Elizabeth Rachel Nevin nee Day & children

DAUGHTERS of CAPTAIN JAMES DAY and RACHEL POCOCK 1847-1942
CHILDREN of THOMAS and ELIZABETH NEVIN nee DAY 1872-1974
MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE Albert NEVIN and EMILY DAVIS 1917

Elizabeth Rachel NEVIN nee Day (1847-1914)

Elizabeth Rachel Nevin nee Day ca. 1900

Elizabeth Rachel Day ca. 1868 and 1870
Phtographs taken by Thomas J. Nevin
Versos carry the studio stamp of his firm "Nevin & Smith"

Elizabeth Rachel Nevin nee Day 1873 and 1878
All portraits of his wife by photographer Thomas J. Nevin (1842-1923)
Copyright © KLW NFC 2005-2020 ARR.

Elizabeth Rachel Nevin nee Day, wife of Thomas J. Nevin (1842-1923), was born in London on 26th March 1847 and christened at St Mary’s, Rotherhithe, London, UK on 28th April 1847. Her parents Captain James Day and Rachael Pocock were married at St David’s Anglican Church, Hobart on January 6th, 1841, witnessed by Captain James Day's brother-in-law, merchant mariner Captain Edward Goldsmith. Her father James Day, was born on 10th June 1806, Yorkshire, and died in Hobart, Tasmania on 21st November 1882. Her younger sister Mary Sophia Day was born in Hobart on 9th March 1853 and died in Melbourne on 18th June 1942. Elizabeth Rachel Day was named after her father’s sister, Elizabeth Day, who married Captain Edward Goldsmith at Liverpool, UK in 1829. Elizabeth Rachel Day married photographer Thomas James Nevin on 12th July, 1871 at the Wesleyan Chapel, Kangaroo Valley, Hobart Tasmania. Their marriage notice appeared in several issues of the Hobart Mercury from 15th July to 10th August 1871.

TRANSCRIPT

NEVIN-DAY - On Wednesday, 12th July, at the Wesleyan Chapel, Kangaroo Valley, by the Rev. J. Hutchison, Thomas, eldest son of Mr. J. Nevin, of Kangaroo Valley, to Elizabeth Rachael [sic], eldest daughter of Captain Day, of Hobart Town.

Above: The NEVIN-DAY wedding photograph pictured here placed on the original brown paper in which the Nevin family have kept this carte and several others of family members by Thomas J. Nevin.
Copyright © KLW NFC Imprint Private Collection 2003 ARR

Children of Thomas and Elizabeth Nevin
Thomas and Elizabeth Nevin had seven children between 1872 and 1888, six surviving to adulthood.

Above: Children of Thomas and Elizabeth Nevin 1872-1888

Above: Archives Office of Tasmania
Colonial Tasmanian Families (search Names index)

May (Mary Florence Elizabeth ) Nevin (1872-1955).
Mary Florence Elizabeth Nevin, known as May to living descendants, was born at 140 Elizabeth St. Hobart Town, the location of Thomas Nevin's photographic studio (late A. Bock's). Her vocation was dressmaker. She was still living with her father when he died at 270 Elizabeth St. Hobart in 1923.

Above: May (Mary Florence Elizabeth) Nevin (1872-1955)
Copyright © KLW NFC Imprint Private Collection 2005 ARR.

Mary Florence Elizabeth Nevin, known as May Nevin, second from right in fur coat.
From left: Mary Sophia Axup's son Sidney Axup; behind him is his wife Emily Axup nee Tyson; in front of her is Sidney's mother Mary Sophia Axup nee Day; next in the fur is Mary Sophia Axup's niece May Nevin, (Thomas and Elizabeth Nevin's eldest daughter),and extreme right is Eva Baldwin nee Axup, Mary Sophia Axup's eldest daughter
Taken on the steps of St. John's 15.07.1939 at the wedding of Ella Baldwin to Glynn (David) Davis.

Thomas James (Sonny) Nevin (1874-1948).
Thomas James Nevin, known as "Sonny" to the family, and in later years, as Sergeant T. Nevin of the Salvation Army, was also born at the residence attached to his father's studio, the City Photographic Establishment, 138-140 Elizabeth St. Hobart Town.

Above: Sergeant Thomas James Nevin in Salvation Army uniform. ca. 1930
Copyright © KLW NFC Imprint Private Collection 2005 ARR

Above: Sergeant Thomas James Nevin in Salvation Army uniform. ca. 1945
Copyright © KLW NFC Imprint Private Collection 2005 ARR

This photograph was probably the last taken of Tom Nevin just before he died in 1848.

