Your comments

From Robert (September 2007):-

"Your grandfather's website is of great interest and I have put the story on the Canvey Island Forum site to make others aware of it, too. As historian I find the dated views fascinating. Quite a few of the images are now historical records. Personally I love the barges best. Last year I published a book 'Canvey Island, A History', I only wish I might have been in touch with you before then. The story of the artist meeting his future wife there, both of families with early Canvey holiday and settling connections is of interest, too. A friend remembers a Smyth family at the end of his road on the island. Is it possible that anyone from that side of the family stayed on or settled there?  I have also alerted our local paper to the story, I hope that's o.k.?"

Richard and Barbara (September 2007):-

My wife and I recently purchased an antique photo album in Baltimore, Maryland. This album contains photographs of Canvey Island and Benfleet. The pictures were taken in 1895 by a W. Mawer. In researching the area, of which we must confess we know nothing about, we came across a Canvey Island web site and located your site regarding your grandfather's paintings. Many of the scenes he captured on watercolor are the same as the earlier 1895 photos we are restoring. Obviously we were quite surprised that our project was enriched by your grandfather's work. I am attaching a sample of a photo (below) we have restored that is quite similar to the painting of the Hoy....We would love to learn more about your grandfather and share these wonderful pictures with you... We are simply two attorneys who live in Annapolis, Maryland and have a great appreciation for this type of work."

BENFLEET BY CANVEY, 1927 - FG153

Please contact us if you would like to comment on the painting collection.