1848 364½ Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts.
1851-1864 293 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts.[1]
1854 75 Court Street, Boston, Massachusetts.[2]
1865 75 Court Street, Boston, Massachusetts.1
1865 375 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts.[3]
1848 June 22. Boston Herald. (Boston, Massachusetts.) June 22, 1848, Vol. 4, No. 256, P. 4.
M. S. Cahill, Daguerreotype Rooms, No. 364½ Washington Street, corner of Newbury Place, Boston, Miniatures taken, including a good morocco case, from 62½ cents to $5.00 Good satisfaction given. Pictures taken in any weathers.
Advertisement ran from June 22 to August 9, 1848.
1851 August 23. South Boston Gazette & Dorchester Chronicle. (Boston, Massachusetts.) August 23, 1851, Vol. V, No. 47, P. 3.
Cahill’s Daguerreian Gallery, No. 293 Washington Street, (Between West and Winter streets, Boston.)
Pictures taken in the highest perfection of the art, with modern improvements, and unsurpassed for finish and durability. Those who wish for a good likeness of themselves or friends, will find it to their advantage to give him a call, before sitting elsewhere. Charges moderate. Satisfaction warranted.
1851 August 29. Boston Daily Times. (Boston, Massachusetts.) August 29, 1851, Vol. XXVIII, No. 4999, P. 3.
Cahill’s Daguerreian Gallery, No. 293 Washington Street, (Between West and Winter streets, Boston.)
Pictures taken in the highest perfection of the art, with modern improvements, and unsurpassed for finish and durability. Those who wish for a good likeness of themselves or friends, will find it to their advantage to give him a call, before sitting elsewhere. Charges moderate. Satisfaction warranted. M. S. Cahill. au18.
Advertisement was recorded five times between Aug. 29 to October 27, 1851.
1852. Boston Directory. Published by George Adams, P. 35.
Cahill’s Daguerrean Gallery, No. 293 Washington St., Boston.
Pictures taken in the highest perfection of the Art. Miniatures taken from Paintings, Statuary, and everything connected with the Art, executed at this establishment, at Low Rates.
1854 March 8. The Boston Herald. (Boston, Massachusetts.) March 8, 1854, No. 9566, P. 4.
Robbery. Sunday night last, the daguerreotype saloon of Eastman & Cahil, No. 75 Court street, was entered, it is supposed by picking the lock, and a lot of miniature cases stolen. Last night, officer A. C. Whitcomb and watchman Jellison, arrested two boys in New Prince street, named Patrick Brawley and John Mahan, on suspicion of being the robbers. In the pockets of the latter was found a lot of cases, and each had a implement known as a “picklock” in his possession. They are both known to the Police, and Brawley has already been in State Prison. In the Police Court, this morning, Mahan was held in $500 for trial in the Municipal Court, and Brawley in $800.
1854 September 6. The Boston Herald. (Boston, Massachusetts.) September 6, 1854, No. 9721, P. 2.
Cahill’s Daguerrian Rooms, No. 293 Washington street. Notice.—We don’t gull the public by advertising 25 cent pictures and two pictures at one pop, &c., but give each patron two pops at one price. M. S. Cahill.
Advertisement ran from September 6 to 8, 1854.
1855. Lady’s’ Almanac. No. II, P. 121.
Boston Business Directory. Daguerreotype Miniatures. M. S. Cahill…..293 Washington street, up one flight of stairs.
1855 May 26. The Boston Herald. (Boston, Massachusetts.) May 26, 1855, No. 9943, P. 2.
Cahill’s Photographic Establishment, No. 293 Washington street. Daguerreotypes, Hyallyotypes and Photographic pictures on paper and glass.
Advertisement ran on May 26 & 28, 1855.
1855 May 26. The Boston Herald. (Boston, Massachusetts.) May 26, 1855, No. 9943, P. 2.
The art of taking Hyallyotypes or Daguerreotypes on glass, taught by M. S. Cahill, No. 293 Washington street.
Advertisement ran from May 26 to October 9, 1855.
