1830s/1840s Autograph Album of Miss Mary E. Allen, possibly of Binghamton, New York, or Owego, New York

1830s/1840s autograph album of Miss Mary E. Allen, possibly of Binghamton, New York, or Owego, New York, or perhaps just over the Pennsylvania border.

Mary's name appears on the bottom edge of the title page, shown below.

The album, published by J. C. Riker of New York, measures approximately 7-3/4" by 6-1/4" and contains the sentiments of over thirty of Mary's acquaintances, possibly some of them family members.  A few of the pages have engravings.

Sadly, it appears that some pages were removed from the album before it came into my hands.

An alphabetical list of the inscribers, together with any personal information they offered, appears at the end of this post.

Place names include:

• Binghamton, presumably Binghamton, New York
• Buffalo, presumably Buffalo, New York
• Ellerslie
• Friendsville, possibly Friendsville, Pennsylvania
• Little Meadows
• Norwich
• Owego, presumably New York
• Salina
• Silver Lake, Pennsylvania
• Vestal, presumably Vestal, New York

Surnames in the Album

?	? (17)	L	LaGrange
A	Allen	M	McIntosh
	Ames		Milligan (2)
	Andrews (2)		Morgan
	Avery (2)	S	Seymour
B	Brink		Stone
D	De Witt	W	Whitney
J	Jarvis

If you have information to share on a Miss Mary E. Allen who might have been the owner of this album, please leave a comment for the benefit of other family researchers.

One of the inscribers appears to have been Phila Ann Brink, who would graduate in 1870 from New England Female College.

Alphabetical List of Inscribers

• Unnamed, possibly Miss Mary E. Allen, album owner, herself; inscribed at Binghamton, New York, on March 27, 1843
• A. E. L. or A. E. S., inscribed at Salina, presumably Salina, New York
• L. W. D. or L. W. L. or ?; inscribed at Little Meadows in March 1843
• Unsigned, at Binghamton, New York, on July 23, 1839
• L. P. Mille or Miller or ?; inscribed at Norwich on July 11, 1837
• A. C., inscribed a 2 page sentiment at Binghamton, New York, on January 11, 1841
• Amici
• E. M. L., inscribed at Friendsville on July 10, no year written.  Possibly Friendsville, Pennsylvania
• Caroline; inscribed at Binghamton, New York, on November 23, 1839
• Initials, possibly J. M.
• Faint initial
• Fred
• Cary
• L. H. S.
• M. A. ? P. of Silver Lake, Pennsylvania.  2nd middle initial might be N. or V. or A.  or ?
• A Friend; inscribed at Buffalo, New York in January 1843
• Morgan; inscribed at Binghamton, New York, on July 6, 1842
• Miss Mary E. Allen, album owner; presumably of the Binghamton, New York area
• B. Ames of Owego, New York
• Joanna W. Andrews; inscribed at Binghamton, New York, on February 8, 1838.  Possibly instead of Joanna W. Andrews, she was Mary Joanna Andrews (1830-1871)
• Julia C. Andrews, inscribed at Binghamton, New York, on February 8, 1838.  Julia C. Andrews (1823-1903)
• Lesbia P. Avery, inscribed at Owego, New York.  She would marry attorney Isaac Newton Jerome, Jr.   Elizabeth "Lesbia" Platt (Avery) Jerome (1825-1875)
• Mary A. Avery of Owego, New York, inscribed on July 14, 1837. Mary A. Avery (1822-1888)
• Phila Ann Brink.  Perhaps Dr. Phila Ann Brink (1829-1910).  Phila Ann Brink, daughter of Ephraim Brink and Laura Coggshall, graduated from the New England Female Medical College in Boston in 1870, becoming one of the early female physicians in America.
• E. De Witt; inscribed at Binghamton, New York, in July 1837
• Eliza A. Jarvis; inscribed at Binghamton, New York in March 1843.  Perhaps Eliza Ann Jarvis (1828-1886), who would marry Joseph Borden McKean
• Dolly LaGrange; inscribed at Vestal, presumably Vestal, New York, on March 11, 1844.  Presumably Dolly (Olmstead) Seymour Lagrange (1798-1845), wife of the late Dr. Benjamin Olmstead and then wife of John LaGrange and mother of inscriber Caroline Seymour
• Adeline McIntosh; inscribed at Binghamton, New York, on March 16, 1838.  Perhaps Adeline McIntosh (1825-1887)
• A. F. Milligan
• M. C. Milligan; inscribed at Ellerslie on July 14, 1837
• Morgan
• Caroline Seymour; inscribed at Vestal, presumably Vestal, New York, on February 22, 1844. Presumably the daughter of inscriber Dolly (Olmstead) Seymour LaGrange and her first husband John Seymour
• Martin Stone; inscribed on April 3, 1842
• Lucy Whitney; inscribed a 2 page sentiment at Binghamton, New York, on July 14, 1837. Very sad poem "The Dying Child"

