Bio
Maria Nourse, born Maria Louisa Bull, married Joseph Nourse in April of 1784. She gave birth to five children, only two of which survived to adulthood. She moved with Joseph in 1785 from Philadelphia to New York City, and again in 1790 back to Philadelphia. In the turn of the century the family was moving again, this time to Washington, D.C. – more specifically Georgetown. In 1804 Maria and Joseph Nourse moved into Dumbarton House where they lived for the next nine years. Ultimately their final move was to Mt. Alban, since razed. Both Joseph and Maria passed away at Mt. Alban in 1841 and 1850 respectively.
Very few pieces of art are known to exist by Maria Nourse. In the collection of Dumbarton House there is a music book that was given to Maria by her brother Dr. E. Bull. This book contains the only pieces of art created by Maria which are currently known to exist.