Armstrong, Maybelle “Belle” Church (1863-1949) (2 of 2)
/J.M. McMurry’s Portrait Photograph of
George J. Armstrong and Maybelle “Belle” Church Armstrong
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
Photographer: J. M. McMurry
Studio Location: Port Townsend, Washington
THE SITTERS:
Names: George J. Armstrong and Maybelle “Belle” Church Armstrong
Description: In this double portrait, George J. Armstrong sits on a rustic, broken chair while dressed in businessman’s attire. He wears a vested suit and a white, banded collar. A watch fob attached to his vest button hole drapes across his belly. He sports a walrus mustache. In a stilted pose, his wife, Maybelle “Belle” Church Armstrong, stands at his side with the knuckles of her right hand resting on her cheek and her elbow resting on a post. In her left hand she holds an ornate, feathered fan. She is dressed in an elegantly draped skirt and matching, front-buttoned, corseted, Basque jacket. Her lapels, collar, cuffs and skirt are trimmed in a darker color fabric. Her collar and cuffs are trimmed in white lace. Unusual for the time, she wears her hair in a short “boy cut” style.
Biographical Note: Maybelle Church Armstrong was raised by her Petaluma pioneer parents on their ranch in Two Rock. After her marriage, she lived in Petaluma, Sebastopol, Oregon, and again, towards the end of her life, in Petaluma at 27 Webster Street.
Family Affiliation: Maybelle Church Armstrong was the daughter of Cynthia J. Church and Samuel Howard Church (1829-1900), early pioneer citizens of Petaluma. She was the wife of Supervisor George J. Armstrong, a Petaluma machinist, businessman, and politician. She was the mother of Harry George Armstrong, Samuel Walter Armstrong, and Gladys Louise Armstrong.
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: cabinet card
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, Front: This portrait was taken in the studio of J. M. McMurry to appear as though it was taken out-of-doors. The painted backdrop depicts an open-sky landscape with a single tree on the left and a dilapidated fence on the right. Even the studio chair in which George sits was constructed to appear rustic.
Description, back: This card was a gift, undoubtedly, to Maybelle’s brother, Walter A. Church (1856-1923) and his wife, Minnie Belle Warders Church (1864-1958). Handwritten in cursive in pencil at the top of the card is written, “for Walter & Minnie”. Below this is written, “George and Belle Armstrong”, and “married March 31 - 1887”.
Date: J. M. McMurry operated his studio in Port Townsend between 1886 and 1902. This may be a portrait of George and Belle Armstrong taken while on their honeymoon. This assumption would date the portrait to spring 1887.
Condition: There is extensive foxing on the bottom third of the front of this card. The back side is stained extensively and the right edge has been exposed to light.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1979-425-03-p19-p11, Church Family Album
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