24 Photographs of Students at Fredonia State Normal & Training School in Fredonia, New York; 1870s and 1880s: some IDed

Collection of 24 photographs connected to Fredonia State Normal & Training School in Fredonia, New York, Classes of late 1870s, and 1885, 1886 and 1887.  

The institution is now known as State University of New York at Fredonia.

All by two of the photographs were taken by the studio of B. R. Gifford of Dunkirk, New York. One was taken by the Eclipse studio of Jamestown, New York, and the other by the Nason studio of Buffalo, New York.

Most are unidentified; see the names of identified people below, which include surnames of Leworthy, (Wheeler) Leworthy, Durfee, Northrup, Whitney, and foreign students Theodoroff and Popoff.

The photograph at top is the only one from 1885, and a Fredonia historian believes, considering the Leworthy and Class of 1885 connections, that she was likely Caroline Persis Leworthy (1865-1914), who went by "Persis".  Persis would marry Henry Louis Moench in 1889.  

The reverse of the photograph above:

People in the photographs with identification:

• Henry Leworthy (1856-1947), who studied at Fredonia State Normal & Training School for 3 years, starting in 1875; pictured with his wife Arabelle.   (Wheeler) Leworthy (1859-1942), "Belle".  Read a short biography of Henry Leworthy here.
• Arabelle (Wheeler) Leworthy (1859-1942), "Belle"
• Elmer Ellsworth Durfee (1861-1902), Class of 1886. His photograph does not have the Class imprint, but a Fredonia historian confirmed his class year.
• George Henry Northrup (1864-1934) of Cherry Creek, New York; Class of 1886.  George would go on to study philosophy at Cornell University and become a minister.
• Paul Theodoroff of Bulgaria;  Class of 1886.  He is listed in school records as Pavel Theodoroff of Garvanovo, Eastern Roumelia, now Thrace.
• Marco N. Popoff of Bansko, Madedonia, East Turkey; Class of 1886
• W. J. Whitney of Findley's Lake, New York; Class of 1887. He was Class President William Joseph Whitney (1866-1896), who was a professor of history at Drury College when he died of typhoid fever in 1896.

Sample photographs:

Paul Theodoroff of Bulgaria;  Class of 1886.  He is listed in school records as Pavel Theodoroff of Garvanovo, Eastern Roumelia, now Thrace.

Marco N. Popoff of Bansko, Madedonia, East Turkey; Class of 1886

Unidentified woman from the Class of 1887

Unidentified man from the Class of 1887

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

If you have photographs of an identified relative who attended Fredonia State Normal & Training School in Classes 1885-1887, please contact me so that we can compare and perhaps get more of these photographs identified.

30+ 1899-1937 letters re: Herbert Francis Hardy (1883-1979) of New York, Pennsylvania and Great Pond, Maine, and his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy (abt 1853-1943)

Collection of over 30 letters, mostly written to Herbert Francis Hardy (1885-1979), with two to Herbert's mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy (abt 1853-1943). 

Note: Pauline's name may have been Paulina Louisa. On one of her letters, she wrote on on stationery with the letterhead of J. E. Stolhmann, Publisher, Bookseller & Importer, No. 48 Pearl Street, New York - with that address crossed out and 130 Park Row, presumably her own address, written in its place.

Perhaps a reader will share how this family came to Great Pond, Maine - perhaps a summer residence that became Herbert's retirement dream as a farmer, after his previous career as an engineer. 

Herbert married Ruth Monroe, a Pennsylvania native, about 1925. They had, I believe, 5 children.  By 1935, as implied by the 1940 Census, the family was living in Great Pond, Maine, in Hancock County near Aurora.

Herbert's son Herbert Francis Hardy, Jr., who grew up exploring the woods in and around Great Pond, died in 1964 in Vietnam.

The collection starts with an 1899 letter from Herbert, Sr., who gave his address as New City, New York but was on a visit to Brooklyn, New York - to his mother, whose location is not given - perhaps she was in New City or perhaps on vacation.

