2nd Jul, 2025 10:00
Royalty, Antiques & Fine Art
Thomas Charleton (died 1814) - rare group of early watercolours of scenes around Quebec
Thomas Charleton (died 1814) - rare group of early watercolours of scenes around Quebec, Canada, each image inscribed verso - scenes including 'Falls of Niagara'; 'Montgomery Falls, 1810 or 1811'; 'Canada, believed to be Quebec 1810 or 11'; 'Market Place, Quebec, 1810 or 11' (this signed T Charleton) and another, a depiction of native Canadians but without inscription, each approximately 36 x 47cm. (6).
NB: It is faintly possible that these are works by Thomas Remnant Charleton (1756-1849) who also served in Canada, but he appears to have returned to England by this date and the draughtmanship is rather more naive than the T. R. Charleton works in the collection. It seems far more likely that these watercolours are the work by his son Thomas. Two of General Charleton's sons were serving in the Quebec region in the 1810s and a notebook from the same collection transcribes letters relating to Thomas Charleton, a lieutenant in the 103rd regiment who was killed in the storming of Fort Erie, Canada, Aug. 1814. Transcripts as follows:
'Copy of letter from my uncle Thomas Charleton, Lieut. 103rd Regiment, addressed to his sisters in Bath:'
‘Dear Sisters, I do not delay one moment in informing you that George and myself are safe, having been smartly engaged with the Americans at Lundy’s Lane, close to the falls of Niagara…..thank god I have not been touched; George was grazed by a musket ball near the left eye. I shall not enter into a detailed account as the Despatches will give a much clearer one that I could; suffice it to say we drove the Americans, although they were twice our numbers, the enemy have retired to Fort Erie where we will immediately follow them and I trust drive them out of the country…’
The following letter from his brother George J. Charleton, Lieut. dated Aug.17th 1814.
‘Dear Sisters, I am quite at a loss to countenance my letter, having nothing but bad news to acquaint you with. About 8 o’clock on the morning of the 15th we attempted to take Fort Erie by storm, but we unfortunately failed, sustaining a very heavy loss, the particulars of which you will see in the newspapers. My poor brother was wounded very early in the action and fell into the enemy’s hands; but don’t be alarmed, I sent in immediately by a flag, and received intelligence of his safety, he is, I understand only slightly wounded…..I shall write to you again immediately on hearing from him…we must think ourselves fortunate in escaping so well, for our of the 103rd Regiment that went into the field, only four or five officers and 94 men are left effective or fit for duty….’
The following letter written from ‘camp before Erie’ dated 21st Aug 1814 is written to the father of the brothers, General T. R. Charleton
‘Dear Father
I wrote a letter a few days ago to my sisters a few days ago informing them of poor Tom’s being wounded at the storming of Fort Erie. At the time of writing I supposed it was only a slight wound and gave every hope of his recovery. I went in under the flag of truce to gain intelligence of him….he was no more; poor fellow…he had received a wound to the head….’
The Remarkable General Charleton
Featuring in our July Fine Art sale is a fascinating collection of 38 lots on paper, removed from a substantial 19th century album which has been in the possession of the same family since it was compiled.
These works have not been previously seen and colours are fresh as the day they were painted over 160 years ago. The majority of the works were executed by Thomas Remnant Charleston with a smaller number by his daughter Sophia and some by other hands.
Thomas Remnant Charleton was the son of Major George 'Paddy' Charleton, born on Jersey in 1756. A different family album written by his grand daughter relates his career: 'Appointed a cadet at Woolwich on the 1st April 1768, promoted to second lieutenant the 17th June 1772. Embarked with the two companies of artillery for North America in June 1775, joined the army under the command of marquis Cornwallis at the Cove of Cork, Ireland....on 2nd Sept 1776 the army from South America joined General Sir William Howe at Staten Island, served on Long Island, employed in the battery of Hillgate, at the taking of New York, at the battle of White Plains and at Rhode Island, he was at the expedition up the Hudson River under Colonel Bird....Embarked with the army for the Pennsylvania campaign, was at the Battle of Brandywine and employed on the batteries at the taking of Mud Island on the Delaware; remained in the field until January 1778, when the army retired into winter quarters, Delaware.....Served in the campaign of South Carolina, was at the taking of Charlestown, at the evacuation of that place, returned with the army to New York; was promoted to Captain Lieutenant 1st December 1782...embarked for England in Nov. 1783...Was promoted to a Company 26th Nov 1792 and was ordered to Newfoundland where he commanded the garrison for some time. Was appointed Major in the army 1st March 1794 and Lieutenant General 1st Jan 1798.
Promoted to a majority in the Regiment the 16th July 1799 when he returned to England and was appointed to the command of the artillery in British North America in 1800 under the command of His Royal Highness, The Duke of Kent and proceeded to Halifax where he arrived in June....' Further promotions followed up to General in 1837. He retired to Bath where he lived at 8 Lansdown Place East, and died there in May 1849 aged 93.
The works in this collection were painted in his retirement whilst in his eighties, many taken from famous prints of the day or studies from his local area in Bath. They demonstrate a remarkable second string to his bow, following an exceptional military career.
£400 - £600
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Auction: Royalty, Antiques & Fine Art, 2nd Jul, 2025
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