Saturday, December 27, 2014

1884-1904 Autograph Album of Blanche Thayer of Norfolk, Virginia; student at Norfolk College


1884-1904 autograph album of Blanche Thayer of Norfolk, Virginia, with many sentiments collected while she was a student at Norfolk College.  Its building is now a branch of Tidewater Community College.

The album has a bit of scribbling on some pages, including the ownership page below.


Another post features the autograph album of Clara May Holt of Portsmouth, Virginia, who was also a student at Norfolk College apparently, as several of the signers indicated that address; many of the signers inscribed pages in both albums.

Blanche Thayer signed a page in Clara's album; Clara, as she did on many of the pages, added a later note, which indicated that Blanche had married a Mr. Stanworth.  He was Paul Clifton Stanworth.


Blanche's album measures about 8" x 5" and has many loose pages.  It contains the sentiments of over 100 of her relatives, friends, schoolmates and teacher.  An alphabetical surname list and an alphabetical list of the signers, together with any personal information they offered, appear at the end of this post.

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

Blanche Thayer was born at Norfolk, Virginia, the daughter of James W. Thayer and Virginia (Milener/Millner/Milliner] Thayer.  In 1888, Blanche wrote her name in the center of a group page, which also featured the signature of her sister Mabel Thayer.


Another name that jumps out on the page above is P. C. Stanworth, who also signed an individual page.  He was Paul Clifton Stanworth, whom Blanche would marry at Norfolk, Virginia, on September 18, 1893.  He was the son of Thomas and Mary Ann (Connor, I think) Stanworth.  The W. J. Stanworth who inscribed another page was likely brother William J. Stanworth, who indicated that he and Blanche had been neighbors - so now we know how Blanche Thayer and Paul Clifton Stanworth met!


As mentioned above, many of the signers were Blanche's fellow students at Norfolk College at Norfolk, Virginia.  Blanche took at least one course in music, as confirmed by the page signed by her music professor Anton F. Koerner on March 28, 1884.


Also writing her name in the album in 1902 and 1904 was Alma Stanworth, daughter of Blanche and Paul Clifton Stanworth.  She wrote her name three times in the lower right corner of another group page that featured several members of the Guild family of Baltimore, Maryland and others.


Other people who expressed a family relationship:  [And there were undoubtedly some who didn't express an relationship in their sentiment]
  • Aunt Susie, possibly Susan A. (Thayer) Guild of Baltimore, Maryland
  • Aunt Charlotte, possibly Charlotte (Thayer) Blogg, sister of Blanche's father James W. Thayer
  • Cousin Harry of Baltimore
  • Cousin Laffie [?]
  • Cousin Hattie; possibly Hattie Blogg
  • Cousin Bettie
The inside front cover has a faint name that looks like Ann Brinkley.  Blanche's daughter Alma Stanworth married Edward Stanley Brinkley, and they had a daughter Ann.


Blanche died in 1929 and Paul Clifton in 1958; they're buried at Elmwood Cemetery at Norfolk, Virginia.  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.  

Surnames in the album

? [21]DGMSU
ADalbyGilmoreM ?S ? [2]Ullmann
AdamsDaniel [2]GriffithMacWilkie [2]ScholefieldW
BDayGuild [5]MarshallSeaburyWatts
B ?DodsonHMizellSillsWebster
BallardDuncanHallMyersSleddWhitehurst
BaylyEHayesNSlicer [2]Whitney
Blogg [3]EbersonHollyNorsworthySmithWomble
BrinkleyEleyJOStanworth [4]Wrenn
CEllisJackson [2]OglenSullivanWright [2]
CarmanFKPTWyatt
CarrollFitzKoernerPerryTaylor [2]Y
CharlesFontaineLPorter [2]Thayer [2]Yeatman
CunninghamFosterLangleyPoudenThomas [2]
CutchinLeeThomson
Tregoe [4]

