BOGGS, Betsy and Emma (unknown loc.)

BETSY and EMMA BOGGS

UPDATE: This photo has been claimed and is being sent home.

IDENTIFICATION ON PHOTO: "Betsy Boggs, Emma Boggs, (Henry Boggs' mother and grandmother)
PHOTO TAKEN: unknown location circa 1858-1862, and reprinted by Jonathan E. Egan Studio, 23 S. 8th St, Philadelphia, circa 1905-1910
PURCHASED: when and where purchased was not recorded

This is an interesting photo - clearly an image from the 1850s-1860s - Antebellum  hairstyles and clothing, including black lace gloves which were popular in the later 1850s through early 1860s, the older woman's dress features half-sleeve over full sleeve (trendy circa 1860). 

But this image is clearly reprinted and mounted at a much later date. The mat contains an embossed studio mark on lower front, as well as an embossed silver design around the image, and slightly beveled card edge. These decorative details were not seen until at least the mid 1890s, and more commonly 1905 and later.

The photographer Jonathan E. Egan is found in the Philadelphia City Directory, at the given address, at least during the years 1908-1913 (possibly earlier and later). So this is a reprint.

Now we are left with the puzzle - how could a man named Boggs have a mother and grandmother also named Boggs? Is Boggs also the maiden name of the mother? If it is a married name, then how could his grandmother also be a Boggs? 

I was able to find one family where all of the given clues are correct:

Emma T. Boggs-Boggs (30 Jan 1845 - 3 Aug 1903) born in Accomack County, VA to parents Henry James Boggs and Elizabeth "Betsy" S. Rogers-Boggs. 

She married her second cousin Littleton Townsend Boggs in 1863 (age 18). They had two children:

  1865 - Henry William Boggs (d. 1943) m. Margaret Bailey

  1868 - Pearl E. Boggs (d.1944) m. William S. Finney

Emma Boggs died in 1903 and is buried in Onancock, Accomack County, VA.

UPDATE: Pamela Aquilani, the recipient of this photo, was kind enough to send me back this image proving the photo is safely back at the historic home of the Boggs family in Virginia. She will hold it for safe keeping until a descendant can be found. Note the photo standing in front of the headstone for Betsy Boggs, which is on the property where she once lived.

FURTHER UPDATE: The photograph has now been placed into the hands of Betsy Boggs' great-great-great grandson, Joseph Boggs, who paid a visit to the small farm cemetery where his ancestress lay.  Pamela Aquilani, who owns the property and revitalized the neglected cemetery, proudly presented Joseph with the original photograph.