Williams, Mehitable (Mehetabel) Lilly (1807-1899) (1 of 3)

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BRADLEY & RULOFSON’s STUDIO portrait of MEHITABLE LILLY WILLIAMS

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ 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: Mehitable Lilly Williams

Description:

Biographical Note: George and Mehetabel Williams were stellar examples of the pioneer spirit of hard work and determination. After testing his luck searching for gold, George sailed up the Petaluma River in 1851 in search for a location to build a family home, and in 1855 he convinced his wife and children to join him. In a strange twist of fate, Mehetabel and the children journeyed west while George was journeying east to fetch them. They eventually rendezvoused in Petaluma in August of 1855.

George was an enterprising developer and community builder. He constructed two of Petaluma’s earliest hotels, the American Hotel in 1852 and the Washington Hotel in 1856, and he was instrumental in constructing one of Petaluma’s first public schools and many of its private homes.

The full story of the adventures of George and Mehetabel is long and intriguing. Portions of their story are recounted in the memoirs of their son, George Roscoe Williams, and a thorough discussion is provided in Adair Lara’s definitive History of Petaluma, A California River Town. Adair Lara succinctly summed up George Williams’ legacy when she wrote, “It is ironic that Williams is remembered most in Petaluma history not for his ambitious hotel schemes, his land dealings, or his civic contributions, but for that idle moment early in 1856 when, out of longing to see his daughter again, or perhaps simply on impulse, he drew a rough sketch of Petaluma Creek and sent it off to John A. McNear, a young cousin who had married his daughter, Clara… In that moment, he changed Petaluma forever.”

George and Mehitable celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary in November of 1898. They both died in 1899 and were buried in Petaluma’s Cypress Hill Memorial Park.

Family Affiliation: George Bailey Williams’ mother was Elizabeth “Betsy” Bailey Williams (1792-1882). His wife was Mehitable (Mehetabel)Lilly Williams (1807-1899), and his children were: Clarinda Damsen Williams McNear (1837-1866), George Roscoe Williams (1839-1934), Rosetta Lilly Williams Weeks (1842-1899), and Laura J. Williams Barstow (1842-1904).

Bibliography:


THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size:  carte de visite

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front:

Description, back: Hugh Anderson’s imprint is on the center of the back of this carte de visite. Anderson created several versions of his Petaluma imprint. An expanded, possibly later, version appears here. It is printed in red ink and includes four lines of text, each in a different font. The text is embellished above and below with a horizontally flipped, elaborate flourish.

Date:

Condition:

Owner:  The James Allen Family 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. 

Williams, Mary Ludwig (1848-1898)(3 of 3)

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BRADLEY & RULOFSON STUDIO Portrait Photograph of Mary Ludwig Williams

 

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

Photographer: 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: Mary Ludwig Williams

Description:

Biographical Note:

Family Affiliation:

Bibliography:




THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size:

Medium:

Description, front:

Description, back:

Date:

Condition:

Owner:  The James Allen Family 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.

Williams, Mary Ludwig (1848-1898) (2 of 3)

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B.F. Howland & Co.’s Portrait Photograph of Mary Ludwig Williams

 

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

Photographer: B.F. Howland & Co.

Photographic Studio: 25 & 27 Third Street East Side, San Francisco, Ca


THE SITTER:

Name: Mary Ludwig Williams

Description:

Biographical Note:

Family Affiliation:

Bibliography:




THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size:

Medium:

Description, front:

Description, back:

Date:

Condition:

Owner:  The James Allen Family 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.

Williams, Mary Ludwig (1848-1898)(1 of 3)

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Unidentified Photographer, Portrait Photograph of Mary Ludwig Williams

 

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

Photographer: unidentified


THE SITTER:

Name: Mary Ludwig Williams

Description:

Biographical Note:

Family Affiliation:

Bibliography:




THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size:

Medium:

Description, front:

Description, back:

Date:

Condition:

Owner:  The James Allen Family 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.

Williams, George Roscoe (1839-1934)

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Billings & Hough’s Portrait Photograph of George Roscoe Williams

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

Photographer:  Billings & Hough

Photographic Studio: Lebanon, N.H.




THE SITTER:

Name: George Roscoe Williams

Description:

Biographical Note:

Family Affiliation:

Bibliography:




THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: carte de visite

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front:

Description, back:

Date:

Condition:

Owner:  The James Allen Family 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.