1855 June 4. The Boston Herald. (Boston, Massachusetts.) June 4, 1855, No. 9950, P. 4.
The Photographic Art. It is astonishing what perfection this truly wonderful art has arrived at. It must ere long supercede (sic.) the daguerreotype. We have seen some pictures taken by Mr. Cahill, No. 293 Washington street, which are rare gems. We would advise the public to call and examine his specimens.
1855 August. The Photographic And Fine Art Journal. (New York, New York.) August 1855, Vol. 8, No. 8, P. 246-247.
A Trip To Boston.—Boston Artists….Mr. Cahill, in Washington street, has taken a position in the front rank of excellence. His photographs are quite equal to the best I have seen without retouching or coloring, and some are exquisitely beautiful, of both small and life size. There is a uniformity of excellence in his specimens, not often surpassed by the ablest Boston professors….
1855 August 16. Daily Evening Traveller. (Boston, Massachusetts.) August 16, 1855, Vol. XI, No. 142, P. 3.
Marriages. In this city, Aug. 16, by Rev. Mr. Miner, Mr. Miles S. Cahill to Miss Henrietta G. Perry, both of Boston…
1855 August 25. The Trumpet and Universalist Magazine. (Boston, Massachusetts.) August 25, 1855, Vol. XXVIII, No. 12, P. 3.
Marriages. In this city…Aug. 16, by Rev. Mr. Miner, Mr. Miles S. Cahill to Miss Henrietta G. Perry, both of Boston…
1855 October 24. Boston Semi-Weekly Advertiser. (Boston, Massachusetts.) October 24, 1855, Vol. CIV, No. 7789, P. 1.
New England Industrial Exhibition. The great exhibition of mechanical and decorative art, under the auspices of the New England Inventors’ and Mechanic’ Mutual Association, was opened in Gore Block, Green street, at two o’clock Monday afternoon…
Crystalotype views from Messrs. Whipple & Black, and daguerreotype likenesses from Cahill & Co…
1855 October 24. Boston Weekly Messenger. (Boston, Massachusetts.) October 24, 1855, Vol. XLV, No. 20, P. 3.
New England Industrial Exhibition. The great exhibition of mechanical and decorative art, under the auspices of the New England Inventors’ and Mechanic’ Mutual Association, was opened in Gore Block, Green street, at two o’clock Monday afternoon…
Crystalotype views from Messrs. Whipple & Black, and daguerreotype likenesses from Cahill & Co…
1855 October 25. American Traveller. (Boston, Massachusetts.) October 25, 1855, Vol. XVII, No. 42, P. 3.
New England Industrial Exhibition. Gore Block, Green Street. The grand exhibition of mechanical and decorative art, under the auspices of the New England Inventors’ and Mechanic’ Mutual Association, was thrown open to the public on Tuesday…
The paintings and engravings which adorn the walls invite attention but do not call for criticism. There are some very fine daguerreotypes by Whipple & Black, Masury & Silsbee, and some very beautiful specimens on glass by Cahill, with photographs, plain and colored, from miniatures to life size.
1855 October 29. Daily Atlas. (Boston, Massachusetts.) October 29, 1855, Vol. XXIV, No. 102, P. 1.
New England Industrial Exhibition. This exhibition has taken the public by surprise. When all eyes were turned towards the great Agricultural Fair, it was announced a few weeks ago that there would be an Industrial Exhibition, or a show of those organized inanimate productions which now seem to be more natural to New England than corn or cattle…
There are good displays of daguerreotypes and colored photographs, from Cahil & Co., Masury & Silsbee, and Whipple & Black…
1855 October 31. Boston Weekly Messenger. (Boston, Massachusetts.) October 31, 1855, Vol. XLV, No. 21, P. 4.
New England Industrial Exhibition. The Industrial Exhibition in Green street, appears to be increasing in popularity…
A varied and most beautiful display of colored and plain photographic portraits, views, &c., from the establishment of Messrs. Whipple & Black, of this city, attracts a large share of attention. Several of the portraits are life size, and painted in oils by artists connected with their establishment. The high degree of excellence which this branch of art has attained is indeed wonderful.
