Portrait of Major Richard Ellison (1807-1881) in uniform oil on canvas, oval73.5 x 60cmProvenance:By descent from the sitter to his granddaughter Charlotte Ellison, who married Michael Stocks (b. 1864) in 1888,Thence by descent at Wood Hall, Hilgay, NorfolkRichard Ellison (1807-1881) of Boultham Hall, Lincolnshire, was the son of Richard Ellison, MP of Sudbrooke Holme and Jane, daughter of William Maxwell. He was educated at Christ Church, Oxford. In 1830, he married Charlotte (1807-1891) daughter of Sir George Chetwynd, 2nd Baronet of Brocton (1739-1824). Upon his marriage, he was given by his father the estate of Boultham Hall. Ellison took public office as a Justice of the Peace and was a Major in the Royal North Lincoln Militia from 1836. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1853. When the Lincoln Poor Law Union was established in 1836, Ellison was appointed its Guardian. He was a notable supporter of the local community and in 1840 following severe flooding in the area surrounding Boultham, he installed several steam pumps to alleviate the floods. We are grateful to Christopher Bryant for identifying the sitter's uniform.Framed 96 x 83cmThe painting is executed in oil on a canvas support which has been lined. The canvas tension is slack and there are undulations across the surface. The paint layers are in a good, stable condition overall. Prominent drying cracks have formed in the red paint passages. The varnish is clear and even with a light layer of surface dirt.