The Winterthur Library

The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera

OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

Creator: Washington Hood, 1808-1840

Title: Drawings

Dates: 1829-1839

Call No.: Col. 101

Acc. No.: 80x103, 93x48

Quantity: 1 box, 2 drawers

Location: 3 G 10, Map Case D, drawers 5-6

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

Washington Hood was born on February 2, 1808, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the oldest of twelve children born to John McClellan Hood, a wholesale grocer, and Eliza Forebaugh. He won an appointment to the United States Military Academy and graduated in 1827. Between 1831 and 1836, he served on topographical duty and in 1835 was promoted to first lieutenant. Hood resigned his commission in 1836 and worked as a civil engineer in Cuba for a year. He then reentered the army as a captain in the Topographical Engineers. In 1835, he worked with fellow West Pointer Robert E. Lee to determine the boundary line between the state of Ohio and Michigan Territory. He later did some mapping of the Oregon Territory. While on an expedition ordered by President Van Buren in 1839 to survey the Shawnee timberlands bordering Arkansas and Missouri, Hood contracted a fatal disease from which he succumbed in July, 1840 at Bedford Springs, Pennsylvania. In addition to his topographical work, Hood designed buildings and worked as a portrait copyist in Washington, D.C. Hood is listed in the Dictionary of American Biography and in Who Was Who.

SCOPE AND CONTENT

The Washington Hood Collection contains prints, drawings, and manuscript materials which seem to have been Hood's working collection as a surveyor, architect, engineer, and artist. It includes original maps and drawings related to his explorations and mapping activities with the Army.

ORGANIZATION

The Washington Hood Collection is divided into four series.

Series I contains what may have been Hood's study pieces and sketches. A large portion of these materials are illustrations of Greek styles and sculptures or are allegorical illustrations of historical events.

Series II includes plans and sketches for civil engineering projects, bridges, railroad lines, canals, forts, and larger public buildings. The plans for the National Theater in Washington, D.C., the Washington family tomb at Mount Vernon, the Hall of Justice or "The Tombs" in New York City and an unidentified church are of particular interest. In addition, there is a watercolor of a plan for the chamber of the United States Senate, by Poussin.

Series III contains Hood's sketches and drawings of landscapes, people and copies of other works.

Series IV is comprised of personal papers, checkbook stubs, a manuscript newspaper in all likelihood written by Hood, and miscellaneous addresses and notes.

PROVENANCE

Purchased from The Americanist and from Howard S. Mott.

ACCESS POINTS

People:

Poussin, G.

Washington family.

Washington, George, 1732-1799 – Estate.

Topics:

United States Military Academy - Alumni and alumnae.

Architectural drawing.

Artists - United States.

Military architecture - Drawings.

Civil engineering - United States.

Public buildings - Drawings.

Railroad engineering.

Railroads - Cuba.

Statues - Drawings.

Military engineering - United States.

Fortification - Drawings.

Art, Classical - Drawings.

Tombs - Drawings.

Architecture - United States.

United States - Surveys.

Architectural drawings.

Checkbooks.

Drawings.

Illustrations.

Mechanical drawings.

Sketches.

Architects.

Civil engineers.

Artists.

Soldiers.

Surveyors.

Military engineers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

Location: 3 G 10, Map Case D

Series I: Study pieces and sketches

.1 Engravings of the Vatican, by Giovanni Battista Falda (ca. 1650). "Facciata esteriore, e loggia delle Benedittione." Two views: First: "dell'Anticha Basilica Vaticana," exterior view from street side. Second: "Facciata interiore della chiesa anticha di S. Pietro in Vaticano, e. suo Atrio," interior view of the courtyard of St. Peter's.

.2 Engraving of the Vatican , by Giovanni Battista Falda (ca. 1650). "Spaccato per traverso del Anticho Temp Vaticano," cross cut view of the chancel/nave of the Vatican church.

.3 Plate 18 engraved by Nicholas Xavier Willemin. Five designs for columns (capitals and bases) Greek style.

.4 Plate 21 engraved by Nicholas Xavier Willemin. Four architectural designs for columns in Greek style.

.5 Plate 46 engraved by Nicholas Xavier Willemin: "Seconde Classe des Habits des femmes Grecques," Second Style of Greek Women's Clothing. "Femme Grecque vetue du Diploidion," Greek woman dressed as a diplomat. Standing figure.

