Edwin Debenham

mugwortismy cat

mugwortismy cat

Tenacious to the End!
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 ... :oops:
 
Try reading this on Flicker
Code: 
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alwyn_ladell/albums/72157629223671790/with/41535491555
 
Thanks Chimp. I am also trying to resolve why some online sources name him as Edwin Alfred Debenham, none of the records I have found have any suggestion of a middle name (except one of his sons WWI records in Canada which has Edwin D, which was probably a mistake that got copied). In fact I emailed the V&A about it

Edit: Thank you, that is quite detailed isn't it? and answers many questions. And a lovely lot of photographs
 
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I don't know if these might be of interest :)
Gloucester Chronicle 20th May 1899
We have great pleasure in calling attention to the new photographic studio which has recently been opened Mr Edwin Debenham, 12, Clarence-street, Gloucester, which is, undoubtedly one of the best fitted up theatres of art that can be found in the city. Those who have any desire of being handed down to posterity cannot do better than allow Mr Debenham to assist them in attaining such an object, for a visit to his studio will at once convince them that he is a photographic artist in the very front rank of the profession. His showroom contains some magnificent pictures, and some of the likenesses of well-known Gloucestrians could hardly be improved on. Mr Debenham has been patronised by Her Majesty the Queen, and has gained several prize medals for excellence in photography. At his studio he undertakes every phase of art that the profession embraces. He has an experience of over 20 years, the work he turns out is of that high class which cannot fail to meet with the approval of the public. There is one feature about the studio at 12 Clarence-street, which is not always to be found in such places. As you enter it from Clarence-street, you pass into a showroom, or perhaps to be more polite, a reception room, from whence by way of a passage you reach a dressing-room, and then walk into the studio itself, all on one floor, without the unpleasantness and inconvenience of stair climbing. The studio has been specially built with a view to obtaining soft and brilliant results. The science of lighting has been fully considered, and future visitors will find that with the advantages of skilful lighting, and the employment of the very finest and newest apparatus by the world’s best maker, the exposure is reduced to the lowest possible space of time, frequently, indeed, being instantaneous, thus entirely obviating the tedium of long sittings, and conducing materially to the preservation a natural and agreeable expression. Children’s portraits, taken by the instantaneous process, are full natural charm and child-like grace. Mr Debenham has given this branch of photography many years of close and special study, so much so, that is known the “Children's Photographer.” Family and other groups are taken in this studio with great success. But while dealing with groups we would draw attention to the fact that Mr Debenham has succeeded in getting possession of a spacious lawn at the rear of his premises, which will be specially used for groups and equestrian photography. Other branches this complete studio comprises is oil and watercolour portraits painted for memorial, testimonial, and other purposes, by himself and artists of repute. Miniatures in water colours, sepia, red carbon; enlarged portraits in every style; copies and reproductions of any old or faded photograph or picture reproduced and enlarged, wedding and other groups, horses, houses, estates, &c; ‘‘at home” portraits a most difficult branch of the art is executed by Mr Debenham with entire success, and the most agreeable and artistic result may be expected, while he has always made a special study of Rontgen Ray photography. Mr Debenham is opening a branch establishment in College Green, where he will have a stock of all the best and latest apparatus in connection with photography, while he will also have a dark room, which will at the at the disposal of visitors and others who may require it.

Gloucester Citizen 20th March 1902
Madame Marie Debenham, the English concertina soloist, wife of Mr E. Debenham, Clarence-street, is contemplating shortly giving a series of recitals in Gloucester and the neighbourhood. Madame Debenham was a pupil of Mr Richard Blagrove, and has played with him the Crystal Palace and at many other high-class concerts.

