Ayers, William David (1869-1929) (1 of 2)

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Ross & Ormsby’s Portrait Photograph of William david ayers

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

ROSS & ORMSBY was a Petaluma photography studio operated by George Colvaine Ross (born February 12, 1832, Edinburgh, Scotland; died 1893, Petaluma, California) and Elon D. Ormsby (died March 6, 1895, Oakland, California). The Ross & Ormsby studio was located, “At Ross’ old gallery, Main Street, two doors above the Wickersham + Co’s bank”. Ross, already an established portrait photographer in Petaluma, renamed his studio, placing his new partner’s name after his own. The Ross & Ormsby studio was first advertised in the Petaluma Weekly Argus on May 20, 1869, and the final advertisement for the studio appeared on June 11, 1870. (For additional information on this photography studio and to view all portraits in this archive with its imprint, click on its name in blue above.)


THE SITTER:

Name: William David Ayers

Description: In this portrait, William David Ayers appears as a baby of 1 or 2 years old. He sits on a fabric-covered studio prop, and behind him is a drape. He is attired in a dark dress and holds what appears to be an adult’s cap with both his hands. The baby appears calm but apprehensive. His dark hair has been parted on both his left and right sides, a style typical of the time.

Biographical Note: William David Ayers was born at his family’s ranch in Stony Point, and when he was eleven years old, they moved to Petaluma. For many years, he worked at the Petaluma branch of the Wells Fargo Company and earned additional income by investing in Petaluma real estate. Although William was living in San Francisco at the time of his death, he was buried in Petaluma’s Cypress Hill Memorial Park.

Family Affiliation: William David Ayers was the youngest child of early Petaluma pioneers William Ayers (1829-1899) and Martha Wade Ayers (1829 or 30 - 1890). In 1892, William married Ada Mae Carlisle Ayers (1875-1931). Together, they had at least three children: William D. Ayers III, Mervyn W. Ayers, and Harry W. Ayers. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/125529520/william_david_ayers. There are numerous additional portraits of the Ayers family members on this website.

Bibliography: Petaluma Argus-Courier, Jan. 4, 1929, p. 8.

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size:  carte de visite, approximately 6 x 10 cm

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front: This carte de visite portrait is framed within a vertical oval, and handwritten in script in pencil along the bottom edge of the card is: “William David Ayers”.

Description, back: Ross & Ormsby’s imprint appears in the center, and handwritten in script in black marker along the bottom is: “William David Ayers”.

Date: May 1869 - June 1870

Condition: Both the front and the back side of this carte de visite are soiled, and there is extensive spotting throughout.

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. 

Ayers, William (1829-1899)

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Hugh S. Anderson’s Portrait Photograph of William Ayers

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: William Ayers

Description: In this head-and-shoulders portrait, William Ayers is between 43 and 44 years old. He is attired in a sack jacket with pipped lapels. Attached to the second button of his dark vest is a chain, which most probably leads to a watch stored in the vest’s pocket. His dark, wavy hair is receeding, and he sports a wiry, graying, chin beard.

Biographical Note: William Ayers was born in Ireland in 1829 and traveled with his parents to America, where they settled in Warsaw, Illinois. In 1849 he married Martha Wade, and in 1851 or 1857, they traveled to California and settled on a ranch reported to be at Stony Point. The 1860 census documents them living in Annally, Sonoma County, and the 1870 census documents them living in Petaluma, where William lived until he died in 1899. William served on the Petaluma City Council and as Street Superintendent. William was buried in his family plot at the Petaluma Cypress Hill Cemetery.

Family Affiliation: William married Martha Wade in 1849. Together, they had at least six children: Miss Gussie Ayers, Mrs. Eugene Wilson, Mrs. Amelia Vestal, Mrs. Edith Chapman, William David Ayer, and Rosalie “Rosa” Ayers Blakely. William Ayer’s brother, Robert Ayers (d. Ventura, California, December 1899), built the Washoe House at Stony Point in 1855. There are numerous portraits of additional Ayers family members on this website.

Bibliography: Petaluma Argus-Courier, Oct. 15, 1899, p.1. Petaluma Daily Morning Courier, Oct. 14, 1899, p. 1; Oct. 16, 1899, p. 1; Oct. 24, 1899, p. 2; Dec. 14, 1899, p. 1;

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 is: “William Ayers”.

Description, back: Hugh Anderson’s imprint appears in red ink, and along the bottom edge in bold black marker appears: “Wiliam Ayers”.

Date: January 1872-December 1873

Condition: The front of this CDV has considerable foxing and the back is 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. 

Ayers, Martha Wade (1829 or 1830 - 1890)(1 of 2)

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Hugh S. Anderson’s Portrait Photograph of martha Ayers

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: Martha Ayers

Description: In this portrait, Martha Wade Ayers is between 42 and 44 years old. She wears a dark, front-buttoned blouse and a matching skirt cinched tightly at her waist with a buckled, vertically striped, cloth belt. A large white, scalloped, lace collar with long, pointed ends surrounds her neck. Her dark hair is center-parted, combed to the back of her head, and secured in a netted snood.

