Rodd, Mary Jane Blackburn Faith (1858-1940) (7 of 8)
/George Ross’ Portrait Photograph of Mary Jane Blackburn Faith Rodd
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
GEORGE COLVAINE ROSS was born February 12, 1832 in Edinburgh, Scotland and died in 1893 at the age of 60 in Petaluma, California. Unlike the other nineteenth century Petaluma photographers, Ross lived and worked in Petaluma for many years. He arrived in Petaluma in 1855, and in 1862 he began his profession as a photographer, moving his studio within the city several times as noted on his various carte de visite and cabinet card imprints. In 1869 he was also part of a short-lived photographic studio partnership with Elon D. Ormsby on Main Street in Petaluma. It was reported that Ross stopped working as a photographer soon after he developed a disability in 1888. Ross was among the most prolific Petaluma portrait photographers, and his work was of exceptionally high quality. Ross was buried in Petaluma’s Cypress Hill Memorial Park. (For additional information on this photographer and to view all portraits by him in the collection, click on his name in blue above.)
THE SITTER:
Name: Mary Jane Blackburn Faith Rodd
Description: In this portrait, Mary Jane Blackburn Faith Rodd sits elegantly upon the arm of a parlor chair. Her hands are placed on the top of a large book that rests on her thigh. This arrangement displays the spine of the book; however, its title is not legible. To her left is a table upon which are additional books. She is attired in a magnificent dark dress replete with an elaborate double hem, embroidered cuffs and a fully draped bustle. Her hair is center-parted and the crown of her head displays an abundance of curls. The hair at the back of her head has been allowed to fall behind her. Around her neck she wears a long chain and a white scarf that has been tied in a bow. From her waist hangs a horn-shaped handbag with diagonal trimming from which protrudes what is most likely a handkerchief.
Biographical Note: Mary Jane Blackburn Faith Rodd was born in Petaluma on Third and D Streets. She was educated in Petaluma and studied the piano under Sarah Lucinda Lewis Lippitt (1832-1919). Later in life, she resided at 229 Keokuk. She was affiliated with the Petaluma Druidic Circle, No. 6 and the Neighbors of Woodcraft. She was buried in Petaluma Cypress Hill Memorial Park.
Family Affiliation: Mary Jane Blackburn Faith Rodd was the daughter of early prominent Petaluma pioneers, Charles Blackburn (1821-1897) and Jemima Jane Richardson Blackburn (1825-1905) who made the overland journey to Petaluma by ox team in 1852 from Oskaloosa, Iowa. Mary Jane was the sister of Martha Blackburn (1849-1856), John Selvay Blackburn (1851-1903), Hester C. Blackburn Elphick (1869-1944), Lillian M. Blackburn (1865-1949) and Franklin L. Blackburn (1869-1931). Mary Jane’s first husband was George Faith (1851-1880). Together they had one son, George Blackburn Rodd (1880-1924) who took the name of Mary Jane’s second husband, Samuel Rodd (1849-1929). Mary Jane and Samuel had one daughter, Dorothy Clark Rodd Barber Wallace (1884-1963). https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/106979435/mary_jane_rodd.
Bibliography: Petaluma Argus-Courier, July 26, 1937, p.2.; July 27, 1939, p. 4. April 26, 1940, p.8. Santa Rosa Republican, April 26, 1940, p.2. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/106979435/mary-jane-rodd.
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: cabinet card, approximately 10.75 x 16.5 cm
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: This portrait has been set within an arched format. The photographer’s imprint is along the bottom edge. In the center of the bottom edge is handwritten in pencil “Mary Rodd”.
Description, back: Unfortunately, the remnants of what is most probably the black pages of a photo album conceal the handwritten inscription beneath it. Below the black paper, handwritten in cursive in blue ink is written, “Mrs. Mary Jane Blackburn Rodd”.
Date: late 1880s
Condition: Both sides of this cabinet card are soiled.
Owner: The Carol Cook 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.