Friday, September 27, 2013

1870s Autograph Album of Minnie R. Hopkins of Orland, Maine; many autographs collected at East Maine Conference Seminary at Bucksport, Maine


1870s autograph album of Minnie Ruth Hopkins of Orland, Maine, with many of the autographs collected while she was apparently studying at East Maine Conference Seminary at Bucksport, Maine.



The autograph album measures approximately 7-1/2" x 5" and contains the sentiments of 125 of Minnie's relatives, fellow students and friends.  An alphabetical list of the signers appears at the end of this post. 



From online research, hopefully correct: [corrections and additions welcome!]

Minnie Ruth Hopkins was born at Orland, Maine, on 21 August 1862, the daughter of Joshua Hopkins and Harriet J. (Brown) Hopkins.  

Minnie's mother signed a page in her album, at Orland, Maine, on 
January 12, 1877.  The message:  
Minnie,
There is only one sure way to succeed, and
That is the way of patient industry and a 
Thorough and intelligent mastery of the trade, 
Business or profession that may be chosen.
Your Mother



Minnie's paternal grandparents were Ephraim D. and Ruthey R. (Downes) Hopkins.  Her maternal grandparents were Phineas and, I think, Dorcas M. (York) Brown.

On 23 June 1883 at Orland, Maine, Minnie married Augustin Mason, son of Thomas and Drusilla (Harriman) Mason.  Although two people named Mason signed pages in Minnie's album, Augustin was not one of them.  He was born 6 February 1850 at Orland, Maine.

Sadly, both Minnie and her infant daughter died in 1896, perhaps as a result of the daughter's birth.  Whether or not the couple had any children previously, I don't know.  In the 1900 Census, there were no children living with Augustin, not that there couldn't have been children living with relatives.

If you have corrections and/or additions to the information above, or information on any of the signers listed below, please leave a comment or contact me directly.

One of the signers was Massachusetts native Reverend Richard M. Wilkins, whose wife also signed a page.  She was Carrie W. (Hutchinson) Wilkins of Brooksville, Maine.  They were married in 1876 at Brooksville, Maine, perhaps when Rev. Wilkins was a pastor in the area.  The two pages have faint handwriting.





Alphabetical list of signers: [Note: given names within a specific surname may not be in alphabetical order.]

