A group of mysterious nineteenth-century photographs were recently discovered within the Dickson, Archer and Thorp collection. They were found alongside a bundle of envelopes and a copper plate, both embossed with the letters J D C P. Following extensive research these mysterious initials are believed to have belonged to John de Camborne Paynter.
Born in 1845, John had previously resided at Clarence House, Penzance before moving to Belvedere Terrace, Alnwick. He worked as a solicitor’s clerk and, although widowed early in life, had two sons, Captain John de Camborne Stackhouse Paynter and Major William Patterson Paynter. For around twenty-five years he sat as Secretary of Alnmouth’s golf club and also acted as the churchwarden for St Paul’s, Alnwick. Upon his death he left a large sum of £23,658 to be divided between his children. He also made provision in his will for his long-term servant Jane Charters by ensuring a £50 annuity and furnished cottage.
Who the sitters were remains a mystery. Were these pictures the creative product of Mr J de C Paynter, whose name was found on both the envelope and copper plate? Or do these photographs depict Paynter’s own family members? Alternatively they may have been examples provided to Paynter by professional photographers, with the view for possible commissions.
The following images show the sides of the engraved copper plate, found alongside the pictures (REF: NRO 11343/B/DAT):
The mysterious pictures (REF: NRO 11343/B/DAT); 
A reverse side for one of the images, listing the details of the studio from which it originated. (REF: NRO 11343/B/DAT):
If anyone has any information regarding the production or identification of these images please contact us.
Don’t know who the boy is in the picture above, but there is a connection with Gateshead through a property deal dated April 1899 re: housing development on the former Rodsley estate (now 191 – 201 Eastbourne Avenue in Shipcote/Saltwell). The title deeds show the ‘Original Vendors’ of the land as being the Merchants John and Charles Robinson Greene of Gateshead; the Vendors as John de Cambourne Paynter, Gentleman, Alnwick, and Henry Augustus Paynter, Solicitor, Alnwick; the ‘sub-vendor’ Robert Sharp of Avenue Road Gateshead, Builder; and John Lucas, a Gentleman of Carlton Terrace, Gateshead as the Purchaser.
The properties they built originally comprised 3 pairs of Tyneside flats, although 199/201 is now converted into a single house.
👍
See the website
John de Camborne Paynter (newman-family-tree.net)
The pictures seem to be members of the family of John de Camborne Paynter
The small boy is William Patterson Paynter -his son. Later Colonel and DSO. Almost identical picture on website but William older.
The older woman is his mother Catherine Augusta (nee Colman) Paynter see
Catherine Augusta Paynter (née Coleman) (newman-family-tree.net)
The younger woman appears to be his wife Margaret (Patterson) de Camborne Paynter
The older boy may be his son Paul. Not certain.
The man and child may be his brother James Bernard Paynter and his daughter Margaret Catherine Amelia aka Peggy. Not certain
Hope this helps
Allan Mann