Tuesday, October 30, 2012

19th Century Photograph of Mrs. Boughton of Brooklyn, New York, friend of Mrs. Sarah (McGeorge) Charlock


19th century photograph of Mrs. Boughton of Brooklyn, New York, a friend of Sarah (McGeorge) Charlock, to whom, according to information on the reverse, Mrs. Boughton  sold a Victorian love seat and large rocker when she moved from Brooklyn.



I don't have information on the identity of Mrs. Boughton.  Perhaps a reader has done research on the Boughton, McGeorge and/or Charlock families and can make a connection.

Sarah Ann McGeorge was born about March 1840 at Athens, Pennsylvania, daughter of Robert Leslie McGeorge and Betsey McGeorge.

On 11 September 1867, at Washington, D.C., Sarah married James Cornelius Charlock, son of Henry and Charlotte Albin (Nichols) Charlock.  James was born 23 July 1838 at Fishkill, New York.

The couple had, I believe, five children, the youngest of whom was Laura S. Charlock, mentioned on the reverse of the photograph as its owner.

Laura was born 4 October 1883, at Brooklyn, New York, and died at Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1977.  I don't believe she married.

If only I had a photograph of the Victorian love seat and rocker!

If you have corrections to the information above or insights regarding the Charlock, McGeorge or Boughton families, please leave a comment or contact me directly.  Thanks!


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Pre 1930 Photograph of Officials of Pittsfield, New Hampshire Old Home Day Assocation


Vintage photograph of four men identified on reverse as:
  • President E. P. Sanderson
  • Dr. F. H. Sargent, ?, Exec. Committee
  • Rev. H. A. Remick, Preacher
  • H. B. Fischer, Treasurer
Since two of the men died in 1930, the photograph had to have been taken that year or earlier.


Researching online for a link between these men in order to identify them further, I came across a reference to the Pittsfield, New Hampshire Old Home Day Association.  These men were on the 1919 committee, though the photograph may have resulted from their participation in another year's festivities.

Edward Parkman Sanderson [his middle name may have been Parkham] was born at Pittsfield, New Hampshire, on 5 February 1860, son of Daniel Parkman Sanderson and Elizabeth C. (Norris) Sanderson.  He was a banker and manufacturer in the Waltham, Massachusetts, and became a great benefactor of his home town of Pittsfield, New Hampshire.  He married Evelyn S. Harrington in 1886; they had at least one child, a son Robert.  Edward P. Sanderson died at Tennessee on 1 April 1930.

Dr. Frank H. Sargent was born 31 October 1861 at Pittsfield, New Hampshire, son of Charles H. and Almira (Ring) Sargent.  He married Nellie Winslow in 1898.  Dr. Sargent practiced medicine at Pittsfield, New Hampshire and was the owner of a large farm.  He founded Sargent Hall, a sanitarium dedicated to the treatment of people suffering from addictions to alcohol, tobacco and narcotics.  Dr. Sargent died in 1944.

Rev. Herbert Alonso Remick was born 4 January 1851 at Portland, Maine, son of John Clark Remick and Annie Cook (Graffam) Remick.    He married Adeline Bunnell Woodbury and had three children: Herbert Woodbury Remick; Adeline H. Remick; and Maud Remick.  In 1911 Rev. Remick left a position at a Rhode Island church and moved to Pittsfield, New Hampshire.  He died there in 1930.  

Herbert B. Fischer was born about July 1873 at Chichester, New Hampshire, son of Anson B. and Caroline F. (Cutler) Fischer.  He married Clara Helen Goss on 3 November 1900; they had at least two children.  Clara died in 1906.  Herbert subsequently married Ethel W. Kendall.  Herbert died in 1946.

If you have corrections and/or additions to the information above, please leave a comment or contact me directly.  Thanks!


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1903 Photograph of the Lovely Home of Mrs. Alona A. Hinds and son Albert Walker Hinds of West Boylston, Massachusetts


Photograph dated September 1903 of the West Boylston, Massachusetts home of Mrs. Alona Allen (Walker) Hinds and her son Albert Walker Hinds.



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

Alona Allen Walker was born 4 February 1830 at Holden, Massachusetts, daughter of Joel and Deidemia [sp?] (Stone) Walker.

On 31 December 1863 at Sterling, Massachusetts, Alona married Albert H. Hinds, son of Ephraim and Maria (Hapgood) Hinds.

Their son Albert Walker Hinds was born 30 November 1964 at West Bolyston, Massachusetts.  Albert H. Hinds, a civil engineer, died 28 February 1874.


Son Albert Walker Hinds was a teacher and town treasurer.  I don't know if he was married early in life but some time after the time of the 1920 Census, he married Margaret, who was born about 1900.

If you have corrections and/or additions to the information above or information on the Hinds home, please leave a comment or contact me directly.  Thanks!


