ca. 1860-1930
Guide to the Photograph Collection
Restrictions on Access
There are restrictions on the use of this collection. Glass plate negatives and lantern slides of any size are not available for research use. Copy photographs or scans may be available for alternative viewing. Consult the Reference Librarian for more information.
Abstract
Photographs depicting the families of historian Allen French and his first wife Ellen Richmond Dorrance French of Boston and Concord, Mass. Related family names include Brooks, Howell, Stratton, and Wales, among others.
Biographical Sketch
Allen French (1870-1946) was born in Boston, Mass., the son of John James and Frances Maria (Stratton) French. After graduating from Boston English High School, French attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of Berlin before receiving his B.A. from Harvard University in 1894. French was a prolific author, best known for his works on the battles of Lexington and Concord and the American Revolution. French settled in Concord, Mass., where he married Ellen Richmond Dorrance (1871-1918) in 1898. Allen and Ellen French had three daughters: Maude (1900-1985), Frances (1902-1978), and Ellen (1908-2000). After Ellen's death, he married Aletta Lillibridge (1883-1962) of New York. Allen French was a member of many Concord organizations including the Concord Antiquarian Society and the "Social Circle," as well as of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Colonial Society, and American Antiquarian Society. He died in Concord, Mass. on 6 October 1946.
Sources
Forbes, Allan. "Allen French," Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Third Series, vol. 69 (Oct. 1947-May 1950), p. 416-419.
Collection Description
The Allen French family photographs depict members of the immediate and extended families of French and his wife Ellen Dorrance, as well as views of homes associated with the families in Concord and Petersham, Mass. and Providence, R.I. Surnames of extended family members include Stratton, Wales, Howell, and Spear. Most of the photographs are identified, presumably by Allen French. The collection includes cartes de visite, tintypes, and cabinet photographs. Identified Boston photographers include Allen & Rowell, John Adams Whipple, and Silsbee, Case & Co., among many others.
The collection also includes photographs of historical documents from the collections of the Earl of Dartmouth, taken by Allen French during a research trip to England.
Acquisition Information
Gift of the estate of Allen French, March 1947.
Restrictions on Access
There are restrictions on the use of this collection. Glass plate negatives and lantern slides of any size are not available for research use. Copy photographs or scans may be available for alternative viewing. Consult the Reference Librarian for more information.
Detailed Description of the Collection
I. Photograph albums
Photographs are arranged according to their order in the album.
A. Vol. 1: Stratton and French family carte de visite album, 1860s-1870s
Stratton, Charles Edwin (1813-1872)
Taken by Black, Boston.Caption: "Grandfather Stratton."
Stratton, Charles Edwin (1813-1872)
Taken by Whipple, Boston.Caption: "The same."
Stratton, Solomon Piper (1848-1924)
Taken by Whipple, Boston.Caption: "Uncle Sol."
Wales, George Canning (1868-1940), ca. 1871
Taken by Whipple, Boston.Caption: "G.C.W."
Wales, Alice Stratton (1872-1971), ca. 1872
Taken by Whipple, Boston.Caption: "A.S.W."
Stratton, Charles Edwin, Jr. (1846-1932)
Taken by Metcalf & Welldon, Boston.Caption: "Uncle Charlie."
Unidentified infant
Photographer unknown.Caption on photograph: "French."
French, Charles Stratton (1873-1933), ca. 1874
Taken by Allen & Rowell, Boston.Caption: "C.S.F."
Unidentified infant
Taken by Allen & Rowell, Boston.French, Sarah Hollis Piper (1821-1897)
Taken by Case & Getchell, Boston.Caption: "Grandmother Stratton."
Unidentified infant
Photographer unknown.Caption on photograph: "French." Same sitter as #372.07.
Jones, Jane
Taken by H. G. Smith, Boston.Caption: "Aunt Jane Jones."
French, Allen (1870-1946), 1874
Taken by Allen & Rowell, Boston.Caption: "At 3 years, 11 mos."
Wales, Susan E. Stratton (1844-1901)
Taken by J. W. Black, Boston.Caption: "Aunt Sue Wales."
