I recently acquired two daguerreotypes made around 1847-49. One image shows four sisters, and the other image is a portrait of one of the sisters. Behind the plates were notes that these were the Atwill sisters, one named Mary Josphine born in 1839 in NY. I understand that there was a Joseph Atwill who opened the first bookstore in SF and ran a publishing company that produced illustrated letterheads and sheetmusic at the time of the Gold Rush.

Does anyone have information about his family; did he have at least four daughters? What can you tell me about this man and his family? Any assistance is greatly appreciated!

-- Rich Horn (RandSHorn@worldnet.att.net), March 17, 1998