Inscribed: In Memoriam / Anne Innes. / Anna Innes. / Anna B. Innes. / “Thou hast Blessed the work of their hands.”
99 x 45 1/2 in. (74-007)The Innes memorial window recognizes the family of English-born merchant, Edward Stevens Innes (1822–77): his mother Anne Innes (1805–63) who lived with him until her death; his wife Anna Eliza Innes (1822–87) who was born in the West Indies; and his daughter Anna Battelle Innes (1848–88). Originally designed for the chapel at the residence of the Association for the Relief of Respectable, Aged, Indigent Females (the Association) in New York City, the memorial recognizes their volunteer work with the charity during their lifetimes.
The memorial window gracefully illustrates Tiffany’s appreciation of nature and its popular symbolic use in the late 19th century. Here, clematis signifies the mental beauty of the women it memorialized. The vines of flowering clematis climb upward on an interlacing trellis, noting the Innes women’s many paths of generosity. The vines terminate at the bottom of a dove, the Christian symbol for the Holy Spirit.
Founded in 1814, the Association sought to support respectable New York City women in need, especially those left widowed after war. Financial support was provided through stipends, and after 1838, a residence home was established. Edward Innes provided accounting aid to the Association and three generations of women in his family were active board members for the Association. A small chapel was included in home’s design in 1883. About a decade later, with the passing of Mrs. Innes and her daughter in 1887 and 1888 respectively, and the earlier death of Edward’s mother in 1863, this window was dedicated in their honor. When a second, larger chapel was built in 1908, windows from the first chapel were moved and integrated with additional newer ones.
This memorial window seems particularly fitting since the Innes family lived across the street from Tiffany Glass Company on 25th Street. The three women and Edward are buried in Trinity Church Cemetery, off Amsterdam Avenue, fifty blocks north of the former Association Home.