  • Name is erased out.  Signed at Bucksport, Maine, on January 6, 1877
  • George L. [can't decipher last name] of South Bucksport, Maine, signed at East Maine Conference Seminary, on May 26, 1879; possibly George L. W. Miners
  • Arthur W. M* of what I think is Maitland, Nova Scotia, signed on March 31, 1878.  His surname runs into the spine area, which has been reglued.
  • P. N. W., signed on March 3, 1877
  • O. W. Alley of Bar Harbor, Maine, signed at East Maine Conference Seminary on April 24, 1879, on a page shared with L. H. Tapley of West Brooksville, Maine
  • Harry Ames of Bucksport, Maine, signed on February 23, 1877; middle initial could be H or F
  • Flora E. Atwood of Orrington, Maine, signed at East Maine Conference Seminary on December 15, 1878.  Minnie's note: Married Benjamin Sowle
  • Mary E. Blaisdell of Orland, Maine, signed on August 17, 1877.    Minnie's note: Married John Gross [John W. Gross].  Another note in a different pencil reads: Died 188 [no last digit]
  • Lillian J. Brewster, signed on March 4, 1878
  • Fred P. Briggs, signed at East Maine Conference Seminary, at Bucksport, Maine, on January 9, 1879
  • Hiram W. Brown, signed at Bucksport, Maine, on January 7, 1877; Minnie's uncle.  "Be obedient to Thy Parents, Your Uncle"
  • Annie E. Brown of Bucksport, Maine, signed on February 14, 1877.
  • Crossed out: Irving L. Brown of Bucksport, Maine, signed at Bucksport, on January 7, 1877
  • I. L. Browne of Bucksport, Maine, signed on September 16, 1878; Minnie's cousin.  I think he was Irvin L. Brown, who added the e for effect.
  • Grace I. Burrill of Orland, Maine, signed on August 23, 1877
  • Dora M. Burrill of Orland, Maine
  • Lottie Carleton or Orland, Maine, signed on August25, 1877.  Minnie's note in pencil: Married, March 1883
  • Miss Mary L. Carleton of Orland, Maine, signed on August 18, 1877
  • Idora N. Chipman of Bucksport Centre, Maine, signed at East Maine Conference Seminary on April 23, 1879
  • Annie M. Coffin of Orland, Maine, signed on April 25, 1877.  Minnie's note: Married Frank Eldridge [Annie M. Coffin married Frank A. Eldridge at Orland, Maine, on 4 November 1879.]
  • Lizzie F. Condon.  Minnie's note: Married Frank Conary
  • Gertie A. Condon, signed at Orland, Maie, on March 29, 1877.    Minnie's note: Married Alvin Soper  [Abigail Gertrude Condon married Albion Roberts Soper at Orland, Maine, on 17 December - records show same day and month but several different years in the early 1880s.]
  • Alberta E. Coombs of Bucksport, Maine, signed at East Maine Conference Seminary on January 7, 1879.  Minnie's note: Married
  • Charlie Cotton, signed on March 7 [no year written]
  • Nina Crosby of Orland, Maine, signed on February 12, 1878.  Minnie's note: Married Sewall Wasson [He was John Sewall Wasson of Brooksville, Maine.]
  • Alexander A. DeWitt of Bucksport, Maine, signed on February 19, 1877
  • Florence L. Dorr of Orland, Maine, signed on January 29, 1878
  • Frank E. Dorr, signed on January 30, 1878.  Minnie's note: Married Frank Thompson [Frank E. Dorr was a female, daughter of George and Susan (Keyes) Dorr]
  • Eugene L. Dorr of Orland, Maine, signed at Orland, Maine, on March 7, 1878.  Minnie's note: Married Flora Leach
  • Mary P. Dresser of Bucksport, Maine, signed on February 6, 1877
  • Jennie M. Dutton of Stillwater, Maine, signed on July 31, 1882.  Full page of sentiments.  Minnie's note in pencil: Married July 1882
  • E. W. Eldridge of Bucksport, Maine, signed on January 13, 186 [either missing a digit or two digits merged]  Victorian scrap pasted on the page
  • D. B. Eldridge
  • Albert B. Emerson of San Francisco, California, signed on September 18, 1878.  [Likely Albert Brooks Emerson, born 1864 at Surry, Maine, son of Loring G. and Mary (Moriarty) Emerson.]
  • Fannie D. Folsom of Bucksport, Maine, signed on February 17, 1877 on a page shared with Alice S. Howes of Bucksport, Maine
  • Annie E. Foster of Milbridge, Maine, signed at East Maine Conference Seminary, on January 14, 1879
  • Annie M. Gardner of Orland, Maine, signed on June 5, 1877
  • A. D. Gilley of Bucksport, Maine, signed February 8th [no year written]
  • Lydia J. Gilley, signed on February 8, 1877
  • Norris E. Ginn, signed at Orland, Maine, on March 12, 1878.  He sketched a bird in one corner.  Minnie's note: Married
  • Carrie E. Gray of Bucksport, Maine, signed on February 23, 1877.  She drew birds in two corners.  Sadly, Minnie's note" dead
  • Emily C. Grey of Bucksport, Maine, signed at East Maine Conference Seminary, on April 10, 1879
  • Inie M. Grey of Bucksport, Maine, signed at East Maine Conference Seminary, on April 10, 1879.  Minnie's note: Married.  [I think her name was Inie, and there was an Inez M. Gray in the area.]
