Monday, July 31, 2017

1883-1902 Autograph Album of Fannie E. (Wilby) Lawrence Pierce of Gloucester, Massachusetts


Autograph album presented by Mrs. John Wood of Northford, Connecticut, to her friend and schoolmate Mrs. Fannie E. Pierce at Christmas in 1883.


Fannie went on to collect inscriptions from friends in Maine, Massachusetts and Connecticut.  She added notes with death dates to many of the pages.  Fannie's notes on the page of Frances M. Wonson of East Gloucester, Massachusetts, who died on March 11, 1898, were especially poignant.


From clues in the album and a record from Massachusetts Marriage Records 1840-1915, I believe Fannie was Fannie E. (Wilby) Lawrence Pierce, who was born about 1840 at New York City to Francis and Julia (Campbell) Wilby, both natives of Boston, according to Fannie's 1908 death record, although I saw at least one other record that gave Francis' birthplace as England.

Fannie married twice

  1. Leroy P. Lawrence,  They had son Lyman Lincoln Lawrence, born at Boston, Massachusetts, on May 8, 1862.  Lyman became a farmer at Cumberland, Maine.  Incidentally, there are numerous inscriptions from Cumberland and Portland, Maine.
  2. Nathaniel Pierce, Jr., at Boston, Massachusetts, on  June 15, 1869.  Nathaniel, an engineer, was born at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on March 5, 1842, the son of Nathaniel and Eleanor Pierce.

Nathaniel inscribed what he thought would be the last page in the album, but one of his wife's Greely friends managed to fit in the last inscription.


Fannie died on August 30, 1908; at that time Nathaniel and she were living at 13 Garrison Avenue, Somerville, Massachusetts.  According to her death record, Fannie was buried in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery at East Gloucester, Massachusetts.

The album measures approximately 7-3/4" by 5" and contains the sentiments of 74 of Fannie's relatives and friends.  An alphabetical surname list and an alphabetical list of the inscribers, together with any personal information they offered, appear at the end of this post.

Surnames that appear multiple times:
  • Coas family of East Gloucester, Massachusetts
  • Farwell family of Cumberland Centre, Maine, and Portland, Maine
  • Greely family of Cumberland Centre, Maine, and Portland, Maine
  • Welch family of Portland, Maine
  • Wonson family of East Gloucester, Massachusetts
  • Wood family of Northford, Connecticut

One page was inscribed by Cordelia Wilby on February 23, 1883.  Could she have been Fannie's sister or cousin?


If you have information on Fannie E. (Wilby) Lawrence Pierce or either of her husbands, Leroy P. Lawrence or Nathaniel Pierce, Jr., please leave a comment or contact me directly.

Surnames in the Album

?EEvans [2]PParkhurst
AAnthony [2]FFarwell [4]Phelps
BBartlesGGreely [6]Pierce [2]
BettsIIvesRRowe [3]
Blanchard [2]MMacDonaldSSmith [2]
BrownMansfield [2]Sverljuga
CClementMartin [2]TThurston
Coas [3]McAllisterWWelch [4]
Coombs [3]McQuinWilby
CoopsMerineWitham
DDagleNNason [2]Wonson [9]
DavisNorwoodWood [4]
DayNoyesWright

