Mr. Arthur Hock, Sr., a collector of art, was the founder of Hock’s Bazaar, now known as The Crumpton Auction. He had many opportunities to expand his collection of treasures as he tended to the purchase of individual items as well as entire estates which came up for auction and sales. These sales took place in an amazing barn located in the little town of Crumpton on the Chester River.

Vince Raimond, a great fan and supporter of the Bazaar, had become friends with Mr. Hock and once was invited to his home to view this art collection. Vince admired one painting, “Andrew Hamilton” which would fit in wonderfully as décor of Toad Hall. Furnishing a home built out of a collection of 18th Century houses required an 18th Century portrait.

Mr. Hock explained that the painting had been obtained from the attic of an historic house in Millington. He had found it lying in the attic wrapped in brown craft paper with the words “Andrew Hamilton” scrawled on the cover. Yes, I’ll sell it to you for $100. Sold!

 It’s 1972.

At this point the story of Hamilton begins to unfold for Vince and me. Of course, this history is no secret, but rather under celebrated compared to the fame of some other “Founding Fathers.”

Trying to fathom the history of our portrait, we are looking at a few clues. By the look of the youth in his 18th century garb, it seems evident that it is probably a son of the senior Andrew Hamilton. He was the father of three children with his wife Anne: Margaret (1709); James (1711) and Andrew II (1713) who were all born at the family home, Henberry. A few years later, the family moved to Philadelphia.

There were other descendants who might fit the bill for this portrait. We can only guess. But the circumstances of finding this painting in the attic of the 18th Century house in Millington, very connected to the Henberry estate, and the name scrawled on the wrapping, adds to the story of our celebrated historical character who, among other attributes, is given the credit for establishing the concept of Freedom of the Press, a foundation for Democracy in the United States.