Nathaniel Walthoe (ca. 1709-1770)

Nathaniel Walthoe immigrated to Virginia before 1744 and was a clerk of the Virginia Assembly. According to Byrd family tradition, Walthoe gave this portrait to his friend, William Byrd II of Westover along with “a diamond ring to the Second Col. Byrd, upon condition that he would permit his portrait to hang up in the same room with those of the nobleman, with his hat on.” However, it appears that this portrait was painted ca. 1750 and was likely given to William Byrd III.

Reference: A portrait of “Mr. Waltho” was left to Charles Willing Byrd in the 1813 Will of Mary Willing Byrd.

Dimensions: 30 x 25 in. (76.2 x 63.5 cm.)

The subject wears a brown jacket, red waistcoat with gold trim, and a black hat. He appears inside a painted oval frame.

See: Colonial Williamsburg eMuseum; “The Will of Mrs. Mary Willing Byrd, of Westover, 1813, with a List of the Westover Portraits.” The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography 6, no. 4 (April 1899): 345–58.