1893 Cabinet Photo of Nettie Maxson Cleever of Emporia, Kansas + 1885 letter to her from her Grandmother

Cabinet photograph dated June 1, 1893 of Nettie Maxson Cheever of Emporia, Kansas and an April 19, 1885 letter to her from her grandmother at Larned, Kansas, presumably maternal grandmother Eliza Ann Melissa (Kellogg) Maxson.

The letter must have been a welcome sight, for more than just family news, as Grandfather apparently enclosed $50 in it for Nettie's mother.  Click on a page to enlarge it.

Rough transcript - with most of the original spelling

$50 for your Mama - [from] Grandfather
Larned, April 19, 1885
To Nettie Cheever
My Dear Little Granddaughter,
I suppose by this time, you think I did not think much of your dear letter, the first one you ever wrote to me, if so you are mistaken.  I think it very nice, but I can hardly see now to answer it.  I went to the Bend two weeks ago on the train to have some new teeth, the next day turned cold.  Grandpa came up in the buggy & the next day we went across the country to Uncle Frank's.  The wind was in our face all the way; we stayed there until the next Monday.  I sewed for Aunt Carrie all the time I was there, when we get to the big bridge the dust flew so we could hardly see Billey.  I think the alkaly flew into my eyes (Grand-pa had on smoked glasses).  I haven't been able to sew, or read, but little since, what I do, makes my eyes worse.

Aunt Emi thinks she has the nicest boy ever was.   I guess he is pretty nice, they have their house ready to plaster tomorrow.  Uncle Joe has got his house plastered & are downstairs, but have not done painting, they have a new engrain carpet in the sitting room, have rented two rooms for a few months.  They all got the kisses you sent.  Billey is as fat as a pig & tried to runnaway with Grand-pa & and me yesterday, he saw a train on the track smoking & standing still, he is an oald boy yet, we have a coalty & took him off to pasture Friday, & when we started home Billy whinnied as though it belonged to him, & the cow loos [lows?] when Billey is gone, they was a happy family.  I am glad you were pleased with the dolleys & furniture, for Grandma thought they were nice, but her hand was not steady enough to cut them out nice.  How did you & Tella [Nettie's sister Lutella Anna Cheever] like the trimming for your drawers.  I have knit some like it for Estella, & knit saxony edge, for Frankey, & little Alice, each a shirt, & made Allie a shirt & put hers on.  They were well at Uncle Frank's, little Allie is thirteen months oald.  She does not walk, but climbs up by things, she is pretty & fat as a little pig, she was fraid of us when we went there, but got so she would come to me & hold up her little hands for me to take her.  It has been pretty dry, last night & today we have been having April showers, & the grass looks quite green.  If your Mama's oleander is alive, I would like to have a slip as mine did not root & Emi's froze & killed them, six or seven of the geraniums are alive, the cactus, and the english ivy, & the yellow mistle, & the little specked leaved vine.
Kiss all for us, & write soon.  I have looked for a letter from Mama for a long time.
Love to all, from your loving Grandma.

From brief online research, hopefully correct:  [corrections and additions welcome!]

Nettie Maxson Cleever was born September 24, 1872 at Tarkio, Iowa, the daughter of Francis Appleton Cheever, an Ohio native, and Flora Adelia (Maxson) Cheever, who was born in New York.  Nettie's paternal grandfather, Daniel Cheever III, had died in 1877, and his wife Anna Judson (Appleton) Cheever had recently died in February 1885.  Therefore, it was presumably Eliza Ann Melissa (Kellogg) Maxson who penned the letter; "Grandfather" was her husband Thomas Rix Maxson.  

It appears that Nettie was married twice; first, to Carroll Bower, whom she married on November 3, 1897 at Emporia, Kansas.  They had a daughter Leone, born in 1898.  The marriage apparently ended in divorce, and Nettie then married Ira Eugene Myers on May 8, 1906 at Turon, Kansas.  They had, I believe, three children, Robert Eldon Myers; Thomas Rix Cheever Myers; and Ruth Adella Myers.

Nettie Maxson (Cheever) Myers died in 1932 and is buried in Burr Oak Cemetery at Athens, Michigan.

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

c1920s Group Photograph of Workers at St. Croix Paper Company, Woodland, Maine - Baileyville, Maine

According to information on the reverse, this photograph was taken about the 1920s at the St. Croix Paper Company at Woodland, a village located in the town of Baileyville, Maine, in Washington County.

It seems almost as if the photographer wanted to feature the broken window - perhaps the boys had been playing a bit of sandlot ball?

The men are identified on the reverse.  There's also the name M. G. Foster written sideways on the reverse.

