[Martha Mary Cross Franchère and Gabriel and William Gabriel Franchère.]

ca. 1860

Cased photographs and related images from The Bancroft Library pictorial collections, circa 1845-circa 1870

BANC PIC 1905.16242:097--CASE

Image

2 photographs: ambrotype ; half plate.

The Bancroft Library

Biographical Note: Martha Mary Cross Franchère and [Evariste] Gabriel Franchère were French Canadians who came to California in 1849. Their son, William Gabriel, was born in North San Juan, in the gold country. Gabriel Franchère was the son of the author Gabriel Franchère (1786-1863) who wrote about his travels to the Northwest coast of North America, 1811-1814.
Accompanying note (in hand of Zelda Mackay): (537) The photographs in case are father (Gabriel), mother (Rose) [sic] & brother of Dr. Frederick E. Franchère. Father was a druggist, born in Canada, was French & from noted family and spoke half dozen languages. He came to S.F. in 1849. His wife drove overland in covered wagon to Calif. with her uncle & family when 19 yrs old and met her husband here in S.F. ... William Gabriel [was] born in North San Juan [Calif.] and died at age of 46 in Lake Crystal Minn. His mother was born in N.Y. Father Gabriel F. was also famous writer. Wrote books of his experiences in West...
In case mold, LL of plinth: Henning and Eymann N.Y. [die makers]. "Type: case. Motif: The Holy Family (Krainik no. 12). Material: black thermoplastic. Dimensions: 15.6 x 12.5 cm. Notes: probably Holmes, Booth and Haydens. Notes: double case with 2 images. Spine label - 537 (from prior owner). Design based on "Madonna della Sedia" by Raphael (1515).
A family historian (in 2025) has identified the wife of Gabriel Franchère as Martha Mary Cross Franchère. The name "Rose", previously associated with this image, was noted by photograph collector Zelda MacKay early in the 20th century and is likely incorrect. This item was previously titled by the library as "Rose Franchère and Gabriel and William Gabriel Franchère".

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