Framed Family

Outstanding framed piece holding seven daguerreotypes, one ambrotype and one tintype of a South Carolina family who eventually migrated to both St. Louis and Chicago.  Presented in a thoughtful artistic display each image is identified with a small brass plaque.  The plates have been mounted in half cases on a black velvet mat which was obviously a very smart choice for contrast purposes.  We have done a brief genealogical research, as shown below the image. The frame is quite simple black in color with a gold gilded inside border.  It measures 14 ½” x 16” and has some loss of paint as seen.  We have provided scans of the images for a closer look concerning condition as our photographs of the framed piece lack quality detail. 

$500

 

-- The first image top left is a ninth-plate ambrotype of Emma (Loudene Sleight) Violett.  She is a darling young woman who is still somewhat shy in her appearance.  Her hair is styled in gorgeous long ringlets and she wears a simple black dress with a cameo pin.  The image is in very good minus condition with some spots. 
-- Next is a ninth-plate tintype of a painting of John Brown.  John is a handsome Southern gentleman wearing a stylish suit for his portrait.  While from Kentucky his image is in a patriotic “Union Now and Forever” mat so we know where John’s alliances were during the Civil War.  The image has nice tones and contrast.  There is a ding or spider web flaw in the collodion just above his head.
-- On the top far right is a ninth-plate daguerreotype of Sarah Bacon Frisby.  A stunning woman she is quite elegant and refined.  With perfect posture she poses for her portrait with a delightful and happy expression.  Her outfit is gorgeous with a creative design and not to be outdone are her unique accessories.  We are quite fascinated by her matching bracelets and necklace as they appear to be hair jewelry although they could certainly be a unique decorative fabric design.  Her hair is accentuated by a either a weave or possibly a hair comb and she is wearing gold gilded hoop earrings.  The image is in very good minus condition with nice tones and contrast with tinting to her cheeks.  There are quite a few smaller spots.  It had older seals and we have resealed it with a new glass. 
-- On the far left center row is a sixth-plate daguerreotype of Mary Frisby Brown.  This image shows a young Mary posed in a contemplative pose with her finger extended to her upper cheek although she does seem a little apprehensive about the process.  She wears a simple but fashionable form fitted black dress with a gold gilded broach.  The image has nice tones and contrast with some tarnish as seen.  There are a few light scratches.  We have resealed it with a new glass. 
-- Center is a quarter-plate daguerreotype of John Frisby.  This later plate of John shows him as a confident and stylish gentleman who now has a sense of purpose in his life.  Judging from his expensive looking suit his business is quite prosperous.  Leaning on the table with his hands crossed he looks ready to make a deal with the daguerreian!  The image has strong tones and contrast with vertical scratches as seen.  Most are lighter but two are more prominent on the bottom right. 
-- The far right piece is a spectacular sixth-plate daguerreotype of Sarah Bacon (Frisby) Sleight by J. J. Outley identified with a brass mat stamp.  This is of course is John J. Outley who according to Craig’s Registry was first listed in St. Louis in 1851 and had an illustrious career in the city.  While Sarah resided in Chicago her brother John lived in St. Louis so possibly she was photographed on a visit or maybe before she moved to Illinois.  While quite lovely Sarah is much more reserved in this image than above in her dynamic ninth-plate.  She is still meticulously dressed with an elegant black gown that has perfect lines and fits her body like a glove.  Her bow has been tinted professionally with a lovely shade of blue and red.  To complete this wonderful package she is posed artfully with her arm on the table that has a decorative book with an image case directly in front.  The image is in excellent minus condition with great tones and contrast and a creamy style background that we find with numerous Outley daguerreotypes.  Old seals were tightly intact and we have resealed it now with a new glass. 
-- The bottom row left corner is a sixth-plate daguerreotype of a younger John Frisby.  We can tell by his demeanor he is already a serious young man who has his eyes on success.  He is still perfectly styled with not a hair out of place but his suit isn’t quite as expensive as he wears in the later quarter-plate image.  The daguerreotype has very nice tonal qualities and contrast with some spots as seen.  There are a few light scratches and it has been resealed with a new glass.  
-- Center is a horizontal sixth-plate daguerreotype of Mary Brown and Harriet (Frisby) Fenton.  Mary is obviously older and she certainly has matured since her other image.  Still dressed in a simple but lovely gown she looks more reserved and self-assured than her younger version.  She is posed with her sister Harriet who is sporting a most interesting dress.  The bodice appears quite modern like the current styles of down or puffer coats!  While nicely tailored it is certainly a look we haven’t seen before.  She seems to be a taller woman with a slightly larger build.  The image has nice tones and contrast with some spots as seen and a few light scratches.  It has been resealed with a new glass. 
--The final image on the right is a sixth-plate daguerreotype of a woman with another fascinating outfit.  While the dress is quite simple in fabric choice we are most excited about the sleeves and cuffs.  There is a lovely embroidered pattern just above her wrists and below is a most unique “afghan style” cuff that we have never seen before.  She is identified as Jane Van De Water Walters and we haven’t found her connection to the other family members but she does resemble the family and Harriett in particular.  The image has great tones and contrast with a spots and marks on the left side by the mat.  It has been resealed with a new glass. 

As for research, according to a genealogy and “Find a Grave” website Sarah B. Frisby Slieght was born April 24, 1825 in South Carolina.  She died and was buried in 1911 in Chicago. She was widowed and house work was listed as her occupation. She was married to Lewis Liston Slight.  Her daughter Emma Loudene Sleight Violett was born in Cincinnati in 1844 and died in Chicago in 1916. 
John Ray Frisby was born in Edgefield, Village, S. C., July 2, 1826 and died at Andover, Missouri, July 8, 1902, aged 76 years, and 6 days. He moved to St Louis in the early part of his life, and for years he was a pilot on the Mississippi River, where he was known as "Honest John" by everyone. He was married in St Louis, March 26, 1864, to Rose Price, and they resided in that city for several years. To this union 9 children were born, 8 of who are living. They moved to southern Iowa in the '70s where Mr. Frisby was engaged in the mercantile business for several years in Davis City, Iowa, and since 1881 in Andover, Mo., where he lived the rest of his life. He is survived by his wife and eight children, William, Richard H., Walter Frisby, Mrs. Ida Brenizer, Mrs. Lou Humeston, Blanche, Frank and Wyona Frisby. Three sisters also survive him.”  A census also had him living in St. Louis in 1860 and he was in the produce business by then too. 
Another sister Mary Elizabeth Frisby Brown was born in 1827 in Edgefield, South Carolina and died in Chicago in 1913.  She was married to John Brown.  John was born in Kentucky in 1830 and died in Chicago on 1892. 
Harriett Frisby Fenton is listed as a sister on Sarah’s “Find a Grave” page but we haven’t found any additional information for her.