Front Row, left to right: Guy Potter; Joe Getz; Ernest Martel; Chick Kneeland; Everett Neil; and John Potter
Back Row, left to right: Everett Gilman; Martin Hunter; Ellis Abbott; Grandpa Potter; George Kent; Dave Clarke; and Harry Foster

Grandpa Potter might have been William B. Potter, who had sons John and Guy with wife Addie (Fickett) Potter.

 If you have information on any of the workers pictured, please leave a comment or contact me directly.

1863 Autograph Album of Ellen Amanda Waite (1845-1918), Student at Leicester Academy, Leicester, Massachusetts

Autograph album started in 1863 by Nellie A. Waite, a student at Leicester Academy at Leicester, Massachusetts.  Ellen Amanda (Waite) Waite (1845-1918)

Leicester Academy was one of two institutions that eventually became what is now Becker College, whose archivist has provided an 1860s photograph of a student group standing in front of the Leicester Academy building.

Nellie added notes to several of the pages to indicate deaths and other information.  Some of the inscribers were soldiers and gave their affiliations.

Many inscribers added the initials "L. C.", which may have stood for Leicester College or might have been a club at Leicester Academy.

Pasted inside is a newspaper clipping about the album when it was purchased at a rummage sale about 1959, and the husband of the purchaser was offering to share a peek to anyone interested.  The album apparently passed into the hands of someone else at some point and ended up advertised online, where I purchased it several years ago.  Click on an image to enlarge it.






























The album measures approximately 7-3/4 by 5-1/4 and contains the sentiments of 104 of Nellie's relatives, friends, schoolmates and possibly instructors. 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, and hopefully with the correct Nellie A. Waite:  [corrections and/or additions and alternate theories of Nellie's identity welcome!]

The owner of the album, I think, was Ellen Amanda Waite, "Nellie", born January 9, 1845 in Massachusetts, possibly at Hubbardston, the daughter of Increase Sumner Waite and Mary Jane (Tucker) Waite.  Nellie had three sisters.

On October 6, 1869 at Worcester, Massachusetts, Nellie married second cousin Samuel D. Waite, son of Andrew Jackson Waite and Sarah (Hurd) Waite.  Nellie's grandfather Moses Waite was a brother to Samuel's grandfather Samuel Waite.  Nellie and Samuel made their home at Worcester, Massachusetts, where Samuel was a dry goods merchant.   They had, perhaps, eight children from 1871 until 1883.

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

On the page Corporal Alonzo W. Bond of Leicester, Massachusetts, shared with Helen D. Joslin of Westminster, Massachusetts, he inscribed "Remember the Dress Parade we had, before the Company knew how to do it."

Fred Knowlton of Worcester, Massachusetts, inscribed a page at Leicester Academy on October 16, 1863.  Nellie left a sad note: "Died 1874, elevator accident". In the History and Alumni Record of The State Normal School at Bridgewater, Massachusetts, to July 1876, compiled by Albert G. Boyden, Fred's death year was given as 1873.

William C. Park of Worcester, Massachusetts, inscribed a page on November 16, 1863.  "Orderly Sergeant" "57th Regt. Mass. Vols.  1866.  Later note: "Died in a Rebel Prison".  I'm not sure of the significance of the year 1866, unless some prisoners were too ill to be moved after the war's end or Nellie erred.

Mary A. Forbush inscribed a page at Westminster, Massachusetts, on February 10, 1865.  Nellie left a sad note: "(suicide) 1872".

On a lighter note, Hattie A. Roper of Princeton, Massachusetts, inscribed a page at Westminster, Massachusetts, on October 19, 1864 and included this note: "Remember the night you came down to see me and explained Arithmetic out of the Dictionary."  Ah, if only it were that easy...

And my favorite:   Mary E. Ball of Leicester, Massachusetts, inscribed a page on November 12, with no year given, and added: "Ever remember bayonet exercise, your fear for the safety of you know who.  Oh - Nellie, they don't intend to injure each other."

Surnames in the Album

Brown	Hubbard	Merriam	Thomas
C	J	Monroe	Trask
Chase	Jay	Morse	Tripp
Clapham	Joslin	Morse	Tucker
Cogswell	K	Murdock	U-V
D	Keith	N-O	Upton
Davis	Keith	Newton	Valentine
Denny	Kendall	Olney	W
Dobson ?	Kent	P	Waite
E	Kent	Park	Warner
Eager	Knowlton	Peckham	Warren
Emerson	L	Pike	Warren
Estey	Lamb	Prentiss	Warren
F	Lane	Prentiss	Watson
Forbush	Lane	Prentiss	Welles
G	Lane	Putnam	Wheeler
Gates	Leighton	R	White
Gibbs	Loring	Reed	Whitney
Giles	Loring	Reed	Whittaker
Goodwin	Lyon	Reed	Williams
Graves		Rogers	Woodcock
Greene		Roper	Wright
Greenwood			Wyman