Inscribers in the Album
  • S. G. W.; inscribed on September 19, 1885.  Could the inscriber have been Samuel G. Wonson?
A
  • F. W. Anthony of Wallingford, Connecticut; inscribed on September 1, 1885
  • Minnie R. Anthony of Wallingford, Connecticut; inscribed on September 1, 1885
B
  • Hattie E. Bartles of Gloucester, Massachusetts; inscribed on May 26, 1886
  • Lizzie A. Betts; her name on a paper scrap pasted to page
  • Isaac A. Blanchard of West Somerville, Massachusetts; newspaperman; inscribed on January 5, 1902; his wife Lizzie M. Blanchard inscribed the right facing page.
  • Lizzie M. Blanchard of West Somerville, Massachusetts; inscribed on January 5, 1902; her husband Isaac A. Blanchard inscribed the left facing page.
  • Josie Brown of Wakefield, Massachusetts; inscribed on September 13-9-1883
C
  • A. G. Clement of Gloucester, Massachusetts; inscribed on June 26, 1885
  • Evelyn R. Coas; inscribed at East Gloucester, Massachusetts, on June 12, 1886.  Fannie's later note:  "Died 1897"
  • Fannie G. Coas; inscribed on September 17, 1885.  Fannie's later note:  "Died Oct 16 - 1895.  Aged 25 y. 8 mo. 14 dy"
  • Lucy Coas; inscribed at East Gloucester, presumably Massachusetts, on June 13, 1886
  • Austin F. Coombs; inscribed on December 6, 1885
  • C. L. Coombs; inscribed on December 4, 1885
  • Fannie B. Coombs of East Gloucester, Massachusetts; inscribed on July 18, 1885
  • E. Coops of Gloucester, Massachusetts; inscribed on June 22, 1885; middle initial possibly M or H; if M, the inscribed could have been Ella M. Coops
D
  • O. F. Dagle of East Gloucester, Massachusetts; inscribed on June 28, 1886; presumably Ozro F. Dagle
  • H. G. Davis of Annisquam, Massachusetts; inscribed on June 13, 1895
  • Lena Louise Day of East Boston, Massachusetts; inscribed on January 14, 1902
E
  • Chloe P. Evans; her name on a paper scrap pasted on the page.  Fannie's later note:  "Died May 12, 1879".  Shared page with Mary C. Evans
  • Mary C. Evans of Wakefield, Massachusetts.  Fannie's later note: Died March 14, 1884.  Also on page: paper scrap with name Chloe P. Evans
F
  • Edward L. Farwell of Cumberland Center, Maine; inscribed on June 9, 1886.  His brother Ellis N. Farwell inscribed the left facing page.
  • Ellis N. Farwell of Cumberland Centre, Maine; inscribed on June 10, 1886.  His brother Edward L. Farwell inscribed the right facing page.
  • Sadie P. Farwell of Cumberland Centre, Maine; inscribed on June 10, 1886.  She was Sarah P. (Greely) Farwell, "Sadie", whose husband Simeon L. Farwell inscribed the left facing page.
  • Simeon L. Farwell of Cumberland Centre, Maine; inscribed on June 10, 1886.  His wife Sarah P. (Greely) Farwell inscribed the right facing page.
G
  • Charles H. Greely of Cumberland Centre, Maine; inscribed on June 8, 1886
  • Mrs. E. Greely; inscribed at Portland, Maine, on June 3, 1885
  • Eliphalet Greely of Portland, Maine; inscribed on June 5, 1886
  • H. B. Greely of Portland, Maine; inscribed on June 5, 1886
  • Helen A. Greely of Portland, Maine; inscribed on June 3, 1886
  • Lillie C. Greely of Cumberland Centre, Maine; inscribed on June 8, 1886
I
  • G. H. Ives of Northford, Connecticut; inscribed on September 2, 1885
M
  • Eleanor MacDonald of Gloucester, Massachusetts; inscribed on June 26, 1885
  • Josie L. Mansfield of Wakefield, presumably Wakefield, Massachusetts; inscribed in September 1883.  It may have been her mother Susan (Merrill) Mansfield who inscribed the left facing page.
  • S. M. or L. M. or I. M. Mansfield; inscribed at Wakefield, presumably Massachusetts, on October 4, 1883.  If S. M., the inscribed may have been Susan (Merrill) Mansfield, whose daughter Josie L. Mansfield inscribed the right facing page.
  • Nellie C. Martin; inscribed at G. H. S. in 1891; possibly Gloucester High School at Gloucester, Massachusetts
  • Winnie M. Martin; inscribed on February 5, 1891
  • Mary McAllister of Wakefield, Massachusetts; middle initial possibly G or J; inscribed on February 23, 1883.  Fannie's later note:  "Died March 11, 1892"
  • Samuel W. McQuin of East Gloucester, Massachusetts; inscribed on August 7, 1886
  • Minnie Merine of Kansas City, Missouri; inscribed at Boston, Massachusetts, on June 30, 1885
N
  • Abbie M. Nason of Chelsea, Massachusetts; inscribed on September 23, 1885
  • John Nason; inscribed at Chelsea, Massachusetts, on September 23, 1885
  • Adelia S. Norwood of Gloucester, Massachusetts; inscribed on June 23, 1885
  • Cora J. Noyes of Portland, Maine; inscribed on June 4, 1886
P
  • Fannie G. Parkhurst of Gloucester, Massachusetts; inscribed on June 22, 1885
  • Elizabeth Stuart Phelps; inscribed at Gloucester, Massachusetts, in October 1885.  Her papers 
  • Mrs. Fannie E. Pierce, album owner.  She was, I believe, Fannie E. (Wilby) Lawrence Pierce, wife of Nathaniel Pierce, Jr.  "Presented to Mrs. Fannie E. Pierce by Mrs. John Wood, Schoolmate & Friend, Christmas 1883 - inscribed at Northford, Connecticut, in December 1883.  Fannie's later note:  Died February 25, 1886" [second digit of the day is stricken over, so might not be the 25th].  However, Julia T. Wood, wife of John Wood, died at Northford, Connecticut, on February 25, 1886
  • Nathaniel Pierce of East Gloucester, Massachusetts; inscribed on September 1, 1885.  Presumably Fannie's husband.
R
  • C. B. Rowe of Gloucester, Massachusetts; inscribed on July 3, 1886.  Initials so ornate, they may be something else.
  • Clara B. Rowe of Gloucester, Massachusetts; inscribed on November 1, 1892
  • Lewis Rowe, Jr.; inscribed at Gloucester, presumably Massachusetts, on November 1, 1892
S
  • Mrs. J. Wilson Smith of Wallingford, Connecticut; inscribed on August 28, 1885
  • Lucy J. Smith; inscribed at Wallingford, presumably Connecticut, on August 28, 1885
  • M. Sverljuga, Capitano Marittimo"; calling card pasted to page.
T
  • Addie W. Thurston of Portland, Maine; inscribed on 6-5-86.  Fannie's later note: "Dead"
W
  • J. A. Welch of Portland, Maine; inscribed on June 5, 1886.  Joseph S. Welch, whose wife Myrtilla W. Welch inscribed the left facing page.
  • Mamie Welch of Portland, Maine; inscribed on June 5, 1886.  Nelson H. Welch inscribed the left facing page.
  • Myrtilla W. Welch of Portland, Maine; inscribed on June 5, 1886; her husband Joseph A. Welch inscribed the right facing page.
  • Nelson H. Welch of Portland, Maine; inscribed on June 5, 1886.  Mamie Welch inscribed the right facing page.
  • Cordelia Wilby of Wakefield, Massachusetts; inscribed on February 23, 1883.  Presumably related to album owner Fannie E. (Wilby) Lawrence Pierce, perhaps her sister or cousin
  • Edith Witham of East Gloucester, presumably Massachusetts; inscribed on June 22, 1885
  • Alice M. Wonson of East Gloucester, Massachusetts; inscribed on September 5, 1885
  • Carrie B. Wonson of East Gloucester, Massachusetts; inscribed on September 8, 1885
  • Frances M. Wonson of East Gloucester, Massachusetts; inscribed on September 8, 1885.  Album owner Fannie E. Pierce added several notes about the death of Frances M. Wonson: "My lost friend, "Say not Good Bye, But in some fairer clime, Bid one Good Morning" F.E.P.; and "Died March 11 - 1898  Aged 60 y. 7 ms. 27 days"
  • Grace E. Wonson of East Gloucester, Massachusetts; inscribed on September 1, 1885
  • Lelia M. Wonson of East Gloucester, Massachusetts; inscribed on September 20, 1885
  • M. A. Wonson of East Gloucester, Massachusetts; inscribed on September 20, 1885
  • Nettie Wonson of East Gloucester, Massachusetts; inscribed on September 21, 1885.  Fannie's later note: "Died March 9 - 98.  Aged 29"
  • Sadie Wonson of East Gloucester, Massachusetts; inscribed on September 20, 1885
  • Susie S. Wonson of East Gloucester, Massachusetts; inscribed on September 10, 1885
  • Annie D. Wood of Northford, Connecticut; inscribed on August 25, 1885
  • Mrs. John Wood of Northford, Connecticut, presumably Julia T. (?) Wood.  "Presented to Mrs. Fannie E. Pierce by Mrs. John Wood, Schoolmate & Friend, Christmas 1883 - inscribed at Northford, Connecticut, in December 1883.  Fannie's later note:  Died February 25, 1886" [second digit of the day is stricken over, so might not be the 25th].  However, Julia T. Wood, wife of John Wood, died at Northford, Connecticut, on February 25, 1886
  • Mr. and Mrs. John Wood of Northford, Connecticut, inscribed on August 25, 1885.  It was Mrs. Wood, presumably, who gifted the album to Fannie at Christmas in 1883.
  • Julia P. Wood of Northford, Connecticut; inscribed on September 1, 1885
  • N. R. Wright, paper scrap pasted to the page; inscribed to "Bro. Pierce", at Lynn, presumably Lynn, Massachusetts, on January 4, 1887.   Later note, presumably Fannie's or that of her husband: "Died Mar 1st 1893"


