Lot 2: Peter Cross (British, circa 1650-1724) Theodosia Monckton (née Fountaine), wearing crimson robe, white chemise, her hair upswept

Theodosia Monckton (née Fountaine), wearing crimson robe, white chemise, her hair upswept.
Watercolour on vellum, signed on the obverse with monogram PC, signed in full on the reverse ******/ 98/ Peeter Crosse/ fe., turned black wood frame, set in rectangular red leather travelling case.
Oval, 67mm (2 5/8in) high
Provenance: Sotheby's, 26 November 1992, lot 359 (the sale included a number of portraits of the Monckton family)

Theodosia Monckton was the younger of two daughters, born to John Fountaine and his wife Elizabeth Monckton. She married Robert Monckton (d.1722) (possibly a cousin), who was the son of Sir Philip Monckton (d.1678), a Royalist during the Civil War and MP for Scarborough. Robert succeeded to his father's estates of Cavil and Hodroyd in 1678 and served as MP for Pontefract and Aldborough in Yorkshire. In 1688 he supported the Glorious Revolution and later held the office of Commissioner of Trade and Plantations.

Theodosia and Robert had one child, a son, John (1695-1751). In 1727, he was created both 1st Baron of Killard, co. Clare and 1st Viscount Galway. His second son by his first wife, Robert Monckton (1726–1782) is best remembered for his role in the deportation of the Acadians from British controlled Nova Scotia and also from French controlled Acadia (present day New Brunswick) during the early part of the Seven Years War. The city of Moncton, New Brunswick is named after him. He was also 2nd in charge to General Wolfe at the taking of Quebec. He is portrayed in the famous painting, 'The Death of General Wolfe' by Benjamin West, which resides in the National Gallery of Canada. Robert became a Lieutenant General, Govenor and Commander in Chief of the Province of New York. He returned to England for good in 1763 and is buried at St. Mary Abbot's Church, Kensington, London.