Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Two Letters, one dated 1914, from possibly Eva Elizabeth (Damon) Sawtelle, at East Winthrop, Maine, to Mrs. Henry A. Cassidy at Fall River, Massachusetts


Two letters, one of them postmarked 1914, possibly written by Eva Elizabeth (Damon) Sawtelle at East Winthrop, Maine, to her daughter Susan Ilda (Sawtelle) Cassidy, wife of Henry A. Cassidy, then at Fall River, Massachusetts.

Images of the pages of the letters and loose transcriptions of each appear at the end of this post.  Please leave a comment or contact me directly with any corrections and/or clarifications, such as better identifying someone named, so that I can amend this post with the corrections and enhancements.

These letters were found with other letters and a collection of photographs, which may or may not have a connection.
From brief online research, hopefully correct in the identity of the letter writer and the associated information: [corrections and additions requested]

Eva Elizabeth (Damon) Sawtelle was born October 10, 1852 at Belgrade, Maine, the daughter of William K. Damon and Octavia C. (Rogers) Damon.  About 1873, Eva married Llewellyn Alphonso Sawtelle, son of Zalman Sawtelle and Rosina (Richardson) Sawtelle.  They farmed at Sidney, Maine, and had, I think, at last four children.

Llewellyn died in September 22, 1903 at Sidney, Maine. He's buried in the Sawtelle Cemetery at Sidney, Maine, along with Eva, who died in 1925, and other family members.

People mentioned, some multiple times, in the letter enclosed in the envelope shown above, dated September 8, with no year written.
  • Frances
  • Leon
  • Nina, perhaps Nina Elizabeth Sawtelle, born at Waterville, Maine, in 1888, daughter of Emanual Granville Sawtelle and Flora Augusta (Soule) Sawtelle; she married Alvin Scott Wood
  • Helen
  • Annie
  • Stella; presumably Eva Elizabeth (Damon) Sawtelle's daughter Estella Octavia Sawtelle (1881-1929) who married Charles Augustus Branch in 1901 
  • Mert; ; presumably Eva Elizabeth (Damon) Sawtelle's son Merton Llewellyn Sawtelle (1887-1942) 
  • Ocean Point - presumably the Ocean Point near Boothbay, Maine
  • Cousin Nan
  • Wilson
  • Mrs. Stimp, possibly Sadie Stimp; not sure of surname, but she, a widow, and Merton Llewellyn Sawtelle were seeing each other, and she had made a very favorable impression on the rest of the family.
  • Aunt Suse
  • Aunt Louise
  • Ed
  • Skow - presumably Skowhegan, Maine
  • Nell
  • Annie
  • Henry; presumably Henry Albert Cassidy, wife of Eva's daughter Susan Ilda (Sawtelle) Cassidy
  • babe - presumably Helen Sawtelle Cassidy, first child of Henry A. Cassidy and Susan Ilda (Sawtelle) Cassidy.  Another daughter, Estelle R. Cassidy, would be born in 1916.


Loose transcription - your comments and clarifications appreciated!

E. Winthrop, Sept 8
My dear
I am writing under embarrassing circumstances for Frances and Leon are here singing and playing and I can't write with a pen.  But Nina has been over and told me all about their good time and how lovely dear Helen is.  They certainly had a fine time and she brought me a lovely necklace of gold beads.  I am so pleased with them.  She got them in Boston.  ___ you sent me is a dear.  I am having a lovely visit with Annie & she wants to see you and your family and will come if you would like to have her and ask her through me.  You know when she is in Boston and vicinity the 1st week in Oct, I think she would probably spend the day or possibly 1 night.  She wants to see everybody.  I hate to have her see Stella as she will probably look like she likes Nina, and Mert was down and she says she liked him, and thinks he is so much like his father.  We had a fine time and she and I went to Ocean Point and had a shore dinner.  Called to see Cousin Nan.  She has been real poorly, had 2 hemorrhages since she has been down there.  But they came home Sat.  Now about coming, Wilson says if he is as well as he is now, ___ will come in about 2 weeks but I guess I will be nearer and if he is lame or miserable if Dan & Nina will come out I shall go.  I can't find someone going to Boston and can met J. W. any Wednesday.  Mert had Mrs. Stimp [not sure of surname] with him.  She has a little girl nearly 9, a real pretty behaved child, and I like Sadie very much and so does Wilson and Annie think she is a real smart sensible little woman.  She is very agreeable, a fine cook and dressmakes and has a fine education, belongs to the Baptist church.  She has seen a heap of trouble and I hope Merton will be lucky enough to catch her.  I don't know how Nina was impressed with her.  She didn't see her very long.  She is quiet until she gets well acquainted.  But is never boisterous. They have down to the farm and Aunt Suse and Aunt Louise.  She has been a night order cook but is going to cook at the Fair for Ed.  The kids say Mutt is in NH.  I got the Tax Bite today, higher everywhere, they say.  Annie and I are going to spend Thur with Nina.  Then to the Fair and she thinks go back to Skow - with Nell.  she is full of fun and I hate so bad to have her go.  She thinks Nina is a sweet little lady, ha ha (so do we).
Well, the rest are in bed and 10 P,M.  Now, write soon.  Tell me if you want Annie.  
Love to Henry boy and babe.
Awful cold this morning.  Sadie is having a good influence over Mert.  He has left off tobacco and does not swear any.

