Friday, June 13, 2014

1870s Autograph Album of Marianna Edwards of Middle Island, New York


1870s autograph album of Marianna Edwards of Middle Island, New York.  See another post that features an album that Marianna kept in the 1880s.

These two albums, plus a Connecticut one and two 19th century Phillips Exeter Academy graduation photographs, came to me from a friend made through an heirloom reunification.  He found them in an antique shop and is hoping that a descendant happens by.


The album measures approximately 5-1/4" x 3-1/4" and is rather thick for its linear dimensions.  It contains the sentiments of over 90 of Marianna's relatives, friends, schoolmates and students, including several who signed a page at the Beacon Farm in 1879, image farther below.  An alphabetical list of the signers, complete with any residence and school affiliation information, appears at the end of this post.


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

Marianna Edwards was born about 1853, presumably at Middle Island, New York, the daughter of D. Floyd Edwards and Sarah A. (Hawkins) Edwards, "Sally".   Marianna's parents signed facing pages in her album, Floyd on August 25, 1877, and Sally in July 1879.



There's an interesting history and photograph of the Edwards House at Middle Island, New York here.  It mentions that Jonathan Edwards acquired 300 acres at Middle Island, New York, after serving in the French and Indian War.  The farm passed down to his son, and then to his grandson, both named Jonathan, before passing to his great grandson D. Floyd Edwards.  The last Edwards to live in the house was Marianna's brother Victor F. Edwards.

Marianna's younger sister Adelia Charity Edwards signed a page on August 20, 1877.


Marianna's other younger sister Ida F. Edwards signed a page on August 25, 1877.


The older of Marianna's two brothers, Victor F. Edwards, signed a page on October 4, 1877.


The younger of Marianna's two brothers, Edward H. Edwards, signed a page on January 5, 1878.


Marianna was working as a school teacher and living with her parents at the time of the 1880 Census.   According to WorldCat, the town of Brookhaven holds the register she kept as a teacher during the 1877-1878 school year at District 17.

Below, facing pages and an overleaf signed by Marianna's students on February 26, 1879 at the Beacon Farm.  The overleaf may have been inscribed at a different place and time, as it's in a different pen.





Another interesting page was signed by Marianna herself, her two sisters and Lizzie J. Smith, apparently at an outing to Rockaway on August 23, 1877.



According to this site, on 3 May 1887 at Middle Island, New York, Marianna Edwards of Middle Island and John Davis of St. Johnland, New York, were married by Rev. Powell.

Sadly, Marianna (Edwards) Davis died at age 45 on 24 February 1898.  She's buried with her parents at the Union Cemetery at Middle Island, New York.

Here are two lovely facing pages, either created by John W. Phillips on January 4, 1883 or pasted in the album by Marianna after receiving them from John.



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

Other relatives of Marianna inscribed pages in the album; please refer to the list of signers.

Surnames in the album

?
Almy
Barry     [3]
Bayles
Brown
Burd
Chappell
Conlon     [5]
Davis     [2]
Dayton     [3]
Deery
Edwards     [14]
Hall
Hawkins     [2]
Homan     [4]
Hutchinson     [2]
Jackson
Kissam     [2]
Malloy   [2 in case one signer misspelled his name as Maloy]
Maloy
Mason     [2]
Mills
Monroe
Monsell/Munsell     [3]  
Neale
Nichols
Overton     [2]
Petty
Phillips     [4]
Quennard
Randall     [6]
Reeve
Risley     [3]
Ritch
Rose
Rowland     [3]
Ruland
Schmitz
Slater
Smith     [2]
Swezey     [2]
Timson
Turner     [2]
Van Horn
Van Wart
Welch     [2]
Wills
Wolfe
Woodruff

Signers in the album    [Note: Given names within a specific surname may not be in alphabetical order.]