French, Frances Maria Stratton (1843-1911)
Taken by Bogardus & Bendann Brothers, New York.Caption: "Mother."
French, John James (1834-1885)
Taken by Case & Getchell, Boston.Caption: "Father."
French, John James (1834-1885)
Taken by Bogardus, New York.Caption: "Father."
French, Hollis (1868-1940), ca. 1870
Photographer unknown.Caption: "Hollis?"
French, Allen (1870-1946), ca. 1870
Photographer unknown.Caption: "And me?" Same sitter as #372.07 and 372.11.
Spear, William
Photographer unknown.Caption: "Uncle Wm Spear."
B. Vol. 2: French family carte de visite album, 1860s-1870s
French, John James (1834-1885) and Frances Maria Stratton French (1843-1911)
Photographer unknown.Caption: "Mr. & Mrs. John J. French."
Patterson, David, (1800-1870)
Taken by Charles K. Bill, New York.Caption: "David Patterson married Aunt Mary."
French, Frances Maria Stratton (1843-1911)
Photographer unknown.Caption: "Mother."
French, John James (1834-1885)
Photographer unknown.French, John James (1834-1885)
Taken by Bogardus, New York.Caption: "Father."
French, Charles Edwin Jr. (1846-1932)
Taken by Marshall & Co., Boston.Caption: "Uncle Charles E. French."
Howell, William Perkins (1837-1909) & Cecilia Ray Huntting Howell (1842-1867)
Photographer unknown.Caption: "Wm. Howell and 1st wife."
Howell, William Perkins (1837-1909)
Photographer unknown.Caption: "Wm. Howell."
Howell, Lydia (1844-1897)
Photographer unknown.Caption: "2nd wife."
Howell, Mary Perkins (1840-1914)
Taken by R. A. Lewis, New York.Caption: "Mary Howell."
Howell, Matthew (1829-1907)
Taken by A. C. Nichols, Leavenworth, Kansas.Caption: "Matthew Howell."
Fisher, Horace (1837-1918)
Taken by Silsbee, Case & Co., Boston.Caption: "Uncle Horace (Mr. Horace Fisher)."
Fisher, Maria Adelaide Howell (1834-1910)
Photographer unknown.Caption: "Cousin Addie (Mrs. Horace Fisher)."
Patterson, Mary Spear (1806-1891)
Photographer unknown.Caption: "Aunt Mary (Spear) Patterson."
Patterson, David (1800-1870)
Photographer unknown.Caption: "Mr. Patterson."
Unidentified man
Photographer unknown.Unidentified woman
Taken by Wm. J. Tait, New York.Patterson, Charles Howell (1841-1914)
Taken by Charles K. Bill, New York.Caption: "Charlie Patterson."
Howell, George
Photographer unknown.Caption: "George Howell."
Unidentified man
Photographer unknown.Dodd, Hattie
Photographer unknown.Caption: "Hattie Dodd."
Dodd, John (1811-1890)
Taken by Seaver & Lothrop, Boston.Caption: "John Dodd."
Dodd, Mary (1843-1913)
Photographer unknown.Caption: "His daughter Mary."
Dodd, John (1779-1865)
Taken by Seaver & Lothrop, Boston.Caption: "Old Mr. Dodd."
French, Frederick W. (1842-1900)
Taken by Silsbee, Case & Co., Boston.Caption: "Uncle Fred (Fdk W. French)."
Birch, Mrs. William
Taken by Charles K. Bill, New York.Caption: "Mrs. Wm. Birch New York."
Unidentified woman
Taken by Case & Getchell, Boston.Mayo, Elizabeth White (1841-1909)
Taken by A. Ken, Paris.Caption: "Lizzie Mayo."
Lockwood, John Ford Crestwell (b. 1833)
Taken by Maison Martinet, Paris.Caption: "Mr. Lockwood, her first husband? Yes."
Binney, George
Taken by Allen & Horton, Boston.Caption: "George Binney."
