A61.5.3

• defining identity

MOLLIE DUNCAN (c.1879-1931) Mollie Pettis Duncan was born in Potter Valley, the daughter of Frank and Kate Pettis. She spent her childhood at the Coyote Valley Rancheria, and while still a young teenager, married fellow rancheria resident William Duncan. The couple was separated for a time, near the beginning of their marriage, while William attended the Chemawa Indian boarding school in Oregon, to learn a trade. The Duncans had five children -- Clement, Fred, Ellen, Mary and Robert Duncan. Mollie Duncan was an admired basket weaver and John Hudson commissioned mumerous baskets from her. In addition, "Pretty Mollie," as she was called, was the subject of many of Grace Hudson's canvasses, as were her children and grandchildren. In all, Hudson portrayed Mollie Duncan over three decades of Mollie's life. Mollie Duncan died in March, 1931, only in her late forties. Her husband, William Duncan, died shortly thereafter, in the autumn of the same year.