Heirlooms Reunited: 1830s-1890s Autograph Album of Cornelia Patterson Ross of Metuchen, New Jersey; attended Missionary Training School at Niagara Falls South, Ontario

1830s-1890s autograph album that belonged to Cornelia Patterson Ross of Metuchen, New Jersey with autographs collected at Metuchen and many collected while Cornelia apparently attended the Missionary Training School at Niagara Falls South, in Ontario.

Many people shared pages, with some having a relationship and inscribing at the same time, and others merely searching for space in this well-used album. Cornelia added notes to many of the pages, usually only "gone home", meaning they had passed on. Many of Cornelia's friends passed before her because she lived to be 89 years old. She apparently kept up with the album until the 1890s.

The page below, which feels embossed, may have been preprinted by the publisher and enhanced by the inscriber, was inscribed by Maggie Clark Bruce of Racine, Wisconsin, on July 8, 1890, presumably at the Missionary Training School at Niagara Falls South in Ontario.

The album, published by J. C. Riker of New York, contains seven engravings, in addition to that on the title page, and the sentiments of over 200 of Cornelia's relatives and friends. An alphabetical surname list and an alphabetical list of the signers, together with any personal information they offered, appear at the end of this post.

Some of those who inscribed were well-known missionaries, including the husband and wife team who started the Missionary Training School, William B. Osborn and Lucy (Drake) Osborn. Lucy had noted that many missionaries were ill prepared for the language, customs and climate of their assigned missions and proposed to develop a school for them. Read about the school in an 1891 issue of the "Brooklyn Daily Eagle". After starting as a retreat near Niagara Falls, the school expanded with the addition of a building on Raymond and Willoughly Streets in Brooklyn, New York.

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

Cornelia Patterson Ross was born May 8, 1812 in New Jersey, the daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Freeman) Ross. I don't believe Cornelia married. She lived with her parents or siblings in Metuchen; New Jersey; other towns in Middlesex County, New Jersey; at Niagara Village, Ontario; and eventually back to Metuchen, New Jersey. She lived until 1902.

Inscribers who expressed a family relationship with Cornelia - and there were likely more who did not express a relationship:

The family of Rev. Nicholas I. M. Bogert and Mary Augusta (Thomas) Bogert who inscribed a page to Aunt Cornelia
Phebe Dunham (Titsworth) Ross, wife of Cornelia's brother Austin Freeman Ross
S. Smith who called himself Cornelia's cousin and brother. He was possibly Samuel Smith, husband of Cornelia's sister Eveline Freeman (Ross) Smith
The Cecilia who inscribed a page was likely Cornelia's younger sister Cecilia Seaton Ross
Cornelia's brother Alanson Ross
Mabel A. Runyon, "Your great great niece"

Because of the length of the surname list and list of signers, there's scant room for images, but I wanted to add the page inscribed by the Osborns, William B. Osborn and wife Lucy (Drake) Osborn in 1887. The page was also inscribed, much earlier, by William H. F. in 1838.

Surnames in the Album

? [15]	A	B	C	D
	Acken	Batstone	C ? [3]	D ?
	Applegate	Benson	Clawson	Daniels [3]
		Blair [4]	Coan [7]	Dawlly
		Board	Cook	Dawson [2]
		Bogert [5]	Corwin	De Hart [2]
		Booth [5]	Cruickshanks	Dean
		Bower
		Boynton
		Brotherhood
		Bruce
		Buckingham
		Burghardt
		Butcher

E	F	G	H	K
Edgar [3]	F ? [3]	Garber	Harned	Kelly
	Finley [2]	Gilmer	Hart	Kobayashi
	Fitzgerald	Grant	Henderson
	Flower	Griffin	Heyer
	Ford [3]	Griggs [2]	Hier
	Freeman		Hiraiwa

L	M	N/O	P	R
Land	Martain	N ?	P ?	Raymond
Langsteath	Martin [13]	O	Pearce	Robinson
Lavell	McClive [4]	Osborn [2]	Pearson [2]	Rogers
Lenox [2]	Miller		Peck [4]	Rolfe [2]
Lowe			Pew	Ross [11]
				Runyon [3]

