Thursday, February 27, 2014

1880s/1890s Autograph Album of Sarah Ellen (Bean) Humphrey, "Nellie", of North Bradford, Maine


1880s/1890s autograph album that belonged to Sarah Ellen (Bean) Humphrey, "Nellie", of North Bradford, Maine.  Nellie was the wife of Daniel S. Humphrey.


This beautiful album is approximately 8-1/2" x 7" and contains the sentiments of about 40 of Nellie's relatives and friends; a few also signed group pages.  An alphabetical list of the signers appears at the end of this post.

The album has several tissue-protected Illman Brothers engravings scattered throughout.  [More information on the Illman Brothers, and images of the rest of the engravings, can be seen near the end of this post.]


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

Sarah Ellen (Bean) Humphrey was born 16 June 1848 at Corinth, Maine, the daughter of Carlos and Sarah Jane (Gray) Bean.  Nellie's mother Sarah of East Corinth, Maine, signed a page in the album on March 11, 1883.  Sarah Jane (Gray) Bean was born 26 March 1819 at China, Maine, the daughter of Daniel and Sally (Herman) Gray.  She would live long past the signing of this page; she died at Corinth, Maine, on 28 December 1900.


Nellie's younger brother, William Hartson Bean, and his first wife May E. (Drummond) Bean of East Corinth, Maine, signed a page on October 23, 1889, though I don't know which one of them actually inscribed the page.


Nellie younger brother George Carlos Bean of Corinth, Maine, took great care in the page he signed on March 10, 1883.


Nellie's older sister Fannie A. McGregory signed a page at Atkinson, Maine, on March 11, 1883.  She was Frances Ann (Bean) McGregory, wife of Frank H. McGregory.


Nellie's younger sister Maria A. Soule signed a page at Corinth, Maine, on March 11, 1883.  She was Maria Augusta (Bean) Soule, wife of Leonard Hathaway Sawyer.


On 13 October 1870 at Bradford, Maine, Sarah Ellen Bean, "Nellie", married Daniel S. Humphrey, son of Caleb and Anna M. (Fogg) Humphrey.  Daniel was born 22 January 1844 at Bradford, Maine.  I believe he is the D. S. Humphrey who signed a page in Nellie's album at North Bradford, Maine, on May 13, 1888.


Nellie and Daniel had, I believe, four children, two of whom survived infancy, daughters Mabel A. Humphrey and Maud F. Humphrey.  They each signed a page in their mother's album, as well as contributing to a group page.  Mabel Humphrey of North Bradford, Maine, signed a page on January 15, 1889.


Maud F. Humphrey signed a page at North Bradford, Maine, on July 20, 1884 and indicated she was then eight years old.


A page signed by eight people on January 1, 1893 included the autographs of Maud and Mabel.


One of the signers on the group page above is Mildred C. Pearson, who indicated on another page that she wished Nellie to remember her as a daughter.  Mildred, the daughter of  Charles and Elizabeth Pearson, also wrote the initials H. C. I., which presumably stood for Higgins Classical Institute at Charleston, Maine.  It's possible that Nellie was either a house mother there or a very welcoming presence to boarding students there.


Another signer, Maude Boadway of Portland, Maine, who signed at Charleston, Maine, on February 3, 1892, also called Nellie mother, and I believe this was the same situation as with Mildred C. Pearson.


Sadly Nellie lost both her daughter Maud F. Humphrey, in 1901, and her husband, in 1909.  She and daughter Mabel lived together, at Charleston, Maine, at shown by the 1910 Census, and then finally at Bangor, Maine, during which time Mabel married Harry M. Hall.

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.  Thanks!

Surnames in the album   [Many appear multiple times.]

Bean
Boadway
Brackett
Coy
Doore
Gibbs
Gowen
Gubtil
Hanson
Haynes
Hill
Humphrey
Huntington
King
Kingsbury
McAvey
McGregor
McGregory
Merrill
Nason
Osgood
Pearson
Sawyer
Silver
Thayer
Towle
Wentworth
White

Signers in the album   [Note: given names within a specific surname may not be in alphabetical order.]

  • Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Bean of East Corinth, Maine, signed on October 23, 1889.  Presumably Nellie's brother William Hartson Bean and his first wife May E. (Drummond) Bean
  • Mattie E. Bean of Manchester, New Hampshire, signed on August 29, 1883; Nellie's niece.  She was the daughter of Nellie's oldest brother Randall Wayland Bean and his wife Mary Estelle (Wilkinson) Bean
  • George C. Bean, signed at Corinth, Maine, on March 10, 1883; Nellie's youngest brother George Carlos Bean.
  • Sarah J. Bean of East Corinth, Maine, signed on March 11, 1883; "your affectionate Mother".  She was Sarah Jane (Gray) Bean, Nellie's mother.  She was born 26 March 1819 at China, Maine, daughter of Daniel and Sally (Herman) Gray.  Sarah Jane (Gray) Bean would live until 28 December 1900; she died at Corinth, Maine.
  • Maude M. Boadway; shared a page signed on January 1, 1893, by 7 other people
  • Maude Boadway of Portland, Maine, signed at Charleston, Maine, on February 3, 1892; called herself Nellie's daughter.  Nellie did have a daughter Maud but I don't think she ever married, and she died in 1901.  It's possible that this Maude attended Higgins Classical Institute, where Nellie may have been a house mother or had another close relationship with Maude.
  • Ida M. Brackett of East Bradford, M aine, signed on September 9, 1884
  • Grace M. Coy; shared the page with five other signers at Charleston, Maine, on February 12, 1901
  • R. N. Doore of Bradford, Maine, signed on January 11, 1891
  • Bernard A. Gibbs; shared a page signed on January 1, 1893, by 7 other people
  • Mrs. Maria J. Gowen of North Bradford, Maine, signed on July 5, 1885
  • Laura F. Gubtil, signed at North Bradford, Maine, on February 17, 1883.  She was Laura F. (McGregor) Gubtil, wife of George E. Gubtil
  • May E. Hanson of Bradford, Maine, signed on March 14, 1886
  • Flossie F. Haynes; shared the page with five other signers at Charleston, Maine, on February 12, 1901
  • Cyrus Hill, signed on October 10, 1886 at Foxcroft, Maine
  • Mrs. S. C. Hill of Foxcroft, Maine, signed on October 10, 1886
  • Mrs. D. S. Humphrey of North Bradford, Maine, signed on January 1, 1883.  She was Sarah Ellen Bean, "Nellie", album owner.
  • William F. Humphrey of North Bradford, Maine, signed on May 13, 1888; older brother of Nellie's husband Daniel S. Humphrey.
  • Maud F. Humphrey; shared a page signed on January 1, 1893, by 7 other people
  •  Mabel Humphrey; shared a page signed on January 1, 1893, by 7 other people
  • Mabel Humphrey of North Bradford, Maine, signed on January 15, 1889; Nellie's daughter
  • D. S. Humphrey, signed at North Bradford, Maine, on May 13, 1888; presumably Daniel S. Humphrey, Nellie's husband
  • "your little girl Maud", signed at North Bradford, Maine, on July  20, 1884; Nellie's daughter Maud F. Humphrey
  • Florence M. Huntington, signed at North Bradford, Maine, on June 2, 1883
  • Mrs. Lottie Huntington, signed at North Bradford, Maine, on May 29, 1883
  • M. L. King of West Charleston, Maine, signed on July 5, 1884
  • Mrs. Anna G. Kingsbury of Brewer Village, Maine, signed at Bradford, Maine, on July 5, 1885
  • Mattie M. McAvey; shared the page with five other signers at Charleston, Maine, on February 12, 1901
  • Blanche E. McGregor, signed at North Bradford, Maine, on January 18, 1889
  • Hattie McGregor, signed at Lowell [no state written], on February 17, 1883
  • Fannie A. McGregory, signed at Atkinson, Maine, on March 11, 1883; Nellie's sister Frances Ann (Bean) McGregory, who married Frank H. McGregory
  • Florence Merrill of Stillwater, Maine, signed on August 19, 1888
  • Ella P. Merrill of Farmington, Maine, signed on February 3, 1895
  • Herbert E. Nason of Charleston, Maine, signed on May 1, 1894
  • Frank E. Nason; shared a page signed on January 1, 1893, by 7 other people
  • Herbert E. Nason; shared a page signed on January 1, 1893, by 7 other people
  • Florence E. Osgood; shared the page with five other signers at Charleston, Maine, on February 12, 1901
  • Mildred C. Pearson; shared a page signed on January 1, 1893, by 7 other people
  • Mildred C. Pearson of East Corinth, Maine, signed at Higgins Classical Institute on February 3, 1892; "Remember me as your daughter".  Mildred was the daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Pearson and was apparently very close to Nellie.  It's possible that Nellie was a house mother at Higgins Classical Institute.
  • Maria A. Sawyer, signed at Corinth, Maine, on March 11, 1883.  She was Maria Augusta (Bean) Sawyer, Nellie's younger sister and wife of Leonard Hathaway Sawyer.
  • Minnie E. Silver of West Charleston, Maine, signed on July 5, 1884
  • Bessie M. Thayer; shared the page with five other signers at Charleston, Maine, on February 12, 1901
  • Page signed by Mr. Bill Towle and Mrs. Caroline Towle, signed at Exeter, Maine, on March 5, 1883.  Mr. Towle indicated he was born at Fisherfield, New Hampshire on December 25, 1805.  Caroline Towle was born at Sutton, New Hampshire, on January 9, 1820.  They were Benjamin Wells Towle and Caroline (Bean) Towle, who was a sister to Nellie's father Carlos Bean.
  • George E. Wentworth; shared a page signed on January 1, 1893, by 7 other people
  • Maude C. White; shared the page with five other signers at Charleston, Maine, on February 12, 1901
Other engravings in the album









Bradford, Corinth, and Charleston, Maine  [Zoom out one click to see all of them.]


