Couple, in Victorian style, expresses grief in 19th Century
By Bill Lattin
Orleans County Historian
The couple in this picture from around 1870 are dressed in full mourning attire. They are dressed in black, the woman most noticeably because of the mourning veil and huge black ribbon under her chin.
On the back of this photo is found: “P.J. Mathewson, Photographer, Marble Front, Medina, N.Y. – Duplicates may be had at any time without further sitting.” Marble Front was a block to the east side of Main Street.
No doubt a close relative of this couple died for whom they were expressing their grief in true Victorian style. It could have been a parent, sibling or perhaps a child.
