1861-1864 Autograph Album of Ezza E. Sanders of San Francisco, California; daughter of Col. Lewis H. Sanders, Kentucky Native

Autograph album that was given by Laura on December 25, 1861 to Ezza E. Sanders of San Francisco, California, or Sacramento, California, where her father, Col. Lewis H. Sanders, practiced law.  Laura may have been Ezza's older sister Laura Eldridge Sanders.

The album, which measures approximately 8" by 6-1/2", was published by Leavitt & Allen of New York City, and contains four full page engravings, in addition to the title page, and the sentiments of nearly 20 of Ezza's friends and schoolmates.  An alphabetical list of the inscribers, together with any personal information they offered, appears at the end of this post.

Surnames in the Album

?  [10]
Baxter
Bradshaw
Crockett
Olden
Robinson
Sanders
Sather
Shew
Smith
Wright

From brief online research, hopefully correct - corrections and additions requested:

Emma Ezza Sanders was born November 6, 1847 at Natchez, Mississippi, the daughter of Col. Lewis H. Sanders and Margaret Hubbell (Price) Sanders of Kentucky.  Read more about Col. Sanders' life and career here.  The family eventually moved to California, where Col. Sanders practiced law and Ezza, in 1863, was attending school.

Ezza's father died in 1864, and her mother returned to Kentucky. In 1869, Ezza married to Isham Railey of Versailles, Kentucky.  Ezza and Isham, had, I think, seven children, six daughters and a son.  Isham died in 1907, and Ezza in 1920.  According to Ezza's death certificate, she's buried in Versailles, Kentucky.

A few sample pages - if you have a different interpretation of the inscribers' names, please advise.

Sallie G. S. S. Olden; inscribed at San Francisco, California, on May 6, 1863; not sure of second initial

Dora C. S. Shew; inscribed at San Francisco, California, on May 11, 1863.

? H. Sather; inscribed at San Francisco, California, on May 7, 1863,  Given name possibly Luisa or Luica or perhaps starts with a Q, like Quica

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

Inscribers in the Album

• Laura; gifted the album to Ezza on December 25, 1861.  Laura may have been Ezza's younger sister Laura Eldridge Sanders.
• L. T. H. or L. Y. H. or ?
• Lizzie; inscribed at San Francisco, California, on May 6, 1863
• Nellie; inscribed at San Francisco, California, on November 19, 1863; Ezza's schoolmate
• Hettie A. R.; inscribed on April 14, 1863.  Perhaps Hester A. Ralston
• E. F. H.
• C. B.
• Lillie
• Sarah F.; inscribed on May 7, 1863
• Angie; inscribed at San Francisco, California, on May 6, 1863
• Alice Eva Baxter; inscribed at San Francisco, California, on May 19, 1863.  Perhaps Alice Evelyn Baxter.
• Ella Louise Bradshaw; inscribed at San Francisco, California, on May 13, 1863.  Ezza's schoolmate
• Sue Crockett; inscribed on May 12, 1863
• Sallie G. S. S. Olden; not sure of first initial; inscribed at San Francisco, California, on May 6, 1863
• Kate Crittenden Robinson; inscribed at San Francisco, California, on March 4, 1864
• Ezza E. Sanders, album owner.  Ezza was from Mississippi; her family was living in San Francisco at the time of the 1860 Census; her father was practicing law.  Ezza was given the album by Laura on Christmas in 1861.  Laura may have been Ezza's younger sister Laura Eldridge Sanders,
• ? H. Sather; inscribed at San Francisco, California, on May 7, 1863,  Given name possibly Luisa or Luica or perhaps starts with a Q, like Quica
• Dora C. S. Shew; inscribed at San Francisco, California, on May 11, 1863.
• Nonie E. Smith; inscribed at San Francisco, California, on May 8, 1863
• Mary Wright