Unidentified man
Taken by S. Masury, Boston.Reed, Frank
Taken by Allen, Boston.Caption: "Frank Reed."
Crocker, Henry
Taken by E. L. Allen, Boston.Caption: "Uncle Henry Crocker."
French, John James (1834-1885), ca. 1860?
Taken by Silsbee, Case & Co., Boston.Caption: "Two pictures of my father taken according to the giver, Dr. Mary T. Hobart, 'I think previous to his engagement to your mother in 1858 or 59 or the early sixties.' Letter of Feb. 9, 1916."
French, John James(1834-1885), ca. 1860?
Taken by Case & Getchell, Boston.French, Hollis (1868-1940), 1869
Taken by Whipple, Boston.Caption: "Hollis 11 mos."
Mayo, Elizabeth White (1841-1909)
Taken by Allen & Horton, Boston.Caption: "Mrs. Lockwood (Lizzie Mayo) afterwards Mrs De Horrack."
French, Frederick W. (1842-1900)
Photographer unknown.Tintype.Caption: "Uncle Fred."
Unidentified man
Photographer unknown.Dodd, Theoda May (1851-1920)
Photographer unknown.Caption: "Theoda Dodd."
Priest, Carrie
Photographer unknown.Caption: "Carrie Priest."
Fisher, Maria Adelaide Howell (1851-1920)
Taken by Bogardus, New York.Caption: "Cousin Addie (Mrs. Horace Fisher)."
Unidentified man, woman, and child
Taken by Thiebault, Paris.Reed, Frank
Taken by Silsbee, Case & Co., Boston.Caption: "Frank Reed."
Howell, Matthew (1829-1907)
Taken by Bogardus, New York.Caption: "Matthew Howell."
Burnside, Ambrose Everett (1824-1881)
Taken by Charles D. Fredericks & Co., New York.Caption: "General Burnside."
Bright, John (1811-1889)
Photographer unknown.Caption: "John Bright."
Eugenie, Empress (1826-1920)
Photographer unknown.Caption: "Empress Eugenie."
C. Vol. 3: Allen French tintype album, ca. 1883-1898
Album of gem tintypes. Front leaf inscribed "Allen French. 200 Commonwealth Ave. Boston." Most of the photographs are unidentified.
II. Loose photographs
A. Portraits
Bancroft, Alice Dorrance (1878-1923), 1879
Taken by Coleman & Remington, Providence, R.I.Carte de visite.Bancroft, Alice Dorrance (1878-1923), 1910
Photographer unknown.Bancroft, Alice Dorrance (1878-1923), ca. 1881
Taken by Coleman & Remington, Providence, R.I.Cabinet photograph.Bancroft, Alice Dorrance (1878-1923), 1885
Taken by B. Johannes, Meran, Sudtyrol.Cabinet photograph.Bancroft, Alice Dorrance (1878-1923), 1892
Taken by P. H. Rose, Providence, R.I.Cabinet photograph.Bancroft, Alice Dorrance (1878-1923), 1882
Taken by Coleman & Remington, Providence, R.I.Cabinet photograph.Bancroft, Alice Dorrance (1878-1923), [1885]
Taken by B. Johannes, Meran, Sudtyrol.Cabinet photograph.Bancroft, James (1879-1950), [ca. 1910?]
Photographer unknown.Brooks, Helen French (1880-1953), ca. 1900
Photographer unknown.Brooks, Helen French (1880-1953) and Rafferty (dog), ca. 1895
Photographer unknown.Brooks, Helen French (1880-1953), ca. 1900
Taken by Bartlett F. Kenney, Boston.Brooks, John Edward, Jr. (1910-1965), 1911
Photographer unknown.Inscribed on verso "John Edward Brooks Jr. 1 1/2 years 1911."
Brooks, John, Charles & Francis, ca. 1915
Photographer unknown.Brooks family, 1922
Photographer unknown.Inscribed on verso: "Thanksgiving 1922 at the Edward Brooks' Milton."
Brooks family, ca. 1930
Photographer unknown.Inscribed on verso: "Thanksgiving at the Brookes Milton in the 30s?"