S	T	V	W	Y
S ?	Thomas [7]	Van Derveer	Wallace [2]	Young
Sampson	Thompson [5]	Vanderhouven	Waugh
Sanford [2]	Titsworth [3]	Titsworth [3]	Webster
Scudder			Welch
Smith [7]			Wendover
Smith			Willis
Spicer [4]			Woods [3]
Stelle [4]
Still

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

?; half of sentiment too faint to read
Cecilia, signed at Metuchen, New Jersey in June 1838. Cornelia's later note: "gone home". Possibly Cecilia Seaton Ross, Cornelia's younger sister.
C., signed at New Brunswick, New Jersey, in February 1839; possibly Cornelia herself or her sister Cecilia Seaton Ross.
?, signed at Piscataway, New Jersey on May 1, 1843. Cornelia's later note: "Samuel Stille"or "Samuel Stelle"
M. R. M. or W. R. W. or combination, signed at Newark, New Jersey. Cornelia's later note: "gone home"
Ellen, signed at Marlborough in August 1838
A. ? of Toronto
E. or C.
Henrietta
JoAnna, July 23-August 6, 1886
Aaron and "Her", of or signed at Niagara Falls, Ontario, August 21-26, 1885
Mary, signed at New Brunswick, New Jersey in July 1838
Mary
Frances, signed at Fairfield, New Jersey, on May 22, 1844. Cornelia's later note: "gone home"
Alice, signed in June 1838. Cornelia's later note: "Metuchen, 1838". Her give name is spelled Ailicee. But another note from Cornelia mentions "Cecilia S. Ross, gone home". Cecilia was Cornelia's younger sister Cecilia Seaton Ross.

William C. Acken of Metuchen, New Jersey, signed on October 21, 1889.
Mrs. George Applegate, or Mr. George Applegate, of Asbury Park, New Jersey, signed on April 29, 1891

William H. Batstone, signed at the Missionary Training School.
Belle Benson, signed at Niagara Falls, in September 1887
Lewis H. Blair of Richmond, Virginia, signed in July 1890 at Niagara Falls, Ontario
Donald Blair of Richmond, Virginia, signed in July 1890, signed at Niagara Falls, Ontario
Lelia Blair of Richmond, Virginia, signed in July 1890, signed at Niagara Falls, Ontario
Harriet, signed on September 23, 1838; Cornelia's note: "Peck" and "N York 1838". The signer was Harriet Peck.
Mary W. Board of New Brunswick, New Jersey, signed on June 8, 1887
N. I. M. Bogert; inscribed to Aunt Cornelia on October 22, 1885. Cornelia's later note: "Clover Hill". Rev. Nicholas I. M. Bogert
Gussie S. Bogert; inscribed to Aunt Cornelia on October 22, 1885. Cornelia's later note: "Clover Hill". Mary Augusta (Thomas) Bogert, wife of Rev. Nicholas I. M. Bogert
Julia T. Bogert; inscribed to Aunt Cornelia on October 22, 1885. Cornelia's later note: "Clover Hill"
Howard [handwriting of a child]; inscribed to Aunt Cornelia on October 22, 1885. Cornelia's later note: "Clover Hill"
Howard Lorimer Bogert of Clover Hill, New Jersey, signed on July 7, 1894
Eugene E. Booth of New Brunswick, New Jersey; Cornelia's later note: "In Japan"
Emilie S. Booth of Yokohama, Japan, signed on August 3, 1886. Emilie (Stelle) Booth, missionary
Eugene S. Booth, signed on August 3, 1886; Eugene Samuel Booth, husband of Emilie (Stelle) Booth, missionary and author
Frank Stelle Booth, signed on August 3, 1886
Eugenie Coan Booth, signed on August 3, 1886
Rose A. Bower of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, signed at Missionary Training School at Niagara Falls, May 16, 1887. Cornelia's note: "To Africa"
S. W. Boynton, signed at Metuchen, New Jersey on April 15, 1872
A. E. Brotherood, signed at Nesley Park on May 13, 1887, Upper Canada.
Maggie Clark Bruce of Racine, Wisconsin, signed on July 8, 1890; embossed deer perhaps done by Maggie herself.
Nell Buckingham of Princeton, New Jersey, signed on June 30, 1896.
P. H. Burghardt. Cornelia's later note: "Metuchen, New Jersey" He was Presbyterian minister Rev. Peter H. Burghardt.
Annie Butcher, inscribed at the Missionary Training School at Niagara Falls, Ontario, on June 20, 1887. She gave her residence as England. She wrote "For India", so she was presumably training to be a missionary in India.