Inscribers in the Album

A

• Mary Allen of Hubbardston, Massachusetts, inscribed on September 2, 1865. "Let Mind and Right assert their sway and march to victory in firm array."
• Nellie E. Armington of Rutland, Massachusetts, inscribed on June 6, 1868

B

• Nora D. Baker of No. 1 Pleasant St., Westminster, Massachusetts.  Shared the page with Lue A. Harrington and Mary J. Leighton.
• Mary E. Ball of Leicester, Massachusetts, inscribed on November 12 [no year written]. "Ever remember bayonet exercise, your fear for the safety of you know who. Oh - Nellie, they don't intend to injure each other."
• Corp. Alonzo W. Bond of Leicester, Massachusetts, inscribed on November 10, 1863. "Remember the Dress Parade we had, before the Company knew how to do it." He wrote the initials "L.C."  Shared the page with Helen D. Joslin.
• Luella A. M. Bond of Leicester, Massachusetts, inscribed on November 10, 1863
• Ella M. Bothamly of Hemlock Grove, Leicester, Massachusetts, inscribed on November 15, 1863
• Amelia M. Brown, inscribed at Leicester Academy on October 14, 1863. Nellie's later note: "Died Dec. 24, 1872"

C

• Benjamin D. Chase of Wilkinsonville, Massachusetts, inscribed at Leicester, Massachusetts, on November 17, 1863
• Glover Clapham of 716 Broadway, New York. He wrote the initials "L. C.".
• Louisa M. Cogswell of Leicester, Massachusetts

D

• J. W. Davis, inscribed at Leicester Academy on October 16, 1863
• John C. Denny of Suggsville, Alabama; wrote initials "L.C."
• S. L. Dobson, or S. L. Dolsen, of Middletown, New York, inscribed at Leicester Academy on November 12, 1863

E

• Elmira A. Eager of Westminster, Massachusetts, inscribed on May 3, 1865.  She shared the page with Addie Prentiss.
• Corp. S. J. Emerson of Millbury, Massachusetts; wrote the initials "L. C."
• Emma A. Estey of Westminster, Massachusetts, inscribed on October 7, 1864.  Shared the page with Sarah J. Wyman.

F

• Mary A. Forbush, inscribed at Westminster, Massachusetts, on February 10, 1865. Nellie's later note: "(suicide) 1872"

G

• Emmie D. Gates of Rutland, Massachusetts, inscribed at Leicester Academy on November 19, 1863.  She shared the page with Maria Warren.
• Katie M. Gibbs of Westminster, Massachusetts, inscribed on March 31, 1865
• Mary E. Giles of Westminster, Massachusetts, inscribed on October 15, 1864. Nellie's note: "Died"
• M. C. Goodwin of Princeton, Massachusetts, inscribed on February 11, 1864. Wrote the initials "L. C."
• Abbie J. Graves of Greenville, Massachusetts, inscribed on November 9, 1863.  Shared the page with Mary Alice Greenwood
• Carrie M. Greene of Brookfield, Massachusetts, inscribed on October 17, 1863
• Mary Alice Greenwood of Hubbardston, Massachusetts, inscribed on February 5, 1866.  Shared the page with Abbie J. Graves

H

• Henry S. Hall of Sutton, Massachusetts, inscribed on November 18, 1863 at Leicester Academy. He wrote the initials "L.C."
• Lue A. Harrington of No. 1 Pleasant St., Westminster, Massachusetts.  Shared the page with Nora D. Baker and Mary J. Leighton.
• Lieutenant F. W. Hayden of Leicester, Massachusetts, inscribed on October 19, 1863
• Charles A. Henrie of Rutland, Massachusetts, inscribed on June 15, 1868
• Anna P. Henshaw, inscribed on October 5, 1863 at Leicester, Massachusetts. According to a 1960 newspaper clipping pasted in the album, Anna would have been in her 80s at this time.
• Catie F. Holman of Cherry Valley, Massachusetts, inscribed on October 8, 1863.  Shared the page with Lizzie Mann.
• Anna M. Holman, inscribed at Leicester, Massachusetts, on November 6, 1863. "Don't forget the night we went down to Mrs. G's to pay for shoes."  Shared the page with Abbie J. Trask.
• Gilbert P. Hopkins of Goshen, New York, inscribed on November 12, 1863. He wrote the initials "L. C.".
• Jennie M. Hubbard of Rutland, Massachusetts, inscribed at Leicester Academy on November 5, 1863

J

• Lieut. N. M. Jay of Leicester, Massachusetts. He wrote "L. C.". "Bay State Christmas 1863"
• Helen D. Joslin of Westminster, Massachusetts, inscribed on April 24, 1865.  Shared the page with Corp. Alonzo W. Bond.