Dorr, Sullivan (1778-1858)
Taken by Manchester Bros., Providence, R.I.Carte de visite photograph of a portrait.Inscribed on verso: "Sullivan Dorr father of Tom Dorr. Original in Washington Insurance office Market Square Providence R.I."
Dorrance, Alice Richmond (1845-1909), 1863
Photographer unknown.Carte de visite.Inscribed on verso: "Alice Richmond 18 years old. Born June 4th 1845. For E.R.P."
Dorrance, Alice Richmond (1845-1909), 6 Apr. 1864
Taken by H. P. Osborne, Bethlehem, Pa.Carte de visite.Dorrance, Alice Richmond (1845-1909), 1866
Taken by Manchester Bro & Angell, Providence, R.I.Carte de visite. Three-cent revenue stamp on verso.Dorrance, Alice Richmond (1845-1909), ca. 1864
Photographer unknown.Tintype.Dorrance, Alice Richmond (1845-1909) and unidentified woman, July 1863
Taken by F. Hacker, Providence, R.I.Carte de visite.Dorrance, Alice Richmond (1845-1909)
Taken by B. Johannes, Meran, Sudtyrol.Cabinet photograph.Dorrance, Alice Richmond (1845-1909), 21 Jan. 1884
Taken by Coleman & Co., Providence, R.I.Cabinet photograph.Dorrance, Alice Richmond (1845-1909), 1893
Photographer unknown.Dorrance, Alice Richmond (1845-1909), 1906?
Photographer unknown.Carte de visite.Dorrance, Alice Richmond (1845-1909), Ellen R. French and "Little Ellen," July 1908
Photographer unknown.Dorrance, Alice Richmond (1845-1909), ca. 1896?
Photographer unknown.Mounted photograph, signed below image, but signature is illegible.Dorrance, Alice Richmond (1845-1909), 1893
Taken by Rose Studio, Providence, R.I.Dorrance, Amy (1873-1879), 1873
Taken by Manchester's, Providence, R.I.Carte de visite.Dorrance, Amy (1873-1879), ca. 1875
Taken by Manchester Bros., Providence, R.I.Carte de visite.Dorrance, Amy (1873-1879), May 1877
Taken by A. C. Brownell, Providence, R.I.Cabinet photograph.Dorrance, Amy (1873-1879), with doll, May 1877
Taken by A. C. Brownell, Providence, R.I.Cabinet photograph.Dorrance, Maude Dunnell (1872-1900), 1872
Taken by Coleman & Remington, Providence, R.I.Carte de visite.Dorrance, Maude Dunnell (1872-1900), 1872
Photographer unknown.Carte de visite.Dorrance, Maude Dunnell (1872-1900), 1875
Taken by Manchester Bros., Providence, R.I.Cabinet photograph.Dorrance, Samuel Martin (1882-1957), ca. 1885
Taken by B. Johannes, Meran, Sudtyrol.Cabinet photograph.Dorrance, Samuel Martin (1882-1957), ca. 1886
Taken by B. Johannes, Meran, Sudtyrol.Cabinet photograph.Dorrance, Samuel Martin (1882-1957), ca. 1900
Taken by the Shepard Company, Providence, R.I.Dorrance, Samuel Martin (1882-1957), June 1908
Taken by Sands & Brady, Providence, R.I.Dorrance, Samuel Martin (1882-1957), Dec. 1910
Photographer unknown.Dorrance, Samuel Martin (1882-1957), on horseback, Petersham, 1906
Photographer unknown.Dorrance, Samuel Martin (1882-1957), with three unidentified men, Plattsburg, 1916
Photographer unknown.Postcard.Image captioned: "Rhode Island Clergy, Plattsburg, 1916."
Dorrance, Samuel Richmond (1843-1920), 1865
Taken by Ferrando, Rome.Carte de visite.Verso inscribed: "Samuel R. Dorrance"; "Anna Richmond's Rome, March 7th /65."