Signers in the album    [Note: Given names within a specific surname may not be in alphabetical order.]
  • Your Uncle, possibly Uncle Ned; the page is written in German.  Uncle copied a poem by Karl von Holtei (1798-1880): http://museum.zib.de/sgml_internet/sgml.php?seite=5&fld_0=Z0094344
  • ? Dencher ?enow. 
  • Cousin Gene, signed on October 4, 1885.
  • The Friend of '87; shared the page with "Jumbo"
  • "Jumbo", signed in August 1884; shared the page with "The Friend of '87"
  • Ella, signed at Baltimore, Maryland on September 25, 1885. Perhaps Ella Carroll
  • Ed, signed at Norfolk, Virginia, on January 1, 1884
  • "Cousin Carrie, signed at Norfolk on January 21 [year obscured]. She painted a sprig of wild roses.
  • Georgie, signed on September 25, 1885
  • Susie, signed on September 25, 1885
  • Cousin Harry, signed at Baltimore, Maryland, on September 5, 1885.
  • Minnie, signed at Norfolk on March 5, 1884. Painting of lilies of the valley and a butterfly.
  • Cousin Laffie [?], signed on September 25, 1885
  • Jimmie, signed at Baltimore, Maryland, on September 25, 1885
  • Signed by "Fair - Fat and Fifteen" in 1885
  • Signed in very youthful or very elderly handwriting on July 5, 1886. Can't decipher the name. Possibly a word that starts with A, like Ann or Aunt, and a second word that starts with B.
  • Sallie S., signed at Norfolk, Virginia, in January 1885
  • Cousin Bettie, signed at Be? L? Spring, Virginia, on September 1, 1887
  • Irene.  On a group page; group names: Aunt Susan; S. A. Guild; Jennie M. Guild; Charles S. Guild; Clara E. Guild; Alma Stanworth; C. R. Tayler; R. P. Shedd; U. M.; M. T. Hayes; L. B. Dodson; B.T.S.; P.C.S.; and Irene
  • Annie, signed at Norfolk College, Norfolk, VIrginia
  • Bessie, signed at Norfolk, Virginia, on June 5, 1885
A
  • Percy W. Adams, or Perry W. Adams, signed on June 17, 1890
B
  • S. H. B..  Shared the page with Mrs. S. A. Jackson
  • Fann W. Ballard of Churchland, Virginia
  • J. McKendree K. Bayly, signed at Baltimore, Maryland, on June 16, 1890. He was Jeremiah McKendree K. Bayly, born in 1862, according to his passport application, which he completed later that month.
  • Cousin Hattie, signed on January 1, 1884. She called Blanche "Blanchette". Perhaps Hattie A. Blogg, daughter of Charlotte (Thayer) Blogg, who was a sister to Blanche's father James W. Thayer.
  • Aunt Charlotte, signed at Norfolk, Virginia, in 1884; perhaps Charlotte (Thayer) Blogg, sister of Blanche's father James W. Thayer.
  • Wes, signed in January 1884; perhaps Wesley C. Blogg, son of Charlotte (Thayer) Blogg, who was a sister to Blanche's father James W. Thayer.
  • Very faint name on inside front cover; possibly Ann Brinkley. Blanche's daughter Alma Stanworth married Edward Stanley Brinkley and had a daughter Ann Brinkley, born about 1920. The name could also be Alma, but looks more like Ann.
C
  • Emma Carman, signed on March 6, 1884 at Norfolk, Virginia; Blanche's schoolmate, presumably at Norfolk College.
  • Ella Carroll of Baltimore, Maryland; middle initial possibly I or J or ?.  She signed a group page with names: P. C. Stanworth; R. D. Tregoe; W. A. Slicer; Ella Carroll; ?Dencher?; George W. Tregoe; Mabel Thayer, Blanche's sister; and J. Harry Tregoe
