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John Burton
was born
at Collingham, Nottinghamshire around 1808. A printer and bookbinder by
trade, John Burton married Martha Neal and together they had at least
four
sons - Alfred Henry (b. 1834), Walter John (b. 1836), Oliver (b.
c.1841)
and John William (b. 1845). By 1842, John Burton had
established
a company in Leicester that was engaged in printing, bookbinding and
bookselling.
All four sons were trained in their father's business. In
1856,
the
eldest son Alfred Henry emigrated to New Zealand and found work as a
printer
in Auckland. After three years in Auckland, he moved to
Sydney in
Australia, where he continued to work in the printing trade.
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The firm of
Burton Brothers
of Dunedin, New Zealand proved very successful. Alfred Burton (above
right,
c. 1876) travelled over much of New Zealand taking landscape
photographs,
while Walter Burton (above left, also c. 1876) concentrated on portrait
photography in Dunedin. However, because of personal
differences,
the partnership between Alfred and Walter ended in 1877.
Melton Mowbray
- Card mounts listed
the firm with representation in the Market Place, Melton Mowbray from
the late 1860s at least until the late 1890s. The Post Office
Directory for 1876 has no entry for Burton & Sons.
Wright's
Directory of Leicester & Fifteen Miles Round (1883-84) does
provide
a listing, between numbers 14 and 15 Market Place, which states, "att.
Tu." implying that they were only in attendance on Tuesdays. John Burton senior died in 1881. His two sons Oliver and John William Burton were both still working as photographers in Leicester at the time of the census in April that year, and both continued the business at 3 Haymarket in Leicester until at least 1911. The following sites contain interesting biographical and historical material about the firm of Burton Brothers of Dunedin, New Zealand, as well as some examples of their work:
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Portfolio |
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Unidentified
woman and child by John Burton & Sons of Hay Market, Leicester & New Street, Birmingham Undated, but probably taken between Sep 1861 and Feb 1863 Format: Carte-de-visite Image © & courtesy of James Morley Notes: Although inscribed "Mrs Chataway & daughter Mildred" on the reverse, the identity of the subjects has not been positively determined. |
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Unidentified
man by John Burton & Sons of Leicester & Birmingham Undated, but probably taken c. 1862-1863 Format: Carte-de-visite Size: Mount 64 x 95.5 mm Photo 59 x 89 mm Image © & collection of Brett Payne Notes |
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Unidentified
elderly woman by John Burton & Sons of Derby, Leicester & Birmingham Undated, but probably taken c. 1863-1864 Format: Carte-de-visite Size: Mount 64.5 x 94.5 mm Photo 61 x 89 mm Image © & collection of Brett Payne Notes |
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Portrait
of unknown
seated lady,
by John Burton & Sons, of Derby, Leicester & Birmingham Undated, but probably c. 1863-1864 Format: Carte-de-visite Image © & courtesy of David Simkin Nothing
further is known
about this photo |
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Portrait
of two
unknown men,
by John Burton & Sons, of Derby, Leicester & Birmingham Undated, but probably c. 1863-1864 Format: Carte-de-visite Reverse very faint, but identical to [JB01] above Image © & courtesy of David Simkin Nothing
further is known
about this photo |
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Henry
Latimer Kemp (c.1832-1869)
by John Burton & Sons, of Leicester, Derby, Birmingham & Burton-upon-Trent Undated, but probably taken in Derby c. 1863-1864 Format: Carte-de-visite Image © & courtesy of the Derby Local Studies Library Notes: Inscribed on the reverse, "H.L. Kemp." Henry Latimer Kemp was shown as a newspaper writer in the 1861 Census, living at 50 Green Lane, Derby St Werburgh. He died at Derby in 1869. A similar portrait by Richard Keene has the words, "Derby Mercury ?" written on the reverse, so presumably he worked for that newspaper. |
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Rev.