 

Williams, Mehitable (Mehetabel) Lilly (1807-1899)(3 of 3)

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E. R. HEALY GROUND FLOOR GALLERY’S Photograph of MEHITABLE LILLY WILLIAMS

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

EDWIN RUTHVEN HEALY (1856-1923) and ADA “ADDIE” GOSSAGE HEALY (1860-1923)  Edwin and Ada Healy were a married couple, and both were listed in California directories as a photographer. It has been assumed they worked together; however, ascertaining their division of labor is problematic. The “E. R. Healy Gound Floor Gallery” was opened in 1896 at 816 Main Street, Petaluma, California. It was later relocated to 818 Main Street and sold in June, 1905. In 1906 the Healys moved to Berkeley, California. (To view all portraits in this collection taken at the E. R. Healy Ground Floor Gallery and for additional information on Edwin and Ada Healy, click on their names in blue above.)



THE SITTER:

Name: Mehitable Lilly Williams

Description:

Biographical Note: George and Mehetabel Williams were stellar examples of the pioneer spirit of hard work and determination. After testing his luck searching for gold, George sailed up the Petaluma River in 1851 in search for a location to build a family home, and in 1855 he convinced his wife and children to join him. In a strange twist of fate, Mehetabel and the children journeyed west while George was journeying east to fetch them. They eventually rendezvoused in Petaluma in August of 1855.

George was an enterprising developer and community builder. He constructed two of Petaluma’s earliest hotels, the American Hotel in 1852 and the Washington Hotel in 1856, and he was instrumental in constructing one of Petaluma’s first public schools and many of its private homes.

The full story of the adventures of George and Mehetabel is long and intriguing. Portions of their story are recounted in the memoirs of their son, George Roscoe Williams, and a thorough discussion is provided in Adair Lara’s definitive History of Petaluma, A California River Town. Adair Lara succinctly summed up George Williams’ legacy when she wrote, “It is ironic that Williams is remembered most in Petaluma history not for his ambitious hotel schemes, his land dealings, or his civic contributions, but for that idle moment early in 1856 when, out of longing to see his daughter again, or perhaps simply on impulse, he drew a rough sketch of Petaluma Creek and sent it off to John A. McNear, a young cousin who had married his daughter, Clara… In that moment, he changed Petaluma forever.”

George and Mehitable celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary in November of 1898. They both died in 1899 and were buried in Petaluma’s Cypress Hill Memorial Park.

Family Affiliation: George Bailey Williams’ mother was Elizabeth “Betsy” Bailey Williams (1792-1882). His wife was Mehitable (Mehetabel)Lilly Williams (1807-1899), and his children were: Clarinda Damsen Williams McNear (1837-1866), George Roscoe Williams (1839-1934), Rosetta Lilly Williams Weeks (1842-1899), and Laura J. Williams Barstow (1842-1904).

Bibliography:


THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: 

Medium: gelatin or collodion photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front:

Description, back: Hugh Anderson’s imprint is on the center of the back of this carte de visite. Anderson created several versions of his Petaluma imprint. An expanded, possibly later, version appears here. It is printed in red ink and includes four lines of text, each in a different font. The text is embellished above and below with a horizontally flipped, elaborate flourish.

Date:

Condition:

Owner:  The James Allen Family 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. 

Williams, George Bailey (1809-1899)

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E. R. HEALY GROUND FLOOR GALLERY’S Photograph of George Bailey Williams

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

EDWIN RUTHVEN HEALY (1856-1923) and ADA “ADDIE” GOSSAGE HEALY (1860-1923)  Edwin and Ada Healy were a married couple, and both were listed in California directories as a photographer. It has been assumed they worked together; however, ascertaining their division of labor is problematic. The “E. R. Healy Gound Floor Gallery” was opened in 1896 at 816 Main Street, Petaluma, California. It was later relocated to 818 Main Street and sold in June, 1905. In 1906 the Healys moved to Berkeley, California. (To view all portraits in this collection taken at the E. R. Healy Ground Floor Gallery and for additional information on Edwin and Ada Healy, click on their names in blue above.)



THE SITTER:

Name: George Bailey Williams

Description:

Biographical Note: George and Mehetabel Williams were stellar examples of the pioneer spirit of hard work and determination. After testing his luck searching for gold, George sailed up the Petaluma River in 1851 in search for a location to build a family home, and in 1855 he convinced his wife and children to join him. In a strange twist of fate, Mehetabel and the children journeyed west while George was journeying east to fetch them. They eventually rendezvoused in Petaluma in August of 1855.

George was an enterprising developer and community builder. He constructed two of Petaluma’s earliest hotels, the American Hotel in 1852 and the Washington Hotel in 1856, and he was instrumental in constructing one of Petaluma’s first public schools and many of its private homes.

