Given that this photograph was in the Leonhardt collection, it is likely William Knowles is in the photo. The most likely is on the extreme right with his hand on the shoulders of the man on the right seated next to the horn of the buffalo. Unfortunately, due to overexposure or photo deterioration, the face of that man is not as clear as the other men. But even so there appears a strong resemblance to the face of Williams Knowles, especially the beard in the William Knowles Portrait - July 14, 1884.

This Cabinet Portrait was taken by J. Grey of 60 Union Street in Stonehouse Devon, England. To learn more, I contacted the Plymouth Central Library in June 1992. The West Devon Area librarian replied in Sep 1992 indicating that: J. Grey seemed to move house fairly regularly; in 1867 his address was 61 Union Street. In 1873 it was given as 60 and in 1877 as number 63. In fact it is thought … that number 60 was renumbered to 63 during the period between 1867 and 1867. So it would seem to date the photograph between 1867 and 1877.

The library also indicated: it is most probably a fraternal society known as the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes. The Wikipedia link provides general history about the R.A.O.B. The librarian suggested I contact the Grand Secretary, R.A.O.B., G.L.E in Yorkshire. They also clarified that Stonehouse, at the time of the photograph, was a town in its own right. In 1914 it merged with Plymouth.

In Oct 1992, I wrote to the Grand Secretary, R.A.O.B., G.L.E in Yorkshire. On 14 Oct, 1992, the Grand Secretary replied: whilst I would share the opinion it is possible the photograph may relate to this Organization in view of the horns placed on the floor in front of the framed photograph, the style of collar of various members are wearing is not one which readily comes to mind of the R.A.O.B. and indeed in the whole of my association with this Order I have never seen any collar or regalia of a like nature.


Thus this portrait labeled as: Possibly Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes, Stonehouse, Devon (circa 1867-1877) may or may not be a chapter of the R.A.O.B the located in Stonehouse, Devon. And the only year with an exact match to the photographer at 60 Union Street was 1873.

Assuming William Knowles is the man to the right in the photo, it places him in a location previously unknown as he and his wife Jane’s long time home was in Cavan County, Ireland. The only other family location known is that his 2nd son Robert married and lived in Liverpool from the late 1870s to 1884 with William and Jane visiting them in Liverpool just before Robert and his wife left for Chicago. Whether William and Jane Knowles had an additional home in or near Stonehouse is unknown and the distance to Liverpool is about 250 miles. So all a bit of a mystery. But perhaps something more will be learned one day.

On the back of the portrait, there is a lightly handwritten: 1/2, likely meaning one of two photos.

The Leonhardt family lent the original of this Studio Portrait to Dave Jordan in 1990 who photographed it. The Leonhardt connection to the Jordans is that Margaret Jane Jordan Graham and Muriel Leonhardt were Knowles sisters.

If you would like to add information about this picture, please contact Dave Jordan, a 3x g-grandson of William and Jane Knowles. The Picture Reference Number is DJK08; Digitized Negative: 173-06.