Blakely, Rosalie “Rosa” Ayers (1865-1938) (1 of 2)

Bryan R. Johnson’s Portrait Photograph of rosalie “Rosa” ayers Blakely

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

BRYAN R. JOHNSON was born c. 1834 in New York State, and his death date is unidentified. After working as a photographer in several California cities, Johnson moved to Petaluma and beginning in December of 1862 co-partnered with Edward P. Butler at the Ambrotype and Photographic Gallery on Petaluma’s Phoenix Block. In April of 1863 Johnson took sole possession of the gallery and renamed it “Johnson’s Premier Pioneer Photographic Gallery”. In 1864 he moved his studio twice within the community and continued working in Petaluma at least until 1867. (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: Rosalie “Rosa” Ayers (Blakely)

Description: With a petulant expression typical of intelligent children, Rosalie sits in a balloon chair looking straight out at the viewer. She holds her hands assuredly in her lap and pulls the toes of her feet back in what can be read as a defiant gesture. She wears a brocaded dark dress with slightly dropped shoulders.

Biographical Note:

Family Affiliation: Rosalie was the daughter of early Petaluma pioneers William A. Ayers (1829-1899) and Martha Wade Ayers. Rosalie was married to Theron M. Blakely Senior who worked for the Petaluma Courier. Together, they had one daughter, Clarice Blakely Holmes, and one son, Theron Melville Blakely Junior (1890-1923), who died in the disastrous crash of the U. S. Army Airship Roma on February 21, 1922, in Norfolk, Virginia. Rosalie lived in Petaluma until 1906 when she moved to Napa and then to St. Helena. She died in St. Helena and was buried with her son in Alta Mesa Memorial Park, Palo Alto, California. On this website are additional portraits of other Ayers family members. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/95183568/rosalie_blakely

Bibliography: Petaluma Argus-Courier, Sept. 17, 1908, p.7; Feb. 23, 1922, p. 1. The Napa Valley Register, March 8, 1938, p. 8.

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size:  carte de visite

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front:

Description, back: In the center of the back of the card is the photographer’s imprint: “From B. R. Johnson’s Photographic Establishment, Doyle’s Building, Main Street, Petaluma.” Above this has been placed a two cent revenue stamp. Along the bottom edge is written, “Negatives preserved from which extra copies can be had at less than regular prices.”. “Rosalie Ayers” also appears along the bottom edge handwritten in bold black marker.

Date: 1867 or 68

Condition: Both the front and back of this carte de visite are 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.

Blakely, Rosalie “Rosa” Ayers(1865-1938) (2 of 2)

John Quincy Reed’s Portrait Photograph of rosalie “Rosa” ayers Blakely

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: Rosalie “Rosa” Ayers (Blakely)

Description: Looking out at the viewer with a scowling expression, Rosalie sits casually, resting her right elbow on a side table. She wears a calf-length plaid dress that has a matching shorter overskirt. The overskirt has a scalloped hem trimmed in two bands of dark ribbon. On the left side of her dress hem can be seen the trim of her white, scalloped petticoat. Over her dress is a bolero jacket trimmed along the front and around the cuffs with white embroidery. She also wears laced boots and white stockings. Her shoulder-length hair is very curly and adorned with a bow.

Biographical Note:

Family Affiliation: Rosalie was the daughter of early Petaluma pioneers William A. Ayers (1829-1899) and Martha Wade Ayers. Rosalie married Theron M. Blakely Senior, who worked for the Petaluma Courier. Together, they had one daughter, Clarice Blakely Holmes, and one son, Theron Melville Blakely Junior (1890-1923), who died in the disastrous crash of the U. S. Army Airship Roma on February 21, 1922, in Norfolk, Virginia. Rosalie lived in Petaluma until 1906 when she moved to Napa and then to St. Helena. She died in St. Helena and was buried with her son in Alta Mesa Memorial Park, Palo Alto, California. On this website are additional portraits of other Ayers family members. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/95183568/rosalie_blakely

Bibliography: Petaluma Argus-Courier, Sept. 17, 1908, p.7; Feb. 23, 1922, p. 1. The Napa Valley Register, March 8, 1938, p. 8.

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: carte de visite

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front: Handwritten in script in pencil along the bottom of the card is: “Rosalie Ayers 14 yrs. old”.

Description, back:

Date: 1879

Condition: There is extensive foxing in the upper right of this portrait.

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. 

Blakely (Blakeley), Theron Melville (1890-1922)

Elon D. Ormsby’s Portrait Photograph of Theron Melville Blakely (Blakeley)

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

Photographer: Elon D. Ormsby (b.1845). Prior to setting up his studio in Oakland, Elon D. Ormsby worked in Petaluma as a partner with George Colvaine Ross, see Ross & Ormsby.

Studio Location: 1055 Broadway, Oakland, Cal.


THE SITTER:

Name: Theron Melville Blakely (Blakeley)

Description: In this head-and-shoulders portrait, Theron M. Blakely looks up and to his right. He is attired in a businessman’s high-buttoned, lapel-piped jacket, a white shirt with a Mandarin collar, and a necktie with an elaborate trinity knot. A stickpin in the shape of a “T” appears in the center of the knot. Theron is meticulously groomed. His side-parted hair has been carefully oiled and combed, and the tips of his forehead locks have been curled to flip up. He sports a walrus mustache.

Biographical Note: Theron M. Blakely was born and received his early education in Oakland. He later moved to Petaluma, where he enlisted for service in World War I. He was honored as a United States Marine Corps veteran and, after the war, reenlisted in the United States Army Air Service. On February 21, 1922, he died along with 33 crew mates in the disastrous crash of the U.S. Army Airship Roma in Norfolk, Virginia. Theron was buried near his mother’s residence in the Alta Mesa Memorial Park, Palo Alto, California.

Family Affiliation: Theron M. Blakely was the only son of Theron M. Blakely Sr. and Roslie “Rosa” Ayers Blakely (1865-1938), the daughter of early Petaluma pioneers William Ayers (1829-1899) and Martha Wade Ayers (1829 or 30 - 1890). Theron had one sister, Clarice Aletha Blakely Holmes. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/95182713/theron-melville-blakely

Bibliography: Petaluma Daily Morning Courier, Feb. 23, 1922, p. 1; Feb 26, 1922, p. 3.; March 3, 1922, p. 2; March 5, 1922, p. 1.


THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: cabinet card

Medium: gelatin or collodion photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front:

Description, back: Elon D. Ormsby’s large imprint appears in brown ink. Handwritten in script in pencil along the top edge is: “Theron Blakely”.

Date:

Condition: 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.