Henry (or Harry as he was sometimes called) Newton was born in Watford in 1869, the son of Matthew Newton (grocer's clerk living at 13 Raynham Street, Hertford, in 1891) and Sarah Ann. In the 1891 census Henry was described as a photographer, living with his parents in Hertford. Later the same year he married Elizabeth Barber, of 36 Castle Street and daughter of John Barber, corn and coal merchant, who in 1881 has also been the inn keeper at the Railway Tavern, Hertford.  In 1895 he was trading as a photographer at 62 Fore Street, Hertford, but by 1899 he had moved to 45 Fore Street where he was living with his wife and children in 1901 and 1911. this last date his son Frank, now 17, was assisting in the business. While they are listed at this address in 1912, by 1914 J M & C W Sneesby were photographers at 45 Fore Street.

ß Cabinet card of an unknown woman