Sunday, July 30, 2017

1881-1890 Autograph Album of Mrs. Arthur E. Johnson, "Lizzie", of Watertown, New York


1881-1890  autograph album that belonged to Mrs. Arthur E. Johnson, "Lizzie", of Watertown, New York.   Lizzie and Arthur were married by 1881, judging from one inscription, and toward 1890 were planning to move to or visit Dayton, Ohio, judging from another.


The album measures approximately 7" by 4" and contains the sentiments of over 60 of Lizzie's relatives and friends from New York, Ohio and Quebec.  An alphabetical surname list and an alphabetical list of the inscribers, together with any personal information they offered, appear at the end of this post.

The title page has an intriguing notation: "June 12 - 53".  Was this Lizzie's birth date or that of her husband Arthur E. Johnson?

I don't know Lizzie's maiden name or parents, but I think Arthur's parents were Henry Douglas Johnson and wife Laura.  Clues to Lizzie's identity:
  • Cousin Mary, who inscribed her page on October 29, 1883
  • Nelson C. Clark of Hinsdale, New York; Lizzie's cousin; mentions Arthur.  Was the the Nelson C. Clark of Chicago, who inscribed another page on February 20, 1881?


  • Amanda Johnson, who called herself Lizzie's sister.  Amanda was presumably Amanda J. (McDonald) Johnson, wife of George B. Johnson, brother of  Arthur E. Johnson.


  • Harvey Doolittle, inscribed to Mrs. A. E. Johnson on June 2, 1881; he called Lizzie Mrs. A. E. Johnson.


  • N. E. Dillenbeck of Syracuse, New York; inscribed there on April 14, 1890; "When your [sic] on your way to Dayton, remember your husband is waiting, and when you get there, go straight for his hair, and give him an awful good beating."

If you have more information on Arthur and Lizzie Johnson who lived at or near Watertown, New York, during the 1880s and who may have moved to Dayton, Ohio, in the late 1880s, please leave a comment or contact me directly.

Surnames in the Album

? [2]DDeuelPPond [2]
AAdams [2]Dillenbeck [2]Portte [2]
BBaldwin [2]GGamhamRReader
BartholomewGibbs [4]Redpath
BartlettHHerrickRogers
Baxter [3]HutchinsonRowe
BrimmerIIsdell [3]TThorndill
CCahill [2]JJohnson [3]WWarner
CarpenterMMackey [2]Waterhouse [2]
Clark [2]Mallery [3]Webb [3]
Connell [2]Maynard [5]Whitford
CoonMcFeelyWilson
YYetts