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Cabinet Photograph of Illie R. Woodside of Knightville, Maine


Cabinet photograph of a young man identified on reverse as Illie R. Woodside of Knightville, Maine.  Knightville was likely the Knightville neighborhood of South Portland, Maine.

The photograph was taken by the studio of George E. Brown of 235-1/2 Middle Street, Portland, Maine.  



I'm assuming Illie was a nickname, but for what I have no idea.

There was a William R. Woodside, born at Brunswick, Maine, in August 1859.  And an Israel R. Woodside, born about September 1871 in Maine.  The latter was listed as a clerk in several early 1900s directories of Portland, Maine.

If you have an idea of the identity of Illie R. Woodside, please leave a comment or contact me directly.  Thanks!

Knightville section of South Portland, Maine


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Vintage Photograph of Ernest W. Voter Store at Farmington, Maine


Vintage photograph of the store operated by Ernest W. Voter at Farmington, Maine.  

The photograph itself is approximately 7" x 5"; the multi-ply mat enclosing it is about 9-3/4" x 9".  There's nothing on the reverse of the mat; the photograph is pasted on inside.

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

Ernest W. Voter was born 5 July 1879 at Farmington, Maine, son of Warren T. and Eliza Ella (Conant) Voter, who were born at Farmington, Maine, and Temple, Maine, respectively.

On 18 June 1906 at Wilton, Maine, Ernest W. Voter married Blanche Mabel Foster, daughter of Howard A. and Robena (Canwell) Foster.

Ernest and Blanche made their home at Farmington, Maine where they raised at least one child, a daughter, operated the Ernest W. Voter store, and participated in town and community affairs.

If you have corrections and/or additions to the information above, please leave a comment or contact me directly.  Thanks!

Farmington, Maine


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Monday, October 29, 2012

Photograph of Emma Jerusha (Harlow) Williams of Auburn, Maine


Early 20th century photograph of a woman identified on reverse as Emma Harlow Williams.  The photograph was taken by the Harry L. Plummer studio of Lewiston, Maine.



From online research, hopefully correct: [corrections welcome]

Emma Jerusha Harlow was born 17 September 1852 at Carver, Massachusetts, the daughter of Alvin Cobb Harlow and Rosette (Baird) Harlow.

In March 1872 at Auburn, Maine, Emma married Charles Edward Williams, son of Barnard and Elizabeth Augusta (Herrick) Williams.

Charles graduated from Farmington State Normal School, taught a few years, then pursued a medical education at Bowdoin College at Brunswick, Maine.  He located his practice at Auburn, Maine.

Emma Jerusha (Harlow) Williams died 9 October 1908.  On 6 April 1911 at Auburn, Maine, Charles Edward Williams married Myrtle (Carroll) Pierce, daughter of George W. and Sarah (Gatlin) Carroll.

If you have corrections to the information above or additional information on the Harlow and Williams families of Massachusetts and Maine, please leave a comment or contact me directly.  Thanks!


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1904 Photograph of Silas R. Wallace, Captain in the First Battery, New Hampshire NS


Photograph dated 1904 of 58-year-old Silas Randolph Wallace, Captain of the First Battery of the New Hampshire NS from 1867-1907.

The photograph itself is approximately 5-1/2" x 3-3/4", in a mat with total dimensions of  about 10-3/4" x 6-3/4".  The photograph was taken by the studio of Miss Osgood of Lebanon, New Hampshire.



From online research, hopefully correct: [corrections welcome]

Silas Randolph Wallace was born about July 1846 at Norwich, Vermont, son of George N. and Mary Elizabeth (Wild) Wallace.

I'm not sure of the parents of George N. Wallace, but Mary Elizabeth (Wild) Wallace was the daughter of Samuel Whitman Wild and Harriet (Pixley) Wild.

Silas served in the Civil War.  He enlisted as a private in New Hampshire on 22 August 1862 in Company D, New Hampshire 14th Infantry Regiment.  He mustered out on 8 July 1865 at Savannah, Georgia.  

Silas' first marriage, I believe, occurred on 1 May 1869 at Weare, New Hampshire, to Julia A. McCain, daughter of William and Sarah Vickery (Peabody) McCain.   Julia died 18 January 1892 at Manchester, New Hampshire.

His second marriage occurred on 10 April 1893 at Manchester, New Hampshire, to Ella Adelaide Pratt, daughter of Alvin and Adeline Pratt.  Ella died 8 April 1903.

Silas died 7 June 1929 at Northumberland, New Hampshire.

I found mention online of a deed that Silas negotiated in 1884.

If you have corrections and/or additions to the information above, please leave a comment or contact me directly.

Manchester, New Hampshire [Zoom out several clicks to see Norwich, Vermont, and Lebanon, New Hampshire, along the Connecticut River, to the northwest of Manchester.]


