1860s Autograph Album of Mrs. Ella I. Grimes of Canandaigua, New York

1860s autograph album that belonged to Mrs. Ella I. Grimes, wife of Hollister N. Grimes of Canandaigua, New York.  Her maiden name, according to an account of her death, was VanOrsdall, perhaps a variant of Van Arsdale.

The first end paper mentions: 1) Ella's name, Ella I. Grimes; 2) the married name of Ella's daughter Ella L. (Grimes) Johnson; and 3) the married name of her friend or relative - niece? - Nell L. Cleveland Siegfried.

The album measures about 8" x 6-1/2".  There are very few inscriptions in the album, so I'll feature them all, in page order, including the engravings.    The first engraving in the album is entitled "Eleonora, As Free her Alms, As Diligent her Cares".  Designed and Engraved by A. H. Ritchie.

The title page: Album of Remembrance, published by Leavitt & Allen of New York.

To Nellie: from Norm B. Shimer or Skinner, signed at Canandaigua, New York, on December 8, 1860

Engraving

J. Perliamus inscribed a page on April 2, 1862; perhaps John Perliamus of Canandaigua, New York.

Nell L. Cleveland, signed on December 23, 1867.  She was married to Charles A. Siegfried at the home of Hollister N. Grimes at Canandaigua, New York, on April 27, 1877, according to a notice here.  Nell was living with Hollister and Ella at the time of the 1870 Census of Canandaigua.

Engraving

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

Ella I. VanOrsdall was born about August 1848 in New York, the daughter of James and Sarah VanOrsdall.  She married Hollister N. Grimes, son of Nahum and Amanda (Humphrey) Grimes.  Their daughter Ella L. Grimes was born about 1870.  Daughter Ella married George F. Johnson about 1893.

If you have information on the Grimes, VanOrsdall, Cleveland, Siegfried and/or Johnson families, or if you have information on the signers listed below, please leave a comment or contact me directly.

Surnames in the album

Cleveland
Grimes
Johnson
Perliamus
Siegfried
Shimer or Skinner

Canandaigua, New York

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