I believe Herbert was in the Class of 1908 somewhere, perhaps an engineering school, as one writer, Theo, writing in 1906 had stationery printed with a 1908.

The collection also includes a newspaper clipping of a photograph of a man with the surname Hussey. The clipping is not complete, but it's intimated that Mr. Hussey is the oldest resident of a certain town in New Jersey, or perhaps of the whole state.  "This is Papa is it not ? Theodore"

If you have information on the Hardy, Stolhmann or Moore families, please leave a comment for the benefit of other researchers.

Included in the collection:

To Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy (Herbert Francis Hardy (1885-1879), "Buzzy"

• September 25, 1899 letter from Herbert Francis Hardy in New City, New York, to his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy (1853-1943), "Muzzy"

To Herbert Francis Hardy, "Bussy", from his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy, "Muzzy"

• February 6, 1906 letter to Herbert Francis Hardy, "Bussy", from his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy
• February 14, 1906 letter to Herbert Francis Hardy, "Bussy", from his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann)
• January 30, 1907 letter to Herbert Francis Hardy, "Bussy", from his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann)
• Wednesday, February 1913 letter to Herbert Francis Hardy, "Bussy",  from his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy, "Muzzy"
• May 22, 1907 letter to Herbert Francis Hardy, "Bussy", from his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann)
• July 7, 1909 letter to Herbert Francis Hardy from his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy
• July 12, 1909 letter to Herbert Francis Hardy, from his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy, "Muzzy"
• July 16, 1909 letter to Herbert Francis Hardy, "Bussy", from his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy
• July 31, 1909 letter to Herbert Francis Hardy, "Bussy", from his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy, "Muzzy"
• August 26, 1909 letter to Herbert Francis Hardy, "Bussy", from his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy, "Muzzy"
• November 4, 1909 letter to Herbert Francis Hardy, "Bussy", from his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy

From Theo in Ithaca, New York, to Herbert Francis Hardy in New City, New York, both possibly in the Class of 1908

• January 1906 letter to Mr. Herbert Francis Hardy in New City, New York, from Theo in Ithaca, New York; possibly both in the class of 1908

From ? to Herbert Francis Hardy - letter has some missing pieces - writer was possibly C. Pierce ?

• April 16, 1911 letter to Herbert Francis Hardy at the Y.M.C.A. in Syracuse, New York, from ?, possibly C. Pierce ?, mailed in Kansas City, Missouri

From Luther M. Pease to Herbert Francis Hardy - perhaps Luther Martin Pease (1886-1952)

• November 26, 1911 letter to Herbert Francis Hardy in Syracuse, New York, from Luther M. Pease, mailed in South Bend, Indiana
• September 12, 1912 letter to Herbert Francis Hardy in Syracuse, New York, from Luther M. Pease, mailed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

From Cousin Fred in Mount Airy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy in Great Pond, Maine

• January 1, 1937 letter to Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy in Great Pond, Maine, from her cousin Fred who was living at 7131 Cresheim Road in Mount Airy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Letter from Eugene Augustus Hardy (1879-1960), Herbert's older brother, to their father Peter Augustus Hardy (1845-1893)

• Undated letter to Papa from Eugene at Narrowsburg, New York, in Sullivan County, to his father 

Undated letters to Herbert Francis Hardy from his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy

• Undated letter, Wednesday, to Herbert Francis Hardy from his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy
• Undated letter, Monday, to Herbert Francis Hardy, "Bussy",  from his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy, "Muzzy"
• Undated letter to Herbert Francis Hardy, "Bussy",  from his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy
• June 21, ?, letter to Herbert Francis Hardy, "Bussy",  from his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy in New City, New York
• August 5, ?, Thursday Noon, letter to Herbert Francis Hardy, "Bussy",  from his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy
• Undated letter, Sunday, to Herbert Francis Hardy, "Bussy",  from his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy, "Muzzy"
• Undated letter, Friday Noon, to Herbert Francis Hardy, "Bussy",  from his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy, "Muzzy"
• Undated letter, Monday, to Herbert Francis Hardy, "Bussy",  from his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy, "Muzzy"
• Undated letter, Tuesday, to Herbert Francis Hardy, "Bussy",  from his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) 
• Undated letter, Wednesday, to Herbert Francis Hardy , "Bussy", from his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy, "Muzzy"
• Undated letter, Wednesday, to Herbert Francis Hardy from his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy
• Undated letter to Herbert Francis Hardy from his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy, "Muzzy"
• Undated letter, Tuesday, to Herbert Francis Hardy from his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy, writing on stationery of J. E. Stolhmann, Publisher, Bookseller & Importer of 130 Park Row, New York, New York
• Undated letter, Tuesday, to Herbert Francis Hardy from his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy
• Undated letter, Monday, to Herbert Francis Hardy from his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy, "Muzzy" in New City, New York, in Rockland County
• Undated letter, Thursday, to Herbert Francis Hardy from his mother Pauline Louise (Stohlmann) Hardy, "Muzzy" in New City, New York, in Rockland County

