Description of blog

Years ago, about 1968, I received from my grandfather, Walter P. White, Sr., a collection of 4 x 5 and 5 x 7 glass plates photographic negatives made by his father, Frederick Henry White. These images, mostly of his family, were made in Milwaukee between 1896 and 1899. It is interesting to get a glimpse back into their lives. All but one of the family members shown in these photographs are descendant from Asa Cossitt, Jr. and Rachel Seymour Steele. Their eldest daughter, Sarah Maria Cossitt, married George Cossitt White (her 1st cousin and a descendant of Asa Sr.) and the eldest of their children was Frederick Henry White. The one family member shown who is not a descendant of Asa and Rachel is Frederick's wife, Frances Ludington.

The collection consists of 39 4" x 5" plates and 28 5" x 7" plates. All the 4 x 5 plates were exposed in 1896 and all the 5 x 7 plates were exposed in 1897-1899. Frederick must have done some editing as the 4 x 5 plates are numbered intermittently from 7 to 131 and the 5 x 7 plates are numbered intermittently from 7 to 93. Additionally, there is one 5 x 7 plate with the number missing and an additional 7 plates with no number or label (alas). This suggests that he exposed at least 224 plates and more likely at least 231 or 232. It is easy to imaging that Frederick culled his plates due to poor development or movement of his subjects as his exposures were typically about 8 seconds long. All 67 surviving plates are reproduced here.

All plates are shown below in reverse chronological order. The titles are those used by Frederick.

There is labeling on all but 7 of the 67 plates. In this labeling Frederick referred to himself as "Papa", his wife Frances as "Mama". His first cousin, Sarah Lavinia White Van Pelt, was called Mrs. G. B. Van Pelt. His sons, in birth order, were called Fred, Harry, Bud (or sometimes Budd or George), and Walter. His nephew Garrett was called Garrie. There are only two pictures of his eldest son, and namesake, Fred. He was 15 1/2 in January 1896, the time of the earliest pictures. Was he away at school most of this time? And Frederick's sister Sarah Lavinia (Aunt Vinnie) only appears in one picture. Why is that? Also seen are Frederick's mother, Sarah Maria Cossitt, and two of his first cousins, Fannie and Mary (May) Cossitt, daughters of Pearl Steele Cossitt.
Showing posts with label George. Show all posts
Showing posts with label George. Show all posts

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Not labeled no. 1

We can recognize Frances, Bud and Frederick on the left in their parlor. The three individuals on the right are unknown.
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4th of July

No. 93   No date

103 East Ave., Waukesha Wis.

Clearly made at same time as No. 84

No names given but we recognize:

Frederick upper left
Frances in front of other women
Bud and Walter in front.

Is that a pistol being held high in the upper right?
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4th of July

No. 84  Labeled 4th July - no year, but plate developed Dec. 29, 1899.

The residence is labeled as 103 East Ave. Waukesha, Wis. There is some family connection to Waukesha but I do not know what it is.

No names are given but we recognize:

Frederick, 2nd from left in the men's row, and Frances, left in 3rd row.  Walter two over from Frances? Bud in front?
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Group at Lake Michigan

No. 77  No date but developed 3/25/99

Frederick, Frances, Walter and Budd at Lake Michigan

Nice hats!

Top image is a detail of whole plate below.
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Nagawicka Lake

No. 75   No date

Budd and Walter at Nagawicka Lake, Wisconsin

Top is a detail of below.

Nagawicka Lake is about 30 miles west of Milwaukee. Did they have a car, or take a train?
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Thursday, June 9, 2011

Group in Front Parlor

No. 41  Dec. 25, 1897
No. 45 is same grouping but with some motion so is not shown.

On floor: Walter
Seated left to right: Frances, Sarah Maria, Bud, May, Fannie, Aunt Vinnie

Standing left to right: Frederick, Garrett





This photo is complex. Easy things first. This is Frances' and Frederick's home on Christmas day.

Sarah Maria Cossitt is Frederick's mother. Bud and Walter are the youngest sons of Frances and Frederick. May and Fannie are sisters. May was born in 1881 and Fannie in 1880. They are first cousins of Sarah Lavinia White, to their left, and of Frederick (behind them). Sarah Maria Cossitt is their aunt. She had a brother, Pearl Steele Cossitt. May and Fannie are his daughters.

Aunt Vinnie (Sarah Lavinia White), is Frederick's sister and Garrett's mother. Garrett's father was alive at this time but evidently not in Milwaukee - I don't know the story here.
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Wednesday, June 8, 2011

George in Playroom

 No. 7  January 9, 1896

Top image is a detail of the whole plate below.


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Monday, June 6, 2011

Bud

No. 10   January 1896

Bud White in Playroom
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In Mother's Bedroom

No. 11  no date

Walter and Bud. Frances apparently still in bed.
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In Mother's Room

No. 12  no date

L to R: Walter, Frances, Bud

Note telephone on far wall.
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Sunday, June 5, 2011

Soldiers (Lead)

No. 127 Dec. 25th, 1897

Budd's and Walter's

Infantry (Budd's)

Cavalry (Walter's)

Developed Jan. 21st, 1898

Note: the two horizontal black stripes over the pillows are scratches in the emulsion.
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Group

No. 125  May 24, 1897

Left to right:

Gertrude Dickens
Walter White
Garrie Van Pelt
Albert Vincent
Clanse Berganthal
Harry White
Pa--- Jennings
Budd White
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Bud and Walter

No. 124  May 24, 1897


Walter on left, Bud on Right; in back yard.
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Monday, May 23, 2011

Group

No. 62 April 19, 1896

L to R: Harry (with Saddie), Momma, Walter, George, Pappa
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Harry pulling Patrol

No. 49 April 3, 1896

L to R: Walter, Bud, Harry

A detail of a larger plate.
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Bud & Walter

No. 48 April 3, 1896

Wheels

Backyard

Bud on the left, Walter on the right. This is a detail of a larger plate.
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Bud White

No. 47 April 3, 1896
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Bud White

No. 46 April 4, 1896

Patrol
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Bud in back bedroom

No.17  January 24, 1896

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