Presented by the sitter to James Pillans, 1815.[1] Bequeathed to William Soltan Pillans, London.[2] (Anon. [=Miss Pillans] sale, Christie, Manson & Woods, London, 1 July 1899, no. 100), bought by (Thos. Agnew & Sons), London, who sold it 1899 to Marcus Trevelyan Martin, London. Mrs. Marcus Trevelyan Martin, who sold it October 1921 to (M. Knoedler & Co.), London,[3] from whose New York branch it was purchased May 1922 by Andrew W. Mellon, Pittsburgh and Washington, by whom deeded December 1934 to The A.W. Mellon Educational and Charitable Trust, Pittsburgh; gift to NGA, 1937. [1] There is an inscription on the back of the lining canvas, presumably copied from the original canvas: "Colonel Francis James Scott to his Friend James Pillans Esq. 1815." [2] A label on the back of the lining canvas is inscribed: "Portrait of Colonel Francis Scott of Harsely, my much regarded friend--to William Soltan Pillans--given for family preservation specially noted in my settlement J. Pillans." "Harsely" perhaps refers to Horsley Hall, Strontian, Argyllshire, the only "Harsely" in Scotland. [3] M. Knoedler & Co. stock books (Helmut Ripperger to Ross Watson, 28 September 1969, in NGA curatorial files).