Images(8)

Carte de Visites, Philena Stephens

Date1860-1885

Maker A. McCormick Photography

Maker A. K. P. Trask

Owned by Philena Rebecca Lee Stephens

OriginAmerica, New York, New York City (book) and Pennsylvania; owned in Maryland, Cecil County

MediumPaper, ink, and pencil

DimensionsOW: 4 ½” x OH: 6 ½”

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2021.510.1,1a&b

DescriptionThis is part of a collection of documents that provide context for a pieced quilt created by Philena Rebecca Lee Stephens. Two Carte de Vistas of the same image of Philena Stephens at an elderly age. On the back of the photographs is the inscription: “INSTANEOUS/ PROCESS/ USED EXCLUSIVELY/ARTISTIC/ A. McCORMICK/ PHOTOGRAPHY/ OXFORD, / PA./ DUPLICATES CAN BE HAD/ AT ANY TIME”. In blue ink on one is “Philena Stephens” and in pencil on the other is “Philena Lee Stephens.” OW: 4 ½” x OH: 6 ½”.
InscribedIn blue ink on one is “Philena Stephens” and in pencil on the other is “Philena Lee Stephens.”

ProvenanceThe images and funeral notice descended to Philena's oldest daughter, Emma P. Stephens Haines (b. 1856), and to Emma's grandson, Edwin Haines, Jr. They left the family sometime after 1995.

History of Owner:
Philena Rebecca Lee Stephens (born 1832) was the daughter of Jane and Samuel Lee. She grew up on her father's farm in West Nottingham Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. In 1855, Philena married Joseph Lincoln Stephens (1828-1887) of Cecil County, Maryland. The couple lived on his father's farm, Willow Dale, outside of Rising Sun, Cecil County. In the span of ten years the couple had six children: Emma P. (b. 1856); Mary L. (b. 1857); Lydia W. (b. 1859); Jennie L. (b. 1860); Elizabeth R. (b. 1863); and John L. (b. 1866). By 1860, Joseph was running a profitable farm while Philena kept house for her father-in-law and produced butter for the Philadelphia market. After his father's death in 1862, Joseph inherited Willow Dale. Philena continued to keep house for Joseph, his unmarried sister, Ellen (Nellie) Stephens, his brother, and their six children. According to Philena's granddaughter, Philena also taught Sunday school at the local Mt. Hope Methodist Church, which was built on Stephens property. Philena died on February 2, 1897, is buried at Rosebank Cemetery, in Calvert, Maryland.