Masury and Silsbee exhibited a large collection of photographs, both plain and colored, executed in the highest style of the art. Their collection contains a large number of photographic pictures executed in Paris, embracing views of many of the most celebrated public buildings of the French capital. These pictures are very attractive.
Some photographs from the establishment of Mr. Cahill, of this city are also worthy of attention.
1855 November 1. The Boston Herald. (Boston, Massachusetts.) November 1, 1855, No. 10,078, P. 4.
New England Industrial Exhibition in Gore Block was crowded yesterday…
The most interesting specime3ns of pictorial art on exhibition are those produced by the Daguerrean and photographic art, from the establishments of Whipple & Black, Masury & Silsbee, and Cahill. They are absolutely life-like. Those of Whipple & Black are perfect. The taste of Masury & Silsbee in finely illustrated in their contributions. Cahill has a fine collection, showing that his skill in the production of Daguerreotypes, Hyallotypes, and Crystallotypes is not excelled. The colored photographs produced by these gentlemen, from their truthfulness to nature, are the most valuable portraits for preservation that can be had.
1855 December 29. The Boston Herald. (Boston, Massachusetts.) December 29, 1855, No. 10,127, P. 4.
A New Year’s Present. We have seen a beautiful daguerreotype of six young ladies, who compose the Sunday School class of Mrs. A. A. Miner, wife of the pastor of the Universalist Church in School street. This beautiful and interesting picture, executed by Cahill, is intended as a New Year’s present to Mrs. Miner.
1856 September. Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association.
Received a diploma for daguerreotypes, photographs, & ambrotypes at the Eighth Exhibition of the 1856 Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association Fair.
1856. Lady’s Almanac. Vol. 3, p. 121.
Boston Business Directory. Daguerreotype Miniatures. M. S. Cahill…..293 Washington street, up one flight of stairs.
1856 February 21. The Boston Herald. (Boston, Massachusetts.) February 21, 1856, No. 10,173, P. 2.
Boston Business Directory…Daguerreotypes, Chrystalotypes, Photographs, etc.
Cahil…………………….293 Washington street.
Whipple & Black…………96 Washington street.
Southworth & Hawes……..5½ Tremont Row.
1856 March 31. The Boston Herald. (Boston, Massachusetts.) March 31, 1856, No. 10,206, P. 4.
There is now on exhibition at Mr. Barns’ picture-frame store, No. 125 Washington street, a beautiful photographic picture the largest and best we have ever see. It was executed by Cahill, No. 293 Washington street. We have noticed, from time to time, some beautiful specimens of photographic art in Mr. Barns’ windows, by the different artists in this city, but the one now on exhibition is decidedly the best we have ever seen, and shows to what a perfection this beautiful art has been brought.
1856 October 24. Boston Morning Journal. (Boston, Massachusetts.) October 24, 1856, Vol. XXIV, No. 7302, P 1.
Boston Business Directory. Daguerreotypes, Photographs, Chrystalotypes, &c. Cahill 293 Washington st.
1856 October 25. Worcester Daily Spy. (Worcester, Massachusetts.) October 25, 1856, Vol. XI, No. 252, P. 3.
Arts & Manufactures. Ambrotype, Daguer’type & Photograph Rooms, Photographs, life size. Cahill, Artist 293 Wash’ton st.
1856 October 27. The Boston Herald. (Boston, Massachusetts.) October 27, 1856, No. 10,385, P. 4.
A Surprise Party. A very agreeable surprise came off last Thursday night, at the house of Deacon N. O. Hart, in Arnold street. The Young Men’s Bible Class of the Baldwin Place Church, thirty-three in number, unexpectedly called on their late teacher, Deacon Hart, at his residence, and presented him with their Daguerreotypes, enclosed in a rich gilt frame, executed by Cahill, 293 Washington street…
1856 November 27. National Eagle. (Claremont, New Hampshire.) November 27, 1856, Vol. XXIII, No. 7, P. 3.
Cahill’s Daguerrean And Photographic Establishment. No. 298 Washington Street, Boston. Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, or Daguerreotypes on Glass, Photographs, plain and colored, from Miniatures to life size.