  • Mary Charles of Tarboro, North Carolina, on June 5, 1885.  Shared the page with W. A. Slicer
  • Jesse Cunningham, signed on March 1, 1889. "Don't forget your Hampton friend."
  • Rosa Cutchin of Norfolk, Virginia, signed on March 27, 1884
D
  • Leilia R. Dalby, signed at Norfolk College, on June 4, 1885
  • Eula Daniel, signed at Norfolk, Virginia, on March 5, 1884
  • Anna Daniel of, or signed at, Pleasant Hill, North Carolina, dated May 6, 1887
  • Anne K. Day, signed at Norfolk College, on March 6, 1884
  • L. B. Dodson  On a group page; group names: Aunt Susan; S. A. Guild; Jennie M. Guild; Charles S. Guild; Clara E. Guild; Alma Stanworth; C. R. Tayler; R. P. Shedd; U. M.; M. T. Hayes; L. B. Dodson; B.T.S.; P.C.S.; and Irene
  • Carrie V. Duncan of Spartanburgh, South Carolina, signed at Norfolk College on April 21, 1887
E
  • Evelyn Eberson, signed at Norfolk, Virginia, on March 7, 1884; Blanche's schoolmate
  • Emmy Eley, signed at Norfolk College on January 18, 1885
  • Anna Ellis, signed at Norfolk College, on April 23, 1887; not sure of given name
F
  • Newton Fitz
  • Lizzie Fontaine, signed on August 17, 1886
  • Janie Foster of Pictou, Nova Scotia, signed at Norfolk, Virginia, on February 12, 1885, perhaps at Norfolk College. Not sure of given name.
G
  • James Gilmore, Jr., University of Virginia, Albermarle County. Middle initial might be A. or H.
  • Lizzie Griffith, signed on March 6, 1884
  • Aunt Susan, Baltimore, 1888, Written in the center of a group page. "Bright faces bring blessings to every heart"  Presumably Susan A. (Thayer) Guild, sister or other relative of Blanche's father James W. Thayer.  On a group page; group names: Aunt Susan; S. A. Guild; Jennie M. Guild; Charles S. Guild; Clara E. Guild; Alma Stanworth; C. R. Tayler; R. P. Shedd; U. M.; M. T. Hayes; L. B. Dodson; B.T.S.; P.C.S.; and Irene
  • S. A. Guild; presumably Aunt Susie, Susan A. (Thayer) Guild, sister or other relative of Blanche's father James W. Thayer.  Group names: Aunt Susan; S. A. Guild; Jennie M. Guild; Charles S. Guild; Clara E. Guild; Alma Stanworth; C. R. Tayler; R. P. Shedd; U. M.; M. T. Hayes; L. B. Dodson; B.T.S.; P.C.S.; and Irene
  • Jennie M. Guild of Baltimore, Maryland, signed in 1885.  On a group page; group names: Aunt Susan; S. A. Guild; Jennie M. Guild; Charles S. Guild; Clara E. Guild; Alma Stanworth; C. R. Tayler; R. P. Shedd; U. M.; M. T. Hayes; L. B. Dodson; B.T.S.; P.C.S.; and Irene
  • Charles S. Guild of Baltimore, Maryland, signed on September 18, 1885.  He would die on March 11, 1886.  On a group page; group names: Aunt Susan; S. A. Guild; Jennie M. Guild; Charles S. Guild; Clara E. Guild; Alma Stanworth; C. R. Tayler; R. P. Shedd; U. M.; M. T. Hayes; L. B. Dodson; B.T.S.; P.C.S.; and Irene
  • Clara E. Guild of Baltimore, Maryland, signed on September 26, 1885.  On a group page; group names: Aunt Susan; S. A. Guild; Jennie M. Guild; Charles S. Guild; Clara E. Guild; Alma Stanworth; C. R. Tayler; R. P. Shedd; U. M.; M. T. Hayes; L. B. Dodson; B.T.S.; P.C.S.; and Irene
H
  • S. Thompson Hall, signed at Norfolk, Virginia, in March 1884
  • M. T. Hayes  On a group page; group names: Aunt Susan; S. A. Guild; Jennie M. Guild; Charles S. Guild; Clara E. Guild; Alma Stanworth; C. R. Tayler; R. P. Shedd; U. M.; M. T. Hayes; L. B. Dodson; B.T.S.; P.C.S.; and Irene
