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 carte de visites 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
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