge Noyes purchased the land which adjoined his homestead on the western side of the Street from Captain John Peck. Noyes later deeded the Peck lot to his third son William (known as Squire William) who married Sarah Banks of New Jersey. This parcel is the present site of the Florence Griswold Museum. Judge William died in 1807 leaving an estate valued at $200,000.