K

• Walter Keith of Whitinsville, Massachusetts, inscribed at Leicester, Massachusetts, on May 22, 1866. Middle initial might be C or O.
• Julia A. Keith, U.F., of Leicester, Massachusetts, inscribed at Leicester Academy on October 16, 1863
• Sarah M. Kendall of Westminster, Massachusetts, inscribed on May 9, 1865
• Hattie E. Kent of Leicester, Academy in Massachusetts; she wrote the initials "O. M. L.".  She shared the page with Nellie Mann and Emma D. Mann.
• Ruth A. Kent of Leicester, Massachusetts; she wrote the initials "O. M. L."
• Fred Knowlton of Worcester, Massachusetts, inscribed at Leicester Academy on October 16, 1863. Later note, left presumably by Nellie: "Died July 1874 elevator accident"

L

• Franklin M. Lamb, inscribed at Leicester, Massachusetts, on November 20, 1863. "Singing sounds very well on Sunday evening."
• Ella E. Lane, inscribed at Rutland, Massachusetts, on July 2, 1868
• Helen A. Lane, inscribed at Rutland, Massachusetts, on July 2, 1868
• Francena A. Lane of Leicester, Massachusetts, inscribed on November 23, 1863. "Won't you dance? Grandfather won't let me."
• Mary J. Leighton of No. 1 Pleasant St., Westminster, Massachusetts.  Shared the page with Lue A. Harrington and Nora D. Baker.
• Abbie L. Loring of Leicester, Massachusetts, inscribed on November 17, 1863 "Is Nellie at home? No, she's gone upstairs"
• Eldora E. Loring of Leicester, Massachusetts, inscribed on January 14, 1864. "remember the evening I had 'an engagement' and didn't go to ride. Apples and Cider."
• Frank M. Lyon of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, inscribed at Leicester Academy on March 1, 1864. He wrote the initials "L. C."

M

• Lizzie Mann of Leicester, Massachusetts, inscribed on October 8, 1863.  Shared the page with Catie F. Holman.
• Nellie Mann of Leicester, Massachusetts, inscribed at Leicester Academy in Massachusetts. She wrote the initials "O. M. L.".  She shared the page with Emma D. Mann and Hattie E. Kent.
• Emma D. Mann of Leicester Academy in Massachusetts. She wrote the initials "O. M. L.". She shared the page with Nellie Mann and Hattie E. Kent
• Mary J. Mansur of Westminster, Massachusetts, inscribed on March 6, 1865. "Keep your promise March 6, 1870". Presumably Mary and Nellie had made plans to meet again in 5 years.
• Hamilton Mayo of Westminster, Massachusetts, inscribed on October 7, 1864
• J. E. McClellan of Grafton, Massachusetts, inscribed on November 17, 1863. Wrote the initials "L. C."
• H. G. Merriam, inscribed at Leicester Academy on October 6, 1863
• Ella Merriam, inscribed at Westminster, Massachusetts, on October 20 [no year written].  She shared the page with A. W. Prentiss.
• Alex. R. Merriam of Goshen, New York, inscribed in November 1863. He wrote the initials "L. C."
• Mrs. Mary Monroe of Leicester, Massachusetts
• Helen E. Morse of Hubbardston, Massachusetts, inscribed on Wednesday, December 2, 1863. "How do you do H in the entry and the bow of Leicester cadets"
• Orange H. Morse of Westminster, Massachusetts, inscribed on October 7, 1874.  shared the page with W. H. S..
• Julius O. Murdock of Leicester, Massachusetts. "Have you got any Cider"

N

• Abby B. Newton of Cedarville, Westminister, Massachusetts, inscribed on October 15, 1864. "Nellie, Remember Westminster Academy, the music of Violins, Drums & Dulcimer"

O

• Frederic A. Olney of Oxford, Massachusetts. He wrote the initials "L. C."