Letter #2


People mentioned in the letter enclosed in the envelope postmarked 1914 above, some multiple times
  • Tiddley - not sure of name, but presumably a nickname for Susan Ilda (Sawtelle) Cassidy, the letter's recipient
  • Dan
  • Nina
  • Berniece
  • Hope
  • Josie McLellan and "flame" Frederick Owen - they would marry at Augusta, Maine, on June 28, 1914, just a bit over two weeks since the letter was written
  • Idella McLeod and her "flame" Harold Wood - they would marry at Hallowell, Maine, on September 1, 1915
  • Henry; presumably Henry A. Cassidy, husband of Susan Ilda (Sawtelle) Cassidy
  • Wilson
  • Stella; presumably Estella Octavia Sawtelle, Susan's sister
  • Mary Abbott
  • Will
  • Anna
  • Demerritt - Demerritt Livingston Sawtelle - the letter writer describes him as "less than half alive".  The letter writer was apparently unaware that he had died on May 25, 1914 at Augusta, Maine
  • Delia
  • Manda
  • Roy



Loose transcription - your comments and clarifications appreciated!

E Winthrop, June 11 , according to the postmark]
My dear Tiddley [not sure of name, but presumably a nickname for Susan Ilda (Sawtelle) Cassidy, Eva's daughter]]
I was overjoyed to get your letter for I worried about Muttie.  He is the nicest dog I ever saw and I set out to keep him till Dan & Nina went, and then I thought possibly they might not go..  But I think they will.  Nina said the only reason they hesitated was because it would be hard for you.  I said, Oh, Bosh Hard.  Can't you help enough to take off the hard part and she could if you would let her.  I know they will go.  Well, I am entertaining ___ to the best of my ability.  If you have got your Sentinel you see Bernice is here and Hope is coming tonight and Josie McLellan was here to dinner.  What did I have for Dinner.  Oh - Pot Roast of Beef, --- [possibly Macaroni] & Tomatoes, new biscuit, cream cookies, and Rhubarb pie - good - yes.  For supper  I had bread & butter pickles and cream chocolate cake & whipped cream cake, want some?  Well, come down.  Tell Henry to get me a job at any old thing and I'll come.  Wasn't Mattie most starved so long without eating.  Oh, did you get the letter I directed to 278.  Trade is fairly good and I sell quite a lot of cooked food and sweet cream.  Wilson's brother that was here to dinner last summer when you were here is coming and his wife too.  Sat.  The girls are going home Fri night.  Last eve JosieKate and Idella McLeod and Harold Wood, Idella's flame, and Frederick Owen, Josie's flame,  and Bernice were all here last eve singing and playing.  I enjoy it so much, if my own were only here, too.
I had a letter from Stella Tues.  I think it is very strange about her.  She says her white dress that I gave her when Nina was married.  She can wear all right and she has not been able to get it on for 2 summers and she does not grow any and is well.  What do you think?  to months since she has seen anything.  I am afraid she has a cyst - won't it be dreadful.  Oh, dear, and they are so poor.  She said she and the children were going to the Baptist church every Sunday to church at O. - just think of it.  What will she wear?  a dirty waist  and her skirt dropping off - my Heavens, I would rather never go anywhere.  Perhaps I am too proud and vain.  Am I?  Did you see Mary Abbott's announcement, after 7 years.
Yes, we will bring our bathing sits or skates but my dear, I could not think of leaving here until after the cottagers leave.  I want my grey silk made over before Will & Anna comes.
Demeritt is less than half alive, I guess. Delia says she expect they will be mad with her every time she goes.  I guess Manda has gone to O. to live.  Roy may buy that farm.  Hay is looking fine.  I am going to try and go to Stella's the last of next week and see what's the matter.  Well, it is most time for the girls.  I must iron tomorrow.  I have made a fruit & Coffee jello for dinner tomorrow.  Must buy doughnuts in the morning.  Now, write soon.  Am going to go in with the girls Fri. P.M.  Kiss Mummy's baby and Henry for Ma.