.6 Plate 47 engraved by Nicholas Xavier Willemin: "Seconde Classe des Habits des Femmes Grecques." "Femme Grecque vetue du Diploïa." Figure of woman walking.

.7 Plate 51 engraved by Nicholas Xavier Willemin: "Addition aux coiffures des femmes Grecques," nine hair styles for Greek women shown with labels denoting type.

.8 Plate 52 engraved by Nicholas Xavier Willemin: "Addition aux habits, Ornemens et Bijoux des Femmes Grecques," ornaments and jewelry accessories for Greek women with three illustrative models and separate drawings of the accessories.

.9 Plate 58 engraved by Nicholas Xavier Willemin: Epées Grecques, sketches of three Greek scabbards.

.10 "Lascoon a de hauteur 7 testes 2 parties 3 minutes." Anatomical study: frontal/side view of man sitting with upreaching arm; scaled drawing of sculpture.

.11 "Lascoon a de haulteur 7 testes 2 parties 3 minutes." Anatomical study: back view of .10, above; scaled drawing of sculpture.

.12 "Le mesme antinous a 7 testes 2 parties." Anatomical study of a Greek statue with markings for scale; back view of man walking; may be back view of .13.

.13 "Apollon pythien decochant ses fleches à de hauteur 7 testes 3 parties 6 minutes. Sa Statue est au Jardin du Vaticant." Appollo shooting arrows; his statue is in the Vatican garden. Anatomical sketch to scale.

.14 "La même 8 têtes de hauteur." Anatomical sketch: front and side sketches drawn to scale of a male figure sitting. Also shows details of the hands. See also .18, below.

.15 "Mirmille mourant à de hauteur 8 têtes, sa Statue est à Rome au jardin Ludouise," Mirmille dying, the statue is in the Ludoise garden in Rome. Full frontal view of male. Accompanies .14, above.

.16 "Pyrasme au jardin Ludouise à Rome, a de hauteur 7 têtes 2 parties." Anatomical sketch drawn to scale of a male drawing a sword. Located in the Ludoise garden in Rome.

.17 "Le grand enfant du Laccoon à de hauteur 7 têtes 2 parties." Laocoon's grandson. Anatomical sketch drawn to scale of the statue of a young male.

.18 Perhaps Washington Hood's sketches of "Mirmille ..." (no. .14, above) Shares sheet with no. .19., below.

.19 Frontal sketch, perhaps by Washington Hood, of "Apollon pythien decochant ses fleches ..." (no. .13, above). Labeled "Le mesme a de hauteur 7 testes 5 parties 6 minutes."

.20 Plate by Lenoir. Front and side views of four sculptures. Greek text.

.21 Plate by Lenoir. Several forms of sculpture, perhaps showing the evolutionary progression of sculpture. Latin text.

.22-.27 These are allegorical depictions; note that there are changes in the positions of the cherubs while the overall border remains the same.

.22 "Ambassades envoyées des extrêmites de la Têrre." Plate no. 15. Allegorical painting, Ambassadors Sent to the Ends of the Earth, painted by Charles le Brun, drawn by J.B. Mass, engraved by Soubeuran. Similar in format to numbers .23-.27, following.

.23 "Jonction des deux Mers." Plate no. 16. The Meeting of the Two Seas, painted by Charles le Brun, drawn by J.B. Massé engraved by Desplaces, finished by Will. 1667. Similar in format to nos. .22-.27.

.24 "Renouvellement d'Alliance avec les Suisses." Plate no. 18. Renewal of the Alliance of the Swiss, painted by Charles le Brun, drawn by J. B. Massé, engraved by Dupuis le jeune. 1663. Similar in format to nos. .22-.27.

.25 "L'Ordre rétabli dans les Finances." Plate no. 23. Financial Order Reestablished, painted by Charles le Brun, drawn by J. B. Massé, engraved by Will. 1662. Similar in format to nos. .22-.27.

.26 "Protection accordée aux Beaux-Arts." Protection Granted to the High Arts. Plate no. 24. Painted by Charles le Brun, drawn by J. B. Massé, engraved by Surugue pere. 1663. Similar in format to nos. .22-.27.

.27 "Réformation de la Justice." Return of Justice. Plate no. 26. Painted by Charles le Brun, drawn by J. B. Massé, engraved by Tardieu pere. 1667. Similar in format to nos. .22-.27.

