This photo has been identified in the Mearns Family Album as Emma Chandler (Updated to Chandlee). She is dressed in simple late 1880s style and has her hair drawn back in a bun that is just barely peeking out. She has a lovely ruff of lace on her collar and what looks like a brooch. Directly above her in the album is the following photo:
I certainly hope this photo does not do him justice, because this man looks stern and unhappy! Hopefully when he smiles his expression is softer. I assume this is Mr. Chandler (Updated to Chandlee) although it wasn’t identified. I make this deduction because both photos were made by the same photographer:
Emma’s photo was number 20514 and Mr Chandler was 20515. Most certainly during the same session! Several family members have been photographed by Fritz of New Jersey.
UPDATE: Iggy found that their surname is Chandlee. Check the comments for interesting information concerning how Emma Chandlee is related to the Mearns family.
Who Were They? 
I am unable to (further) identify these people. We could use some Abra magic. I know the Rittenhouse “clan” is nearby (in Hunterdon county) and that Bucks county, Pennsylvania is just across the Delaware River.
If 20214 is a serial photograph numbering, Mr. Frank Z. (or J.) Fritz (b. abt 1836 in PA and died at age 59 on 19 May 1896) was one prolific dude!
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Hmmm… any chance that this is Emma ChandLEE? I think I might have a link —
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It definitely could be LEE. The handwriting sort of tails off at the end so it could be an E where I read it as an R.
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ha, like the photographer name Frank Fritz, same name as one of the American Picker tv show guys. :)
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Emma Goldsmith Chandlee, a dressmaker from Zion, Cecil Co., Maryland who never married, was the (great)granddaugher of Benjamin Chandlee, who was reknown for his clockmaking. He was a comtemporary of David Rittenhouse who was also a skilled clock and instrument maker. David Rittenhouse did follow-up work, resurveying the Mason-Dixon line –
http://nationalmuseumofsurveying.blogspot.com/2011/04/goldsmith-chandlee.html shows some of his magnificent work.
Given Zion, Maryland is a “suburb” of Calvert, Maryland (where Emma Mearns lived) – at minimum, Emma Chandlee and Emma Mearns were neighbors in a very rural area. They may have been connected through marriage via some as yet unknown link (maybe the gentleman?)
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I’ll need some time to sort this out – I apologize ahead of time for “dumping” it here:
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Rebecca Rittenhouse BOWLSBEY was born on 2 July 1870 in Zion, Cecil Co., MD. She died on 2 March 1932 at the age of 61 in Carneys Point, Salem Co., NJ. She was buried in Zion Presbyterian Cem., Zion, Cecil Co., MD.873
Rebecca was an expert seamstress. After her husband’s death, she stayed with her children at Carneys Point, NJ. Parents: Sylvester BOWLSBY and Elizabeth ASTLE.
Note:
Emma Chandlee’s sister —
Annie CHANDLEE
Born: 25 MAY 1856 at: Zion, Cecil Co., Maryland
Married: 1 APR 1885 at: Zion, Cecil Co., Maryland
Died: 27 SEP 1910 at: Cecil Co., Maryland
Spouse: John Wesley Jr. ASTLE
Spouse: Frank BOTHWELL. Rebecca Rittenhouse BOWLSBEY and Frank BOTHWELL obtained a marriage license on 14 January 1891 in Cecil Co., MD. They were married after 14 April 1891 in Zion, Cecil Co., MD. Children were: Ella BOTHWELL, Elizabeth B. “Lizzie” BOTHWELL, Susie BOTHWELL, Grace BOTHWELL-14565, Frank BOTHWELL, Carrie Abrams BOTHWELL, Lillian BOTHWELL, Blanche BOTHWELL.
Carrie E Bothwell Mearns (1904 – 1992)
Born in North East, Maryland, USA on 1904 to Frank Thomas Bothwell and Rebecca Rittenhouse Bowlsbey. Carrie E married George Avery Mearns and had 4 children.
Carrie Abrams BOTHWELL was born on 23 March 1905 in North East, Cecil Co., MD. She died on 1 February 1992 at the age of 86.2989 Parents: Frank BOTHWELL and Rebecca Rittenhouse BOWLSBEY.
Spouse: George Avery MEARNS. Carrie Abrams BOTHWELL and George Avery MEARNS were married on 2 June 1922 in Carneys Point, Salem Co., NJ. Children were: George Avery MEARNS Jr., Allison Bothwell MEARNS, Lillian MEARNS, Living.
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If the fellow is not her husband..then perhaps it is a Beau or he brother..or just a friend..obviously they went together to have their photos taken:)
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