Autograph album that belonged to Aravesta Hawes Pillsbury, "Vessie", of Franklin, Massachusetts, a student at Dean Academy there. Dean Academy, founded in 1865, is now Dean College. Vessie was a native of Union, Maine.
Vessie added notes to several of the inscriptions, indicating marriages or deaths. Inscriptions are dated mostly in the 1870s, with additions by Vessie up to the 1942.
Vessie was given the album by her younger half-brother John C. Pillsbury. "Vessie H. Pillsbury, Franklin, Mass, A present from Brother Johnnie."
The earliest inscription, by Vessie's cousin Mary Frank Smith of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, appears to be dated 1861, but that would be a decade earlier than most of the inscriptions. I wonder if the inscriber meant 1871. As you can see, Vessie noted Mary's death on January 5, 1926.
The album measures approximately 7-3/4" by 4-3/4" and contains the sentiments of over 100 of Vessie's relatives, friends, schoolmates and teachers. An alphabetical list of the inscribers, together with any personal information they offered, appears at the end of this post.
Surnames in the Album
From brief online research, hopefully correct - corrections and additions requested:
Aravesta Hawes Pillsbury, "Vessie", was born at Union, Maine, I think on December 13, 1859, the daughter of David Green Pillsbury and Aravesta Matilda (Hawes) Pillsbury. Sadly, Vessie's mother died the following day. Vessie's father later married Hannah Walcott, mother of Vessie's half brother John C. Pillsbury.
The H. W. Pillsbury who inscribed a page at Union, Maine, was presumably Hannah (Walcott) Pillsbury, Vessie's stepmother.
Vessie's maternal grandmother, Alzina (Walcott) Hawes of Franklin, Massachusetts, a native of Maine, inscribed a page in the album. Vessie added a note that her grandmother died at Attleboro, Massachusetts, on April 8, 1891.
Many other relatives in Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island inscribed pages in the album, including, presumably, some who did not express their kinship.
On October 7, 1884 at Franklin, Massachusetts, Vessie married Arthur Henry Paul, son of inventor Seth D. Paul and Elizabeth (West) Paul. Arthur was born December 9, 1856 at Waltham, Massachusetts. At the time of their marriage, Arthur was working as a grocer at Woonsocket, Rhode, Island, and Vessie was teaching at Franklin, Massachusetts.
The A.P. who inscribed a page was presumably Arthur Henry Paul, as Vessie's notation of his death date, corresponds to Arthur's death date of August 19, 1921. By the time Arthur died, according to his death certificate, the couple had been living at Saco, Maine, for about three weeks.
I didn't find a record of children for Vessie and Arthur. Vessie died in 1946. She and Arthur are buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery at Attleboro, Massachusetts. If you have corrections 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
- Louise G. Mar?; inscribed at Newark, New Jersey, on May 25, 1879
- Alice Adams of Fair Haven, Vermont; inscribed at Dean Academy on January 28, 1875. Alice Angeline Adams
- Anna S. Adams or Anna L. Adams
- Perry Adams of Northridge Centre, Massachusetts; inscribed in October 1871
- Lizzie T. Almy of New Bedford, Massachusetts; inscribed at Dean Academy, Franklin, Massachusetts, on June 10, 1875. Elizabeth Tibbetts Almy.
- Louie N. Baldwin of Bangor, Maine; inscribed on August 14, 1874. "Remember our week's "Camping out" on Harbor Island"
- Carrie L. Bartholomew of Franklin, Massachusetts
- J. M. Bartholomew of Franklin, Massachusetts
- Florence M. Bartlett of Somerville, Massachusetts; inscribed at Dean Academy.
- Lilla F. Bartlett of Union, Maine; inscribed at Portland, Maine, on August 26, 1874
- N. Alonzo Bartlett of Union, Maine; inscribed at Franklin, Massachusetts, on October 27, 1873. Presumably Noah Alonzo Bartlett
- Lizzie C. Becket of Chelsea, Massachusetts; inscribed on May 13, 1876. Vessie's later note: "Elizabeth B. Lamb, Died Jan. 27 - 1920 Attleboro, Mass."
- Mary H. Belden of Meriden, Connecticut; inscribed at Dean Academy on May 12, 1875. Mary Higley Belden.
