Jean Clara Walters 001
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Updated Nov 27, 2017
A photo of Clarissa Gurnett (1832-1903), American actress who used the stage names of "Mrs. Clara Walters" and "Jean Clara Walters" was most likely born in Troy, New York to shoemaker John Gurnett... more...
People in this photo: Clarissa Gurnett (1832 - 1903)
Photo Details
A photo of Clarissa Gurnett (1832-1903), American actress who used the stage names of "Mrs. Clara Walters" and "Jean Clara Walters" was most likely born in Troy, New York to shoemaker John Gurnett (1809-). In 1849 she married Henry Van Warren "Jack" Masten (1828-1859). He died in 1859 from injuries sustained after being run over by a wagon at Fort Defiance, New Mexico. Much to the displeasure of her relatives she turned to the stage as a form of employment and married comedian Charles F. Walters (-1876) in about 1860. She was particularly popular in the provincial theaters of Leavenworth, Kansas and San Francisco, California. Her second husband Mr. Walters was at one time a popular "burnt cork" comedian, though his 1876 Colorado epitaph says that "whiskey became his master".
Jean Clara Walters continued to perform with various stock theater and touring companies from 1860 until 1900 when illness put an end to her long career. While appearing earlier in San Francisco, Clara discovered that she had a daughter, Mary Ann Masten (1850-1917) whom she was told had died in childhood. The daughter was now married to Dr. Andrew Fine (1841-1906) and had two sons. Mother and daughter eventually became estranged during Clara's final illness and she was cared for until her death by a friend, Mrs. Missouri T. Shumate (1847-1921). Clara died in Oakland, California 1903 aged 71.
additional information:
These photographs were taken by the Mathew Brady Studio in about 1860. If anyone has or can find other photographs of "Jean Clara Walters" it may help to provide further evidence regards her identity.
Jean Clara Walters continued to perform with various stock theater and touring companies from 1860 until 1900 when illness put an end to her long career. While appearing earlier in San Francisco, Clara discovered that she had a daughter, Mary Ann Masten (1850-1917) whom she was told had died in childhood. The daughter was now married to Dr. Andrew Fine (1841-1906) and had two sons. Mother and daughter eventually became estranged during Clara's final illness and she was cared for until her death by a friend, Mrs. Missouri T. Shumate (1847-1921). Clara died in Oakland, California 1903 aged 71.
additional information:
These photographs were taken by the Mathew Brady Studio in about 1860. If anyone has or can find other photographs of "Jean Clara Walters" it may help to provide further evidence regards her identity.
Comments
AncientFaces
"Jean Clara Walters", actress, circa 1860. She isn't as glamorous as later actresses but you have to read about her life.
Does "burnt cork" mean black-face?
That's what I got from what I googled but I've never heard that expression before. Anyone else have any insight? I'm assuming that performers used a burned cork to blacken their faces??
AncientFaces Yes, along the lines of Al Jolsen. My great great grandfather used it and a giant hook to scare the kids from jumping from the hay loft in the barn. I too admire her gloves.
As a child I used a burnt cork to darken my face for a school play.
I am curious about the buttons on her dress. Is this a Greek key design or are they letters of some sort?
I was wondering that too - and the "515" or "SIS" on her badge - anyone know?
And those epaulets on the sleeves are weird, not very decorative... I haven't seen anything like them. Is it a uniform?
Read her article. Twice widowed. Sad about her daughter. I'm confused about that. She was told child died. Who took the daughter? How did she find out about daughter?
Well...since it seems that the child was from her first marriage, perhaps the husband’s family took custody when Clara went into show business. And as it seems that they did not approve of her choice of career..... But you’re right, seems odd. And heartbreaking.
The "burnt cork" or black face is what Al Jolson was known for. It was done in Minstrel shows. Also the when the men that did the voices for Amos and Andy were on stage for a live show, they may have used it.
I love you AncientFaces!! You make so many of my days with your history and stories AND of course, your photo’s!!
That picture is SO clear!!!! Beautiful!!
That picture is SO clear!!!! Beautiful!!
Wow, to find out the daughter you had been told was dead actually lived and was a grown woman with husband and kids!! If her family wasn't happy with her choice of occupations after she was widowed the first time, I bet they told her the girl died because they didn't want to admit her mother was an actress. No doubt she had left the girl with her family while she traveled with the acting troupes.
Burnt cork is how they did black face for Vaudville
I believe a burnt cork comic , was someone who did there routine , in black face. think al jolson singing mammy.
Back in that era, a lot of Actors were scored as people of less than admirable social standing by the upper class folks in some places in the USA. I think it was not until the 1930s that this really changed. Yes, this person's corset was amazingly tight. Must have been uncomfortable to train into that as a youngster.
The minstrel show, or, Burnt cork comicalities - Smithsonian Libraries
[external link] › Books
The minstrel show, or, Burnt cork comicalities : a collection of comic songs, jokes, stump speeches, monologues, interludes, and afterpieces for minstrel ...
[external link] › Books
The minstrel show, or, Burnt cork comicalities : a collection of comic songs, jokes, stump speeches, monologues, interludes, and afterpieces for minstrel ...
Article STATED " she was told her daughter died as an infant." Sadly, her life would make an extremely great movie.
