All,
Helen Griggs, a sister of Herman Melville, in 1888 willed her nephew, Francis (Frank) Hoadley, an engraving of his grandfather. Since this came from a Melville, it is reasonable to assume that the grandfather is Allan Melvill who died in 1832. If this is not an error in the will, then of what pictorial representation could this be an engraving? Of the 1810 chair watercolor by John Rubens Smith or the 1820 portrait by Ezra Ames? Or neither? Whichever, this seems to throw another portrait into the mix, something hitherto unknown. Or did Helen Griggs simply confuse a watercolor with an engraving?
Perhaps this is what Parker wrongly remembered, when he believed the will of Priscilla Frances Melville granted Frank Hoadley the 1810 watercolor.
John Gretchko