Featured Artwork: From the Manse in Heath

This chalk drawing, Summer Shadows is
believed to be "The Manse" in Heath (MA) Center

"Mrs. John F. Moors of Heath, and 150 Fisher Avenue, Brookline, Mass--owns a very early and small canvas of the Heath beech tree, and a 27 x 30 done from her Heath yard of tall maple boles with mountain view in between."

In 1890, thirteen years before the New York Stock Exchange was where it stands now, John F. Moors and Charles Cabot established a small investment firm in Boston's financial district. Its mission then: handle the personal investments of the two founders and their friends. Through time, that mission has expanded. Today, Moors & Cabot manages the assets of thousands of investors from our Boston headquarters and branch offices throughout the country.

Mr. and Mrs. John F. Moors had a summer home in Heath, Mass. It was called "The Manse." Prior to the Civil War the Manse was an important and famous stopping place in the underground railroad in which fugitive slaves could travel to the north. They were housed in the cellar of the Manse.

The Serenity Prayer

Mrs. Ethal Paine Moors, a descendent of signer of the Declaration of Independence Thomas Paine, and her financier, banker, broker, husband John Farwell Moors, owned a home in Heath, MA, referred to as The Manse. It was their summer home.

Mrs. Moors were good friends with the White sisters, Flora and Mary, as well as, sisters Winfred and Edith Rhoades. All of which were friends of Woodward. In fact, the White sisters often accompanied RSW on his painting excursions to picnic and spend the day with him. Also in Mrs. Moors circle is theologian and best selling social commentator of the age, Reinhold Neibuhr. Neibuhr is also widely credited with being the author of the Serenity Prayer. It just so happens also that Woodward has two of Neibuhr's books in his studio that he underlined and made notes.

Mrs. Moors is a fascinating woman with quite a story. Just the sort of person RSW would enjoy the pleasure of knowing. He would host her at his Hiram Studio for dinner as she would host him on numerous occasions at her home in Heath. We suggest you read her wonderful profile by the Curator of the Stonehurst, Robert Treat Paine Estate, Ann Clifford for more information on her.

Woodward would paint another painting in 1932 from the Moors Heath home. Beginning in August, he would travel and spend days working on it but it would not be until November before it was finish. Unfortunately, we do not know the name of that painting.

THE SERENITY PRAYER:
God grant me the SERENITY,
to accept the things I cannot change,
COURAGE to change the things I can
and the WISDOM to know the difference.