Inscribers in the Album

  • F. A. E. of Boonville, New York, in Oneida County; inscribed on September 17, 1881
  • Cousin Mary; inscribed on October 29, 1883
  • J. M. Adams; inscribed at Watertown, New York, on March 3, 1881
  • Mrs. Libbie A. L. Adams
  • Fred P. Baldwin of Watertown, New York; inscribed on January 21, 1884
  • Kittie G. Baldwin of Watertown, New York; inscribed on January 20, 1884
  • Emma Bartholomew; inscribed at Watertown, New York, on June 18, 1881
  • Louise I. Bartlett of Watertown, New York; inscribed on 4-7-1882
  • Addie E. Baxter; inscribed at Philadelphia, New York, on July 8, 1881
  • Carrie E. Baxter of Philadelphia, New York
  • Ida Baxter; inscribed at Philadelphia, New York
  • Henry J. Brimmer; inscribed at Watertown, New York, on March 13, 1883; not sure of surname
  • D. W. Cahill of Watertown, New York; inscribed on July 3, 1881
  • M. E. Cahill of Watertown, New York; inscribed on 7/3, 1881
  • Truie Carpenter; inscribed at Watertown, New York, on March 27, 1887.  Could the inscriber have been Gertrude Carpenter?
  • Nelson C. Clark of Chicago; inscribed on February 20, 1881
  • Nelson C. Clark of Hinsdale, New York; Lizzie's cousin
  • Jennie Connell; inscribed at Watertown, New York, on August 15, 1881
  • Ada B. Connell of Watertown, New York; inscribed at Dayton, Ohio, on 3-6-91
  • Arthur L. Coon of Watertown, New York; "Grand Central", 16 Woodruff House opposite Fountain
  • Mrs. Alice V. Deuel; inscribed at Chittenango, New York, on July 31, 1881.  A Find a Grave memorial indicates that Alice, born in 1852 died in 1882.  She was the wife of William Estes Deuel.
  • Mrs. N. E. Dillenbeck of 114 Linden Street, Syracuse, New York; inscribed on April 14, no year written
  • N. E. Dillenbeck of Syracuse, New York; inscribed there on April 14, 1890
  • G. P. Gamham; inscribed at Grand Central on March 13, 1883
  • I. E. Gibbs; inscribed at Watertown, New York; Lellie Gibbs inscribed the right facing page.  They may have been Israel E. Gibbs and wife Elsie Gibbs.
  • Lellie Gibbs; inscribed at Watertown, New York.  Possibly Elsie Gibbs, whose husband Israel E. Gibbs inscribed the left facing page.
  • Alice J. Gibbs; inscribed at Muskegon on August 4 [no year written]
  • Van R. Gibbs of Syracuse, New York; inscribed on February 29, 1883.  "Garnes St"
  • Stella Herrick; middle initial possibly M.
  • Alfred J. Hutchinson of London, England; inscribed on July 23, 1886; he sketched a flower
  • Emma L. Isdell; inscribed on April 12, 1885 at Philadelphia, New York, in Jefferson County
  • Emma L. Isdell of Philadelphia, New York; inscribed on February 20, 1881
  • May Isdell; inscribed on January 17, 1885
  • Mrs.  Arthur E. Johnson, "Lizzie", album owner, of Watertown, New York.  
  • Amanda Johnson; Lizzie's sister.  Presumably sister in law Amanda J. (McDonald) Johnson, wife of George B. Johnson, who was a brother to Arthur E. Johnson, Lizzie's husband
  • Harvey Doolittle; inscribed to Mrs. A. E. Johnson on June 2, 1881
  • Miss Mamie Mackey of Watertown, New York
  • Sadie Mackey; inscribed on October 29, 1888
  • Rena Mallery of Watertown, New York; inscribed on April 10, 1885
  • Fred E. Mallery of Watertown, New York; inscribed on March 13, 1885
  • Eugene L. Mallery of Watertown, New York; inscribed on April 10, 1885
  • Lathrop Maynard of Limerick, New York, in Jefferson County
  • Mary Maynard of Limerick, New York; inscribed on April 5, 1881
  • Julius E. Maynard of Limerick, New York
  • Elva Maynard; inscribed on February 22, 1881
  • Mattie Maynard of Limerick,  New York; inscribed on July 24, 1881
  • W. J. McFeely; inscribed at Watertown, New York, in September 1881
  • Walter M. Pond of Syracuse, New York; inscribed on April 14, 1890
  • Mrs. Carrie E. Pond
  • Emma Portte of Watertown, New York; inscribed on December 2, 1881
  • Hattie E. Portte of Watertown, New York; inscribed on December 2, 1881
  • Nellie Reader; inscribed at Watertown, New York, on February 15, 1884
  • Susie Redpath; inscribed on February 26, 1881
  • Lillian Isabella Rogers of Carthage, New York; inscribed on October 8, 1881
  • Charles Rowe; inscribed at Watertown, New York, on October 8, 1882
  • Flora Thorndill of Syracuse, New York; inscribed on April 7, 1881
  • Annie Warner of Point Salubrious, Chaumont, New York; inscribed on August 24, 1881
  • Mattie E. Waterhouse of Sherbrooke, Quebec; "Aged 11 years"; inscribed on September 28, 1889
  • Carrie M. Waterhouse, from, or inscribed at, Sherbrooke, Quebec, on September 22, 1889
  • Lena May Webb of Syracuse, New York; inscribed on April 15, 1890
  • Grace S. Webb; inscribed at Syracuse, New York, on December 3, 188
  • Flo E. Webb of Syracuse, New York; inscribed at Watertown, New York, on April 7, 1881
  • Ray A. Whitford, or Roy A. Whitford, of Waterford, New York; inscribed on July 20, 1881
  • Josie M. Wilson; inscribed at Watertown, New York, on April 15, 1885
  • Bessie Yetts; inscribed at Watertown, New York, on 3/8/89
-

Saturday, July 29, 2017

1880s Autograph Album of Belle Payton of Stanton, Illinois; possibly Carrie Belle Payton


Autograph album presented to Belle Payton by her parents on November 20, 1884, which was a Thursday, possibly Thanksgiving Day.


I believe Belle was Carrie Belle Payton, born December 1, 1872, daughter of Arthur Payton and Caroline C. (Corder) Payton.  Two of Belle's sisters inscribed pages in her album, Maud and Maggie, and it happens that Carrie Belle Payton had sisters by that name.



The album measures approximately 4-1/4" by 2-3/4" and contains the sentiments of 32 of Belle's relatives, friends, schoolmates and teachers.  An alphabetical surname list and an alphabetical list of the inscribers, together with any personal information they offered, appear at the end of this post.


