Sunday, January 19, 2014

1880s/1890s Autograph Album of Eldora Evelyn Greenlaw, "Linnie", of Oceanville, Maine


1880s/1890s autograph album that belonged to Linnie E. Greenlaw of Oceanville, Maine.  She was Eldora Evelyn Greenlaw, "Linnie", daughter of Thomas Augusta Greenlaw and Susan Arvilla (Hatch) Greenlaw.


See another post features an autograph album that Linnie kept in the earlier 1880s.


This diamond-shaped album measures approximately 5" x 5" and contains the sentiments of 45 of Linnie's relatives and friends.  Many of the signers hailed from Ipswich, Massachusetts or signed their pages at Ipswich, including people from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

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

Eldora Evelyn Greenlaw, "Linnie", was born about 1869 on Deer Isle in Hancock County, Maine, the daughter of Thomas Augustus Greenlaw and Susan Arvilla (Hatch) Greenlaw, both Deer Isle natives.

Many of Linnie's family members signed pages in the earlier autograph album, but several signed pages in this one, too.

Linnie's mother, Susan Arvilla (Hatch) Greenlaw, signed a page at Oceanville, Maine, on June 19, 1890.

Linnie's father, Thomas Augustus Greenlaw, signed a page in 1891.


Linnie's sister Elsie M. Greenlaw signed a page "at home" on June 19, 1890.


I'm intrigued at the number of signers from the Maritimes.  Thomas was a mariner so it's tempting to think that he had contacts all over the Bay of Fundy and along the Atlantic shore from Massachusetts to Nova Scotia.  And likewise for the many signers from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, whose family also perhaps followed the sea, and who perhaps took advantage of opportunities to visit Massachusetts.

Belle Etter of Westmoreland, New Brunswick, signed a page at Ipswich, Massachusetts, on April 11, 1890 [or 1891].


Winnie W. Hirtle of Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, signed a page at Ipswich, Massachusetts, on January 20, 1890.


On 10 September 1891, Linnie married George Loring Woodbury, son of George and Carolyn (Lakeman) Woodbury.  George signed a page in Linnie's album, but he didn't date the page, so we don't know whether he signed before or after their marriage.


George and Linnie settled at Ipswich, Massachusetts, where they farmed and raised a family of at least two, son Carl and daughter Emma.

If you have corrections and/or additions to the information above, information on any of the signers listed below or a theory as to what brought many of the signers to Ipswich, Massachusetts, please leave a comment or contact me directly.  Thanks!

List of signers:  [Note: given names within a specific surname may not be in alphabetical order.]
  • Sambo, or Sambs, of Bunker Hill, Boston, signed on June 5, 1891
  • Laura M. Anderson of Sackville, New Brunswick, signed at Ipswich, Massachusetts, on February 13, 1891
  • Nellie E. Anderson of Sackville, New Brunswick
  • Letty C. Best of Ipswich, Massachusetts; presumably Letitia C. Best, daughter of Lucius W. and Lizzie (Warren) Best
  • Blanche Carter of Oxford, Nova Scotia, signed at Ipswich, Massachusetts, on June 8, 1891
  • C. A. Caverly of Lowell, Massachusetts, signed on November 29, 1890
  • Nellie H. Claxton, signed at Ipswich, Massachusetts, on April 19, 1890
  • Minnie F. Curran of Chatham, New Brunswick, signed on April 16, 1891
  • Written on the page upside down:  John Davelin of Ipswich, Massachusetts, signed on December 19, 1889
  • May D. Davis of Bangor, Maine
  • May L. English, signed at Ipswich, Massachusetts
  • Mary C. Ester of Ipswich, Massachusetts, signed on January 24, 1890
  • Margaret E. Estes of Ipswich, Massachusetts, signed on February 2, 1890
  • Bell Etter of Westmoreland, New Brunswick, signed at Ipswich, Massachusetts, on April 11, 1890 [or 1891]
  • Ella S. Etter of Westmoreland, New Brunswick, signed at Ipswich, Massachusetts, on April 11, 1890
  • Linnie E. Greenlaw of Oceanville, Maine; album owner
  • Elsie M. Greenlaw of Oceanville, Maine, signed at home on June 19, 1890.  Linnie's sister
  • Carrie Greenlaw, signed at Ipswich, Massachusetts, on July 5, 1890.  Initials in one corner: C.G. J.B.  Initials in another corner: C.J. L.G.
  • Susan A. Greenlaw, signed at Oceanville, Maine, on June 19, 1890; Linnie's mother Susan Arvilla (Hatch) Greenlaw
  • Thomas A. Greenlaw of Oceanville, Maine, signed in 1891; presumably Thomas Augustus Greenlaw, Linnie's father
  • Laura Hallam of Ipswich, Massachusetts, signed on June 12, 1891
  • Winnie W. Hirtle of Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, signed at Ipswich, Massachusetts, on January 20, 1890
  • Joseph I. Horton of Ipswich, Massachusetts, signed on June 12, 1891
  • Charles R. Kimball of Ipswich, Massachuse
  • Nettie E. A. Lowerison of Westmoreland, New Brunswick, Canada, signed at Ipswich, Massachusetts, on April 12, 1891
  • Alma Malenfant of Ipswich, Massachusetts, signed on May 26, 1891
  • J. F. Malenfant of Ipswich, Massachusetts, signed on May 26, 1891
  • S. Sophie Nourse,l signed at Ipswich, Massachusetts, on March 24, 1890
  • Kittie O'Neil of Cambridge, Massachusetts, signed at Ipswich, Massachusetts, on September 23, 1890
  • Alice M. Parris, signed at Ipswich, Massachusetts, on June 20, 1890
  • Bertha C. Paynter of Boston, Massachusetts, signed at Ipswich, Massachusetts, on May 25 [no year written]
  • John G. Peters of Ipswich, Massachusetts
  • E. L. Pike of Ipswich, Massachusetts, signed on April 28, 1890.  "M.H.S., Class of '90"
  • Lottie L. Robertson of Isle au Haut, Maine, signed at Ipswich, Massachusetts, on April 14, 1890
  • Maude C. Rust of Ipswich, Massachusetts, signed on May 27, 1891
  • Helen F. Rust of Ipswich, Massachusetts, signed on May 27, 1891
  • Mollie C. Ryan of Norwich, Connecticut, signed on April 16, 1891
  • Annie Sangster of Milton, Massachusetts, signed on May 22, 1891; middle initial could be K or H
  • James C. Stone of Ipswich, Massachusetts, signed on February 12, 1889
  • E. J. Sullivan of Ipswich, Massachusetts, signed on September 21, 1890
  • Martha Taylor of Lochaber, New York, signed at Ipswich, Massachusetts, on May 27, 1890
  • Lalia Tower of New Brunswick, signed at Ipswich, Massachusetts, on May 22, 1891.  I believe she was from Sackville, New Brunswick
  • Margaret C. Wait of Ipswich, Massachusetts, signed on February 9, 1890.  Presumably Margaret Cammet Wait, born 16 October 1843, at Ipswich, Massachusetts, the daughter of William R. and Roxanne (Woodworth) Wait.  Margaret died 25 March 1897 at Ipswich.
  • Emma A. Wilson of Clifton, Nova Scotia, signed at Ipswich, Massachusetts, on "10-5-90"
  • Bessie M. Wilson of Ipswich, Massachusetts, signed on May 28, 1891
  • George L. Woodbury of Ipswich, Massachusetts
Oceanville, Maine


Ipswich, Massachusetts


Thanks for stopping by!

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