1870s-1890s Autograph Album of Irving Oliver Blood of Fitchburg, Massachusetts

1870s-1890s autograph album of Irving Oliver Blood of Fitchburg, Massachusetts.

The album is missing a few of the first pages, including the title page and any ownership or presentation page that might have existed.  It's approximately 7-1/4" x 4-1/4" and contains the sentiments of 18 of Irving's relatives, friends and classmates at F.H.S., presumably Fitchburg High School.  An alphabetical list of the signers appears at the end of this post.

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

Irving Oliver Blood was born 12 March 1863 at Fitchburg, Massachusetts, the son of Oliver Reuben Blood and Sarah Ellen (Willard) Blood, who were born at Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire and, I think, Troy, New York, respectively.

Irving's sister Sarah Josephine Blood signed a page in his album on June 4, 1881, while she was attending F.H.S., presumably Fitchburg High School.

M. B. Mellen signed a page on November 29, 1878 and called herself Irving's "Auntie".

John W. Ogden of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, signed a page on April 23, 1877 and called himself Irving's cousin.

Nellie Blood of Brushton, New York, signed a page at Sterling, Massachusetts, on November 30, 1878, and mentioned "chess playing".

On 22 May 1888, Irving married Elida Mary Phinney, daughter of Lou and Lucinda (Hutchinson) Phinney.  Elida was born 28 June 1866 at Weld, Maine.  By 1900, Irving and Elida were living at Mexico, Maine, where they raised two sons, Lester Irving Blood and Lisco Oliver Blood.  Irving died in 1937, and Elida in 1938.

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

Surnames in the album

Babbitt
Black
Blood    [3]
Felton
Flanders
Gillis     [2]
Howe
Lloyd
Mellen
Ogden
Stevens
Terry    [2]
Warren
Wetherbee
Wheeler

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

B

• Celia M. Babbitt of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, signed on May 21, 1877
• Carrie S. Black of Leominster, Massachusetts, signed on January 5, 1881; middle initial could be L.
• Irving Oliver Blood of Fitchburg, Massachusetts; album owner
• S. Josephine Blood of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, signed on June 4, 1881; F.H.S., presumably Fitchburg High School. She was Sarah Josephine Blood, Irving's sister.
• Nellie Blood of Brushton, New York, signed at Sterling, New Hampshire, on November 30, 1878; "chess playing"

F

• Everett Felton of Bolton, Massachusetts, signed on march 22, 1881
• George W. Flanders of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, signed on May 20, 1877

G

• Mrs. C. F. Gillis of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, signed on July 17, 1891
• Edd. Gillis of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, signed on August 15, 1891

H

• Miss Nellie E. Howe of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, signed on January 2, 1892

L

• Alice M. Lloyd of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, signed on May 21, 1877

M

• M. B. Mellen, signed on November 29, 1878; "your Auntie"

O

• John W. Ogden of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, signed on April 23, 1877; "your affectionate cousin"

S

• Emma Stevens of Leominster, Massachusetts, signed on January 4, 1881

T

• Lizzie M. Terry of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, signed on January 5, 1878 at F.H.S., presumably Fitchburg High School
• Agnes Terry of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, signed on January 5, 1878

W

• Carrie Warren of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, signed on April 24, 1878
• Nellie M. Wetherbee, signed at Ayer, Massachusetts, on October 25, 1878
• Hattie L. Wheeler of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, signed on April 24, 1878

Fitchburg, Massachusetts

View Larger Map

Mexico, Maine

View Larger Map

Thanks for stopping by!