Hall, Mary Louise Brown (1860-1932)(1 of 4)
/Unidentified Photographer, Two ambrotype Portraits of Daniel Brown and his daughter Mary Louise or Annie Alexis
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
Photographer: unidentified. It is possible one of two Petaluma photographers created these ambrotypes: Giles Pease Kellogg or Edward Payson Butler. Kellogg, the first photographer to work in Petaluma, began offering ambrotypes by May 1856, and Butler, who took over Kellogg’s studio on January 10, 1862, continued to create ambrotypes in Petaluma until April 1863. These dates coincide with the years in which Daniel and Annie Brown were raising their young daughters in Petaluma. Daniel Brown married Annie Alexis Ferguson on May 18, 1858, and their first two children, both girls, were born in Petaluma, Mary Louise on March 5, 1860 and Annie Alexis on August 21, 1861.
THE SITTERS:
Name: Daniel Brown and his daughter Mary Louise Brown (Mary Louise Brown Hall) and/or Annie Alexis Brown
Description: In both ambrotypes, Daniel Brown is portrayed with one of his two toddler daughters. The young father is dressed in his business suit replete with matching vest, pocket watch, neck tie, and straight, high-collared white shirt. He sports a full goatee or chin beard, but no mustache. In the portrait on the left, his daughter has been positioned on a restraining device, the end of which can be seen to the right of her face, and tilted towards her father so that their heads touch. Although this is an endearing pose, she wears a petulant scowl. In the portrait on the right, his daughter sits happily on his lap, his hand supporting her at the waist. In both portraits, the toddler wears white socks, black shoes, and a waisted, drop-shouldered dress which is adorned with wide strips of ribbon at the top of the sleeves.
The two portraits may not have been taken at the same time: there are distinct differences in the details of Daniel’s beard and hair; it appears his bow ties are not the same; and he may not be wearing a vest in the right portrait. If the portraits were taken at different sittings, it is possible that Mary Louise is portrayed in one and Annie Alexis in the other.
Biographical Note: Mary Louise, or Lulu as she was called, was the first of twelve children born to the early Petaluma pioneers, Daniel and Annie Brown. She was born in Petaluma on March 5, 1860, and attended the Brick School and Petaluma High School. Lulu graduated from high school in 1878 along with five other students including her future husband, Gilbert Hall. Two years later on May 29, 1882, Lulu and Gil eloped to Marin County and were married there by a Justice of the Peace. The next day the Brown parents arranged for them to be married in a Catholic ceremony in their home. The Hall couple settled in Petaluma and for a few years resided in Santa Rosa while Gil was acting as Sonoma County Auditor and Recorder. From girlhood and throughout her adult years, Mary Louise was active in St. Vincent Church events. At one time she was photographed driving a horse and buggy down Main Street with a friend while collecting donations for a Catholic fair. The tintype still exists.
The marriage of the Hall couple lasted almost fifty years. Gil died on January 24, 1932, and Mary Louise followed on August 25th of the same year. Five daughters survived the Hall couple, Aletha, Evelyn, Kathleen, Geraldine, and Dorothy; one son died at birth. Gilbert and Mary Louise lived at 325 Post Street in Petaluma and were buried together in Calvary Catholic Cemetery.
*This biographical note was written by Annie Alexis Ferguson Brown’s descendant, Kathleen O’Brien Balestrini.
Family Affiliation: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/42046382/mary-louise-hall Search this archive and the Sonoma County Library photograph archive for additional portraits of the Brown and Hall families.
Bibliography: Petaluma Argus-Courier: August 25, 1932, p. 3 (obituary); August 27, 1932, p. 3. Petaluma Daily Morning Courier: July 29, 1911, p.1; August 28, 1911, p. 5.
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: According to the owner of the original, both images, as measured outside of their frames, are approximately, 2 3/4” by by 2 1/2”.
Medium: Ambrotype
Description, front: The two ambrotypes are contained in a single brown floral design Union case with brass hinges.
Description, back:
Date: between 1861 and 1863
Condition: Both ambrotypes are in good condition. The Union case has a broken/missing piece from the lower left corner of the front half.
Owner: From the collection of Kathleen O’Brien Balestrini, 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.