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Sunday, October 28, 2012

1870s/1880s Autograph Album of Joseph Blanchard of Canada, Vermont and New Hampshire


1870s/1880s autograph album that I believe belonged to Joseph T. Blanchard, who was born in Canada and lived for a good portion of his life at Keene, New Hampshire.

The album is approximately 4" x 2-1/4" and contains over 30 pages signed by the owner and his friends and relatives.

The album was a challenge as several names were repeated, and it was hard to tell if the signers were different people or the same person.  And I suspect the owner may have gone by one of his given names for part of his life and the other for another part.

The reason I believe this album belonged to Joseph T. Blanchard is that his wife Mary signed the next to last page.



Three pages were signed by a Theophil Blanchard.  Perhaps Theophil was Joseph's middle name.  One page was signed in 1878 when Theophil was 27 years old.



Another page details the 4 October 1874 marriage of Theophil and Marcelline Boivin.  Marcelline died 27 May 1875 at Holyoke, Massachusetts. [Marceline Boivin, according to her Massachusetts death record, which states the cause of death as "burned".]  I'm thinking that Marceline was one of the many victims of the disastrous fire at Precious Blood Church in South Holyoke, Massachusetts, in May 1875.



Theophil Blanchard signed a page on 4 July 1875, shortly after his wife's death, indicating that he was a widower. [thanks, M-G for your help in translating and for noting that Theophil's delay in noting his widower status might have resulted from the fact that the official ruling on his wife's death might have taken a while, considering the enormity of the calamity.]


Joseph Blanchard, who, again, might be the same person as Theophil, wrote two pages in the album.  One page details his marriage to Mary Mederise Labonte [Labounty], on 4 November 1884.



The other details the birth of their child on 18 April 1886 at Walpole, New Hampshire.  I believe this child was Malvina Mederise Blanchard.



If you have information on the Blanchard, Boivin and/or Labonte/Labounty families, especially if you can confirm that Theophil and Joseph were the same person or not, please leave a comment or contact me directly.   

Likewise, if you have information on any of the other signers in the album, who are listed below, please leave a comment or contact me directly.

Complete list of signers, in alphabetical order: [Note: given names within a particular surname may not be in alpha order.]
  • Napoleon, possibly Ordway or possibly Blanchard, 1901
  • Miss Mary Bell of Bellows Falls, Vermont.  Can't make out her middle initial; could be R.
  • Joseph T. Blanchard, who is the possible owner of this album
  • Theophil Blanchard, age 27 on 23 July 1878; don't know if that was his birthday or just the age he was on the day he signed the page
  • Theophil Blanchard, could be the same person as above: gives his marriage date of 4 October 1874 and wife's name, Marseline B?.  
  • Theophil Blanchard; if I'm translating correctly, "is still nine on 4 July 1875
  • Joseph Blanchard.  He mentions Bellows Falls, New Hampshire, but perhaps means Vermont.  He gives the date of his marriage to Mederise Labonte as 4 November 1885
  • This page gives the birth date of Malvina Mederise Blanchard, daughter of Joseph and Mederise Blanchard, as 18 April 1886 at Walpole, New Hampshire
  • Miss Mamie Blanchard of Keene, New Hampshire. "your daughter".   Perhaps Malvina Mederise Blanchard?
  • Mrs. Mary Blanchard: "from your wife that you have lived so long with"
  • Joseph Blanchard of Westminster, Vermont, 1884
  • Mattie A. Burgess
  • Henry and Frady [?] Cates [not sure of wife's name and not sure of surname
  • Minnie Egins of Westminister, Vermont; not sure of how her surname should be spelled, but I don't think it's Egins
  • Betsey Faulkner of Chester, Vermont, 1879.  Can't make out her middle initial
  • Silas Faulkner of Chester, Vermont
  • Mrs. Lucinda B. Faulker of Chester, Vermont
  • Martha E. Faulkner of Chester, Vermont, 1879
  • Sarah E. Faulkner of Rutland, Vermont
  • Augusta M. Faulkner of Rutland, Vermont; mentions Eli Faulkner, Jr., age 2
  • Minnie Harris of Westmoreland, New Hampshire
  • Malvina Jaffre, 1884
  • Mrs. Louise M. Jaffrey of Westminster, Vermont, 1884
  • Petter Jaffrey [Peter?]
  • Lewis Jeffrey, 1884; cute poem
  • L. G. Keith of Westmoreland, New Hampshire
  • Rozy Shortsleeves of Winchendon, Massachusetts, 1878
  • John Shortsleeves of Winchendon, Massachusetts, 1878
  • Emeline Shortsleeves of Winchendon, Massachusetts, 1878
  • Louisa Shortsleeves of Winchendon, Massachusetts, 1878
  • W. A. Stone of Westminster, Vermont, 1884
  • Addie Thayer of Westmoreland, New Hampshire, 1878
  • Rufus F. Whitney of Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire, 1875; age 39
Keene, New Hampshire [Zoom out one click to see Westmoreland and Walpole to the northwest and Fitzwilliam to the southeast.  Zoom out two clicks to see Winchendon to the southeast.  Zoom out three clicks to see Rutland, Vermont, to the northwest.]