Thanks for stopping by!



Tuesday, February 25, 2014

1880s Autograph Album of Elizabeth A. Sutton, Class of 1881 at Normal College of New York City


Autograph album given to Elizabeth A. Sutton, "Lizzie", on December 24, 1879 by "Mother" and "The Boys".

Lizzie collected the autographs of many of her fellow members of the Class of 1881 at the Normal College of New York City, now Hunter College, as well as those of other students at the Normal College and other institutions.


The album is approximately 8-1/4" x 7" and contains the sentiments of 57 of Lizzie's relatives, friends, schoolmates and pastor.  An alphabetical list of the signers appears at the end of this post.


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

Elizabeth A. Sutton was born about May 1861 in New York or New Jersey, the daughter of John and Matilda A. (Hopkins) Sutton, who were born in England and New York, respectively.   I imagine Lizzie taught a few years after her 1881 graduation from the Normal College, but I don't know for sure.

Here's a link to a New York Times article in the issue of July 1, 1881 that lists the 1881 graduates of the Normal College of New York City.

Lizzie's uncle and aunt, A. H. Hopkins and E. R. R. Hopkins of Syracuse, New York, signed a page on August 21, 1883.


Two other people named Sutton signed pages in the album, but didn't indicate a family relationship with Lizzie, though they most likely had one.  Susie F. Sutton signed on December 29, 1879.


E. M. Sutton signed a page on September 10, 1884.


Lizzie's pastor, Rev. Samuel Dickinson Burchard signed a page and its overleaf on October 25, 1881.



On March 5, 1889 at Manhattan, Lizzie married Alexander McLean Jeffrey, son of William and Jane (Sheliff) Jeffrey of Ireland.  Alexander was born in Ireland about February 1850; he graduated from New York University Medical College in 1896.  The couple lived at New York City, where Dr. Jeffrey had his medical practice.   The couple raised, I think, four children:

  1. Laura McLean Jeffrey, born about March 1890.  She may be the Laura Jeffrey who attended Columbia University, became a doctor and, sadly, died 1918
  2. William Harold Jeffrey, born 25 March 1897 at New York, New York; was attending Williams College when he completed his WWI draft registration card
  3. George Kenneth Jeffrey, born 3 April 1900 at New York, New York; was attending Pawling Academy when he completed his WWI draft registration card
  4. Ruth Elizabeth Jeffrey, born 30 April 1904 at New York, New York
Dr. Jeffrey died at his summer residence at Mount Kisco, New York in 1918.

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.  Thanks!

One page was signed by Elina Francfort.  During my efforts to decipher her surname, I found an article in the New York Times of April 4, 1906 about the deaths of Elina and her older sister Clara.


Surnames in the album  [Some appear multiple times.]

Acker
Allason
Beckwith
Bellis
Berghold
Breakell
Broderick
Burchard
Campbell
Clifford
Colman
Constantine
Cook
Curry
Deans
Dolan
Dunphy
Ebecke
Flood
Francfort
Fraser
Garvin
Grey
Griffin
Hight
Hopkins
Johnson
Kidwell
King
Knight
Lassing
Loper
McCort
McGregor
Merrill
Morgan
Murphy
Newport
O'Reilly
Price
Rich
Roxbury
Russell
Schlegel
Sodler
Spence
Strauss
Sutton
Washburn
Whitelaw
Williams
Woods

Signers in the album  [Note: given names within a specific surname may not be in alphabetical order.]