From brief online research and assuming Belle Payton was Carrie Belle Payton - corrections, alternate theories and additions requested:

Carrie Belle Payton was born December 1, 1872 in Illinois, the daughter of Arthur Payton and Caroline Cordelia C. (Corder) Payton, who were born in Kentucky and Indiana respectively.  Carrie Belle married William M. Davis and had, I think, three children: Mildred, Willard and Della.

Carrie, William and at least two of their children are buried in the Mount Olive Cemetery at Mayview, Illinois.

If you have corrections and/or additions to the information above, or if you feel that Belle Payton was not Carrie Belle Payton, please leave a comment or contact me directly.

Surnames in the Album


-->
? [6]LLefever [5]
BBeverlin [2]Lowry
BiblerMMaddock/s
CCoggshallMoorhous
EEngleMorrow
HHaworth [2]PPatton [2]
Humphrey [3]Payton [3]
HuntPierce

Inscribers in the Album
  • Adda B.; inscribed on November 24, 1884
  • O. M. H.; not sure of surname initial
  • ?, possibly Ida; inscribed on November 24, 1884; Belle's schoolmate
  • Cousin Garry
  • Cousin Amy of Royal Centre, Illinois
  • Charley; can't determine surname; very young inscriber
B
  • A. Beverlin; inscribed on November 26, 188x [can't determine last digit]; middle initial possibly T. or J or ?
  • L. Beverlin of Stanton, Illinois; inscribed on November 23, 1884
  • A. L. Bibler; inscribed on November 25, 1884; Belle's schoolmate
C
  • James M. Coggshall; inscribed on November 15, 1884
E
  • E. T. Engle; inscribed on February 6, 1885
H
  • Charley Haworth; inscribed on November 25, 1884; not sure of surname
  • Minnie Haworth of Champaign, Illinois; inscribed on March 20, 188x [can't determine last digit.  Not sure of given name.
  • "Bonnie" Humphrey of Decatur, Illinois; inscribed on April 28, 1887; sketched a child using both arms to hang from a rope.  Possibly another sketch by Minerva M. (Smith) Humphrey, wife of teacher Edwin O. Humphrey?
  • "Pet" Humphrey of Decatur, Illinois; cute sketch of a toad smoking a pipe and lounging on a toadstool under the shade of a larger toadstool.  She may have been Minerva M. (Smith) Humphrey, wife of Edwin O. Humphrey, who inscribed the right facing page.
  • E. O. Humphrey, Pedagogue; inscribed in 1887.  Written also is 1852, the birth year of school teacher Edwin O. Humphrey (1852-1918).  It may have been his wife Minerva M. (Smith) Humphrey who inscribed the left facing page as "Pet" and who sketched a cute toad and toadstools.  Edwin O. Humphrey inscribed another page on April 19, 1887
  • Miss Gertie Hunt; inscribed on November 25, 1884; Belle's schoolmate
L
  • A. M. Lefever of Stanton, Illinois; inscribed on January 7, 1885
  • E. B. Lefever; inscribed on January 29, 1885
  • Frank O. Lefever; inscribed on November 25, 1884
  • Lizzie A. Lefever; inscribed on January 3, 1885
  • Mollie Lefever; inscribed on January 3, 1885
  • James A. Lowry; inscribed on November 24, 1884; Belle's teacher
M
  • Anna Maddock of Stanton, Illinois
  • Emma Maddock or Maddocks; Belle's schoolmate
  • Charlie Moorhous; inscribed in April 1885
  • G. W. Morrow
P
  • Charley Patton of Stanton, Illinois [not sure of locale]
  • Harry Patton; inscribed on November 26, 1884
  • Belle Payton; album owner.  "Miss Belle Payton presented by Father & Mother Nov 20, 1884"
  • Maggie, inscribed on November 23, 1884; "your sister", Maggie Payton
  • Maud Payton; inscribed on November 23, 1884; "your sister"
  • Alice Pierce; inscribed on November 24, 1884

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Friday, July 28, 2017

1878-1895 Autograph Album of Annie E. Phillips of Amity, Oregon; Before and After Marriage to Frank Bailey Ferguson


Autograph album presented to Annie Phillips of Amity, Oregon, by her brother R. W. Phillips at Christmas, December 25, 1878.



The album continues through Annie's time at St. Helen's Hall at Portland, Oregon, and until August 16, 1895, when Annie, her husband Frank Bailey Ferguson and their two children are named on pages, although it appears that Frank inscribed the pages for his very young children.

St. Helen's Hall, now known as Oregon Episcopal School, was founded in 1869 at Portland, Oregon, by Rev. Wistar Morris and his wife Hannah (Rodney) Morris; Hannah's sister Mary and three other women, all of whom had traveled to Oregon for the purpose of opening a school.  I read that the group was so impressed with the sight of Mount St. Helen's that they decided on that name for their school.

