NAM.2010-04-12-1

Coloured daguerrotype of William Smith as an infantryman, probably in the 27th Inniskilling Fusiliers, 1857 (c). Plus photographs of him and his wife, Elizabeth, née Steele, in older age. The three photographs are mounted in a wooden frame with biographical information added. The first is a portrait of William Smith, the second photograph, a daguerreotype which has been overpainted, shows William as a rifleman in the Inniskilling Fusiliers taken in 1857, and the third shows his wife Elizabeth Steele. William Smith, a Catholic, married Elizabeth Steele, a Protestant, in 1857. All three photographs have hand-written labels giving William and Elizabeth’s names and dates. Affixed to the back of the frame is a postcard of Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, together with a love-poem written by Elizabeth, and a brief biographical note reading as follows: “William and Elizabeth Smith (Steel) William Smith was in the Army, and would appear to have been stationed in Enniskillen Barracks. The separation mentioned in the poem, probably meant that his regiment was transferred to another location. In the long run it meant little as they eventually got together again and were married in 1857. William was a Roman Catholic while Elizabeth family were members of the Orange Lodge. Probably because of the difference in their religions they decided to have a Civil marriage, and were married in 1857. The went on to have 5 children 3 girls and 2 boys, and still clinging to their religions, the boys attened the local R.C. Ch. with Father while the girls went with Mother to the English Episcopal church. F.G.M. Smith Jan. 2009.”