Newspaper clipping of photograph of an elderly man with the surname Hussey, with handwriting speculating that he is "Papa", also has name Theodore, but not sure if the man is Theodore Hussey or if Theodore was someone else

c1900 Photograph of Jimmy Raeish, "friend of Carl Ross"; by a studio in Calais, Maine

c1900 photograph of a young man identified as "Jimmy Raeish, friend of Carl Ross". The photograph was taken at the studio of H. D. McKay of Main Street, Calais, Maine.

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

James Albert Raeish (1884-1929) was born  in Auburn, New York, son of Albert Raeish and Ada (Lyon) Raeish. The 1900 Federal Census of Calais, Maine, shows that James was living there with his mother and father, who was working as an electrician.

In 1910 in Oregon, James, by then an attorney, married Melva Jane Johnson, a native of Saint John, New Brunswick.  She was the daughter of Margaret Gertrude (MacLellan) and John M. Johnson, who moved the family to Calais, after Margaret's death. 

Carl Ross was presumably Carl Wilbur Ross (1883-1950), a native of St. Stephen, New Brunswick, across the St. Croix River from Calais, and son of Henry Butler Ross and Lilia Miranda (Bridges) Ross.  In 1908 in Massachusetts, Carl married Eva Celeste Fraser, also a New Brunswick native, daughter of John A. Fraser and Florence Melva (MacLellan) Fraser.  Carl and Eva then moved to Portland, Oregon.

The MacLellan connection between Melva and Eva presumably explains how James and Melva came to meet.

Melva died in 1950 in California. It appears that James married twice after that. He died in 1974 in Alameda, California.

If you have information on any of these people, please leave a comment for the benefit of other researchers.  

1878 Bill from Town of Grieg, New York, to Watson, New York for Care of Mrs. Rumble; Alonzo Burdick, Lyman Burdick

Handwritten document from Greig, New York, dated March 22, 1878, where the Town of Greig is asking the Town of Watson, New York, for reimbursement of funds spent in support of Old Mrs. Rumble.  Reverse shows date of June 3, 1878.

Those supporting her appear to be Alonzo Burdick and Lyman Burdick.

• Alonzo Burdick (1840-1892)
• Lyman Burdick (1855-1952)
• Mrs. Rumble ? 

If you have information to share on Alonzo Burdick, Lyman Burdick or Mrs. Rumble (?), please leave a comment for the benefit of other researchers.

1840 Letter from Col. Henry Stanton (1779-1856), then Asst. Quartermaster General, in New York City; to Capt. James Ramsey Irwin (1800-1847) in Philadelphia

1840 letter from Col. Henry Stanton (1779-1856), then Asst. Quartermaster General in New York City, to Captain J. R. Irwin, Assistant Quartermaster in Philadelphia, acknowledging receipt of military clothing brought by the barge Shark.

Asst Quartermaster Gen's Office

New York, June 10, 1840

I have received in good order the packages of clothing etc shipped to my car on board the Barge Shark of the Merchants Transfer Line, agreeably to the Bill of Lading enclosed with your letter of 6 Instant.

I am Sir

Respectfully

Your Obt. Servant

Henry Stanton

Asst QuarterMaster Gen.

To Captain I. R. Irwin - more likely J. R. Irwin

Asst Quartermaster

Philadelphia

6420

Col. Henry Stanton
New York
June 10, 1840

Advises receipt of packages of Mil. Clothing advised of per letter of 6th inst.

Recd. June 12, 1840

Colonel Henry Stanton (1179-1856), a Vermont native, son of David Stanton and Olivia (Galusha) Stanton, participated in the Seminole Wars and the Mexican War; he was promoted in 1847 to Brigadier General during the War with Mexico.

