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Alexander Hemsley
Alexander Hemsley
Alexander Hemsley
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Alexander Hemsley

Permanent ID:
6630
Date:
circa 1863
Image Description:
Image: 1/4 plate; Seated man with a mustache dressed in Civil War military uniform with hat and arm resting on cloth-covered posing table, holding a sword at his side, color applied to his cheeks. Preserver: Straight and embossed with simple pattern (after 1850). Mat: Oval with matte finish and simple embossed design (1850). Case: Leather covered wood frame case embossed with a geometric design both front and back, with interior gilded edge trim, a red velvet pinchpad, and a plain (unembossed) purple velvet cushion (1850s).
Inscription:
(ink on paper): Notes by Wm Halsey Wood Jr. grandson / of Alexander Hemsley. (printed on paper): W. HALSEY WOOD / AGENCY MANAGER [struck through] (ink on paper): Alexander Hemsley / Buried in St. James / the Less / Cemetary [sic] / in Phila / over / about 1834 - 1903 / graduated from the Episcopal Academy in / Phila - Pa/ Member of the 1st City Troup [sic] of Phila at / the time of the / battle of Gettysburgh. [sic] / Inventor and manufacturer of / photographic supplies. / Married Emily Cox of Phila. / Father of Elizabeth Hemsley and / Florence Hemsley (wood) / grandfather of Emily Hemsley Wood (Burrows) / William Halsey Wood Jr. and Alexander / Hemsley Wood. The Hemsleys all settled on the / eastern shore of Maryland at the time of over [recto] (ink on paper): Cromwell. For generations they lived in / Hemsley (Helmsley Castle) Yorkshire, / England. Built in the 900s - my / mother and I have both visited the / town of Helmsley. The Public Library / in Easton Maryland has all kinds / of information about the family / dating from the 1600s. Near Easton / there are still two of the original / plantations. One is called Hemsleys / fortune (100 acres) and the other Cloverfield / plantation - Both have historic metal / markers in front of them, documenting / the names and dates. I have two / copies of a book called The Helmsleys / of Maryland - a geneological sketch by / Frederic Emory. I am going to give one / to the Library of Congress. One of the first / settlers was "William Hemsley, Chirurgeon (Surgeon) / who came to this country in 1658" His land was / acquired by a grant from Lord Baltimore. (Enclosed note)
Format:
Ambrotype
Dimensions:
Width: 8.2 cm, Height: 10.8 cm (image)
Width: 3 7/32 in, Height: 4 1/4 in (image)
Width: 9.4 cm, Height: 11.8 cm, Depth: 2.1 cm (case)
Width: 3 11/16 in, Height: 4 21/32 in, Depth: 27/32 in (case)
Collection:
Historical Society of Pennsylvania daguerreotypes and ambrotypes
Related People or Organizations:
Alexander Hemsley, circa 1834-1903 (depicted)
William Halsey Wood (was donated by)
St. James the Less Cemetery (relates to)
Episcopal Academy (relates to)
Emily Cox, circa 1835-1900 (relates to)
Elizabeth Hemsley (relates to)
Florence Hemsley (relates to)
Emily Hemsley Wood (relates to)
Alexander Hemsley Wood (relates to)
Library of Congress Subjects:
Ambrotype [info:lc/authorities/subjects/sh85004169]
Portrait photography--United States [info:lc/authorities/subjects/sh2010107725]
Photography, Military [info:lc/authorities/subjects/sh85101291]