Researchers Uncover Identity of Enslaved Boy in Joshua Reynolds Painting
Researchers in the United Kingdom have identified the enslaved boy depicted in an 18th-century painting by Joshua Reynolds. The boy, previously known only as 'Jersey,' has been identified as George Walker, also referred to as Boston Jersey. His baptismal records indicate he was baptized in London in 1752, suggesting he was about 11 years old at the time of the painting. The research, conducted by the National Trust, the National Gallery in London, and Royal Museums Greenwich, also revealed details about Walker's naval career. He served on HMS Monmouth and was later discharged from HMS Deptford in 1753. The painting, commissioned by the Corporation of Plympton, is part of a collection at Saltram, a Georgian mansion in Devon. 
