Answer:
I did some research, and the only info I could find was that his wife commissioned it to hang next to her portrait and that the artist was an early patron of Washington. Sorry I couldn't help further.
The answer you are looking for is credo
Because the author has researched the area and talked to people who know the land
Answer: Vanity
Explanation: Vanity is excessive pride in one’s achievements and / or appearance. In the passage, the protagonist grew more in love with herself and her pride is described as darkening, which means it became something negative. Vanity is considered negative while self-love and self-admiration are positive when you experience them in healthy amounts.