Charles Henry Joberns
(c.1837-1919)
by John Burton & Sons, of Leicester, Derby, Birmingham & Burton-upon-Trent Undated, but probably taken in Derby c. 1863-1864 Format: Carte-de-visite Image © & courtesy of the Derby Local Studies Library Notes: Inscribed on the reverse, "Rev. C.H. Joberns." Reverend Charles Henry Joberns was curate of All Saints, Derby, in the 1860s. |
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Possibly
Mr. Hollingsworth
by John Burton & Sons, of Leicester, Derby, Birmingham & Burton-upon-Trent Undated, but probably taken in Derby c. 1863-1864 Format: Carte-de-visite Image © & courtesy of the Derby Local Studies Library Notes: Inscribed on the reverse, "Mr Hollingsworth, ? Chemist." |
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Unidentified
man
by John Burton & Sons, of Leicester, Derby, Birmingham & Burton-upon-Trent Undated, but probably taken in Derby c. 1863-1864 Format: Carte-de-visite Size: Mount 64.5 x 102 mm Photo 62 x 190 mm Image © & courtesy of Nigel Aspdin Notes |
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Mr. Foster
by John Burton & Sons, of Leicester, Derby, Birmingham & Burton-upon-Trent Undated, but known to have been taken at Derby on 8 Nov 1864 Format: Carte-de-visite Image © & courtesy of the Derby Local Studies Library Notes: Inscribed on the reverse, "Mr. Foster, Centenarian." See image below. |
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Ed. Foster
by John Burton & Sons, of Leicester, Derby, Birmingham & Burton-upon-Trent Dated 8 Nov 1864 Format: Carte-de-visite Size: Mount 64.5 x 102.5 mm Photo 61.5 x 90 mm Image © & courtesy of Virginia Silvester Notes by VS: I have an exact copy of this photo, and I can confirm that it is of Mr Foster. The manuscript note on the back of my copy reads, "Presented to E Hayman by the original Ed Foster Esq Dec 5 1864. Taken on his 102 birthday Nov 8th 1864." E Hayman was almost certainly my great-grandfather Edward Hayman, originally from Devon and en route to London via Liverpool and Lichfield. As far as I know, Ed Foster was not related, and was probably only a casual acquaintance. |
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Notes by BP: There is a
death registration for an
Edward Foster at
Derby in the
first quarter of 1865, which is possibly this gentleman. The
1851
and 1861 Census records show Edward Foster, publisher, lodging in
Liverpool and York, respectively. He must have been pretty
sprightly! |
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George
Verrinder Darby (1807-1893) by John Burton & Sons, of Leicester, Derby, Birmingham & Burton-upon-Trent Undated, but probably taken in Derby c. 1863-1864 Format: Carte-de-visite Image © & courtesy of the Derby Local Studies Library Notes: Inscribed on the reverse, "George V Darby, Stuart Terrae, Derby." George Verrinder Darby was a Derby landowner. |
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Portrait
of unknown
lady,
by John Burton & Sons, of Leicester, Derby, Birmingham, Nottingham & Burton on Trent Undated, but probably late 1863 or early 1864 Format: Carte-de-visite Image © & courtesy of Samantha Smith Nothing
further is known
about this photo |
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Large group of unidentified
people, by John Burton
&
Sons, of Leicester, Derby, Birmingham & Burton-upon-Trent Undated, but probably taken in Derby c. 1864-1865 Format: Carte-de-visite Size: Mount 105 x 64.5 mm Photo 91.5 x 61.5 mm Image © & courtesy of Nigel Aspdin |
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Unidentified
young child by John Burton & Sons, of Leicester, Derby, Birmingham, Nottingham & Burton on Trent, "Sole Photographers to the Shakspere Tercentenary Festival, Stratford- upon- Avon 1864" Undated, but probably c. 1865 Format: Carte-de-visite Size: Mount 63.5 x 103 mm Photo 60 x 89 mm Image © & collection of Brett Payne Notes |
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Portrait
of unknown
lady,
by John Burton & Sons, of Leicester, Derby, Birmingham, Nottingham & Burton on Trent, "Sole Photographers to the Shakspere Tercentenary Festival, Stratford- upon- Avon 1864" Undated, but probably c. 1865 Format: Carte-de-visite Reverse identical to [JB05] below Image © & courtesy of David Simkin Nothing
further is known
about this photo |
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Portrait
of unknown
elderly couple,
by John Burton & Sons, of Leicester, Derby, Birmingham, Nottingham & Burton on Trent, "Sole Photographers to the Shakspere Tercentenary Festival, Stratford- upon- Avon 1864" Undated, but probably c. 1865 Format: Carte-de-visite Image © & courtesy of David Simkin Nothing
further is known
about this photo |
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Unidentified
young man
by John Burton & Sons of Leicester, Derby, Nottingham, Melton Mowbray & Burton-on-Trent Undated, but probably taken in the late 1860s Format: Carte-de-visite Size: Mount 62.5 x 103.5 mm Photo 59 x 91.5 mm Image © & collection of Brett Payne Notes |
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Unidentified
man with walking stick
