Tintype
T006

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 mum.

The 2 images of Mary Valeria are slightly different: tintypes were unique, unlike the carte de visite.
She had several copies made to give away. Perhaps she made them because her son 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.

Click here for the full family tree.

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