1849 Mansion House, Augusta, Georgia.
1849 Address Unknown, New Orleans, Louisiana.
1849 Address Unknown, Abbeville, South Carolina.
1850 Spann’s Hotel, Edgefield, South Carolina.[1]
1850-1852 Metcalf’s New Building, Opposite Masonic Hall, Augusta, Georgia.
1851 Rooms at the Spann Hotel, Edgefield, South Carolina.
1853 Address Unknown, Edgefield, South Carolina.
1854-1855 Address Unknown, Edgefield, South Carolina.
1856 Public Square, Edgefield, South Carolina.
1856 Address Unknown, Augusta, Georgia.
1857 In front of the Odd Fellows & Masonic Building, Edgefield, South Carolina.
1857 Address Unknown, Edgefield, South Carolina.
1858 Address Unknown, Edgefield, South Carolina.
1858 Address Unknown, Abbeville, South Carolina.
1849 February 6. Daily Chronicle & Sentinel. (Augusta, Georgia.) February 6, 1849, Vol. XIII, No. 32, P. 3.
Last Call. Those Who Wish their lineaments portrayed in life-like colors, that will never fade,
We bid you come, and we will give the hue
Which future ages shall admiring view—
And all for two dollars. Call soon at Leigh & Co.’s. Daguerrean Rooms, Mansion House, and secure the shadow, ere the substance fades. Our stay will be limited to only a few days longer. Come and come quick. Leigh & Co.
Advertisement ran from February 6 to 17, 1849.
1849 July 21. The Abbeville Banner. (Abbeville, South Carolina.) July 21, 1849, Vol. VI, No. 18, P. 3.
Leigh’s Beautiful; Daguerreotype. Mr. Leigh (Late of New Orleans) respectfully announces to the ladies and gentlemen of Abbeville and vicinity that he is now ready for the reception of company and those wishing a fine likeness and a highly finished picture of themselves or friends would do well to embrace this opportunity, as another so favorable may not soon offer.
Mr. L.’s stay will be limited as other engagements will soon call him hence.
Ladies will find it would add much to their Pictures to dress in black or colored dresses. July 6, 1849.
1850 December 21. Daily Chronicle & Sentinel. (Augusta, Georgia.) December 21, 1850, Vol. XIV, No. 302, P. 2.
Premium Daguerreotypes.—Messrs Leigh & Tucker, grateful for patronage received the past season, beg leave to inform the Ladies and Gentlemen of Augusta and vicinity, that as soon as their new Daguerreotype rooms can be completed in the new building now being erected by Mr. Metcalf, opposite the Masonic Hall, they will be prepared (assisted by one of the first artists of New York) to wait upon all who may wish their Premium Sky-light Daguerreotypes. Their Rooms are being arranged expressly for their business, and will afford superior facilities; and they flatter themselves that all will be pleased with the style, beauty, and finish of their pictures.
Advertisement ran from December 21, 1850 to January 17, 1851.
1851 February 6. Edgefield Advertiser. (Edgefield, South Carolina.) February 6, 1851, Vol. XVI, No. 3, P. 2.
Daguerreotypes. Those who wish an excellent thing of this sort, would do well to call at Mr. Leigh’s rooms in the Spann Hotel. We direct attention to his advertisement. He is a South Carolinian by birth, and, beyond doubt, calculated to come up to his promises.
1851 February 6. Edgefield Advertiser. (Edgefield, South Carolina.) February 6, 1851, Vol. XVI, No. 3, P. 3.
Premium Daguerreotypes! Mr. Leigh of the firm of Leigh & Tucker, Augusta, Ga., whose Pictures was awarded the first Premium at the State Fair of Georgia, would respectfully announce to the Ladies and Gentlemen of Edgefield and vicinity, that he has taken rooms at the Spann Hotel, and would be pleased to wait on all that may favor him with their patronage.
Advertisement ran from February 6 to May 15, 1851.
1851 April 18. Daily Chronicle & Sentinel. (Augusta, Georgia.) April 18, 1851, Vol. XV, No. 9, P. 3.
Premium Daguerrean Gallery. Messrs. Leigh, Tucker & Perkins would respectfully announce to the citizens of Augusta, and vicinity, that their new and splendid Picture Gallery is now open for the reception of visitors. By the aid of our greatly improved Sky-Light, we can produce a style of Daguerreotypes, unequalled by any that have ever before been offered in this city. We would call attention, particularly to the specimens of our style of fine, large head. Those are numerous other specimens of the Art, the Ladies and Gentlemen are cordially invited to call and examine, at our Rooms in Metcalf’s new Iron Front Building, opposite the Masonic Hall.
Daguerreotype Stock and Instruments for sale at reduced prices.
Advertisement was recorded between April 18 to June 29, 1851.
1851 May 29. Edgefield Advertiser. (Edgefield, South Carolina.) May 29, 1851, Vol. XVI, No. 19, P. 2.
Daguerreotype Car. Mr. Leigh the Daguerreotypist, who has been for some time occupying rooms in the Spann Hotel at this place, has had a Daguerrean Car constructed at the carriage-manufactory of our enterprising townsman, Mr. Abner Bushnell. It is indeed an admirably arranged and elegantly finished thing, reflecting credit upon those who devised as well as those who built it. We doubt if a neater or more convenient specimen of the kind, has yet been made. Its advantages for the business are manifest. Having lights at the sides, and a sky light which can be regulated easily according to the judgment of the artist, the precise degree of light can be readily attained. In travelling, pictures can be produced without the delay and trouble usually required to make the necessary arrangements. Here is always an elegant little saloon, with velvet-cushioned seats, and silk curtains, ready fixed and exactly adapted to the purpose of operating speedily and successfully. The establishment, although very large and commodious, can be easily drawn by four horses, over any ordinary road. Its entire cost (with harness) is near $1000, and the whole affair is one of those daily increasing proofs, that “some things can be done well as others,” even in the back country of ours.
The front of the car is ornamented with a landscape view, and from the top arises a beautiful vari-colored stain banner, a fit ensign of the taste exhibited below.
We wish for Mr. Leigh, whose sojourn here has won for him the respect of our community, many a pleasant and profitable jaunt in his travelling gallery. The present is Car, No. 2, of the firm of Leigh & Tucker. In their No. 1, the pictures were taken, that bore off the premium at the Georgia exhibition. In their No. 2, others may be taken, that will win the prize at the next annual fair of the South Carolina Institute. We will see.
1852 January 1. Daily Chronicle & Sentinel. (Augusta, Georgia.) January 1, 1851, Vol. XVI, No. 1, P. 1.
Leigh, Tucker & Perkins’ Improved Sky Light Daguerrean Gallery.—The Pictures now being taken at this establishment, by the aid of an entirely new Apparatus and Sky Light, arranged expressly for the purpose, are pronounced by all superior to any that have ever been offered in this city.
We have just received a new stock, consisting of every variety of plain and fancy cases, into which Pictures will be inserted in the neatest and most caring manner.
Particular care will be bestowed on the arrangementbof Family Groups, and to the attitudes of single Pictures.
A general assortment of Plates, Cases, Polishing Materials, &c., constantly on hand for sale. o11.
Advertisement was recorded between January 1 to June 29, 1852.
1853 March 9. Edgefield Advertiser. (Edgefield, South Carolina.) March 9, 1853, Vol. XVIII, No. 8, P. 2.
Mr. Leigh would respectfully announce to the Ladies and Gentlemen of Edgefield and vicinity that he is fitting up a New Car, and will be ready in a few days to offer to them a New and Superior Style of Pictures! having an advantage of a recent improvement in the finish and polish of the Plate, he feels confident that he will be able to offer to them a very Superior Picture.
He has also made arrangements for an instrument, by which he will be enabled to take Pictures of Children in the short time of one second. J. Leigh.
Advertisement ran from March 9 to April 6, 1853.
1853 July 6. Edgefield Advertiser. (Edgefield, South Carolina.) July 6, 1853, Vol. XVIII, No. 25, P. 1.
Leigh’s Beautiful Daguerreotypes, Mr. Leigh would respectfully announce to the Ladies and Gentlemen of Edgefield and vicinity, that he is now ready to serve all that may be desirous of obtaining one or more of his Unrivalled Daguerreotypes.
Mr. L. is prepared to take any of the different styles of Pictures the Art is capable of.
Ladies will find that black or dark dressing will add much to the beauty of the Picture. May 1.
Advertisement ran from July 6, 1853 to February 1, 1854.
1854 November 16. Edgefield Advertiser. (Edgefield, South Carolina.) November 16, 1854, Vol. XIX, No. 44, P. 3.
The Daguerrean Car, Mr. Leigh would respectfully announce to the Ladies and Gentlemen of Edgefield and vicinity that he will be ready by Monday the 20th inst., to furnish all that may favor him with a call, with a Correct Daguerreotype Likeness, in any of the different styles they may desire.
November 16, 1854 to January 24, 1855.
