Deaccessioned Items Offered to WFA Members

Wing Family of America
May 1
3 min read

The Wing Family of America has made some big changes in the past few years. We acquired the home across the street from the Fort House, turning it into the Wing History Museum. We hired a professional collections manager whose job it is to catalog our collections. This has allowed us to get a better understanding of the items that have been donated over the years to the WFA. From time to time, we will be making decisions to either add an item to our collection or to remove it. We have developed procedures for both activities.

A few years ago, we received a number of items that were donated by Mariela “Mimsy” (Blackwood) Mason, a descendant of Ella (Wing) Taylor. After further research, we found that some of the items, primarily several paintings, are not of Wings. Therefore, we have made the decision to remove them from our collection. As part of this removal procedure, we are offering them for sale first to our membership. Below are descriptions, pictures and estimated value of each item.

We believe three of portraits presented for sale are of Nathan Taylor (1785-1865), Sarah (Hackstaff) Taylor (1793-1862), and their son, Tracy Taylor. The life size portrait is of Delia (Cavenor) Taylor, (1860-1942). Delia was the wife of Frederick Taylor, the son of Tracy Taylor and Ella (Wing) Taylor. The framed sampler was created by Sarah (Nordyk) Cavenor (1837-?), the mother of Delia (Cavenor) Taylor. A rocking chair, along with two glass display complete the seven items we are presenting for sale to WFA members.

If any member would like any of these items or has further questions about them, please contact Christina Shipps at curator@wingfamily.org by phone 207-367-2690 by June 30, 2025. Buyer will be responsible for any shipping expenses incurred unless living within a reasonable driving distance of the Cape in which case Christina will deliver.

Portrait of a Woman

Oil on canvas.

Believed to be Sarah (Hackstaff) Taylor of Troy, New York. Wife of Mr. Nathan Taylor and mother of Tracy Taylor.

Item Condition is fair. There is a scratch/indentation to the left above her head, as well as a lighter strip towards the center-right edge.

Dimensions: 36 1/4" H x 28 1/8" W x 1 1/4" D.Overall Framed: 41 1/2" H x 33 1/4" W.

Value: $1,000 or best offer

Portrait of a Man

Oil on canvas

Believed to be Nathan Taylor.

Item Condition is fair.

Dimensions: 37" H x 31 ½" WOverall framed: 41" H x 35" W x 1 ½" D

Value: $1,000 or best offer

Portrait of a Child

Oil on canvas

Believed to be Tracy Taylor

Wood frame.The item's condition is fair.

Dimensions: 39” H x 32” W

Valuation: $800.00 or best offer.

Sampler

Sampler made by Sarah Bell Nordyk (1837-?), who married Thomas Cavenor and was the mother of Delia Bell Cavenor.

Dimensions: 14 ½ “ H x 9 ¾ “ W inches, frame 22 1/4 x 17 1/4 inches

Value: $400 or best offer

Delia Bell Cavenor

Tracy Taylor and Ella (Wing) Taylor had a son Frederick. Frederick married Delia Bell Cavenor, the subject of this painting. The right picture shows the size of this item.

Condition of portrait: dirty

Item Condition is fair.

Artist is Edmund Russell, born in Shelburne, VT, in 1859, died 1927.

Oil on Canvas

Dimensions: 77 ½ “ H x 42” W

Value: $950 or best offer

Rocking Chair