Vestal, Amelia Nancy Ayers (1852-1930) (1 of 2)
/Hugh S. Anderson’s Portrait Photograph of Amelia Nancy Ayers (Vestal)
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
HUGH S. ANDERSON was born in 1826 in Scotland and died in 1900 in San Francisco, California. He was active in Petaluma as early as January 1872, and he departed Petaluma in December 1873. His Sunbeam Gallery was located, “At the Old Stand, Opposite H. C. Taft & Co.’s”. (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: Amelia Nancy Ayers (Vestal)
Description: This portrait was taken of Amelia Nancy Ayers when she was between 20 and 21 years old. She sits erect, gazing fixedly to the right. She is attired in a black front-button blouse and matching skirt. A dark cloth belt with a metal rectangular buckle cinches her waist. She wears four adornments around her neck: a thin black choker from which hangs a round, metal pendant; a white lace collar; a flattened cloth bow; and a long metal chain, which may be a type of chatelaine. It appears to end in a set of keys tucked into her belt. She wears two additional ornaments: a large drop earring and a garland of white lace which cascades down the right side of her hair.
Biographical Note: In 1852, Amelia Ayers was born in Illinois to early Petaluma pioneers William Ayers (1829-1899) and Martha Wade Ayers (1829 or 30 - 1890). Her parents brought her to California as an infant and raised her in Analy and Petaluma. Later in her life, she lived in Santa Rosa. On July 2, 1874, she married Lemuel H. Vestal (1841-1923). Together, they had at least three children: Lena E. Vestal Hall (1877-1968), Warren Eugene Vestal (1883-1973), and William Thomas Vestal (1885-1947). Amelia was buried in the Santa Rosa Odd Fellows Cemetery.
Family Affiliation: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/231487662/amelia-n-vestal. This website has numerous portraits of additional Vestal and Ayers family members.
Bibliography: Petaluma Argus, “The Ayers Reunion,” May 28, 1908, p. 2. Santa Rosa Republican, Jan. 13, 1930, p.2; Jan. 14, 1930, p. 3.
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: carte de visite, approximately 6.25 x 10.5 cm
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: Handwritten in script in pencil along the bottom edge of the card is: “Amelia N. Ayers”.
Description, back: Hugh Anderson’s imprint appears in red ink in the center of the card. Below this, handwritten in back marker is; “Amelia Nancy Ayers Vestal”.
Date: January 1872 - December 1873.
Condition: Both the front and back sides of this carte de visite are slightly soiled.
Owner: The Cyndi Logan 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.