Patience Lovell Wright House

Patience Lovell Wright House
100 Farnsworth Ave.
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A Women's Heritage Trail plaque at the house tells about Patience Lovell Wright and her Revolutionary War story: [15]

"Patience Lovell Wright was America's first professional sculptor and a self-appointed Revolutionary War spy. A native of Bordentown, she lived in this house after her marriage to Joseph Wright in 1748. She learned from her sister, Rachel, how to sculpt wax figurines and the two women created wax exhibits, which they took on tour, receiving commissions for portraits. Patience Wright was the first American artist to focus on creating wax figurines of living figures, traveling to London to seek new subjects for her sculptures. While in London, Wright met Ben Franklin, who introduced her to many prominent members of London society, and she was commissioned to create sculptures of the king and queen of England. As relations worsened between England and America, Wright took it upon herself to become a spy and send information home to America hidden in wax heads. The only remaining full-size work of Wright's that exists today is a wax figure displayed in Westminster Abbey, London. Wright remained in England for the rest of her life."

Wright knew and corresponded with such important Revolutionary War figures as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. In a letter written from George Washington on January 20, 1785 (sixteen months after the official end of the Revolutionary War), Washington praised Wright and her talents: [16]

"if your inclination to return to this Country should overcome other considerations, you will, no doubt, meet a welcome reception from your numerous friends: among whom, I should be proud to see a person so universally celebrated; & on whom, nature has bestowed such rare & uncommon gifts."