View of Baltimore from Beech Hill

Description

Oil on canvas landscape painting of "View of Baltimore from Beech Hill," 1804, by Francis Guy. "Beech Hill" was the home of Scottish-born Baltimore Merchant Robert Gilmor, Sr. (1742-1822). Two women can be seen standing on the right hand side of the painting surrounded by trees, while a house and sailboats on the water can be seen in the background. The house stood on the city block now bounded by Fulton, Saratoga, Mount, and Mulberry Streets. It looked out over the harbor to the Chesapeake Bay. He purchased the home from Colonel John Dorsey (1735-1810) in 1797. Gilmor emigrated to the United States at 18 years of age. He went into business and continued in this pursuit until the end of his life. During the Revolutionary War he served as a Quartermaster in a Maryland Militia unit from Dorchester County until 1778. In addition to business, Gilmor served as a Baltimore City Councilman from 1797-1811.