Rodd, Mary Jane Blackburn Faith(1858-1940) (6 of 8)

John Quincy Reed’s Portrait Photograph of Mary Jane blackburn Faith rodd

View fullsize

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

JOHN QUINCY REED was born in 1841 in Abington, Massachusetts and died in 1902 in Petaluma. He worked as a photographer in Petaluma for over 25 years, moving his studio within the community to several different locations. He arrived into Petaluma from Stockton in 1870 and continued to work as a photographer in Petaluma until at least 1898. Many of his portraits of Petaluma’s citizens are of exceptionally fine quality. (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 head-and-shoulders portrait, Mary Jane Blackburn Faith Rodd looks over her right shoulder and gazes into the distance while resting her forearms on a support in front of her. Her left hand dangles over the edge of the support. Her hair is center-parted and drawn to the back of her head where it is gathered in shoulder-length curls several of which cascade down her left shoulder. She wears a dark blouse with large center buttons. Around her neck is a stiff white ruff that crosses at her neck and is secured by a large round brooch.

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: carte de visite

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on yardstick

Description, front:

Description, back: Handwritten in capital letters in pencil at the top of the card is: “MARY JANE BLACKBURN (RODD) BORN 7-26-. In the center of the card is the photographer’s imprint

Date: c. 1878

Condition: Both sides of this carte de visit are slightly 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.