Dorrance, Samuel Richmond (1843-1920), 1884
Taken by Coleman & Remington, Providence, R.I.Cabinet photograph.Dorrance, Samuel Richmond (1843-1920), Mar. 1885
Taken by Coleman & Co., Providence.Cabinet photograph.Dorrance, Samuel Richmond (1843-1920), 1868
Taken by Coleman & Remington, Providence.Cabinet photograph.Inscribed on verso: "Aunty Nellie from Uncle Sam Dec. 25th 1868. Born Oct. 22nd, 1843." "For E.R.P."
Dorrance, Samuel Richmond (1843-1920), 1885
Taken by Coleman & Co., Providence.Cabinet photograph.Dorrance, Samuel Richmond (1843-1920), [1885]
Taken by Coleman & Co., Providence.Cabinet photograph.Dorrance, Samuel Richmond (1843-1920), ca. 1910?
Photographer unknown.Dorrance, Samuel Richmond (1843-1920), 1906
Photographer unknown.Dorrance, Samuel Richmond (1843-1920), ca. 1910?
Photographer unknown.Dorrance, Samuel Richmond, Jr. (1877-1879), ca. 1878
Taken by Coleman & Remington, Providence, R.I.Cartes de visite.Dorrance, Sara Weed (1884-1972), ca. 1914
Photographer unknown.Inscribed on verso: "Sarah [sic] (Sally Weed) Dorrance about 1914."
Dorrance family, 1904
Photographer unknown.Seven members of the Dorrance family, seated on a porch with their dog.
French, Allen (1870-1946), 1871
Taken by Whipple, Boston.Carte de visite.Inscribed on verso: "Allen French 6 months."
French, Allen (1870-1946), ca. 1873
Photographer unknown.Carte de visite.Inscribed on verso: "AF aged about 3 years."
French, Allen (1870-1946), Oct. 1874
Taken by Allen & Rowell, Boston.Carte de visite.Inscribed on verso: "Allen French 3 yrs & 11 ms."
French, Allen (1870-1946), 1885
Taken by C. M. Litchfield, Boston.Cabinet photographs.French, Allen (1870-1946), 1888
Taken by J. Notman, Boston.Cabinet photograph.Inscribed on verso: "March 1888 17 yrs 4 ms."
French, Allen (1870-1946), ca. 1889
Taken by Notman Photo Co., Boston.Cabinet photograph.French, Allen (1870-1946), ca. 1890?
Taken by J. Notman, Boston.Cabinet photograph.French, Allen (1870-1946), 1896?
Taken by Notman Photo Co., Boston.Cabinet photograph.French, Allen (1870-1946)
Photographers unknown.Mounted photographs.French, Allen (1870-1946), ca. 1930?
Taken by Pierpont Studios, New Rochelle, N.Y.French, Allen (1870-1946), 1933
Taken by Axel Bahnsen, Yellow Springs, Ohio.French, Allen (1870-1946), ca. 1919-1933
Photographers unknown.Snapshots.French, Allen (1870-1946), Hollis (1868-1940), and Charles (1873-1933), ca. 1873
Taken by Whipple, Boston.Carte de visite.Inscribed on verso: "Hol, Allen Charlie."
French, Allen (1870-1946) and Hollis (1868-1940), ca. 1870
Photographer unknown.Mounted photograph.French, Allen (1870-1946), Hollis (1868-1940), and Philip (1876-1943) ca. 1876
Photographer unknown.Carte de visite.French, Allen (1870-1946) and Philip (1876-1943), 1878
Taken by Allen & Rowell, Boston.Carte de visite.Inscribed on verso: "Allen French 7 yrs 8 ms, Philip French 21 ms."
French, Allen (1870-1946), Hollis (1868-1940), and Charles (1873-1933), ca. 1875
Taken by Allen & Rowell, Boston.Cabinet photograph.Inscribed on verso: "Hollis, Allen & Charles S. French."
French, Allen (1870-1946) and Aletta Lillibridge French (1883-1962), 1930
Taken by James H. Tolman, Malden, Mass.Allen and Aletta French dressed in historic costume.
