1880s autograph album that belonged to Lois Hanscom Crosby of Brownville, Maine, with sentiments left by her relatives, friends, schoolmates and, later, pupils at Brownville, Maine, and Monson, Maine.
There's a page at the beginning of the album with a bit of information on Lois' descendants, but I'm not including an image as these people are likely still living.
It was presumably her brother, Edgar Herbert Crosby, who presented the album to Lois on February 5, 1881, as he inscribed the next page in the same handwriting. Sadly, Edgar was killed by a train in the Woodfords section of Portland, Maine, 1898, when he a teacher at Deering High School there. Interestingly, it may have been Edgar's future wife who inscribed the last page in the album; her name is shown on at least online reference as Hettie, but the inscriber called herself Hattie Carle.
The album measures approximately 7-3/4" x 5" and contains the sentiments of about 140 people from Piscataquis County, Maine, and beyond. An alphabetical surname list and an alphabetical list of the signers, together with any personal information they offered, appear at the end of this post.
From brief online research, hopefully correct: [corrections and additions welcome!]
Lois Hanscom Crosby was born August 31, 1865 at Benton Falls, Maine, the daughter of Luther Byron Crosby and Lois Gubtil ( Hanscom) Crosby. Gubtil is a variant of Guptil/Guptill. Lois had four full siblings and two half siblings. Luther and Lois' brother Nathaniel Hansom Crosby signed a shared page toward the end of the album.
Lois' mother died in 1865, perhaps as a result of Lois' birth. Her parents, David and Betsy (Guptil) Hanscom of Benton, Maine inscribed a page together in April 1886.
Luther's second wife was Maria Parsons, whom he married at Buckfield, Maine. By 1870, the family was living at Brownville, Maine, where Luther practiced medicine. After Maria died in 1888, leaving two children, Luther married Helen Wilkins.
From reading a biography of Luther Byron Crosby in "New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of Commonwealths and the Founding of a Nation", Volume 1, it's apparent that the family and extended family suffered much tragedy.
On July 6, 1892 at Brownville, Lois married Levi Frances Johnson, son of Levi and Abigail (Lindsey) Johnson. Levi inscribed a page in Lois' album, possibly in 1882: "Remember the party January 28, 1882."
Apparently Lois remembered the party and more!
Lois and Levi lived at Brownville, Maine and raised, I believe, four children. Levi was a photographer and insurance agent. Lois died in 1936 and Levi in 1937.
If you have corrections and/or additions to the information above, or information on any of the inscribers listed below, please leave a comment or contact me directly.
Surnames in the Album
? [3] | C | G | J | P | S | W |
A | Calkin | Gage | Johnson | Packard | Sampson | Walker |
Arbo [2] | Carle | Garland | Jones [2] | Phillips | Sherburne | Weymouth |
B | Chaplin | Gerrish [3] | K | Plummer [4] | Smith [2] | Whitney |
Barton [2] | Crosby [9] | Gilbert [2] | Knight [5] | Powers | Stanchfield [3] | Wilkins [4] |
Bassett | D | H | L | Pratt [2] | Stanhope | Williams [4] |
Benson | Davis [6] | Hall [2] | L ? | Prescott [2] | Stevens | Wilson |
Berry | Donaldson | Hamlin | M | R | Strout | Wing |
Billings [2] | Dunning | Hanscom [2] | Mann [2] | Rider [2] | Sweetser | |
Bishop [2] | E | Heald | Marsh | Roberts | T | |
Bodge | Emerson | Hinds | Merrill [8] | Rogers | Tarr | |
Bradman | Evans | Holt | Morrill [5] | Rollins [2] | Thomas [3] | |
Bray | F | Huff [2] | N | Trask | ||
Brown | Folsom | Hughes | Nason [2] | Tucker | ||
Butler | Foss [4] | Hunt | Tufts | |||
Frost |
Inscribers in the Album
- "Your Scholar Laura". Her name appears among others on facing pages entitled "Monson Fall of '83", where Lois was apparently teaching school.
