Frances Clayton Civil War Woman Soldier CDV Pair S. Masury Boston Massachusetts

  

Original Civil War Carte de Visite (CDV) Photograph Pair - Frances Louisa Clayton. Offered here is an exceptional and historically significant matched pair of original Civil War-era carte de visite photographs depicting Frances Louisa Clayton, one of the most documented women soldiers of the American Civil War. This offering includes two period albumen CDVs.

One portrait showing Clayton in civilian dress. One portrait showing Clayton in Union military uniform, taken while she was serving disguised as a man under the alias "Jack Williams". Both photographs measure approximately 3.75 inches by approximately 2.5 inches (approximately 2 7/16 inches wide). Both retain their original mounts and show consistent period wear.

Both cards bear the original photographer's backstamp. Masury, Photographic Artist, 289 Washington Street, Boston. The civilian dress portrait shows faint pencil writing on the reverse. While partially illegible, the name Frances can be discerned along with references consistent with military service and the word artillery.

The uniformed soldier portrait bears strong, period-correct ink inscription on the reverse, reading in part. The surname appears to be spelled phonetically in period hand, consistent with 19th-century usage and known variations found in historical records. Frances Louisa Clayton was born in Minnesota circa 1830. Following the early death of her husband during the Civil War, she cut her hair, assumed the male identity "Jack Williams, " and enlisted in the Union Army.

She served for nearly three years across multiple units, including cavalry and heavy artillery. Clayton participated in multiple engagements and was reportedly wounded during her service. Her identity was eventually discovered following illness and injury, after which her story became widely reported in period newspapers. After the war, she lectured publicly about her experiences, becoming one of the most well-known documented women soldiers of the Civil War era. Both photographs show honest, period-appropriate wear consistent with age, including corner wear, surface toning, and light staining.

No modern alterations or restorations are present. Please review all photographs carefully for condition details. Briggs Estate of Norwood, Massachusetts.

This provenance has been consistent across a broader 19th-century photographic archive from the same estate. These photographs are original period items, not later copies or reproductions.

A rare and museum-worthy Civil War photographic pairing with direct historical attribution. If you have any questions or would like more photos please feel free to reach out.