2 page sentiment by cousin F. E. C., at ?, signed on May 10, 1838. Cornelia's later note: "gone home" may have referred to F. E. C. or Charles E. Ford of Philadelphia, who also inscribed one of the pages.
Rebecca D. C., signed at China Hill on May 20, 1844. Cornelia's later notes: "Carter", "N Jersey" and "Bib" [not sure of the last]
D. V. W. C., signed at New Brunswick, New Jersey in October 1839
Mrs. Jane H. Clawson, signed in 1840; Cornelia's later note: "gone home"
Anna L. Coan of Brockport, New York, signed on August 5, 1886
Abby B. Coan of Trumbull, Connecticut; Cornelia's later note: "gone home"
Albert S. Coan of Trumbull, Connecticut, signed in July 1876
Martin A. Coan of Holland Patent, New York, in Oneida County; Cornelia's later note: "gone home"
Henry F. Coan of Carthage, Missouri
M. Coan of Carthage, Missouri; middle initial possibly A
Mamie F. Coan of Brockport, New York, signed on August 5, 1886
Anna L. Cook, signed at Niagara Falls, Ontario, in 1887
Edward T. Corwin of New Brunswick, New Jersey, signed on March 19, 1894
Rev. James Cruickshanks, signed in Canada, on August 6, 1885. Cornelia's later notes: "from Metuchen" [New Jersey] and "gone home".

2-page sentiment of V. D., signed at New Brunswick, New Jersey in October 1839.
Sarah Daniels, signed at Metuchen, presumably New Jersey, on June 9, 1837. Cornelia's later note: "gone Home"
M. M. Daniels, signed at Metuchen, New Jersey on June 3, 1839; given name possibly Mary, as there is another note on the page in what appears to be similar handwriting. Cornelia's later note: "gone home"
Manning Daniels, signed at Metuchen, New Jersey on June 12, 1845
Helen F. Dawlly, signed at the Missionary Training School on June 17, 1887. Cornelia's later note: "gone home"
John Dawson, Metuchen, New Jersey. Signed at Clifton Park on September 30, 1885
Julia T. Dawson, Metuchen, New Jersey; not sure of middle initial. Signed at Clifton Park on September 30, 1885
William H. De Hart of Raritan, New Jersey, signed on June [or January] 25, 1896
Janette R. De Hart of Raritan, New Jersey, signed on June [or January] 25, 1896
Willis E. Dean, signed at Niagara Falls South, Ontario, Canada, on August 14, 1887. Canton, Dakota, U.S.
Florence de Forrest, July 7, 1894
Sarah A. Dunn, signed at Drummondville, Ontario in 1839. She is presumably the same Sarah who signed in two other places on the page.
I. S. Dunn; Isaac S. Dunn of Plainfield, New Jersey, signed in 1870. Isaac S. Dunn
Cornelia M. Dunn of Plainfield, New Jersey, 1870. Cornelia M. (Titsworth) Dunn, wife of Isaac S.Dunn
Hattie Dunn of Plainfield, New Jersey; Harriet Dunn, daughter of Isaac S. Dunn and Cornelia M. (Titsworth) Dunn
Carrie A. Dunn of Plainfield, New Jersey, apparently signed about 1864. "your little friend 8 years old". Caroline A. Dunn, daughter of Isaac S. Dunn and Cornelia M. (Titsworth) Dunn

I. R. Edgar, signed at Niagara Falls Ontario, on September 12, 1885
Cecilia R. Edgar, signed at Niagara Falls Ontario, on September 12, 1885
Marjorie L. Edgar, signed at Niagara Falls Ontario, on September 12, 1885

