Edward Smallwood Richards
Edward Smalwood Richards born circa 1834 son of John Richards [metal broker, born in Jamaica] and Mary Ann Thomas, died 26 May 1917 at the residence of his son 28 Te Whiti Street, South Kilbirnie, Wellington [1], buried Karori Cemetery, Wellington [2], married on board the ship "Nourmahal" 9 November 1859, Eliza Meredith* daughter of Michael Meredith, arrived Auckland from London 5 December 1859 on the "Nourmahal". His brother Harry Thomas Richards was also a photographer [Batt and Richards].
*her father Michael Meredith and brother Frederick Richard Meredith were murdered by Maori at Shepherd's Bush, Drury on 15 August 1863.
Wellington
September 1862 to July 1867
later Wairarapa
Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1771, 25 September 1862
[this notice continued in the Wellington Independent until 10 January 1863]
Photographs. — Mr. Richards has submitted to our inspection, some very superior cartes de visites, and other styles of portrait photography, which do his establishment considerable credit, and need not fear comparison With any hitherto taken in Wellington. We are glad to find that Mr. Swan [George Henry Swan] also maintains his well established reputation, not only for portrait photography, but for the excellence of his views.
The Wellington School of Photography. — We notice that Mr. Richards of this city has some very interesting photographs on view at his photographic studio on the beach. There is an excellent likeness of the celebrated G. V. Brooke, the Tragedian, also one of Captain Martin, the gallant commander of the unfortunate ship London, one of Mr. William King, the coxswain, and those of three of the survivors of that ill-fated vessel.
Photographs. — We notice in the window of Mr. Richard's School of Photography on Lambton Quay, an excellent Carte de Visite of Te Ua [Te Ua Haumene] the great Hau Hau prophet, also two Taupo chiefs, Te Heu Heu, and Te Here.
Photography.— Mr. E. S. Richards of the Wellington School of Photography has lately been making an addition to his premises by erecting a new sitting room. The room, which is gable roofed, 35 by 16 feet, and well illuminated by a skylight, will be opened on Monday next.
In the windows of the Wellington School of Photography on the Beach, there is exhibited an excellent carte de visite copy of Mr. Toxward's plan of the Roman Catholic Cathedral, showing the appearance it will present when the erection of the extensive additions is complete, and having seen the original plan, we are able to bear testimony to the correctness of Mr. Richards' copies, which will form pleasant pictures, and show friends in the old country that even in New Zealand the fine arts are not entirely neglected, and that elegant and extensive ecclesiastical edifices are to be found even in the antipodes. We understand that it is Mr. Richards' intention to take photographs of the Established Church of Scotland recently erected on Lambton Quay.
Photographic Views.— We have much pleasure in drawing attention to photographic views of the new Scotch Church on Lambton Quay, and the Roman Catholic Cathedral, now exhibited in the show window of Mr Richards' School of Photography. The latter view is a marvel of photographic art, every line in the delicate tracing of the building coming out clear and distinct, and the position from which the artist took his view was so well chosen, that while the building is shewn to perfection, there is no other object to distract the eye, a fault which often mars the effect of the best photographs. The view of the new Scotch Church, although it does not equal that of the Cathedral, is also very faithful and clear. It always gives us pleasure to notice colonial works of art, of whatever kind they may be, and we shall not fail to draw public attention to any that may come under our notice.
[this notice continued in the Wellington Independent until 10 January 1863]
Photographs. — Mr. Richards has submitted to our inspection, some very superior cartes de visites, and other styles of portrait photography, which do his establishment considerable credit, and need not fear comparison With any hitherto taken in Wellington. We are glad to find that Mr. Swan [George Henry Swan] also maintains his well established reputation, not only for portrait photography, but for the excellence of his views.
Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1788, 6 November 1862
Wellington School of Photography
from about March 1866
Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 30, 15 March 1866
The Wellington School of Photography. — We notice that Mr. Richards of this city has some very interesting photographs on view at his photographic studio on the beach. There is an excellent likeness of the celebrated G. V. Brooke, the Tragedian, also one of Captain Martin, the gallant commander of the unfortunate ship London, one of Mr. William King, the coxswain, and those of three of the survivors of that ill-fated vessel.
Wellington Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2353, 26 April 1866
Photographs. — We notice in the window of Mr. Richard's School of Photography on Lambton Quay, an excellent Carte de Visite of Te Ua [Te Ua Haumene] the great Hau Hau prophet, also two Taupo chiefs, Te Heu Heu, and Te Here.
Wellington Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2362, 17 May 1866
Photography.— Mr. E. S. Richards of the Wellington School of Photography has lately been making an addition to his premises by erecting a new sitting room. The room, which is gable roofed, 35 by 16 feet, and well illuminated by a skylight, will be opened on Monday next.
Wellington Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2430, 20 October 1866
In the windows of the Wellington School of Photography on the Beach, there is exhibited an excellent carte de visite copy of Mr. Toxward's plan of the Roman Catholic Cathedral, showing the appearance it will present when the erection of the extensive additions is complete, and having seen the original plan, we are able to bear testimony to the correctness of Mr. Richards' copies, which will form pleasant pictures, and show friends in the old country that even in New Zealand the fine arts are not entirely neglected, and that elegant and extensive ecclesiastical edifices are to be found even in the antipodes. We understand that it is Mr. Richards' intention to take photographs of the Established Church of Scotland recently erected on Lambton Quay.
Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 302, 1 February 1867
Photographic Views.— We have much pleasure in drawing attention to photographic views of the new Scotch Church on Lambton Quay, and the Roman Catholic Cathedral, now exhibited in the show window of Mr Richards' School of Photography. The latter view is a marvel of photographic art, every line in the delicate tracing of the building coming out clear and distinct, and the position from which the artist took his view was so well chosen, that while the building is shewn to perfection, there is no other object to distract the eye, a fault which often mars the effect of the best photographs. The view of the new Scotch Church, although it does not equal that of the Cathedral, is also very faithful and clear. It always gives us pleasure to notice colonial works of art, of whatever kind they may be, and we shall not fail to draw public attention to any that may come under our notice.
Wellington Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2480, 14 February 1867
It will be seen by an advertisement that the proprietor of the Wellington school of photography, on the Beach, has made a great reduction in the price of carte de visite likenesses, and that his charges are now the lowest in the province. Formerly the price payable for half a dozen portraits was £1, but this has been reduced to 15s the ball dozen, and £1 5s the dozen.
Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 324, 27 February 1867
Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 324, 27 February 1867
Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2542, 9 July 1867
Wellington Provincial Surgeon, Assistant-Surgeon to the [Wellington] Colonial Defence Force
reverse inscription, in pencil "Taken 1869", in ink "1869 Mother's Uncle Dr Alec Johnston"
by E. S. Smallwood, photographer, Wellington, NZ
[purchased June 2021 from Redditch, Worcestershire, England]
reverse inscription, in pencil "Taken 1869" to ink "Mother's Aunt Emily Johnston 1869"
by E. S. Smallwood, photographer, Wellington, NZ
[purchased June 2021 from Redditch, Worcestershire, England]
Wairarapa
Masterton
Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 29, 22 July 1867
[this notice continued in the Wairarapa Standard until 9 December 1867]
Photography. — At the particular request of Mr E. S. Richards (late of Wellington), we paid a visit to his new studio, lately erected near Mr Hirschberg’s store, and fronting the main street, and were well pleased with the result. Among the many new appliances one struck us as being particularly deserving of special attention. It is what Mr Richards calls an embellishing machine for carte-de-visites, and is very ingeniously contrived An early call at Mr Richards’ little establishment will amply repay the visitor.
