Civil War?

[Lady Spitfire]

I was lucky enough to become the next owner of my grandmothers photo collection. Some were unsalvageable. But alot survived, but barely. These are the only two photographs that I think might be civil war related. There are approximately 200-300 photos in total. Unfortunately, 80% have no identifying information on either side. These happen to have somewhere for me to start trying to figure out more about the person.

Photo #1. There are two more with this same photographer name. One is of a woman with 'outdoor' props(staute and flowers) And one of a small child less than a year old. So IDK if they are from the same time frame.
Photo #2. (damaged) has faded written info on the back. ? Fletcher. Also, one of the gentleman has a Mason pin on his jacket and the other is holding something that may or may not be a weapon.

 

[7thWisconsin]

The first one is definitely Civil War, most likely Confederate. The second one is a pair of civilians, I think. Their clothing is all civilian. I can´t make out what the man on the left has in his hand, but it kinda looks like a glove or pair of gloves. That would fit with the fact that they both have overcoats on. There´s got to be a story about why they´re still wearing overcoats for an image. Maybe stage drivers? My gut is telling me that image might be postwar, but I can´t really say why. Maybe the resolution? The detail of the man´s shoe is particularly good; those are certainly mid-century workman´s shoes.

 

[Allyn]

I think it says *atsworth, GA, maybe Chatsworth, Murray Co., GA. Murray Co. is visible on the right side. And the name might be Frgank Fletcher. Wish it were turned so the rest of the writing, maybe an address, could be read.

 

[Lady Spitfire]

I also see 'frank and Chatsworth' Thank you both for your input. I will try and get a better photo and do some more digging into the Fletcher side of the family. I can only look as far as free access will allow me. Ugh. But I have something that research wont shoe me, A BIBLE!!! Also handed down to with with all these pictures. Best inheritance ever! The Fletch Family Bible is in rough shape, but who wouldnt be. Its says made in 1846. First written note is dated 1850!! But I dont seem to find a "Frank"?

 

[Lady Spitfire]

But whoever they are, this is kinda my fave photo, for some reason. And it almost look like a cigar that hes holding. Man, the stories both of the men could tell. Especially the man on the right side. I love all my photos. And prob have a pic from every war US was in from this point on. Some labeled, some not. Luckily, this one had info on the back

 

[Lady Spitfire]

I also see 'frank and Chatsworth' Thank you both for your input. I will try and get a better photo and do some more digging into the Fletcher side of the family. I can only look as far as free access will allow me. Ugh. But I have something that research wont shoe me, A BIBLE!!! Also handed down to with with all these pictures. Best inheritance ever! The Fletch Family Bible is in rough shape, but who wouldnt be. Its says made in 1846. First written note is dated 1850!! But I dont seem to find a "Frank"?

nvm the men look to be older than what this Bible starts out recording. I will continue to look around on the free geneologbank website

 

[7thWisconsin]

They might not be older - they might be blond. The guy on the left has a luxurious stache, but his face is smooth.

 

[Lady Spitfire]

I think it says *atsworth, GA, maybe Chatsworth, Murray Co., GA. Murray Co. is visible on the right side. And the name might be Frgank Fletcher. Wish it were turned so the rest of the writing, maybe an address, could be read.

I would have never made out "Murray County". But, now its plain as day that is what is says. Im usually halfway decent reading old cursive. But this style is beyond my scope. Thanks

 

[Fairfield]

How about backtracking with the photography studio? The first photo is from Thompson in Texas; the only mention that I could find is on the : https://texashistory.unt.edu/explore/collections/RDRHIC/ It is quite likely that the studio is no longer in operation but I've found that, when one studio sells out to new owners, the equipment--and often the records--are part of the sale.

As far as I can see, the only "Frank Fletcher" in the CSA was from Virginia (Norfolk "Light Blues" VA Light Artillery). I found a photo of him in his older years:

He doesn't seem to have been active outside Virginia.