  • Mamie L. Holly, signed at Norfolk College on March 6, 1884
J
  • ? A. Jackson, signed at Abingdon, Virginia, in September 1888 . First initial obscured by later scribbling - could be G.
  • Mrs. S. A. Jackson, signed on September 9, 1888.  Shared the page with S. H. B.
K
  • Anton F. Koerner, signed at Norfolk College on March 28, 1884. He was Blanche's music professor.
L
  • Carrie D. Langley, signed at Norfolk College at Norfolk, Virginia, on November 5, 1886
  • Mamie A. Lee, signed at Norfolk College on March 27, 1884
M
  • U. M.  On a group page; group names: Aunt Susan; S. A. Guild; Jennie M. Guild; Charles S. Guild; Clara E. Guild; Alma Stanworth; C. R. Tayler; R. P. Shedd; U. M.; M. T. Hayes; L. B. Dodson; B.T.S.; P.C.S.; and Irene
  • F. F. MacWilkie, signed at Portsmouth, Virginia, on July 1, 1884; presumably Fergus F. MacWilkie
  • Maud M. Macwilkie, signed at Portsmouth, Virginia, on March 7, 1884
  • Essie G. Marshall, signed at Norfolk, Virginia, on October 14, 1886
  • Anne Mizell, signed at Norfolk College on June 5, 1885
  • Annie Howard Myers of Washington, North Carolina, signed at Norfolk College on January 18, 1886. She was a landscape and still life painter; future wife of John William Charles.
N
  • Nettie Norsworthy of Norfolk, Virginia, signed on March 6, 1884; Blanche's schoolmate
O
  • W. K. Oglen of Abingdon, Virginia, signed on September 9, 1888; not sure of middle initial or surname
P
  • Leila Perry, signed on March 6, 1884
  • Emilie Porter, signed at Norfolk, Virginia, on May 9, 1886
  • Kate G. Porter, signed at Norfolk, Virginia, on May 9, 1886
  • Lela Pouden or Lela Pruden or ?, signed at Abingdon, Virginia, on August 8, 1888
S
  • B. T. S.  On a group page; group names: Aunt Susan; S. A. Guild; Jennie M. Guild; Charles S. Guild; Clara E. Guild; Alma Stanworth; C. R. Tayler; R. P. Shedd; U. M.; M. T. Hayes; L. B. Dodson; B.T.S.; P.C.S.; and Irene
  • P. C. S.  On a group page; group names: Aunt Susan; S. A. Guild; Jennie M. Guild; Charles S. Guild; Clara E. Guild; Alma Stanworth; C. R. Tayler; R. P. Shedd; U. M.; M. T. Hayes; L. B. Dodson; B.T.S.; P.C.S.; and Irene
  • V. M. Scholefield, signed at Norfolk College in 1884
  • Fannie Lee Seabury, signed at Norfolk College on March 7, 1884
  • Annie Sills, signed at Brunswick, Virginia, on May 3, 1887
  • R. P. Sledd, signed on May 16, 1886; not sure of surname.  On a group page; group names: Aunt Susan; S. A. Guild; Jennie M. Guild; Charles S. Guild; Clara E. Guild; Alma Stanworth; C. R. Tayler; R. P. Shedd; U. M.; M. T. Hayes; L. B. Dodson; B.T.S.; P.C.S.; and Irene
  • W. A. Slicer, dated October 20, 1888.  Signed a group page with names: P. C. Stanworth; R. D. Tregoe; W. A. Slicer; Ella Carroll; ?Dencher?; George W. Tregoe; Mabel Thayer, Blanche's sister; and J. Harry Tregoe
  • W. A. Slicer of Bufordville, Virginia, Ranch No. 87, signed on October 19, 1888.  Shared the page with Mary Charles
  • Sallie V. Smith, signed on March 8, 1886
  • P. C. Stanworth; Blanche's future husband.  He signed a group page with names: P. C. Stanworth; R. D. Tregoe; W. A. Slicer; Ella Carroll; ?Dencher?; George W. Tregoe; Mabel Thayer, Blanche's sister; and J. Harry Tregoe
