Burgess Hill Photographers (P-Z)

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Professional Photographers in Burgess Hill   (P-Z)

Ebenezer William Pannell - George Peters - Francis G. Salt - Tester Brothers (Herbert & Lewis Tester) - Frederick Walters - William George Wheatley

 

Ebenezer William PANNELL  (1886-1951) - active as a photographer in Burgess Hill from 1911 until 1917

Ebenezer William Pannell was born in Brighton in 1886. the eldest son of Ebenezer Pannell senior (1860-1934), who had worked as a professional photographer in Brighton since the early 1880s. [The birth of Ebenezer William Pannell was registered in Brighton during the 4th Quarter of 1886]. It is likely that during his teenage years, Ebenezer William Pannell was trained in the art and science of photography by his father Ebenezer Pannell senior.

At the time of the 1911 census, Ebenezer William Pannell was a single man of twenty-four living with his aunt and his two sisters at 75 Church Road, Hove. Ebenezer's aunt, Miss Frances Pannell, the sister of Ebenezer Pannell senior, declared on the census return that she was living on "Private Means", but both Ebenezer Pannell junior and his twenty-two year old sister Ella Mary Pannell give their occupation as "Photographic Artist". It appears that when the census was carried out on 2nd April 1911, Ebenezer Pannell senior was away from home. Ebenezer William Pannell and his sister Ella Pannell (who is described as "Head of Household") were managing their father's photography business in Church Road, Hove, during the older photographer's absence.

Ebenezer William Pannell married Daisy Kathleen Nutley (born 1886, Hove, Sussex) in Brighton during the 2nd Quarter of 1911. By the end of 1911, Ebenezer William Pannell was operating a photographic studio at 53 Church Road, Burgess Hill. The couple's first child, Sylvia Pannell, was born in Burgess Hill towards the end of 1912. [The birth of Sylvia M. Pannell was registered in the Mid-Sussex district of Cuckfield during the 4th Quarter of 1912].

At the outbreak of the First World War, Ebenezer William Pannell was nearly twenty-eight years of age. In March 1916, all unmarried men aged between 18 and 41 were liable to be conscripted into military service. On 25th May 1916, military conscription was extended to include married men. In June 1917, thirty-year old Ebenezer Pannell junior faced a Local Tribunal to present a case for exemption from military service. Pannell was successful in his appeal to the Tribunal and he was declared exempt from military service under category C3. By the end of the First World War, E. William Pannell had taken over his father's photographic portrait studio at 75 Church Road, Hove. There were two more additions to Ebenezer Pannell junior's family while the family were based in Hove - a son, Edward G. Pannell, who was born in 1919 and a daughter, Iris D. J. Pannell,who arrived 7 years later in 1926.

Trading under the name of 'E. W. Pannell Limited', Ebenezer William Pannell remained in business as a photographer in Hove until at least 1946. Ebenezer William Pannell died in 1951, aged 64. [The death of Ebenezer William Pannell was registered in the district of Lewes during the 1st Quarter of 1951].

[LEFT]  Ebenezer William Pannell listed as a photographer at Church Road, Burgess Hill in the Trades Section of the 1911 edition of Kelly's Directory of Sussex. Ebenezer Pannell, the photographer's father, is recorded at 75 Church Road, Hove.

[ABOVE] Procession at Burgess Hill, photographed by Ebenezer William Pannell around 1912. Ebenezer William Pannell (1886-1951) was the eldest son of the Brighton photographer Ebenezer Pannell senior (1860-1934).  Ebenezer William Pannell established a photography business at 53 Church Road, Burgess Hill in 1911. Around 1917, Ebenezer William Pannell left Mid-Sussex and returned to Hove to take over his father's photographic studio at 75 Church Road, Hove. This picture postcard is embossed in the lower left-hand corner with the photographer's credit "E. W. Pannell, Burgess Hill".

 

George PETERS (1851-1925) - active as a photographer in Burgess Hill between 1879 and 1881

George Peters was born at Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, in 1851, the son of Caroline and Frederick John Peters (1818-1886), a carpenter and builder. The christening of George Peters was recorded in Walton-on-Thames on 26th January, 1851. George Peters was the fourth of five children born to Frederick John Peters and Caroline Moscatt.

