Norris Peters
( 1834 – 1889 )
A Permanent Daguerreotype Gallery
Norris Peters goal was to establish a “permanent daguerreotype studio[1]” in West Chester, PA in 1852. He was one of the early photographers who believed that photography wasn’t just a novelty you purchased only once, but was now a part of the culture as an established business in the community.
Norris Peters life had a difficult beginning. He was born eight months after his father died at the young age of thirty-two. This left his mother, Deborah Hatton Peters with four children to support. Beside baby Norris, Jr. there was Joseph age 7, Hannah, 4 and Mary 3. Fortunately, the Hatton family supported them and they moved to the Hatton Farm in Concord Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Norris Peters was a birthright Friend, the whole family were members of Concord Meeting.
1842 was another difficult year for the family. Norris’ sister Mary G. Peters died at age 11 as well as his grandfather, Joseph Hatton (1757-1842). Fortunately for Deborah Peters, her father left her one-fifth of the residue of his estate, which certainly aided in supporting them.
The 1850 U.S. Census recorded the family in Concord and listed Joseph and Norris as farmers. The family lived with Deborah’s sister, Hannah Hatton on the Concord Township farm.
When Norris Peters became eighteen he struck out on his own to establish a daguerreotype gallery in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
Peters announced his new gallery in the Jeffersonian newspaper of September 14, 1852:
“New Gallery of Art, NORRIS PETERS, (late of Philadelphia) respectfully informs the citizens of Chester County and the public generally, that he has established a permanent DAGUERREAN GALLERY in the large and spacious Room, No. 5, on the third floor in Everhart’s Building. Entrance on Church Street, a few doors North of Market, where he is prepared to take life like daguerreotypes, in the latest and most approved styles with his elaborate and improved apparatus. Those in want of a good Picture will do well to give him a call.[2]”
Peters describes himself as being “of Philadelphia” which he chooses to give himself more respectability than to remind readers that he grew up on a farm in Concord. We can only suppose that he learned the art of photography at a Philadelphia gallery.
He continued advertising in the American Republican in October 12, 1852 letting the public know that his studio “..is the place to get those splendid and life-like pictures, so much admired and highly appreciated by those who have given him a call.[3]”
Peters got some good press on May 3, 1853 when he daguerreotyped a group of Native Americans in full native dress who were visiting West Chester to make an appearance at Horticultural Hall. The American Republican newspaper reported:
“Great Excitement. The Indians created a great excitement last week. Many persons no doubt were unable to see them. To such, Mr. Peters would say that the Indians visited his rooms, No. 5 Everhart’s Building, and were daguerreotyped in full costume for exhibition. If you want a good likeness, call at his rooms. Perfect satisfaction warranted.[4]”
Peters took full advantage of the good press and placed another ad in the American Republican on May 10, 1853 : “What Ho! Bring forth my fleetest Steed! I want to get my likeness taken by Peters before the crowd this morning. He is the certainly the best manipulator in the County of Chester…”[5]
In July, Peter’s moved into a new studio which he dubbed the “Northern Skylight Daguerrean Gallery” located in Townsend’s new building on Gay Street, one door west of High on what is commonly known as “Townsend’s Corner.” He offered his clientele reception rooms on the second floor and a large skylight facing north on the third floor.
“NEW SKYLIGHT DAGUERREAN GALLERY – Peters has removed to Gay St., one door west of High, where he has fitted up a new and beautiful Daguerrean Gallery, to which, he invites particular attention. The reception rooms are on the second floor, and are finished in a beautiful manner. The skylight is very large, and beautifully arranged, so that the light may be varied at the option of the sitter. It is also a northern light which is vastly superior to a southern or western one. Peters warrants all his pictured to be cheap, durable and lifelike. Don’t forget the place. Townsend’s new Building on Gay Street, 1st door west of Townsend’s corner, West Chester.[6]”
The last advertisement we find for Peters is in The Jeffersonian for September 24, 1853,
“Come will you go to Peters’ and have your daguerreotype taken such as he takes daily at his new northern sky-light Gallery in Gay 1st door west of Townsend’s corner, West Chester.[7]”
There is no evidence of Peters after this time in Chester County. Since Peters is under the legal age of twenty-one he is not recorded by the tax collector, this is why he does not appear on the West Chester Tax list for 1852.[8] He is listed as a tenant/single freeman on the 1853 tax list, however his name is crossed out indicating that he left town before it was time to collect the tax[9]. This “permanent” Daguerreian gallery lasted from September of 1852 through to at least September of 1853, which hardly seems permanent to us today. However, Peters succeeded in staying in business longer than many of the itinerants who proceeded him.
© Pamela C. Powell, 2019, updated 2025.
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American Republican, (West Chester, PA), 28 September 1852. ↑
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Jeffersonian, (West Chester, PA), 14 September 1852. ↑
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American Republican, (West Chester, PA), 12 October 1852. ↑
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American Republican, (West Chester, PA), 3 May 1853. ↑
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American Republican, (West Chester, PA), 10 May 1853. ↑
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American Republican, (West Chester, PA) 19 July 1853. ↑
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The Jeffersonian, (West Chester, PA) 24 September 1853, p. 3. ↑
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Chester County, Pennsylvania Tax List for the Borough of West Chester, 1852, Chester County Archives and Records Services, West Chester, PA. ↑
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Chester County, Pennsylvania, Tax List for the Borough of West Chester 1853, Chester County Archives and Records Services, West Chester, PA. ↑