A
  • Susy M. Acker, signed at Normal College, Class of 1881
  • Clara Allason, signed on November 16, 1883
B
  • E. R. Beckwith, signed at Normal College on November 3, 1881
  • Ida Bellis, signed on Sunday, November 16, 1884
  • Joseph H. Bellis, signed on November 16, 1884
  • Eliza Berghold, signed at Normal College on June 30, 1881; Elizabeth'
  • Susie Breakell, signed at Normal College, New York, on May 23, 1881.  She was apparently a member of the Phi Mu sorority as she drew the symbols.
  • K. G. Broderick, signed on December 2, 1880
  • S. D. Burchard, signed a page and its overleaf on October 25, 1881; Elizabeth's pastor
C
  • James H. Campbell, signed at New York, on December 4, 1885
  • Maggie E. Clifford, signed at Normal College; shared the page with S. H. Russell
  • L. M. Colman, signed at Normal College on June 28, 1881
  • Frederica G. Constantine, signed on October 31, 1881
  • Mazie E. Cook, signed at Normal College at New York, on June 27, 1881. She was apparently a member of the Phi Mu Sorority, as she drew the symbols
  • Mamie E. Curry, signed on July 19, 1884; shared the page with Mamie E. Johnson; Lottie E. Strauss; and Joseph C. Johnson
D
  • Effie Deans, signed at Normal College on June 24, 1881
  • Henriette L. Dolan of June 24, 1881, signed at Normal College, Class of 1881
  • Annie M. Dunphy, signed at Normal College on July 1, 1881
E
  • Pauline M. Ebecke, signed at Normal College on November 1, 1881
F
  • Christabel Flood, signed at Normal College, on October 7, 1881
  • Elina Francfort, signed on February 15, 1880.    http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F1061EFC3A5A12738DDDAD0894DC405B868CF1D3
  • I. Fraser, signed at New York, on June 23, 1881
G
  • J. F. Garvin, signed at Union Theological Seminary on May 1, 1882
  • M. E. Grey, or M. E. Guy, signed on November 8, 1883
  • Annie M. Griffin, Class of 1881, signed on June 24, 1881
H
  • Carrie E. Hight, signed at Normal College on June 2, 1881
  • Elizabeth's Aunt and Uncle, E. R. R. Hopkins and A. H. Hopkins, signed at Syracuse, New York, on August 21, 1883
J
  • Kate E. Johnson, signed on June 24, 1881
  • Mamie E. Johnson, signed on July 19, 1884; shared the page with Mamie E. Curry; Lottie E. Strauss; Joseph C. Johnson
  • Joseph C. Johnson, signed on uly 21, 1884; shared the page with Mamie E. Johnson; Mamie E. Curry; Lottie E. Strauss
K
  • M. Kidwell or M. Kidnell, signed on May 22, 1881
  • George J. King, signed facing pages on April 1882
  • E. G. Knight, signed at Tr. Dept, Normal College, on May 27, 1881
L
  • J. M. Lassing signed facing pages on March 6, 1882
  • May Loper, signed at Normal College, New York, on June 24, 1881
M
  • Mary McCort, signed on June 1, 1881, "Class of '81"
  • Jessie McGregor, signed on June 2, 1881
  • Jennie B. Merrill, signed at Normal College on June 15, 1881
  • Helen G. Morgan, signed on June 2, 1881
  • Minnie E. Murphy, Class of 1881, signed on June 24, 1881
N
  • Lawrence Newport, signed at New York in June 1886
O
  • Maggie O'Reilly, signed at Normal College, on June 30, 1881
P
  • Maud Price
R
  • Alys Rich, signed at Normal College, New York, on June 28, 1881
  • Sarah E. Roxbury, signed on June 24, 1881; Elizabeth's schoolmate
  • S. H. Russell at 9 Winthrop Place; shared the page with Maggie E. Clifford
S
  • Charles A. Schlegel, signed at Normal College, in June 1881
  • George H. Sodler, signed on September 12, 1885
  • Annie Spence, Class of 1881, signed at New York, on September 26, 1881
  • Lottie E. Strauss, signed on July 19, 1884; shared the page with Mamie E. Johnson; Mamie E. Curry; Joseph C. Johnson
  • Elizabeth A. Sutton, album owner; she was presented the album on December 24, 1873 by "Mother" and "The Boys".  Mother was Matilda A. (Hopkins) Sutton.
  • Susie F. Sutton, signed on December 29, 1879
  • E. M. Sutton, signed on September 10, 1884
W
  • Emma A. Washburn, Class of 1881, signed on June 26, 1881
  • Jennie Whitelaw, signed at Normal College on Octoer 19, 1880
  • Mrs. Williams, signed at New York, on December 10, 1882
  • Eliza Woods, signed on May 19, 1881
Hunter College

Monday, February 24, 2014

1880s Autograph Album of Annie Benner Beidler or Biedler of Milford, Pennsylvania & Philadelphia


1880s autograph album of Annie Benner Beidler of the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, area.

The person who sold me this album nearly a decade ago said it had belonged to her husband's grandmother, Annie Benner Biedler, and I found records with both spellings.  But signers in the album indicated Beidler.

Annie inscribed a page at the beginning of the album to the future signers.


The album is approximately 4-1/4" x 3" and contains the sentiments of over 50 of Annie's relatives, friends and Sunday School teacher.

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

Annie Benner Beidler was born 12 December 1867 in Pennsylvania, the daughter of James and Sophia S. (Benner) Beidler.   Annie's sister Lizzie Beidler signed pages on January 10, 1881 and February 17, 1884.



About 25 December 1886 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Annie Benner Beidler married Horace B. Schanely, son of Edward and Catharine B. (Bauman) Schanely/Schonly.  Horace was born 24 October 1861 at Douglas Township, Pennsylvania.  Annie and Horace had, I believe, five sons and a daughter.

One of the sons, Howard Beidler Schanely, signed a page in his mother's album on May 13, 1912, the only autograph in the album out of the 1880s era.


