Photographs and Postcards

Real photograph of Elisabeth Puckle at the age of 105. 

The photograph is accompanied by a letter dated 1870 from Rev. Samuel Pryer Field, vicar of Great St Mary's Church, Sawbridgeworth, in which he states "Old Mrs Puckle is still alive, her age is 105 - she is now (illegible) 106. I beg to enclose a photograph of the old lady which perhaps you will add to your photographic book of female beauty."

The main subject of the letter was in reply to an enquiry about inscriptions on the Tomb of George, Lord Hewett in St Mary's Church as recorded in Cussan's History of Hertfordshire. Rev. Samuel Pryer Field is less than complimentary about Cussan's work, opening his reply with "I return corrections of Mr Cussans Mangling". Part of the enquiry is returned with his notes verso, at the bottom of the enquiry was the question "Is Mrs Elizabeth Puckle, born 1765, and living in 1869, still in existence?" 

Elisabeth Puckle, born Elisabeth Smith in 1765, was baptised at Eastwick, Herts 13th September 1767. She married Timothy Puckle of Stapleford Abbots 23rd April 1793 at St Botolphs, Eastwick and had six children. She died at High Wych, Sawbridgeworth 9th December 1872.

A rare photograph with supporting documentation of one of the earliest born people to be photographed.