Above we see a portrait of Mary Webster Stark Chandler (1791-1873). The photographer was G. Frank E. Pearsall. Pearsall opened his gallery at 298 Fultan Street, Brooklyn, NY in August 1872 and Mary died in November 1873, so we can date the photograph fairly accurately. I purchased this photograph from a shop on The Avenue in Baltimore, MD in May 2025.
Mary was born in Connecticut, the daughter of Israel Stark (1753-1830), who served as a corporal in the American Revolutionary War, and Mary Anna Webster (1756-1800). She was one of the wives of Daniel Hicks Chandler (1792-1864), a lawyer and judge. They married in Batavia, NY on 24 December 1824 and moved to Milwaukee, WI in 1848. They had three sons:
1. Robert “Bob” Chandler (1827-1873) married Fanny D. Cooke (1835-1903) was a lawyer practicing in Milwaukee when he joined the Iron Brigade, as adjutant general. He died insane in a “Government asylum” in Washington, DC.
2. Ralph Chandler (1829-1889) who married Sara Cornelia Bates Redfield (1829-1891). Ralph joined the U.S. Navy in 1845 and attended the U.S. Naval Academy. In 1886 he was commissioned as rear admiral and sent to relieve the commander of the Asiatic Squadron. He died of apoplexy in February 1889 and is buried in Hong Kong Cemetery.
3. Walter Seymour Chandler (1836-1896) who married Sarah Olivia Kneeland (1838-1911), the daughter of an early settler of Milwaukee. Walter was in the lumber business.
Imagine seeing photos of people — everyday people — born in the 1790s! And learning a bit about them.
I don’t think I’ve done a post about anybody born earlier than these two.
That’s a great portrait! She looks like she’s about to say something witty.