Thomas Newton was a banker and Congressman from Norfolk, Virginia. While we cannot see any details of his face, his profile does give us a great view of his hairstyle. The ponytail is likely part of a wig, which was very fashionable for a businessman and politician at the end of the 18th century. Wigs were a status symbol. Those who could afford fancy and large wigs gave us the term "bigwig" we use today to describe someone important.
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