William Wheldon (19th Century) A portrait of William James Nicholson, his wife Mary and daughter Alice standing in a poison garden, oil on canvas, 143 x 110cms; 56 1/4 x 43 1/4in. NB The Nicholson's lived at 27 Percy Banks, Chirton, Tynemouth. William Nicholson was a steamboat owner and the Red Admiral butterfly on Alice's finger is perhaps a pun on the red ensign flown on her father's boat. His seaman's cap bears the monogram ''W.N.'', this naive family portrait was painted by James' cousin in 1856. See illustration