PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINT
Date1899
Dimensions52.5 x 62.5 x 2.3 cm
Object numberHF.77.39.9
DescriptionFramed black and white photographic print. The image is of the Newson family - 7 men and 3 women. The front row of 4 people are seated and the back row of 6 are standing. All of the men are wearing dark suits with white shirts and a combination of light and dark ties. Two women are wearing dark clothing and the third has a dark skirt and light blouse. John and Elizabeth Newson are centrally seated and surrounded by their children. The two younger women in the back row and the young man seated on the far right all have a hand on Elizabeth. The rest of the men either have their arms crossed or by their sides. A draped curtain is on the left of the image with a fur rug in the foreground laid out on the checkerboard floor and a table covered with a cloth on the right side. Photographer was the Westlake Brothers of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
The hardwood frame is rectangular mitered corners, applied pierce work scrolls around the outside edge, a ridge near the outside edge and a ribbed inside edge that has a striped oblong and dot motif.
Narrative
The Newson family is considered to be among some of the first English immigrants to PEI, settling in the Cornwall area early in the 1800s. William Newson, born 1796 in London, England, arrived to PEI with his wife, Sheba and their young family. William and Sheba can still be visited in Cornwall, as they are both buried in what is now known as Newson's Pioneer Cemetery.
This family portrait is of William and Sheba's son, John Newson, his wife Elizabeth Ann Hutcheson and their children. Dated 1899. John and Elizabeth Ann had 12 children in 16 years, 8 of whom were still alive in 1899 and pictured here. At the time of this photograph there was Charles (age 27), George (age 20), Fred (age 26), Will (age 22), Harold (age 24), Arthur (18), Minnie (age 30), and Hattie (age 23) as well as John (age 60) and Elizabeth Ann (age 61).
John Newson was prominent Charlottetown citizen. He was a merchant and furniture maker, amongst the ranks of respected Island cabinet makers. He was also proprietor of the Seaside Hotel in Rustico, opened in 1871 as the Ocean House. This was the Island's first summer-run hotel.
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