French, Allen (1870-1946) and Ellen R. Dorrance French (1871-1918), ca. 1899
Photographer unknown.French, Allen (1870-1946) and Ellen R. Dorrance French (1871-1918)
Photographer unknown.Snapshot.Inscribed on verso: "Sticknife in Austria AF & ERD."
French, Allen (1870-1946), Hollis French, R. B. Worthington, James Weed Cartwright Jr., Edgar Burrage and Walter L. [Burrage?], 1888
Photographer unknown.Tintype.A group of men, one holding a knife and another an oar. Inscribed in pencil: "Taken at Ipswich Friday, Aug. 31, 1888."
French, Allen (1870-1946) and Samuel M. Dorrance (1882-1957), Aug. 1894
Taken by E. J. H. Sercombe, Durham, England.Cabinet photograph.French and Dorrance posed with bicycles. Inscribed on verso: "Allen French & young Sam Dorrance bicycle trip thru England."
French, Allen (1870-1946) and family members, ca. 1912-ca. 1925
Photographers unknown.Group photographs of Allen French with various family members, including members of the Dorrance family and his daughters.
French, Charles Stratton (1873-1933), 1874
Taken by Allen & Rowell, Boston.Carte de visite.Inscribed on verso: "Charles Stratton French 20 ms. Property of Alice Wales."
French, Charles Stratton (1873-1933), Dec. 1899
Taken by Notman Photographic Co., Boston.French, Ellen (1908-2000), 1908-1919
Photographers unknown.Photographs of Ellen French as a child, including photographs with her mother and a nurse.
French, Ellen Richmond Dorrance (1871-1918), 1871-1872
Taken by Manchester Bros., Providence R.I.Cartes de visite.#372.232 is hand colored. #372.234 is unmounted.
French, Ellen Richmond Dorrance (1871-1918), 1873
Photographer unknown.Tintype, with later reproduction of the same.French, Ellen Richmond Dorrance (1871-1918), 1875
Taken by Coleman & Remington, Providence, R.I.Cabinet photograph.French, Ellen Richmond Dorrance (1871-1918), 1879
Taken by Coleman & Remington, Providence, R.I.Cabinet photograph.Inscribed on verso: "Ellen R. Dorrance June 1879 8 years old."
French, Ellen Richmond Dorrance (1871-1918), 1890
Taken by P. H. Rose, Providence, R.I.Cabinet photograph, with small mounted copy of the same.French, Ellen Richmond Dorrance (1871-1918), 1892
Taken by P. H. Rose, Providence, R.I.Cabinet photograph.Inscribed on verso: "Ellen R. Dorrance Under Cliff. Sep. 14th 1892." "Coming out dress."
French, Ellen Richmond Dorrance (1871-1918), 1885
B. Johannes, Meran, Sudtyrol.Mounted photograph.French, Ellen Richmond Dorrance (1871-1918), 1899-1911
Photographers unknown.Miscellaneous photographs, including a reproduction of a portrait of Ellen French by Charles Hovey Pepper.
French, Ellen Richmond Dorrance (1871-1918) and Alice S. Wales
Taken by C. M. Wood, Lake Placid, N.Y.Tintype, with later reproduction of the same.French, Ellen Richmond Dorrance (1871-1918) and Alice S. Wales, May 1894
Taken by Pirie Mac Donald, Albany, N.Y.French, Ellen Richmond Dorrance (1871-1918), Alice S. Wales, and Ellen (Munroe) Wales
Photographer unknown.Tintype.French, Ellen Richmond Dorrance (1871-1918), Maude French, and Frances French, 1902, 1907
Photographers unknown.French, Frances Maria Stratton (1843-1911), ca 1885?
Taken by C. M. Litchfield, Boston.Cabinet photograph.French, Frances Maria Stratton (1843-1911), 1899
Taken by Bartlett F. Kenney, Boston.French, Frances Maria Stratton (1843-1911), [between 1900 and 1911]
Photographer unknown.French, Frances Maria Stratton (1843-1911), Charles S. French, and Helen French, ca. 1900?