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Friday, October 26, 2012

1878 Handmade Autograph Album of Louise Lincoln, possibly while living at Hamlet House at Foxborough, Massachusetts


Handmade autograph album that belonged to Louise Lincoln, with pages signed in 1878, possibly from people associated with the Carpenter family's straw manufacturing complex at Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Louise's name is shown on the front cover, above.  The album is approximately 4-1/2" x 2-1/4" inches and contains 26 pages signed by people who identified themselves and some who did not.  An alphabetical list of the signers appears at the end of this post.

Thanks to reader Ed [see his comment below], I believe Louise may have been Louisa Lincoln, daughter of Emerson and Patience (Hathaway) Lincoln, who were born at Raynham, Massachusetts, and Dighton, Massachusetts respectively.

Louisa was born 10 October 1846 at Raynham, Massachusetts.  She had two sisters and two brothers.  Louisa died at Dighton, Massachusetts, in 1924.  I don't believe she ever married.   

The photograph below was found with the autograph album but I have no way of knowing if the unidentified woman was Louisa Lincoln, another worker at the straw company, a Lincoln relative or a completely unrelated person.  There's nothing on the reverse of the photograph.



Many pages indicate that they were signed at the "Sewing Hall".  Fortunately, one page included "Hamlet Hall", so I was able to make the connection to the O. & W. Carpenter manufacturing facility.  Hamlet Hall was built in 1845 to serve as a combination sewing house and dormitory for the young ladies who were attracted to the employment there.

Read about the Hamlet House and see a photograph here in Foxborough: Gem of Norfolk County, by Jack Authelet of the Foxborough Historical Society, by entering "Hamlet House" in the search box.  

As shown in Ed's comment below, Louisa's sister Florence also worked at the straw shop.

Several of the women who signed pages in Louise's album gave Maine as their address.  Others came from Foxborough and other towns in Massachusetts.

Maria E. Conant of Winterport, Maine, signed a page at Foxboro, Massachusetts in 1878.



M. Louise Sawtelle of Sidney, Maine, signed a page at Foxboro, Massachusetts, in 1878.



M. Abbie Brown of Prospect Ferry, Maine, signed at page at Foxoboro, Massachusetts, in 1878.



Kate Gleason of Foxboro, Massachusetts, signed at page at the Sewing Hall in 1878.



Winnie K. Leonard of West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, signed a page at Foxboro, Massachusetts in 1878.



Hattie Lothrop of Taunton, Massachusetts, signed a page at Foxboro, Massachusetts, in 1878.  She mentioned the Hamlet House.



Leland Merrill wrote his name vertically on the page signed by Ella C. Merrill of Taunton, Massachusetts in 1878.



Albert E. Pond signed a page at the Music Hall.



If you have a theory as to the identity of Louise Lincoln or insights into the Hamlet House of the Carpenter straw manufacturing complex or into any of the signers listed below, please leave a comment or contact me directly.  Thanks!

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


  • Myra
  • Carrie Allen
  • Maria Allen, 1878
  • Lillie S. Bassett of Foxboro, Massachusetts, 1878
  • M. Abbie Brown of Prospect Ferry, Maine
  • Carrie E. Cobb of Taunton, Massachusetts, 1878
  • Maria E. Conant of Winterport, Maine, signed at Foxboro, Massachusetts, 1878
  • Carrie E. Freeman of Foxboro, Massachusetts, 1878
  • Kate Gleason of Foxboro, Massachusetts, 1878, at the Sewing Hall
  • Elise H. at the Sewing Hall
  • Sadee H. Ham, 1878
  • Fannie D. Ham of Taunton, Massachusetts, signed at Foxboro, Massachusetts, 1878
  • Winnie K. Leonard of West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, 1878, at the Sewing Hall
  • Louise Lincoln; album owner
  • A. E. Lothrop of Taunton, Massachusetts, 178
  • Hattie F. Lothrop of Taunton, Massachusetts, signed at Foxboro, Massachusetts, 1878; Hamlet House
  • Ella C. Merrill of Taunton, Massachusetts, 1878; shared apage with Leland Merrill
  • Leland Merrill; shared a page with Ella C. Merrill
  • Albert E. Pond, Music Hall
  • Ida Prime of South Foxboro, Massachusetts, 1878, at the Sewing Hall
  • Alice Rafferty, Sewing Hall
  • M. Louise Sawtelle of Sidney, Maine, signed at Foxboro, Massachusetts, 1878; friend
  • Clara E. Tolman of South Walpole, Massachusetts, at the Sewing Hall
  • M. M. W. of Foxboro, Massachusetts, at the Sewing Hall
  • H. Florence Waite, 1878
  • Emma M. Warren, 1878, Sewing Hall; friend
Foxborough, Massachusetts


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1880s Autograph Album of Martha Luella Cass of Woodstock, New Hampshire and Massachusetts


1880s autograph album of Martha Luella Cass, "Mattie", who was living at Woodstock, New Hampshire, when the album was being compiled.

