Roger Elliott (d. 1714)

Roger Elliott was the half-brother of Alexander Spotswood. Though Elliott did not come to Virginia, this portrait descended in the Spotswood family and family tradition has long identified Elliott as the subject. It descended with portraits of Alexander Spotswood and his wife. They were recorded at Nottingham, home of Alexander Spotswood’s grandson, Alexander Spotswood (1751-1818). The portrait was restored in the late nineteenth century. If original, it dates to ca. 1710 and was likely done in England. When Spotswood brought the portrait to Virginia is unknown. It presumably hung at his plantation home in Germanna. Where it hung between Spotswood’s death and his grandson’s purchase of Nottingham is unknown. There is also a chance that this is a copy after a lost original.

Dimensions: 46 x 38 in. (116.84 x 96.52 cm.)

The subject wears a dark wig with a complete suit of armor. A sword is at his hip. A helmet rests on a stone pillar to his left. His left elbow rests on the pillar, his right hand is on his hip. A column is behind him and foliage is visible to his left.