Penelope Pelham Winslow Painted in London, 1651. Material : Oil on canvas. Penelope Pelham (1630-1703) was born in England, and came to America with her father, Herbert Pelham in 1638. Pelham, a lawyer and aristocrat, became the first treasurer of Harvard College in 1643. In 1649, the Pelhams returned to England.  In London in 1651, Penelope married Josiah Winslow (the son of Mayflower passengers Susanna White and Edward Winslow,   a resident of Plymouth Colony, and a Harvard graduate).  Both Josiah and Penelope had their portraits painted at this time, as did Josiah's father Edward Winslow, who was also in London.

Penelope moved to the Winslow estate, Careswell, in the town of Marshfield in Plymouth Colony in 1655 with her husband Josiah.

In this portrait, Penelope is shown dressed in the latest, colorful English fashion. As mistress of the Winslow estate, she was known for her beauty, culture and hospitality.   Pilgrim Hall Museum also has in its collections an embroidered shoe thought to have been worn by Penelope Pelham at her wedding.  Click HERE to see Penelope's shoe.

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