Tag Archives: William Henry Franklin

William A. Johnson

1845                Address Unknown, New Haven, Connecticut.

1845                Thames & Mary Streets, Newport, Rhode Island.

1845-1846       Union Bank Building, Thames Street, Newport, Rhode Island.

William A. Johnson was recorded in one announcement and five advertisements five in the Herald of the Times (Newport, Rhode Island).  The announcement appeared on May 6, 1845. Daguerreotypes.—A “Daguerrian Gallery” has recently been opened in the building, corner of Thames & Mary-streets by Mr. Wm. A, Judson, an experienced artist, who has been a long time engaged in the business at New Haven, Con.  We have seen a number of specimens taken by Mr. J. and think they are equal, and in some respects superior, to any we have ever seen.  See advertisement.

The first advertisement appeared on May 6, 1845.  Daguerreotype Likenesses.  Corner of Thames & Mary streets.  The subscriber respectfully gives notice to the Ladies and Gentlemen of Newport, and vicinity, that he has opened a Daguerrean Gallery, at the above place, where The Most Superb Photographs, May Be Obtained.

The Miniatures which have been taken at this Gallery, have been universally assigned the position of superiority—each picture clearly presenting the beauties, colors, and expressions of life, and combining all the late improvements of the art.

The Ladies and Gentlemen of Newport are invited to call and examine the specimens, whether they intend sitting for a miniature or not.  The rooms are open from 8 o’clock a. m. till 5 p. m. where likenesses will be taken without regard to weather, at the reduced price of $2.50.

Two or more Likenesses taken on the same plate, & put up either in Pins, Lockets, or Frames.

Persons having portraits, can have them copied to be put in cases, lockets, &c.  Wm. A. Judson.

The second advertisement ran from May 5 to July 17, 1845. Newport Daguerrean Gallery, Thames Street, (Rhode Island Union Bank Building.) Wm. Henry Franklin, From Plumb’s Daguerrean Gallery, N. Y. and Wm. A. Judson, From T. Hart’s Daguerrean Gallery, New Haven. Having purchased the interest of Mr. Henry M. Brownell, beg leave to inform the Ladies and Gentlemen, of Newport, that they are prepared to execute Daguerrean Likenesses in a style unsurpassed.–Being thoroughly conversant with all the modern improvements, their Pictures cannot fail to please. No pictures will be allowed to leave their Gallery unless it gives perfect satisfaction.

Likenesses taken for lockets, Broaches, and Finger Rings.

The public are respectfully invited to call and examine specimens whether they intend sitting or not.

Instructions given, and apparatus together with chemicals furnished, on reasonable terms.

Likenesses taken without regard to weather.

The third advertisement ran from September 18 to November 20, 1845.  Newport Daguerrean Gallery, Thames-Street.  Rhode Island Union Bank Building.  William A. Judson, Would respectfully invite all who wish accurate and beautiful Miniatures of themselves or friends to call immediately at his Rooms, Union Bank Building, Thames street.  Delay not, or you may spend years of unavailing sorrow when it is to late to repair the loss.  Many who are in rudy health, and fondly dreaming of a long and prosperous future, ere long will be consigned the affectionate brother or sister, then would be a faithful transcript of the loved and lost.

Miniatures taken without regard to weather between the hours of 8o’clock, a.m. and 4 p.m.  Sept. 4.

The fourth advertisement ran from December 18, 1845 to January 1, 1846.  Photographic Miniatures.  The subscriber has just received from New York, a fresh supply of Plates and Cases, (of the best materials,) and is now prepared to execute likenesses in a superior style, for all who will please to favor him with a call.  Miniatures taken every day, between the hours of 9o’clock A. M. to 4 P. M.  Portraits or Paintings of any description, accurately copied, and at short notice.  William A. Judson.  R. I. Union Bank Building.

The fifth advertisement ran from March 31 to July 23, 1846.  Newport Photographic Depot, R.I. Union Bank Building, Thames-street.  The subscriber would respectfully give notice, to the Ladies and gentlemen of this place and vicinity, that he has taken and refitted the rooms formerly occupied by him, in the R. I. Union Bank Building, for the purpose of executing Miniatures by the Daguerreotype Process,  Having but a short time since returning from New York, with all the latest improvements, he feels confident that he can give those that will honor him with a call, a miniature superior in tone, and finish, to any ever before offered to the public, and at prices that cannot fail to please.

None know how to appreciate these Miniatures, until they are called to part with a near relation, or an intimate friend, when perhaps it may be too late, to catch the light ere their shadow fades; therefore those that wish a correct likeness, as well as a fine picture, of themselves, or friends, will do well to give an early call.

Any person having fine Paintings, Portraits or Miniatures, can have them copied with great accuracy.

These Miniatures can be set in Lockets, Pins, Frames, Cases, &c.to suit the purchaser.

Persons sitting for a Miniature at these rooms, is warranted a perfect Likeness or no charge.

Miniatures can be taken as accurate in cloudy weather, as in pleasant, between the hours of 8 A. M. and 4 P. M.   William A. Judson.

William A. Judson is not recorded as being active in Rhode Island in other photographic directories. 

William A. Judson is recorded in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry as W. A. Judson and being active in New Haven & New Britain, Connecticut from 1851-1855.

