Fletcher Sutherland was born around 1817 in Vermont. His wife Mary, was born in New York around 1825. They eventually moved to Cambria New York, where they resided for quite a few years. The two of them had seven daughters as follows: Sarah (1851), Victoria (1853), Isabella (1855), Grace (1859), Naomi (1861), Dora (1863), and Mary (1865). The girls (and a son) became a traveling family singing act known widely for, not only their singing, but also for the long hair they all sported (totaling 37 feet). At some point the awesome hair became such an attraction that they began travelling with Barnum & Bailey's Show.
There's been a lot of interesting stories about the relationship between the girls and the Baileys. Naomi married J. Henry Bailey in 1885, and they had 4 children. The Bailey of circus fame was actually James Anthony Bailey, and his original name wasn't even Bailey. Harry Bailey (J. Henry), of Philadelphia registered a label for a "Hair Restorer" in 1883. In 1886 he registered labels for both a "Hair Grower," and a "Scalp Cleaner." He also registered a Trade Mark for Seven Sutherland Sisters "Hair Tonics or Washes" the same year (TM #12,994).
The label for the Hair & Scalp cleaner indicated that it was in powder form, and came in a box. Bailey claimed that he had been doing business in Philadelphia, and from place to place, and had been using the Trade Mark since 1884. Bailey also mentioned in the petition, that the preparation was made of "borax, salt, quinine, cantharides, bay rum, glycerine, rose water, alcohol, and soap."
There is an amazing amount of info on the Sutherlands at: Long Hair Lovers.
I found Seven Sutherland Sisters listed in New York in 1886 and 87 on W. 14th Street. The name "Seven Sutherland Sisters" and the picture of the seven above, were registered as Trade Marks in 1912, and they claimed to have been using the name since 1884. By 1912, they company was made up of J. Henry Bailey, and five of the sisters. Naomi Sutherland Bailey, and Victoria Sutherland Craw were both deceased by 1912. Also by that time, they were making other products such as a face-powder, and face-cream. The word "Colorator" was registered as a trademark in 1923, and they claimed at that time that the name had been used since 1900. Apparently Fletcher Sutherland died around 1888, and the business was in decline by 1907. The business was located at 18 Desbrosses in 1900, and at 59 Bank by 1908. In 1908, Grace was the Secretary, and Dora was the Vice President. The 1922 Montgomery Ward's Catalog listed the Hair Grower in 8 ounce bottles. The products were still being advertised in 1930 by Seven Sutherland Sisters, 242 Bradhurst Ave., New York.
In 1893, the Pharmaceutical Era examined the Hair Grower and found it to contain about 56% water of witch hazel, 44% bay rum, and small amounts of salt, hydrochloric acid, and magnesia q.s. They determined that the hydrochloric acid was only to get rid of the yellowish color produced by the agitation of the Bay Rum, Witch Hazel, and Magnesia. It was added with the salt after the mixture was filtered.
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