?
  • G. C. F.
A
  • A. Curtis Almy, signed at Port Jefferson, New York, on April 12, 1878 "Remember the pleasant session of our Teachers' Institute at Riverhead." Professor Albert Curtis Almy (1848-1919), well known New York educator.
B
  • William Barry; one of Marianna's students who signed their names on facing pages on February 26, 1879 at Beacon Farm
  • John Barry; one of Marianna's students who signed their names on facing pages on February 26, 1879 at Beacon Farm
  • Jennie Barry; one of Marianna's students who signed their names on facing pages on February 26, 1879 at Beacon Farm
  • R. M. Bayles
  • Anna H. Brown of Millers Place, New York, on Long Island, signed on September 17, 1877
  • Clara M. Burd of Bird's Nest, Patchogue, New York
C
  • Allie Chappell signed a page on November 23, 1879; possibly Almira Chappell.
  • Peter Conlon; one of Marianna's students who signed their names on facing pages on February 26, 1879 at Beacon Farm
  • Martin Conlon; one of Marianna's students who signed their names on facing pages on February 26, 1879 at Beacon Farm
  • Michael Conlon; one of Marianna's students who signed their names on facing pages on February 26, 1879 at Beacon Farm
  • Katie Conlon; one of Marianna's students who signed their names on facing pages on February 26, 1879 at Beacon Farm
  • Patrick Conlon; one of Marianna's students who signed their names on facing pages on February 26, 1879 at Beacon Farm
D
  • W. F. Davis of Middle Island, New York, signed on May 6, 1882
  • Ernest E. Davis, signed on January 12, 1881
  • I. E. D., signed on March 29, 1881; Manianna's student; presumably Irene E. Dayton, sister of signer Fanny L. Dayton
  • F. L. D., signed on March 29, 1881; Marianna's student; presumably Fanny L. Dayton, sister of signer Irene E. Dayton
  • Irene E. Dayton; signed at Middle Island, New York, on February 20, 1878; Marianna's student, who shared the page with three other students.
  • Mary R. Deery, signed at Riverhead, New York, on April 12, 1878
E
  • Marianna Edwards of Middle Island, New York, album owner; she started her album on August 5, 1877
  • Floyd Edwards, signed on August 25, 1877; Marianna's father D. Floyd Edwards. Marianna's mother Sarah A. (Hawkins) Edwards signed the right facing page.
  • Sarah A. Edwards of Middle Island, New York, signed on July 6 [or 9], 1879; Marianna's mother Sarah Ann (Hawkins) Edwards. Marianna's father, D. Floyd Edwards, signed the left facing page.
  • Adelia C. Edwards, signed on August 20, 1877; Marianna's younger sister Adelia Charity Edwards, born about 1855; died 17 June 1881.
  • Ida F. Edwards, signed on August 25, 1877; Marianna's younger sister, born about 1856; died 20 October 1922.
  • Victor Edwards, signed on October 4, 1877; Marianna's younger brother Victor F. Edwards, born about December 1861; died 1940.
  • Edward Edwards, signed on January 5, 1878; Marianna's younger brother Edward H. Edwards, born about October 23, 1863; died January 12, 1935
  • Lewis R. Edwards, signed on August 23, 1877; brother of Marianna's father D. Floyd Edwards
  • Martha E. Edwards, signed at Middle Island, New York, on August 16, 1877. Martha E. (Petty) Edwards, wife of Jehial J. Edwards, or Jehiel J. Edwards, who signed the right facing page.
  • Jehial J. Edwards of Middle Island, New York, signed on August 16, 1877. His wife, Martha E. (Petty) Edwards, signed the left facing page. The name on his gravestone is spelled Jehiel J. Edwards.
  • Jessie E. Edwards of Middle Island, New York, signed on February 15, 1881; daughter of Augustus E. Edwards and Harriet W. (Hulse) Edwards
  • M. Edwards [presumably Marianna Edwards herself]; signed at Rockaway on August 23, 1877; shared the page with Lizzie J. Smith and Marianna's sisters Ida F. Edwards and Adelia Charity Edwards
  • Ida F. Edwards [Marianna's sister]; signed at Rockaway on August 23, 1877; shared the page with Lizzie J. Smith and Ida's sisters Marianna Edwards and Adelia Charity Edwards
  • A. Edwards [presumably Adelia Charity Edwards, Marianna's sister]; signed at Rockaway on August 23, 1877; shared the page with Lizzie J. Smith and her sisters Marianna Edwards and Ida F. Edwards.
H
  • The signer's name is possibly F. Hall, M.D., or F. Hall Edwards, M.D.
  • H. A. Hawkins, signed on September 5, 1877
  • W. B. Hawkins; signed with multiple people on the overleaf of a page signed by Marianna's students at the Beacon Farm on February 26, 1879, so perhaps the signers on this page were also Marianna's students.
  • Georgie C. Homan of Middle Island, New York; presumably Georgianna Homan, daughter of Mulford and Mary Homan.
  • Ellsworth Homan; signed with multiple people on the overleaf of a page signed by Marianna's students at the Beacon Farm on February 26, 1879, so perhaps the signers on this page were also Marianna's students.
  • Susie Homan; shared the page with four other people, presumably Marianna's students
  • Ida Homan; shared the page with four other people, presumably Marianna's students
  • Miss Cynthia Hutchinson, signed on December 25, 1877; has an embossed seal of the Town of Brookhaven; she was a postmaster
  • Edwin Hutchinson, signed on January 25, 1881
J
  • Emma Jackson of New York, signed in 1885; middle initial might be S.
K
  • Elisha M. Kissam of Greenlawn, New York, signed on July 6, 1879; his sister Martha J. Kissam, "Mattie", signed the right facing page.
  • Mattie J. Kissam of Greenlawn, New York, signed on December 3, 1878. she was Martha Kissam, whose brother Elisha M. Kissam signed the left facing page.
