Young William

Painted during the 1770s, this poignant portrait depicts Williams Mills as a child with wispy hair and a cheeky little smile dressed in an aquamarine blue coat with brass buttons and matching waistcoat over a wide-collared chemise.

The portrait is set in a gold frame that is chased around the rim and engraved reverse – Wm Mills / died April 1802 / Aged 30 / Son of Wm & Catherine Mills / Married Rosamund Sneyd

Born in 1771, William was the only child of William and Catherine Mills of Newcastle under Lyme. Both of his parents died before William’s 11th birthday. In 1795 he married local girl, Rosamund Sneyd. The couple had a daughter who was only three when history repeated itself with the untimely death of William. What a special treasure this little portrait must then have been.

A Scottish-born artist, Pat McMoreland (McMorland) mainly worked in the north-west of England. Between 1774 and 1777, and again after 1793, he was based in Manchester where he also gave lectures on art. From 1781 he worked in Liverpool. He was a versatile artist working in a variety of styles.