Figure 1.-- Ths CDV was taken in June 1863. The boys would be about 6-9 years old. The boys are dressed absolutely identically down to theclast detail with matching cut-away jackets and vests, both done with piping. The pants are bloomer knickers with buttons and stripes. They have small white collars and rubbon ties. One interesting aspect of their outfits is striped long stockings. This is interesting because in America we do not see striped stockings until the 1870s. The high-top shoes have an incredible number of eyelets and posts. We have also not seen this in America. One boy holds a boater hat, we suspect the other boys have similar hats. Their hair isone a little differently. We are unsure if mon was being creative or simly careless. This seems a little strange as they are so meticuoully dressed,

This CDV came from a Sheffield family album. The boys seem to be from the Watson family reported in the 1861 Census. British Census. The 'Census reports the Land & House Owner' at Cliffe House, Sheffield Lane Top, Ecclesfield, Wortley, Yorkshire' was 50-year old William Watson. He had three sons, named William, John Clifford, and Henry Percy, aged 6, 5 and 4 respectively. The writing on the bck of the CDV is a prfect match. Their mother, Annie was 20 years William's junior which was not uncommon during the Vicorian era. Annie was from New York. The CDV was taken 2 years after the Census in June 1863 so the ages would be 6-9 years depending on the month that the Census was taken. The boys are dressed absolutely identically down to theclast detail with matching cut-away jackets and vests, both done with piping. The pants are bloomer knickers with buttons and stripes. They have small white collars and rubbon ties. One interesting aspect of their outfits is striped long stockings. This is interesting because in America we do not see striped stockings until the 1870s. The high-top shoes have an incredible number of eyelets and posts. We have also not seen this in America. The rest of the clothing is very similar to what American boys would have worn. One boy holds a boater hat, we suspect the other boys have similar hats. Their hair isone a little differently. We are unsure if mon was being creative or simly careless. This seems a little strange as they are so meticuoully dressed, There is no studio information.

Created: 11:01 AM 8/16/2014
Last edited: 11:01 AM 8/16/2014