- Helene
- Alice, signed at Old Town, Maine, on March 30, 1882
- Ervin A. Arbo of Brownville, Maine; age 12. On a group page of students with names in boxes. Center box: [teacher] Lois H. Crosby of Brownville, Maine; signed on January 25 during Winter of '85 & '86
- Clayton Arbo of Brownville, Maine; age 11. Shared the page with Wesley Stanhope and Mary Benson.
- Elmer Barton of Brownville, Maine, signed on January 4, 1885
- Half page only; bottom missing. Mrs. G. C. Barton, signed at Brownville, Maine, on November 25, 1884
- Harry C. Bassett of Dexter, Maine, signed at Monson, Maine, on March 28, 1883
- Mary Benson. Shared the page with Wesley Stanhope and Clayton Arbo.
- Cora A. Berry of Brownville, Maine, signed on November 17, 1884. Shared the page with Carrie Davis and Lizzie J. Rollins.
- Katie M. Billings of Brownville, Maine, signed on February 3, 1886; age 9. Written in the Center box of this group page: "Brownville, Maine - Winter of '85 & '86; Jan. 25"
- Charlie W. Billings of Brownville, Maine; age 12. On a group page of students with names in boxes. Center box: [teacher] Lois H. Crosby of Brownville, Maine; signed on January 25 during Winter of '85 & '86
- Mrs. J. C. Bishop of Monson, Maine, signed on November 8, 1883
- E. H. Bishop of Monson, Maine, signed on November 8, 1883
- Ivory E. Bodge of Monson, Maine, signed on November 8, 1883. His name appears among others on facing pages entitled "Monson Fall of '83", where Lois was apparently teaching school.
- Eva M. Bradman of Abbot Village, Maine, signed at Monson Academy in October 1883. "Narrow Gauge"
- L. Alice Bray, signed at Monson, Maine, on January 16, 1883
- Jule E. Brown of Maysville Center, Maine, signed at Brownville, Maine, on April 24, 1882. Presumably Julia E. Brown. Maysville was annexed by the City of Presque Isle, Maine, in 1883.
- Clara Butler of Monson, Maine, signed on March 15, 1883. Her name appears among others on a page entitled "Monson Spring", when Lois Crosby was apparently the teacher.
- Agnes Calkin of Brownville, Maine, signed on April 3, 1881
- Hattie E. Carle
- S. F. R. Chaplin of Bangor, Maine; not sure of middle initial
- Lois Crosby, album owner. "Lois Crosby, presented February 5, 1881. Don't go back on your brother." She was presumably given the album by her brother Edgar Crosby, who inscribed the next page on the same date.
- "Your Brother Edgar Crosby, Feb. 5, 1881"
- "Your Sister" M. A. Crosby, signed at Brownville, Maine, on February 21, 1886. Later sentiments, perhaps in another handwriting, fill the page. Presumably Marion Alice Crosby, or Alice Marion Crosby
- "Sister Pussy", signed in 1882. Perhaps either of Lois' sisters Fannie M. Crosby or Alice Marion Crosby.
- T. H. Crosby of Benton, Maine; not sure of first initial. Possible Thirsa Heald (Grant) Crosby, second wife of Otis B. Crosby.
- Alice M. Crosby, "One of the despisiables". Presumably Lois' sister Alice Marion Crosby.
- May Crosby, W. C. I., 1884. Perhaps Waterville Classical Institute
- Luther B. Crosby, signed on July 23, 1907. He was Lois' father, Luther Byron Crosby, who died May 30, 1908. He shared the page with his son Nathaniel Hanscom Crosby.
- N. H. Crosby of Brownville, Maine. Presumably Luther's son and Lois' brother Nathaniel Hanscom Crosby. He shared the page with his father Luther Byron Crosby.
- Bertha Davis of Brownville, Maine, signed on January 25, 1886; age 12. On a group page of students with names in boxes. Center box: [teacher] Lois H. Crosby of Brownville, Maine; signed on January 25 during Winter of '85 & '86
- Carrie E. Davis of Monson, Maine, signed on March 15, 1883; not sure of surname
- Carrie Davis of Brownville, Maine. Shared the page with Cora A. Berry and Lizzie J. Rollins.
- Maud Davis of Brownville, Maine; age 16. Her name appears among others on a group page entitled "Brownville, Davis District; Winter of '85 and '86"
- Carrie Davis of Brownville, Maine; age 16. Her name appears among others on a group page entitled "Brownville, Davis District; Winter of '85 and '86".
