professional photographer and clerk, was born in New York. He was undoubtedly a relative and pupil of O.B. Evans of Buffalo, New York, who worked as a professional photographer from at least 1850 and advertised as the 'oldest practical Daguerreian in America’ in 1855. S.S. Evans arrived at Fremantle, Western Australia, on 15 January 1853 in the Abigail from New Bedford. In March 'S.S. Evans, daguerreotypist’ opened his Daguerrian Gallery at the Castle Hotel, Fremantle. In June he moved to Perth, where he took portraits and private residences, landscapes, etc. 'at Mr Lyons’ premises…where he has succeeded in obtaining an excellent and spacious room as a Daguerrian Gallery. Likenesses taken from 10-3 coloured if required.’ Single daguerreotypes were 30/- with 'a considerable reduction’ for a family.
Evans married Ellen Caroline Ougden on 27 February 1855 and settled down to family life in his new country. His brother-in-law Alfred Curtis also worked as a professional photographer. Since few early daguerreotypes were signed or identified in any way, it is difficult to know exactly who took surviving WA daguerreotypes although it can be presumed that Evans would have taken some in the Battye Library and in private collections. To supplement his income Evans worked as a clerk with the Post Office. From 1862 he was chief clerk at the WA Bank. He and his wife left for London in the Bridgetown on 11 January 1872 and did not return. They were accompanied by their four surviving children, at least three sons and a daughter having died in the colony.
- Writers:
- Pheloung, Ann
Kerr, Joan
- Date written:
- 1992
- Last updated:
- 2011