Capt. J. R. Irwin was Captain James R. Irwin (1800-1847), who graduated from West Point in 1825 and died in Mexico City in 1847, during the War with Mexico. He was a Pennsylvania native, son of Archibald Irwin and Mary (Ramsey) Irwin. 

If you have information to share on either officer, please leave a comment for the benefit of other researchers.

Cabinet Photograph of Lester Charles Gilman of Brooklyn, New York; Student at East Maine Conference Seminary in Bucksport, Maine

Cabinet photograph of Lester Charles Gilman of Brooklyn, New York; a student at East Maine Conference Seminary in Bucksport, Maine.  

Lester's gravestone shows his birth year as 1882, but his WWI Draft Registration Card shows 6 November 1881.

The photograph was taken by Ferdinand Cortez Nealey of Winterport, Maine.

Lester's parents were Theophilus Gilman and Mary (Beattie) Gilman, both natives of Waterville, Maine, who at times lived in Brooklyn, New York.  

Lester married Amy Louise Hall in 1915. By 1930, they had moved to Connecticut. Presumably Amy died or the couple divorced, as Lester married Amelia Lape Leonard in 1932. 

The Gilman family was well known in both Waterville, Maine, and Brooklyn, New York. Theophilus' parents were banker and leather manufacturer Nathaniel Gilman (-1859), and second wife Joanna (Boyd) Gilman. 

Nathaniel Gilman, who had many children with his two wives, moved between Waterville and Brooklyn, New York, some say to avoid taxes.  Upon his death, his second wife and factions of his children warred against each other, with the will not settled for fifty years.  Read "Lawyers and Horses Got it: the Story of the Fortune Left by Nathaniel Gilman", an article in the New York Times issue of March 22, 1891.

Read more about the Gilman family in an article about a miniature of Nathaniel Gilman.

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

1906 Letter Detailing Aftermath of San Francisco Earthquake; presumably written by William Edgar Purdy (1854-1927)

Letter dated 30 July 1906 written by, presumably, William Edgar Purdy (1854-1927), a New York native living in San Francisco. The letter details the aftermath of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake of a few months earlier.

The letter recipient, Aunt Mary, may have been William's paternal aunt, Mary Bethia Purdy (1821-1907).

The name Ransom is mentioned several times - presumably William's good friend or possibly relative, Ransom Pratt (1857-1932), who would marry William's widow, Helen Price (Throop) Purdy (1856-1945) in 1928.

Although William was living in San Francisco at the time of the earthquake, he later moved to Berkeley, California. When he died, he was vice-president and cashier of Bausch and Lomb Optical Company of California. He and Helen had three children.

Transcription - please weigh in with any needed corrections

San Francisco

30 July 1906

Dear Aunt Mary:-

For neglected writing because I've been so very busy for the past two months. You wrote asking some questions as to the Earthquake. I presume Ransom told you all about them, but I will tell of a few things he probably did not know about. First, you remember the great big Colliseum on top of Strawberry Hill. Well that was entirely destroyed and a part of the great Concrete mass rolled down the Hill in the Lake. All around the lake in the road were cracks all around the Lake. If the thing had kept up ten seconds longer the whole hill would have been down and the water let out of the Lake. The Music Stand built by Claus Spreckels [Claus Spreckels (1828-1908] was very badly damaged and is closed since the Shakeup. A great many of the things were ruined and it will be months before it is open again. There are seventeen to eighteen thousand people still living in tents yet in the parks. Jefferson Park is full of tents and so are several others. It's a dirty windy raw summer and it must be mighty uncomfortable.

The McAllister cars don't run yet but expect to start up this week sometime. We all had to walk to Divisadero Street and are getting very tired of it. Not half of the car lines are running yet and won't be for months. No Hayes or Haight cars nor Larkin Street nor Sacramento St. Nor California St nor Jackson or Washington Sts. Nor Powell St nor Howard St and several others. The streets are very badly damaged and will have to be largely rebuilt. Some streets have sunk six fee or more and are crooked.

I understand the animals at the Chutes made an awful racket during the Earthquake, None got away.  The dust down town is something frightful. The streets won't be clear of bricks for months yet tho hundreds and thousands of teams are hauling. Wages awful high and demanding more. We think the street car men will all strike soon. Some of them are striking even now. I don't see where the thing is going to stop. The Unions here are very strong and are taking advantage of the situation. They will ruin the City if they don't get twice what they are worth.

