[H4051] – Miss Reeves & Joan, 1907
[Q3666] – Reeves skipping group, c.1864
[H6144] (detail) – Reeves group having tea in garden, 1912

Mary Elizabeth Reeves (known as Pollie) was the daughter of Edward Reeves and Joan the daughter of Benjamin, Pollie’s brother. In around 1912 Joan writes to her father who is staying with relatives in East Dean.

Dear Daddy

Auntie has had lots of sitters nearly all of them children. I think they are frightened of you so they come when you are away. We had dinner out in the garden today and it was lovely. The buds of my second lily have come out and my garden looks great. Ever so many of our strawberrys are ripe and more not ripe. I am longing to hear from you. I hope you are enjoying yourself very much. We have all been having (h)active (h)exercise today mother is spring cleaning I have been making a swing and Auntie Pollie taking sitters so are not idle

Your loving daughter

Joan

In the 1891 census Pollie is described as a ‘Photographic Retoucher’ and in 1901 as a ‘Photographer’. When Edward died in 1905 he left his photography business and property jointly to Pollie and Benjamin.