  • E. M. Grey of Orland, Maine, signed on August 223, 1877.  Minnie's note: married Will Snowman [She was Ethel M. Grey, who married William Snowman.]
  • Eliza A. Grindle, signed September 6, 1878.  She wrote Hampden in one corner and Blue Hill in another.  Minnie's note: Married Tyler Hinckley [She was Eliza Ann Grindle, born  1858 at Blue Hill.  He was Obed Tyler Hinckley, born 1842 at Blue Hill, Maine.]
  • James S. Grindle of Bangor, Maine, signed at Orland, Maine, on September 4, 1878; Minnie's cousin.  Minnie's note: Married
  • Albert J. Gross of Orland, Maine, signed on February 26, 1878
  • E. A. Harriman of Orland, Maine, signed on April 25, 1877.  Minnie's note: Married Mattie.  He is likely Erastus A. Harriman, who married Martha J. Dolan in New Hampshire.  Son of Henry and Olive Harriman of Orland, Maine.
  • E. A. Harriman of Orland, Maine, signed on May 17, 1877
  • May Harrison, signed August 2, 1882.  "Remember the days we spent at Bar Harbor."  Minnie's note in pencil: Married fall, 1882
  • Cora Haskell of Union, Maine
  • Ella M. Hatch of Orrington, Maine, signed at Bucksport, Maine, in May 1879.  Minnie's note: Married 1882
  • Lillian A. Hill of Bucksport, Maine
  • Mary A. Hooper of Bucksport, Maine, signed on April 20, 1877
  • Phebe J. Hooper of Bucksport, Maine, signed on April 15, 1879.  She pasted on a Victorian scrap.
  • Minnie Ruth Hopkins of Orland, Maine; album owner
  • Mrs. Mary C. Hopkins, signed at Verona, on September 6, 1878.  She was the wife of Minnie's paternal uncle Ephraim Hopkins.
  • Page signed by Minnie's mother Harriet J. (Brown) Hopkins, at Orland, Maine, on January 12, 1877.  "Minnie, There is only one sure way to succeed, and That is the way of patient industry and a Thorough and intelligent mastery of the trade, Business or profession that may be chosen.  Your Mother"
  • Alice S. Howes of Bucksport, Maine, signed on February 17, 1877 on a page shared with Fannie D. Folsom of Bucksport, Maine
  • Flora Hutchings of Bucksport, Maine, signed on February 23, 1877
  • Benjamin F. Johnson, signed at Orland, Maine, on March 24th [no year written]
  • Nellie F. Jones of Orland, Maine, signed on February 26, 1878.  Minnie's note: Died Jan 1884
  • Austin Keyes, "Semper idem"
  • Inez Keyes, signed at Orland, Maine, on August 16, 1877.  Minnie's note: Married [There's a Maine Marriage record where Inez married David O. Paterson at Orland, Maine, on 22 October 1881.]
  • E. M. Keyes of Orland, M aine, signed on March 6, 1878.  Minnie's note: Married
  • Galen Kingsbury of Hampden, Maine, signed on February 6, 1877
  • Henry L. Kingsbury of Hampden, Maine, signed on September 13, 1878.  Minnie's note: Married Minnie Knowles; dead
  • John Lewis of Orland, Maine, signed on February 28, 1877.  His middle initial might be P
  • Susie Littlefield of Hampden, Maine, signed on September 10, 1878
  • Vina Longfellow of Orono, Maine, signed at East Maine Conference Seminary on May 30, 1879
  • Will L. Luce of Bucksport, Maine, signed at East Maine Conference Seminary, Spring Term '79.  Minnie's note in pencil: Married 1882
  • Mann
  • Lucie Marks of Orland, Maine, signed on February 6, 1878; Minnie's friend and schoolmate.  Minnie's note in pencil: married
  • Marietta P. Marks of North Penobscot, Maine, signed at East Maine Conference Seminary, on April 7, 1879.  Minnie's note: Married Howard Dorr
  • Susie H. Marks of Orland, Maine.  Minnie's note: Married All Turner.  He was William A. Turner
  • Thomas F. Mason of East Orland, Maine, signed on January 31, 1878.  Minnie's note: Married Oct. 30, 1882, Alberta Dunbar
  • George W. Mason of Orland, Maine.  Minnie's note: Married Stell Carter [she was Estella C. Carter or Clara Estelle Carter, according to her birth record.]
  • Possibly, George L. W. Miners of South Bucksport, Maine, signed at East Maine Conference Seminary on May 26, 1879.  Not sure of surname 
  • Belle M. Moore of Bucksport, Maine, signed at East Maine Conference Seminary on January 7, 1878
  • Ada E. Myrick of Bangor, Maine, signed at East Maine Conference Seminary, on April 24, 1879.  Minnie's note: Married Rufus Gardner; dead
  • N. Augusta Newman, signed Feb.1, 1878; Minnie's note in pencil:"married"
  • Harrie W. Norton of Penobscot, Maine, signed at East Maine Conference Seminary, on Janyart 15, 1879; Minnie's schoolmate.  Possibly Harry W. Norton, born about 1855.  Minnie's note: Married
  • Lizzie A. Page, signed at Bucksport, Maine, on January 28, 1877.  Minnie's note in pencil: Married Melvin Henry
  • Charles W. Page, signed at Bucksport, Maine, on February 5, 1877
  • Calvin O. Page, signed at Bucksport, Maine, on January 21, 1877; Minnie's cousin.  In addition to his formal sentiment, he wrote in a corner: "My ears tingle yet.  Do you wonder?"
