Reward of merit to Abby Jane Stanton
Giles Crocker (1783-?)
Fishers Island, New York, 1821
Ink on paper, 5 ¾ x 5 ½ inches, with a period painted frame
Inscribed in block lettering: “AbbyJane Stanton. / Giles Crocker. / 1821”

A note on verso states that: “Benjamin F. Stanton while a resident of Fishers Island hired Giles Crocker to teach his children at their house. B.F. Stanton Jr (five years of age) was considered too young to be allowed in the school room. Giles Crocker penned the “reward of merit” for the eldest daughter of Mr. Stanton.”

Giles Crocker, was the son of Jonathan Crocker (1736-?) and Jane Minor (1742-1787). He was born February 19, 1783 in New London, Connecticut. The recipient, ten-year-old Abby Jane Stanton (1811-1841), was the daughter of Benjamin F. Stanton (1782-1836) and Maria Davis (1786-1833). She was born January 11, 1811 in Stonington, Connecticut. By 1819 the Stanton family was living on Fishers Island, New York, and in 1824 they had returned to Stonington, Connecticut. Abby Jane Stanton married Giles Williams (1801-?) in Stonington, and together they produced two children born in 1832 and 1839. “Benjamin Franklin Stanton was a farmer. He commenced life in Stonington, Conn. In the spring of 1819 he moved to Fishers Island, NY, where he carried on an extensive farming business until 1823, when he returned to Stonington, and occupied a farm which he had previously purchased, where he resided until his death, Dec 13, 1836. Besides farming, he was largely engaged in other pursuits, by which he accumulated a competency. He was highly esteemed as a man and neighbor, and was a kind and indulgent husband and father…” Quoted from Albert H. Davis, History of the Davis Family (New York, 1888), p. 33