This miniature portrait is signed "E Heaton 1827" and is inscribed on the reverse as being painted in Philadelphia. Edward Heaton (sometimes Edwin Heaton) was born in Britain, but worked in the United States and later Quebec, Canada where he died. Blattel gives his date of death as 1826, but this must be incorrect as this portrait is dated 1827.
The sitter is identified on the reverse as "Ann Wharton, 2nd wife of James C Fisher". James Cowles Fisher (1754-1852) was a wealthy resident of Philadelphia who first married Hannah Wharton (1753-1789) the daughter of Thomas Wharton and Rachel Medcalf. Hannah is possibly the sister of the Thomas Wharton whose portrait by Charles Willson Peale is in the Philadelphia Museum of Art (ref. 1967-216-1).
After Hannah's death, possibly in childbirth, James Cowles Fisher on 20 Dec 1804 married Nancy Wharton (aka Ann Wharton) (2 Aug 1770-Jan 1852) the daughter of Joseph Wharton Jr and Sarah Tallman. It is believed that Hannah Wharton and Nancy (Ann) Wharton were cousins, both being grandchildren of Thomas Wharton (1729-1782).
An important painting showing the home where James and Nancy Fisher lived is in the Smithsonian. It can be seen at Treasures to Go . 1102
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