Taken by Notman Photo, Boston.French, Frances Maria Stratton (1843-1911) and John French (1906-1989), 1910 or 1911
Photographer unknown.French, Frances Stratton 1902-1978, ca. 1920?
Photographer unknown.French, Frederick William (1842-1900), ca. 1860
Taken by Case & Getchell, Boston.Carte de visite.French, Frederick William (1842-1900), 1867
Taken by Le Monde Illustre Photographie, Paris.French, Frederick William (1842-1900), 1880s
Taken by Turner, Boston.Cabinet photograph.French, Frederick William (1842-1900)
Photographer unknown.French, Frederick William (1842-1900), 1890s
Taken by Falk, N.Y.French, Hollis (1868-1940), 1869
Taken by Whipple, Boston.Carte de visite.Inscribed on verso: "Nov. 29 1869 17 mos."
French, Hollis (1868-1940), ca. 1873
Taken by Whipple, Boston.Carte de visite.French, Hollis (1868-1940), ca. 1888
Taken by C. M. Litchfield, Boston.Cabinet photograph.French, Isabel (1884-1971), David (b. 1909), John (b. 1906), and Nathaniel (b. 1913), ca. 1917
Photographer unknown.French, John Allen (1800-1859)
Photographers unknown.French, John James (1834-1885), 1860s
Photographer unknown.Cartes de visite.French, John James (1834-1885), ca. 1866
Taken by Silsbee, Case & Co., Boston.Cartes de visite.French, John James (1834-1885), ca. 1880
Taken by Sarony, N.Y.Cabinet photograph.French, Lucy Perkins Spear (1805-1881), 1870s
Taken by Ritz & Hastings, Boston.Cabinet photograph.French, Maude Dorrance (1900-1985), ca. 1920
Photographer unknown.French, Maude Dorrance (1900-1985) and Frances French (1902-1978), ca. 1906-1908
Photographers unknown.French, Maude Dorrance (1900-1985), Frances (1902-1978), and Ellen (1908-2000), 1908-ca. 1920
Photographers unknown.French, Philip (1876-1943), 1899
Taken by E. A. Holton, Boston.French, Philip (1876-1943) and Helen (1880-1953), 1880
Taken by Partridge, Boston.Cabinet photograph.French, Rue Elizabeth (b. 1909), 1911 or 1912
Photographer unknown.Inscribed on verso: "Rue Elizabeth French 2 1/4 years."
French family: Frances French with her children Allen, Philip, Charles, Hollis, and Helen, ca. 1890
Photographer unknown.French family: Frances French with Hollis, Ellen, Allen, and Helen, ca. 1910
Photographer unknown.French family: Philip French, Allen French, Florence Meeks, Alice Wales, Alice Dorrance, Ellen Dorrance, and Maude Dorrance, 1890s
Taken by Brownell & Fry, Lake Placid, N.Y.Richmond, Amey Martin (1784-1852)
Photographer unknown.Photograph of a silhouette.Inscribed at lower edge: "Mrs. S. N. Richmond, 1812."
Richmond, Anna Eddy (1810-1881), ca. 1865
Taken by L. Powers, Florence.Carte de visite.Inscribed on verso: "Alice's mother"; "Hotel de New York Mrs. Richmond."
Stratton, Charles (1846-1932), ca. 1865
Taken by Winter, Cambridge.Carte de visite.Inscribed on verso: "C. E. Stratton."
Stratton, Charles (1846-1932) and Solomon Stratton (1848-1924), ca. 1852
Taken by Whipple, Boston.Carte de visite copy of a daguerreotype.Inscribed on verso: "Uncle Charlie Uncle Sol."
Stratton, Charles (1846-1932), Stanley French, and Susan Brooks (1920-), ca. 1923
Photographer unknown.Stratton, Charles (1846-1932) and Solomon Stratton (1848-1924), ca. 1923
Photographer unknown.Stratton, Sarah Hollis Piper (1821-1897), ca. 1885
Taken by C. M. Litchfield, Boston.Cabinet photograph.Inscribed on verso: "Sarah H. Stratton"; "Grandmother of AF."
