1896-1906 Autograph Album of Sophronia Merriam (1892-1967) of Thomaston, Maine; with a few Inscriptions from nationally known WCTU figures

1896 to 1906 autograph album that belonged to Sophronia B. Merriam (1892-1967), "Fronie", of Thomaston, Maine, with inscriptions from youngsters Fronie's age and a few from nationally known figures in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, presumably in the area for a conference.

The album is a tiny one, measuring about 3-1/2" by 3", and containing the sentiments of 21 of Fronie's relatives, friends and others. An alphabetical list of the inscribers, together with any pertinent information they shared, appears at the end of this post.

Fronie or Phronie would marry Rev. Bertram B. Hanscom (1893-1973), a native of Boothbay Harbor, Maine.  The two images below show the first end paper where Fronie wrote her name and an inscription from July 6, 1901, where she gave her age as 10. 

Fronie's sister Nina Louise Merriam (1888-1964) inscribed the page before Fronie's full page inscription, also on July 6, 1901; Nina gave her age as 13. 

Fronie's teacher, Rose Frances Moran (1875-unk), inscribed a page in 1899.

Notable Woman's Christian Temperance Union members who inscribed pages were:

• Mrs. J. K. Barney of Providence, Rhode Island; inscribed on June 24, 1906.  Susan Hunt (Hammond) Barney (1834-1922), evangelist, W.C.T.U., wife of Joseph K. Barney
• Carrie Lee Carter of Dexter, Missouri; National Lecturer, W.C.T.U.   Carrie Lee (Carter) Stokes (1866-1936) 
• Margaret Dye Ellis (1845-1925) of Newark, New Jersey, member of W.C.T.U.; inscribed on June 16, 1898. 
• Callie H. Howe; inscribed on July 11, 1904.  Caroline (Hoovler) Howe (1861-1920), "Callie". W.C.T.U.

Two women mentioned ties to Shiloh in Durham, Maine.

• Charlotte Holmgren of Shiloh, Maine; inscribed at Thomaston, Maine, on April 4, 1901
• Cora P. Ray of Shiloh, Maine; inscribed at Thomaston, Maine, on April 4, 1901

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

Alphabetical List of Inscribers

• Mrs. J. K. Barney of Providence, Rhode Island; inscribed on June 24, 1906.  Susan Hunt (Hammond) Barney (1834-1922), evangelist, W.C.T.U., wife of Joseph K. Barney
• Winthrop B. Brown; inscribed on November 1, 1899; age 8.  Winthrop Blakely Brown (1891-1989)  
• Carrie Lee Carter of Dexter, Missouri; National Lecturer, W.C.T.U.   Carrie Lee (Carter) Stokes (1866-1936) 
• Fannie Daniels of Thomaston, Maine; inscribed on September 29, 1899
• Eben F. Davis of Thomaston, Maine; inscribed on May 23, 1903
• Retta P. Dunnack of Thomaston, Maine; inscribed on March 20, 1899. age 10 on October 16. Retta Pauline Dunnack (1889-1984); would marry John Frank Garner and James Joseph Cavanaugh
• Margaret Dye Ellis (1845-1925) of Newark, New Jersey, member of W.C.T.U.; inscribed on June 16, 1898.  
• Grace Hanley; inscribed on May 21, 1898
• Orianna F. Harding of Longwood, Boston, Massachusetts; inscribed on July 13, 1903
• Charlotte Holmgren of Shiloh, Maine; inscribed at Thomaston, Maine, on April 4, 1901
• Callie H. Howe; inscribed on July 11, 1904.  Caroline (Hoovler) Howe (1861-1920), "Callie". W.C.T.U.
• Freddie L. Linikin of Thomaston, Maine; inscribed on November 1, 1899.  Fred Lowell Linikin (1891-1962)
• Kathleen McIntyre (1892-1963); inscribed at Thomaston, Maine on June 28, 1898, age 6; would marry Dana Sullivan Newman  
• Nina L. Merriam of North Warren, Maine; inscribed on July 6, 1901 at age 13.  Nina Louise Merriam (1888-1964); would marry Charles Frederick Winchenbach
• Sophronia B. Merriam (1892-1967), "Fronie", of Thomaston, Maine, album owner, who wrote her name on the first end paper and also on a page on July 7, 1901, where she gave her age as 10.  Sophonia would marry Rev. Bertram B. Hanscom.  
• Rose Frances Moran; inscribed on November 2, 1899.  Fronie's teacher Rose Frances Moran (1875-unk)
• Edgar L. Newhall (1891-1971); inscribed on November 1, 1899 at E.L.N.; age 8 [not sure of age]
• Charlie F. Oliver (1889-1922), inscribed on November 1, 1899; age 10
• Cora P. Ray of Shiloh, Maine; inscribed at Thomaston, Maine, on April 4, 1901
• Margaret A. Seavey (1891-1958) of Thomaston, Maine; inscribed on November 1, 1899, age 7; would marry Howard Clifton Moody
• Albert F. Thompson, inscribed on October 20 - November 1, 1899, age 8
• Mae I. Woodbury of Thomaston, Maine; inscribed on August 25, 1903