Gloucester Citizen 11th November 1902
Alfred Samuel Gyde an infant, by Alfred Gyde, of Churchdown, his father, and the said Alfred Gyde, claimed from Edwin Debenham, photographer, of 8, Oakfield-terrace, Newquay, and formerly of Clarence-street, Gloucester, the sum of £50, being the amount due to them from the defendant as and by the way of damages for breach of the defendant's contract, dated the March, 1900, with the plaintiffs to teach and instruct the said Alfred Samuel Gyde the art and profession of a photographic artist, and also applied for an order for the cancelling of the indenture of apprenticeship of the 20th March, 1900, constituting the said contract. Mr W. Langley-Smith represented the plaintiff, and Mr Frank Treasure the defendant. At the outset Mr Treasure objected to the apprenticeship indenture being admitted on the ground that was not under seal. After a legal argument his Honour decided to admit the document as contract. In opening the case, Mr Langley-Smith stated that the terms of the indenture were for four years, of which two years and three months had been served. Mr Debenham then disposed of the business to Messrs. Longman Brothers, and removed to Newquay. It was contended that a good price was realised for the Gloucester business, but defendant went away without making any arrangement in regard to the apprentices. Examined by Mr Langley-Smith, Mr Gyde stated that Mr Debenham did not say anything to him about the apprenticeship contract being cancelled. Defendant did mention something about transferring his son to Messrs. Longman, but he (Mr Gyde) refused to apprentice his boy to people he knew nothing about. In reply to Mr Treasure, witness admitted had not asked Mr Debenham for a reference. Similar evidence was given by Alfred Samuel Gyde. For the defence, Mr Treasure alleged that the action was brought simply to break the indenture agreement. He contended that Mr Debenham, on realising he had made mistake, offered to transfer the apprentice to his successors, and failing that to provide for him at Newquay, making satisfactory arrangements as regards the extra expense of living away from home. These offers, however, had been refused. Mr Langley-Smith having replied on the points raised, his Honour gave judgment for the plaintiff for £25 with costs. His Honour also held that the apprenticeship contract had been discharged.

There are other mentions of him when he was in Gloucester, adverts and the like and also the fact that he was a mason.
 
Thank you Ann :)
I have to say that Mr Glyde sounds like a right one, but reading between the lines Edwin sounds a little vague :rolleyes:
Yes he became a mason in 1874
 
In Chimp's find of yesterday there was quite a lot of information, including this statement "The Debenham studios also reached north to Edinburgh, where Edwin had a studio that would later belong to his son and namesake, Edwin Holford Debenham (c. 1872 -1936)."

I can place Edwin Holford in Edinburgh, in 1910 and 1924 (Electoral Registers), I have so far found no evidence that Edwin was there, perhaps he was only there briefly to help establish his son's studio? If anything can be found out I would be most grateful

Edit: I take it back, I just stumbled upon an electoral register of 1884-5 for Edwin Debenham, photographer in Edinburgh

It seems wild to be flying up and down the country every couple of years, but I suppose that is what the trains were for ...
 
Thank you Ann :)

I had got so used to thinking of him as a West Country photographer, I keep forgetting that he headed north to York etc later in life
 
I was just reading a piece on Marie Lachenal, which was written by Faye Debenham and Randall C Merris, so it seems I should be able to rely on this information coming as it does from family. It also seems to be the major source for the Flickr piece.

They say this about Marie "by 1867 she had met and fallen in love with Edwin Alfred Debenham, who, having a fine voice, was also something of a performer, and often sang at public concerts"

Yet again that pesky Alfred in his name, but perhaps this was his stage name?

Edwin's sister Lucy Mary was a vocalist and singing teacher, so this news that he also sang is not a great shock, several of her children were singers and actors.

Any newspaper snippets relating to this would be lovely, if possible to find?
 
Both Edwins are mentioned in Edinphoto.org.uk with some biographical information, most of which you probably know.
It also mentions that he had a studio in Workington in 1914.
Edwin H and Philip E Debenham were married in that area in 1915 and 1916 respectively.
 
Thanks Grizel

I know that Philip Eugene was working as a photographer in Workington, I'm not sure that Edwin was though, it is very difficult working this family out, they are literally all over the place!

Since Edwin Holford married in Cumberland in 1915 perhaps both brothers worked together for a while? Edwin H was in Yorkshire by 1919
 
Grizel said:
Both Edwins are mentioned in Edinphoto.org.uk with some biographical information, most of which you probably know.
It also mentions that he had a studio in Workington in 1914.
Edwin H and Philip E Debenham were married in that area in 1915 and 1916 respectively.
Click to expand...
 
Not sure how to edit replies . .
The Edinphoto site didn't give a source for the Workington studio information. It is quite possible that it was wrong, giving Edwin instead of Philip
 
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