Unidentified sitter

Photographed by Silas Eastham of Manchester.

Born at Mellor on 6 May 1824 (then a village in Derbyshire, now a village in Greater Manchester), Silas Eastham was the son of Edward Eastham, who was either a 'Weaver' (1841 census) or an 'Artist' (son's marriage certificate in 1850).

On 13 April 1850 in Manchester Silas Eastham married Jane Ingham, daughter of draper John Ingham of Salford.

When the census was taken in 1861 he was a 'Photographic Artist' living at Cheetham in Lancashire.

Silas Eastham appears on the 1871 census living at 217 Lord Street in Southport, which was the address of one of his two studios. Also present on the night of the census were his wife Jane, their six daughters, their son John, and one servant. Silas gave 'Photographer and Artist' as his profession.

In 1871 he became a member of Southport's town council. In 1884 he and his family immigrated to New Zealand.

Silas Eastham died, aged 76, on 8 April 1901 at Auckland in New Zealand. He was buried in Auckland's O'Neill's Point Cemetery. His wife Jane was buried with him the following year.