Boston Jersey study reveals identity and naval service
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 8
Boston Jersey study reveals identity and naval service
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 8
Researchers from the National Trust, National Gallery and Royal Museums Greenwich linked the boy in Reynolds's c1748 Saltram portrait to records naming him Boston Jersey and his 1752 baptism as George Walker.
Muster books suggest he served on Royal Navy ships with MP and officer Paul Henry Ourry and may have been paid as crew before disappearing from records after discharge in 1753.
Conservation also sharpened details of Jersey's face and clothing, and the painting goes on display at Saltram from 9 May alongside a companion Reynolds portrait until 1 November.
He was given a name and a face. But after vanishing from records, what became of the boy called Boston Jersey?
Beyond one portrait, how is the art world confronting its deep and often hidden connections to the history of slavery?
The 2026 New Jersey Governor's Race: Mikie Sherrill's Military Record Controversy and Political Fallout
Overview
In the 2026 New Jersey governor's race, Republican Jack Ciattarelli's campaign aggressively sought Mikie Sherrill's military records, leading to the National Archives wrongfully releasing unredacted details about her 1994 Naval Academy discipline linked to a 1992 cheating scandal. Sherrill accused Trump-era officials of illegally weaponizing her records, prompting calls for a federal investigation. Despite the controversy dominating the race, Sherrill's strong counter-strategy—framing the release as a political smear, focusing on economic issues, and opposing Trump—helped her win decisively. The 1992 scandal had previously triggered major Naval Academy reforms, while Sherrill's honorable nine-year Navy career and later awards contrasted with the old disciplinary cloud, shaping a complex but ultimately successful campaign narrative.