Tag Archives: Lowell Massachusetts

William A. Treadwell

1856                89 Merrimack Street, Lowell, Massachusetts.

William A. Treadwell of the partnership of Hastings & Treadwell were recorded in three announcements and one advertisement.  The first announcement appeared on April 29, 1856 in the Lowell Daily Citizen and News (Lowell, Massachusetts).  New Daguerreotype Saloon.  Messrs. Hastings & Treadwell, two enterprising young men. Have opened one of the finest daguerreotype saloons ever seen in Lowell, in Thompson’s Block, on the north side of Merrimack street, a few doors above Shepard’s music store.  Mr. Hastings is a very excellent operator, and the twain are prepared to furnish one with a counterfeit of himself that cannot possibly fail to please.

The advertisement ran from April 29 to June 10, 1856 in the Lowell Daily Citizen and News  (Lowell, Massachusetts).  New Daguerreotype Rooms.  Hastings & Treadwell, Have taken Rooms in B. T. Thompson’s Building, 89 Merrimack Street, Where they execute Daguerreotypes in the most Finished and Artistic manner.  The Rooms have been fitted up in an Elegant Style, far surpassing any like establishment in Lowell.

The public are respectfully invited to call and examine.

The second announcement appeared on May 5, 1856 I the Lowell Daily Citizen and News  (Lowell, Massachusetts).  Daguerreotypes.  Messrs. Hastings & Treadwell, who have opened the new daguerreotype establishment on the north side of Merrimack street, in Thompson’s Block, (just above Shepard’s music store,) are, we learn, doing a very prosperous business.  Their excellent sky light and apparatus enables them to do the [ ? ] of work, and hence the great number of calls.  Those in want of pictures will do well to give them a call.

The third announcement appeared on September 12, 1856 in the Zion’s Advocate (Portland, Maine).  Serious Affray In Lowell.  An Affray occurred in Lowell on Friday night between J. C. Treadwell, formerly a stove-dealer, and his son, Wm, A. Treadwell, late daguerreotype artist, in which blows were exchanged and the father’ skull was fractured.  The operation of trepanning was performed, but recovery is doubtful.  The son is in custody.

William A. Treadwell is not recorded in other photographic directories.

Hastings & Treadwell

1856                89 Merrimack Street, Lowell, Massachusetts.

Hastings & Treadwell (Emory A. Hastings & William A. Treadwell) were recorded in two announcements and two advertisement in the Lowell Daily Citizen and News (Lowell, Massachusetts).  The first announcement appeared on April 29, 1856.  New Daguerreotype Saloon.  Messrs. Hastings & Treadwell, two enterprising young men. Have opened one of the finest daguerreotype saloons ever seen in Lowell, in Thompson’s Block, on the north side of Merrimack street, a few doors above Shepard’s music store.  Mr. Hastings is a very excellent operator, and the twain are prepared to furnish one with a counterfeit of himself that cannot possibly fail to please.

The advertisement ran from April 29 to June 10, 1856.  New Daguerreotype Rooms.  Hastings & Treadwell, Have taken Rooms in B. T. Thompson’s Building, 89 Merrimack Street, Where they execute Daguerreotypes in the most Finished and Artistic manner.  The Rooms have been fitted up in an Elegant Style, far surpassing any like establishment in Lowell.

The public are respectfully invited to call and examine.

The second announcement appeared on May 5, 1856.  Daguerreotypes.  Messrs. Hastings & Treadwell, who have opened the new daguerreotype establishment on the north side of Merrimack street, in Thompson’s Block, (just above Shepard’s music store,) are, we learn, doing a very prosperous business.  Their excellent sky light and apparatus enables them to do the [ ? ] of work, and hence the great number of calls.  Those in want of pictures will do well to give them a call.

The second advertisement ran from June 11, 1856 to March 3, 1857.  New Daguerreotype Rooms.  Hastings & Treadwell, Have taken Rooms in B. T. Thompson’s Building, 89 Merrimack Street, Where they execute Daguerreotypes in the most Finished and Artistic manner.  The Rooms have been fitted up in an Elegant Style, far surpassing any like establishment in Lowell.

Hastings & Treadwell are not listed in other photographic directories as partners.  Emory A. Hastings is recorded in other directories as being active in 1858.  William A. Treadwell is not recorded in other directories.

J. Field

N.D.                Wentworth Building, 2nd floor, Lowell, Massachusetts.[1]

1857                Wentworth Building, corner of Merrimack and Shattuck Streets, Lowell, Massachusetts.

J. Field was recorded in a broadside and one and one advertisement in the Lowell Daily Citizen and News.  (Lowell, Massachusetts).  The broadside is undated from a private collection.

“J. Fields Daguerreian Rooms Just Let Loose or Driven Away from S. P. Howe’s Daguerreian Rooms…Pictures taken Cheaper than the Cheapest.  Come and see.

The advertisement ran from July 7 to October 6, 1857.  J. Field, Daguerrean, Formerly in Company with S. P. Howes.  Having sold out my interest in those rooms I have opened rooms in Wentworth’s Building, Corner Of Merrimack and Shattuck Streets.  Please call and have your Pictures cheaper than the cheapest. 