Everything connected with the Picture business done at this establishment.
Daguerreotypes and other Pictures copied.
Advertisement ran from November 27 to December 25, 1856.
1857 June 27. Ballou’s Pictorial Drawing Room Companion. (Boston, Massachusetts.) June 27, 1857, P. 412.
Illustration of Charles T. Jackson, M. D. from a photograph by M. S. Cahill
1857 October. The Photographic And Fine Art Journal. October 1857, P. 319.
…Mr. Cahill, showed us some excellent photographs, but we must give the preference to the ammonio-nitrate prints. Those taken by his new developing process, have too much the characteristics of the amphitype pictures described above…
1857 November. The Photographic And Fine Art Journal. November 1857, P. 352.
Printing Without Silver.—In our last, we exposed the last pretended “New American Discovery,” which several photographers, among them Mr. Cahill of Boston, Mr. Tomlinson of New York, and Mr. Rhen of Philadelphia, have been selling or trying to sell, to their brother artists. The folly of buying processes cannot be better shown than in this case—as we give, in the present number, the best formula of the kind ever discovered. (See page 339)
No Date. Unknown publication, P. 197.
Cahill’s daguerreian Gallery, 293 Washington Street, (Between West and Winter Sts.) Boston.
Persons desirous of obtaining good and satisfactory likenesses of themselves, or their friends, will find it very much to their advantage to call as above, as the proprietor feels assured, from his experience in the Scientific Art of Daguerreotyping, and the superior facilities of “Light” and apparatus which his establishment affords, he can produce pictures which, for superiority of tone and finish, cannot be excelled, if equaled, in this city or country. Satisfactory pictures given or no charge. The public are respectfully invited to call and examine his specimens. M. S. Cahill.
1857 November 18. The Boston Herald. (Boston, Massachusetts.) November 18, 1857, No. 10,703, P. 2.
Photographs For $1.00. Cahill & Co., 293 Washington street, is now prepared to take Photographs, large size, such as we have always had $5.00 for, at the astonishing low price of one dollar. Ambrotypes, such as we have always had $1 for, we are not taking for 25 cents.—Those in want of either ambrotypes, photographs, daguerreotypes, or any of the various kinds of pictures that are now made, will find it very much to their advantage to call at No. 293 Washington street.
1857 November 19. The Boston Herald. (Boston, Massachusetts.) November 19, 1857, No. 10,704, P. 2.
The Fall of Delhi. The news reached Boston, Nov. 14th; on the same day Cahil & Co., No. 293 Washington street, concluded to reduce their prices of Ambrotypes, Photographs and Daguerreotypes. Ambrotypes, 25 cents, Photographs, $1.
November 19 & 20, 1857.
1859 July 7. Boston Press and Post Semi-Weekly. (Boston, Massachusetts.) July 7, 1859, Vol. XXII, No. 97, P. 4.
The Parade of the “Odds and Ends.” …The Cacaan Brass Band, an organization consisting of forty-five instruments, including a drum corps of thirteen…Arriving at State street, the line was brought to a halt while a large photograph of the company was taken by Cahill, without—we are happy to say—any serious damage to his instruments.
1861 May 6. Boston Traveller. (Boston, Massachusetts.) May 6, 1861, Vol. XVII, No. 30, P. 2.
“Leave Your Likeness At Home.” –At Mr. Cahill’s rooms, 293 Washington street, are beautiful life-like specimens of Ambrotypes and photographs taken by artificial light in the evening, by Dodge’s patent process, which is very desirable for those whose advocations render it inconvenient to have pictures taken in the day time. Mr. Cahill is equally successful in his pictures taken by sunlight, and his prices are reasonable.
1861 March 27. The Boston Herald. (Boston, Massachusetts.) March 27, 1861, P. 2.
Night Pictures! Ambrotypes And Photographs Every Evening! The subscriber, having purchased the exclusive right to the city of Boston for taking Photographs and Ambrotypes by “Dodge’s Artificial Light Process,” would respectfully give notice that his rooms, at No. 293 Washington Street, will be open This Evening, Wednesday, March 27th, to all whose occupation renders it inconvenient for them to have Pictures taken in the daytime. M. S. Cahil.