Wairarapa Standard, Volume II, Issue 81, 20 July 1868
Photographic Gallery. - Mr Richards' photographic gallery is now completed in connection with his new store at Taratahi, and we trust now the fine weather is setting in, he, as the only artist in this district will be liberally patronized.
Wairarapa Standard, Volume 2, Issue 118, 22 October 1873
Photography. — Mr J. Richards, a brother of Mr Richards of Carterton, has started a fancy goods repository in Masterton. He intends, we believe erecting a photographic studio. This will be a great acquisition to the township.
Wairarapa Standard, Volume 3, Issue 216, 7 November 1874
Taratahi, Wairarapa
The Tatatahi. (To the Editor of the Standard) Dec. 31, 1873.
Sir,— Will you, will the Wellingtonions, credit me when I state that the Taratahi maintains a live photographer. Its a fact. I was in his place yesterday. The man evidently intends to wire in and get his name up. I wonder he hasn’t got his name upon his premises. He has a sort of greenhouse fitted up with screens, curtains, an easy chair, a vice in which the sitter’s head is squeezed (in order that he may be perfectly at his ease while he is being operated upon), a tiny table with its vase of flowers and its richly-bound copy of “Meditations,” and last of all the rat-trap looking affair into one part of which the operator pops his head and from another part of winch he pulls out your likeness. We likewise support two bootmakers, two house painters, and a brigade of carpenters...
Wairarapa Standard, Volume 2, Issue 139, 7 January 1874
The death occurred at Wellington on Saturday of an old identity of the Wairarapa in the person of Mr E. S. Richards, at the age of 83 years.
Deceased arrived in New Zealand about 65 years ago [1852], and came to Masterton about 15 years later [1867]. After spending two years with Mr Richard Collins at Te Ore Ore, he went to Carterton, where he conducted the Post Office store for a number of years. He was the first photographer in the Wairarapa. He subsequently settled down in Masterton.
Deceased arrived in New Zealand about 65 years ago [1852], and came to Masterton about 15 years later [1867]. After spending two years with Mr Richard Collins at Te Ore Ore, he went to Carterton, where he conducted the Post Office store for a number of years. He was the first photographer in the Wairarapa. He subsequently settled down in Masterton.
Deceased was at student of King's College in London and was a mineralogist and mining engineer by profession. He was held in high esteem by all who knew him.
He leaves six sons —Messrs E. Richards (Masterton), Frank Richards (Tasmania), Arthur Richards (Waihi), Leonard Richards (Wairoa), Edgar Richards (Wellington), and Hugh Richards (Wellington) — and two daughters, Mrs S. Keedwell (Greytown) and Mrs Andrew Fraser (Raglan). Deceased was a prominent Mason, and started the Masterton Lodge in conjunction with the late Mr Masters. For a number of years he was Tyler of the Masterton Lodge. The funeral took place at Wellington to-day.
Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 43, Issue 43, 28 May 1917
[1] Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 126, 28 May 1917
[2] Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11752, 30 May 1917
[2] Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11752, 30 May 1917
Hi
Thank you for sharing these photos.
I am very pleased to see two of the photos on this page: Alexander
Johnston and Emily Johnston because they came from a Victorian album in
England which belonged to my Victorian relatives. It appears that the
album ended up in a house clearance and unfortunately the album was cut
up and sold as individual photos on eBay. I managed to rescue the
majority of the photographs and I have since been trying to restore the
missing gaps in my family's history.
I have tried to locate the missing photos so that the family collection
could be completed. I can say with absolute certainty that these are two
of the missing photos from the album, as the handwriting on the back of
the photos is very distinctive.
I would be very grateful if I could buy these two photos back from you.
These individuals are a very important part of my family's history and I
feel that their true value lies in being kept together as a complete
album connected to our family history. A family history book written in
1946 has a chapter giving biographical information on these two people
and the original photos are invaluable to bring the text of the
biographies to life.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards
Sebastian