- Mary L. Davis of Brownville, Maine, signed on March 14, 1881
- Clara A. Donaldson of Brownville, Maine [she wrote "Brownsville"], signed on March 20, 1882
- Kittie E. Dunning of Brownville, Maine, signed on March 14, 1885
- Sadie Emerson of Monson, Maine, signed on March 15, 1883. Her name appears among others on a page entitled "Monson Spring", when Lois Crosby was apparently the teacher.
- Mary E. Evans of Brownville, Maine, signed on March 15, 1881. "Another of your distant cousins"
- Lindley H. Folsom of Monson, Maine, signed on March 15, 1883. His name appears among others on a page entitled "Monson Spring", when Lois Crosby was apparently the teacher.
- Arthur P. Foss of Abbot, Maine
- Zella L. Foss of Abbot Village, Maine, signed at Monson Academy on November 6, 1883
- Elisha C. Foss of Milo, Maine, signed on February 2, 1882
- Mabel Foss of Abbot, Maine, signed at Monson, Maine, on November 6, 1883
- Mrs. A. B. Frost of Newport, Maine, signed in July 1881
- Lizzie Gage, signed at Brownville, Maine, on October 5, 1881
- Fay Garland, signed at Monson, Maine
- John H. Gerrish of Oyster Hill, Brownville, Maine, signed on August 15, 1886
- Lewis E. Gerrish of Brownville, Maine, signed on August 22, 1886
- Edgar Gerrish of Brownville, Maine; age 12. On a group page of students with names in boxes. Center box: [teacher] Lois H. Crosby of Brownville, Maine; signed on January 25 during Winter of '85 & '86
- Flora A. Gilbert, signed at Monson, Maine, on November 8, 1880; "Your Scholar"
- Abner C. Gilbert of Monson, Maine, signed on November 8, 1883
- John L. Hall of Monson, Maine, signed on April 27, 1883. "All the way around the cake"
- L. E. Hall of Monson, Maine, signed on November 7, 1882 [not sure of last digit]. "There are times when I think I am another 'Peck's bad boy'"
- Eugene W. Hamlen of Brownville, Maine; records give his name as Eugene W. Hamlin. Written in the Center box of this group page: "Brownville, Maine - Winter of '85 & '86; Jan. 25"
- David Hanscom, signed in April 1886; handwriting of an elderly person. Lois' maternal grandfather, who shared the page with his wife Betsy (Guptil) Hanscom.
- Betsy G. Hanscom, signed on April 21, 1886. Lois maternal grandmother Betsy (Guptil) Hanscom, who shared the page with her husband David Hanscom.
- Fred A. Heald of Monson, Maine, signed on March 15, 1883. His name appears among others on a page entitled "Monson Spring", when Lois Crosby was apparently the teacher.
- Asher C. Hinds of Benton Falls, Maine. Symbols for Zeta Psi
- Alice A. Holt of Blue Hill, Maine, signed at Brownville, Maine, on July 28, 1881
- Alfieri K. Huse of Monson, Maine, signed on November 8, 1883. His name appears among others on facing pages entitled "Monson Fall of '83", where Lois was apparently teaching school.
- Moses S. Huff of Monson, Maine, signed on November 9, 1883 His name appears among others on facing pages entitled "Monson Fall of '83", where Lois was apparently teaching school.
- Katie A. Hughes, signed at Brownville, Maine, in 1882
- Lee Browne Hunt of Gray, Maine, signed on November 24, 1882. "Bates '83". "Your Friend and Teacher"
- Levi Johnson of Milo, Maine. "Remember the party January 28, 1882." Levi Francis Johnson was Lois' future husband.
- Frank E. Jons of Brownville, Maine; age 10. Wonder if he meant Frank E. Jones? Written in the Center box of this group page: "Brownville, Maine - Winter of '85 & '86; Jan. 25"
- Kate Jones of Brownville, Maine; age 14. On a group page of students with names in boxes. Center box: [teacher] Lois H. Crosby of Brownville, Maine; signed on January 25 during Winter of '85 & '86
- "Your Scholar" Mabel Knight of Monson, Maine, signed on November 7, 1883. Her name appears among others on facing pages entitled "Monson Fall of '83", where Lois was apparently teaching school.
