Mather Homestead Foundation

The Guest Chamber, the second floor back bedroom in the 1927 wing, is not always included in a tour.  Its most immediate, and sometimes only noted, feature are the early 18 th c. Dutch Delft fireplace tiles.   To the right of the fireplace is a painting representing the capture of the Rev. Dr. Moses Mather by the British in 1781.  But, who painted it?   Thanks to a note from Bertha, we know it was Rhoda Warren Wolfe Prins (1902-1969), a children’s fashion illustrator, who at one time lived...

On November 12th, guests at this fall’s third Scholar’s Lecture will learn about area Revolutionary houses, more about the Homestead, and much more about Bertha Mather McPherson.   Bertha was an ardent champion and cheerleader for her home.  She preserved existing antiques and added scores of period-appropriate pieces.  And she quite literally, threw open the doors to those who were interested in the Homestead.   Thanks to her, the Homestead graced the cover of the 1960-1961 Darien/New Canaan...

Two of Deacon Mather’s daughters lived into their nineties.  His granddaughter, Emily Selleck Waterbury lived to be 99, but it was her daughter, Betsey Ann Waterbury Seeley who set the record for longevity among the Deacon’s descendants, living past her 100 th birthday (20 Sep 1835-16 Jun 1936).   Betsey was born during Andrew Jackson’s second term and died dur-ing Frankin Roosevelt’s first.  She saw the United States grow from 24 states to 48.  She was born only twenty years after the end of...