- Lou Bissell of Hartford, Connecticut; inscribed at Dean Academy on May 11, if the year was written, it runs off the page. Ella Louise Bissell
- Essie Blair; inscribed at Franklin, Massachusetts, in 1880
- Bessie M. Blake; inscribed at Franklin, Massachusetts, on June 17, 1873. Vessie's schoolmate
- Mary A. Bryant of Stoneham, Massachusetts; inscribed on November 16, 1874
- Rebecca C. Bryant of Woonsocket, Rhode Island; inscribed on July 25, 1873. Her sister Fannie C. Bryant inscribed the right facing page.
- S. Fannie Bryant of Woonsocket, Rhode Island; inscribed on July 28, 1873. Her sister Rebecca C. Bryant inscribed the left facing page.
- Walter H. Bullard of Boston, Massachusetts; inscribed at Dean Academy at Franklin, Massachusetts, in 1876
- E. W. Burdett; inscribed in 1873; Vessie's teacher. Presumably Everett W. Burdett
- Nanny Burley of Epping, New Hampshire; inscribed at Dean Academy on May 4, 1875
- Emma E. Burlieu; inscribed at Dean Academy at Franklin, Massachusetts. "Your Aff Mother", perhaps meaning housemother. Emma Elizabeth Burlieu
- Ella A. Capen of Willow Creek, Minnesota; inscribed at Dean Academy on January 25, 1875. Ella Almira Capen.
- Mabel W. Carpenter; "Your friends of Attleboro"; inscribed on July 15, 1875. Shared the page with Mary E. Lamb
- Annie E. Chace of Taunton, Massachusetts; inscribed at Franklin, Massachusetts, on October 22, 1873
- A. St. John Chambre, inscribed at Franklin, Massachusetts, on September 16, 1875. Vessie's pastor. Rev. Albert St. John Chambr. Shared the page with his wife Harriet (Lancaster) Chambre.
- H. L. Chambre; Rev. Chambre's wife Harriet (Lancaster) Chambre. Shared the page with her husband Rev. Albert St. John Chambre.
- P. Minnie Cobb of Union, Maine; inscribed on April 8, 1877
- Hattie E. Coombs of West Medway, Massachusetts; inscribed on June 17, 1874
- Matilda H. P. Cushing of New York City; inscribed on October 5, 1876
- George C. Daniels of Franklin, Massachusetts
- Grace L. Dow of Longwood, Massachusetts; inscribed at Franklin, Massachusetts, on June 10, 1879
- Lucia W. Drew, or Lucia M. Drew, of Boston, Massachusetts; inscribed on April 17, 1872
- Effie A. Dunbar of Lynn, Massachusetts; inscribed at Dean Academy on January 29, 1875. Effie Adelaide Dunbar
- Collins Elliot; inscribed at Dean Academy on June 14, 1876
- Fanny Elliot of Halifax, presumably Massachusetts; inscribed at Dean Academy at Franklin, Massachusetts
- Maria R. Ellsworth of Barre, Massachusetts; inscribed at Dean Academy on January 24, 1875. Maria Robinson Ellsworth
- H. May Emory of Wilmington, Delaware; inscribed at Franklin, Massachusetts, on March 15, 1880
- E. S. Fossett of Portland, Maine; inscribed on August 26, 1874. Edgar S. Fossett, whose wife Phoebe R. (Hawes) Fossett inscribed the right facing page.
- P. R. Fossett of Portland, Maine; inscribed on August 26, 1874. She was Phoebe R. (Hawes) Fossett, wife of Edgar S. Fossett, who inscribed the left facing page. Phoebe was Vessie's cousin.
- Sadie D. Gately of Newtown, Connecticut; inscribed at Dean Academy on March 21, 1875. Sarah Dennis Gately
- Marion H. Gould of Attleboro, Massachusetts [spelled Attleborough]; inscribed on March 30, 1890
- W. H. Gould of Attleboro, Massachusetts; inscribed on October 13, 1877. William Henry Gould, who married Vessie's maternal aunt Abigail Simmons Hawes. Vessie's later note: "Died in Marblehead Apr 22, 1942. Buried in Attleboro Apr. 24."