There were several Union soldiers by that name; I don't know enough about ACW uniforms to guess what army he was in. One of the Union soldiers (in USCT) enlisted in Vicksburg. and another (also USCT) enlisted in New Orleans; there was a "Franklin Fletcher" (again, USCT) whose residence & place of mustering-in is unknown but he mustered out in Corpus Christie, Texas

You may not have the only copy of these photographs. If I were you, I'd search for photographic collections of the time, most likely in the south (I've not seen either of this pictures in any of the collections in Maine )

 

[lupaglupa]

The town name on the bottom of the first photo graph is partially obscured. It looks as if it ends in aham. There is a Graham, Texas but it was founded in 1871. @Lady Spitfire can you tell us what the full town name is?

 

[Lady Spitfire]

The town name on the bottom of the first photo graph is partially obscured. It looks as if it ends in aham. There is a Graham, Texas but it was founded in 1871. @Lady Spitfire can you tell us what the full town name is?

It says "Bohnam". There is also a baby's picture and a womans pic with this same info.

 

[Lady Spitfire]

How about backtracking with the photography studio? The first photo is from Thompson in Texas; the only mention that I could find is on the : https://texashistory.unt.edu/explore/collections/RDRHIC/ It is quite likely that the studio is no longer in operation but I've found that, when one studio sells out to new owners, the equipment--and often the records--are part of the sale.

As far as I can see, the only "Frank Fletcher" in the CSA was from Virginia (Norfolk "Light Blues" VA Light Artillery). I found a photo of him in his older years:
View attachment 539117
He doesn't seem to have been active outside Virginia.



There were several Union soldiers by that name; I don't know enough about ACW uniforms to guess what army he was in. One of the Union soldiers (in USCT) enlisted in Vicksburg. and another (also USCT) enlisted in New Orleans; there was a "Franklin Fletcher" (again, USCT) whose residence & place of mustering-in is unknown but he mustered out in Corpus Christie, Texas

You may not have the only copy of these photographs. If I were you, I'd search for photographic collections of the time, most likely in the south (I've not seen either of this pictures in any of the collections in Maine )

Thanks for looking. I have found in a 1880 Census, we have a "Rufus Leonard Fletcher 1826-1903" who lists his Mothers birthplace in Virginia.

Idk really, I have many photos from many years. Im beginning to wonder if most of them are not even related t o me. Just collected by my Granny and her family.
Also the names mentioned are on the back of the photo with the two men. Not the photo of the CSA lone soldier. So this guy may not be a Fletcher

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

It says "Bohnam". There is also a baby's picture and a womans pic with this same info. View attachment 540095View attachment 540096

I have very little expertise about photos, but the bottom one looks like some that I have seen from the 1880's to 1890's in my family's old photos.

 

[Lady Spitfire]

I have very little expertise about photos, but the bottom one looks like some that I have seen from the 1880's to 1890's in my family's old photos.

I have 0 expertise with photos. and this is from my family's collection. Super fun going thru them tho

 

[on again]

Since some of the pictures were made in Bonham Texas..see if the local Historical Society has a newsletter....printing some of the pictures shown here back and front....possible id ...maybe?

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

I have very little expertise about photos, but the bottom one looks like some that I have seen from the 1880's to 1890's in my family's old photos.

Same here !

Most of our old photos didn't have any names, locations or descriptions written on the reverse side of the images.
As a small child, I remember my Grandmother and her sisters could identify a few folks. I wish someone would have recorded what they said.

@Lady Spitfire is very fortunate that her photos have basic documentation.

 

[lupaglupa]

Willis Samuel Thompson

Photographer: Thompson West Cherry Street, Nevada,Missouri example from LOST GALLERY ...

cabinetcardphotographers.blogspot.com

This website has a history of the Thompson who ran the photography studio. It looks like he was in Texas in the 1880s.

 

[Lady Spitfire]

Willis Samuel Thompson

Photographer: Thompson West Cherry Street, Nevada,Missouri example from LOST GALLERY ...

cabinetcardphotographers.blogspot.com

This website has a history of the Thompson who ran the photography studio. It looks like he was in Texas in the 1880s.

cool. thanks, ill check it out

 

[Ihatecomplicatedinterface]

First photo Confederate. Second photo is circa early 1870s, definitely after the War.

 

[7thWisconsin]

That woman´s photo is definitely postwar - late 1870s or 1880s I would hazard juedging by her hairstyle and the tightness of her dress.