Taggard, Henry (1861-1935), 1880s
Taken by Conly, Boston.Cabinet photograph.Wales, Alice Stratton (1872-1971), 1893
Taken by Pirie Mac Donald, Albany, N.Y.Carte de visite.Inscribed on verso: "'Jack' to 'Jonesy' November 1893"; "Alice Wales."
Wales, Alice Stratton (1872-1971), ca. 1900
Photographer unknown.Wales, George Canning (1868-1940), 1870s
Taken by Clark & Litchfield, Boston.Cabinet photograph.Inscribed on verso: "Geo. C. Wales the etcher & architect."
Wales, Nathaniel (1843-1924), 1861
Taken by Silsbee, Case & Co., Boston.Carte de visite.Inscribed on verso: "Fannie M. Stratton 1861"; "The above owned this picture of Natl. Wales."
Wales, Susan E. Stratton (1844-1901), 1880s
Taken by C. M. Litchfield, Boston.Cabinet photograph.Inscribed on verso: "Mrs. Nathaniel Wales 'Aunt Sue'"; "Alice's mother"; "George's mother."
Wales, Susan E. Stratton (1844-1901), 1890s
Taken by Pirie Mac Donald, New York.Unidentified family portraits, 1860s-1900s
Unidentified cartes de visite, cabinet photographs, tintypes, and other photographs.B. Views
Views of homes associated with the French, Dorrance, and Stratton families. Arranged by location.
Boston, Mass., Home of Charles Stratton, 1489 Washington St., ca. 1880
Photographer unknown.Concord, Mass., Home of Allen French, 1903-ca. 1921
Photographers unknown.Chiefly snapshots of Allen French's home in Concord during construction, including photographs of tradesmen at work.
Petersham, Mass., Dorrance family home, ca. 1906-1909
Photographers unknown.Sudbury, Mass., Pelham Pond
Photographer unknown.Providence, R.I., Dorrance family home, 2 Prospect St., 1901
Photographer unknown.C. "Dartmouth Documents," 1775-1776
Photographs of documents from the collections of William Legge, Lord Dartmouth (1731-1801). Taken by Allen French in 1930 for research purposes. The original documents range from July 1775-January 1776. Arranged according to the numbering system assigned by the Staffordshire County Record Office.
D. Oversize and glass photographs
Brooks, John Edward (1877-1923) and Helen French (1880-1953), wedding photograph, 1907
Photographer unknown.French, Allen, ca. 1933
Photomechanical produced for the National Cyclopedia of American Biography.2 Prospect St. Providence, the Dorrance House
Taken by the General Photo Co., Providence.French, Frederick William, ca. 1850-1855
Photographer unknown.Sixth-plate daguerreotype in leather half-case.This photograph is stored separately in the MHS Daguerreotype Collection (Photo. Coll. 1).To request this item, follow this link to the MHS catalog and click on the red "Place Request" button.
French, John Allen, ca. 1840-1850
Photographer unknown.Sixth-plate daguerreotype under glass.This photograph is stored separately in the MHS Daguerreotype Collection (Photo. Coll. 1).To request this item, follow this link to the MHS catalog and click on the red "Place Request" button.
Unidentified man and woman, ca. 1854-1857
Taken by Luther Holman Hale.Two hand-colored, sixth-plate daguerreotypes in one thermoplastic (Union) case.This photograph is stored separately in the MHS Daguerreotype Collection (Photo. Coll. 1).To request this item, follow this link to the MHS catalog and click on the red "Place Request" button.
E. Restricted access photographs
These photographs are restricted. See the Restrictions on Access for more information.
Spear, Samuel Thayer (1769-1821)
Glass plate negative of a miniature portrait of Samuel Spear. Removed from envelope reading "Hollis French ... Copy portrait of his great grandfather Samuel Spear."
Preferred Citation
Allen French family photographs, Massachusetts Historical Society.
Access Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in ABIGAIL, the online catalog of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related persons, organizations, or subjects should search the catalog using these headings.