Many students at St. Helen's Hall inscribed pages in Annie's album in 1880 and 1881, including Fannie Spiegel, who inscribed her page on February 22, 1880.


The album measures approximately 4" by 2-3/4" and contains the sentiments of 35 of Annie's relatives, friends and fellow students at St. Helen's Hall.  An alphabetical surname list and an alphabetical list of the inscribers, together with any personal information they offered, appear at the end of this post.

From brief online research, hopefully correct - corrections and additions requested:

Annie's Find-a-Grave memorial indicates that she was born August 1, 1863 and died April 30, 1909.  Her parents were Richard Wesley Phillips, a native of Alabama, who had come to Oregon by way of Louisiana, and Mary S. Hawley [Sophia or Sophronia], a native of Idaho.

Annie's father Richard Wesley Phillips inscribed the last page in her album and wrote his inscription upside down.  He dated his page December 25 but didn't give a year; presumably it was 1878, the year Annie received the album from her brother Richard Wesley Phillips, Jr..  Annie's mother, Sarah S. (Hawley) Phillips had died a few years before Annie received the album.


Read more about Richard Wesley Phillips and his family, starting on page 596 in the Portrait and Biographical Record of the Willamette Valley, Oregon, published in 1903 by Chapman Publishing Company of Chicago.

On May 15, 1890 in Yamhill County, Oregon, Annie E. Phillips married Franklin Bailey Ferguson.  They had, I believe, two children.  Frank inscribed a page when he apparently had to leave his wife and children for a time.


The following pages, in page order, but they don't appear consecutively, inscribed on August 16, 1895, bear the names of Frank, Annie and their children Bennie and Mary, who would not have been able to inscribe the pages themselves in 1895.  Judging from the handwriting, it was probably Frank who inscribed their pages, perhaps Annie's as well.





Annie E. (Phillips) Ferguson died in 1909 at Amity, Oregon, and is buried there in the Amity Cemetery.  Frank married again and is buried with wife Blanche in the Mount Crest Abbey Mausoleum at Salem, Oregon.  He died in 1931.

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

Surnames in the Album

? [2]RRadir
CCrawford [2]Randall
FFairfowlSSenders
Ferguson [5]Smith
FrazerSpiegel
MMaddox/Maddux [3]Strong [2]
Marshall [2]WWillard
PPhillips [9]Wilson
Pollock
Power


