Unidentified bridesmaids

A carte-de-visite portrait of two unidentified bridesmaids.

Photographed by Mr and Mrs Bustin of Hereford.

Richard Britton Bustin was born at Barnstaple in Devon in 1833, the son of Richard Bustin, a 'spirit dealer' (1851 census). On 15 April 1852 he married Mary Ann Warren at St Giles in London. The couple appear on the 1861 census living at Victoria Street in Hereford with their four daughters and one son. For his profession Richard gave 'Master of School of Artists.' Mary Ann, born in London's St Pancras district in or about 1833, described herself as a 'Photographer.' Their marriage eventually produced a total of thirteen children.

In 1881 Richard gave 'Art Master' as his profession while Mary Ann, now calling herself Marion, described herself as an 'Artist.' By 1891 he was a 'wine and spirit merchant' in Bristol. A trade directory for 1894 lists him as the publican at The Griffin, 41 Colston Street, Bristol. The pub, now called The Gryphon, is still there.

Richard died, aged 65, on 1 September 1898 at Hereford, though according to an announcement of his death in the Bristol Mercury (3 September 1898) his address was Cheltenham Road, Bristol.