.28 "Vue intérieure de l'assemblée du champ-de-mai au moment de la présentation des drapeaux." An Inside View of the Assembly at the Champ-de-Mai at the Presentation of the Flags, extracted from the moniteur, vendredi, 2 juin 1813 (Friday, June 2, 1813). By Martinet.

.29 "Les fastes Napoléens de 1796, a 1806." Shows diagram of the imperial dynasty in 1808; gives list of important dates and events concerning successes of Napoleon beginning in 1796; shows a map of Europe in 1808.

.30 "Rentrée de Napoleon le grand dans la Capitale de l'Empire Français, le 20 Mars, 1818." Return of Napoleon to the Capital of the French Empire. Allegorical representation.

.31 "La Nymphe de la Neva au Tombeau d'Alexandre 1r." Lith. by Ducarme. Classical Greek motifs.

.32 "Tours-Modèles Adoptées par sa Majesté." Tower models adopted by His Majesty; three versions. "Gravé au Dépôt Génal. des Fortifications par Fiel, Dessinateur de 1re. Classe; ecrit par A. Chazal, Eléve."

.33 "Tour Modèle No. 4." Plans for housing of guards and a defense tower. Bears stamp reading: General des Fortifications depot. Perhaps by A. Chazal.

.34 "Tour Modèle No. 5." Model guard tower. Bears stamp reading: General des Fortifications depot. Perhaps by A. Chazal.

.35 "Profils de differens centres pour les grandes et les petites Voutes." Profiles of Different Centers for Large and Small Arcs. Five examples shown. For bridges. Pencil drawings of spheres on the back.

.36 "Differens profils de Gruë." Different Profiles of Cranes. Two types of lifting mechanisms are depicted in comparative illustrations.

.37 "Profil d'une Grue tournant Sur un pivot avec Son chassis, Ses enrayures et Son Comble conique." Profile of a Crane Turning on a Pivot ... . Perhaps a more detailed drawing of no. .36, above.

.38 "Mouton a déclicq." Sketches for a lift. On the reverse side is a pencil sketch of a man kissing a woman's hand.

.39-.41 Sketches, each of which is hand done and colored in red and gray.

Paper, watermarked C & J Honig & Zoon, is from ca. 1794.

.39 Cross sections of an orangerie.

.40 Unlabeled version of no. .39, above.

.41 "Spacato à traverso del orangeria y la linea AB." Cross section view of orangerie.

.42 Unlabeled version of .41, above.

.43 Details of "The Ionic Volute to a Large Scale." Published in London, England on December 30, 1786. Engraved by G. Richardson and Son. Plate no. 18.

.44 "Elevations of Pilaster Capitals to the Corinthian and Composite Orders." Published in London, England on March 15, 1787. Drawn and engraved by G. Richardson and Son. Plate no. 19.

.45 "Doors to the Doric Ionic and Corinthian Orders." Published in London, England on March 15, 1787. Drawn and engraved by G. Richardson and Son. Plate no. 20.

.46 Design reminiscent of Greek ornamentation showing cherub and leaves. "Printed for I. & J. Taylor, Holborn, London." Light pencil sketching on the back.

.47 "Charity." Engraving of a painting showing a female figure holding an infant, surrounded by two other children. "Manners Makyth Man" inscribed on sheet at bottom. Engraved by G. S. & T. G. Facine.

Series II: Engineering projects and buildings

.48 "Profile of the Rampart, Tenaille, and Covert Way ..." Fortification plans. Engraved for the War Office, 1799. Thackara, sculp. Plate II.

.49 "Fortification." Birds eye view of plans for a multi-sided fort. Engraved for the War Office, 1799. Thackara, sculp. Plate IV.

.50 Small map of Delaware Bay off Cape Henlopen. Taken from The Commercial Herald, Monday, December 2, 1833. Drawn by W. Strickland, engineer.

.51 "Queenstown upper Canada," engraved by Strickland.

.52 "Agriculture Farm Houses." Architectural plans for two farm houses, engraved by H. Anderson. Plate XV. [1811-1834]

.53 Broadside advertisement for "Col. Long's Patent Bridge." Features a sketch of a bridge spanning the Connecticut River at Haverhill, New Hampshire. Printed in 1835 or later by Pendleton's Lithography of Boston.

.54 "Profile of Breakwater on Stanford's Ledge." Ground plans done for the "Topographical Bureau, February 22, 1834, copied by Robt. Fowler, Clerk T. B."