 

 

 

     

Francis George SALT  (1874-1927) - active as a photographer in Burgess Hill between 1905 and 1907.

Francis George Salt was born in Walworth, Surrey, in 1874, the eldest child of Charlotte Maria Webb and Francis Edwin Salt (1835-1906), a railway clerk. Francis Salt senior, who originated from Shropshire and married Charlotte Webb (born 1850, Camberwell, Surrey) in the Southwark district of South London in 1872. Francis George Salt gained a sister when Mrs Charlotte Salt gave birth to Marian Charlotte Salt in 1877.

By 1891, The Salt family were living in Brixton, Lambeth. Fifty-six year old Francis Edwin Salt was now "living on own means", but his 16 year old son, Francis George Salt, was, according to the 1891 census, working as a "Photographic Apprentice". Ten Years later, Francis Salt junior was living in Putney with his parents and was now employed as a professional photographer. The 1901 census describes twenty-six year old Francis Salt as "Photographer (worker)".

Francis Salt and his parents moved to Burgess Hill, Sussex, around 1904. The 1905 edition of Kelly's Directory of Sussex lists Francis George Salt as a professional photographer at 2 Southdown Villas, Church Road, Burgess Hill. On 13th June, 1906, the photographer's father, Francis Edwin Salt, died in Burgess Hill, leaving effects valued at £1482 10s. 9d.

In 1907, Francis George Salt married Annie Melinda Hackett (born 1882, Brighton), who at the time of the 1901 census was working as a "Typist" and living with her parents, Emma and William Hackett, at 61 Blatchington Road, Hove, Sussex. The marriage of Francis George Salt and Annie Melinda Hackett was registered in the Steyning district of Sussex during the 2nd Quarter of 1907 and probably took place in Hove.

Francis George Salt's photographic career in Burgess Hill was brief. Shortly after his marriage to Annie Hackett, Francis George Salt emigrated to Canada with his wife. The couple settled in Brandon, Manitoba, where their two children were born - Alma Millicent Salt on 17th September, 1908, and Francis Norman Salt who arrived 5 years later on 22nd November, 1913. Francis George Salt continued to work as a professional photographer in Canada. Francis G. Salt  is recorded as a 'Photographer' in Brandon, Manitoba, on Canadian census returns in 1916 and 1921.

Francis George Salt died in Vernon, British Columbia, Canada, on 13th February, 1927, aged 52.

[ABOVE] A card-mounted portrait of two women photographed by Francis George Salt of 2 Southdown Villas, Church Road, Burgess Hill, Sussex (c1905).
 

TESTER BROTHERS ( Herbert & Lewis Tester) - active as a photographers in Burgess Hill between 1900 and 1904.

Herbert Tester (1869-1957) and Lewis (Louis) Edward Tester (1879-1958)

Herbert Tester and Lewis Tester were the sons of George and Mary Tester of Maidstone, Kent. Their father, George Tester (born 1841, East Peckham, Kent) worked as a gardener in the Maidstone and Tunbridge areas of Kent. In 1864, George Tester married Mary Ann Ravilious (born c1843, Tunbridge, Kent). George and Mary Tester had at least seven children. Herbert Tester, the second eldest son, was born in Maidstone during the 4th Quarter of 1868. Louis Tester, often known as Lewis Tester, was about ten years younger than Herbert. Louis Edward Tester was born in Maidstone in 1879 (birth registered in Maidstone during the 3rd Quarter of 1879). Another brother, Edwin John Tester (born 1872, Tunbridge, Kent), also became a photographer. Edwin John Tester is listed as a photographer with a studio at 3 Bridge Terrace, Maidstone in a 1904 trade directory. Other siblings included Alice Tester (born 1864 Tunbridge), Fred John Tester (born 1867 Maidstone), Annie May Tester (born 1875, Snodland) and Sydney Tester (born 1877, Maidstone).