Amanda L. Benner of Perkasie, Pennsylvania, signed a page on July 12, 1881, and indicated she was Annie's cousin.  Amanda was the daughter of Mary and Abram or Abraham S. Benner, who was the younger brother of Annie's mother Sophia S. (Benner) Beidler.

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.  Thanks!


One page, signed by E. B., on June 18, 1881, had a Victorian scrap of a figure holding up a portrait.


Annie's Sunday School teacher, Jennie Roberts, signed a page.


There were ten signers named Shelly; refer to the list below.

Surnames in the album   [Some signed multiple times; 7 signers did not indicate a surname.]

Achey
Addison
Bealer
Beidler
Benner
Bleam
Boyd
Diehl
Earnly
Fryer
Hartman
Heft
Heist
Laudenslager
Lewis
Mohr
Moyer
Ortt
Roberts
Roth
Schanely
Sell
Shelly
Spangler
Stauffer
Weinberger
Wieand

Signers in the album   [Note: Given names within a specific surname may not be in alphabetical order.]

  • S. K. L., signed on March 13, 1882
  • E. B., signed on June 18, 1881; cute sketch of a person holding up a picture frame with a picture, perhaps, of the signer
  • S. A. W., signed on September 26, 1881
  • Emmie L. B. [not sure of B.]; Annie's cousin
  • W. B., signed on July 18, 1884; Annie's cousin
  • C. O., signed at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 14, 1881
  • H. B. S., signed on July 29, 1885
A
  • Hannah S. Achey
  • C. R. Addison, signed on November 6, 1881
B
  • Emma K. Bealer, signed on October, 5, 1881
  • D. Beidler, signed on July 11, 1881
  • Lizzie, signed pages on January 10, 1881 and February 17, 1884; Annie's sister Lizzie. 
  • Annie Benner Beidler, album owner.  The page she wrote to prospective signers in her album.
  • Amanda L. Benner of Perkasie, Pennsylvania, signed on July 14, 1881; Annie's cousin
  • Allen E. Bleam, signed on June 28, 1882
  • Maggie Boyd, signed at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 14, 1881
D
  • Clara Diehl, signed on September 10, 1882
  • Ellen N. Diehl, signed at Spinnerstown [presumably Pennsylvania]
E
  • Ellen Earnly, signed on October 16, 1881
F
  • Estella Fryer, signed at Hightstown [presumably New Jersey], on July 5, 1881
H
  • Frank H. Hartman of Milford Square, Pennsylvania, signed on November 11, 1883
  • Camilla Hartman of Milford Square, Pennsylvania, signed on August 29, 1883 [not sure of last digit]
  • E. M. Heft, signed on October 29, 1881
  • Mary W. Heist, signed on April 16, 1882
L
  • P. K. Laudenslager, signed on March 13, 1882
  • A. S. Lewis, signed on August 27, 1883
M
  • James P. Mohr, signed on July 3, 1881
  • Sarah R. Mohr of Milford [presumably New Jersey], signed on June 15, 1883
  • J. Wilson Mohr, signed on July 3, 1881
  • Aaron S. Moyer, signed on November 2, 1881
O
  • Eva E. Ortt
  • Ella E. Ortt, signed on September 23, 1881
R
  • Jennie Roberts, Annie's Sunday School Teacher
  • Annie Roth, signed on April 23, 1882
  • Emma Roth, signed on April 23, 1882; middle initial might be L or S
S
  • Howard Schanely, signed on May 13, 1912; Annie's son
  • Hannah L. Sell, signed on April 25, 1882
  • A. B. Shelly, signed at Milford, on July 28, 1882
  • Lizzie S. Shelly
  • Joseph W. Shelly of Milford Square, Pennsylvania, signed on July 26, 1882
  • Very faint, but appears to be E. J. Shelly, signed in October ?
  • O. W. Shelly, signed on July 24, 1882
  • Catherine B. Shelly, signed on July 11, 1882
  • Addie Shelly, signed on July 28, 1882
  • Lydia S. Shelly, signed on March 26, 1882
  • Amanda S. Shelly, signed on March 30, 1882
  • M. W. Shelly, signed on July 25, 1882
  • Joe Spangler, signed at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 14, 1881
  • U. S. Stauffer, signed at Quakertown, Pennsylvania, on May 28, 1882
W
  • John G. Weinberger
  • Ella S. Weinberger, signed on September 26, 1881
  • Jennie Wieand, signed on March 14, 1882; presumably Jane Wieand, daughter of Samuel and Anna Wieand.
Milford, Pennsylvania


Thanks for stopping by!

1880s Autograph Album of Margaret Brockway Comstock of Hadlyme, Connecticut


1880s autograph album that belonged to Margaret Brockway Comstock, "Maggie", of Hadlyme, Connecticut.  The album was a gift from Helen and may have been from Helen L. Jillson, a cousin.



