Old Tennent Church

Periodca. 1930 - 1950

MediumGraphite and ink on artist's board

Dimensions6 × 9 in. (15.2 × 22.9 cm)

InscribedInscribed at center bottom over faint pencil lines, "Old Tennet [sic] Church. built 1751 / Lt. Col. Monckton. British Army. Killed 1778 / is buried in corner of Church."

SignedSigned over faint pencil lines lower right, "Will Hammell."

ClassificationsLandscapes & Still Life

Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Edwards Rullman, 2004

Object number2004.2.18

DescriptionPencil and ink drawing of a large two-story church building with a five bay facade, center entrance porch, a cupola surmounting the left gable end, and a chimney in the center of the roof ridge. The edifice is surrounded by many gravestones, some in plots surrounded by low pipe railings. A large tree obscures part of the building on the right. Another tree is depicted to the left of the church.
Curatorial RemarksWilliam R. "Will" Hammell (1888 - 1963) was born in Trenton, but lived for forty-three years in Red Bank, Monmouth County. A well known illustrator and art director, he helped found the New York Art Directors Club and was a member of the Illustrators Society of New York. For many years, he maintained his own advertising art firm in New York at 25 West 45th Street. His wife, Elizabeth Lansdell Hammell (1889 - 1980), whom he married in 1912, was also a well known artist and illustrator. Will Hammell produced many pencil drawings of historic buildings in Monmouth County.NotesOld Tennent Presbyterian Church in Manalapan Township, Monmouth County, is one of New Jersey's best preserved 18th century religious structures. Sitting on a knoll in the center of its picturesque graveyard, the building was reputedly used as a field hospital during and after the Battle of Monmouth which was fought nearby on 28 June 1778. British Colonel Henry Monckton, who died in the battle, was interred close to the west end of the church.

Collections