Ross & Ormsby’s Portrait Photograph of Nancy Jane “Jennie” Whitney
Morrow, Nancy Jane "Jennie" Whitney (1855-1938)(1 of 5)
/Ross & Ormsby’s Portrait Photograph of Nancy Jane “Jennie” Whitney
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: Nancy Jane “Jennie” Whitney Morrow (When this portrait was taken, the sitter would have been known by her birth name, Whitney.)
Description: In this head-and-shoulder portrait, Nancy Jane “Jennie” Whitney is between 14 and 16 years old. She is attired in a simple, draped, dark, high-necked, blouse. Surrounding her neck are two banded collars, one white, one black giving her a stoic, almost clerical appearance. Pinned to the black collar is a small, round brooch. Her center-parted hair is combed to the back of her head and secured by a thin headband.
Biographical Note: As a member of a prominent Petaluma family, Nancy Jane “Jennie” Whitney attended “Professor Lippitt’s Scientific & Classical Institute” on D Street in Petaluma, and served as a Sunday school teacher at St. John’s Episcopal Church under Reverend George Barbour Allen (1833-1918). On April 20, 1881, at the age 26, in her parent’s home at 6th and F Streets in Petaluma, she married George Pilson Morrow (1858-1904) of Temescal, Alameda County, California. George Morrow was connected with the grain industry and president of George P. Morrow & Company, 303 California Street, San Francisco. On June 7, 1897, the Petaluma Daily Courier reported that Nancy Jane had been elected to the School Board of Temescal, a neighborhood of Oakland, California. In 1904, George died at the age of 45. In 1938, Nancy Jane died at age 81. Both were buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland.
Family Affiliation: Nancy Jane “Jennie” Whitney was the second daughter of the prominent Petaluma pioneers, Albion Paris Whitney (1825-1884) and Susan Durgin Eastman Whitney (1832-1917). Her father was a California State Senator and wealthy businessman. Her mother managed the family business after his death and was an active participant in the women’s suffrage movement. Her paternal grandmother was Olive Parlin Whitney (1791-1874), and her siblings were Cleora Melissa Whitney Hewlett, Arthur Leslie Whitney, Leona Merrill Whitney, Marcella “Ella” Whitney Wheaton, Albion Harvey Whitney and Clara Whitney Spears. With her husband, George Pilson Morrow (1858-1904) Nancy Jane had two children, Rachel Morrow and George Whitney Morrow. Following in his maternal grandfather’s footsteps, George Whitney Morrow worked in the grocery industry.
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: Carte de visite, approximately 6.25 x 10. 5 cm
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: This portrait is a late example of earlier cartes de visite containing a diminutive head-and-shoulder image of the sitter. Along the bottom left edge of the card, partially covered by the mounted photograph paper, is printed in ornate script and red ink, “Ross & Ormsby,”, and long the right edge is, “Petaluma.”.
Description, back: Handwritten in cursive in pencil and then marked over repeatedly is, “Ella Lippitt Daugherity”. This may refer to Helen Marion Lippitt Dougherty (1860-1940), a daughter of early Petaluma pioneers, Edward Spaulding Lippitt (1824-1912) and Sarah Lucinda Lewis Lippitt (1832-1919). Below this is written, “Nancy Jane.” .
Date: May 1869 - 1870 or 1871
Condition: Both sides of this card are slightly soiled.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1981-835-23
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.
Morrow, Nancy Jane "Jennie" Whitney (1855-1938)(5 of 5)
/John Quincy Reed’s Portrait Photograph of Jennie Whitney & Etta Attenbury
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 Sitters:
Names: Nancy Jane “Jennie” Whitney Morrow and Etta Attenbury (At the time this portrait was taken, Nancy Jane would have been known by her maiden name, Whitney.)
Description: This cabinet card is a double portrait of Nancy Jane “Jennie” Whitney (on the viewer’s left), and Etta Attenbury (on the viewer’s right). This is an intimate portrait of friends; the girls tilt their heads to touch each other. They are dressed and groomed similarly. Short, straight bangs frame their faces, and large, flat, bows adorn the top of their heads. Both girls also wear plaid blouses, high white collars with metal pins at the throat and large lacy jabots. A large dark bead hangs prominently from the left ear of Nancy Jane Whitney. To view an earlier portrait of these two girls together see: Nancy Jane Whitney, Etta Attenbury and Millie.