Maggie herself signed the inside back cover of the album at Hadlyme, Connecticut, on December 25, 1887.


The album is approximately 5-1/2" x 3-1/3" and contains the sentiments of over 60 of Maggie's relatives and friends.  An alphabetical list of the signers appears at the end of this post.


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

Margaret Brockway Comstock was born 1 July 1879 at Hadlyme, Connecticut, the daughter of John and Celia A. (Brockway) Comstock.  Maggie's father signed a page in her album


Maggie's sister Grace O. Comstock of Hadlyme, Connecticut, signed a page in the album on July 9, 1888.


Maggie's mother, Celia A. (Brockway) Comstock died in 1892.  Her father subsequently married Mary Annis Bigelow and had a daughter Ruth B. Comstock.  I believe the page below, the last in the album, except for the Maggie's inscription on the inside back cover, was signed by Maggie's half-sister Ruth Comstock.


Ruth and Margaret were listed together in the 1940 Census of Lyme, Connecticut; apparently neither had ever married.  In the 1930 Census of Lyme, Connecticut, their father John had been living with them.  There's a listing on eBay for the handbook "Rush Seats for Chairs" by a Ruth B. Comstock; I wonder if it's the same Ruth.

Other relatives signed the album, including people named Brockway; refer to the list of signers below.

One page was signed on December 6, 1889 by Musical Artist and Comedian Harry W. Durand, who drew a sketch of a fiddle and a banjo.  He shared the page with Lewis H. Reid of Hartford, Connecticut, who had signed earlier on September 8, 1889.


Surnames in the album:  [Some appear multiple times.]
Alger
Arnold
Bigelow
Brockway
Burnham
Clough
Comstock
Curtis
Durand
Durr
Ely
Fowler
Gatten
Geer
Griffin
Grow
Hall
Hayden
Hineline
Holmes
Hungerford
Jillson
Marsh
Mitchell
Morgan
Phelps
Reid
Rich
Rogers
Rundell
Selden
Tiffany
Tracy
Tucker
Ward
Weir
Weiss

