1860's Florence Clark Photo, Coaticook, Quebec, Canada to Lawrence MA

#856:

On reverse: "Florence Clark, Coaticook P.Q., sister of Herbert Clark, she was an artist and painted lovely pictures" is handwritten in ballpoint pen. The writing is very shaky, appears to have been written by an elder. P.Q. is an abbreviation for Province of Quebec. Photo type: Original Antique Victorian CDV or Carte de Visite Photograph, 1864-66. Photographer: J.L. Potter, 142 Essex Street, Lawrence, Massachusetts. (known to be photographer James Leroy Potter 1835–1867)

Found in Public Genealogy Records:
It appears that Florence was born in Coaticook, Quebec, Canada, and migrated to the US and lived in the Boston area of Lawrence, Massachusetts. Coaticook is in southeastern Quebec, Canada on the Coaticook River on the Canada / United States border.

Florence Clark in the Massachusetts, State Census, 1865
Marital Status: Single
Birth Year: abt 1824
Birth Place: Canada
Residence: Lawrence, Essex, Massachusetts, USA
Enumeration Year: 1865
Age: 41
Household Members: Name Age
Florence Clark 41

It is assumed her brother Herbert Clark wrote the inscription on the photo, see above. We could find very little on Florence, but much more on her brother: Herbert T. Clark 1843–1914 was born in the Estrie Region of Quebec, in Compton, Canada and died in Acton, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. He was a Civil War veteran in Co. C, 4th Mass Heavy Artillery. He was a member of the GAR, Grand Army of the Republic at the Isaac Davis Post 138, G.A.R. His occupation was a wheelwright. We do not know his parents names or earlier genealogy.

His wife: Mary Jane Kelleran Clark 1840–1920 born in Thomaston, Knox County, Maine to Edward Francis Kelleran 1805–1887 and Jane Ann Shibles Kelleran 1807–1887. This is an important DAR, Daughters of the American Revolution and SAR Sons of the American Revolutionary War family. Her Siblings were Emery Kelleran 1834–1860, Oris Kelleran 1837–1858, Benjamen C Kelleran 1838–1843, Benjamin Kelleran 1842–1873, Helen Kelleran 1844–1877, Henrietta Kelleran 1846–1867 and Edward Franklin Kelleran 1847–1885 and Raymond Gilchrist Kelleran 1852–1911. Her step brothers and sisters were Benjamin M Kaler 1822–1914, Webster Kaler 1824–1920, Jane Ann Kaler 1825–1907, Edward B Kaler 1830–1917 and Oscar E Kaler 1833–1901. her mother was first married to Edward D Kaler 1800–1886.

Their 4 children:
1. Emery William Clark 1870–1923 married Marion H Hapgood Clark born 1876. Their children were Eleanor H Clark born 1909, Janet R Kaleron Clark 1914.
2. Carlos Blanchard Clark 1872-1947, married Agnes Kedean Clark born 1874, lived in Detroit and, or Highland Park, Wayne County, Michigan.
3. Henrietta Clark born 1875, assumed died as an infint or at birth
4. Henrietta Mary Clark Torsleff 1875–1981, married Andrew Jacob W Torsleff 1864–1953. She lived to be 106 years old and is buried with her parents.

Note: In August 1864 to August 1866, the US government taxed photographs to help pay for the American Civil war. Revenue stamps were placed on the back of photos, and “hand cancelled" by the photographer. CDV's with revenue stamps are collectible for stamp and vintage photography collectors. It is also a wonderful way to date a Civil War era photograph. This CDV has a cancelled orange 2 cent revenue stamp. 

A wonderful Clark family piece with great genealogy clues and a personal note, and the name of her brother Herbert on reverse. It is a very clear and crisp close up Clark family portrait of Florence, a painter and artist, taken by the the skilled Boston photographer J.L. Potter. Any help or correction on Herbert & Florence's childhood life in Canada is appreciated, email Debra here.

Size: 2.5 x 4 inches
      Note: Hello from ~debra. I have spent years collecting over 10,000 ID’d lost family photos & paper from US flea markets & antique shops. I do the best gen research I can, but am always open to corrections. This is an original antique item, not a reprint. A new high quality rigid sleeve is included for extra protection, especially during shipping. You may buy a piece alone, or large intimate 300 dpi scans of the front and back sent immediately via email, or both. Please search carefully, as they are often found together and many may be related. I also invite you to join me at Ancestorville Genealogy on facebook. Thank you, enjoy! ~Debra Clifford (contact info on top bar)