P

• William C. Park of Worcester, Massachusetts, inscribed on November 16, 1863. "Orderly Sergeant" "57th Regt. Mass. Vols. 1866. Later note: "Died in a Rebel Prison". Not sure what the year 1866 means, unless some prisoners were too ill to be moved after the war.
• Mary M. Peckham of Westminster, Massachusetts, inscribed on October 31, 1864. "Remember Putnams problem"
• Horace S. Pike of Leicester, Massachusetts, inscribed on February 12, 1864.  Shared the page with Watson E. Tucker.
• Henry Prentiss of Hubbardston, Massachusetts, inscribed on November 18, 1863
• Addie Prentiss.  She shared the page with Elmira A. Eager.
• A. W. Prentiss, inscribed on March 22, 1866. Shared the page with Ella Merriam.  Nellie's later note: "Died June 1873".  
• W. H. Putnam of Lunenburg, Massachusetts, inscribed at Westminster, Massachusetts, on October 12, 1864

R

• Abbie I. Reed, inscribed at Westminster, Massachusetts, on February 8, 1865
• Mary L. Reed, inscribed at Leicester Academy, at Leicester, Massachusetts, inscribed on November 7, 1863.  She shared the page with Abbie J. Tripp.
• Sallie S. Reed, inscribed at Westminster, Massachusetts, on May 12, 1865
• Lieutenant Herbert S. Rogers U.F. of Worcester, Massachusetts. "The Bonny Blue Flag" "Quake Meeting House" "Let's go in and be weighed", among other reminiscences
• Hattie A. Roper of Princeton, Massachusetts, inscribed at Westminster, Massachusetts, on October 19, 1864. "Remember the night you came down to see me and explained Arithmetic out of the Dictionary."

S

• W. H. S.  Shared the page with Orange H. Morse.
• Walter H. Sanborn of 15 Hayward Place, Boston, Massachusetts. He wrote the initials "L. C."
• Emma E. Sibley, inscribed at Leicester Academy at Leicester, Massachusetts, on November 17, 1863
• Fannie J. Sibley of Leicester, Massachusetts, inscribed on January 28, 1864. Nellie's note: "Died July 1867"
• John O. Smith of Goshen, New York, inscribed on November 10, 1863
• C. F. Spear of New York City, inscribed at Leicester Academy on March 4, 1864. Wrote the initials "L. C." and "Remember the Drummer boy"
• S. W. Stockwell of Westminster, Massachusetts, inscribed on April 15, 1865. Wrote "Fitchburg"

T

• A. M. Thomas of Oakdale, Massachusetts. Wrote "L. C.". "Remember Christmas 1863. Sleigh ride. (Ahem) Shakesper. Parquet No. 97.98" Penciled note, possibly written by Nellie: "Boston now"
• Abbie J.Trask, inscribed at Leicester Academy on November 6, 1863. "Never sing when you are walking down the plank walk."  Shared the page with Anna M. Holman.
• Abbie J. Tripp of Rutland, Massachusetts, inscribed on November 8, 1863.  She shared the page with Mary L. Reed.
• Watson E. Tucker of Southampton, Massachusetts, inscribed on November 29, 1867. "Remember that Beautiful ride we had that afternoon we went to singing school."  Shared the page with Horace S. Pike.

U

• George C. Upton of Westminster, Massachusetts

V

• Mary A. Valentine, inscribed at Northboro, Massachusetts, on January 5, 1867

W

• Nellie A. Waite, inscribed at Leicester Academy in September 1863. Album owner.
• Edwin A. Warner of Leicester, Massachusetts, inscribed at Leicester Academy on November 17, 1863
• Maria Warren of Leicester, Massachusetts. "Boat-ride"; want some lillies" [sic]; "Give me that photograph".  She shared the page with Emmie D. Gates.
• Elise Warren of Leicester Academy
• Jennie E. Warren of Grafton, Massachusetts, inscribed on October 16, 1863
• Henry L. Watson of Leicester, Massachusetts, inscribed on November 19, 1863. "That side-splitting Romance of D. P. will always have a laughable phase in your Memory. O how nice it does fit. Pussycats Ahoy"
• George H. Welles of Daver, Illinois; possibly Davis, Illinois, but the i isn't dotted, if so.
• Susie M. Wheeler, inscribed at Leicester Academy on February 5, 1864
• Catie E. White of Leicester, Massachusetts, inscribed on November 19, 1863
• Nellie L. Whitney of Westminster, Massachusetts
• William A. Whittaker of Princeton, Massachusetts, inscribed at Leicester, Massachusetts, presumably at Leicester Academy, on February 11, 1864.
• Sydney Williams of Keokuk, Iowa, inscribed at Leicester, Massachusetts, on October 15, 1863
• Ruth A. Woodcock; schoolmate.
• Jeannie Wright of Maple Hill, Westminster, Massachusetts, inscribed on February 19, 1865
• Sarah J. Wyman of Wachusettville, Massachusetts, inscribed on October 18, 1864.  Shared the page with Emma A. Estey.

1848+ Autograph Album of Harriet Maria Stearns of Winchendon, Massachusetts

Autograph album of Harriet Maria Stearns, "Hattie", of Winchendon, Massachusetts, possibly given to her by H. N. Dunbar at Milton, New Hampshire.  She may have been a student at Milton Academy; inscribers hail from Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.

