King Family Collection
At the core of the museum’s collection – and related directly to King Manor’s mission – is the King Family Collection, a group of about 150 paintings, portraits, decorative objects, textiles and books related to three generations of this politically-active, staunchly anti-slavery family. These items help to illuminate their lives and personalities, as well as the attitudes and conventions of 18th and 19th century America, and document paths that often crossed with the key events, notables and history-makers of their day.
Dog collar
x.1993.171
Brass 2” h., 5.5” dia.
This brass dog collar is inscribed “Rufus King, Jamaica, L.I.” It has three adjustment holes as well as smaller holes to attach a padded lining. King’s account books and letters contain numerous references to dogs:
On May 12, 1815, Rufus King wrote that his coachman, Thomas, “had been induced to leave my services for his [George F. Thornton of Virginia] – That he had without my Consent taken away my Dalmation (sic) Coach Dog.” King wrote to Thornton requesting that the dog be returned immediately “by the first vehicle to the Care of Gracie + Jones N. York.” Perhaps the collar pictured above was intended to establish ownership of the dog.
Charles King also mentions two dogs in a letter to his father on December 27, 1825. Rufus King was then serving as ambassador to Great Britain and Charles was keeping him informed of goings-on at the farm. “The old watch dog Othello is dead – but Valentine [the gardener] thinks he has a substitute in a young half bull, half mastiff, pup, which is likely to be, for he has already tried his teeth on his master, who caught hold of him too suddenly on some occasion, but our son compelled to let go.”
