"Painted circa 1930. Painted from the yard of Mrs. John F. Moors, beautiful place in Heath, showing the west view of hills through the tall straight boles of the majestic maples in her yard. Bought by Mrs. John F. Moors of Heath and 150 Fisher Avenue, Brookline, Mass."
"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.
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.