| Photographer | Frederick James Matthews Matthews & Son(s) |
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| Active Period | 1874 - 1925 | |
| Lifespan | Born: c1833 Seaview, IOW | Died: 1897 IOW |
| Studio Addresses | Oscar Cottage, Seaview 33 St John's Road, Ryde 43 St John's Road, Ryde Dalvey Villa, St John's Road, Ryde The Dalvey Studio, St John's Road, Ryde |
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| Associates | Edward Vinter Matthews (son 1855 - 1925) | |
| Established | 1874 (see last photo example) | |
| Trade History | 1881 Census T J Mathews [sic], photographer, 43 St John's Road, Ryde 1898 Kelly's Directory of IOW
(pages 251 & 551) 1899 Kelly's Directory of Hampshire & IOW (page 638) 1910 Kelly's Directory of IOW 1915 Kelly's Directory of IOW (page 1090) 1921-22 Kelly's Directory of IOW (page 729) 1924-25 Kelly's Directory of IOW (page 485/6) |
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| Awards | ||
| Photographic Evidence Found |
1879 - annotated date of photo - see below | |
| Examples of Photographs, Trade Cards, Adverts, etc |
  A very early example of a Fred Matthews' photo with the Oscar Cottage, Seaview address, where he was living in 1871 My thanks to Antony Barton (Newport) for supplying this photo & back.
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| Family History | Frederick James Matthews was born in Seaview c1833, the son of
James and Maria (nee Wheeler). In the 1871 census, Frederick was found living at Oscar
Cottage, Seaview with his wife Jennette (nee Cave, born Ryde), their 15 year old son
Edward and 13 year old daughter Maria (both children also born Ryde). Interestingly,
Frederick was listed as a mariner, which may account for his absence from the 1861 census
when Jennette (described as 'head') and children were found living in Ryde. At the time of the 1881 census, Frederick was listed as a photographer living at 43 St John's Road, Ryde. Also living with him was his wife and son Edward Vinter who was also listed as a photographer. Two years later, Edward married Emily Eliza Farmer (from Newport), the daughter of George Farmer a French polisher from Bath. By the time of the 1891 census, Frederick and Jennette had moved to 30 St John's Road, while Edward and his wife Emily Eliza were living nearby at number 33. Both Frederick and Edward were listed as photographers. Frederick James Matthews died aged 63 in June 1897 and was buried at Ryde Cemetery. His wife Jennette died aged 84 in August 1917 and was also buried at Ryde Cemetery. Following Frederick's death, Edward continued to trade under the name Matthews & Son until his own death at the age of 68 in June 1925. Edward was buried at Ryde Cemetery and was later joined by his wife Emily (aged 72) in October 1929. Although it is not yet known if Edward and Emily had any children, the directory entry for 1924-25 in which the name changed to Matthews & Sons, could indicate Edward's own son(s) coming into the business. My thanks to Jon Matthews (Cowes) for contributing to the above family history. |
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| Further Notes | Jon Matthews is a descendant of the Matthews' family from
Bembridge. Strangely, even though Bembridge is very near
to Seaview where the above photographer's family was from,
Jon has established there is no connection between the
two. However, Jon would still be pleased to hear from anyone who might have
an interest in either family <jon.matthews@btconnect.com>.
Yet another Matthews' photographer has come to light - Henry Edward Matthews of Seaview (1849-1936).
Henry was primarily a builder, but also earned income from photography. Henry wrote a book
'Hist! The Smugglers are out!' published in 1930 in which he recounts some of his photographic
exploits c1886. A transcript of this book can be found on Antony Barton's website
www.bartiesworld.co.uk/caws. I have since been advised that Henry Matthews was a cousin of Frederick Matthews, and examples of Henry's photographs and the Matthews' family history can be found on Peter Matthews excellent website www.pmatthews.org.uk |
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