Help decipher handwriting on a CDV

I recently bought a small group of carte de visite (CDV) photographs, some of which are identified on the back. I think the writing on the back of this one might say Jos Mather (i.e., Joseph Mather). But am not absolutely sure. This is an early CDV, from the 1860s. The photographer is Starkweather of Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts.

Can anybody help with the writing on the back? Thanks! I've done a quick search on Joseph Mather but not enough of a search to verify anything. Or new thought: how about Mathis as a last name?



Here is a close up of the writing:



The entire back:

 

Just a wild-eyed guess but . . .

could it be Jos(eph) M ???? or McGee(s)????? or some such???????????

 

My guess:

Jas for James
Mather

 

I agree with Pat, Jas. for James.

--- Susan

 

There were Mathers in that area of MA back in the 1600s and 1700s. The Mathers were an important clergy family of MA back then from the immigrant progenitor the Rev. Richard Mathers, his son Rev. Increase Mathers and the 3rd generation the Rev. Cotton Mathers. They were notable Puritans in the Mass. Bay Colony. No doubt there is extensive genealogy on that family. If someone has the their genealogy at hand, one could easily see if there was a James Mathers living c1880s.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Mather

--- Susan

 

Huh ?
Looks to me like it says.........for Mother.......

You guys are weird......or wired.......or sumpthin....

 

I see " for mother " as well.

 

Fig, he looks like he's wearing payot, or Jewish sidelocks...

Temple Ohabei Shalom (est. 1842) in Brookline, not far from Jamaica Plain, is the oldest Jewish congregation in Massachusets.

I can't see if he's wearing a yamulke

 

Sometimes a cigar....is just a good smoke !

Oh..& my daughter used to live in Jamaica Plain, Mass. , when she was attending art school.........but in this century !

 

I'm thinking they may be a tad longer than that and not over the ear.....

 

Not all Jewish sects wear the same style sidelocks (those are not sideburns! ) Some wear them long, and some wear them coiled.

Payot wiki (Styles)

 

Had not thought of "for Mother." I'm leaning to that now. Thanks, All!

 

Looks to me like he's wearing a bit of a white collar on the right side of his neck, partially hidden by his beard......too white to be skin......

 

Do you guys really think that he's wearing sideburns?

Just curious...

 

do you mean sidelocks...

 

I think it's Jas. Mather (James Mather).

The second letter in the first word has a distinct downward dip at the end, before the 's'. It wouldn't be there if it was an 'o'. It would, if it was an 'a'.

 

Good point. Thanks! So the search continues... I suppose I could try to establish whether somebody with that name was known to live in the area where the photo was taken in the 1860s.

 

No, Komo - if you don't think they were payots or sidelocks I assume you think they are normal sideburns?

 

I'm not sure what's going on with his ears...but they're not sideburns.....he has a full beard.

Like I do !