Unidentified sitters

Photographed by Mrs Higgins of Stamford in Lincolnshire.

Born Elizabeth Gooud in 1828 at Stamford in Lincolnshire, her parents were James and Hannah Gooud. Her father James was an innkeeper in Stamford’s Maiden Lane and Elizabeth was baptised at St Michael’s in Stamford on 30 June 1828.

On 8 January 1854 at St Lawrence’s in New Brentford she married chemist Henry Augustus Higgins.

Elizabeth was already working as a ‘Photographic Artist’ in 1861. Her husband Henry was a ‘Chemist’s Assistant.’ Ten years later Elizabeth gave her profession as ‘Artist’ and Henry was a ‘Retired Druggist.’ Also present on the night of the census were a niece, Ann B. Hopgood, also an ‘Artist,’ and two servants.

In 1881 the family were living at 19 St George’s Square in Stamford. Once again Henry is shown as a ‘Retired Druggist.’ Elizabeth is shown as a ‘Photographer,’ and her two unmarried nieces Ann and Mary Hopgood are Photographic Assistants.

In 1891 Elizabeth was a widow ‘Living on her own means,’ while nieces Ann and Mary Hopgood were both photographers, having taken over their aunt’s studio.

Mrs Higgins sold her studio shortly before her death. ‘Mr Stocks begs to inform the inhabitants of Stamford and neighbourhood that he has acquired Mrs Higgins’ photographic business (lately carried on by the Misses Hopgood), where he solicits a continuance of the support accorded to his predecessors for so many years’ (Stamford Mercury, 28 July 1899).

Elizabeth Higgins died, aged 71, on 23 August 1899 at 19 St George’s Square in Stamford, leaving an estate valued at £4449. Her executors were her two nieces.

‘The death of Mrs Higgins, of St George’s-square, an old and respected inhabitant, occurred yesterday. Deceased was the wife of the late Mr Augustus Higgins, who for many years carried on a successful business as a chemist at the corner of St John’s-street and Red Lion-square. She was 71 years of age. She carried on a photographic business for a number of years’ (Stamford Mercury, 25 August 1899).