Williams, George Bailey (1809-1899)
/E. R. HEALY GROUND FLOOR GALLERY’S Photograph of George and Mehitable
Williams
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
EDWIN RUTHVEN HEALY (1856-1923) and ADA “ADDIE” GOSSAGE HEALY (1860-1923) Edwin and Ada Healy were a married couple, and both were listed in California directories as a photographer. It has been assumed they worked together; however, ascertaining their division of labor is problematic. The “E. R. Healy Gound Floor Gallery” was opened in 1896 at 816 Main Street, Petaluma, California. It was later relocated to 818 Main Street and sold in June, 1905. In 1906 the Healys moved to Berkeley, California. (To view all portraits in this collection taken at the E. R. Healy Ground Floor Gallery and for additional information on Edwin and Ada Healy, click on their names in blue above.)
THE SITTER:
Name: George Bailey Williams
Description:
Biographical Note: George and Mehitabel Williams were stellar examples of the pioneer spirit of hard work and determination. After testing his luck searching for gold and building the Globe Hotel in San Francisco, George sailed up the Petaluma River in 1851 in search of a location to build a family home. In 1855, he convinced his wife and children to join him. In a strange twist of fate, Mehetabel and the children journeyed west while George was journeying east to fetch them. They eventually rendezvoused in Petaluma in August 1855.
George was an enterprising developer and community builder. He constructed Petaluma’s Washington Hotel in 1856 and was instrumental in constructing one of Petaluma’s first public schools and many of its private homes.
The full story of the adventures of George and Mehitabel is long and intriguing. Portions of their story are recounted in the memoirs of their son, George Roscoe Williams, and a thorough discussion is provided in Adair Lara’s definitive History of Petaluma, A California River Town. Adair Lara succinctly summed up George Williams’ legacy when she wrote, “It is ironic that Williams is remembered most in Petaluma history not for his ambitious hotel schemes, his land dealings, or his civic contributions, but for that idle moment early in 1856 when, out of longing to see his daughter again, or perhaps simply on impulse, he drew a rough sketch of Petaluma Creek and sent it off to John A. McNear, a young cousin who had married his daughter, Clara… In that moment, he changed Petaluma forever.”
George and Mehitable celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary in November of 1898. They both died in 1899 and were buried in Petaluma’s Cypress Hill Memorial Park.
Family Affiliation: George Bailey Williams’ mother was Elizabeth “Betsy” Bailey Williams (1792-1882). His wife was Mehitable (Mehetabel)Lilly Williams (1807-1899), and his children were: Clarinda Damsen Williams McNear (1837-1866), George Roscoe Williams (1839-1934), Rosetta Lilly Williams Weeks (1842-1899), and Laura J. Williams Barstow (1842-1904). https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/81648868/george-bailey-williams. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/81648884/mehetabel_williams.
Bibliography: Primary source: George Roscoe William, My First Fifty Years in California, (The original copy of this memoir is at the Bancroft Library, and a copy is available at the Petaluma Historical Library & Museum. Secondary source: Adair Lara, History of Petaluma, A California River Town, 1982, pp. 56-61.
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size:
Medium: gelatin or collodion photographic print mounted on heavy cardstock
Description, front: The setting of this double portrait attempts to recreate the appearance of a upper-middle-class, domestic interior. The painted backdrop, depicting a large mirror and side table, give the illusion of an adjoining room. The wall to the left adorned with floral wall paper, the potted plant and the rugs all add to the feeling of homey tranquility and comfort.
Description, back: Hugh Anderson’s imprint is on the center of the back of this carte de visite. Anderson created several versions of his Petaluma imprint. An expanded, possibly later, version appears here. It is printed in red ink and includes four lines of text, each in a different font. The text is embellished above and below with a horizontally flipped, elaborate flourish.
Date: 1896-1899 The inscription written on the original frame backing of this portrait states that it was taken either in 1884 on the couple’s 50th wedding anniversary or in 1894 on the couple’s 60th anniversary. Neither of these dates can be correct: the Healy Ground Floor gallery was not opened until 1896. Additionally, both George and Mehitable died in 1899.
Condition: This portrait is in good condition; however, when it was removed from its original frame, the cardstock on which it is mounted was damaged.
Owner: The James Allen Family Collection, digital copy by permission.
Reproduction rights: The Petaluma Museum Association makes no assertions as to ownership of any original copyrights to the digitized images here reproduced. These images are intended for personal or research use only. Any other kind of use, including, but not limited to commercial or scholarly publication in any medium or format, public exhibition, or use online or in a web site, may be subject to additional restrictions including but not limited to the copyrights held by parties other than the Association. USERS ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE for determining the existence of such rights and for obtaining any permissions and/or paying associated fees necessary for the proposed use.