Written upside down at the top of the front page of the letter:
Wilson took the girls to Winthrop for a ride, been a fine day, Ma.
You must have lots of time to write letters now, no callers



Saturday, May 21, 2016

Three Letters to Joseph Henry Abbott of Andover, Maine; 2 from his sister Lucretia L. Abbott, "Lula", in the 1880s; and 1 from Mrs. Alice (Howe) Lovejoy from Miami, Florida in 1914


Three letters written to Joseph Henry Abbott at South Andover, Maine:
  • two from Joseph's sister Lucretia L. Abbott, "Lula", while she was at school in Farmington, Maine
  • one from 1914 from Alice H. Hopkins, describing her family's trip to Florida and their new home at Miami and wishing Joseph a belated birthday greeting.
Whether there is a relationship or not, these letters were found with items relating to:

Images and loose transcriptions of the letters appear at the end of this post.


People and places mentioned in Lula's letters:
  • "Pratt", a female and possibly a student at Western State Normal School at Farmington, Maine
  • Cora Jackson, possibly a student at Western State Normal School at Farmington, Maine
  • Carrie, possibly a student at Western State Normal School at Farmington, Maine, in 1881
  • Mr. Swasey of Canton, Maine, who lectured at a Republican rally
  • Mr. Frye, who lectured the previous week, possibly at Western State Normal School at Farmington, Maine, or at a Republican rally
  • Addie McLarin, a "deformed girl" who's an excellent scholar and has been helping Lula
People and places mentioned in Alice's letter:
  • Stops on the way to Miami, Florida: Lynn, Massachusetts; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Savannah, Georgia; Jacksonville, Florida
  • William Jennings Bryan, whose home is at Biscayne Bay and who had just lectured at the Congregational Church
  • Delmar - Delmar Boynton Lovejoy
  • Kenneth - Kenneth Cousins Lovejoy
  • Frank
  • A. T. Bryant - possibly related to the mother of Alice's step-son and son-in-law Frank Henry Lovejoy, whose mother was Florinda (Bryant) Lovejoy.
From brief online research, hopefully correct:  corrections and additions requested]

Joseph Henry Abbott, or Joseph Henry Hutchins Abbott, was born November 23, 1852 at Rumford, Maine, the son of Hezekiah Hutchins Abbott and Martha Tillson (Lovejoy) Abbott.  On May 26, 1888 at Rumford, Maine, Joseph married Katie E. Abbott, daughter of Simon Andrew Abbott and Sarah Helen (Thomas) Abbott.  They lived at Andover, Maine, and had at least two children.  Joseph died in 1933.

Joseph's sister Lucretia L. Abbott was born August 6, 1863, also at Rumford, Maine.  She was studying to be a teacher at the time she wrote her letters to Joseph.  The school Lula was attending was presumably Western State Normal School at Farmington, Maine, but I haven't yet found her name in any online school records or publications.

On March 10, 1891, at Somerville, Massachusetts, Lula married William Neal McCrillis, son of William and Mary S. (Watson) McCrillis.   Lula and William lived in Massachusetts for a few years but then moved to Rumford Falls, Maine.  Lula died in 1912.

Mrs. Alice H. Lovejoy was Alice Salome (Howe) Lovejoy, daughter of Otis Howe and Sarah Stevens (Elliott) Howe.  On March 8, 1879 at Rumford, Maine, Alice married Benjamin Harrison Boynton.  They had several children, including Emma Alice Boynton, who would marry Frank Henry Lovejoy, son of Orren Jenness Lovejoy and Florinda (Bryant) Lovejoy.

As it happened, Orren's wife Florinda died in 1884 and Alice's husband Benjamin died in 1889.  About 1890, Alice and Orren married.  Further cementing the family, on March 21, 1904 at Dover, New Hampshire, Emma Alice Boynton and her stepbrother Frank Henry Lovejoy married.

In 1914 when the letter was written, Alice H. (Howe) Boynton Lovejoy had just accompanied Frank and Emma and their boys Delmar Boynton Lovejoy and Kenneth Cousins Lovely to Miami, Florida, where they apparently intended to stay long enough that it made sense to enroll the boys in school.  I believe Alice H. (Howe) Boynton Lovejoy died about 1950.