We had a light shock Sunday morning. In fact we get little shakes every few days. We are getting used to them and don't mind if they don't do any damage. Still they are not pleasant as we don't know how things are down below. We have to boil the water we drink as it is not good yet. I have had the basement strengthened so it will stand the next shakeup if it comes. Of course we won't expect any more big ones.

You ought to see the one story buildings down town. Fillmore St is so crowded you can scarcely get along. Then comes Van Ness. That is going to be the big retail street the whole length from where it strikes Market clear over to Fort Mason.

Fine stores, too, with their flags and streamers flying. Then from there the fire burned. But it is building up clear to the ferry. Hundreds and thousands of buildings. I never saw anything like it and never expect to again. It is simply like magic the way the buildings spring up. If the Unions don't kill it,  the City will surely rebuild in a few years. 

I hope you are feeling better again. Ransom was much pleased with his visit to you. All join in much love.

Faithfull, W. E. Purdy

P.S.

When McCallister cars start, they will only run to the Power House near us for a time. No more cable in the City. All overhead trolleys. It will get us down town quicker. But it's a change [or shame] all the same.

W. E. P.

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

Book that Belonged to Dr. John Dardess (1904-1990) while He was a Student at Fordham University in New York City

Small book that belonged to Dr. John Dardess (1904-1990) while he was a student at Fordham University in the 1920s.

John Dardess was born in Chatham, New York in 1904, son of John Connelly Dardess and Helen Louise (Niles) Dardess. In 1935, the younger John married Edna W. Wolfe. Their son Dr. John Wolfe Dardess was born in 1937.

The book contains no personal notations.

1896 Memorial Card: Gilbert G. Edwards (1869-1896, buried in Valatie, New York

1896 memorial card to the memory of Gilbert G. Edwards (1869-1896), buried in the Woodlawn Cemeter in Valatie, New York. Gilbert was the son of Gilbert Edwards and Eliza (Cook) Edwards. 

If you have information on Gilbert G. Edwards or his parents, please leave a comment or contact me directly.

1880s Autograph Album of Irene, "Renie"; Attended Villa Livonia Boarding School in Heidelberg, Germany; Several West Point Inscribers

1880s autograph album that belonged to an Irene, or "Renie", who was presumably from Pennsylvania or New York and who spent at least a term in Heidelberg, Germany at Villa Livonia,  a boarding school for young ladies operated by the Rosenplaenter family.

The album was given to Renie by Miss Fannie at Christmas in 1882.

The album measures approximately 8" by 5" and contains the sentiments of 37 of Renie's friends, schoolmates and instructors in the United States and in Heidelberg.

Many of the inscribers were Renie's fellow students at Villa Livonia, some of whom inscribed pages in German and French, including several members of the Rosenplaenter family, who ran the school.

Interestingly, the Rosenplaenters may have been Americans rather than German, as I had at first assumed. Inscriber Carlos B. Rosenplaenter may have been the Carlos B. McKeever (1863-1936), a mining engineer, whose passport application indicates that he was born in New York City on 7 December 1863, the son of Frederick Leonard Rosenplaenter, who was also born in the United States, and Caroline Bartlett (McKeever) Rosenplaenter (1842-1929), born in Baltimore, Maryland.

This Carlos had siblings whose names matched the names of other inscribers. Other records show that Carlos was not the only male sibling to change his surname to McKeever.

Of further interest, there was another inscriber in the album with the surname McKeever - Edith McKeever, who called herself Renie's schoolmate and may have been related to Caroline Bartlett (McKeever) Rosenplaenter.

At least three of the inscriptions from New York were penned by cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point. They were :

• Edward D. Anderson; inscribed at West Point, New York, on February 15, 1891; presumably at the U.S. Military Academy. Presumably Brig. General Edward D. Anderson (1868-1950), who graduated from West Point in 1891.  
• Joseph L. Donovan; inscribed at the United States Military Academy at West Point on February 22, 1891. Presumably Col. Joseph L. Donovan (1866-1947), whose FindaGrave memorial contains a photograph. 
• R. J. Fleming, inscribed on December 15, 1890 at West Point; Class of 1891. Presumably Col. Robert John Fleming (1868 Ireland -1949)., whose FindaGrave memorial contains a photograph. 

Presumably V. Vilioti or Milioti, who inscribed the left facing page, was the artist of the lovely sketch below.

Gertrud Marschall or, perhaps Gertrude Marshall, sketched the sweet scene below.