Inscribers in the Album
  • T. B. L.
  • Nellie of Oregon City, Oregon, inscribed at May 1, 1880 at St. Helen's Hall
C
  • Charlotte E. Crawford, inscribed at St. Helen's Hall, Portland, Oregon, on January 11, 1881
  • Esther Crawford; inscribed at St. Helen's Hall, Portland, Oregon, on April 9, 1880
F
  • Hannah D. Fairfowl; inscribed at St. Helen's Hall, Portland, Oregon, on January 5, 1881
  • F. B. Ferguson; not sure of first initial; Frank Bailey Ferguson, husband of Annie (Phillips) Ferguson
  • Mary Ferguson of Amity, Oregon; inscribed on August 16, 1895.  Presumably Annie's daughter, written by someone else, as Mary was born about 1892
  • Bennie Ferguson of Amity, Oregon; inscribed on August 16, 1895.  Presumably Annie's son, written by someone else, as Bennie was born about March 1891
  • Annie E. Ferguson of Amity, Oregon inscribed on August 16, 1895; presumably album owner Annie E. (Phillips) Ferguson
  • F. B. Ferguson of Amity, Oregon; inscribed on August 16, 1895.  Frank Bailey Ferguson, husband of Annie E. (Phillips) Ferguson
  • Arthur Frazer of Amity, Oregon
M
  • Olie L. Maddox of Amity, Oregon; inscribed on December 10, 1879
  • Pauline E. Maddox of Amity, Oregon; inscribed on August 7, 1879
  • Minnie F. Maddux; inscribed at St. Helen's Hall, Portland, Oregon, on January 6, 1881
  • Elvira Marshall of Portland Oregon.  Maggie Marshall inscribed the left facing page.
  • Maggie Marshall of Portland, Oregon; inscribed on February 23, 1881; Elvira Marshall inscribed the left facing page.
P
  • Annie Phillips of Amity, Oregon, album owner; presented the album at Christmas in 1878 by her brother Richard Wesley Phillips, Jr.
  • R. W. Phillips presented the autograph album to his sister Annie on Christmas Day, December 25, 1878.  He was Richard Wesley Phillips, Jr.
  • Lillie Phillips; inscribed on March 20, 1879 [or 1889]; Annie's cousin.  Presumably Elizabeth "Lillie" Phillips, daughter of George W. Phillips, a brother of Richard Wesley Phillips, father of album owner Annie E. (Phillips) Ferguson
  • W. T. Phillips; Annie's cousin; inscribed on April 9, 1879.  Presumably William Thomas Phillips, son of George W. Phillips, who was a brother to Richard Wesley Phillips, Annie's father.  William would die in 1885.
  • Carrie; Annie's sister Carrie Phillips
  • R. M. Phillips; inscribed on April 10, 1879; Annie's cousin.  Presumably Richard Monroe Phillips, son of George Washington Phillips, a brother to Richard Wesley Phillips, father of album owner Annie E. Phillips
  • Oscar Phillips of Amity, Oregon.  Oscar was presumably the son of George W. Phillips, a brother to Richard Wesley Phillips, father of album owner Annie E. Phillips.
  • Mary J. Phillips; Annie's aunt; inscribed on April 13, 1879.  Presumably Mary J. (Ladd) Phillips, wife of George W. Phillips, who was a brother to Richard Wesley Phillips, father of album owner Annie E. Phillips.
  • Written upside down:  Annie's father R. W. Phillips, who inscribed a page on December 25, perhaps December 25, 1878, the day that Annie received the album from her brother R. W. Phillips.  Richard Wesley Phillips, Sr.
  • Ellen A. Pollock; inscribed at St. Helen's Hall, Portland, Oregon, on February 22, 1880
  • Matty S. Power, inscribed at St. Helen's Hall, Portland, Oregon, on February 3, 1881
R
  • Sarah Radir; inscribed at St. Helen's Hall, Portland, Oregon; inscribed on February 3, 1881
  • Oronoco L. Randall; inscribed at St. Helen's Hall, Portland, Oregon, on January 6, 1881
S
  • Isabel Senders of Portland, Oregon; inscribed at Albany on February 9, 1881
  • Clara Smith; inscribed at St. Helen's Hall at Portland, Oregon, on February 22, 1880
  • Fannie Spiegel, inscribed at St. Helen's Hall at Portland, Oregon, on February 22, 1880
  • Nelly Strong; inscribed on March 16, 1880
  • Carrie Strong of Portland, Oregon; inscribed on March 23, 1880
W
  • Nellie Willard; inscribed at St. Helen's Hall, Portland, Oregon, on March 4, 1880
  • Fannie Wilson; inscribed on April 5, 1879

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Bible of Thomas Palmeter & Jane G. (Webb) Palmeter of China, Maine & Albion, Maine


Bible that belonged to Thomas Palmeter and wife Jane G. (Webb) Palmeter and apparently was passed on to their youngest child, Elmer Ellsworth Palmeter.  The family lived in China, Maine, and Albion, Maine.

The Bible, which measures approximately 11-1/4" by 8" by 3", was published in 1868 by various publishers, as shown below on the title page.


The Bible was given to the library of Somerset Academy by Elmer Ellsworth Palmeter, a member of the Colby College Class of 1887.  I don't know when the Academy closed or how the Bible came to be on the market.  I purchased it about 2008.


There are no mementos tucked in the album; if there had been any, perhaps they were removed when the Bible was donated to the Somerset Academy.

Only two of the four Family Record pages have entries.  The first of these two has birth dates for Thomas Palmeter, his wife Jane G. (Webb) Palmeter and their 6 children.


Birth entries on the page above; dates only, no places mentioned
  • Thomas Palmeter, born March 4, 1818
  • Jane G. Webb, wife of T. P., born July 19, 1818
  • Alvecia M. Palmeter, born June 24, 1842
  • John G. Palmeter, born September 4, 1844
  • Mary I. Palmeter, born February 14, 1846
  • Charles A. Palmeter, born January 23, 1849
  • Joseph M. Palmeter, born March 10, 1850
  • Elmer E. Palmeter, born June 29, 1861


Marriage entries on the page above, dates only, no places mentioned
  • Mr. Thomas Palmeter was married to Miss J. G. Webb June 22, 1841
  • Mr. Isaiah Wiggin was married to Miss A. M. Palmeter September 28, 1862
  • Mr. John G. Palmeter was married to Miss Maria B. Stinson December 23, 1869
  • Mr. Charles A. Palmeter was married to Miss Georgie A. Bragg May 22, 1870
  • Mr. J. M. Palmeter was married to Miss Ellen Hurlbut [no date written]


If you have information on this family to share, please leave a comment or contact me directly.