Thomas James Nevin jnr, known as Tom and "Sonny", taken by a family member ca. 1947
Photo copyright © KLW NFC 2020 Private Collection

Sydney John Nevin (1876-1877)
Sydney John Nevin lived only four months; he was born at the Hobart Town Hall where the Nevin family resided from Thomas Nevin's appointment as Office and Hall Keeper in January 1876 to December 1880. Although no photograph has been forthcoming from family collections, this photograph by Thomas Nevin of a baby (with blue tinting on the pillow) may have been taken of Sydney in his first few months.

A vignetted cdv of a baby resting on a pillow which is heavily daubed with bright blue ink. The same coloured ink was used to print the verso with Nevin's most common commercial studio stamp "T. Nevin late A. Bock" etc and dates to ca. 1871-1874. Courtesy of © The Liam Peters Collection 2010. All right reserved.

William John Nevin (1878-1927)
William John Nevin was born at the Town Hall, Hobart during his father's incumbency there as the Office and Hall Keeper. He was named after his father's younger brother, William John Nevin (1851-1891). William died in a horse-and-cart accident in 1927.

Above: William John Nevin (1878-1927)
From © KLW NFC 2005 ARR.

Above: William John Nevin, furniture removalist ca. 1926
Copyright © KLW NFC Imprint Private Collection 2020

George Ernest Nevin (1880-1957)
George Ernest Nevin was also born at the Town Hall, Hobart.

George Ernest Nevin, aged 6 yrs, ca. 1886
Taken by his father Thomas J. Nevin, New Town studio,
B&W copy deposited 30/8/1974 by Drew family at the Archives Office of Tasmania
Ref: NS434/1/245 Tasmanian Archives Collection (TAHO)

Above: George Ernest Nevin ca. 1915 in best suit
Full length portrait with wicker whatnot
Copyright © KLW NFC Imprint Private Collection 2020 ARR.

Above: George Nevin ( extreme right with dog) and rabbiteers ca, 1900
Copyright © KLW NFC Imprint Private Collection 2009 ARR

Above: George Nevin on viewer's right, with his brother Albert's father-in-law, Jack Davis, 1930s.
Copyright © KLW NFC Imprint Private Collection 2005 ARR.

On left, George Nevin ca. 1953 with unknown friend in light suit
Copyright © KLW NFC Imprint Private Collection 2020

Mary Ann (Minnie) Nevin (1884-1974)
Mary Ann Nevin, known as Minnie to living descendants was the second and youngest daughter born to Thomas and Elizabeth Nevin.

Above: Minnie Nevin, aged 2yrs, ca. 1886
Taken by her father Thomas Nevin, New Town studio,
B&W copy deposited 30/8/1974 by Drew family at the Archives Office of Tasmania
Ref: NS434/1/236 Tasmanian Archives Collection (TAHO)

Above: Minnie Nevin, aged 15yrs, ca. 1900. Unattributed
B&W copy deposited 30/8/1974 by Drew family at the Archives Office of Tasmania
Ref: NS434/1/230 Tasmanian Archives Collection (TAHO)

Above: Minnie Drew nee Mary Ann Nevin ca. 1915
Youngest daughter Mary Ann (“Minnie”) Nevin married James Henry Alfred Drew, carrier and van proprietor, formerly of Richmond Tasmania, on 28th March 1907 at her parents' residence, 270 Elizabeth St. Hobart. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. J. H. Cain. Minnie Drew gave birth to five children between 1908 and 1914: Reginald, Jean, Joyce, and twins Lola and Lorna..
Copyright © KLW NFC Imprint Private Collection 2020 ARR

From left to right:
Minnie Drew (nee Mary Ann Nevin) Thomas & Elizabeth Nevin's youngest daughter
Mary Sophia Axup nee Day, sister of Elizabeth Rachel Nevin nee Day and aunt of Minnie and May
Eva Baldwin nee Axup,Mary Sophia Axup's eldest daughter
and May (Mary Florence Elizabeth) Nevin, Thomas and Elizabeth's Nevin's eldest daughter
Taken ca. 1939. Copyright © KLW NFC Private Collections 2009 and 2020 ARR.

Albert Edward Nevin (1888-1955)
The last born child, Albert Edward Nevin married Emily Maud Davis in 1917 and fathered eight children. He is pictured here ca. 1917 with one of his pacers. He was a reinsman and trainer for more than forty years.

Above: Albert Edward Nevin ca. 1917
Copyright © KLW NFC Imprint Private Collection 2005 ARR.

