Wednesday, November 5, 2014

1860s Autograph Album with Sentiments of Students at Salem Normal School at Salem, Massachusetts


1860s autograph album that may have belonged to Ellen Maria Dodge of Salem, Massachusetts, during and after her attendance at Salem Normal School at Salem, Massachusetts.  Salem Normal School was founded by Horace Mann and is still in existence as Salem State University.

It's possible that Ellen was, instead, a well-wisher who chose the first page in the album.  Her page is dated January 18, 1861.


The album is approximately 7-3/4" x 4-1/4" and contains the sentiments of over 80 of the owner's fellow students and friends.  An alphabetical surname list and an alphabetical list of the signers appear at the end of this post.

Tucked in the album is a newspaper clipping with the text of a poem read at a ceremony where a picture of Rev. William A. Houghton was presented to the town of Berlin, Massachusetts.


Here's the reverse, which shows items of genealogical interest.


Ellen Maria Dodge was born March 12, 1841 at Salem, Massachusetts, the daughter of William Manning Dodge and Margaret Hutchison (Woodward) Dodge, who were born at Salem, Massachusetts, and Reading, Massachusetts, respectively.  Ellen used her education to become a teacher.  She died, unmarried, at Santa Barbara, California, on July 6, 1920.

If you have corrections and/or information to share on any of the people mentioned, please leave a comment for the benefit of other researchers.

Several pages are signed by multiple students, as shown below on facing pages with the names of students in the Advanced Class of 1860-1861 and the Senior Class of 1860-1861.  Following the image of the facing pages is an enlargement of each.




Advanced Class, 1860-1861
  1. H. M. E. Choate of Salem, Massachusetts; Harriet M. E. Choate
  2. Mary C. Nichols of Salem, Massachusetts
  3. Jennie Dearborn of Massachusetts; Jane B. Dearborn of North Reading, Massachusetts
  4. Ada E. Somes of North Chelsea, Massachusetts; presumably Adelaide E. Somes
  5. Almira S. Dewing of North Chelsea, Massachusetts
  6. Rosa H. Towne of Topsfield, presumably Massachusetts
  7. Josephine A. Ellery of Gloucester, Massachusetts
  8. Mary J. Thayer of Salem, Massachusetts

Senior Class, 1860-1861
  1. ? M. Hanna of Boston, Massachusetts; name is partially concealed so not sure of surname
  2. M. C. Richardson of Lowell, Massachusetts, at Salem Normal School; Maria C. Richardson
  3. Jennie K. Noyes of West Newbury, Massachusetts; Jane K. Noyes
  4. E. M. Daniels of Lowell, Massachusetts
  5. Lizzie H. Morse of Salem, Massachusetts; Hannah Elizabeth Morse
  6. Harriette Brierley of North Andover, Massachusetts; Harriette J. Brierley
  7. Carrie H. Holder of Lynn, Massachusetts; Caroline H. Holder
  8. Mary C. Spofford of Lowell, Massachusetts
  9. Lizzie B. Walton of South Reading, Massachusetts, signed at Salem Normal School; Elizabeth B. Walton
  10. Anna S. Haskell of Fitchburg, Massachusetts
  11. Isabel H. Dadmun of Hopkinton, Massachusetts
  12. M. E. Eastman of Melrose, Massachusetts; Mary E. Eastman
  13. A. M. Kimball of Melrose, Massachusetts; Anna Maria Kimball
  14. H. E. Lewis of Salem, Massachusetts; Harriet E. Lewis
  15. M. A. Davis of Lee, New Hampshire; Mary A. Davis
  16. Anna B. Clapp of Milton, Massachusetts
  17. Fannie Lincoln of Chelsea, Massachusetts; Frances H. Lincoln
  18. Maria T. Delano of Somerville, Massachusetts
  19. M. Pollock of Salem, Massachusetts;  Matilda Pollock
  20. A. A. Young of Beverly, Massachusetts; presumably Abigail A. Young
Overleaf of the page above, with presumably more students of the Senior Class of 1860-1861 or perhaps of the Middle Class of 1860/1861 as noted on the right facing page.