[1] A Directory Of Massachusetts Photographers 1839-1900.

John T. Billings

1857                Corner Central and Jackson Streets, Lowell, Massachusetts.

John T. Billings was recorded in one advertisement that ran from January 3 to May 6, 1857 in the   Lowell Daily Citizen and News (Lowell, Massachusetts).  Daguerreotypists:—A lot of good American and German Bromine received and for sale by John T. Billings, Apothecary, cor. Central and Jackson Streets.  jan3.

John T. Billings is not recorded in other photographic directories.

Lothrop G. Bean

1857                234 Merrimack Street, Lowell, Massachusetts.

1858-1859       234 Merrimack Street, Lowell, Massachusetts.[1]

Lothrop G. Bean was recorded in one advertisement that appeared on December 10, 1857 in the  Lowell Daily Citizen and News (Lowell, Massachusetts).  Great Attraction At Bean’s Patent Ambrotype Hall, 234 Merrimack Street.  His Patent Ambrotypes are all the rage, as they are taken and finished in superior style, and are sealed between two plates of fine polished plate glass, so that they are secured from air and dampness.  Warranted not to corrode or change in any climate.  His pictures can be colored like the Daguerreotype, but are much more beautiful in finish, more soft and delicate in effect, and come nearer to nature than any other picture.

The public are respectfully invited to call and see the difference, between the genuine and the so called Ambrotype, advertised by others.  The genuine being durable, the other perishable.  Jy23.

Lothrop G. Bean is recorded in other photographic directories as being active in Lowell from 1858 to 1859.  Lothrop G. Bean is possibly the same person as L. G. Bean who was active in Westerly, Rhode Island 1853 and in Fall River, Massachusetts in 1856.  


[1] Directory of Massachusetts Photographers, 1839-1900.

L. Aldridge

1846                82 Merrimack Street, Lowell, Massachusetts.

L. Aldridge was recorded in three advertisements and one announcement.  The first advertisement appeared in the Lowell Daily (Lowell, Massachusetts) on May 29, 1846.   

Daguerreotype Miniature Rooms, 82 Merrimack Street.  L. Aldridge, Would invite the attention of the public to splendid Miniatures now being daily executed at his Rooms.  The late improvements which he has made in polishing the plates, enables him to take the finest and best pictures that this beautiful and valuable art can produce.

N. B.  Gold And Plated Lockets kept constantly on hand, and cheaper than can be found in the City.

The public are respectfully invited to call and examine specimens.

The announcement appeared on June 10, 1846 also in the Lowell Daily.  Mr. Aldridge, at his Daguerreotype Miniature Rooms, 82 Merrimack street, has lately added to his collection some splendid pictures of several of our own citizens.  Give him a call.

The second and third advertisement in The Niagara (Lowell, Massachusetts).  The second advertisement appeared on July 25, 1846.  Daguerreotype Miniature Rooms!  No. 82 Merrimack Street, Lowell. L. Aldridge, Would invite the attention of the public to splendid Miniatures now being daily exhibited at his Rooms.  The late improvements which he has made in polishing the plates, enables him to take the Finest and Best Pictures that this beautiful and valuable art can produce.

Gold And Plated Lockets kept constantly on hand, and cheaper than can be found in the City.

The public are respectfully invited to call and examine specimens.

And the third appeared on August 22, 1846. 

Daguerreotype Miniatures—Again.  I noticed in your No. of August 15th [1, an article which seems to come from a fool source, or from some one a little out of humor.  The first important statement is that a “gentleman”(?) At No. 20 Merrimack street exhibits pictures taken by Thompson, Artist, as his own.  In re[ply] to this, I would say, I have proof ample and abundant that I have not one picture in my show-cases, or about my door, except my own likeness (for which I made every preparation,) but was taken by myself.  I presume Mr. A., whose name is mentioned in the article referred to, will not pretend that I have had better pictures than I now have—if he does, I can easily give satisfaction on that point.  The next important statement is, that the stock recently purchased by me is “nearly good for nothing,”—a sufficient portion of which I now have, to make this statement a perfect libel.  Among what I now have at my rooms, purchased in the very lot referred to, is one large German Camera of the best quality ever imported—the same instrument with which those pictures were taken, whose location so much displeases Mr. A.  But then, Mr. A., you need not be too much alarmed!  Just hand over the $100 you offer, and I will take one or one dozen, as good pictures as you marvel at, and then learn you in less than one year to take quite respectable Daguerreotype Miniatures.The Man At The Old Stand, No. 20 Merrimack street, Lowell.  Aug. 20, 1846.

L. Aldridge is not recorded in other photographic directories.

[1] Issue not available at the time of posting (12-27-2021)

Wesley Abbott

1855                19 Central Street, Lowell, Massachusetts.

Wesley Abbott was recorded in one advertisement in the Andover Advertiser (Andover, Massachusetts) that was recorded on September 15, 1855.  Wesley Abbott Would say to the citizens of Andover, that he is prepared to take every style of Daguerreotype, in the most artistic manner, at the lowest prices.  He would say that he has the best light in the city, for taking Single Pictures or Groups, and is prepared to execute pictures of every size and price, from 50 cents to $20.