  • W. J. Stanworth, signed on January 8, 1885; "Your old friend and neighbor". Presumably William J. Stanworth, brother of Paul Clifton Stanworth, Blanche's future husband.
  • P. C. Stanworth, signed at Norfolk, Virginia, on August 7, 1886. He was Paul Clifford Stanworth, Blanche's future husband.
  • Alma Stanworth, signed in 1902; signed again in 1904 at Norfolk, Virginia; Blanche's daughter.  On a group page; group names: Aunt Susan; S. A. Guild; Jennie M. Guild; Charles S. Guild; Clara E. Guild; Alma Stanworth; C. R. Tayler; R. P. Shedd; U. M.; M. T. Hayes; L. B. Dodson; B.T.S.; P.C.S.; and Irene
  • N. S. Sullivan, signed at Abingdon, Virginia, on August 24, 1888
T
  • C. R. Taylor, signed on June 19, 1886
  • C. R. Taylor, or Tayler, signed on August 15, 1886.  On a group page; group names: Aunt Susan; S. A. Guild; Jennie M. Guild; Charles S. Guild; Clara E. Guild; Alma Stanworth; C. R. Tayler; R. P. Shedd; U. M.; M. T. Hayes; L. B. Dodson; B.T.S.; P.C.S.; and Irene
  • Blanche Thayer of Norfolk, Virginia; album owner.  She started the album in 1884.
  • Miss Mabel Thayer, dated October 20, 1888; Blanche Thayer's sister Mabel Thayer.  She signed a group page with names: P. C. Stanworth; R. D. Tregoe; W. A. Slicer; Ella Carroll; ?Dencher?; George W. Tregoe; Mabel Thayer, Blanche's sister; and J. Harry Tregoe
  • James A. Thomas of Smithfield, Virginia
  • Annie Thomas, signed at Norfolk College in Norfolk, Virginia
  • Annie Thomson, signed at Norfolk College on March 10, 1884
  • R. D. Tregoe of Baltimore, Maryland; Mrs. Rebecca D. (Konemann ?) Tregoe, wife of George W. Tregoe.  She signed a group page with names: P. C. Stanworth; R. D. Tregoe; W. A. Slicer; Ella Carroll; ?Dencher?; George W. Tregoe; Mabel Thayer, Blanche's sister; and J. Harry Tregoe
  • George W. Tregoe of Baltimore, Maryland.  He signed a group page with names: P. C. Stanworth; R. D. Tregoe; W. A. Slicer; Ella Carroll; ?Dencher?; George W. Tregoe; Mabel Thayer, Blanche's sister; and J. Harry Tregoe
  • J. Harry Tregoe of Baltimore, Maryland; James Henry Tregoe, son of George W. and Rebecca (Konemann ?) Tregoe. http://history.nacm.org/j-harry-tregoe.shtml.  He signed a group page with names: P. C. Stanworth; R. D. Tregoe; W. A. Slicer; Ella Carroll; ?Dencher?; George W. Tregoe; Mabel Thayer, Blanche's sister; and J. Harry Tregoe
  • R. D. Tregoe, signed at Baltimore, Maryland, on September 20, 1885. Presumably Rebecca D. (Konemann) Tregoe. Painting of a shorebird and marsh
U
  • Stella Lee Ullmann, signed at Norfolk, Virginia, on March 7, 1884
W
  • David Watts or David Walls, signed at Portsmouth, Virginia, on July 2, 1884
  • F. P. Webster, signed on June 9, 1884
  • Ella B. Whitehurst, signed at Norfolk College on April 29, 1886
  • M. A. Y. Whitney, signed at Norfolk College, on March 6, 1884. First two initials are definitely M. A.. Third initial might be G or Z or ?
  • Bettie Wing or Rettie Wing, signed at Norfolk, Virginia, on February 16, 1885
  • Walter M. Womble
  • Maggie H. Wrenn, signed on March 6, 1884
  • R. E. Wright of Baltimore, Maryland, signed on September 25, 1885
  • Mrs. R. E. Wright
  • W. C. Wyatt, signed on November 24, 1885
Y
  • S. E. Yeatman, signed on March 6, 1884 at Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia


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