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 wedge 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.