  1. J. A. Wadleigh of "Anywhere"; Julia A. Wadleigh of Middleton, Massachusetts
  2. E. A. Towne of Topsfield, Massachusetts; Esther A. R. Towne
  3. Mary P. Allen of Marblehead, Massachusetts
  4. M. H. Chisholm of Salem, Massachusetts; Martha H. Chisholm
  5. Abbie Baker of Ipswich, Massachusetts
  6. Philena P. Toothaker of Litchfield, Maine
  7. Martha A. Pratt of Charlton, Massachusetts
  8. Sarah C. Pitman of Marblehead, Massachusetts
  9. Maria T. Luscomb of Salem, Massachusetts
  10. Allie F. Locke of Lawrence, Massachusetts; Almeria F. Locke
  11. Mary F. Tucker of Salem, Massachusetts
  12. Sara M. Gray of Andover, Massachusetts
  13. O. F. Mooar of Andover, Massachusetts; presumably Olive F. Mooar
One page was written in a foreign language, with a translation provided by a reader: Runa Schatzl of Passau in Lower Bavaria.  For more information, check the comments section.


Surnames in the album

?EMT
AEastmanMcDonaldThayer
AdamsElleryMercierThomas
Adey [2]Elliott [2]MooarToothaker
AllenEnd [2]MooreTowne
AndrewsEstey [2]MorseTowne
BEtheridgeNTucker
BakerGNicholsW
BarnardGrayNoyesWadleigh
BartlettHPWalton
BrierleyHannaPitmanWarren
CHaskellPollockWarren
CarltonHolbrookPrattWhitaker
ChamberlainHoldenPrinceWhitcomb
Chisholm [2]HolderRY
ChoateJRechardYoung
ClappJeftsRichardson
CochranJohnsonRogers [2]
CrossKRounds
DKimballS
Dadmun [2]LSchatzl
Somes
DanielsLaddSpofford
Davis [3]LanoisStone
DearbornLawrenceSykes
DelanoLewis
DewingLincoln
DodgeLocke
Luscomb