If you have a theory as to the identity of Irene, "Renie", or if you have information on any of the other people mentioned in the list below, please leave a comment or contact me directly.

Alphabetical List of Inscribers

?

• Irene or "Renie", album owner, who may have lived in Pennsylvania or New York
• Miss Fannie, who presented the album to "Renie" in 1882
• B. R.; inscribed in German 1884.  Perhaps a member of the Rosenplaenter family who operated Villa Livonia in Heidenberg
• V. ?; possibly V. Kilioti or V. Milioti; presumably the artist of the pencil sketch of a cottage and a stone arched bridge on the facing page
• Maria Kuttenen or Maria Ruttenen, or ?; inscribed at Heidelberg in February 1884
• Kaulletta; not sure of name; inscribed at Villa Livonia on September 21, 1883
• Erline Lovis or Caline Lovis or ?; inscribed in German at Heidelberg on 16 December 1883 at Villa Livonia
• Fanny R or Fanny Pe; possibly Fanny Rosenplaenger; inscribed in German. 
• Juliette; inscribed in French at Villa Livonia on 9 November 1883

A

• Edward D. Anderson; inscribed at West Point, New York, on February 15, 1891; presumably at the U.S. Military Academy. Presumably Brig. General Edward D. Anderson (1868-1950), who graduated from West Point in 1891.  
• Julia A. Berwind of Philadelphia; inscribed at Villa Livonia in January 1883. "To my dear little 'Renie'"
• Katherine Bowmonville or Bournoville or ?; inscribed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 3, 1889

C

• Eleanor V. Clark; inscribed at Villa Livonia on December 16, 1883
• Ethel R. Clark; inscribed on January 19, 1884 at Villa Livonia

D

• Mary A. Dodd; inscribed at Villa Livonia, on 1-7-83
• Joseph L. Donovan; inscribed at the United States Military Academy at West Point on February 22, 1891. Presumably Col. Joseph L. Donovan (1866-1947), whose FindaGrave memorial, linked to his name, contains a photograph. 

F

• R. J. Fleming, inscribed on December 15, 1890 at West Point; Class of 1891. Presumably Col. Robert John Fleming (1868 Ireland -1949), whose FindaGrave memorial, linked to his name, contains a photograph, linked. 

H

• Edith Hardie; inscribed on February 8 and February 9, 1883

J

• Martha Jaeger; inscribed in German at Heidelberg in 1883 at Villa Livonia

L

• Chip Lamerre; inscribed on August 8, 1888 at Richfield Springs, presumably in New York. Not sure of surname
• Chip Lawerre; inscribed on August 8, 1888 at Richfield Springs, presumably in New York. Not sure of surname
• Erline Lovis or Caline Lovis or ?; inscribed in German at Heidelberg on 16 December 1883 at Villa Livonia

M

• Sadie F. March; inscribed on January 31, 1888
• Gertrude Marschall or Gertrude Marshall; wonderful pencil sketch of children watching a boy blow a bubble
• Edith McKeever; inscribed on December 28, 1882; schoolmate

P

• Blanche Pieron; inscribed in French at Villa Livonia, on 28 September 1883
• Amy Pratt; inscribed at Villa Livonia on October 15, 1883; schoolfellow

R

• B. R.; inscribed in German 1884.  Perhaps a member of the Rosenplaenter family who operated Villa Livonia in Heidenberg
• Paula von Randow; inscribed in German at Villa Livonia; on 20 December 1883
• Carlos B. Rosenplaenter; inscribed at Villa Livonia in Heidelberg on 4 December 1883; perhaps Carlos Bernard Rosenplaenter, who changed his name to Carlos B. McKeever (1863-1936)
• F. Rosenplaenter; inscribed at Heidelberg on 12-12-83 - perhaps Frederick Leonard Rosenplaenter, who changed his name to Frederick Leonard McKeever (1871-1926). 
• Fanny ?; inscribed in German. Just an initial for surname - if an R, perhaps Fanny Rosenplaenter
• Howard Rosenplaenter; inscribed in German at Heildelberg on 27 December 1883. Perhaps Howard Rosenplaenter (1868-1898), who died in Indonesia.
• Olga Rosenplaenter; inscribed in German at Heildelberg in February 1884 - perhaps Dr. Olga Carolina (Rosenplaenter) Seiler-Vierling(1869-) 
• Ollie C. Rosenplaenter or Allie C. Rosenplaenter; perhaps another inscription by Olga Rosenplaenter; inscribed in German at Villa Livonia on 22 January 1884

