Images(8)

Carte de Visites, Philena and Joseph 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: 2 7/16” x OH: 4”

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2021.510.1,3

DescriptionThis is part of a collection of documents that provide context for a pieced quilt created by Philena Rebecca Lee Stephens. Carte de Vista of the couple, Philena and Joseph Stephens, at an early age. On the back of the photograph is the inscription: “PHOTOGRAPHED BY/ A. McCORMICK./ OXFORD./ Chester County, Pa./ No. 5452/ N. B. Duplicates of this can be obtained at any time/ by sending name and number.” In black ink on the back is: “Aunt Lizzie & E[?]a P. Stephens/ John Stephens Father ?” and in pencil: ”Joseph Stephens / & wife.” OW: 2 7/16” x OH: 4”.
InscribedIn black ink on the back is: “Aunt Lizzie & E[?]a P. Stephens/ John Stephens Father ?” and in pencil: ”Joseph Stephens / & wife.”

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.