Atkinson house (detail), c. 1860
Calcutta, West Bengal
Courtesy of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, Mss0031, Folder 450
John Atkinson’s passport, 1859
Courtesy of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, Mss0031, Folder 49
Ayah with Atkinson baby (possibly Lizzie), c. 1860
Calcutta, West Bengal
Courtesy of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, Mss0031, Folder 455
Originally from Newburyport, Massachusetts, John Atkinson spent nearly twenty years in Calcutta. He was among several American expatriates who relocated their families to India to closely manage their business operations. Atkinson’s daughters, Lizzie and Maud, were born in Calcutta and raised by their ayahs. Here, the Atkinsons pose with guests and servants at their home in India.