Portrait of a lady by Fred. E. Friston, carver and gilder & c., Grimsby 1871.

An original carte de visite (CdV) studio portrait, dated 1871. This lovely portrait is by Frederick Edwin Friston of 5 Market Place Grimsby and is dated 1871.

Frederick Edwin Friston was born in 1843 in Beverley, Yorkshire. He was the son of Samuel Friston, carver and gilder, and Dorothy Friston (née Hirst). The family lived in Sculcoates (Kingston upon Hull). Fred married Jane Martin in Sculcoates on 4th March 1864. She was the youngest daughter of Captain John Martin of Hull.

By 1871, Frederick Edwin Friston and Jane were living at 5 Market Place, Grimsby with their servant, Jane Barker. Fred was working as an artist, carver and gilder. He was obviously a photographer too. By January 1882, Fred was in financial difficulties. Great Grimsby trustees and solicitors were appointed to wind up the business of Frederick Edwin Friston, Baker Street and late Albion Street, Hull, and 3 Market Place and Chantry Lane Great Grimsby, carver, gilder, photographer, artists’ colourman and picture publisher and dealer (and also of, a while before, of premises in Huddersfield).

In July 1885, Fred was involved in a legal dispute at Grimsby Crown Court with Jenkins, Remy & Co., photographic artists, who were tenants working from his property at 3 Old Market Place. The claim was for fixtures removed from the property. The judge found in favour of Fred Friston and the defendants were told to return the items if they wanted to keep their legal costs to a minimum.*

Frederick Edwin Friston, artist, was visiting Kent in 1891.

In 1901, Frederick Edwin Friston was working as an artist painter in Lincoln. Fred and Jane and their 16 year old son, Frederick H. Friston, were living at 33 Foss Bank, Lincoln. (Property still there?) Young Frederick was working as a private secretary. Frederick Edwin Friston died on 7th July 1901, aged 58 years, and was buried at St Mary’s Church, Welton by Lincoln on 9th July. He had been living in Ryland Road, Welton and his occupation is given as a commercial traveller and artist. Jane died in Hull in 1908, aged 71.

Note: Frederick Edwin Friston had a nephew also named Frederick Edwin Friston who was brought up in London.

* The bankruptcy of the Grimsby artist, Byron Bauckham, is reported in the same ‘The Hull News’ newspaper column.

Research by Grimsby & Cleethorpes Museum.