1860's Civil War era Photographer Newell J. Miller CDV Photo, Fabius NY

#963

On reverse top: "Compliments of _____ Barker" is handwritten in fine old period pencil. We have looked at this signature extensively. It appears as Sate or Late Barker, but is most likely Kate Barker. We could simply not find her in any NY genealogy searches. She appears to be about 30, born in the 1830-1840 range with plated curls. Any help or correction on her is appreciated, email Debra here. The Barker family was historically in Onondaga County at that time.

Photo type: Victorian CDV carte de visite Photograph. Photographer: Handwritten on reverse is the photographer's handwritten CDV backmark in early pencil, in essence, an autograph: "Newell J. Miller, Fabius, Onondaga Co, NY" This is known to be photographer Newell J. Miller 1844–1905, born in Oneida County, New York State and died in Sullivan, Madison County, New York.

Found in Public Genealogy Records:
1850 United States Federal Census
Name: Necoel J Miller (name incorrectly transcribed and corrected)
Age: 8
Birth Year: abt 1842
Birthplace: New York
Home in 1850: Rome, Oneida County, New York,
Household Members:
Necoel Miller (Newell Miller) his father, age 41)
Adeline Miller, his mother, Age 35
Necoel J Miller (Newell Miller) Age 8

N.J. Miller in the New York, State Census, 1865
Name: NJ Miller
Relation to Head: Head
Birth Year: abt 1842
Age: 23
Occupation: Clerk
Residence: Eaton, Madison County, New York
Household Members: Name Age
N J Miller 23, (Newell Miller)
M A Miller 24, male, a brother? cousin? see below, occupation, Artist.

Note: in the early days of photography, photographers were often referred to as "artists."

Newell J. Miller in the 1880 United States Federal Census
Age: 42
Birth Date: Abt 1838
Birthplace: New York
Home in 1880: Lenox, Madison County, New York
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital status: Married
Spouse's name: Arvilla Miller
Father's Birthplace: New York
Mother's Birthplace: New York
Occupation: Photographer
Household Members: Name Age
Newell J. Miller 42 head, photographer
Arvilla Miller 22, wife
Newel L. Miller age 1, infant son

His father was Newell Miller Jr. 1809–1877, son of Newell Miller Sr. 1769–1827 and Elizabeth Matilda Carter 1780–1840. This Massachusetts Miller family then known to go back to John Millard or Myllard 1608–1689 of Wybunbury, Cheshire, England who died in Rehoboth, Bristol County, Massachusetts.

His mother was Adeline Gale Miller 1809–1853, daughter of Jeremiah Gale 1780–1859 and wife Eve Gale 1779–1831. This family goes back to Edmund Gale 1602–1642 born in Oakley, Bedfordshire, England and died in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts. He married Constance Ireland 1600–1650.

Newell married Arvilla Quinn 1860–1947 in 1878, who was born and died in the area of Canastota, Madison County, New York. Her parents were Edward Quinn born 1810, and Julia Quinn 1825–1896. Her family goes back to Edward Quinn of Ireland.

Their children were Edwin Miller born 1881, Maud Miller born 1881, Lyman Miller born 1882, Myrtle Miller born 1887, Josephine Miller born 1890, Louis Miller 1894–1945 who married Mary Mason 1905–1966 and Mable Miller born 1901, all born in the Canastota NY area.

These are important DAR, Daughters of the American Revolution and SAR Sons of the American Revolutionary War families.

From: Gazeteer and Business directory of Madison County NY for 1868-1869
by Hamilton Child, 1836-1917. Publication date 1868 in Syracuse. Printed at the Journal office:
Photograph Artist: Miller, Newell J., West Eaton, NY: "Excelsior Photographic Gallery, West Eaton, is in the hands of Newell J. Miller, an artist from New York, whose experience and success in the art of picture making is a sufficient guaranty that the most fastidious may be suited. Call and see his specimens, and have your picture taken. Secure the shadow before the substance passes away. See card, page 148."

"MILLER, NEWELL J., (West Eaton NY) proprietor of Excelsior Photograph Gallery. PRACTICAL CHEMIST & PHOTOGRAPH ARTIST, Has located at West Eaton, and having the latest improvements of the day, aided by a good knowledge of chemistry, (base of the art,) artistic taste and experience, both in large and small towns for the past nine years, it is no boast to say that my pictures equal the best. Come one and all and examine specimens before going elsewhere, and satisfy yourselves that you can obtain life-like pictures of yourself or friends at the Excelsior Gallery. Yours Respectfully, NEWELL J. MILLER."

Interestingly, Newell Miller is listed as clerk alongside an "artist" in 1865 NY census records, working with M.A. Miller age 24, male, a brother? a cousin? We love to research 19th c photographers here at Ancestorville!

It's wonderful to have his early Civil war era handwritten signature. We date to the photo to about 1861-65. Was he a young 20 year old traveling photographer passing through Fabius NY when this photo was taken? Do you have other examples of his work? We have been unable to locate any other example of his photography, nor with any printed backmark, although he appears as working as a photographer into the 1880's. In later years he is listed as a piano tuner.

This is a beautiful old photographer's autographed piece, early in his art, and most likely the only copy in existence. It was found in Madison, Madison County, NY.

Size 2.5 x 4 inches
       Note: The original is sold, but you may still purchase large, detailed and intimate 300 dpi high resolution scans of front and back, sent immediately via email. Please check our site carefully, as many may be related to each other that we are unaware of. Click scan to place in your cart. Thank you, enjoy! ~debra (please also join me at Ancestorville Genealogy on facebook. contact info on top bar)