The subject was the fourth son of Nicholas William Stuyvesant (1769-1833) and Catharine Livingston (Reade) Stuyvesant. He was described as "one of the most respected and honored citizens of New York" (Spooner, "Historic Families of America," 3, 1907, p. 142). This painting, a copy of an earlier portrait (1957.50), was probably made for Augustus Van Horne Stuyvesant, Sr., the subject's son, since it was in his estate at the time of his death in 1918.

Elizabeth Woodbridge Phelps was the eldest daughter of Anson Greene Phelps and Olivia (Egleston) Phelps of Hartford, Connecticut. Her father formed the metals firm Phelps, Peck and Company in New York in 1812. In 1828 he established Phelps, Dodge and Company with two sons-in-law, William Earl Dodge and Daniel James, as partners.

Anna Maria Valk Smith was born in Charleston, South Carolina. She was orphaned when she was young and adopted by a cousin, John M. Ehrick, a wealthy merchant and broker who moved to New York. She married Eleazer Parmly in 1827. She was the grandmother of the donor and mother-in-law of the artist.

Sarah Brown of Newton, Pennsylvania, became the wife of Andrew Ellicott in 1775.

The oil version was taken from the artist's 1909 pencil sketch, also owned by the Society.