Annie and Maggie Fleming pose for this cabinet card portrait at the Anderson’s photographic studio, located at 85 Main Street in Houston, Texas. An inscription on the reverse of the card identifies the little girls and indicates that this photograph was given to their cousin. These cute siblings appear to be a bit dubious of the photographer and their photographic session. The photographer, Samuel Anderson, operated out of the address on this cabinet card, between 1886 and 1892. To see other photographs by Sam Anderson, click on this sites category, “Photographer: Anderson”.
These may be the daughters of Andrew and Margaret T. Fleming, who in the 1900 Census were living in Milam County, Texas about 120 miles NW of Houston and 60 miles NE of Austin. Andrew was a Scots immigrant, but Margaret was born in Texas. At that time, Andrew (53) and Margaret (29) had four daughters and one son:
Millie, 18, born Nov 1881
Annie, 11, born Aug 1888
Maggie, 9, born Apr 1891
Julia, 7, born May 1893
John, 4, born Feb 1896
Millie is presumably Andrew’s daughter from a previous marriage, as Margaret is listed as being mother of 6 children, with only 4 living. Andrew’s occupation is listed as a cotton ginner, and he owned his house outright.
Based on the appearance of kids, if these are the same people listed in the 1900 Census, I’d put the date of the image at 1893 or 1894. Perhaps Anderson’s studio was still using pre-printed mounting cards after they’d moved from the Main Street address.