W. H. F., signed at New Brunswick, New Jersey, on August 4, 1838
S. B. F, signed at Metuchen, New Jersey on April 30, 1845. Not sure of initials.
William H. F., signed at New Brunswick, New Jersey on August 4, 1838
M. A. Finley, signed on October 7, 1858
Julia W. Finley, signed at Metuchen, New Jersey, on June 30, 1862; middle initial W or H or M or . Cornelia's later note: "gone home" Presumably the Julia W. Finley, who was the wife, or by then widow, of Rev. Robert Finley.
E. S. Fitzgerald
Mrs. I. C. Flower and daughter, signed at Niagara Falls, presumably Ontario, on April 9, 1891
Charles Anderson Ford [not sure of surname], signed at Beverly, New Jersey, on September 2, 1894
[possibly Rev.] Charles E. Ford of Philadelphia; Cornelia's later note: "gone home" may have referred to Charles or to Cornelia's cousin F. E. C., who also also inscribed the page.
Fannie Ford, signed at Perth Amboy, New Jersey on November 3, 1884
Elizabeth, signed at Metuchen, New Jersey in 1840. Cornelia's later notes: "Freeman", "Mrs. Ross Freeman" and "gone home". Doubtful this referred to Cornelia's mother Elizabeth (Freeman) Ross, as I believe - but am not sure - she died in 1827.

Ella V. Garber or Ella V. Carter, signed at Buffalo, New York, on November 3, 1884
Juliet A. Gilmer of the Louise Home, Washington, D. C., signed July 30, 1890; from Charlottesville, Virginia.
Hugh R. Grant of Stellarton, Nova Scotia, signed on August 17, 1889
Elizabeth Griffin or Griffins or ?, signed at Metuchen, New Jersey in 1840. Cornelia's later note: "gone home"
George Griggs of St. Pal, Minnesota; refers to Uncle Charles.
Frank H. Griggs of St. Paul, Minnesota, signed in September 1890 at Niagara Falls South, Ontario.

Jennetta Harned, signed at Woody Vale; not sure of surname. Cornelia's later notes: "1839 N Jersey" and "gone home"
Sadie Hart of Buffalo, New York, 1884
Jessie F. Henderson, signed on April 24, 1887
Ellen Heyer, signed at Marlborough, New Jersey. Cornelia's later note: N. J. Marlborough N. J."
Ellen Hier, or Ellen Rice, signed at Marlborough, New Jersey in 1838. Possibly the Ellen Heyer of Marlborough, New Jersey, who signed another page.
Yoshiyas Hiraiwa of Tokyo, Japan, signed on April 17, 1888. Cornelia's later note: "Mr. Hiraiwa, Japan 1888". A minister, he was an instructor at Methodist Seminary at Tokyo.

Anna Stelle Kelly of New Brunswick, New Jersey, signed at Clifton Park, New Jersey on September 3, 1886
"Mr. Kobayashi, signed in 1891, presumably at the Missionary Training School at South Niagara Falls, Ontario. Could this be he: Tomijiro Kobayashi, a Christian manufacturer, whose conversion
experience is given by N. Kato in: The Life of Tomijiro Kobayashi, Tokyo, 1911. "

Rob. A. Land, or Robt. Land of Niagara Falls South, signed on January 2, 1893. Cornelia's later note: "W. Canada"
C. Louise Langsteath of Miller Avenue, Rahway, New Jersey, signed July 5, 1894
Charles Lavell, signed at Niagara Falls South, Ontario, on June 13, 1888
2-page sentiment by D. Lenox, signed at Metuchen, New Jersey in July 1839. Cornelia's later note: "gone home".
"A Friend"; Cornelia's later note: "Lenox, Metuchen, New Jersey" and "gone home"
F. L. Lowe, signed on April 17, 1888, G & M Hospital, St. Catharine's

William C. Martain, signed on July 23, 1841. Cornelia's later note: "gone home".
Jennie S. Martin of Foxburg, Pennsylvania, in Clarion County, signed on September 3, 1886
Mahlon C. Martin, Jr.
Belle S. Martin
Miles R. Martin, Jr.
Emma Ross Martin
Johnson Martin, Jr.
Belle S. Martin
Emma Martin
Miles R. Martin, Jr. of Foxburg, Pennsylvania, in Clarion County.
Mahlon Martin, Jr., 1886
Belle S. Martin, 1886
Catherine Martin, Age 84, 1858; Cornelia's note" All gone home", referring to Harriet Ross, Catherine Martin and Mary T. Vanderhouven
Maggie McClive of Montrose, New Jersey
Robert McClive of Montrose. Ont. 1889
Isabel Florence Irene McClive, signed at Niagara Falls South, Ontario, in 1889.
Fannie S. McClive, signed at Niagara Falls South, Ontario.
Grace Miller, signed at Niagara Falls South, Ontario, on February 25, 1891