Fortunately, three of Mattie's siblings signed pages in her album and gave their full names and addresses so that Mattie's identification could be made.

The album is approximately 5-1/4" x 3-1/4", with over 60 pages signed by Mattie's relatives and friends.  An alphabetical list of signers appears at the end of this post.  Many of the pages have marriage and death dates of the signers, added later, presumably, by Mattie herself.

When I first started scanning this album, I started from what I thought was the front, as that cover had decoration.  But the autographs were all upside down.  It's possible that the front cover, shown above, had decorations in the area where you see two spots.



From online research, hopefully correct: [corrections welcome]

Martha Luella Cass was born 10 January 1869 at Boston, Massachusetts, the daughter of Augustus A. and Mary Ann (Sawyer) Cass, who were born at Boston, Massachusetts, and Woodstock, New Hampshire, respectively.

Mattie's brother Edward Bertram Cass signed a page as Bertie E. Cass of Woodstock, New Hampshire, in 1886.



Mattie's sister Florence E. Cass of Woodstock, New Hampshire, signed a page in 1886, when she was eight years old.



Mattie's sister Etta Wealthy Cass signed a page as Etta W. Cass of Woodstock, New Hampshire, in 1884.



On 31 December 1891 at Cambridge, Massachusetts, Mattie married Alonzo Hugh Sutherland, son of William and Melinda (Rood) Sutherland.  He was born 1 September 1868 [or 1869] at Wine Harbor, Port Hilford, in Guysborough County, Nova Scotia, and made his way to Massachusetts in the 1880s.

Alonzo served for many years as superintendent of the Westford Water Company and also held the positions of fire chief and police officer.  He and Mattie raised four children at Westford: Beatrice M. Sutherland; Lillian E. Sutherland; Alfred Alonzo Sutherland; and Bertram W. Sutherland.

Mattie died in 1947.

Alice E. Sawyer signed a page at Woodstock, New Hampshire, in 1887 and indicated she was Mattie's cousin.  Alice was the daughter of Sylvestus Sawyer, who was a brother to Mary Ann (Sawyer) Cass, Mattie's mother.



Miss J. C. Blair of Campton, New Hampshire, signed a page and sketched some flowers in 1885.



If you have corrections to the information above, or insights into the Cass and Sutherland families or any of the signers listed below, please leave a comment or contact me directly.  Thanks!