The album measures approximately 7-3/4" x 6-1/4" and contains the sentiments of 29 of Hattie'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.  It appears that title page and any end pages are missing, as the page above is the first page present.

Three items from a later era were tucked in the album: a cartoon; a booklet of French children's songs; and some stamps ripped from an envelope.

From brief online research, hopefully correct:  [corrections and additions welcome!]

Harriet Maria Stearns, "Hattie", was born November 2, 1829 at Winchendon, Massachusetts, the daughter of Amos and Sally (Lake or Lackey ?) Stearns.  Hattie had, I believe, two full siblings; her baby brother died in infancy.  Her full sister Lavina H. Stearns of Winchendon, Massachusetts, inscribed a page on February 6, 1853.  Tucked in that page is a handmade book ribbon.

Hattie's father was married at least twice before marrying Hattie's mother and had about 12 children with his other wives.  I believe Hattie's married was also married previously, to a Mr. Wood.

About 1853, Harriet Maria Stearns married Kilburn S. Porter, son of Charles and Elizabeth (Hinchman) Porter.  Kilburn's death record shows Kilburn's place of birth as Amherst, Massachusetts, as well as that of his mother.  But most Census records have him born in New Hampshire, so perhaps he and his mother were born in Amherst, New Hampshire.

Harriet Maria (Stearns) Porter died in 1900; Kilburn died in 1914.  They're buried at Bellevue Cemetery at Lawrence, Massachusetts.  If you have corrections and/or additions to the information above, or information on any of the inscribers listed below, please leave a comment or contact me directly.

Surnames in the Album

? [2]	J	R	T
B	Jones	Rutherford	Towne
Burk or Bush	K	S	W
Burke	Kendall	Seaver	W ? [2]
D	M	Simmons	Ward [3]
Dunbar	Messer	Smith	Whitney
H	Moore	Spalding	Wyman
H ?	P	Stearns [2]
Heald	Pease
Hoyt	Prescott
Hutchinson

Inscribers in the Album

• Unsigned
• Sarah

B

• Elisabeth A. Burk or Elisabeth A. Bush of Bennington, presumably Vermont, inscribed on April 4, 1852
• A. E. Burke of Bennington, Vermont

D

• H. N. Dunbar, whose name appears on an inscription on the dedication page of Harriet's album, inscribed at Milton, New Hampshire on December 20, 1848

H

• Georgianna H., inscribed at Milford, New Hampshire, on January 28, 1849
• Elvira Heald of Solon, Maine, inscribed on April 9, 1852. Middle initial either W or ?
• Nancy M. Hoyt of Milford, New Hampshire, inscribed on February 18, 1849
• H. Hutchinson, inscribed at Milford, New Hampshire, on January 23, 1849

J

• Elizabeth Jones, inscribed at Lawrence, Massachusetts, on November 6, 1853

K

• H. A. Kendall of Milford, New Hampshire, inscribed on August 12, 1849

M

• Sarah E. Messer, inscribed on August 5, 1850
• Josephine C. Moore

P

• Celestia W. Pease, inscribed at Weston, Vermont, on August 12, 1849
• Jinnie Prescott of Monmouth, Maine, inscribed in 1853

R

• Ann J. Rutherford of Monkton, Vermont, inscribed on June 9, 1850

S

• Lauraett Seaver of Lawrence, Massachusetts. Presumably the woman identified as Lauretta F. Seaver who married Gates P. Frye at Lawrence, Massachusetts on November 5, 1859. She was born about 1828 in Vermont.
• Mary A. Simmons or Mary A. Simmonson of Haverhill, Massachusetts, inscribed on August 4, 1850
• Jeanette S. Smith
• Harriet B. Spalding, inscribed at Wilton, New Hampshire, on February 18, 1849
• Harriet M. Stearns of Winchendon, Massachusetts; album owner.  It may have been given to her by H. N. Dunbar at Milford, Massachusetts
• Lavina H. Stearns of Winchendon, Massachusetts, inscribed on February 6, 1853. Harriet's sister. Needlepoint bookmark with the word "Love".

T

• Elisabeth Towne of Milford, New Hampshire, inscribed on October 21, 1849

W

• H. A. W.
• S. E. W.
• George P. Ward of Ashburnham, Massachusetts, inscribed on December 28, 1849
• Franklin W. Ward of Ashburnham, Massachusetts, inscribed on December 28, 1849
• Eunice H. Ward of Ashburnham, Massachusetts, inscribed on December 25, 1849. Not sure of the name.
• Sarah E. Whitney of Bethel, Maine
• David Wyman, inscribed at Manchester [no state written] on August 5, 1850. Middle initial might be J or G or ?

