Does anyone know anything about this image? AA couple 1890s

[irisblue]

https://www.reddit.com/r/OldSchoolCool/comments/p5qos0/americ%D0%B0n_%D1%81%D0%BEuple_1890s/
Found on reddit with no more info, I tried a google image search, got only pintrest board info. You can see the photo by clicking on the link, you do not have to be a reddit member to see it, you do have to be a reddit member to comment

The image is of a young prosperous looking African America couple, a handsome well dressed man, woman rocking a church hat and a Gibson girl style dress.
Given how things were for black people in that era, the image took money and time to achieve.

[eppur_se_muova]

1. William and Lucy Sheppard ??

https://waynesboroheritagefoundation.com/2018/02/william-henry-sheppard-missionary-adventurer-activist/



Can't find any other photos of her that young, unless this is her.



https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora%3Awhsheppard?display=grid&f%5B0%5D=mods_subject_name_phs_ms%3A%22Sheppard%2C%5C%20Lucy%5C%20J.%5C%20Gantt%2C%5C%201867%5C-1955.%22

[viva la]

2. Very stylish!

[MLAA]

3. Now that is a handsome and beautiful couple.

[70sEraVet]

4. It always bothers me to see old photos of people in antique stores

I feel they should be reunited with their families!

[brush]

5. No idea, but thanks for posting. As far the money to afford...

the stylish clothes and a photographer, remember there were many prosperous Black towns during that time period. The nation was just reminded of that a few months back with the one hundred year anniversary of massacre and destruction "Black Wall St. in Tulsa, OK.

And there were many other similar massacres and burnings of Black towns in the south and mid west. My point being, some Black folks prospered by staying together and trading and doing business among themselves and away from racist whites. That is until the whites got jealous and went on one of their many attacks against Blacks doing too well for their tastes.

[irisblue]

6. Knew it was a church hat! Thanks for helping me learn this.