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Cornwallis is taken!: The watchman's cry - Philadelphia 1781

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@ The Library Company of Philadelphia

Doney, Thomas

Description

Print commemorating the surrender in 1781 of British General Cornwallis at Yorktown depicting the watchman's purported moonlit announcement of the event on October 22nd at the Philadelphia residence of Thomas McKean, the president of Congress. Near the "Geo. Washington" tavern, the white watchman, one hand raised, a lantern in the other, his mouth open and with a few teeth missing, cries the news to the crowd of men, women, and children surrounding him and McKean. McKean, wearing a silken robe, chin in hand listens contemplatively as the crowd, many in nightclothes and holding candlesticks, pray, cheer, and listen solemnly. Included in the crowd are a white man veteran with a prosthetic wooden peg leg, an African American boy, an African American woman caregiver holding McKean's baby in the doorway, a white man and woman couple facing each other and holding hands, white women in shawls and elegant robes, a seated Native American woman attired in moccasins, and a scowling white man.; Painted by Eugenio Latilla, M.S.B.A.; engraved by Thos. Doney.; Title from item.; Date inferred from active dates of artist, engraver, and publisher.

Record Contributed By

The Library Company of Philadelphia

Record Harvested From

PA Digital