Edwin Debenham

[AnnB]

Just a snippet
Dorset County Express 16th April 1878
We are glad to observe the concert which we predicted some weeks ago, has been arranged for. Our musician and composer, Mr T. Avant, will be the conductor, St John's Choral Class furnishing the great body of the vocalists, and the leading parts being thus taken: - Soprano, Miss Ellen Lamb, from the London Concerta: Tenor, Mr E Debenham so well known in our district; Bass, Mr Grantly, from the Royal Academy of Music, whence also comes Isabel Thurgood, who performs on the grand piano. The first part of the programme consists of Sterndale Bennett's "May Queen” the second part will include miscellaneous selections. Mr H. Wheeler has the plan and management of the room - the Assembly room at the Royal Hotel. Everything has thus been arranged to secure the enjoyment of an unusual treat.

 

[mugwortismy cat]

this from the 1914 Kelly's Directory, only mentions Philip E

 

[mugwortismy cat]

Mr H. Wheeler has the plan and management of the room

Aha, he had a finger in many pies, also one of the Weymouth photographers

Thank you

 

[Derekive]

I am hoping to firm up some dates in the business life of Edwin Debenham

Edwin was born in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk in 1844 (reg Apr-Jun), to Samuel Debenham and Salome Warren. Samuel was born a Quaker and was a confectioner, but took up photography (having practices in Bedford and Luton), although in his latter years he worked as a solicitor's clerk.

Edwin lived his early life in Holborn and St Pancras, London. He became a photographic colorist and then later a photographer.
On 7 Apr 1868 he married Marie Lachenal, she was a concertina player of some reknown, her father made them.
On 24 Jul 1870 he was baptised in Reigate

In 1871 in Reigate
In 1881 in Holdenhurst, Hampshire near Bournemouth
In 1891 York
In 1901 Gloucester
In 1911 Llanbeblig, Caernarvonshire, Wales
Mar 1925 he died in Darlington, County Durham

I believe he briefly worked with his brother Arthur, this likely on the Isle of Wight, possibly after he was in Reigate
I know he was in Weymouth in 1876 and 1877 when his sons Frederick William and Philip Eugene were born
I saw a hint of a newspaper from 1881 which suggested that he was moving back to Weymouth from Bournemouth, but maybe he didn't stay long as he had a daughter in 1882 in Southampton, though it was not uncommon to have more than one studio operating at the same time in different places

Is it possible to firm up any of these dates?

I haven't yet found any Debenham CDVs from Reigate so he may have been working for someone else. In Bournemouth he had a partnership with a man named Gould. In Southampton he was in business for at least some of the time with a Mr Smith (he may be the same Mr Smith who turns up as a photographer in Weymouth, but I have not worked on him as yet). I would also like to know if he is the Debenham in partnership with a Mr Stewart in Torquay.

There feels like a lot to untangle because not only his father, but also 2 brothers and 4 sons were photographers

I've been concentrating on his work in Weymouth up until now, but am starting to branch out ...

Hi, I collect Debenham family photographs. I have a couple of Reigate photos but their don't seem to be many around. He started the business in Ryde with his brother Arthur, they started out as E & A Debenham but this only lasted for a short while before Edwin moved on. An advert first appears in the paper on 6th April 1867 stating that they are opening up a studio in No 6 Royal Arcade Ryde. I have photos dated 1868 for the partnership but Edwin had certainly left by June 1871 when Arthur moved premises to Union Street. Do get in touch if there is any other information that you would like. Best of luck in your research.

 

[mugwortismy cat]

Hi, I collect Debenham family photographs. I have a couple of Reigate photos but their don't seem to be many around. He started the business in Ryde with his brother Arthur, they started out as E & A Debenham but this only lasted for a short while before Edwin moved on. An advert first appears in the paper on 6th April 1867 stating that they are opening up a studio in No 6 Royal Arcade Ryde. I have photos dated 1868 for the partnership but Edwin had certainly left by June 1871 when Arthur moved premises to Union Street. Do get in touch if there is any other information that you would like. Best of luck in your research.

Thank you for your message. It certainly helps in tidying up the timeline. Edwin does seem hard to pin down at times