Thomas J. Nevin may have taken this photograph and other family portraits about this time because he was still active as a photographer into the 1920s. Official documents dated right up to his death in 1923 state "Occupation: Photographer." His burial certificate of 1923 carries the same vocational title - "Photographer". The witness at his daughter Mary Ann Nevin's marriage to James Henry Alfred Drew in 1907, whether himself or another family member, would have completed the section of the marriage certificate requiring the bride's father's name and his occupation as "Thomas Nevin Photographer" just as the signatories to the marriage certificate of his youngest son Albert Edward Nevin - John and Frances Davis, the parents of his bride Emily Maud Davis - registered Albert's father Thomas Nevin's occupation as "Photographer" ten years later, in 1917, viz:

TRANSCRIPT

Father's Name (in full) ... Thomas Nevin
Occupation ... Photographer
Mother's Name (in full) Lizza Nevin née Day

Detail of document below:
Marriage Certificate of Albert Edward Nevin to Emily Maud Davis 4th March 1917
Thomas Nevin (father of Albert) Occupation: Photographer.
Copyright © KLW NFC Imprint Private Collection 2020

Marriage Certificate of Albert Edward Nevin to Emily Maud Davis 4th March 1917
Thomas Nevin (father of Albert) Occupation: Photographer.
Copyright © KLW NFC Imprint Private Collection 2020

Clearly, Thomas J. Nevin snr was still active as a photographer well into the 1900s. Family members who readily documented his occupation on official documents would have informed the Registrar otherwise, had it been the case. This document reveals that his wife, Elizabeth Rachel Nevin nee Day (1847-1914) who was deceased by the time her youngest son Albert married, was known to the family as "Lizza".

In Memoriam
Elizabeth Rachel Nevin died at the relatively young age of 67, on the 18th June, 1914. Thomas Nevin (1842-1923) was five years older than his wife and survived her by 7 years.

Hobart Public Cemetery Records
No. 18704, Elizabeth Rachel Nevin, date of funeral 21st June 1914

Above:
Hobart Public Cemetery Records
No. 18704, Elizabeth Rachel Nevin, date of funeral 21st June 1914

Below:
Funeral Notice for Elizabeth Rachel Nevin nee Day, wife of photographer Thomas J. Nevin

NEVIN. - Friends of the late Elizabeth Rachel Nevin are respectfully invited to attend her funeral, which will move from her residence, 270 Elizabeth street, on Sunday Afternoon, at 2.30 o'clock, for Cornelian Bay Cemetery.
CLARK BROS.
Funeral Undertakers.
17 Argyle street

Source: The Mercury (Hobart, Tas.)Sat 20 Jun 1914 Page 1 Family Notices

On the first anniversary of her death, her husband and children published this notice in the Mercury, June 18th, 1915:

IN MEMORIAM
NEVIN. - In sad but loving memory of our dear mother. Elizabeth Rachel Nevin,
who died June 18, 1914.
'Tis just twelve months ago to-day
Since our dear mother passed away
Ah, loved one dear, we miss you here,
From the home you loved so dear.
We saw her suffering day by day:
It caused us bitter grief
To see her slowly pine away,
And could not give relief.
We miss thy kind and willing hand,
The fond and earnest care;
Our home is dark without thee,
We miss thee everywhere.
We think of you in silence -
No eye can see us weep -
And many a silent tear we shed
When others are asleep.
Our memory is as dear today
As on the day she passed away
Inserted by her loving family

Acknowledgements
Thanks to the late Denis Shelverton (Tasmania) for images of Thomas and Elizabeth Nevin from their son George Nevin's scrapbook. The original scrapbook page looks like this:

Above: scanned from copies of cartes and a half stereograph pasted into the scrapbook of son George Nevin (1880-1957), these are amongst several contemporary family portraits taken by Thomas Nevin to survive. The scrapbook is now part of a great grandson's collection. Copyright © KLW NFC & The Private Collection of the late Denis Shelverton 2006-2010 ARR

Below Elizabeth's portrait is written the word "MAR" and below the portrait of Thomas Nevin, taken in his studio at 140 Elizabeth St. Hobart Town ca. 1876 (on right), is written the word "PAR". Centre is a cut-out of one half of a stereograph showing the path leading to the (Lady) Franklin Museum, Ancanthe, Kangaroo Valley, Hobart where the family settled in the 1850s. Although in poor condition, these images are valuable for researchers as well as family members.

Thanks to Axup family descendants (Victoria), to John Davis (Germany), and Suzy Baldwin (NSW), for the photographs of Mary Sophia Axup and her children.

Thanks to the descendants of Albert Edward Nevin (Tasmania and Victoria) for the early and very rare photographs of Thomas and Elizabeth Nevin, including their wedding photograph.

