Sarah (Irving) van Wart (1780-1848)

She was the favorite sister of Washington Irving who was a frequent guest at her houses in Birmingham where he penned several books, notably Rip Van Winkle that he wrote in one night and read to his hosts over breakfast the following morning. Sarah married Henry Van Wart, an American who established a successful export business at Birmingham and founded that city's Stock Exchange. They had six children (listed) who lived to adulthood including Irving, father of the sculptor Ames Van Wart.