Winchendon, Massachusetts; Lawrence, Massachusetts; Milton, New Hampshire

Two 1885 Autograph Albums of Edith W. Bryant of Princeton, Illinois

Two autograph albums commenced in 1885 by owner Edith W. Bryant of Princeton, Illinois.  The cover of the larger album, which measures approximately 7-3/4" by 5", is shown above.  It was given to Edith at Christmas in 1885 by Harry, presumably her brother Harry G. Bryant, who also inscribed a page in the album, toward the end.

The smaller album, which measures approximately 5" by 2-3/4", was tucked inside the larger album; it may be missing its front cover and perhaps a page or more.  The first page shown is the ownership page.

The albums contain the sentiments of Edith's relatives, friends and schoolmates: the larger album with 37 pages of sentiments and the smaller with 19.

From brief online research, hopefully correct:  [corrections and additions welcome!]

Edith W. Bryant was born December 1, 1878 at Princeton, Illinois, the daughter of Arthur and Elizabeth (Hughes) Bryant, and the youngest of 9 siblings, some of whom inscribed pages in one or both of the albums. Facing pages in the smaller album were inscribed by Edith's parents.

The next page in that album was inscribed by C. B. Hughes, who was possibly Edith's maternal grandmother Cassandra B. (Jones) Hughes.

Siblings who inscribed pages in one or both albums:

• Guy Arthur Bryant
• Harry G. Bryant, who was presumably the Harry who gave Edith the larger album; he also inscribed a page.
• Lester P. Bryant
• "Cassa" Bryant; Cassandra H. Bryant
• Henrietta Bryant
• R. C. Bryant; Ralph Clement Bryant
• G. A. Bryant; Guy Arthur Bryant

Other relatives, either by blood or marriage, who indicated a relationship, and there were likely others who did not:

• Lou; Edith's cousin
• Jennie L. Bryant; presumably a cousin
• Hattie Bryant; Edith's cousin
• Lester R. Bryant; Edith's paternal uncle Lester Raymond Bryant
• Minnie H. Bryant; presumably a cousin
• Clement Freeman; Edith's uncle
• M. C. Hughes of Washington, Illinois; Edith's uncle, presumably maternal uncle Morris Clark Hughes
• Flora Hughes; presumably Flora (Stormer) Hughes, wife of Morris Clark Hughes
• Emilada Lanktree of Hennepin, Illinois; Edith's cousin
• Julia Mathews; Edith's cousin
• Lucy Olds and Edna Olds of Wyanet, Illinois; Edith's cousins
• Lucy Shearer of Streator, Illinois; Edith's maternal aunt Lucy L. (Hughes) Shearer, wife of Frederick S. Shearer

Not long after 1900, Edith W. Bryant married Curtis Dunbar Brigham, son of Joseph Hardy Brigham and Carrie (Dunbar) Brigham.  They lived for a time in Kansas, where Curtis worked in real estate and life insurance and then returned to farm in Illinois.  I believe they had four children: first, two sons, and then, two daughters.  

Edith died in 1939, and Curtis in 1949.  If you have corrections and/or additions to the information above, or information on any of the inscribers in both albums listed below, please leave a comment or contact me directly.

Surnames in the Larger Album

?	F	M	R
B	Freeman	Mahan	Rockwell
Baldwin [2]	H	Mathews	S
Bryant [11]	Hoyte	McManis	Shearer
C	Hughes [2]	Meltz	Smith [3]
Crater	L	N	T
D	Lanktree	Nash	Topliff
Douglass [2]	Lorton	O	W
		Olds [3]	Wiley

Surnames in the Smaller Album

? [4]	C	H	S
B	Conner [2]	Hock	Sahlberg
Brown	D	Hoffman
Bryant [7]	Downing [2]	Hughes
Downing [2]

Inscribers in the Larger Album

• Lou; inscribed on February 20, 1889; Edith's cousin

B

• Ed Baldwin of Oswego, Kansas, inscribed on December 24, 1888
• Burton L. Baldwin of Oswego, Kansas, inscribed on June 16, 1886
• Edith W. Bryant, album owner. Given by Harry at Christmas 1885. Harry was presumably Edith's brother Harry G. Bryant.
• Mother, inscribed on December 27, 1885. Presumably Edith's mother Elizabeth (Hughes) Bryant.
• Jennie L. Bryant of Princeton, Illinois, inscribed on February 19, 1888
• Guy A. Bryant of Princeton, Illinois, inscribed on February 23, 1886. Edith's brother Guy Arthur Bryant.
• Hattie Bryant of Princeton, Illinois, inscribed on February 19 [no year written]; Edith's cousin
• H. G. Bryant, inscribed on February 20, 1889. Possibly Harry G. Bryant, Edith's brother, who had given her the album at Christmas in 1885.
• Lester R. Bryant, inscribed on February 19, 1888; Edith's uncle. Lester Raymond Bryant, brother of Edith's father Arthur Bryant.
• Lester P. Bryant of Princeton, Illinois, inscribed on February 16, 1886 [not sure of last digit]. Edith's brother. He wrote on the page upside down.
• Cassa Bryant of Princeton, Illinois, inscribed on November 23, 1886. Edith's sister Cassandra H. Bryant.
• Henrietta Bryant of Princeton, Illinois; Edith's sister.
• Minnie H. Bryant, inscribed at Princeton, Illinois, on March 21, 1886