Biographical Note: As a member of a prominent Petaluma family, Nancy Jane “Jennie” Whitney attended “Professor Lippitt’s Scientific & Classical Institute” on D Street in Petaluma, and served as a Sunday school teacher at Petaluma’s St. John’s Episcopal Church under Reverend George Barbour Allen (1833-1918). On April 20, 1881, at the age of 26, in her parent’s home at 6th and F Streets in Petaluma, she married George Pilson Morrow of Temescal, Alameda County, California (1858 -1904). George Morrow was connected with the grain industry and president of George P. Morrow & Company, 303 California Street, San Francisco. On June 7, 1897 the Petaluma Daily Courier reported that Nancy Jane had been elected to the School Board of Temescal, a neighborhood of Oakland, California. In 1904, George died at the age of 45. In 1938, Nancy Jane died at age 81. Both were buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland.
Family Affiliation: Nancy Jane “Jennie” Whitney was the second daughter of the prominent Petaluma pioneers, Albion Paris Whitney (1825-1884) and Susan Durgin Eastman Whitney (1832-1917). Her father was a California State Senator and wealthy businessman. Her mother managed the family business after his death and was an active participant in the women’s suffrage movement. Her paternal grandmother was Olive Parlin Whitney (1791-1874), and her siblings were Cleora Melissa Whitney Hewlett, Arthur Leslie Whitney, Leona Merrill Whitney, Marcella “Ella” Whitney Wheaton, Albion Harvey Whitney and Clara Whitney Spears. With her husband, George Pilson Morrow (1858-1904) Nancy Jane had two children, Rachel Morrow and George Whitney Morrow. Following in his maternal grandfather’s footsteps, George Whitney Morrow worked in the grocery industry.
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: cabinet card, approximately 10.75 x 16.5 cm
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: This cabinet card is a double, head-and-shoulders, portrait of two girls with their heads touching. The photographer’s imprint appears at the bottom in printed cursive, and the names of the sitters are handwritten in cursive above the imprint.
Description, back: The back of this cabinet card is blank or contains only an accession number.
Date: 1872-1874
Condition: This card is soiled and there is a black spot on the center left of the front side.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1981-835-35
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.
Morrow, Nancy Jane "Jennie" Whitney (1855-1938) (4 of 5)
/Bradley & Rulofson Studio Portrait Photograph of Nancy Jane “Jennie” Whitney
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
Photographic Studio: Bradley & Rulofson, 429 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California. Henry William Bradley (1813-1891) opened a photographic studio in San Francisco in 1850 and in 1860 took on his partner William Rulofson (1826-1876). Their studio was considered by many to be the best in California. Bradley retired in 1878.
THE SITTER:
Name: Nancy Jane “ Jennie” Whitney (When this portrait was taken, Nancy Jane would have been know by her maiden name, Whitney.)
Description: In this head-and-shoulders portrait, 16 year old Nancy Jane “Jennie” Whitney looks blankly to her right. She wears what appears to be a dark, satin, cape with heavy black embroidery and dark, wooden, toggle latches. Around her neck is a white lace collar, a stripped ribbon with notched ends, and a narrow, black, choker with a small, round, ornament attached to its center. Her hair is center-parted, pulled to the back of her head, and gathered in a net-textured snood. Her snood is edged in black piping, and at the top of Nancy Jane’s head is a light colored bow.
Biographical Note: As a member of a prominent Petaluma family, Nancy Jane “Jennie” Whitney attended “Professor Lippitt’s Scientific & Classical Institute” on D Street in Petaluma, and served as a Sunday school teacher at Petaluma’s St. John’s Episcopal Church under Reverend George Barbour Allen (1833-1918). On April 20, 1881, at the age of 26, in her parent’s home at 6th and F Streets in Petaluma, she married George Pilson Morrow of Temescal, Alameda County, California (1858 -1904). George Morrow was connected with the grain industry and president of George P. Morrow & Company, 303 California Street, San Francisco. On June 7, 1897, the Petaluma Daily Courier reported that Nancy Jane had been elected to the School Board of Temescal, a neighborhood of Oakland, California. In 1904, George died at the age of 45. In 1938, Nancy Jane died at age 81. Both were buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland.