- Eva F. Gowen of San Mateo, Florida; inscribed on November 6, 1873
- Nellie E. Gowen of San Mateo, Florida; inscribed on November 6, 1873
- Abbie S. Hawes of Franklin, Massachusetts; inscribed on October 28, 1871. Vessie's later note: Abbie S. H. Gould died Feb. 21, 1942, Attleboro, Mass.". Abbie was Abigail Simmons (Hawes) Gould, who was the sister of Vessie's mother Aravesta Matilda (Hawes) Pillsbury. Abbie married William H. Gould in 1878.
- Alzina W. Hawes of Franklin, Massachusetts; inscribed on October 27, 1971. Vessie's later note: "Died in Attleboro Apr. 8, 1891". Vessie's maternal grandmother, Alzina (Walcott) Hawes, wife of Stephen Simmons Hawes
- Aravella A. Hawes of Franklin, Massachusetts; inscribed at Union, Maine, on August 24, 1874. Aravella Avis Hawes, sister of Aravesta Matilda (Hawes) Pillsbury, Vessie's mother
- Colin A. Hawes of Central Falls, Rhode Island; inscribed on January 28, 1872. Presumably Colin Augustus Hawes, Vessie's cousin
- Marietta B. Hawes of Franklin, Massachusetts; inscribed on October 28, 1871. Marietta Bartlett Hawes, sister of Vessie's mother Aravesta Matilda (Hawes) Pillsbury
- Roxana Hawes of Union, Maine; inscribed on October 7, 1876. Roxana (Robbins) Hawes, wife of William G. Hawes, who inscribed the right facing page.
- W. G. Hawes of Union, Maine; inscribed on October 7, 1876. William G. Hawes, husband of Roxana (Robbins) Hawes, who inscribed the left facing page.
- Louis H. W. Isenbeck of Boston, Massachusetts; inscribed at Dean Academy on June 11, 1875. Professor of Music at Dean Academy
- Ellie R. Jenkins of Boston Highlands, Massachusetts; inscribed in June 1875
- Julia F. Jennings
- Anna E. Jones of Concord, New Hampshire; inscribed at Dean Academy in June 1875. Anna Edmunds Jones
- Fannie O. Joslyn of College Hill, Massachusetts; inscribed at Dean Academy on November 16, 1874. Frances Otis Joslyn
- Sheldon T. Kinnecom of Providence, Rhode Island; inscribed at Dean Academy, '76. Sheldon Thornton Kinnecom. The word "Chums" straddles this page and the facing page inscribed by George S. Sheldon of Sheldonville, Massachusetts.
- Mary E. Lamb; "Your friends of Attleboro"; inscribed on July 15, 1875. Shared the page with Mabel W. Carpenter
- Eliza M. Marchant of Providence, Rhode Island; inscribed on September 1, 1872. She was Eliza Matilda (Hawes) Marchant, wife of Josiah D. Hawes, who inscribed the left facing page. She was Vessie's cousin
- J. D. Marchant of Providence, Rhode Island; inscribed on September 1, 1872. He was Josiah Davis Marchant, whose wife Eliza Matilda (Hawes) Marchant inscribed the right facing page.
- Ida B. Martin of West Haven, Connecticut; inscribed at Dean Academy on June 14, 1876
- Nellie M. Mason of Burlington, Vermont, No. 42; inscribed at Franklin, Massachusetts, on May 30, no year written
- Fred W. Mathews of Augusta, Maine; inscribed on December 31, 1880 and January 1, 1881
- K. Gertrude Mudge of Lynn, Massachusetts; inscribed at Dean Academy on April 20, 1875. Kate Gertrude Mudge
- Thomas J. Murphy of Union, Maine; inscribed on August 20, 1874
- Estelle M. Paine of Franklin, Massachusetts; inscribed on June 16, 1873
- H. M. Parkhurst of Dunstable, Massachusetts; inscribed at Dean Academy on May , 1878
- A.P. Presumably inscribed by Vessie's husband Arthur Henry Paul. Vessie's note: "d. Aug. 19, 1921", which is the date that Arthur Henry Paul died at Saco, Maine.