Signers in the album:  [Note: given names within a specific surname may not be in alphabetical order.]
  • Helen, who presented the album to Maggie; possibly Helen L. Jillson of Preston, Connecticut
  • Klepsa Vaclav of N.Y.; not sure of either name
A
  • A. L. Alger of Hadlyme, Connecticut, signed on June 1, 1889
  • Nellie L. Alger of Hartford, Connecticut, signed on March 1, 1889
  • Jennie H. Arnold of East Haddam, Connecticut, signed on March 13, 1889
B
  • E. V. Bigelow of New Haven, Connecticut, signed at Seattle, Washington, or vice versa, on November 2, 1889
  • Sarah E. Brockway of Hadlyme, Connecticut, signed on January 2, 1888
  • Lillian Brockway of Hadlyme, Connecticut, signed on January 4, 1889; Maggie's cousin
  • Arthur W. Brockway of Hadlyme, Connecticut, signed on February 14, 1889; Maggie's cousin
  • Edith L. Brockway of Hadlyme, Connecticut, signed on February 13, 1888; Maggie's cousin
  • C. E. Brockway of Middletown, Connecticut, on August 20, 1888
  • Francis H. Burnham of Hadlyme, Connecticut, signed on February 13, 1888
C
  • Gertrude M. Clough of Hadlyme, Connecticut, signed on December 30, 1887
  • Carrie E. Clough of Hadlyme, Connecticut, signed on December 30, 1887
  • Margaret B. Comstock, "Maggie", of Hadlyme, Connecticut; album owner
  • Ruth B. Comstock of Hadlyme, Connecticut, signed on February 26, 1912; Maggie's half-sister
  • John Comstock, signed at Hadlyme, Connecticut, on February 17, 1880; Maggie's father
  • Grace O. Comstock of Hadlyme, Connecticut, signed on July 9, 1888; Maggie's sister
  • Mrs. Ada G. Curtis of Hartford, Connecticut, signed on May 19, 1889
D
  • Harry W. Durand, Musical Artist & Comedian, signed on December 6, 1889; shared a page with Lewis H. Reid of Hartford, Connecticut, signed on September 8, 1889
  • Rosa Durr of New York City, signed on August 24, 1888
  • Mary Durr of Hadlyme, Connecticut, signed on August 2, 1888
E
  • Nancy W. Ely of Hadlyme, Connecticut, signed on December 30, 1887
  • Bertie A. Ely of Hadlyme, Connecticut, signed on February 14, 1888
F
  • Miss Lizzie Fowler of Preston, Connecticut, signed on August 15, 1889
  • Cora E. Fowler of Preston, Connecticut, signed on August 14, 1889
  • E. M. Fowler of Preston, Connecticut, signed on August 14, 1889
  • Mrs. G. E. Fowler of Preston, Connecticut, on August 15, 1889
G
  • Maggie M. Gatten of Hadlyme, Connecticut, on May 17, 1888
  • Elene E. Geer of Hadlyme, Connecticut, signed in 1888
  • Ethel E. Geer of Hadlyme, Connecticut, on January 7, 1889
  • E. J. E. Geer of The Ledges, signed on January 5, 1889
  • Arthur G. Griffin of Hadlyme, Connecticut, signed on February 4, 1888
  • Frances A. Griffin, signed on February 2, 1888
  • Elbertine E. Griffin of Hadlyme, Connecticut, signed on February 3, 1888
  • W. A. Grow of 19 E.D.G., New Haven, Connecticut, signed at Hadlyme, Connecticut on October 27, 1889
H
  • George E. Hall of Berlin, Connecticut, signed at Hadlyme, Connecticut, on December 31, 1887
  • Minnie B. Hayden of Essex, Connecticut, signed at Hadlyme, Connecticut on May 27, 1889
  • Louis S. Hayden of Essex, Connecticut, signed at Hadlyme, Connecticut, on October 29, 1889
  • Gertrude B. Hineline of Chester, Connecticut
  • Annie Holmes, signed on March 12, 1888
  • C. Holmes, signed on January 28, 1888
  • Sophronia R. Holmes of Hadlyme, Connecticut, signed on March 31, 1888
  • Nellie A. Hungerford of Hadlyme, Connecticut, signed on March 28, 1889
J
  • Helen L. Jillson of Preston, Connecticut, signed on July 31, 1889
  • L. C. Jillson of Norwich, Connecticut, signed on August 12, 1888; Maggie's cousin.  Presumably Leora C. Jillson, sister of signer Helen L. Jillson.
M
  • George E. Marsh of Cromwell, Connecticut, signed on May 19, 1889
  • Mrs. George E. Marsh of Cromwell, Connecticut, signed on May 19, 1889
  • A. D. Mitchell of Hartford, Connecticut, signed on August 2, 1888
  • Sidney E. Morgan of Hadlyme, Connecticut, signed in October 1888
P
  • Alice Phelps; not sure of surname
  • R. W. Phelps of Hadlyme, Connecticut
R
  • Lewis H. Reid of Hartford, Connecticut, signed on September 8, 1889; shared a page with Harry W. Durand, Musical Artist & Comedian, signed on December 6, 1889
  • Carrie L. Rich of Hadlyme, Connecticut, signed on March 28, 1889
  • Marion C. Rogers of Norwich, Connecticut, signed on March 23, 1889
  • Lizzie Rundell of Hadlyme, Connecticut, signed on January 18, 1889
S
  • Amelia W. Selden of Hadlyme, Connecticut, on May 17, 1888
T
  • Georgia May Tiffany of Hamburgh, Connecticut, signed on January 9, 1889
  • Lillie B. Tracy of Preston, Connecticut, signed July 31, 1889
  • LeRoy P. Tucker of Norwich, Connecticut, signed on July 31, 1889
W
  • Ella N. Ward of Newark, New Jersey, signed on August 11, 1888
  • Grace L. Weir of Hartford, Connecticut
  • George C. Weiss of New Haven, Connecticut, signed on Hadlyme, Connecticut, on November 10, 1889
Hadlyme, Connecticut


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Sunday, February 23, 2014

1883-1920 Autograph Album of Mary Ellen Barry of Wallingford, Connecticut, before and after her marriage to Nicholas L. Sutton


1883-1920 autograph album that belonged to Mary Ellen Barry of Wallingford, Connecticut, with sentiments collected before and after her marriage to Nicholas L. Sutton.

Mary Ellen, who was known as Mamie to some of the signers, signed one of the first pages before her marriage and signed the inside back cover, upside down, after her marriage.  She then included her address, 167 South Colony Street, Wallingford, Connecticut [see street view at end of this post].  I don't have the date of death of Mary's mother, Mary (Foley) Barry, but it's possible that the top image was signed by Mary's mother Mary (Foley, I think) Barry, rather than by Mary Ellen Barry herself.



The album is approximately 5-1/2" x 3-1/4" and contains the sentiments of 35 of Mary Ellen's relatives and friends, some of whom signed multiple pages.  An alphabetical list of the signers appears at the end of this post.


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

Mary Ellen Barry was born about 1861 in Connecticut, the daughter, I believe, of Irish immigrants James and Mary (Foley) Barry.   James Barry signed two pages in his daughter's album on December 17, 1887.



I believe Mary Ellen had six siblings.  Her older sister Johanna Barry of Wallingford, Connecticut, signed a page on December 25, 1884.


I believe it was Mary Ellen's brother James who signed as James E. Barry of Wallingford, Connecticut, who signed a page on May 8, 1881 and apparently revisited the page on December 9, 1883.


Other relatives signed pages as well; refer to the list of signers below.