By around 1891, Herbert Tester was working and living in the Burgess Hill area of West Sussex. The 1891 census records Herbert Tester as a "Sign & Facia Writer" boarding with a family at 9 Commercial Road, Clayton, near Burgess Hill. In 1891, Herbert Tester married a local woman named Roma Agnes Bryant. [Marriage registered in the District of Cuckfield during the 4th Quarter of 1891]. Roma Agnes Bryant (born c1868, Keymer (Burgess Hill), Sussex) was the daughter of Anne and William Bryant, a "builder, contractor, brick maker & dealer in all kinds of building materials" based at Dunstall Farm, Burgess Hill. Towards the end of 1892, Mrs Roma Tester gave birth to a daughter named Ivy May Tester [birth registered in the District of Cuckfield during the 4th Quarter of 1892]. A second daughter, Daisy Hilda Tester was born in Burgess Hill a year or so later [birth registered in the District of Cuckfield during the 3rd Quarter of 1894]. Gladys Roma Tester, the couple's third child, was born in 1899 [birth registered in the District of Cuckfield during the 4th Quarter of 1899].

By 1895, Herbert Tester had opened a shop in Church Road, Burgess Hill, where he worked as a gilder and sign writer. In Kelly's 1899 Directory of Sussex, Herbert Tester is listed as a "sign writer & stationer" in Church Road, Burgess Hill. When the census was taken on 31st March 1901, Herbert Tester was recorded at his home in Church Road, Burgess Hill, with his wife Roma and their three children, Ivy, aged 8, Daisy, aged 6, and one year old Gladys. On the census return, Herbert Tester gave his occupation as "Sign Writer & Photographer". Sharing Herbert Tester's home was his younger brother, twenty-two year old Lewis Tester, described on the census return as a "Photographer (own account)". Around this time, Herbert Tester and Lewis (Louis) Tester, together with their brother Edwin John Tester, formed the photography firm of Tester Brothers. Kelly's 1903 Directory of Sussex lists the Tester Brothers as Photographers at Church Road, Burgess Hill. By this date, the Tester Brothers were also operating a photographic studio at 3 Bridge Terrace, The Broadway, Maidstone, Kent. The Maidstone branch studio of the Tester Brothers was probably managed by Edwin John Tester, who in the 1901 census is recorded as a twenty-eight year old photographer based in Maidstone. In the Street Directory section of the Kent Messenger's Directory of Maidstone, issued in 1904, Edwin John Tester is recorded alongside his father George Tester at 3 Bridge Terrace, Maidstone. The Commercial section of the same directory lists the Tester Brothers, Photographers, at the same address. Tester Brothers, Photographers, were still listed at 3 Bridge Terrace, Maidstone in Kelly's 1913 Directory of Kent.

Herbert Tester and Lewis Tester operated the photographic studio at Church Road, Burgess Hill, until about 1904. Around 1904, Herbert and Lewis Tester moved from Burgess Hill to Seaford, where they established a Cycle Shop in Seaford's High Street. Local trade directories have entries for "Tester Brothers, Cycle Agents" at High Street, Seaford, in 1904 and 1905. Shortly afterwards, Herbert and Lewis Tester established a photographic portrait studio in Clinton Place, Seaford. Kelly's Directory of Sussex lists the Tester Brothers as Photographers at 11 Clinton Place, Seaford in the 1905 edition of the directory. The Tester Brothers operated as professional photographers at 11 Clinton Place, Seaford from 1905 until about 1919.

 

1901 Census: Church Road, Burgess Hill, Sussex

NAME

 

AGE

OCCUPATION

WHERE BORN

Herbert Tester

Head

32

Sign Writer & Photographer Maidstone, Kent
Rosa Tester

wife

32

  Burgess Hill, Sussex
Ivy Tester daughter 8   Burgess Hill, Sussex
Daisy Tester daughter 6   Burgess Hill, Sussex
Gladys Tester daughter 1   Burgess Hill, Sussex
Lewis Tester

Brother

22

Photographer

Maidstone, Kent
[ABOVE] Herbert Tester and his brother Lewis Tester recorded as photographers at Church Road, Burgess Hill, Sussex, on the 1901 census return.