by John Burton & Sons of Leicester, Derby, Nottingham, Melton Mowbray & Burton-on-Trent Undated, but probably taken in the late 1860s Format: Carte-de-visite Size: Mount 63 x 103.5 mm Photo 59 x 90 mm Image © & collection of Brett Payne Notes |
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Unidentified
older man
by John Burton & Sons of Leicester, Derby, Nottingham & Burton-on-Trent Undated, but probably taken in the late 1860s Format: Carte-de-visite Image © & courtesy of Robert Silverwood Notes |
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Unidentified
man
by John Burton & Sons of Leicester, Derby, Nottingham & Burton-on-Trent Undated, but probably taken in the late 1860s Format: Carte-de-visite Size: Mount 60 x 98.5 mm Photo 58.5 x 91.5 mm, but trimmed on sides and base Image © & collection of Brett Payne Notes |
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Hand-coloured
portrait
of unknown man and baby,
by Walter J. Burton of Princes Street, Dunedin, from the firm of John Burton & Sons of England, "Sole Photographers to the Shakspere Tercentenary Festival, Stratford- upon- Avon 1864 and by Appointment to the Illustrated London News" Undated, but probably c. 1867 Format: Hand tinted carte-de-visite Image © & courtesy of David Simkin Nothing
further is known
about this photo |
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Hand-tinted
portrait
of unknown lady,
by Walter J. Burton, of Princes Street, Dunedin, from the firm of John Burton & Sons of England, "Sole Photographers to the Shakspere Tercentenary Festival, Stratford- upon- Avon 1864 and by Appointment to the Illustrated London News" Undated, but probably c. 1867 Format: Carte-de-visite Image © & courtesy of David Simkin Nothing further is known about this photo[JB07] |
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Unidentified
elderly man
by John Burton & Sons of Leicester, Nottingham, Melton Mowbray & Burton on Trent Undated, but probably taken c 1870 Format: Carte-de-visite Size: Mount 62 x 104 mm Photo 58 x 92 mm Image © & collection of Brett Payne Notes |
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Unidentified
young man
by John Burton & Sons of Leicester, Nottingham, Burton on Trent, & Melton Mowbray Undated, but probably taken c. 1870 Format: Carte-de-visite Size: Mount 62 x 103.5 mm Photo 58 x 91.5 mm Image © & collection of Brett Payne Notes |
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Unidentified
young woman
by John Burton & Sons of Leicester, Nottingham, Burton on Trent, & Melton Mowbray Undated, but probably taken c. 1870 Format: Carte-de-visite Size: Mount 63.5 x 103 mm Photo 58.5 x 92.5 mm Image © & collection of Brett Payne Notes |
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Portrait
of unknown
mother and two children,
by John Burton & Sons, of Leicester Nottingham Burton on Trent & Melton Mowbray Undated, but probably c. 1871 Format: Carte-de-visite Image © & courtesy of David Simkin Nothing
further is known
about this photo |
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Unidentified
man
by John Burton & Sons of Leicester, Nottingham, Burton on Trent, & Melton Mowbray Undated, but probably taken in the early 1870s Format: Carte-de-visite Size: Mount 63.5 x 103.5 mm Photo 59 x 92 mm Raised centre 53.5 x 75.5 mm Image © & collection of Brett Payne Notes |
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Unidentified
man
by John Burton & Sons of Haymarket, Leicester, High Street, Burton on Trent, Market Place, Melton Mowbray & Ashwell Road, Oakham Undated, but probably taken in the mid-1870s Format: Carte-de-visite Size: Mount 63.5 x 104.5 mm Photo 61 x 96.5 mm Raised centre 53 x 76 mm Card mount printed by Woodall & Son Image © & collection of Brett Payne Notes |
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Unidentified
young woman
by Burton Brothers of Dunedin, New Zealand Undated, but probably taken c. 1874 Format: Hand tinted carte-de-visite Image © & courtesy of David Simkin Nothing
further is known
about this photo |
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Possibly
Benjamin Sturgess (1821-) by John Burton & Sons of Leicester, Burton-on-Trent, Oakham & Melton Mowbray Undated, but probably taken between 1878 and 1883 Format: Carte-de-visite Card mount printed by Marion Imp. Paris Image © & courtesy of Julia Sturgis Notes by JS: I believe that the gentleman in the photograph is possibly Benjamin Sturgis, who was born in East Langton, Leicestershire in 1821. |
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Possibly
Susannah Sturgess
née Burrows (1827-)
by John Burton & Sons of Leicester, Burton-on-Trent, Oakham & Melton Mowbray Undated, but probably taken between 1878 and 1883 Format: Carte-de-visite Card mount printed by Marion Imp. Paris Image © & courtesy of Julia Sturgis Notes by JS: It appeared next to the previous photograph (Benjamin) in the photograph album that I have and I think it’s likely that it is Benjamin's wife Susannah (nee Burrows) who was born in 1827 in Leicester. Certainly, given the fact that the reverse of the carte has the same design as the one depicting Benjamin, they could possibly have been taken on the same day. |
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Unidentified
elderly man