Family Affiliation: Nancy Jane “Jennie” Whitney was the second daughter of the prominent Petaluma pioneers, Albion Paris Whitney (1825-1884) and Susan Durgin Eastman Whitney (1832-1917). Her father was a California State Senator and wealthy businessman. Her mother managed the family business after his death and was an active participant in the women’s suffrage movement. Her paternal grandmother was Olive Parlin Whitney (1791-1874), and her siblings were Cleora Melissa Whitney Hewlett, Arthur Leslie Whitney, Leona Merrill Whitney, Marcella “Ella” Whitney Wheaton, Albion Harvey Whitney and Clara Whitney Spears. With her husband, George Pilson Morrow (1858-1904) Nancy Jane had two children, Rachel Morrow and George Whitney Morrow. Following in his maternal grandfather’s footsteps, George Whitney Morrow worked in the grocery industry.
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: carte de visite, approximately 5.75 x 9.75 cm
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: This portrait has been set within a vertical oval. Embossed on the bottom right is, “Bradley & Rulofson”. In the Petaluma Historical Library & Museum’s collection are two difference poses taken of Nancy Jane during her portrait sitting at Bradley & Rulofson’s studio, see her portrait 3 of 5 in this archive.
Description, back: Handwritten in cursive in black ink is, “Jennie Whitney aged 15 year July 1870”. Printed below is the imprint of the Bradley and Rulofoson Studio.
Date: July 1870
Condition: Both sides of this card are slightly soiled, and there are four black spots on the front.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1981-835-16
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.
Morrow, Nancy Jane "Jennie" Whitney (1855-1938) (3 of 5)
/Bradley & Rulofson Studio Portrait Photograph of Nancy Jane “Jennie” Whitney
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
Photographic Studio: Bradley & Rulofson, 429 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California. Henry William Bradley (1813-1891) opened a photographic studio in San Francisco in 1850 and in 1860 took on his partner William Rulofson (1826-1876). Their studio was considered by many to be the best in California. Bradley retired in 1878.
THE SITTER:
Name: Nancy Jane “Jennie” Whitney Morrow (When this portrait was taken, the sitter would have been known by her maiden name, Whitney)
Description: In this head-and-shoulders portrait, 16 year old Nancy Jane “Jennie” Whitney looks down dolefully to her right. She wears what appears to be a dark, satin, cape with heavy black embroidery and dark, wooden, toggle latches. Around her neck is a white lace collar, a stripped ribbon with notched ends, and a narrow, black, choker with a small, round, ornament attached to its center. Her hair is center-parted, pulled to the back of her head, and gathered in a net-textured snood. Her snood is edged in black piping, and at the top of Nancy Jane’s head is a light colored bow.
Biographical Note: As a member of a prominent Petaluma family, Nancy Jane “Jennie” Whitney attended “Professor Lippitt’s Scientific & Classical Institute” on D Street in Petaluma, and served as a Sunday school teacher at Petaluma’s St. John’s Episcopal Church under Reverend George Barbour Allen (1833-1918). On April 20, 1881, at the age of 26, in her parent’s home at 6th and F Streets in Petaluma, she married George Pilson Morrow of Temescal, Alameda County, California (1858 -1904). George Morrow was connected with the grain industry and president of George P. Morrow & Company, 303 California Street, San Francisco. On June 7, 1897, the Petaluma Daily Courier reported that Nancy Jane had been elected to the School Board of Temescal, a neighborhood of Oakland, California. In 1904, George died at the age of 45. In 1938, Nancy Jane died at age 81. Both were buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland.
Family Affiliation: Nancy Jane “Jennie” Whitney was the second daughter of the prominent Petaluma pioneers, Albion Paris Whitney (1825-1884) and Susan Durgin Eastman Whitney (1832-1917). Her father was a California State Senator and wealthy businessman. Her mother managed the family business after his death and was an active participant in the women’s suffrage movement. Her paternal grandmother was Olive Parlin Whitney (1791-1874), and her siblings were Cleora Melissa Whitney Hewlett, Arthur Leslie Whitney, Leona Merrill Whitney, Marcella “Ella” Whitney Wheaton, Albion Harvey Whitney and Clara Whitney Spears. With her husband, George Pilson Morrow (1858-1904) Nancy Jane had two children, Rachel Morrow and George Whitney Morrow. Following in his maternal grandfather’s footsteps, George Whitney Morrow worked in the grocery industry.