Complete list of signers, in alphabetical order: [Note: given names within a specific surname may not be in alpha order.]
  • Lillie ? of Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1887
  • Annie E. Abbott of Thornton, New Hampshire, 1886.  "Married 1891"
  • Charlie H. Archer of Warner, New Hampshire, 1886
  • Lizzie E. Bake of East Boston, Massachusetts, 1887
  • Charlotte Barr of Harbor View, East Boston, Massachusetts
  • Miss J. C. Blair of Campton, New Hampshire, 1885.  Sketch of  lilies of the valley
  • A. L. Blair.  Middle initial could be L or S
  • Nettie M. Blake of Plymouth, New Hampshire, signed at Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1884.  "Married 1886"
  • W. P. Bryant, signed at Woodstock, New Hampshire.  Sketch of a broom
  • Mattie E. Burleigh, signed at Campton, New Hampshire, 1885
  • Annie Burnside
  • Charlie S. Butler of North Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1886.
  • Martha Luella "Mattie" Cass of Woodstock, New Hampshire and Massachusetts
  • Bertie E. Cass of Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1886.  Martha's brother Bertram Edward Cass
  • Florence E. Cass of Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1886.  Martha's sister Florence Edith Cass
  • Etta W. Cass of Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1884.  Martha's sister Etta Wealthy Cass
  • D. W. Colby of Webster, New Hampshire, 1885.  "married 1888".  Daniel W. Colby
  • A. M. D., signed at Blair, New Hampshire, 1885; friend
  • A. F. Dearborn of Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1886.  "Married year 1887"
  • Margie Dearborn of Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1886.  "Married 1891"
  • S. W. Doyle "Married 1887"
  • Charles B. Frost of Roslindale, Boston, Massachusetts, 1886.  "Married 1890"
  • Linnie Frost of Roslindale, Massachusetts, 1887
  • Annie L. Frost of Roslindale, Massachusetts, 1887
  • Mrs. T. J. Gilman of Woodstock, New Hampshire
  • Fred Gilman of Woodstock, New Hampshire
  • Hattie Gillman of Woodstock, New Hampshire
  • Mrs. Lucy E. Gleason of Malden, Massachusetts, signed at Woodstock, New Hampshire in 1886.  Features her postage stamp sized photograph
  • Ora B. Gordon of New Hampton, New Hampshire, signed at Blair [House?], 1885
  • Myra Grindell of Boston, Massachusetts.  Mentions being roommates at B. Y. W. C. Assn.  Boston YWCA?
  • T. O. Harlow of Strafford, Vermont, 1887
  • ? B. Hews, signed at Cambridge, Massachusetts
  • Sadie A. Hill of Charlestown, 1888.  "Married 1889."
  • Mabel J. Howland of North Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1885.  "Married 1886"
  • Annie D. Huckins of Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1885
  • DeLos Huckins of Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1885
  • John H. Hudson, 1887
  • Annie B. Jackman, signed at Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1884.  "Married 8/88" 
  • Minne E. James of Thornton, New Hampshire, signed at Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1887
  • Carrie Langley, signed at Blair, New Hampshire
  • Lizzie Belle Learned of Boston, Massachusetts, 1886
  • Nellie McCarthy.  Mentions Charlestown and Sanborn's Hotel at West Campton, New Hampshire, 1884
  • Alex McPherson, signed at Blair House, 1885
  • J. M. Monroe, signed at Boston, Massachusetts, 1887
  • Mollie E. Moulton of West Campton, New Hampshire, signed at Sanborn's Hotel, 1884.  "Married 1885"
  • Irvine B. Murdock of Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1884.  [Not sure of first name]  "Married 1888"
  • Ardelle S. Page of Campton, New Hampshire.  "Married 1885"
  • Winnie G. Pike of Hillsborough, New Hampshire, signed at Blair, 1885
  • Sadie Roberts of South Boston, Massachusetts, 1887
  • Cora F. Sanborn of Manchester, Maine, signed at West Campton, New Hampshire, 1884
  • Julia E. Sanborn of West Campton, New Hampshire, 1884
  • Alice E. Sawyer, signed at Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1887.  Martha's cousin, daughter of Sylvestus Sawyer, who was a brother to Martha's mother Mary Ann (Sawyer) Cass
  • Mabel V. Shaw of Tilton, New Hampshire, 1885. "Married '86.  Died '87"
  • Annie A. Shaw of East Andover, New Hampshire.  "Married Christmas 1885"
  • Mamie E. Shea of Cambridgeport, Massachusetts, 1887
  • Nellie F. Smith of North Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1887.  "Married year 1887"
  • A. Blanche Smith, signed at Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1885
  • Ada Smith, signed at Woodstock, New Hampshire, 1887.  "Married 1892"
  • Susie Smith, 1885; friend.  "Married 1886"
  • Katie M. Smith, signed at Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1887
  • R. G. Tourtillotte, 1884
  • George E. Wells, 1887; Martha's uncle
  • Minnie E. Young of West Campton, New Hampshire, 1884.  "Married year 1885"

Thursday, October 25, 2012

1870s/1880s Autograph Album of young Mr. Fay of Rockingham, Vermont, and Keene, New Hampshire


1870s/1880s autograph album that I believe belonged to one of two brothers surnamed Fay of New Hampshire and Vermont.  The likely brothers were Harvey G. Fay or Martin Kidder Fay.  I'm leaning toward the former.

The brothers were born at Alstead, New Hampshire, but were living at Rockingham, Vermont, at the time of the 1870 Census, and at Keene, New Hampshire, by the time of the 1880 Census.

Clues that narrowed down the possiblilities were:
  • The fact that Laura E. Fay of Rockingham, Vermont, signed a page and indicated she was the album owner's sister.
  • The approximate ages of several signers who indicated they were schoolmates, including at Pine Hill Seminary at Bellows Falls, Vermont.  For example, Marcia Church of Bellows Falls, Vermont, who signed a page in 1878.

The album is approximately 5" x 3" and contains over 40 pages signed by relatives and friends.  An alphabetical list of the signers appears at the end of this post.

Pasted to the reverse of the first endpaper, a wonderful scrap:


From online research, hopefully correct: [corrections welcome]

Harvey G. Fay and Martin Kidder Fay were the sons of Gerould Eardley Fay and Adaline Julia (Livermore) Fay, who were born at Alstead, New Hampshire, and Livermore, New Hampshire, respectively.

Harvey G. Fay was born 6 January 1865 at Alstead, New Hampshire.  He married Mae Irene Dunbar on 12 October 1891.

