Size
Date
Country
Artist
Sitter
Case

1/9
ca 1857-1862
Warwick, New York, USA
Unknown
Mary Valeria Gildersleeve
Velvet oval case

Notes

Mary Valeria Gildersleeve married into the van der Veer family. The image is from 1857-1862, when Mary was 60-65 years old.

There was an image of her daughter made in the same style and case, possibly taken the same day. In her identifying note the daughter carried the last name of her husband. She got married in 1857, perhaps this was an engagement present from mom.

The 2 images of Mary Valeria are slightly different. Perhaps she had planned to give one away to her son, who went to war in 1862.

It also looks like she's wearing black, perhaps a mourning outfit. Her stepmother passed away in 1856. In 1858 and 1861 Cornelius and Peter, 2 brothers of her husband, passed away.

The family lived mainly in Warwick, Orange County, New York.