[ABOVE] A parade of shops in Church Road, Burgess Hill, Sussex (c1910). Herbert Tester opened a sign-writing business in Church Road around 1895.

 

 

 

 

 

[ABOVE] A carte-de-visite showing two female cyclists, photographed by Bert (Herbert) Tester of Church Road, Burgess Hill (c1900).           [Private Collection]

To read about the photographic careers of Herbert & Lewis Tester in Seaford, click on the link below:

Tester Brothers, Photographers of Seaford

Frederick WALTERS [aka WATERS] (born c1840, Marylebone, London) - active as a photographer in Burgess Hill between 1887 and 1895.

Frederick Walters (also known as Waters) was born in Marylebone, London, around 1840.  Frederick Walters was first recorded in Burgess Hill in 1887 when a local directory lists him as a 'pianoforte tuner' in Fairfield Road, Burgess Hill. By 1890, Frederick Walters was listed as a professional photographer in West Street, Burgess Hill, in the 'Trades' section of Kelly's Directory of Sussex.

The 1891 census records fifty-one year old Frederick Waters (Walters) as a self-employed "Photographer" residing with his family at 3 Windsor Cottages, West Street, Burgess Hill, Sussex. According to the 1891 census return, Frederick Waters (Walters) was married to a woman named Maria, who had been born in Chichester, Sussex, around 1845. At the time of the 1891 census, Frederick and Maria Waters had three daughters - Florence, aged 18, and Mabel, aged 17, (both born in Barnet, Hertfordshire) and 16 year old Fanny Waters, who had been born in New Southgate, Middlesex, around 1874. Unfortunately, I have been unable to trace Frederick Walters (Waters) and/or his family either in earlier or later census returns.

By 1895, Frederick Walters and his family had moved to No. 3, St James' Terrace, Burgess Hill. In the 'Trades' section of the 1895 edition of Kelly's Directory of Sussex, Frederick Walters is listed as a professional photographer at this address. This is the last reference I have found to Frederick Walters' photographic activities in Burgess Hill.

 

 

 

 

 

1891 Census: 3 Windsor Cottages, West Street, Clayton, Burgess Hill, Sussex

NAME

 

AGE

OCCUPATION

WHERE BORN

Frederick Waters

Head

51

Photographer

London, Marylebone
Maria J. Waters wife 46   Chichester, Sussex
Florence G. Waters daughter 19

Governess

Barnet, Hertfordshire
Mabel K. Waters daughter 17   Barnet, Hertfordshire
Fanny Waters daughter 16   New Southgate, Middlesex

[ABOVE] Frederick Waters (Walters) recorded as a photographer at 3 Windsor Cottages, Clayton, Burgess Hill, Sussex, on the 1891 census return.

[ABOVE] Frederick Walters recorded as a photographer in West Street, Burgess Hill, in the trades section of the 1890 edition of Kelly's Directory of Sussex. [ABOVE] Frederick Walters recorded as a photographer at 3 St James' Terrace,  Burgess Hill, in the trades section of the 1895 edition of Kelly's Directory of Sussex.

*

 

Cabinet Portraits by Frederick Walters of Burgess Hill

[ABOVE] A cabinet portrait of a young woman by Frederick Walters of Burgess Hill, Sussex (c1890). [ABOVE] A cabinet portrait of a young woman by Frederick Walters of Burgess Hill, Sussex (c1890).

William George WHEATLEY (1869-1943)

2 Salisbury Villas, Leylands Road  BURGESS HILL 1899-1903

Fairfield Road  BURGESS HILL  1904-1911

William George Wheatley was born in Mayfield, Sussex, on 24th January, 1869, the son of George Wheatley and Phoebe Streeter. [ William George Wheatley was baptised at a church in Hadlow Down on 26th March, 1869 ]. At the time of William's birth, his father, was working as an agricultural labourer in the Stockyards area of Mayfield, but when the 1881 census was taken, George Wheatley was described as a "Farmer of 10 Acres" in Waldron, Sussex. On the 1881 census return, twelve year old William G. Wheatley is recorded as an unemployed "Farmer's Son" living with his parents and younger sister (7 year old Alice Wheatley) at Leopard's House, Waldron.