N. B. Skeptics invited to examine specimens.
1861 March 30. The Boston Herald. (Boston, Massachusetts.) March 30, 1861, P. 4.
Night Pictures! Ambrotypes & Photographs Taken Every Evening, By Cahill, No. 293 Washington Street.
1861 May 9. The Daily Evening Traveler. (Boston, Massachusetts.) May 9, 1861, Vol. XVII, No. 33, P. 2.
Ambrotypes and Photographs, are taken in superior style and colored by a skillfull artist to give a life-like expression, by sunlight or artificial light, day or evening, at the rooms of Mr. Cahill, 293 Washington street—call and see his specimens, and notice his reasonable prices.
1861 May 9. The Daily Evening Traveler. (Boston, Massachusetts.) May 9, 1861, Vol. XVII, No. 33, P. 2.
Ambrotypes and Photographs, are taken in superior style and colored by Mr. J. B. Wilkinson, a skillful artist, to give a life-like expression, by sunlight or artificial light, day or evening, at the rooms of Mr. Cahill, 293 Washington street—call and see his specimens, and notice his reasonable prices.
1863 March 7. Boston Daily Evening Transcript. (Boston, Massachusetts.) March 7, 1863, Vol. XXXV, No. 10,085, P. 2.
The Fire On Washington Street, at 9½ o’clock last evening, was much more destructive than reported in the morning papers.
It broke out in the chemical department connected with the photographic establishment of Messrs. Case & Getchell, and which was located in the second story of the rear of 293, completely destroying the room and its contents of Chemicals, silver, &c.
The flames also extended into the operating room of the firm, breaking the sky-lights, and burning most of the fixtures and furniture.
The entire stock of negatives in the establishment were preserved fr4om injury, with the exception of those taken yesterday, which were destroyed by the fire breaking the glass, as any amount of saturation by water will not injure them.
Messrs. Case & Getchell’s loss is estimated at from $2000 to $3000, but they are fully insured. Their fine reception room at No. 299½ in no wise suffered from the effects of the fire, nor will their business be interrupted more than a day or two.
The flames penetrated the photograph room of M. S, Cahill, in the second story of 293, destroying valuable pictures and furniture—the new skylights above were also badely broken. Damage about $1000, and insured.
The photograph rooms of L. H. Hale, on the lower floor of No. 293, were damaged about $250 by water. Insured at the Suffolk office.
1865 September 14. Boston Daily Advertiser. (Boston, Massachusetts.) September 14, 1865, Vol. 106, No. 64, Whole No. 15,929, P. 4.
Business Changes.
Boston, Mass.:—Brownell & Cahill, Photographers, dissolved. A. C. Brownell, Artist.
Getchell & Brownell, Photographers. New firm—W. B. Getchell and A. C. Brownell.
1865 September 16. Commercial Bulletin, (Boston, Massachusetts.) September 16 , 1865, Vol. VII, No. 349, P. 2.
Changes in Business in Boston.
Getchell & Brownell, Photographers; new firm—W. B. Getchell & A. C. Brownell.
Brownell & Cahill, Photographers; dissolved.
1896 March 28. Boston Daily Evening Transcript. (Boston, Massachusetts.) March 28, 1896, P. 11.
Mr. Miles Standish Cahill, who died at Dorchester Friday, had been a successful business man in this city for nearly half a century. He was born in Chatham, Mass., Oct. 15, 1823. When nineteen years of age he came to this city and for some years was in the daguerreotype and photograph business on Washington street. For the last twenty-five years he carried on a large business in shoe findings, slippers, etc. he was a member of the Universaltist Club, a Mason, an Odd Fellow. A Knight of Honor and a member of other fraternal societies.
[1] A Directory Of Massachusetts Photographers 1839-1900
[2] Eastman & Cahill.
[3] Brownell & Cahill.
Pioneer American Photographers, 1839 - 1860 