| Jacob Bushong Daguerreotype Discovered |
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Rare Daguerreotype of Jacob Bushong Discovered
By Rick Bushong 2013
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The Daguerreotype in it's original case. The label
on the case identified Jacob and his son, Edwin
and a young nephew, Emmor B. Morrison
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I was recently contacted by Robert Adair, who is a Daguerreotype collector. Mr. Adair, I'm pleased
to announce, has discovered and acquired a photograph of Jacob Bushong, and he's been good enough to share it. Jacob Bushong, 1813-1880, was the husband of Margaret Hobson, and is a son of Henry Bushong, 1783-1870, and Sarah Gilbert, 1787-1831. Also in the old image is his son, Edwin, 1848-1908, and one of Jacob's nephews, from
his sister, Caroline Bushong Morrison, a young Emmor B. Morrison, 1852-1929.
BUSHONG LINEAGE: Jacob, Caroline, and Lydia(mentioned later)are
descendants of/Henry Bushong and Sarah Gilbert/ Johannes John Bushong
and Eve Dorothea Eckman/ Hans Philip Bushong and Anna Eva Hergard/ Hans
and Barbara Bushong, the immigrants.
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The image, a Daguerreotype, made in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is a fine
clear image with a forty-five, or so, year old, nearly bald Jacob,
looking directly into the camera. Jacob and his family, you may recall, were well
known conductors for the "Under Ground Railway" before the Civil War. They are responsible for helping in the rescue of numerous slaves. To read more about Jacob, and the Lancaster Bushongs, click here.
Also in the photo are his son, Edwin and young nephew, Emmor B.
Morrison. They are blurred somewhat, as it was hard for a child to hold
still for the extended exposure time the film, in this period needed. The
"Dag", as they're referred to, is in a wooden case which is fascinating
because it is thought to be made from the wood of the "Charter Oak".
Wikipedia says this about the tree...
"The Charter Oak was an unusually large white oak tree growing, from
around the 12th or 13th century until it fell during a storm in 1856, on
what the English colonists named Wyllys Hyll, in Hartford, Connecticut,
in the United States. According to tradition, Connecticut's Royal
Charter of 1662 was hidden within the hollow of the tree to thwart its
confiscation by the English governor-general. The oak became a symbol of
American independence and is commemorated on the Connecticut State Quarter."
Source: Wikipedia
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Front of the Jacob Bushong Daguerreotype Case.
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The Charter Oak painted by Charles De Wolf Brownell in 1857. It might be a different angle than the painting on the case.
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It also mentions that they made a lot of different things from its wood,
including the Connecticut Governor's desk. On the cover of this case,
there is a painting of the tree and judging from the age of children and
the date the tree fell, the photo was made in late 1856 or early 1857.
But, please recall, September 2013, photographs of the
Rakestraw/Bushong clan were reported sold. It was the Rakestraw family
that Jacob's sister, Lydia (1807-1885), married into. To see them click here
The Rakestraw/Bushong Photographs
What this means is the family of Henry and Margaret Hobson Bushong were
actively having their portraits taken as early as 1856 or 1857, and
there are likely more. Just recently, photographs of Henry Bushong and
his second wife, Esther Valentine, have been located. But the bad news
is that these priceless family heirlooms and likely others from this
family have been separated and lost from their Bushong descendants.
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Jacob and Margaret had only two known sons, Henry and Edwin. But beteen the two, Henry and Edwin
had at least ten children. Some of their living
descendants are charted in the Bushong United Family Tree, and there are
likely many others who should be interested in this portrait. It is now
published, for everyone to see and share, along with photos of its case,
here and on Find a Grave. I inquired and the owner of the Daguerreotype, has no
interest in selling, at this time. If someone is interested, he will
keep their name for possible future consideration. Mr. Adair also mentioned, that the
inherent value is its case, purported to be made with wood from the Charter Oak. But
identifying the subjects was a bonus.
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The Charter Oak on the Connecticut Quarter.
The image on the case looks closer to the one on this quarter.
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