- Lottie A. Knight of Monson, Maine, signed on November 7, 1883. Her name appears among others on facing pages entitled "Monson Fall of '83", where Lois was apparently teaching school.
- Willie M. Knight of Monson, Maine, signed on November 7, 1883. "What about the Swede"
- Dora M. Knight
- Lois H. Knight, signed at Monson Academy on November 8, 1883; "My Auntie"; "Your Friend and Scholar"
- A. M. L., signed at Bangor on July 14 [no year written]
- William J. Mann of Monson, Maine, signed on April 14, 1883. Shared the page with W. H. Mann. The Greek symbols Epsilon Kappa and Zeta Psi appear on the page.
- W. H. Mann; shared the page with W. J. Mann. The Greek symbols Epsilon Kappa and Zeta Psi appear on the page.
- S. K. Marsh of Dexter, Maine, signed at Brownville, Maine, on February 7, 1881. Greek symbols for Tau Kappa Phi and Zeta Psi.
- Clarence A. Merrill
- Maud Merrill of Williamsburg, Maine
- Eugene Merrill; colored sketch of a bird and leaf
- Jessie Merrill Nason of Brownville, Maine, signed on December 1, 1882. She sketched a branch
- Alfred Merrill of Brownville, Maine, signed on May 7, 1882
- Nellie L. Merrill, signed at Brownville, Maine, in February 1881. "Don't you ever say 'bean' to me again."
- Marion Merrill of Williamsburg, Maine
- Alice Merrill of Williamsburg, Maine, signed on March 26, 1882
- Lucy E. Morrill of Monson Academy, signed at Monson, Maine, on January 11, 1883. "Two doors side by side!"
- Harold E. Morrill of Monson, Maine, signed on January 14, 1883
- C. A. Morrill of Monson, Maine, signed on November 7, 1883; "your friend and scholar"
- Lucy E. Morrill of Monson, Maine, signed on March 15, 1883. Her name appears among others on a page entitled "Monson Spring", when Lois Crosby was apparently the teacher.
- Carrie L. Morrill, signed at Monson, Maine on March 15, 1883; "March 14, 1883 Remember Please". Her name appears among others on a page entitled "Monson Spring", when Lois Crosby was apparently the teacher.
- H. B. Nason, signed on December 1, 1882
- Edward Nason of Brownville, Maine, signed on January 16, 1882; Lois' schoolmate
- Nellie F. Packard of Monson, Maine, signed on May 3, 1883. "Remember the stockings". Her name appears among others on a page entitled "Monson Spring", when Lois Crosby was apparently the teacher.
- Belle Phillips of Monson, Maine, signed on January 20, 1883
- A. L. Plummer of Benton, Maine, signed on April 23, 1886. Albert L. Plummer. Shared the page with wife Mary Emma (Crosby) Plummer and children Flossie and Harry
- Mrs. M. E. Plummer of Benton, Maine, signed on April 23, 1886; Mary Emma (Crosby) Plummer; "A new found Cousin". She shared the page with her husband Albert L. Plummer and children Flossie and Harry.
- Flossie Plummer, 5 years old. She shared the page with her parents Albert L. and Mary Emma (Crosby) Plummer and brother Harry.
- Harry Plummer of Benton, Maine, signed on April 23, 1886. He shared the page with his parents Albert L. and Mary Emma (Crosby) Plummer and sister Flossie.
- W. Powers, signed on February 20, 1881
- Clara G. Pratt of Brownville, Maine, signed on November 22, 1882
- Linnie L. Pratt, signed at Brownville, Maine, on April 3, 1881
- Anson E. Prescott of Benton, Maine, signed on April 23, 1886
- Harry M. Prescott of Monson, Maine, signed on November 9, 1883
- Carrie E. Rider of Brownville, Maine, signed on March 31, 1881
- Addie L. Rider of Brownville, Maine, signed on April 1, 1881
- Abbie M. Roberts, signed on July 27, 1884. Shared the page with Alice A. Tufts and Nora E. Walker on a page entitled "North Brownville, Summer of '84"
- "Your Scholar" Bertha Rogers of Monson, Maine, signed on November 7, 1883. Her name appears among others n facing pages entitled "Monson Fall of '83", where Lois was apparently teaching school.