Biographical Note: Martha Wade Ayers was a native of Tennessee. She married William Ayers in 1849, and in 1851 or 1857, they traveled to California and settled on a ranch reported to be at Stony Point. The 1860 census documents them living in Analy, Sonoma County, and the 1870 census documents them living in Petaluma, where Martha lived until she died in 1890.

Family Affiliation: Martha married William Wade in 1849. Together they had at least six children: Miss Gussie Ayers, Mrs. Eugene Wilson, Mrs. Amelia Vestal, Mrs. Edith Chapman, William David Ayer, and Rosalie “Rosa” Ayers Blakely. There are numerous additional portraits of Ayers family members on this website.

Bibliography: The Petaluma Courier, Oct. 9, 1890, p.5.

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 of the card is: “Martha Ayers”.

Description, back: Huge Anderson’s imprint appears in red ink in the center of the card. Along the top edge of the card is written: “Mrs. T. M. Blakeley”, “1551 Myrtle st”. This undoubtedly refers to the owner of the portrait, Martha’s daughter, Rosalie Ayers Blakely also known as Mrs. Theron M. Blakely. The handwritten script across the photographer’s imprint has not been determined. Below the imprint is additional text which includes, “1 Crayon” and “16 X 20”. Given that crayon portraits were traditionally 16” by 20”, this may be a note referring to the possibility of ordering a crayon portrait which could be created from the carte de visite. Along the right side of the card written in bold black marker is: “Martha Ayers”.

Date: January 1872 - December 1873

Condition: This carte de visite is heavily soiled and there is extensive foxing on both sides.

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. 

Ayers, Martha Wade (1829 or 30 - 1890) (2 of 2)

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John Quincy Reed’s Portrait Photograph of martha ayers

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:

Names: Martha Wade Ayers

Description: In this head-and-shoulders portrait, Martha Wade Ayers appears as a middle-aged matron. She wears a dark, front-buttoned jacket with a white ruff collar. Her dark hair is center-parted and combed to the back of her head. Her only ornament is a bar brooch pinned at her neck.

Biographical Note: Martha Wade Ayers was a native of Tennessee. She married William Ayers in 1849, and in 1851 or 1857, they traveled to California and settled on a ranch reported to be at Stony Point. The 1860 census documents them living in Annally, Sonoma County, and the 1870 census documents them living in Petaluma where Martha lived until her death in 1890.

Family Affiliation: Martha married William Wade in 1849. Together they had at least six children: Miss Gussie Ayers, Mrs. Eugene Wilson, Mrs. Amelia Vestal, Mrs. Edith Chapman, William David Ayer, and Rosalie “Rosa” Ayers Blakely. There are numerous additional portraits of Ayers family members on this website.

Bibliography: The Petaluma Courier, Oct. 9, 1890, p.5.

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: cabinet card, approximately 10.75 x 16.5 cm

Medium: Gelatin or collodion photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front: John Quincy Reed’s imprint appears along the bottom of the card, and handwritten in script in black ink along the bottom of the photographic print is “Martha Ayers”.

Description, back: Handwritten in black marker along the bottom is: “Martha Ayers”.

Date: 1870 to 1890

Condition: With the exception of a few small spots in the top of the front, this cabinet card is in good condition.

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. 

Ayers, William David (1869-1929)(2 of 2)

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John Quincy Reed’s Portrait Photograph of william david ayers

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:

Names: William David Ayers

Description: William David Ayers appears as an apprehensive adolescent in this head-and-shoulders portrait. He is attired in a high-buttoned tweed jacket with small lapels and a high-collared white shirt which is accompanied by a wide necktie adorned with a rectangular stickpin. His center-parted, full, wavy, dark hair has been carefully combed and oiled.

Biographical Note: William David Ayers was born at his family’s ranch in Stony Point and at age eleven they moved to Petaluma. For many years he worked at the Petaluma branch of the Wells Fargo Company and earned additional income by investing in Petaluma real estate. Although William was living in San Francisco at the time of his death, he was buried in Petaluma’s Cypress Hill Memorial Park.

Family Affiliation: William David Ayers was the youngest child of early Petaluma pioneers William Ayers (1829-1899) and Martha Wade Ayers (1829 or 30 - 1890). In 1892, William married Ada Mae Carlisle Ayers (1875-1931). Together, they had at least three children: William D. Ayers III, Mervyn W. Ayers, and Harry W. Ayers. There are numerous additional portraits of the Ayers family members on this website. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/125529520/william_david_ayers.

Bibliography: Petaluma Argus-Courier, Jan. 4, 1929, p. 8.

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: cabinet card, approximately 10.75 x 16.5 cm

Medium: Gelatin or collodion photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front: Handwritten in script in pencil along the bottom of the photographic print is: “Uncle Will” and “Wm D. Ayers, Jr”. The photographer’s imprint appears in black type along the bottom of the card.

Description, back: Handwritten in script in pencil along the top of card is: “Wm David Ayers”. Handwritten in script in black marker along the bottom edge is: “William David Ayers”.

Date: Based on the appearance of the sitter, it would seem logical to date this portrait between 1885 and 1890.

Condition: Both sides of this cabinet card 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.