C

• E. B. Crater of Princeton, Illinois, inscribed on March 12, 1886

D

• E. M. Douglass, inscribed at Princeton, Illinois, on February 1, 1886
• Hannah F. Douglass, inscribed on February 1 [no year written]

F

• Clement Freeman, inscribed at Princeton, Illinois, on March 21, 1886; Edith's uncle

H

• Matie L. Hoyte of Dover, Illinois, inscribed on September 16, 1887
• M. C. Hughes, inscribed at Washington, Illinois, on January 3, 1887; Edith's uncle. Presumably Morris Clark Hughes, brother of Edith's mother Elizabeth (Hughes) Bryant.
• Flora Hughes, inscribed at Washington, Illinois. Presumably Flora (Stormer) Hughes, wife of signer Morris Clark Hughes.

L

• Emilada Lanktree of Hennepin, Illinois, inscribed on August 3, 1888; Edith's cousin
• Miss Fannie Lorton of Davenport, Iowa

M

• Emma V. Mahan of Steubenville, Ohio, inscribed on July 30, 1887
• Julia Mathews, inscribed on September 15, 1890; Edith's cousin
• Jessie McManis of Princeton, Illinois, inscribed on February 4, 1886
• Mrs. Meltz

N

• Bessie M. Nash of Warsaw, Illinois, inscribed at Princeton, Illinois, on December 13, 1887

O

• Blanche Olds of Wyanet, Illinois, inscribed on August 20, 1890
• Lucy Olds of Wyanet, Illinois, inscribed on August 17, 1890; Edith's cousin
• Edna Olds, inscribed at Wyanet, Illinois, on August 20, 1890; Edith's cousin.

R

• Ellen Rockwell of Hamilton, Illinois. Middle initial might be F or H

S

• Aunt Lucy Shearer of Streator, Illinois, inscribed on August 19, 1886
• Ida R. Smith, inscribed on April 4, 1888
• Hattie L. Smith of Manlius, Illinois, inscribed on February 4, 1886
• Nettie Smith, inscribed at Manlius, Illinois, on February 18, 1886

T

• Sarah Topliff, inscribed on January 1, 1886

W

• Ella K. Wiley of Dunlap, Illinois, inscribed on March 28, 1888.

Inscribers in the Smaller Album

• Unsigned, possibly inscribed by Edith herself or by her maternal grandmother Cassandra B. (Jones) Hughes, who inscribed the left facing page.
• Clara Sahlberg. Not sure of the first letter of the surname.
• Unsigned, inscribed on February 14, 1894. Possibly inscribed by Edith or by her maternal grandmother Cassandra B. (Jones) Hughes.
• Unsigned, possibly inscribed by Edith or by her maternal grandmother Cassandra B. (Jones) Hughes.

B

• Susie Brown or Broun of Princeton, Illinois, inscribed on May 28, 1888
• Edith W. Bryant of Princeton, Illinois; dated January 1885. Album owner
• Lizzie H. Bryant of Princeton, Illinois. She was presumably Edith's mother Elizabeth (Hughes) Bryant; and it was presumably her husband Arthur Bryant who inscribed the right facing page.
• Arthur Bryant of Princeton, Illinois. Presumably Edith's father; and presumably it was his wife Elizabeth (Hughes) Bryant, "Lizzie" who inscribed the left facing page.
• Hattie Bryant, inscribed on May 8, 1888; Edith's cousin.
• Lester P. Bryant; Edith's brother.
• R. C. Bryant; presumably Ralph Clement Bryant, Edith's brother.
• G. A. Bryant, presumably Guy Arthur Bryant, Edith's brother.

C

• Eva Conner, inscribed on May 26, 1890; Edith's schoolmate
• Clara B. Conner

D

• Nora Downing
• Olive L. Downing

H

• Bertie W. Hock
• Lizzie Hoffman, inscribed in 1888
• C. B. Hughes, inscribed on February 14, 1894. Presumably Edith's maternal grandmother Cassandra B. (Jones) Hughes.

S

• Clara Sahlberg; not sure of the first letter of the surname.