Thanks to Jackie Cetnar (Florida USA) an American descendant of the Tennyson Bates Family who migrated originally to California in 1910. Their daughter Gertrude Tennyson Bates married Thomas James 'Sonny' Nevin in 1907 in Hobart. A genealogical schema forwarded by descendant Jackie Cetnar can be viewed here.

See also Key Dates 1842-1923.

RELATED POSTS main weblog

IN HIS OWN WORDS...

"T. J. NEVIN
PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTIST,
Returns his sincere thanks to his friends and the public for past favours, and having made a considerable Reduction in his Prices to suit the times, he solicits a continuance of their patronage, and invites attention to his circulars, showing particulars of the small cost for a first-class faithful Likeness.
140 ELIZABETH-STREET"
Hobart Mercury, 1st February 1873

“I hope that you have not got it in your mind that I am implicated with the ghost“.
Hobart Mercury, 4 December 1880

"Defendant said that he was the father of a large number of children, and did not know which one was referred to. (Laughter.)"
Hobart Mercury, 11 August 1886

"Mr. Thos Nevin was under the impression that the police should be under stricter supervision."
Hobart Mercury, 19 July 1888.

BIOGRAPHY: professional photographer Thomas James Nevin snr (1842-1923) produced large numbers of stereographs and cartes-de-visite within his commercial practice, and prisoner identification photographs on government contract. His career spanned nearly three decades, from the early 1860s to the late 1880s. He was one of the first photographers to work with the police in Australia, along with Charles Nettleton (Victoria) and Frazer Crawford (South Australia). His Tasmanian prisoner mugshots are among the earliest to survive in public collections, viz. the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Launceston; the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Hobart; the Tasmanian Heritage and Archives Office, Hobart; the Port Arthur Historic Site, Tasman Peninsula; the National Library of Australia, Canberra; and the Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Sydney. Thomas J. Nevin's stereographs and portraits are held in public and private collections in Australia, New Zealand, the USA, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark, France and Switzerland.

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Important Notices

INDIGENOUS NOTICE:
lutruwita/Tasmania/Van Diemen's Land (loo-tru-wee-ta) always was, always will be Aboriginal land.

This weblog pays respect to the ancestors and elders past, present, and emerging of the first Australian peoples and acknowledges their continued connection to land, sea and culture as the traditional custodians of this country.

Irish-born Thomas J. Nevin would have been keenly aware that the residence and photographic studio he occupied at No's 138-140 Elizabeth St. Hobart in the 1870s were built on the traditional lands, nipaluna of the palawa people. It is no small irony that today, the very same property, which is renumbered as No. 198 Elizabeth St. Hobart and is occupied by the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, has returned to its traditional owners.

Looking east from the corner of Patrick St., the Royal Standard Hotel, 142 Elizabeth St. then T. J. Nevin’s studio and residence, 140-138 Elizabeth St. Hobart, 1870s

We also acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation as the traditional custodians of the City of Sydney, and the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, the traditional custodians of the Kamberri/Canberra region on whose lands this site is maintained.

PLEASE NOTE: images on this weblog represent deceased people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Viewing such images may cause sadness and distress.

DISCLAIMER: We have not voluntarily contributed to any publication which supports the misattribution of T. J. Nevin's prisoner/convict photographs (300+ extant) to the non-photographer A. H. Boyd, nor do we condone any attempts by public institutions or private individuals to co-opt the work on these Thomas J. Nevin weblogs and associated sites to apply the misattribution.

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TWENTY YEARS ago (before 2005 actually) we started blogging about Tasmanian photographer Thomas J. Nevin (1842-1923). We look forward to another year or so as the project draws closer to completion. Contributions and donations are most welcome, and many thanks for your involvement.

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Anthony Trollope at Port Arthur

Thomas Nevin's VIP commission 1872

VISIT TO PORT ARTHUR.- Mr. Trollope and the Hon. Howard Spensly, Esq., Solicitor-General of Victoria, accompanied the Hon. the Premier, J.M. Wilson, Esq., and the Hon. the Attorney-General, W.R. Giblin, Esq., embarked in the Government schooner late last night, some time after Mr. Trollope had concluded his lecture on "Modern Fiction, as a recreation for young people," and left for Port Arthur. Their visit to the Peninsula will be a very hurried one, and will afford them only scant opportunity of inspecting the penal establishment, it being the intention of Messrs. Trollope and Spensly to leave Hobart Town for the North, en route for Victoria in a few days ...

Source: The Mercury 2 February 1872