  • Josie D. Page, signed at Bucksport, Maine, on January 7, 1877.  Della Josephine Page, I believe.  Minnie's note: Married Rufus Turner
  • Rufus Page of Bucksport, Maine, signed on January 13, 1877.  Minnie's note: married Cad Rideout.  [Cad was Clarinda S. Rideout, marriage of 16 July 1878 at Bucksport, Maine]
  • Fred Page of Bucksport, Maine, signed on February 5, 1877.  Minnie's note: Married
  • Clara J. Page of Bucksport, Maine, signed on January 28, 1879
  • Jennie Parker of Bucksport, Maine, signed on January 28, 1877.  She pasted on a little scrap.  Minnie's note: Married Dow
  • H. K. Partridge of Orland, Maine, signed on February 9, 1877.  Minnie's note: Died Oct 17 1880.  drowned in Alexandria Pa.
  • Hattie L. Partridge of Orland, Maine, signed on February 26, 1878.  Victorian scrap pasted on the page.
  • Carrie E. Pendleton of Bucksport Centre, Maine, signed at East Maine Conference Seminary on April 24, 1877
  • Minnie F. Perkins of Penobscot, Maine, signed on March 23, 1879
  • Harry H. Rich of Bangor, Maine, signed on May 1, 1881.  Minnie's note: died Nov. 1883
  • Carrie M. Richardson of Bangor, Maine, signed on March 13, 1879
  • Miss George E. Sanford of Litchfield, Minnesota.  Minnie's note: Married; dead
  • J. W. Saunders of Orland, Maine.  Minnie's note: dead
  • L. B. Saunders, signed at Bucksport, Maine, on February 15, 1877.  "Aged 64 years June 29, 1877" [Likely Levi B. Saunders, born 1813; died 1887]
  • Alice E. Sawyer of Milbridge, Maine, signed at Bucksport, Maine, on January 14, 1879
  • Emma C. Shedd, signed at Orland, Maine,on August 26, 1877
  • Laura H. Shedd of Orland, Maine, signed on August 24, 1877
  • Fannie Skinner of Bucksport, Maine, signed on February 17, 1877
  • A. M. Smith of New York City, signed at Sem [presumably East Maine Conference Seminary], on January 10, 1879
  • Carrie L. Smith of Bucksport, Maine, signed at East Maine Conference Seminary on January 8, 1879
  • Jennie C. Snow, signed at Orland, Maine, on February 27, 1878; Minnie's schoolmate.  Minnie's note: Married
  • Miss Maggie G. Soper of Orland, Maine, signed on April 1, 1877
  • Angie E. Spooner of Bucksport, Maine, signed on February 21, 1877
  • Delle A. Starr, at High School, Orland, Maine, signed on March 20th 1877.  Minnie's note: Married Quinn
  • L. H. Tapley of West Brooksville, Maine, signed at Bucksport, Maine, on April 24, 1879, on a page shared with O. W. Alley of Bar Harbor, Maine
  • Ida M. Teague of Warren, Maine
  • Hattie E. Turner of Bucksport, Maine, signed on January 17, 1877
  • Mary D. Viles, signed on August 17, 1877.  Image is very faint.  "Wisdom is better than rubies."  Minnie's note: Married.  [Mary D. Viles married Brooks D. Stewart at Bucksport, Maine, on 2 June 1880.]
  • Charlie Wasson of Bucksport, Maine, signed on January 19, 1877; tiny Victorian scrap on page.
  • Nancy H. Webster of Bucksport, Maine, signed on February 8, 1877.  She drew a maple leaf.
  • C. W. Weeks of Barre, Massachusetts, signed on June 4, 1877
  • Charlotte E. Weeks of Orland, Maine, signed on May 3, 1877
  • A. Weeks, signed at Orland, Maine, on May 3, 1877
  • Frank S. Wentworth of Orland, Maine.  Minnie's note: drowned
  • Clarence T. Wentworth of Orland, Maine, signed on June 6, 1878
  • Laura B. Wentworth of West Waterville,  Maine, signed at Orland, Maine, on August 29, 1878
  • S. Wentworth, signed at Orland, Maine
  • Nettie C. White of Orland, Maine, signed at East Maine Conference Seminary, on February 4, 1879.  Minnie's note: Married
  • Laura L. White of Orland, Maine, signed on February 28, 1878; Minnie's schoolmate
  • Ruthie A. Whitten of Bucksport, Maine, signed on January 20, 1877
  • Mrs. C. W. Wilkins, signed at Brooksville, Maine, on January 7, 1878.  Handwriting is extremely faint, but I think the name and date are correct.  [She might have been Mrs. Carrie W. (Hutchinson) Wilkins, who married Richard M. Wilkins at Brooksville, Maine, on 29 November 1876.]  Rev. R. M. Wilkins also signed a page.
  • Rev. R. M. Wilkins of Reading, Massachusetts.  Richard M. Wilkins, born about January 1852 in Massachusetts; pastor of several churches in Maine and Massachusetts.  See photograph.  His wife, Mrs. C. W. Wilkins, also signed a page.



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2 comments:

  1. Minnie was a cousin on my Great Grandmother's side (her mother was a Hopkins). Is this available for purchase?

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    Replies
    1. Yes, it's available. You can find a way to contact me under Inquiries on the right margin near the top.

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