Lot 291: Pieter Van Bleeck The Hague 1697 - 1764 London , Portrait of Mary Bartholomew (1726-1778), wife of Sir Francis Geary

inscribed upper right Mary Bartholomew,/Wife of Sir Francis Geary./Born . 1726 - Died. 1778. oil on canvas

measurements note 50 by 40 in.; 127 by 101.6 cm.

Mary Bartholomew was the only daughter of Philip Bartholomew of Oxon Hoath, West Peckham and of West Malling, both in Kent. On September 20, 1748 she married Francis Geary, Admiral of the White. He was born in 1709 and entered, in 1727, as a volunteer into the royal navy. He attained the rank of captain in 1742, was appointed rear-admiral of the White in 1758, vice-admiral of the Blue in 1762, vice-admiral of the Red in 1770, admiral of the blue in 1775, and admiral of the White in 1778. Admiral Geary was commander-in-chief at Portsmouth in 1770, and commanded Channel Fleet in 1780. He was created a Baronet on August 17, 1782. They had two sons and three daughters. Mary died August 20, 1778. Sir Francis died February 7, 1796 and was succeeded by his second son, Sir William Geary, 2nd Bart.