S

• B. Schottler; inscribed in German at Heidelberg on 4 February 1883
• Amy R. Scott; inscribed on February 12, 1883
• Carrie Speiden; inscribed at Villa Livonia in Heidelberg, on 2.5.83
• M. Speiden; inscribed at Villa Livonia; on October 15, 1883; schoolmate

V

• Paula von Randow; inscribed in German at Villa Livonia; on 20 December 1883

Cabinet Photograph of William G. Powers; by the A. & G. Taylor studio of 535 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts

Cabinet photograph of a young man identified as William G. Powers.  The photograph was taken at teh studio of A. & G. Taylor of 535 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts.

William may have been the William G. Powers, a New York native, who married Hattie Gray of Boston, in Boston on 22 January 1881. Williams's parents were shown on the marriage record as Richard and Mary Powers; Hattie's parents were shown as Samuel and Mary Gray.

And possibly, the William G. Powers, born about 1859, who died on 26 January, 1904, son of Richard Powers and Mary (Gleason) Powers.

If you have a theory as to the identity of William G. Powers and Hattie Gray, please leave a comment or contact me directly.

Photograph of Mary Munsell; by the Bogardus studio of New York City - possibly Mary C. (Merrill) Munsell, wife of MOH recipient Harvey May Munsell

Photograph of Mary Munsell; taken at the Bogardus studio at 872 Broadway in New York, New York.

Mary may have been Mary C. (Merrill) Munsell (1849-1890), a Boston, Massachusetts, native and wife of Harvey May Munsell, who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Battle of Gettysburg in the Civil War.

There were other women named Mary Munsell in New York and Connecticut, including Mary C. Merrill's daughter Mary Isabel Merrill, "Belle", who was born about 1871.

According  to a mention on page 634 in A Merrill Memorial: An Account of the Descendants of Nathaniel Merrill, An Early Settler of Newbury, by Samuel Merrill (1855-1932), Mary C. Merrill was born 20 December 1849, the daughter of Silas Whiton Merrill and Eliza Belcher (Crabtree) Merrill of Boston, Massachusetts.

On 19 May 1869 in Boston, Mary married insurance agent Harvey May Munsell, son of James and Mary Munsell.  Harvey, born in Painted Post, New York, received the Medal of Honor for his actions as a color bearer during the Battle of Gettysburg.

Mary and Harvey had one child, I believe, daughter Mary Isabel Munsell, "Belle", born about 1871.

Mary C. (Merrill) Munsell died 13 November 1890 and was buried in Boston, according to her death record. She is presumably the Mary Munsell buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery in nearby Cambridge, Massachusetts. That Mary's death date is shown as 26 November 1890, though there's no photograph to verify, and that was likely the date of her burial, not her death.  Harvey, who remarried, died in 1931 and is also buried in the Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, in the same plot.

Also in that plot is another Mary Munsell who died in 1931, presumably daughter Mary Isabel Munsell.

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

c1880s Copy of a Painting or Sketch of the David Batcheller House in Northbridge, Massachusetts

c1880s copy of a painting or sketch of the Maj. David Batcheller House in Northbridge, Massachusetts, presumably on the Benson Road.

Approximately 6-3/4" by 4-3/4", with a glossy finish on the image side.

Imprint on the reverse: "F. H. Batchelor, Agt., School Books, Music, Wall Paper, 211 W. Dominick Street, Rome, N.Y." and handwriting in different hands: "Maj. David Batcheller's House, Northbridge Mass".

By 1892, F. H. Batchelor had closed his business in Rome, New York, and moved to New York City.

Major David Batcheller III (1742-1806) served in the colonial militia in the American Revolution, as captain and major. 

According to a history of Northbridge, Massachusetts, in the Revolutionary era, provided online by the Northbridge Historical Society, David Batcheller was thereafter known as "Major". The history also notes that Batcheller's wife, Abigail (Bacon) Batcheller mortgaged their property to keep her husband's soldiers paid.  Their "home was located on the Benson Road across from the Olson house."

Franklin Henry Batchelor (1856-1918), a native of Northbridge, Massachusetts, and a musician, book seller and stationer in New York, was the second great grandson of Major David Batcheller (1742-1806). According to FindaGrave memorials of his paternal ancestors, Franklin appears to be the first to use the Batchelor spelling.

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