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

A
  • Nantie Adams of Melrose, Massachusetts; Nancy Adams; signed a group page of the Junior Class of 1860-1861
  • Jacob Adey, signed on January 10, 1887; "Native of Newfoundland
  • Mary Jane Adey, signed on January 10, 1887; "Native of Newfoundland"
  • Mary P. Allen of Marblehead, Massachusetts; signed an overflow group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1861, or the "Middle Class" of 1860-1861, which is written on the right facing page.
  • M. E. Andrews of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts; Mary E. Andrews; signed a group page of the Junior Class of 1860-1861
B
  • Abbie Baker of Ipswich, Massachusetts; signed an overflow group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1861, or the "Middle Class" of 1860-1861, which is written on the right facing page.
  • Luther A. Barnard of Feltonville, Massachusetts, signed on March 16, 1863
  • Bessie Bartlett of Berlin, Massachusetts
  • Harriette Brierley of North Andover, Massachusetts; Harriette J. Brierley; signed a group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1961
C
  • Hattie E. Carlton of Salem, Massachusetts; Harriet E. Carlton; signed a group page of the Junior Class of 1860-1861
  • Daniel Chamberlain of Feltonville, Massachusetts
  • M. H. Chisholm of Salem, Massachusetts; Martha H. Chisholm; signed an overflow group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1861, or the "Middle Class" of 1860-1861, which is written on the right facing page.
  • Anne F. Chisholm of Salem, Massachusetts; signed a group page of the Junior Class of 1860-1861
  • H. M. E. Choate of Salem, Massachusetts; Harriet M. E. Choate; signed a group page of the Advanced Class of 1860-1861
  • Anna B. Clapp of Milton, Massachusetts; signed a group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1961
  • Lutheria H. Cochran, signed at Westborough, presumably Massachusetts, on July 24, 1863.  She wrote her name in a calligraphic font.
  • Anna C. Cross of Salem, Massachusetts; shared a page entitled "Middle Class 1860-1861" with 
  • Isabel H. Dadmun
D
  • Isabel H. Dadmun of Hopkinton, Massachusetts; signed a group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1961
  • Isabel H. Dadmun of Hopkinton, Massachusetts; shared a page entitled "Middle Class 1860-1861" with Anna C. Cross
  • E. M. Daniels of Lowell, Massachusetts; signed a group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1961
  • M. A. Davis of Lee, New Hampshire; Mary A. Davis; signed a group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1961
  • William H. Davis of Berlin, Massachusetts, signed in 1877
  • Jennie L. Davis of Berlin, Massachusetts, signed on April 19 [no year written]
  • Jennie Dearborn of Massachusetts; Jane B. Dearborn of North Reading, Massachusetts; signed a group page of the Advanced Class of 1860-1861
  • Maria T. Delano of Somerville, Massachusetts; signed a group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1961
  • Almira S. Dewing of North Chelsea, Massachusetts; signed a group page of the Advanced Class of 1860-1861
  • Ellen M. Dodge of Salem, Massachusetts, signed on January 18, 1861
E
  • M. E. Eastman of Melrose, Massachusetts; Mary E. Eastman; signed a group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1961
  • Josephine A. Ellery of Gloucester, Massachusetts; signed a group page of the Advanced Class of 1860-1861
  • Mrs. Melissa A. Elliott of Tamworth, New Hampshire. She was Melissa A. (Chamberlain) Elliott, whose husband James M. Elliott signed the right facing page.
  • James M. Elliott of Tamworth, New Hampshire. His wife Melissa A. (Chamberlain) Elliott signed the left facing page.
  • Ella End of Berlin, Massachusetts
  • Carrie End of Berlin, Massachusetts, signed on March 25, 1877
  • Willard A. Estey of Sharon, Massachusetts, signed at S.R.S. on March 24, 1882. He was Willard Allen Estey, whose wife Lizzie S. (Ballou) Estey
  • Lizzie S. Estey of Sharon, Massachusetts, signed at S.R.S. on March 24, 1882. She was Lizzie S. (Ballou) Estey, whose husband Willard Allen Estey signed the left facing page.
  • Jennie M. Etheridge of N. E. Magaree of C. B., signed at Westboro, Massachusetts, on December 10, 1887. Northeast Margaree on Cape Breton Island, in Nova Scotia
G
  • Sara M. Gray of Andover, Massachusetts; signed an overflow group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1861, or the "Middle Class" of 1860-1861, which is written on the right facing page.
H
  • ? M. Hanna of Boston, Massachusetts; name is partially concealed so not sure of surname; signed a group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1961
  • Anna S. Haskell of Fitchburg, Massachusetts; signed a group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1961
  • Mary Holbrook, signed at S. R. S. on May 30, 1882
  • Looks like O. S. Holden of Swampscott, Massachusetts; but presumably Celia I. Holden of Swampscott shown in a catalog; signed a group page of the Junior Class of 1860-1861.
  • Carrie H. Holder of Lynn, Massachusetts; Caroline H. Holder; signed a group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1961
J
  • George H. Jefts of Brooklin, New Hampshire, signed at Feltonville, Massachusetts, on March 24, 1863
  • Etta Johnson of Berlin, Massachusetts
K
  • A. M. Kimball of Melrose, Massachusetts; Anna Maria Kimball; signed a group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1961
L
  • Harriet L. Ladd of Franklin, New Hampshire; signed a group page of the Junior Class of 1860-1861
  • Louis Lanois of Feltonville, Massachusetts