1856 October 9. Daily Chronicle & Sentinel. (Augusta, Georgia.) October 9, 1856, Vol. XX, No. 241, P. 2.
Pictures! Pictures!!—Run to the Chalmers Daguerrean Gallery, and get a first rate Ambrotype for one dollar.
Photographs taken in superior style. Call and examine specimens.
All kinds of Ambrotype Goods for sale—Sensitive Collodeon [sic.]—a number one article manufactured by ourselves, always on hand fresh. Leigh & Chalmers.
1856 November 12. Edgefield Advertiser. (Edgefield, South Carolina.) November 12, 1856, Vol. XXI, No. 44, P. 2.
Leigh & Co.’s. Ambrotype Car. This beautiful and most complete Car is now on our Public Square, under the management of Mr. A. T. Lyon, a skillful artist, and one well prepared to take Ambrotypes of every description in a style second to none. We bespeak for Mr. Lyon an extensive patronage, first because he is a native of our Town, and secondly, because his specimens of Ambrotypes are highly creditable to any one. See advertisement in another column.
1857 April 15. Edgefield Advertiser. (Edgefield, South Carolina.) April 15, 1857, Vol. XXII, No. 14, P. 2.
Serious Loses By Fire. On Sunday morning last, about day-break, Mr. John M. Whitt’s Machine and Cabinet Shop, in this place, was discovered to be in flames past all possibility of being saved. The fire rapidly spread to his Steam-mill adjoining, and to the Coach Manufactory and Black-Smith shops of Mr. John Leigh; also on the other side, to a cottage building occupied by Mr. Stanmore B. Griffin. All of these were entirely consumed, together with a large portion of their contents. The loss in machinery and tools of all kinds was very severe Messrs. Leigh, Witt, Griffin, Riddell, Covar, Paul and Hurlbut being the sufferers. Some of them lost their entire implements of trade. The whole loss is estimated at about twenty-five thousand dollars, and no insurance. Messrs. Leigh and Witt are the principle losers their damages being reckoned by them at a sum not short of twenty thousand dollars. The fire company was out and all possible exertions made lessen the disaster, which came near at one time being much more extensive. It is not known how the fire originated, but supposed to be the work of an incendiary.
1857 April 29. Edgefield Advertiser. (Edgefield, South Carolina.) April 29, 1857, Vol. XXII, No. 16, P. 2.
Leigh’s Ambrotypes. The Ambrotypes, now being taken by Mr. Leigh in his Car, are pronounced the very best that have yet been exhibited here. Mr. Leigh, our readers know, suffered a heavy loss by the late fire. We suggest that there is a way here to help him in his difficulties and get full value received for the kind act. Sit for one of his very beautiful ambrotype likenesses. It will be a favor to the worthy operator and a gratification to yourself. The car stands in front of the Odd Fellows & Masonic Building.
1857 May 27. Edgefield Advertiser. (Edgefield, South Carolina.) May 27, 1857, Vol. XXII, No. 20, P. 2.
Absent. Mr. John Leigh requests us to state that he is necessarily compelled to be absent from the Village and his Ambrotype Car until Monday next. All in want of fac simile Ambrotypes will therefore not call until next week when they can be accommodated “pretty briefly,” and in a satisfactory manner.
1857 July 8. Edgefield Advertiser. (Edgefield, South Carolina.) July 8, 1857, Vol. XXII, No. 26, P. 3.
The Car Is Off! The Subscriber respectfully informs his friends and all indebted to him for Ambrotypes, that he will positively leave Edgefield in a few days, and they are particularly requested to call and settle without delay. John Leigh.
1858 March 17. Edgefield Advertiser. (Edgefield, South Carolina.) March 17, 1858, Vol. XXIII, No. 10, P. 2.
Mr. Leigh’s Daguerrean Car left yesterday and will be located for a short time at Mr. Carson Warren’s. Thence it will proceed towards the Ridge.
1858 December 10. The Independent Press. (Abbeville, South Carolina.) December 10, 1858, Vol. 6, No. 32, Whole No. 292, P. 2.
Ambrotypes. We are requested by Mr. Leigh, the well known Ambrotypist, to say that he will be in our village in the course of 10 or 15 days, and will than give our citizens the opportunity of obtaining Ambrotype Likenesses finished on the highest Style of his art.
Mr. Leigh is an Artist of peculiar aptitude for his profession, and from his long experience has established a high character as a proficient in his art.
[1] Partners with the Sun South Carolina Photographers 1840-1940. P. 74.