The full story of the adventures of George and Mehetabel is long and intriguing. Portions of their story are recounted in the memoirs of their son, George Roscoe Williams, and a thorough discussion is provided in Adair Lara’s definitive History of Petaluma, A California River Town. Adair Lara succinctly summed up George Williams’ legacy when she wrote, “It is ironic that Williams is remembered most in Petaluma history not for his ambitious hotel schemes, his land dealings, or his civic contributions, but for that idle moment early in 1856 when, out of longing to see his daughter again, or perhaps simply on impulse, he drew a rough sketch of Petaluma Creek and sent it off to John A. McNear, a young cousin who had married his daughter, Clara… In that moment, he changed Petaluma forever.”

George and Mehitable celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary in November of 1898. They both died in 1899 and were buried in Petaluma’s Cypress Hill Memorial Park.

Family Affiliation: George Bailey Williams’ mother was Elizabeth “Betsy” Bailey Williams (1792-1882). His wife was Mehitable (Mehetabel)Lilly Williams (1807-1899), and his children were: Clarinda Damsen Williams McNear (1837-1866), George Roscoe Williams (1839-1934), Rosetta Lilly Williams Weeks (1842-1899), and Laura J. Williams Barstow (1842-1904).

Bibliography:


THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: 

Medium: gelatin or collodion photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front:

Description, back: Hugh Anderson’s imprint is on the center of the back of this carte de visite. Anderson created several versions of his Petaluma imprint. An expanded, possibly later, version appears here. It is printed in red ink and includes four lines of text, each in a different font. The text is embellished above and below with a horizontally flipped, elaborate flourish.

Date:

Condition:

Owner:  The James Allen Family 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. 

Williams, Eliza Jane (1813-1884) (see Garrett)→

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Unidentified Photographer, Portrait Photograph of Eliza Jane williams garrett

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

Photographer: unidentified

THE SITTER:

Name: Eliza Jane Williams Garrett

Description:

Biographical Note:

Family Affiliation:

Bibliography:

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: 

Medium:

Description, front:

Description, back:

Date:

Condition:

Owner: The James Allen Family 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. 

Williams, Rosetta Lily (1842-1899) (see Weeks)→

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George Daniels Morse’s Portrait Photograph of Rosetta Lily Williams Weeks

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

Photographer:  George Daniels Morse (born c. 1835)

Photographic Studio: 417 Montgomery Street, San Francisco




THE SITTER:

Name: Rosetta Lily Williams Weeks

Description:

Biographical Note:

Family Affiliation:

Bibliography:




THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: carte de visite

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front:

Description, back:

Date:

Condition:

Owner:  The James Allen Family 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.

 

Williams, Laura Jane (1 of 5) (see Barstow)→

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Yeaw & Co.’s Portrait Photograph of Laura Jane Barstow

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

Photographer:  Yeaw & Co.

Photographic Studio: 166 Essex Street, Lawrence






THE SITTER:

Name: Laura Jane Williams Barstow

Description:

Biographical Note:

Family Affiliation:

Bibliography:




THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: cdv

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front:

Description, back:

Date:

Condition:

Owner:  The James Allen Family 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.

 

Williams, Clarinda “Clara” Damsen (1837-1866) (see McNear)→

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William Shew’s Portrait Photograph of Clarinda Damsen Williams McNear

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

Photographer: William Shew (1820-1903) was a prominent 19th century photographer famous for his daguerrotypes. He worked in New York and Boston before moving to San Francisco in 1851.

Studio Location: 423 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California

THE SITTER:

Name: Clarinda “Clara” Damsen Williams McNear

Description: In this full-length portrait, Clarinda is wearing a dark, belted dress with a large hoop petticoat beneath, a style typical of the 1860s. Her bell sleeves are hemmed in dark lace, and at her neck and wrist appear white lace. Her tightly cinched belt has a vertical oval buckle. The edges of her snood which was a traditional, fabric, ornamental, hairnet can be seen surrounding the perimeter of her head.

Biographical Note: Responding to a letter from her father, George Bailey Williams, to join him in Petaluma, Clarinda Williams McNear at the young age of nineteen, traveled with her husband, John Augustus McNear, from Mississippi to Petaluma in November of 1856. John became one of the most famous and respected of Petaluma citizens, but Clara, after giving birth to five sons, died at the young age of 29. Clara’s brother, George Roscoe Williams, recorded his thoughts about his sister’s death in his memoirs, My First Fifty Years: “The death of my sister, Clara McNear, on January 17, 1866, a few months after my return to California, caused the first break in our immediate family in twenty-five years, since the passing in infancy of our brother, Almeda. It was a great source of grief to my parents and to all of us who loved her for her many endearing qualities. She was not only beautiful in appearance but in character and had an unusually sweet, refined, and sensitive nature.” The Petaluma historian and “Petaluman of Yesteryear,” Bill Hammerman, beautifully wrote of the story of Clara’s interment: “The crown of the McNear legacy is Cypress Hill Cemetery. That legacy directly relates to Clara and the love her husband had for her. She died in the cold, rainy January of 1866 at the age of 29. The soil in the community burial grounds, Oak Hill Cemetery, was saturated. Water kept filling in the gravesite. So, John went looking for a high, dry place for Clara. He found it on the highest hill in what is now Cypress Hill Cemetery, where Clara and other members of the family and the community are buried.” Hammerman also clearly stated Clara’s Petaluma legacy when he wrote, “Without Clara Williams McNear, there would be no McNear legacy. Three men, her closest kin, are all remembered as having done much for the advancement of Petaluma. George Bailey Williams, her father, John Augustus McNear, her husband, and George Plummer McNear, her only surviving son.”

