CDV of Elizabeth Mills and adopted Japanese daughter Georgina Only known photo of Mills
[Japan] Wonderful photo of a very stern looking Elizabeth Mills (1841-1907) and one of her adopted Japanese daughters named Georgina (1864-1935). No doubt she had to put up with rowdy sailors and other dodgy guests who stayed at her hotel in Nagasaki. According to the Meiji Portraits website: The British couple Henry and Elizabeth Mills came to Nagasaki around 1877 and Henry took over the Falcon Hotel (more of a rooming house/tavern than a hotel) at #31B Ōura. The Falcon Hotel was destroyed by fire in September 1890, but soon rebuilt. The couple had three daughters, one biological named Alice who was born in Great Britain but died in Japan on September 30, 1881, and is buried in the Ōura Cemetery of Nagasaki, and two adopted daughters: a Japanese girl they named Georgina who, in October 1884, married George Mansbridge, an employee of Mitsubishi; and Minnie, who married W. H. Smith in 1897. This photo shows Elizabeth and Georgina all dressed up. In June 1893, Henry Mills died after a long illness at the age of 49 years and soon after Elizabeth opened the Sherman House and Bowling Saloon at #42B Ōura on the south side of the Ōura River, where she too had to cope with a tavern fire in January 1894. After reopening she named it Sherman’s Boarding House. When the Seamen’s Home was opened on February 3, 1896 she was appointed manager but only worked there until 1898. Elizabeth continued to live in Nagasaki at #26 Ōura and for this reason it is supposed she assisted the Seamen's Home. She died on December 16, 1907 at the age of 66 years and was buried next to her husband in Sakamoto International Cemetery, Nagasaki.
Yokohama. Hung Cheong studio. ND (c1880).
5.9 x 9.1cm.
In very good condition with only minor age wear. Inscribed on rear, 'Mrs & Miss Georginia Mills "Falcon Hotel"'. p37051874
