Antique Genealogy Item #321

c. 1840-50’s Identified Victorian Daguerreotype Photograph of G.R. Benedict, NY:

Written inside case: G.R. Benedict, South Bristol, N.Y. handwritten in old early period pencil script on inside case paper. Photo Type: Daguerreotype Photograph. Date: circa late 1840-1850’s. Note: South Bristol is in Ontario County. Found in North Rose, Wayne County, NY.

A stunningly clear and crisp close up family portrait. It is quite rare to find identified daguerreotypes with the area also included. The wooden case spine is broken, all pieces are intact, could easily be glued. This young Benedict family gentleman has beautiful light pink tinting to his cheeks, and appears to be about 16-25 years of age.

We believe him to be Gould R. Benedict, born 1836 in South Bristol, NY. Info from 1860 census records: Name: Gould R. Benedict, Age in 1860: 24, Birth Year: abt 1836, New York. Home in 1860: South Bristol, Ontario, New York. Household Members: Father: Stephen Benedict born in Connecticut in 1803 age 57, Sarah Benedict age 49 born in New York in 1811, Gould R. Benedict age 24, Charles S. Benedict age 22, Mary A. Benedict age 21, Mary E Benedict age 21, Jenny Bell Benedict age 1. Jennie may be a nickname for Genevieve, Jennifer. He is their first child…Is it possible the Gould name comes from his mother’s maiden name, as in Sarah Gould? A wonderful and rare piece.

Size: 3.25 × 3.75 inches