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Samuel
Walters - Introduction
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| Samuel
was the third in a succession of four generations of maritime artists,
and the first to make his living as a full time professional. Reared
in a workshop redolent of paint, canvas, pigments, framing and gilding,
and apprenticed to his artist father Miles Walters (1773-1855) a
former seafarer, he experienced an unusually productive working
life which lasted well over half a century. |
The Walters
family is thought to have originated in Pembrokeshire, South Wales,
crossing the Bristol Channel to North Devon by the early 18th century.
(map graphic 2) It was here at Ilfracombe that the artist's grandfather
John Walters, was born in 1748. A builder and carpenter by trade,
he married Mary de Versaille on 5th April 1773; (of Huguenot origin
the name is usually pronounced and sometimes written, Devershall).
Apart from his carpentry, John built up a local reputation as an
artist. Characteristically vernacular in style, the surviving drawings
are mostly topographical in nature, with a strong maritime flavour.
Selling then for half a guinea, they must have provided a welcome
addition to a tradesman's wages.
There were four children from the marriage. The two daughters, Myra
(born 1771) and Henrietta (born 1789), emigrated to North America
after marriage. Miles the elder son, (baptised 22 May 1774), and
Samuel, (born June 10th 1778) were both apprenticed as shipwrights;
possibly at Ilfracombe where small boats were built, or more likely
at one of the nearby shipbuilding ports of Bideford or Barnstaple.
The younger one, Samuel after a voyage as carpenter's mate in an
East Indiaman joined the Royal Navy as Able Seaman, eventually gaining
promotion and being confirmed in the rank of Lieutenant in 1805.
(Next)
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