- A. Disette Payson of Brooklyn, New York; inscribed on October 3, 1871
- W. H. Payson, Cosmopolitan; inscribed on October 7, 1876
- H. W. Pillsbury of Union, Maine. Inscriber may have been Vessie's stepmother Hannah (Walcott) Pillsbury
- John C. Pillsbury of Union, Maine; presented the album to his older half-sister Aravesta Hawes Pillsbury, "Vessie"
- Vessie H. Pillsbury of Franklin, Massachusetts; presented the album by her younger half-brother John Pillsbury. Vessie was Aravesta Hawes Pillsbury, born at Union, Maine, in 1860.
- L. L. Pitts of West Waterville, Maine
- Louise M. Pollard of Brentwood, New Hampshire; inscribed at Dean Academy on May 20, 1875. Louise Maria Pollard
- Margaret S. Ray; inscribed on November 21, 1876
- Susan Ray; inscribed at Franklin, Massachusetts; on November 14, 1876. Middle initial might be K or ?
- John Richards of Waldoboro, Maine; inscribed on August 17, 1874. His wife Sarah Frances (Storer) Richards inscribed the left facing page.
- Mrs. S. F. Richards of Waldoboro, Maine; inscribed in August 1874. She was Sarah Frances (Storer) Richards, whose husband John Richards inscribed the right facing page.
- Frank E. Rockwood; inscribed on May 4, 1872. Class of 1874 at Brown University. He wrote the symbols for Delta Kappa Epsilon.
- J. Etta Rockwood of Franklin, Massachusetts; inscribed on June 1, 1872
- Nellie M. Scott of Newton, Massachusetts; inscribed at Dean Academy on June 14, no year written. Nellie Maria Scott
- George S. Sheldon of Sheldonville, Massachusetts; inscribed at Dean Academy on June 13, 1876. George Spence Sheldon. The word "Chums" straddles this page and the left facing page inscribed by Sheldon T. Kinnecom of Providence, Rhode Island
- Clara F. Smith of Lynn, Massachusetts; inscribed at Dean Academy on January 29, 1875. Clara Francina Smith
- Mary Frank Smith; inscribed on December 19, 1861; "your Woonsocket cousin". Vessie's later note: "Died Jan. 5, 1926". Mary Frances Smith (1847-1926), daughter of Charles Allen Smith and Eleanor Amelia (Metcalf) Smith
- Walter M. Smith of North Smithfield, Rhode Island; inscribed on July 27, 1873
- Hattie M. Stanley of Attleboro, Massachusetts; inscribed on May 13, 1876
- Lena C. Start of Melrose, Massachusetts; inscribed on June 14, 1875. Philena C. (Stevens) Start, "Lena", wife of William A. Start, with whom she shared the page.
- William A. Start of Melrose, Massachusetts; shared the page with his wife Philena C. (Stevens) Start, "Lena
- Hattie B. Stetson of Gloucester, Massachusetts; inscribed on June 3, 1877. Harriet B. Stetson, who was the Preceptress and teacher of French and German at Dean Academy in 1876.
- Fred D. Stoutenburgh; inscribed in 1879
- Ellen F. Thayer of Franklin, Massachusetts; inscribed on October 4, 1871
- G. D. Thayer; inscribed on April 4, 1881
- Herbert Thayer
- J. M. Thayer, Jr.; inscribed at Franklin, Massachusetts, on January 4, 1880
- Lucinda W. Thayer of Franklin, Massachusetts; inscribed on October 7, 1871
- Alice A. Tisdale of Cochesett, Massachusetts; inscribed on April 28, 1875. Alice Augusta Tisdale
- Abbie Twitchell; inscribed at Ashland, Massachusetts, on January 26, 1872. Middle initial possibly an L, and if so, presumably the Abbie L. Twitchell born about about 1848 and a resident of Ashland, Massachusetts
- Idella Marion Waite of Franklin, Massachusetts; inscribed on June 17, 1871. Idella Marion Waite, "Della"
- H. Francelia Weeks of Provincetown, Massachusetts; inscribed at Franklin, Massachusetts, on January 10, 1875. Harriet Francelia Weeks
- Mattie Woodbury of Bellingham, Massachusetts; Vessie's schoolmate. Martha Paterson Woodbury
No comments:
Post a Comment