In 1890, William George Wheatley married Mary Ralph (born 1866, Waldron, Sussex), the daughter of Jane and John Ralph, an agricultural labourer from Waldron, a village near Heathfield, Sussex. The couple set up home in Rock Hill, Waldron and William Wheatley found work as a grocer's assistant. On 27th June 1890, William's wife gave birth to a son named William John Wheatley. The union of William George Wheatley and Mary Ralph produced 6 more children: Lilian (born 1893, Cuckfield); Fanny (born 1897, Burgess Hill); Naomi (born 1903, Burgess Hill); Ruth (born 1905, Burgess Hill) and twins Phoebe and George Levi Wheatley (born 1908, Burgess Hill).

 

 

[LEFT] William George Wheatley (1869-1943) as depicted in a family group photograph  (c1910).

William George Wheatley was born in Mayfield, Sussex, on 24th January 1869. William was the fourth of 6 children born to George and Phoebe Wheatley. His 5 siblings were: David Wheatley (born 1854, Rotherfield); Sarah Anna Wheatley (born 1857, Rotherfield); Obed (Obediah) Wheatley (born 1862, Rotherfield); Charles Wheatley (died in infancy in 1869) and Alice Elizabeth Phoebe Wheatley (born 1874, Mayfield).

PHOTO: Margaret L. Kroening on Ancestry

William George Wheatley was born in Mayfield, Sussex, in 1869,

 

 

 

 

Carte-de-visite Portraits by William George Wheatley of Burgess Hill

[ABOVE] A carte-de-visite portrait of an unknown man  photographed in a studio by William George Wheatley of London Road, Burgess Hill, Sussex (c1898). [ABOVE] William George Wheatley's trade plate ink-stamped on the reverse of the carte-de-visite portrait illustrated on the left (c1898) [ABOVE] A carte-de-visite portrait of a seated man  photographed on location  by William G. Wheatley of Leylands Road, Burgess Hill, Sussex (c1900). [ABOVE] A carte-de-visite portrait of an unknown man  photographed in his garden by William G. Wheatley of Leylands Road, Burgess Hill, Sussex (c1900).
 

Cabinet Portrait of a Family Group by W. G. Wheatley of Burgess Hill

The photograph on the left was discovered in an album belonging to Mrs Charlotte Florence Duke (née Pollard). It seems likely that the woman in the photograph is Catherine Annie Pollard (born 1868, West Hoathly, Sussex), Charlotte Florence Pollard's aunt.

Catherine Annie Pollard was the third daughter of William Edward Pollard (1834-1909) and Mary Stedman (born 1838, Brighton). Catherine's father was a wheelwright & carpenter based in West Hoathly.

On 14th December 1895, Catherine Annie Pollard married Thomas Backshall (born 1870, West Hoathly), the son of Emily & Joseph Backshall, a miller of Burstow Bridge, West Hoathly. Thomas Backshall, Catherine's husband, was employed as a 'miller's carter".

Later Photos of Thomas and Catherine Backshall

Thomas Backshall (1870-1952) Mrs C. A. Backshall (1868-1958)

PHOTOS: Adrian Backshall [as posted on Ancestry]

After their marriage, Thomas and Catherine Backshall settled in the Haywards Heath area of Mid-Sussex. The couple's first two children: Thomas William Backshall (born1896) and Frank Backshall (born1899) arrived when the family were living in Lindfield, Sussex. Catherine Vera Backshall, Thomas and Catherine Backshall's third child, was born in Haywards Heath at the end of 1901.

[ABOVE] Portrait of a married couple and their young child, a cabinet photograph taken by William George Wheatley of Salisbury Villas, Leylands Road, Burgess Hill, Sussex (c1899). The couple is very possibly Thomas Backshall (born 1870) and his wife Catherine Annie Backshall (born 1868) and one of their young children.

Cabinet Photograph of a family group by W. G. Wheatley of Burgess Hill: Courtesy of Lorraine Haldane