About 1886, Mary Ellen Barry married Nicholas L. Sutton, who was born about 1862 in Ireland, the Irish Free State as noted in one of the Censuses.  Mary Ellen and Nicholas had at least six children, and it appears that they brought up several nieces and nephews as well.

Several of the children and niece Loretta Quinn signed multiple pages.  Daughter Mary Sutton, "Mae", signed pages on December 5, 1897 and September 3, 1905.



Daughter Katherine E. Sutton signed two pages, one of them in 1905.



Son Joseph Sutton signed a page.


Son James Sutton of Wallingford, Connecticut, signed a page on December 5, 1897.


Niece Loretta Quinn, who lived with the family, signed several pages.




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.  Thanks!

Surnames in the album:   [Some appear multiple times.]

Barry
Brown
Callaghan
Curran
Curry
Edel
FitzGerald
Francis
Gibbons
Hine
Huldie
Kavanough or Kavanaugh
Kennedy
Laden
Leonard
Mooney
Quinn
Roche
Sullivan
Sutton
Toohey

Signers in the album   [Note: given names within a specific surname may not be in alphabetical order.]
  • Jack S? of Oyster, Bay, New York; possibly Soxsick or Loxsick?; shared a page with Daniel Sullivan, who mentioned Phi Epsilon Phi Fraternity, Troy, New York, and Long Lake, New York
  • J. M. R., signed on July 22, 1884, at Birmingham, Connecticut.  There was another person in the album who gave a residence of Birmingham, Connecticut; that person was B. T. Roche.  Perhaps this was J. M. Roche?
  • Mary Ellen Barry of Wallingford, Connecticut, signed on December 9, 1883.  She also signed the inside back cover as Mrs. N. L. Sutton and gave her address in Wallingford, Connecticut.
  • Johanna Barry of Wallingford, Connecticut, signed on December 25, 1884.  Mary's sister
  • Claire Barry; she signed other pages as well.
  • Katherine R. Barry of Wallingford, Connecticut, signed on January 23, 1920; Mary's niece, presumably the daughter of Mary's brother Maurice J. Barry and his wife Mary.
  • James Barry, signed on December 17, 1887.  Mary's father, who signed two pages in her album.
  • James E. Barry of Wallingford, Connecticut, signed on December 9, 1883; presumably Mary's brother
  • Huldah V. Brown of Trappe, Maryland, in Talbot County, on October 22, 1881
  • Katie Fitz Callaghan, signed on December 2, 1881
  • Nellie J. Callahan of Wallingford, Connecticut, signed on December 17 [no year written]; Mary's cousin
  • Nellie E. Curran of Wallingford, Connecticut, signed on December 17, 1882
  • Mary A. Earley, signed on May 21, 1885
  • Emma A. Edel, signed at Wallingford, Connecticut on October 28, 1881
  • Maggie FitzGerald, signed on July 21, 1884
  • Mary J. Francis, signed on March 5, 1882
  • Mary E. Gibbons, signed at Wallingford, Connecticut, on October 26, 1881
  • Philip Hine, 484 #7 Avenue, South Brooklyn, New York, signed on July 10, 1884
  • Annie J. Huldie, signed on 15 August 1882
  • Jennie Kavanaugh, or Jennie Kavanough, of Wallingford, Connecticut, signed on November 12, 1881
  • Katie C. Kennedy of Wallingford, Connecticut, signed on November 12, 1881
  • Annie A. Kennedy, signed in 1881
  • Maggie A. Laden of Wallingford, Connecticut, signed on April 13, 1882
  • Mary E. Leonard, signed on November 6, 1881
  • Maggie P. Mooney, signed at Wallingford, Connecticut, on December 6, 1881
  • Loretta Quinn; she signed another page on November 16, 1911 and another on June 7, 1909
  • M. J. Quinn, signed on December 20, 1890; there was another page signed by M. J. Quinn on January 9, 1889
  • B. T. Roche of Birmingham, Connecticut, signed on July 21, 1884
  • Daniel Sullivan, of Phi Epsilon Phi Fraternity, Troy, New York; Long Lake, New York; shared a page with Jack S? of Oyster Bay, New York
  • Mary Sutton, "Mae", of Wallingford, Connecticut, signed on December 5, 1897; Mary's daughter.  She signed another page as well, on September 3, 1905 at So. Colony Street, Wallingford, Connecticut
  • Katharine E. Sutton, signed in 1905.  She was Mary's daughter.
  • Joseph Sutton, Mary's "Beloved son"
  • James Sutton of Wallingford, Connecticut, signed on December 5, 1897; Mary's oldest child
  • Nellie S.; presumably Nellie Sutton, Mary's daughter; she signed another page on May 16, 1907
  • Kate J. Toohey of Wallingford, Connecticut, signed on October 25, 1887
Wallingford, Connecticut


Hopefully this is the correct house for 167 South Colony Street, Wallingford, Connecticut, and that it's the house that existed when Mary Ellen (Barry) Sutton lived there.


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