.55 "White & Hazard's Lock." Shows gates raised and down. Document 171.

.56 -.60 These are plans for the Hall of Justice, commonly referred to as "The Tombs," New York City.

.56 "Halls of Justice, Elevation of the Principal Front on Centre Street." Designed by John Haviland, 1835, and engraved by Thomas C. Story.

.57 "Halls of Justice, Elevation of the Lateral Fronts on Leonard and Franklin Streets." Designed by John Haviland, 1835, and engraved by Thomas C. Story.

.58 "Halls of Justice, A Longitudinal Section from Centre to Elm St." Designed by John Haviland, 1835, and engraved by Thomas C. Story.

.59 "Halls of Justice, Plan of the Principal Floor." Designed by John Haviland, 1835, and engraved by Thomas C. Story.

.60 "Halls of Justice, Plan of the first floor." Designed by John Haviland, 1835, and engraved by Thomas C. Story.

.61 Two views of a European city [London or Paris?] lithographed by Thomas Moore of Boston. Various structures have been numbered, suggesting the presence of a printed identification key.

.62-.67 These are plans for the Potomac Aqueduct, by W. Turnbull, Captain, United States Topographical Engineers; R. S. Smith, Lieutenant, 2d Infantry; and M. C. Ewing, Lieutenant, 4th Artillery. Document 261.

.62 "Potomac Aqueduct. Tread wheel Pile Driver." Sketched from one of Col. Baldwin's by W. M. C. Fairfax. Plate 8.

.63 "Potomac Aqueduct, Planes Ladder & details for constructing the Horse Pile Engine." Plate 9.

.64 "Potomac Aqueduct, Part of the Steam Engine connected with the Pumps, shewing the Cranks that were used instead of drums." Plate 13.

.65 "Potomac Aqueduct, Double Derrick placed on the Cofferdams & used in laying the stone in the Piers." Plate 14.

.66 "Potomac Aqueduct, Jackscrew Used by the masons for turning large stones."

.67 "Potomac Aqueduct, Steam Engine used in pumping out Cofferdam to Pier No. 2 constructed by Watchman and Bratt, Baltimore."

.68 "Plan of Foundry Site, C. C. Starbuck, del." The site was along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal on the Potomac River. Document no. 306.

.69-.127 Original drawings by Washington Hood unless otherwise noted.

.69 "Machinery for Inclined Plane at Bloomfield, N.J., Morris Canal." Scale is one inch to the foot 1829.

.70 Plan for a railroad car, signed W. A. W., 1830. Includes four figures.

.71 Plan for railroad tracks and sheds, signed Wash. Hood, Cuba. Scale is 12 feet to one inch.

.72 "Plan for an Iron Draw Bridge, Designed by Wash. Hood, Lieut. U. S. Army." From the United States Topographical Office, August 18, 1832. Also signed by Lt. Col. James Kearney.

Paper watermarked 1831 from James Whatman Turkey Mill.

.73 Drawing called "Section No. 1." Signed by Wash. Hood, Washington, D.C., Monday, November 10, 1833. Designs for a column or pillar.

.74 Unidentified plan, perhaps for a door, signed by Washington Hood and dated 1833.

.75 "Quarry Crane, Truck Wagon, & Brake," by Washington Hood, 1834. "William Strickland's Reports."

.76 Map entitled "Military Survey of the Country between the Arkansas & Red Rivers by a Board of Commrs. 1838. Wash. Hood." On the back are drawings of wheels and a depiction of the steam boat Boston.

.77 Watercolor sketch of the Washington family tomb at Mount Vernon, Virginia, 1830. Includes inside dimensions.

Paper is watermarked 1827 from Turkey Mill.

.78 Black and while watercolor depiction of the Washington family tomb.

.79-.81, 93x48.1-.2 These are drawings for the National Theater, Washington, D.C.

.79 "Elevation on E St., South." Signed by Washington Hood and five others.

.80 "Longitudinal Section on AB; (See Plan, Sheet No. 1) Showing the Projections of the Entrance Hall, Saloons, Lobbies, Parquette, Pit, Boxes, Galleries, Stage, Attic &c.--with their principal dimensions. Designed by Wash. Hood, U. S. Army." Hood notes that the building could also be used as a circus.

.81 Plan of the theater seating plan, signed by Wash. Hood.

Paper is watermarked 1825 and is from J. Whatman.