- Alvin Rollins of Brownville, Maine. Written in the Center box of this group page: "Brownville, Maine - Winter of '85 & '86; Jan. 25"
- Lizzie J. Rollins of Brownville, Maine. Shared the page with Cora A. Berry and Carrie Davis.
- Helen L. Sampson of Monson, Maine, signed on March 15, 1883. Her name appears among others on a page entitled "Monson Spring", when Lois Crosby was apparently the teacher.
- Austin W. Sherburne, signed at Brownville, Maine, on February 6, 1882
- Walter C. Smith, signed at Brownville, Maine, on December 20, 1882
- Addie M. Smith of Brownville, Maine, signed on March 17, 1882
- Lillian Stanchfield of Monson, Maine, signed on November 7, 1883. Her name appears among others on facing pages entitled "Monson Fall of '83", where Lois was apparently teaching school.
- Azier Stanchfield of Milo, Maine, signed on February 2, 1882
- Orrin B. Stanchfield of Milo, Maine, signed on February 1, 1882
- Wesley Stanhope of Brownville, Maine; age 10. Mentions Enfield. Shared the page with Clayton Arbo and Mary Benson.
- Josie A. Stevens of Bangor, Maine, signed on July 14, 1887
- Amanda J. Strout, signed at Bangor, Maine, on July 29, 1882
- Albert F. Sweetser of Searsport, Maine, signed on February 16, 1885
- George H. Tarr of Monson, Maine, signed on February 16, 1883. He decorated his page with a sprig of holly and berries.
- Ellen Thomas of Brownville, Maine; age 10. Written in the Center box of this group page: "Brownville, Maine - Winter of '85 & '86; Jan. 25"
- Alfred Thomas of Brownville, Maine; age 14. His name appears among others on a group page entitled "Brownville, Davis District; Winter of '85 and '86".
- Charles Thomas of Brownville, Maine; age 12. His name appears among others on a group page entitled "Brownville, Davis District; Winter of '85 and '86".
- Walter R. Trask of Orrington, Maine
- H. H. Tucker of Athens, Maine, signed at Brownville, Maine, on December 22, 1882
- Alice A. Tufts of Brownville, Maine. Shared the page with Nora E. Walker and Abbie M. Roberts on a page entitled "North Brownville; Summer of '84"
- Nora E. Walker of Brownville, Maine. Shared the page with Alice A. Tufts and Abbie M. Roberts on a page entitled "North Brownville, Summer of '84"
- Manley S. Weymouth of Monson, Maine, signed on November 8, 1883; "your nephew"
- S. B. Whitney of North Newburgh, Maine, signed on April 30, 1881. "House on a hill"
- Daniel Wilkins, signed at Brownville, Maine, on February 19, 1886
- Gardiner B. Wilkins of Brownville, Maine, signed on January 25, 1886; age 12. On a group page of students with names in boxes. Center box: [teacher] Lois H. Crosby of Brownville, Maine; signed on January 25 during Winter of '85 & '86
- Frank Wilkins of Brownville, Maine; age 13. His name appears among others on a group page entitled "Brownville, Davis District; Winter of '85 and '86".
- Helen A. Wilkins, signed at Brownville, Maine, in February 1881
- Henry Williams of Brownville, Maine, signed on March 20, 1881
- May Williams of Brownville, Maine, signed on March 20, 1881; Lois' schoolmate
- E. E. Williams of Brownville, Maine, signed on April 24, 1882
- Anna E. Williams, signed at Brownville, Maine, on April 24, 1882
- Charles B. Wilson of Waterville, Maine, signed at Colby University on February 19, 1885. The symbols for Zeta Psi and Tau Kappa Phi
- Frank S. Wing of Monson, Maine, signed on February 1, 1883
Brownville, Maine
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DeleteYes, still have it. Contact email is on the blog in the right margin near the top. Are you a descendant/relative of Lois? Will gladly share images of pages of your ancestors/relatives (see list of inscribers) that aren't shown.
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