S. G. N. of the Granite State [New Hampshire', signed at Piscataway, New Jersey, on March 23, 1842

William B. Osborn, signed on June 18, 1887; missionary and husband of Lucy (Drake) Osborn.
L. D. Osborn, signed on June 18, 1887 at Missionary Training School, Niagara Falls, U.C., [Upper Canada]. Lucy (Drake) Osborn, who started the Missionary Training School after realizing that many missionaries were ill equipped in the language and customs of where they were assigned.

H. P. P.
Ada J. Pearce, signed at Niagara Falls South, Ontario, on February 6, 1890
Elizabeth L. Pearson of Delworthtown, Pennsylvania, in Chester County, signed June 7, 1894.
Rev. Thomas W. Pearson
Serbella Peck, who inscribed an individual page and a page shared with others, where she signed on September 23, 1838 at New York, or when she was living at New York. Presumably Serbella Johnson Peck (1824-1897) who would marry Ezra Ayres Hayt
Serbella I. Peck, signed at New York, on September 23 [no year written]
Catharine A. Peck, signed at New York on September 1, 1868
Harriet P. Peck, signed on September 23, 1838. Cornelia's later note: "N York"
George Alex. Pew of Middleport, New York; not sure of surname

Harold T. L. Raymond, signed at Niagara Falls Ontario, on September 12, 1885
Abbie J. Robinson, signed at Niagara Falls South, Ontario
? Rogers, Westford
Isaiah Rolfe, 1886
Nellie S. Rolfe
Cornelia Patterson Ross of Metuchen, New Jersey; album owner. She inscribed a page of welcome and added notes to many pages.
Carrie H. Ross, signed July 23, 1886
R. Q. Ross, signed at Bound Brook, New Jersey, on August 18, 1885
Mary A. Ross, Jr. of Plainfield, New Jersey, signed October 22, 1865. Cornelia's later note: "gone home".
Mary Alice Ross, signed on July 23, 1886
S. L. Ross, signed at Metuchen, New Jersey. Cornelia's later note: "gone home"
Alanson Ross; Cornelia's brother. Cornelia's later note: "gone Home". He moved to Welland, Ontario.
2-page sentiment left by M. Josephine Ross in 1839. Cornelia's later note: "Metuchen N.J. "gone home"
C. R. Ross, signed in October 1840. Cornelia's notes: "Brother" and "gone home". He was Cornelia's younger brother Charles Richard Ross.
M. A. Ross, signed at Metuchen, New Jersey on December 18, 1843. Inscribed to "Dear girl", so the inscriber is presumably a generation or so older.
Harriet Ross of Metuchen, New Jersey; Cornelia's note" All gone home", referring to Harriet Ross, Catherine Martin and Mary T. Vanderhouven
Phebe D. Ross, "your loving sister" - March 11, 1810 - August 3, 1886 [not her date of death, but presumably the day she inscribed her sentiment]. She was Phebe Dunham (Titsworth) Ross, wife of Cornelia's brother Austin Freeman Ross.
Lucy S. Runyon of Newark, New Jersey, #131 Orchard St.
Jeptha D. Runyon of Newark, New Jersey
Mabel A. Runyon, "your great-great-niece"

