My grandfather’s box of family papers continues to yield treasures – and some fresh mysteries. Among the former (and the latter) are a pair of small leather traveling photo frames: one, the larger, is maroon and holds a photograph of a middle-aged woman; the other (biscuit colored) shows an older man being circled by a dog.
I suspect that the subjects of this pair of photos are my Steward great-grandparents,[1] although it is certainly possible that the woman is not Daisy Steward (1861–1951) but one of her sisters: Katharine Livingston (Beeckman) Lorillard (1855–1941), Helen (Beeckman) Lyman (1858–1938), or Martha Codwise (Beeckman) French (1863–1951). The Beeckman sisters – like their grandmother and her sisters[2] – were famous beauties when young, and all of them looked very much the same in later years, as can be seen in a photo from my grandparents’ wedding in 1927.
The lady’s carrying case is stamped Vienna in gold, which is perplexing: if it were actually meant for the local market, one would expect it to be marked Wien. As for the gentleman, where is he? I thought the steps behind him seemed familiar, like the entrance to the Stewards’ house in Goshen, but I don’t think that’s it. Perhaps the building is a hotel?
As Aunt Helen Lyman and Aunt Mattie French outlived their husbands and had no children of their own, their effects probably passed to their sisters and then their sisters’ children: Louis Lasher Lorillard Jr. (1875–1938),[3] Campbell White Steward (1886–1960), Margaret Atherton Steward (1888–1975), Katherine Elizabeth (Steward) Johnson (1888–1969), Gilbert Livingston Steward (1898–1991), and John Steward (1902–1957). It seems entirely possible that a photo of Helen Lyman or Mattie French ended up with their nephew, my grandfather, both because he was often chosen as a family trustee and since he outlived all of his siblings, three of whom were themselves unmarried – and so the process of dividing up their effects among collateral relatives would have continued!
Continued here.
Notes
[1] Campbell Steward (1852–1936) married Margaret Atherton Beeckman in 1885.
[2] Catherine McPhaedris (Livingston) (Cuyler) Beeckman (1788–1863) was the older sister of Helen (Livingston) Smith (1789–1867), Martha (Livingston) Codwise (1791–1865), and Susan Maria (Livingston) Constable (1794–1830).
[3] Cousin Louis was my grandfather’s godfather. In due course, my grandfather served as godfather to Cousin Louis’ son, Louis Livingston Lorillard (1919–1986), a founder of the Newport Jazz Festival.
Beautiful photographs, great tales of yesteryear! Well done Scott!
Any passenger records for your suspected individuals, having made a trip to Vienna?
enjoy reading your postings.
In the photo of the man and dog …. subtle hints you may have already noticed: This set of wooden french-style doors are not “heavy-duty” or very secure nor very decorative, and were typically not used as a main entry into a house, although i contradict that and say the sidelights on each side may imply some importance to this entry …. its possible they were secondary doors from a parlor, dining room or study inside the house to an outside yard or garden. The Bowler (sp?) hat popular abt 1870’s to 1900. The fashion of the up-turned shirt collar and tie also abt 1870 to 1900. The diamond pattern of the sidelight window muttins also imply late 1800’s vintage. The season is fall (leaves on ground; heavy coat) indicating a northern climate. The small low circular metal stand on the deck to right of door is a cane-umbrella holder (see cane in it). Canes were popular status symbols in those times. Would be inside if a building was a hotel but this is likely a residence. Door bell on right side of door would also not be related to a hotel. That’s likely a circular dial-shaped thermometer on the left side of door but hanging beneath it is the ledger-style book with leather binder and corner reinforcements …. hanging on the outside of a building ? …. perhaps a register for visitors or message book for visitors to use if no one is home ? or for the owner to record daily temperatures ?
PS: Man with dog: About 6 ft tall based on porch steps behind him, and around age 40 to 50. Quite sure building is a residence: Sidewalk had a thin cement coating applied over it which is cracking and breaking-up. Porch steps are wood. Porch deck is composed of narrow wood strip flooring. Exterior siding to left of doorway is wood clap board installed with about a 6 inch lap exposure. ….all features not likely found at a “hotel”. (yes, I’m an architect)