Family Affiliation: Clarinda Damsen Williams McNear was the daughter of early Petaluma pioneers George Bailey Williams (1809-1899) and Mehitable (also spelled Mehetabel) Lilly Williams (1807-1899). She was the first wife of John August McNear (1832-1918), and the mother of George Plummer McNear (1857-1947).

Bibliography:

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size: carte de visite

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front: In this full-length portrait, Clarinda Damsen William McNear rests her right hand on a balustrade and behind her is a painted backdrop depicting a lush landscape.

Description, back: Two gold lines border the back side of this card, and in the center is William Shew’s imprint.

Date: 1861-1866 According to Peter Palmquist, William Shew operated his studio at 423 Montgomery between 1861 and 1869, and Clarinda died in 1866.

Condition: With the exception of the discoloration in the sky of the painted backdrop, this card is in good condition.

Owner: Private collector, 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. 

Williams, George Bailey (1809-1899)

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Hugh S. Anderson’s Portrait Photograph of George Bailey Williams

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

HUGH S. ANDERSON  was born in 1826 in Scotland and died in 1900 in San Francisco, California. He was active in Petaluma as early as January 1872, and he departed Petaluma in December 1873. His Sunbeam Gallery was located, “At the Old Stand, Opposite H. C. Taft & Co.’s”. (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: George Bailey Williams

Description: In this head-and-shoulders portrait, George Bailey Williams appears as a middle-aged man. His beard, mustache and eyebrows are grey, but his hair is dark. His hair is parted on the his left side and combed straight down. The hair above his forehead has been mounded and combed directly back. George wears a heavy jacket, white collared shirt, and a dark bow tie.

Biographical Note: George and Mehetabel Williams were stellar examples of the pioneer spirit of hard work and determination. After testing his luck searching for gold, George sailed up the Petaluma River in 1851 in search for a location to build a family home, and in 1855 he convinced his wife and children to join him. In a strange twist of fate, Mehetabel and the children journeyed west while George was journeying east to fetch them. They eventually rendezvoused in Petaluma in August of 1855.

George was an enterprising developer and community builder. He constructed two of Petaluma’s earliest hotels, the American Hotel in 1852 and the Washington Hotel in 1856, and he was instrumental in constructing one of Petaluma’s first public schools and many of its private homes.

The full story of the adventures of George and Mehetabel is long and intriguing. Portions of their story are recounted in the memoirs of their son, George Roscoe Williams, and a thorough discussion is provided in Adair Lara’s definitive History of Petaluma, A California River Town. Adair Lara succinctly summed up George Williams’ legacy when she wrote, “It is ironic that Williams is remembered most in Petaluma history not for his ambitious hotel schemes, his land dealings, or his civic contributions, but for that idle moment early in 1856 when, out of longing to see his daughter again, or perhaps simply on impulse, he drew a rough sketch of Petaluma Creek and sent it off to John A. McNear, a young cousin who had married his daughter, Clara… In that moment, he changed Petaluma forever.”

George and Mehitable celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary in November of 1898. They both died in 1899 and were buried in Petaluma’s Cypress Hill Memorial Park.

Family Affiliation: George Bailey Williams’ mother was Elizabeth “Betsy” Bailey Williams (1792-1882). His wife was Mehitable (Mehetabel)Lilly Williams (1807-1899), and his children were: Clarinda Damsen Williams McNear (1837-1866), George Roscoe Williams (1839-1934), Rosetta Lilly Williams Weeks (1842-1899), and Laura J. Williams Barstow (1842-1904).

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 carte de visite’s portrait is contained within a vertical oval.

Description, back: Hugh Anderson’s imprint is on the center of the back of this carte de visite. Anderson created several versions of his Petaluma imprint. An expanded, possibly later, version appears here. It is printed in red ink and includes four lines of text, each in a different font. The text is embellished above and below with a horizontally flipped, elaborate flourish.

Date: January 1872 to December 1873

Condition: On the front side of this card here is heavy foxing and many yellow stains.

Owner:  Private Collector, 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.