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

1)  September 10, 1882 letter from Lula Abbott, a student at a school in Farmington, presumably Western State Normal School at Farmington, Maine, to her brother Joseph Henry Abbott at Andover, Maine.  The School was informally known as Farmington State Normal School until official adoption of that name in 1889.  It’s now the University of Maine Farmington.




















Dear brother: -  

I have not received any letter from you but I'm not going to let that make any difference.  Yet I wish you would think sometimes that I am as anxious to hear from you as you are. I am getting along finely, like my boarding place and roommate very much and what makes it still better, Pratt came last week. She went to another place to board but we said so much to her about coming here and she was so lonesome that she came here to board.   So we have splendid times.  The other girls have been to Sabbath school and she has been up here with me all the morning.  She rooms alone, and Cora Jackson, who roomed with Carrie last spring, also rooms alone.  It seems queer and everyone says how does that happen?  And that is all the good it does them.  I went to a band concert and Republican rally last night, did not get home till about 10 o'clock. The music was  good and the lecture passable.  The lecture was delivered by Mr. Swasey from Canton.  Mr. Frye  lectured here last week, and they closed school and hour and half earlier than usual so we could go.  Had a good time but did not hear much he said. Those are the only places I have been to, enough I suppose, you say.  And I think it is for one that has to study as hard as I do.  I shall hate to leave and teach school for I am afraid I will have to take some of my studies over for I shall only get started in some of them before vacation and I would not teach were it not for the money.  But I want so many more things when I go in school but I suppose I must and it will be just as well and perhaps better in the end. I studied nearly all day yesterday. Addie McLarin (not the one that boarded with us last spring but a deformed girl) was here all the afternoon. She is a splendid scholar and in our class, so she is a great help to me. Everyone likes her.  She is so good.  Deformed people always are, I believe.  I suppose it won't do any good to ask questions for I asked enough in my other letter and, besides, it is almost time to go to church. Have you had any rain? I never saw it so dusty as it is now.   it really is quite a weight for for any that has as large feet as I have to carry around, to say nothing of the looks.  But I cannot write anymore. Give my love to all and write soon. 
Your sister Lula 

2)  July 4 [no year written] letter from Lula Abbott at Farmington, Maine, a student at a school in Farmington, presumably Western State Normal School at Farmington, Maine, to her brother Joseph Henry Abbott at Andover, Maine.





Farmington Maine, July 4th

Dear brother:-

 I have just waked up and have not had my breakfast.  You know it is the Fourth of July and last night it was impossible to sleep. After 1 or 2 o'clock, such singing and beating of drums I never heard.  I guess every boy in the village started out.  I did not write you when I wanted to come home.  If I go on the train I shall not go until Monday.  And if Father comes after me he better not try and get here before Saturday morning because he would have to go to the hotel and I don't know if he would get a chance there. They have a reunion at the Normal and that of course brings lots of strangers into town.  And here at the club it would be impossible to keep anyone over night. I am sorry you did not come down to graduation. Had you come and let me know, I think I could have got a place in a private family. But now it is too late. The Cor. [?] I believe is sure to appear on the scene of action this time.  Hope he will I rather liked his looks when he was here before.
I cannot write anymore because I must go to the school house help them this morning and get ready.
Lula Abbott
Send me full as much money as I told you although I don't think I shall need any more; yet I sent for as little as I could get along without and better send it by mail so I can pay some of the girls that go Saturday morning early. I suppose I was selfish in saying I had rather not go on the car.  I just as soon as not now.   I thought at first I did not want to.  Father will probably get here early Saturday morning if he comes then.  Graduation exercises have been put off one day.

3)  November 23, 1914 letter from Mrs. Alice Salome (Howe) Boynton Lovejoy in Miami, Florida, to her "old schoolmate" Joseph Henry Abbott at Andover, Maine

Miami, Florida
Nov. 23, 1914

Dear old schoolmate:

How are you this beautiful evening?  Today marks another milestone in your life.  I wanted to write so you’d receive it on your birthday anniversary but have been very busy getting settled in our new home. I wish you a very happy and prosperous year and many of them.  I hope you will be well.  The day we started from home we wore our heavy winter clothes and a fur coat over all and were not a bit too warm.  Tonight we are sitting on our open but screened in porch in our thin muslin dresses and no wraps.  We started from Maine Nov. 4, stayed in Lynn that night.  Went on board the boat Nov. 5th at 5 o’clock P.M.  We arrived in Philadelphia at 6 o’clock Sat. A.M.  We spent a delightful day sight seeing.  We visited the Mint, Independence Hall, Museum of Relics of Revolutionary days and the Betsey Ross house where the first American flag was made.  I wanted to visit the city hall but we had not time.
We took another steamer that P.M. and arrived in Savannah Tuesday A.M. Nov. 10.  We visited city hall and several of the beautiful parks but were too tired to visit many places.