Lovers of the fine arts are invited to call and examine the rooms and apparatus, and see specimens of Stereoscopic pictures, Crayons, Magic and Metalic backgrounds, &c.

His rooms are at 19 Central Street, near the Post Office, Lowell.  March 31.  Wesley Abbott.

Wesley Abbott is not recorded in other photographic directories.

Woodward & Stevens

1841                Mansur’s Building, Central Street, Lowell, Massachusetts.

Woodward & Stevens appeared in one announcement on April 13, 1841 in the Lowell Courier (Lowell, Massachusetts).  Daguerreotype Miniatures.  We have seen neat and beautiful specimens of these miniatures from Mr. Plumbe, Mechanics’ Hall, and Messrs. Woodward & Stevens, Mansur’s Building, Central Street.

Woodward & Stevens are not recorded in other photographic directories.

W. S. Stevenson

1846                Museum Building, Merrimack Street, Lowell, Massachusetts.

1846                20 Merrimack Street, Lowell, Massachusetts.

W. S. Stevenson was recorded in one advertisement and one announcement in The Niagara (Lowell, Massachusetts) on The advertisement appeared on July 25, 1846.  Daguerreotype Miniatures!  Rooms in the Museum Building, Merrimack st.

W. S. Stevenson would inform his former patrons, and the public in general, that he has fitted up Rooms in the Museum Building, over N. Wright’s office, where he will be pleased to wait upon those wishing for a good and permanent Miniature.

Gold And Plated Lockets kept constantly on hand, for Daguerreotype Miniatures, cheap as can be found elsewhere.

The announcement appeared on August 22, 1846.  Daguerreotype Miniatures——Again.

I noticed in your No. of August 15th, an article which seems to come from a fool source, or from some one a little out of humor.  The first important statement is that a “gentleman”(?) At No. 20 Merrimack street exhibits pictures taken by Thompson, Artist, as his own.  In re[ply] to this, I would say, I have proof ample and abundant that I have not one picture in my show-cases, or about my door, except my own likeness (for which I made every preparation,) but was taken by myself.  I presume Mr. A., whose name is mentioned in the article referred to, will not pretend that I have had better pictures than I now have—if he does, I can easily give satisfaction on that point.  The next important statement is, that the stock recently purchased by me is “nearly good for nothing,”—a sufficient portion of which I now have, to make this statement a perfect libel.  Among what I now have at my rooms, purchased in the very lot referred to, is one large German Camera of the best quality ever imported—the same instrument with which those pictures were taken, whose location so much displeases Mr. A.  But then, Mr. A., you need not be too much alarmed!  Just hand over the $100 you offer, and I will take one or one dozen, as good pictures as you marvel at, and then learn you in less than one year to take quite respectable Daguerreotype Miniatures.

The Man At The Old Stand, No. 20 Merrimack street.  Lowell, Aug. 20, 1846.

W. S. Stevenson is not recorded in other photographic directories.

Benjamin R. Stevens

1841                Mansur’s Building, Central Street, Lowell, Massachusetts.

1841                Mansur’s Building, 30 Central Street, Lowell, Massachusetts.

1842                Address Unknown, Lowell, Massachusetts.

Benjamin R. Stevens of Woodward & Stevens; and Stevens & Morse, was recorded in two announcements, one advertisement, and one entry.  The first announcement appeared in the Lowell Courier (Lowell, Massachusetts) on April 13, 1841.  Daguerreotype Miniatures.  We have seen neat and beautiful specimens of these miniatures from Mr. Plumbe, Mechanics’ Hall, and Messrs. Woodward & Stevens, Mansur’s Building, Central Street.

The advertisement ran from May 11 to July 4, 1841 in the Lowell Morning Courier (Lowell, Massachusetts).  Daguerreotype Miniatures.  Mansur’s Building, No. 30 Central Street.  The subscriber has the honor of announcing to the ladies and gentlemen of Lowell, that he has taken a room at No 30 Central Street, Mansur’s building, for the purpose of taking Daguerreotype Miniatures, were every effort will be made to satisfy those who may favor him with a call.  B. R. Stevens.

The second announcement appeared in the Lowell Morning Courier (Lowell, Massachusetts) on  May 22.  Daguerreotype Miniatures.  We call the attention of the public to the advertisement in another column, of Mr. Stevens, of Mansur’s building.  Mr. Stevens is very polite and accommodating, shows his numerous visitors the whole process of taking miniatures, and takes beautiful miniatures, even of the ugliest faces. He merits the patronage of the public.

The entry appeared in the American Photographic Patents The Daguerreotype & Wet Plate Era 1840-1880.  Patent No. 2,522  Improvement in the mode of fixing daguerreotype-impressions so as to allow of colors being applied to the same.  Benjamin R. Stevens & Lemuel Morse.  Lowell MA  Mar 28, 1842.

Benjamin R. Stevens is recorded in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry as B. R. Stevens a possible daguerrean and inventor in 1842 in the partnership of Stevens & Morse.