Antique Georgian Silhouette Miniature Portrait Gomm Governess King George Child

Fine antique set of three Georgian silhouettes of Miss Martha Caroline Goldsworthy (1740-1816), and Miss Jane Gomm (1753-1822) who lived with each other in London and were governesses to the daughters of King George III - two portraits are of them in their youth and the other is of Jane in old age. When Goldsworthy died she left the Manor of Rotherhithe to Jane and when she died left the estate to her niece Lady Sophia Gomm wife of Field Marshall Sir William Gomm, she was the great granddaughter of William Penn of Pennsylvania, housed in their original frames. Provenance - direct from the Carr-Gomm family.

Jane was born in St Petersburg, one of six children and moved to England in 1783. She served s both Lady-in-Waiting to Queen Charlotte and governess to the three youngest daughters Princess Mary, Sophia, and Amelia from 1786 to 1816 earning £200 annually. She was present at Kew during King George's early mental health crisis. She was dearly loved by both the queen and the princesses. She accompanied Princess Amelia to Weymouth in 1801 for health reasons and was later held partly responsible for letting Amelia's romance with Colonel FitzRoy continue. She is buried at Bath Abbey underneath the Gomm window.

Martha was Sub-governess to the princesses and is buried at Bath Abbey. She was the sister of Colonel Philip Goldsworthy, a royal equerry favoured by the king. She held the distinct nickname "Gooly" among the princesses, who trusted and cared deeply for her, references in surveying correspondence from Princess Elizabeth. She was introduced to Court by Lady Charlotte Finch, the head governess, around 1777 and became a key member of the nurses staff 

Largest Size 11 x 13.5 cm approx

Photos Form Part of the Description