Bennett ancestors (obverse) - a photo on Flickriver

This small portrait photograph was purchased January 5th, 2019 from an antique shop in Montpelier, Vermont. It's about the size of a CDV and glued onto an embossed matte. It's also somewhat faded, so I enhanced the contrast in this scan.

The initial impression I got from this couple was that their manner of dress implies some foreign/ethnic influence. The reverse is very confusing showing multiple identities with multiple redactions. The final annotation claims them to be Charles and Diana Bennett with their birth years and the claim, "They were the 1st Bennetts to come to USA from Pamber, England." Also included is the year, 1845, and their respective ages, 49, and 44.

The Pamber, England, connection helps explain the foreign appearance. There is no way this photograph was taken in 1845. The print is paper; requiring a negative which didn't exist in the era of Daguerrotypes. The image lacks the loss of quality it would show if it was a photograph of an earlier photograph. The redacted names (in order of appearance) are Uncle Charlie and Edith Bennett, Grampa Bennett's brother, and Howard and wife.

I had no geographic reference for census research, so I assumed Vermont. After all, the photo was purchased in Vermont and pulled from a stack of photographs from Calais, Vermont. The most likely candidates for this couple were Charles and Diane Bennett, of Holland, Orleans County, Vermont, both born in England, who appeared in the 1840 through 1860 censuses. Their children, Charles Jr., Thomas, and Jane, were also born in England. There was also an unnamed female between ages 15 and 20 in the 1840 census who may have been a daughter, boarder, or hired help. Charles Jr's obituary indicated the family emigrated from Old Hampshire, England, around 1837. Hampshire is the county where Pamber is located. Further research revealed that Charles Jr. had a son, also named Charles, who married a woman named Edith. He also had a son named Howard. This family satisfies all the names and the England connection, but is this couple Charles and Diana?

Scanning the image brought out details, long faded, and hidden from my aging eyes. Most striking of these was the capital letter "S" on the woman's collar, adjacent to the Salvation Army shield at her throat. The Salvation Army originated in England and was introduced to America around 1880. It made inroads into Vermont around 1885. Photographs from around the turn of the last century show similar bonnets, pins and collars on Salvation Army women volunteers. Men sported hats similar to the one in this photograph. Charles Bennett Sr. died around 1865, and Diana died around 1875, so there's no way this image is them. So who are they?

Identifying this couple will depend on the remaining clues and input from Bennett family historians. Judging references to "Uncle Charlie" and "Grampa Bennett's brother", I believe the author of the redacted annotations was a descendant of either Simon or Calvin Bennett. My wife suggested this couple may actually be siblings, citing their similar features and lack of wedding bands. The man is also missing the tip of his middle finger on his left hand. Orleans County Salvation Army may have records of Bennett family participants. Research continues. Thank you for the efforts of History Posse members, Rachel and Joanie.

I am seeking descendants.

A high resolution digital copy can be downloaded at this link.

Taken on: January 7, 2019

Sets appears in: • Rescued photos

Groups appears in: • Vermont People and Places • Old Photos more » • Found Photographs • 100 years old • Abandoned Relatives • The Museum of Found Photographs • Old Photographs • Vermont • Found Photos • Photographs with writing on back • Vintage Vermont « less

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