Nonagenarians

The three gentlemen seen here are probably Edward Houghton, Thomas Andrew and John Lee. They all appear on the 1861 census. Messrs. Houghton and Lee were living at Burgh-le-Marsh in Lincolnshire; Mr Andrew was living at Partney in Lincolnshire (but was living in Burgh-le-Marsh at the time of the 1841 census). Edward Houghton, who was born about 1769, was a 'farmer of 8 acres.' Thomas Andrew (no 'S') was born about 1770 and in 1861 he was a 'retired farmer' but according to the 1851 census, he was at that time a 'farmer (16 acres).' Using the birthdates of these two men and their ages inscribed on the mount one can calculate that the photograph was taken in 1864. This means that Mr Lee should have been born in 1774, but in fact John Lee was born in 1777, so was 'only' eighty-seven when the photograph was taken. He appears on the 1851 and 1861 censuses as a 'Cottager.'

Edward Houghton died in 1872, aged 103. Thomas Andrew died in 1868, aged 98. John Lee died in 1867, aged 90. All three deaths were registered in the district of Spilsby, Lincolnshire.

Photographed by Sam S. Starbuck of Alford in Lincolnshire.