M
  • Thomas Malloy; one of Marianna's students who signed their names on facing pages on February 26, 1879 at Beacon Farm
  • James Maloy; one of Marianna's students who signed their names on facing pages on February 26, 1879 at Beacon Farm
  • Mary J. Mason; one of Marianna's students who signed their names on facing pages on February 26, 1879 at Beacon Farm
  • Tillie Mason; one of Marianna's students who signed their names on facing pages on February 26, 1879 at Beacon Farm
  • Harry Mills or Harry Wills or ? of East Islip, New York, signed on November 18, 1894
  • Wesley E. Monroe; one of Marianna's students who signed their names on facing pages on February 26, 1879 at Beacon Farm
  • Julia Monsell, signed on May 15, 1881
  • Rusha D. Monsell, signed on May 15, 1881; presumably Jerusha D. Monsell
  • Ella Munsell; shared the page with four other people, presumably Marianna's students
N
  • Tillie E. Neale, signed on September 28, 1882
  • Mrs. Elbertine Nichols of Jamesport, New York, signed on April 12, 1878
O
  • Hannah M. Overton of Riverhead, New Yorki, signed on September 26, 1877
  • Robert Overton, signed on February 16, 1878; middle initial might be P. or S or ?
P
  • Daniel E. Petty of Middle Island, New York, on March 17, 1884
  • J. I. Phillips; signed with multiple people on the overleaf of a page signed by Marianna's students at the Beacon Farm on February 26, 1879, so perhaps the signers on this page were also Marianna's students.
  • S. H. Phillips; signed with multiple people on the overleaf of a page signed by Marianna's students at the Beacon Farm on February 26, 1879, so perhaps the signers on this page were also Marianna's students.
  • Sarah L. Phillips; shared the page with four other people, presumably Marianna's students
  • John W. Phillips, signed on January 4, 1883. He pasted two cards on facing pages with beautiful colored sketches.
Q
  • Anna H. Quennard of Port Jefferson, New York, signed on April 14, 1880
R
  • Miss Mamie Randall of Brooklyn, New York
  • Susie Randall, signed on April 12, 1878
  • Mrs. Deborah A. Randall of Middle Island, New York, signed on April 15, 1878
  • G. Randall of Brooklyn, New York, signed at Middle Island, on April 15, 1878; middle initial might be H or A or W or ?
  • J. H. Randall, signed on January 17, 1881; not sure of middle initial
  • L. H. Randall, signed at Middle Island, New York, on January 17, 1881
  • Sarah M. Reeve, signed at Jamesport, New York
  • J. E. Risley; signed with multiple people on the overleaf of a page signed by Marianna's students at the Beacon Farm on February 26, 1879, so perhaps the signers on this page were also Marianna's students.
  • Johnnie Risley; signed with multiple people on the overleaf of a page signed by Marianna's students at the Beacon Farm on February 26, 1879, so perhaps the signers on this page were also Marianna's students.
  • Mary Risley; signed at Middle Island, New York, on February 20, 1878; Marianna's student, who shared the page with three other students.
  • Ulysses H. Ritch of Middle Island, New York, signed on February 16, 1878
  • Ellen M. Rose; signed at Middle Island, New York, on February 20, 1878; Marianna's student, who shared the page with three other students.
  • Henry Rowland; one of Marianna's students who signed their names on facing pages on February 26, 1879 at Beacon Farm
  • Carrie Rowland; one of Marianna's students who signed their names on facing pages on February 26, 1879 at Beacon Farm
  • Scudder Rowland; one of Marianna's students who signed their names on facing pages on February 26, 1879 at Beacon Farm
  • W. Ruland; signed with multiple people on the overleaf of a page signed by Marianna's students at the Beacon Farm on February 26, 1879, so perhaps the signers on this page were also Marianna's students.
S
  • August F. W. Schmitz, signed at Breslau, on April 12, 1878
  • Eliza M. Slater [not sure of surname], signed at Brooklyn, New York, on January 18, 1878
  • M. W. Smith of Central Islip, Long Island, New York
  • Lizzie J. Smith; signed at Rockaway on August 23, 1877; shared the page with 3 other people, presumably Marianna and her sisters Ida F. Edwards and Adelia Charity Edwards.
  • J. Elbert Swezey of Southold, New York, signed on March 16, 1884
  • Lizzie M. Swezey, signed at Middle Island, New York, on March 26, 1881
T
  • Mattie L. Timson of Greenport, New York, signed at Riverhead, New York, on April 12, 1878
  • Inez E. Turner of Mattituck, New York, on Long Island, signed on January 10, 1878
  • Inez E. Turner; shared the page with four other people, presumably Marianna's students
V
  • A. O. Van Horn, M.D. of Middle Island, New York, signed on January 21, 1878; Dr. Abner O. Van Horn
  • Lizzie Van Wart; signed at Middle Island, New York, on February 20, 1878; Marianna's student, who shared the page with three other students.
W
  • Alice Welch, signed on September 28, 1882; possibly the same person as below
  • Alice Welch of 322 Grand Street, New Haven, Connecticut, signed on September 29, 1882
  • Harry Wills or Harry Mills or ? of East Islip, New York, signed on November 18, 1894
  • Gottlieb Wolfe; one of Marianna's students who signed their names on facing pages on February 26, 1879 at Beacon Farm
  • John Woodruff of Middle Island, New York, signed on July 10, 1879
Middle Island, New York


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1 comment:

  1. The Charles A Hibbard was a distant member of my Hibbard family. Ramona

    ReplyDelete