Who Were They?

As we continue through the Liberty Bell album it appears the family and/or friends must have been located in the Massachusetts and New Hampshire area. Today we look at a sullen looking boy in skirts, so under the age of 5, and likely under the age of 4. He is probably upset because he is still in skirts! My understanding is that skirts were used on boys until 4 or 5 years of age. Initially they were used to facilitate diaper changes on small boys and toddlers. Later on, a boy’s first short pants were a sign of moving away from babyhood and on to boyhood. It was a big moment for a child.

This as-yet-unbreached boy was photographed some time in the 1890s by A. M. Bean of 295 Essex Street, Lawrence, MA.