E. S.; Cornelia's later note: "gone"
A. Sampson, signed at Toronto, on June 16, 1887. Cornelia's later note: "With one foot"
Libbie Sanford, signed at Roxbury on January 6, 1868. Cornelia's later note: "gone". Possibly Elizabeth Sanford, sister of signer Sarah Jane Sanford of Roxbury, Connecticut.
Sarah J. Sanford, or Sarah I. Sanford, signed at Roxbury C.T. [presumably Connecticut] in 1847. Cornelia's later note: "gone home" Possibly Sarah Jane Sanford, sister of signer Libbie Sanford.
John Scudder of Vellore, India, signed on January 12, 1896. Presumably Dr. John Scudder, son of John Scudder, Sr., first medical missionary to India
I. T. Smith, signed at Piscataway, New Jersey; not sure of initials. Cornelia's later note: Stille, or Stelle.
Anna T. P. Smith of Stelton, New Jersey, signed on July 5, 1884
M. E. Smith of Stelton, New Jersey
Emily ? Smith of Princeton, New Jersey, signed at Niagara Falls South, Ontario, on July 5, 1884
Lewis Mudge Smith of Princeton, New Jersey, signed at Niagara Falls South, Ontario, on September 6, 1887
S. Smith, signed on February 22, 1840. He signed as Cornelia's "brother", but referred to himself as her cousin. "Brother" was probably religious in meaning. Cornelia's later note: "gone home". He may have been Samuel Smith, husband of Cornelia's sister Eveline Freeman (Ross) Smith.
I. T. Smith, signed at New Brunswick, New Jersey in 1833; not sure of first initial.
J. D. Spicer, signed on August 7, 1864
Arthur J. Spicer, signed on July 20, 1886
Lizzie Spicer, signed in March 8, 1865; middle initial possibly I or T or F or ?
Ida L. Spicer of Plainfield, New Jersey, signed at Niagara Falls, Ontario
S. R. Stelle; signed in 1886
Mary Letitia Stelle of Nelson, New Jersey, signed at Clifton Park, on July 3, 1886
Willie T. Stelle of Stelton, New Jersey
Samuel, signed on May 17, 1843; Cornelia's later note "Stille". Samuel Stille or Samuel Stelle
Burton Still or Burton Stell, Sandgate

C. C. Thomas, or E. C. Thomas, signed at Metuchin, New Jersey. Cornelia's later note: "gone home".
Ira Thomas of Hotchkissville, Connecticut; Cornelia's later note: "gone home"
Betsey M. Thomas of Hotchkissville, Connecticut, signed on August 29, 1876.
Ruth Thomas; Cornelia's later note: "gone"
Sadie M. Thomas of Metuchen, New Jersey, signed at Niagara Falls, on August 25, 1887
Gussie M. Thomas. Cornelia's later note: "Metuchen, New Jersey". Future wife of Rev. Nicholas I. M. Bogert.
Fannie Thomas; Cornelia's later note: "Connecticut"
John B. Thompson of Clover Hill, signed on August 2, 1894
Hannah G. Thompson, signed at Clover Hill on August 2, 1894
Maurice J. Thompson, signed on 2 August 1894
Anna M. F. Thompson, signed at Clifton Park, on August 6, 1886. Cornelia's later note: Redington, New Jersey.
Elias W. Thompson of Readington, New Jersey
Sara J. Titsworth of Plainfield, New Jersey, signed August 17, 1886
Sydney R. Titsworth
Clarence L. Titsworth of Plainfield, New Jersey, signed on September 2, 1886

H. Van Derveer, signed at New Brunswick, New Jersey in 1838
Mary P. Vanderhouven, age 74, 1868; not sure of surname. Cornelia's note" All gone home", referring to Harriet Ross, Catherine Martin and Mary T. Vanderhouven

Francis H. Wallace of Drummondville, Ontario, 1867
Robert Wallace of Drummondville, Niagara Falls, Canada
Winnie Waugh [not sure of surname], signed at Hamilton, Ontario, in 1887, at Missionary Training School, Wesley Park, Clifton Park
Mrs. N. G. Webster, signed at Niagara Falls, Ontario, on April 24, 1887; not sure of initials.
Louise Batstone Welch or Welsh, signed at Toronto, presumably Ontario, on July 30, 1887.
Fannie A. Wendover, signed on August 10, 1864. Cornelia's later note: Metuchen, New Jersey
Emily Willis, signed at Niagara Falls South on March 19, 1893
Margaret Ewing Woods of Washington, Pennsylvania, signed in September 1891. Cornelia left a later note for Margaret: "Her Address now in China, Mrs. W. B. Hamilton, Chinanfu, China, Shantung Province." [William Beeson Hamilton]
Mrs. A. A. Woods of New Orleans, Louisiana
Bettie B. Woods of New Orleans, Louisiana, dated October 17, 1890