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: carte de visite, approximately 5.75 x 9.75 cm
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: This portrait has been set within a vertical oval. Embossed on the bottom right is, “Bradley & Rulofson”. In the Petaluma Historical Library & Museum’s collection are two difference poses taken of Nancy Jane during her portrait sitting at Bradley & Rulofson’s studio, see her portrait 4 of 5 in this archive.
Description, back: Handwritten along the top of the card in cursive in pencil, can be seen, “1871”. On top of this is also written, “1871”, this time in bold, black, marker. Directly below this, handwritten in cursive in pencil is, “Jennie” followed by the photographers’ imprint. At the bottom is printed, “Additional copies can be had at any time.”.
Date: July 1871
Condition: This card is slightly soiled on both sides, and the top right corner has been clipped.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1981-835-11
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.
Morrow, Nancy Jane "Jennie" Whitney (1855-1938) (2 of 5)
/Unidentified Photographer, Portrait Photograph of
Nancy Jane “jennie” Whitney, Etta Attenbury & “Millie”
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
Photographer: unidentified
THE SITTERS:
Names: Nancy Jane “Jennie” Whitney Morrow, Millie, and Etta Attenbury (When this portrait was taken, Nancy Jane would have been known by her maiden name, Whitney.
Description: In this group portrait, Nancy Jane “Jennie” Whitney is seated on the viewer’s left and is fifteen years old. The age of the other two girls, Millie standing and Etta Attenbury seated right, is unknown. All three girls are wearing cinched dresses with ruffled, flounced, hems which were characteristic of the late 1860s and early 1870s. The surname name of “Millie” has not been identified, and little is known of Etta Attenbury. It appears she was a close friend of Nancy Jane. See the double portrait of them in this archive in which they are dressed and groomed identically.
Biographical Note: As a member of a prominent Petaluma family, Nancy Jane “Jennie” Whitney attended “Professor Lippitt’s Scientific & Classical Institute” on D Street in Petaluma, and served as a Sunday school teacher at Petaluma’s St. John’s Episcopal Church under Reverend George Barbour Allen (1833-1918). On April 20, 1881, at the age of 26, in her parent’s home at 6th and F Streets in Petaluma, she married George Pilson Morrow of Temescal, Alameda County, California (1858 -1904). George Morrow was connected with the grain industry and president of George P. Morrow & Company, 303 California Street, San Francisco. On June 7, 1897, the Petaluma Daily Courier reported that Nancy Jane had been elected to the School Board of Temescal, a neighborhood of Oakland, California. In 1904, George died at the age of 45. In 1938, Nancy Jane died at age 81. Both were buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland.
Family Affiliation: Nancy Jane “Jennie” Whitney was the second daughter of the prominent Petaluma pioneers, Albion Paris Whitney (1825-1884) and Susan Durgin Eastman Whitney (1832-1917). Her father was a California State Senator and wealthy businessman. Her mother managed the family business after his death and was an active participant in the women’s suffrage movement. Her paternal grandmother was Olive Parlin Whitney (1791-1874), and her siblings were Cleora Melissa Whitney Hewlett, Arthur Leslie Whitney, Leona Merrill Whitney, Marcella “Ella” Whitney Wheaton, Albion Harvey Whitney and Clara Whitney Spears. With her husband, George Pilson Morrow (1858-1904) Nancy Jane had two children, Rachel Morrow and George Whitney Morrow. Following in his maternal grandfather’s footsteps, George Whitney Morrow worked in the grocery industry.
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: carte de visite
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, Front: This carte de visit group portrait was taken in front of a painted, studio backdrop depicting a lush landscape. On the floor is a rug with large floral medallions.
Description, Back: It is difficult to decipher the script. In the top left is handwritten in cursive, in pencil, “For Rae” (underlined) and “1870”. Lower down, on a diagonal, also handwritten in cursive in pencil appears to be, “Millie”, “+ farends”. This word has been marked over with two bold lines. Its author may have meant to write “friends”. Below, also handwritten in cursive in pencil appears “Etta Attenbury” and towards the bottom right appears “Jennie”.
Date: 1870
Condition: This card is heavily soiled, the edges have been trimmed, and the top corners clipped. There is also a dark black mark on the front bottom right corner.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum,1981-835-20
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.