93x48.1 "Elevation of the side of theatre." Signed by Hood and five others.

93x48.2 "Plan of the theatre," showing interior view, precisely drawn with measurements. Signed: "Designed by Wash. Hood, U.S. Army."

.82 "A sketch view of lever with counter weight attached; connecting rod to switch plates, Portion of the Rail way with Crossing plate & Turning Platform." Drawing originally folded, but now in two pieces. Unidentified sketch on back.

Paper watermarked J. Whatman Turkey Mill 1836.

.83 Sketch of a proposed addition between the War and Navy Offices, facing 17th Street, Washington, D.C. Signed by Capt. Hood who asks "What do you think of this idea?"

.84 "Plan of Turnpike, Road and Farm Bridges." Considerable textual description. Much like .85, below.

.85 "Plan of turnpike, road & farm bridges." Considerable textual description. Much like .84, above.

.86 "Erie Canal Bridge." Includes description of timber required.

Paper is watermarked J. Whatman Turkey Mill 1822.

.87 Plans for a culvert with detailed textual description.

.88 "Plan of Mitre and Paddle Gate, Scale 1 Foot to an Inch."

.89 "Plan of the Neversink Aqueduct." Watercolor.

.90 "Plan of a Lock of eight feet lift. Scale 5 Miles=1 inch."

.91 "Ground plan of walls for eleven feet lift."

Paper is watermarked T. Gilpin & Co. Brandywine, but its date is not present.

.92 Plans for a bridge showing elevation and cross section. On the back are drawings that resemble locomotive wheels.

.93 Part of a design for a canal lock.

Paper is watermarked J. Whatman 1821.

.94 Plan for a canal lock.

.95 Plan for a roof with columns and an arch underneath. See also .105, below.

.96 Stencil in diamond shape based on 30-60-90 degree triangles.

.97 Stencil of a wheel containing sixteen sections and spokes.

.98 Miscellaneous sketches of divided arcs on both sides of the sheet.

Paper is watermarked C Blanchet.

.99 Red ink sketch of ornate decorations for a column or pillar.

.100 Watercolor depiction of the exterior front of a church.

Series III: Sketches and drawings

.114 Charcoal sketch of a face, "Dessiné par Poussin Eleve de Deporia."

.115 Sketch of a sleigh and horses with driver and two riders. On the other side is a sketch of a barn and wagon.

.116 Pencil drawing of a tree on transparent sketch paper.

.117 Watercolor painting of landscape with a church in the background. "No. 14" written in at the top.

.118 Sketch of an adult male with beard watching an infant angel who is carrying wreathes above his head.

.119 Paper is folded in half and three of the resulting sections contain sketches: a woman holding a baby being entertained by an angel; several faces and profiles; and a scene showing six women, one of which appears to be on her knees asking forgiveness.

.120-.122 Three pencil and chalk sketches of a woman in classical attire. Because the sketches show such similarity and because the paper is identical, they were probably done one after another.

.123 Charcoal drawing of a foot.

.124 Drawing of a statue of a man and horse.

.125 Color sketch and cutout of a fountain.

.126 Pencil sketch of what appears to be a column. "Tombeau" written in ink on the other side.

.127 Sketch book marked Edw. Grubb. Sketches are of various objects: pitcher; broom; book; cup; house and tree; and forms, including pyramid, sphere, and cylinder.

Series IV: Personal papers

.128 A manuscript newspaper: "The Tampa Couger." Tampa Bay, Monday, June 1831, volume one, number one. Probably in Washington Hood's hand.

.129 Receipt dated October 15, 1833 for money received from Montgomery Hood.

.130 Addresses of people at 241 and 248 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

.131 Deed, Isaac H. Whyte and wife to Amos Jeanes. Ground Rent $58.89 Per Ann." Concerns property on Cedar Street, Philadelphia. 1834.

.132 Concerns the publication of reports of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, 1836. Suggests that the text be divided into five sections.

.133 Washington Hood's check book with the Girard Bank, Philadelphia, Pa. The first 83 checks were used, leaving the stub to record the recipient of Hood's money. 1838-1840.

.134 Manuscript headed "Discussion des courbes qui resultent de la Section d'un Cylindre droit à Base Circulaire, par un plan ..." A mathematical exercise regarding a cylinder, involving analytic geometry.

.135 Portfolio case: "Lt. Hood, U.S. Army."