  • E. H. Lawrence of North Leominster, Massachusetts; Elizabeth H. Lawrence; signed a group page of the Junior Class of 1860-1861
  • H. E. Lewis of Salem, Massachusetts; Harriet E. Lewis; signed a group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1961
  • Fannie Lincoln of Chelsea, Massachusetts; Frances H. Lincoln; signed a group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1961
  • Allie F. Locke of Lawrence, Massachusetts; Almeria F. Locke; signed an overflow group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1861, or the "Middle Class" of 1860-1861, which is written on the right facing page.
  • Maria T. Luscomb of Salem, Massachusetts; signed an overflow group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1861, or the "Middle Class" of 1860-1861, which is written on the right facing page.
M
  • Mary McDonald of Berlin, Massachusetts
  • James T. Mercier of ? Falls, Canada East.
  • O. F. Mooar of Andover, Massachusetts; presumably Olive F. Mooar; signed an overflow group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1861, or the "Middle Class" of 1860-1861, which is written on the right facing page.
  • A. Frances Moore of Feltonville, Massachusetts,. signed on February 6, 1861
  • Lizzie H. Morse of Salem, Massachusetts; Hannah Elizabeth Morse; signed a group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1961
N
  • Mary C. Nichols of Salem, Massachusetts; signed a group page of the Advanced Class of 1860-1861
  • Jennie K. Noyes of West Newbury, Massachusetts; Jane K. Noyes; signed a group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1961
P
  • Sarah C. Pitman of Marblehead, Massachusetts; signed an overflow group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1861, or the "Middle Class" of 1860-1861, which is written on the right facing page.
  • M. Pollock of Salem, Massachusetts; Matilda Pollock; signed a group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1961
  • Martha A. Pratt of Charlton, Massachusetts; signed an overflow group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1861, or the "Middle Class" of 1860-1861, which is written on the right facing page.
  • Isabel Prince of Lynn, Massachusetts; signed a group page of the Junior Class of 1860-1861
R
  • V. H. Rechard of Barnston, C.E.; Canada East
  • M. C. Richardson of Lowell, Massachusetts, at Salem Normal School; Maria C. Richardson; signed a group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1961
  • Mary E. Rogers of Bangor, Maine; signed a group page of the Junior Class of 1860-1861
  • Susie K. Rogers of Salem, Massachusetts
  • Christiana Rounds of Waterford, Maine; signed a group page of the Junior Class of 1860-1861
S
  • Runa Schatzl of Passau in Lower Bavaria; page written in German  [Thanks to a reader.]
  • Ada E. Somes of North Chelsea, Massachusetts; presumably Adelaide E. Somes; signed a group page of the Advanced Class of 1860-1861
  • Mary C. Spofford of Lowell, Massachusetts; signed a group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1961
  • Louis Stone of Feltonville, Massachusetts
  • Laura A. Sykes; mentions two places: Berlin, Massachusetts, "5/8/77"; and Union, New Hampshire
T
  • Mary J. Thayer of Salem, Massachusetts; signed a group page of the Advanced Class of 1860-1861
  • Mary V. Thomas of Hingham, Massachusetts; signed a group page of the Junior Class of 1860-1861
  • Philena P. Toothaker of Litchfield, Maine; signed an overflow group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1861, or the "Middle Class" of 1860-1861, which is written on the right facing page.
  • Rosa H. Towne of Topsfield, presumably Massachusetts; signed a group page of the Advanced Class of 1860-1861
  • E. A. Towne of Topsfield, Massachusetts; Esther A. R. Towne; signed an overflow group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1861, or the "Middle Class" of 1860-1861, which is written on the right facing page.
  • Mary F. Tucker of Salem, Massachusetts; signed an overflow group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1861, or the "Middle Class" of 1860-1861, which is written on the right facing page.
W
  • J. A. Wadleigh of "Anywhere"; Julia A. Wadleigh of Middleton, Massachusetts; signed an overflow group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1861, or the "Middle Class" of 1860-1861, which is written on the right facing page.
  • Lizzie B. Walton of South Reading, Massachusetts, signed at Salem Normal School; Elizabeth B. Walton; signed a group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1961
  • Helen E. Warren of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, signed on June 14, 1861
  • Very faint: George P. Warren of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, signed on March 16, 1863
  • Kittie C. Whitaker of Needham, Massachusetts; Catharine C. Whitaker of Needham Plain; signed a group page of the Junior Class of 1860-1861
  • Harriet S. Whitcomb of Feltonville, Massachusetts
Y
  • A. A. Young of Beverly, Massachusetts; presumably Abigail A. Young; signed a group page of the Senior Class of 1860-1961



2 comments:

  1. Hi Pam, the foreign signature in the Salem Normal School album is in old German Script(modified). Literally it is: Schätzl Runa Niederbeiern Passau. That would have a typical way for a girl named Runa Schätzl from Passau in Lower Bavaria to sign her Name. The S is more of an American S and likewise the R is not the typical German R either. I guess she did that to make her German script more legible for her American friends? Robert Rhea

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for clearing this up, Robert - I'm amending the post.

    ReplyDelete