Martin Kidder Fay was born 17 June 1868 at Alstead, New Hampshire.  He married Gertrude Hinsdell on 5 June 1891 at Elgin, Illinois.


In addition to the page signed by sibling Laura E. Fay, the following pages were signed, I believe, by older brothers of the album owner.

Fred H. Fay of Rockingham, Vermont, signed a page in 1879.


Herbert E. Fay of Keene, New Hampshire, signed a page in 1878.


George H. Fay of Rockingham, Vermont, signed a page in 1878.



Addie M. Fay signed a page at Rockingham, Vermont, in 1880.  She may have been Addie (Cutler) Fay, wife of the album owner's brother Frederick H. Fay (see his page above).



If you have corrections to the information above or additional information on the Fay and Livermore families or on any of the signers listed below, please leave a comment or contact me directly.  Thanks!

Complete list of signers, in alphabetical order: [Note: given names within a specific surname may not be in alpha order.
  • Eva Belle Adams of Rockingham, Vermont, 1880
  • Carrie W. Adams, 1880
  • Carrie F. Allen of Bellows Falls, Vermont, 1878
  • Mary A. Barry of Bellows Falls, Vermont, 1878
  • Carroll W. Black of Bellows Falls, Vermont, 1878; schoolmate
  • George A. Brown of Bellows Falls, Vermont, 1878
  • Harry E. Bullock of Bellows Falls, Vermont, 1878
  • Frank H. Chipman of Bellows Falls, Vermont, 1878
  • Marcia Church of Bellows Falls, Vermont, 1878; Pine Hill Seminary
  • Elena Dodge of Bellows Falls, Vermont, 1878
  • Mary L. Dow of Bellows Falls, Vermont, 1878
  • Elmer Eddy of Bellows Falls, Vermont
  • ? Fay; album owner.  I believe he was one of the younger brothers of Laura E. Fay of Rockingham, Vermont; either Harvey G. Fay or Martin K. Fay
  • George H. Fay of Rockingham, Vermont, 1878.  I believe he was an older brother to the album owner
  • Addie M. Fay, signed at Rockingham, Vermont, 1880.  Wife of album owner's older brother Frederick H. Fay
  • Jennie S. Fay of Keene, New Hampshire, 1880; friend
  • Laura E. Fay of Rockingham, Vermont, 1880.  Album owner's sister
  • Herbert E. Fay of Keene, New Hampshire, 1878.  Older brother of album owner
  • Franklin H. Fay of Keene, New Hampshire, 1880.  Album owner's paternal uncle Franklin Harvey Fay
  • Fred H. Fay of Rockingham, Vermont, 1879.  This may be the album owner's older brother
  • Elsie M. Glazier of Keene, New Hampshire, 1880
  • Mary E. Graves of Keene, New Hampshire, 1880
  • Herbert S. Gray of Bellows Falls, Vermont, 1878
  • Fred Griswold of Bellows Falls, Vermont, 1878
  • Mary L. Guild, signed at Pine Hill Seminary at Bellows Falls, Vermont, 1878; schoolmate
  • William Hall of Keene, New Hampshire.  Middle initial might be C or G
  • Mary E. Halpine of Keene, New Hampshire, 1881.  In 1885 she would become wife of album owner's older brother George H. Fay, who also signed a page.
  • Mary A. Halpine, signed at Keene, New Hampshire, 1881.  Mary A. (Kingsbury) Halpine, mother of Mary E. Halpine, future wife of album owner's brother George H. Fay; they both signed pages as well
  • Carrie M. Hutchins of Bellows Falls, Vermont, 1878
  • Annie L. Kidder of Bellows Falls, Vermont, 1878; friend
  • Gertrude I. Kidder of Bellows Falls, Vermont, 1879
  • Grace Kidder of Bellows Falls, Vermont, 1879
  • J. Elizabeth Kingsbury of Keene, New Hampshire, 1881.  Probably Juliette E. Kingsbury, sister of Mary A. Halpine, who also signed a page.
  • Willie M. McIntyre of Chester, Vermont, 1878
  • Emma L. Moore of Keene, New Hampshire, 1880
  • E. G. Osgood of Bellows Falls, Vermont; schoolmate
  • J. Putney of Bellows Falls, Vermont, 1878.  Middle initial might be H
  • Cora A. Reed of Bellows Falls, Vermont, 1878
  • Willie T. Russell of Bellows Falls, Vermont, 1878.  Willard T. Russell perhaps?
  • Minnie J. Smith of Bellows Falls, Vermont, 1878
  • Julia A. A. Spaulding, signed at Keene, New Hampshire, 1883
  • George I. Whitney of Bellows Falls, Vermont, 1878.  Mentions football, so perhaps a schoolmate
  • Ida M. Wilson of Bellows Falls, Vermont, 1878; schoolmate
Alstead, New Hampshire


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Rockingham, Vermont


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Keene, New Hampshire


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    Wednesday, October 24, 2012

    1880s/1890s Autograph Album of Meribah Gifford (Mosher) Pettey of Westport, Massachusetts


    1880s/1890s autograph album that belonged, I suspect, to Meribah Gifford (Mosher) Pettey of Westport, Massachusetts.   

