Sunday, August 17, 2014



I recently bought these four photographs that were sold as a group.  The only background information that came with the photos is that they were from a  family that had lived in Visalia.  Two of these photographs have names written on the back, four names in total.     What these four names appear to have in common is that they are all grandchildren of Timothy Halstead (1795-1875) and his wife Anna Denend (1797-1877).    The Halsteads moved to Tulare County sometime during the 1850's

On the back of this tintype photo is written:  "Mary A. Meadors to her brother Henry Persian the 16th of April 1869".   
 According to Tulare County marriage records Many Ann Persian married William Meadors on 8/13/1854.   On some official records their name is spelled "Meador" (without the ending "s").
Mary Ann and her brother Henry Persian are the children of James Persian and Susan Halstead.
William and Mary A. Meadors  probably had 4, or more, children.  e.g.  The 1880 U.S. Census indicates that "Mary A. Persian" is divorced and is living with her uncle Jasper N. Halstead  in Visalia; and in this household are several children with the last name "Meador".   I would assume that these "Meador" children are Mary's kids.


A small carte de visite portrait by Visalia photographer "Geo. E. Dean".  Circa 1873.  Two names are written on the back of this photograph:  "Maggie Nizbet" and "Robert Nizbet".
Most likely these names are referring to Robert and Maggie (Margaret) Nesbit,  bother and sister.   They are the children of  Joseph Nesbit and Mary Halstead.   The "Nesbit" family name was spelled several different ways, on official records e.g. Nesbitt, Neasbit.
Maggie appears to have married her cousin Silas Persian (one of Mary Ann Persian's brothers) on 3/4/1874,  in Merced CA.   According to the 1/28/1875 issue of the Visalia Weekly Delta,  "Margaret,  beloved wife of Silas Persian"  died on 1/22/1875, near Visalia.


Another photograph from this family group.  No names are written on it.   This photo is also by "Geo. E. Dean" of Visalia  (circa 1874).   There was a "George E. Dean"  living in Tulare County, according to the 1860, 1870 and 1880 Censuses.   His occupations are listed as Methodist Episcopal preacher,  school teacher  and "laborer"; perhaps taking photos was just a sideline (?).


Another photograph from this family group.  No names are written on it.   Photograph by S. W. Watrous of Visalia  (circa 1881).



3 comments:

  1. I am descended from Timothy Halstead and Anna Dennend who came to Tulare in the 1850s through their son, James William Halstead. Great to see these pictures! Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  2. You're welcome! I think it's great when people find images of family on my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete