Dedication to Watercolorist John Jesse Francis Held at Dwight Derby House

Julie Francis of Virginia had no idea that her great-grandfather was the celebrated artist John Jesse Francis (1889 -1939), whose art studio was once on the second floor of the Peak House.

“We never really knew there were other items out there. … We’re so thrilled to see all these different works,” said Julie at the Dwight Derby House on Saturday, June 11, where a celebration was held in her family’s honor. “To me, it’s just amazing; we’re so thankful that Rob [Gregg] found us because we would not have known.”

The family thought there were only three paintings, all of which they brought with them to the exhibit.  More than a dozen were on exhibit.

According to askart.com, John Jesse Francis was an illustrator, cartoon illustrator, and graphic artist.  He was born in Irondequoit, N.Y., in 1889.  He studied art at the Cooper Union Art School, and with George Thomas Brewster.  He was a member of the Rochester Art Club and exhibited at the Rochester Memorial Art Gallery. He died [in Newton] in 1939. 

“John Jesse Francis is one of the more celebrated artists ever to come and spend time in Medfield,” said Gregg, president of the Vine Lake Preservation Trust, which sponsored the reception and art exhibit along with the , and the Friends of the Dwight Derby House. “To be able to take the family back to the exact site where all this [painting] occurred is a distinct honor.”

Francis’ grandson, David Dalton Francis, of Delaware, contacted the Vine Lake Cemetery Trust earlier this year about his grandfather’s final resting place.

“Until we got a call from [David], we just had no idea this whole end of the family existed,” said Ann Mentzer, with the Trust. “We thought it was pretty much a dead issue. We had very little knowledge other than [Francis] had worked in Medfield and he had died in Newton.” 

The painter’s family – including great-grandnephew Danny Francis of Virginia –was in Medfield last weekend to attend the art exhibit, and to visit the Peak House as well as the family grave – which is right inside the lower entrance off Main Street in the Old Section.

Gregg said that, for many years, it was unknown who was buried in the grave marked ‘Francis, Wife, Babies.’

“There are two young children buried in that lot as well as his first wife, who died in 1894,” said Gregg.  “His second wife was buried there in 1955.”

“Until sometime earlier this year, we didn’t know that (a) Medfield existed, or (b) that all of the Francis paintings were done here in Medfield,” said David.  “It’s overwhelming, and I thank you guys for being interested in this.”

On behalf of the Vine Lake Preservation Trust, local photographer John Mentzer created a collection of photographs entitled ‘Watercolor Works of John Jesse Francis.’  That book was dedicated to David Dalton Francis who is shown in the book as a baby.

“I’m amazed by this; it’s overwhelming,” said David.  “Fantastic.”

The book includes the several paintings that were displayed at the exhibit as well as the three additional paintings produced by the family. Gregg recognized Medfield resident Jean Mineo who did a “phenomenal job” arranging the exhibit.

To order a copy of the book, visit www.vinelakepreservationtrust.org, e-mail vinelakepreservationtrust@verizon.net, or send a check in the amount of $80 to the Vine Lake Preservation Trust, PO Box 266, Medfield, MA 02052.