    My guess is based on the facts that one of the signers, Lottie A. Bly called herself the owner's sister.  I believe she was Charlotte A. (Mosher) Bly of North Westport, Massachusetts, married to John A. Bly, who also signed a page.





    Lottie's sister Meribah Gifford Mosher married Eli Franklin Petty, whose mother was Peace (Tripp) Pettey.  One of the signers, Peace Petty [Pettey?] called herself the owner's mother; hopefully she was actually the owner's mother-in-law.



    The album is approximately 5-1/4" x 3-1/4" and contains 36 pages signed by relatives and friends.  An alphabetized list of signers appears at the end of this post.



    Meribah Gifford Mosher was born about February 1857, the daughter of Benjamin Franklin Mosher and Charity Vaughn (Benson) Mosher, who were born at Westport, Massachusetts and Rochester, Massachusetts, respectively.

    Her paternal grandparents were George and Phoebe (Brownell) Mosher.  Her maternal grandparents were Jabez and Celestia (Hammond) Benson.

    On 14 February 1890 at Westport, Massachusetts, Meribah Gifford (Mosher) Pettey married Eli Franklin Pettey, son of Pardon and Peace (Tripp) Pettey.  He was born 27 October 1855 at Westport, Massachusetts.  Eli signed the page shown below in 1886, before their marriage.



    The couple had a daughter Helen May Pettey, born 18 June 1898 at Westport, Massachusetts.  Sadly, she died on the day of her birth.

    Meribah Gifford (Mosher) Pettey died in 1907 at Westport, Massachusetts.   

    If you have corrections to the information above, especially if you think the album belonged to someone other than Meribah Gifford (Mosher) Pettey, or information on any of the signers listed below, please leave a comment or contact me directly.  Thanks!

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


    • Jessie, 1886; friend
    • Friend, 1886
    • Lottie A. Bly of North Westport, Massachusetts; Meribah's sister sister, Charlotte A. Mosher, who married John A. Bly
    • John A. Bly, husband of Meribah's younger sister Charlotte A. Mosher, who also signed a page.
    • Susan E. Borden of Westport, Massachusetts, 1886
    • Susie R. Brownell of South Westport, Massachusetts, 1886
    • Ruth E. Brown of Freetown, Massachusetts, 1887
    • S. A. Brownell of Westport, Massachusetts, 1886
    • L. Brownell, 1886
    • Benjamin Butterworth of Warren, Rhode Island, 1888
    • Nannie G. Chace of Westport, Massachusetts, 1886
    • C. H. Keyes of Middleboro, Massachusetts, 1887
    • Nellie E. Lawton, 1886
    • ? S. Macomber of New Bedford, Massachusetts, 1873.  First initial possibly H or W
    • Agnes Milberry; friend
    • Meribah Gifford Mosher; album owner.  Wife of Eli Franklin Pettey
    • Lizzie M. Mosher of Freetown, Massachusetts, 1887
    • Nettie R. Nelson of Taunton, Massachusetts, 1893
    • Miles G. Nelson of Taunton, Massachusetts, signed at Westport, Massachusetts, 1893
    • Victoria Pettey of Westport, Massachusetts, 1889
    • Harry S. Pettey of Westport, Massachusetts, 1889
    • John F. Pettey of Westport, Massachusetts, 1889
    • Lizzie Pettey, 1886
    • E. Frank Pettey, 1886; Meribah's husband
    • "From your Mother, Peace Petty" [Pettey?]; May's mother-in-law  Peace (Tripp) Pettey, mother of her husband Eli Frank Pettey.  
    • M. R. Phetteplace; friend
    • L. R. Phetteplace, 1886; friend
    • Marshall Phetteplace of Gould, Rhode Island, 1886
    • Gertie A. Phetteplace of Gould, Rhode Island, 1886
    • Lettie H. Brownell of New Bedford, Massachusetts, 1894
    • Lester F. Reynolds of New Bedford, Massachusetts, 1894
    • F. W. Richardson of Fall River, Massachusetts, 1893. 
    • Rachel T. Richardson of Fall River, Massachusetts, 1893
    • Charles G. Russell of New Bedford, Massachusetts, 1888
    • Patience Sanford, 1886
    • C. H. Sweet of New Bedford, Massachusetts, 1893
    • Susan T. Tripp of South Westport, Massachusetts, 1886


    Westport, Massachusetts


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