1859-1952
This snapshot, circa 1874, shows Annie (right) at about 15 years of age. She’s holding a box camera. The setting is probably a tennis court or bowling field in Meltham, West Yorkshire, England. The other girl is probably her older sister, Mary Ann, who migrated to Lowell ahead of the six other siblings. This image was found among Annie’s final effects in Lowell in 2021 and shows us that her photographic career spanned 60 years.
From left, this is almost certainly Annie, and her brother-in-law Wright Whiteley, and sister Mary Ann Whiteley. British historians date the image around 1890. The location is an English seaside pier like the one at Blackpool. Their respective ages would be 31, 38 and 33. The Whiteley’s emigrated to Lowell in 1886, six years before Annie. (Harris Ave. Collection (HA) #027)
Sisters Clara Townend Wood, left, and Annie Powell posed behind their last home in 1945. The house was owned by Clara’s daughter, Annie Devno, and her husband, Harold Devno. Annie’s original darkroom is still in the family today. It dates back to approximately 1923 appears largely preserved, including soapstone double sink, supply cabinets and straightback chair.
Some of the photos discovered in her final effects came from “the old picture album” referred to in this Lowell Sun feature of July 1, 1949. The reporter’s referred to Annie as a “lovely little lady,” but never mentioned her photography only that of her late husband John.
