Rebecca Gaines (1869-1953) was born in California to Irish-immigrant parents. Shortly after 1880 the family moved from Nevada to Seattle, and in June 1888 Rebecca graduated from the Territorial University (now University of Washington). The family then moved to Alameda, California before 1900. There, Rebecca married marine engineer Frank Vivian James (1867-1921) in 1891 and together they had three children. After Frank's death, Rebecca returned to Seattle and was later married to Rolland G. Davenport (1868-1934).
In 1888, Rebecca had her graduation portrait taken at M. S. McClaire's photographic studio in downtown Seattle. A large floral corsage is pinned to her graduation dress, and she holds her diploma as she stands near two baskets of flowers. What appears to be a white fur cape rests on a nearby chair.
Printed on mount: M.S. McClaire Corner Front and Cherry Streets Seattle. Handwritten on verso: "Rebecca Gaines, June 7, 1888, Seattle, Ter[ritorial] University"
Additional caption information from Ancestry.com, from The Seattle Daily Times, February 2, 1934, and from the donor.
Physical Description: 1 photographic print mounted on cardboard : b&w ; 4 x 5.5 in.
Additional Information: Digital copy of this item available thanks to funding from a 2016 Institute for Museum and Library Services grant. Metadata updated as part of a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Library Services and Technology Act, through the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.
