Help researching family from civil war era TN & age of painting

I guess I'm looking for a lot of help! Bought this painting yesterday & have googled myself silly trying to prove any of the information on the paper shown, with no luck. Went back to the living estate sale this morning, and the elder woman that owned this was there & I was able to talk to her. She says she is certain the family name was Kennedy, and that he was Secretary of State, but I can't find any info to support that. She used to live in Franklin and she bought this painting many years ago at the family's home in Franklin. The family told her the fire happened during the battle, but again, there is no way to prove that either. When I google, I only find information about 3 family's from that time...Carter, Lutz & (oh I forgot, will have to look again, oops), but no information on other families in the area.
Also, can anyone tell the age of the painting? The frame measures about 29" x 15".
Thank you for your time & any thoughts.

 

Are those spider nests on the corner of the frame???

 

I found several families named Kennedy in Franklin County, TN in the 1860 Census. Some were spelled Kennady, though - and that could be a simple indexing error that might have messed up your results.

Are we talking Franklin County or a town named Franklin?

EDIT: Never mind. I just googled the Battle and it was in Williamson County. I'll try Ancestry search again.

 

Haha, no King, oops, just some fuzzies that I didn't remove.

 

Hi Bakersgma, it's the town of Franklin, TN where the battle of Franklin was during the civil war.
Thank you so much for looking into it, that is soooo very kind.

 

It's in Williamson County. Thanks again.

 

Well it looks like an old frame , but I have to wonder if it was damaged in a fire , how come the painting survived so well ???

 

Got it - but not anything definitive on the specific family.

Here's what I did find:

1860 Census - males named Kennedy (or any variant spelling) above age 20 living in or near Franklin, TN

There only 2 - Dr. C. H. Kenady, born 1828 in Virginia. Living in Franklin Post Office section of District 1, Williamson County.

William Kenedy, born 1828 in Tennessee, Living in the Brentwood Post Office section of Williamson County (which is just north of Franklin.)

1870 Census - same search, except age floor is 30.

5 males found, although 1 is unlikely because he was born in Pennsylvania.

The Doctor listed above is the only repeat, although he is no longer living in Franklin itself. His name is shown as T. H. instead of C. H.

Joseph, age 71, born North Carolina (included because his adult children were all born in Tennessee.)

Joseph Jr. (son of the above), age 34, born TN

Willis, age 41, born TN (no apparent relation to the others)

William, age 37, Born PA

Except for the doctor, the others are all farmers.

 

I also looked into CW era government officials, as I'm sure you did as well, without finding anything to support the claim of a TN "Kennedy" (or anything even close in spelling) being Sec of State at either the Confederate or TN State level.

The second Battle of Franklin was a biggie, so I would imagine that many other homes in the area were damaged, but I only found info on those 2 you mentioned in the OP which were right in center of town (and the action.)

 

All I can add is that the painting looks like it could be from the purported time frame.

 

Hi Komokwa, the part of the frame that is burnt is on the back on 2 areas, and I'm not sure how it didn't burn the painting itself? Maybe it caught fire on the back and someone quickly put it out? Thanks!

 

Wow, thank you so much bakersgma! That was so much work, and I really appreciate it so much. I will look into all your fabulous suggestions.
Yes, I looked into Secretary of States and didn't find any with the name Kennedy either. I wonder if he could've been some other type of official and through the years the rumor changed? I don't know.
Thank you Brad, that is a wonderful help, and most appreciated.
You all are the best

 

Oh and Komokwa, I forgot...she said when she bought the painting years ago, that it was still attached to the frame, but it was burnt on the back. She said it didn't come loose until later. I don't know if it was loose in some areas, but just not completely detached like it is now, or what.

 

well, baring all the hoopla over who and where, once the wood , back or front was being scorched by fire ...the painting would have already melted or at least show burn marks all over it.

On the other hand if it were saved from a fire before complete destruction....it mast have been thought of as highly valuable ....

just shootin from the hip here.....

 

The canvas does appear to be old. It is odd that the canvas could have survived while the frame started to burn. The only scenario I can see, is if the room behind the wall this hung on, was on fire and the fire was just starting to come through that wall. Either it was put out or someone grabbed the painting before it was engulfed.

 

That's kinda where I was going with that too.....
If the damn thing could talk...............................

 

Thank you komokwa and mill cove. It is odd about the burnt part and I so wish I would have asked the woman today when I was talking to her . I always think of things I should have asked after the fact...sigh.
Fire coming through the other side of the wall would make sense though and it certainly could've happened like that!

 

It is possible that the painting fell onto its face and a burning timber fell on top of it before being extinguished.

 

Indeed it could have Brad
Would this painting be described as still life?, and would it be painted with oil ?
Thanks everyone

 

I think still life would qualify....doesn't only have to be fruit and game.

Gassies.....I have a question....
Would the glasses in the painting be correct for the presumed time period ?

Painting experts.....I have a question..
Would oil catch fire or burn, before wood ? Or would it bubble and discolor?

Inquiring minds want to know !