by John Burton & Sons of Leicester, Oakham & Melton Mowbray Undated, but probably taken in the early 1880s Format: Cabinet card Size: Mount 109 x 164 mm Photo 104.5 x 151.5 mm Card mount printed by Marion Imp. Paris Image © & collection of Brett Payne Notes |
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Unidentified
elderly woman
by John Burton & Sons of Leicester, Oakham & Melton Mowbray Undated, but probably taken in the early 1880s Format: Cabinet card Size: Mount 109 x 164.5 mm Photo 104.5 x 151.5 mm Card mount printed by Marion Imp. Paris Image © & collection of Brett Payne Notes |
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Unidentified
middle-aged man
by John Burton & Sons of Leicester, Oakham & Melton Mowbray Undated, but probably taken in the early 1880s Format: Carte-de-visite Size: Mount 62.5 x 102.5 mm Photo 59.5 x 94 mm Oval 55 x 76.5 mm Card mount printed by Marion Imp. Paris Image © & collection of Brett Payne Notes:
Inscribed on the reverse, in
pencil, "Geo
Roburn"(?) |
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Unidentified
young man with corsage in button-hole
by John Burton & Sons of Leicester, Oakham & Melton Mowbray Undated, but probably taken in the mid-1880s Format: Carte-de-visite Size: Mount 62.5 x 102.5 mm Photo 60 x 93.5 mm Card mount printed by Marion Imp. Paris Image © & collection of Brett Payne Notes |
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Unidentified
man by John Burton & Sons of Leicester, Oakham & Melton Mowbray Undated, but probably taken in the early to mid-1880s Format: Cabinet card Image © & courtesy of Lies Ligthard Notes: |
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J. Campbell by Burton Bothers of Dunedin, New Zealand Taken in December 1894 Format: Carte-de-visite Size: Mount 63 x 105 mm Photo 58.5 x 94 mm Image © & collection of Brett Payne Notes:
Inscribed on the reverse, "J.
Campbell Age 16 yrs 7
mts taken Dec 1894." |
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Unidentified
male family group by Burton Bothers of Dunedin (New Zealand) Undated, but probably taken in the 1890s Format: Cabinet card Size: Mount 106 x 166 mm Photo 104.5 x 145 mm Image © & collection of Brett Payne Notes: |
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Unidentified
woman
by John Burton & Sons of Hay Market, Leicester and Branches Undated, but probably taken in the mid- to late 1890s Format: Carte-de-visite, with bevelled gold edges Size: Mount 63 x 103 mm Photo 58.5 x 89 mm Image © & collection of Brett Payne Notes: |
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Unidentified
young man with clerical collar by John Burton & Sons of Hay Market, Leicester and Market Place, Melton Mowbray Undated, but probably taken in the late 1890s Format: Cabinet card, with bevelled gold edges Size: Mount 109.5 x 166.5 mm Photo 104 x 149 mm Image © & collection of Brett Payne Notes: |
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Portrait
of unknown young woman by Burton Brothers, of Haymarket, Leicester & Market Place, Melton Mowbray Undated, but probably taken c. 1899 Format: Carte-de-visite Image © & courtesy of Roger Vaughan |
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References
Images and information provided by Nigel Aspdin, Robert Silverwood, Lies Ligthard, Virginia Silvester, Derby Local Studies Library, Julia Sturgis, James Morley, Brett Payne, Roger Vaughan, Clyde Dissington, David Simkin and Samantha Smith Information also provided by Mike Casselden and David Simkin 1841-1901 UK Census - online from Ancestry.com FreeBMD International Genealogical Index - online from the LDS church Anon (1860) Harrison, Harrod, and Co.'s Directory and Gazetteer of Derbyshire, London. Anon (1861) Gazetteer and Directory of the Counties of Leicester & Rutland. University of Leicester's Digital Library of Historical Directories White (1863) Leicestershire & Rutland Directory. Harrod & Co. (1870) Postal & Commercial Directory of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland & Staffordshire. University of Leicester's Digital Library of Historical Directories Anon (1870) Street, Alphabetical & Trade Directory of Leicester. University of Leicester's Digital Library of Historical Directories Anon (1891) Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland & Nottinghamshire, Kelly & Co., London. University of Leicester's Digital Library of Historical Directories Anon (1908) Kelly's Directory of the Counties of Leicester & Rutland, Kelly & Co., London. University of Leicester's Digital Library of Historical Directories Anon (1911) Kelly's Directory of the Counties of Leicester & Rutland, Kelly & Co., London. University of Leicester's Digital Library of Historical Directories Heathcote, Bernard V. & Heathcote, Pauline F. (July 1979) Nottingham Photographic Studios in Victorian Times. Published by The Royal Photographic Society Historical Group. Heathcote, B. & P. (undated) Pioneers of Photography in Nottinghamshire 1841-1910. Published by the Nottinghamshire County Council Community Services. ISBN 0 902751 38 7. Craven, Maxwell (ed.) (1993) Keene's Derby, Breedon Books, Derby, pp. 200-202. - by kind courtesy of Sonia Addis-Smith |
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