William Henry Franklin

N. D.               251 Broadway, New York, New York.

1845 Thames Street, Newport, Rhode Island.

1847                138 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, New York.[1]

1848                138 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, New York.

William Henry Franklin was recorded in one advertisement and one advertisement.  The   Advertisement ran from May 5 to July 17, 1845 in the Herald of the Times (Newport, Rhode Island).  Newport Daguerrean Gallery, Thames Street, (Rhode Island Union Bank Building.)  Wm. Henry Franklin, From Plumbe’s Daguerrean Gallery, N. Y. and Wm. A. Judson, From T. Hart’s Daguerrean Gallery, New Haven, Having purchased the interest of Mr. Henry M. Brownell, beg leave to inform the Ladies and Gentlemen, of Newport, that they are prepared to execute Daguerrean Likenesses in a style unsurpassed.—Being thoroughly conversant with all the modern improvements, their Pictures cannot fail to please.  No picture will be allowed to leave their Gallery unless it gives perfect satisfaction.

Likenesses taken for lockets, Broaches, and Finger Rings.

The public are respectfully invited to call and examine specimens whether they intend sitting or not.

Instructions given, and apparatus together with chemicals furnished, on reasonable terms.

Likenesses taken without regard to weather.

The announcement appeared on September 11, 1848 in The Brooklyn Daily Eagle and Kings County Democrat (Brooklyn, New York).  The Doings Of A Night.  Awful conflagration—two hundred dwellings and stores destroyed—three churches burned—immense destruction of property.

The calamity which has fallen on our city is so sudden, so wide spread and so deeply afflicting that we know not how to begin the record of its fearful events.  On Saturday night our citizens retired to their beds without apprehension of danger, without a thought that the destroying angel had stretched forth his arm over our devoted city.  But when the sun arose on Sunday Morning he looked through the chambers of the east on such a scene of devastation as never spread itself open to his eyes in the annals of this young city.  In the brief space of six hours the devouring flame had swept over eight entire blocks in the densest portion of our city, consuming about two hundred buildings and turning into the streets, from their warm beds, probably not less than four hundred persons. As near as we are now able to arrive at the facts the amount of property destroyed may be worth nearly a million dollars……..

138 Fulton Street.  John C. Smith, Lawyer; Charles J. Lowry, Lawyer; Sam H. Cownwell, Copyist; William H. Franklin, Daguerreotypist; L. H. Jousberry, piano fortes; John Rolf, lawyer and city surveyor; Cyrus P. Smith, lawyer.

Carey’s Buildings.  S. Adams, drugs; M. Nevin, books; Silas Ludlam, city surveyor; G. King, Architect; H. A. Moore, attorney; W. C. Halsey, portrait painter; McDevett, portrait painter; U O of Am. Mechanics; Brooklyn Freeman; Schermerhorn, daguerreotypes; Brooklyn Star.

William Henry Franklin is recorded in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry as being active in Brooklyn in 1847-1849 and possibly in New York City in 1850-1851.  The new information is that he was active in Newport, Rhode Island and before worked for John Plumbe, Jr. in New York City, the fact that William A. Judson was active as early as 1845 in Connecticut with Thurman Hart means that Hart might have been active earlier.  Also Schermerhorn is possibly A. B. Schermerhorn recorded in Craig’s without an address or location. 


[1] Craig’s Daguerreian Registry.

Henry M. Brownell

1845                Thames Street, Newport, Rhode Island.

Henry M. Brownell was recorded in one advertisement and was mentioned in one announcement.  The advertisement ran from May 3 to 24, 1845 in the Newport Mercury  (Newport, Rhode Island).  Daguerrian Gallery Of Inimitable Colored Photographs.  The subscriber would respectfully give notice to the Ladies and Gentlemen of Newport and vicinity, that he has taken rooms in Thames Street, (One door North of Townsends Hotel.) where the most beautiful photographs may be obtained, and having obtained all the late improvements he feels confident of giving satisfaction to all who may sit at his rooms for Miniatures.

Each picture presents all the colors and expressions of life, and are warranted to be permanent.

No person is expected to take a likeness from his room unless Perfectly Satisfied with the same.

He would respectfully invite the Ladies and Gentlemen to call and examine specimens, whether they intend sitting for a miniature or not.  Henry Brownell.

The announcement appeared on May 29, 1845 in the Herald of the Times (Newport, Rhode Island).  Newport Daguerrean Gallery, Thames Street, (Rhode Island Union Bank Building.)  Wm. Henry Franklin, From Plumbe’s Daguerrean Gallery, N. Y. and Wm. A. Judson, From T. Hart’s Daguerrean Gallery, New Haven, Having purchased the interest of Mr. Henry M. Brownell, beg leave to inform the Ladies and Gentlemen, of Newport, that they are prepared to execute Daguerrean Likenesses in a style unsurpassed.—Being thoroughly conversant with all the modern improvements, their Pictures cannot fail to please.  No picture will be allowed to leave their Gallery unless it gives perfect satisfaction.

Likenesses taken for lockets, Broaches, and Finger Rings.

The public are respectfully invited to call and examine specimens whether they intend sitting or not.

Instructions given, and apparatus together with chemicals furnished, on reasonable terms.

Likenesses taken without regard to weather.

Henry M. Brownell is not recorded in other photographic directories.