I was browsing a small antique store in the small town of Frederica, Delaware in March of 2006. Sitting atop an old glass store case I saw what I thought was an old family Bible. Since I can't pass an old Bible without looking to see if it holds someone's family tree information, I was surprised to find that it was a family photo album. Having photos of some of my early ancestors made it easy to see that these were photos dated as early as the mid-1800's. I was surprised to find most of the photos to be in pristeen condition, almost looking as though they were taken in the last couple of years.
The album itself was bound in a blue cotton material which showed it's age. The front and back covers were over-stuffed. I could feel a triangular piece of metal beneath the material on the front, almost the shape and size of a protractor. A metal clasp held the book tightly closed, no doubt the reason for the photos being in such great shape. I've since seen an album very similar in shape and kind that was dated 1860. The metal form was meant to attach another metal form which spelled out the word "Album" in a rather fancy font.
I asked the saleswoman if they had taken any of the photos out to see if the individuals were identified. She shook her head saying, "I tried a couple, but they're VERY difficult to get out". She wasn't lying. After I got home I got to the task of removing them. I could see where someone had torn a few of the pages slightly, obviously in an attempt at viewing the pictures. After the tedious chore of carefully coaxing the photos out of their page, I found no information with the exception of an occasional mention of the ability to get more copies from the photo gallery.
I purchased the album with the thought of using it to house my own ancestral photos. I don't have the heart to simply sell the photos, but seek to find their proper home with family. IF someone can show me that they definitely can identify some or all of the individuals pictured below, I'll gladly give the photos to them. If you are simply someone to buys and sells antique photos, please do not contact me. If living descendants can't be found, I will most likely turn the collection over to the Cumberland County Historical Society of New Jersey. I will make "Dead Fred's" website aware of the photos on this page.
I have scanned the photos in the order in which they appeared in the album. The first gentleman you see held his place on the front page. As you view the photos from left to right you'll understand the photo's position in the album. Each page held two photos, one viewed from the front of the page, and the other from the rear. If a photo had something on its back, you'll see the scans located together. -- B.J. Rivers Peters
These images are placed on the internet for the purpose stated above. They are the property of BJ, and for ANY use other than personal use in your home, or posting on the internet with same intention as above, permission for use must be sought from BJ Peters.
