The three daughters of Edward Samuell, a successful Sydney publican, are (from the left), Emma, Harriet and Fanny, at approximate ages of 7, 4 and 10 years.

Samuell, who arrived in Sydney in 1840, established himself as a butcher before changing to hotel work. Raised as a Catholic, Samuell was buried an Anglican, and at his death, his family described him as a gentleman. Samuell took the opportunities for social mobility offered by Sydney, but if he had more experience in commissioning portraits, he may have selected a more sophisticated artist than Fortescue Hitchins. 

This slightly naive portrait by Hitchins can be compared to more accomplished works, such as those by Richard Noble.