We took the boat that night for Jacksonville and arrived there at 6 o'clock Wednesday A.M.  We were all too tired to go around, only to find something good to eat.  At 1:30 p.m. we took the train for Miami and arrived at 2:30 A.M. 

 Nov. 12th - My, but we were tired.  We are just three miles from the city.  There are most lovely drives here.  I can't describe the beautiful sights and fruits of all kinds grown here.  Our neighbors seem very kind and friendly and so generous with their fruits and vegetables.  They are all Northern people, but only one man from dear old Maine.  When he came here there were about four houses, the rest woods and jungle.  Everyone calls him “Daddy” in terms of affection He and his wife have helped us lonely Lovejoys in many ways.   We stayed at their house two nights before our camp was ready.  I like here as well as I expected to.

William Jennings Bryan has a lovely home near here on Biscayne Bay. He spoke in the Congregational Church yesterday.  I did not intend to write you such a long letter but when I get to talking to you I say too much.  I don't like the taste of the water here.  It is hard and warm and tastes salty to me.

Delmar and Kenneth started in going to school today. Kenneth is 9 years today, bless him.  The boys think Emma has gained quite a lot.  Tell me about yourself and everybody I know. Take care of yourself.  How is Frank? 

Please excuse pencil but I have no ink but wanted to tell you I remembered your birthday anniversary.  
Mrs. Alice H. Lovejoy
Mimai, Florida  [did she mean Miami?]
R.F.D. No. 1
℅ A. T Bryant
 I hope you can read this 

Alice wrote a note on the back of the envelope.


I will not attempt at this time to write you a long letter but will try and write you again later, but I wish to convey to you at this time.

Friday, May 20, 2016

19th Century Photographs, Some from New Brunswick, Canada, possibly Related to the McMahon and/or Chaplin Families


Note: Please scroll down to the comments section, where a reader has identified the two people in the photograph above and has provided more information.

19th century cabinet photographs, Cartes de Visite, tintypes and other photographs that may have a connection to the McMahon and/or Chaplin Families in the Bartibogue, New Brunswick, and Red Bank, New Brunswick area.

Sadly, none of the people in the photographs are identified, and only eleven have a studio imprint.

The photographs with studio imprints were taken at the following studios:
  • Five photographs and one Carte de Visite were taken at the studio of Ole Larson at Newcastle, New Brunswick
  • Cabinet photograph of a young woman was taken at the Mersereau studio of Chatham, New Brunswick
  • Carte de Visite of a young man taken at the studio of S. W. Dimock of Campbellton, New Brunswick
  • Cabinet photograph of a man; by the Lewis Rice studio at one of various branches in Nova Scotia: Truro; Windsor; Wolfville; Springhill; Amherst; Railroad Car
  • Carte de Visite of a young man taken by the J. E. Morrell studio of Springhill, Nova Scotia
  • Cabinet photograph of a young man; by the Fassett studio of 124 Lisbon Street, Lewiston, Maine
  • Cabinet photograph of a young man; by the W. M. Lee studio, possibly of Wisconsin
  • Two cabinet photographs of women, one of them elderly; by the Katz studio of 7 Tremont Row, Boston, Massachusetts
  • Cabinet photograph of a man; by the Kuhn studio of Stillwater, Minnesota
  • Cabinet photograph of a man; by the Kirkham studio of Menominee, Michigan
Sadly, none of the people in the photographs is identified.

The photographs were found with an official copy of the birth certificate of Eugene Joseph McMahon, who was born at Millinocket, Maine, on January 21, 1902.  His parents were James Joseph McMahon, also seen as McMahone, and Eliza Ellen (Chaplin) McMahon, who were born at Bartibogue, New Brunswick, and Red Bank, New Brunswick, respectively.  The birth record is featured in another post.

Also found with the photographs and birth record are more photographs, with no identification or studio imprint, and several letters that may, or may not, have a connection to the New Brunswick photographs or with the McMahon and/or Chaplin families.
      If you recognize anyone from your family albums or research, please leave a comment or contact me directly.

      Click on an image to enlarge it.


























































      Following are photographs that lack a studio imprint.  Again, whether they have a relationship to the other photographs or to the McMahon and Chaplin families, I can't say.



       












      If you recognize anyone from your family albums and/or research, please leave a comment or contact me directly.