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Collection

Canedy Family Hair album, 1863

1 volume

This small hand-made volume contains 24 locks of men and women's hair, some of them tied with ribbon, braided, or looped. While its creator is not indicated, internal evidence suggests that Maryette Canedy of Northfield, Minnesota, likely compiled the booklet in 1863, to document friends and relatives in Minnesota and Vermont. A pencil, colored pencil, and ink illustration of a woman holding a bouquet of flowers is pasted on the front cover. Its inscription includes "Miss Emely [Shurpy?] drawing," her residence in Northfield, Minnesota, and the date of January 25, 1863.

This small hand-made volume contains 24 locks of men and women's hair, some of them tied with ribbon, braided, or looped. While its creator is not indicated, internal evidence suggests that Maryette Canedy of Northfield, Minnesota, likely compiled the booklet in 1863, to document friends and relatives in Minnesota and Vermont. A pencil, colored pencil, and ink illustration of a woman holding a bouquet of flowers is pasted on the front cover. Its inscription includes "Miss Emely [Shurpy?] drawing," her residence in Northfield, Minnesota, and the date of January 25, 1863.

Each lock of hair is accompanied by one or more of the following types of information:
  • The name of the individual who provided the hair.
  • The place the person lived, such as Stanford [i.e. Stamford, Vermont]; Wilmington, [Vermont]; North Adams, [Massachusetts]; and Northfield, Minnesota.
  • Short sayings or further identifying information. For example, the entries for Charles C. Phipps, Anna Phipps, and Anna Canedy mention their relationship to the compiler: grandfather, grandmother, and mother, respectively.
  • The age of the individual when the clipping was taken.

Maryette Canedy's hair sample is missing.

Collection

Coffin family and Mathew Doyle journal and album, 1828, 1852-1888 (majority within 1852)

1 volume

This volume contains D. Coffin's daily account of the first leg of a sea voyage from New York City to California, covering the progress of the clipper ship Grecian between New York and Cape Horn in early 1852. The journal also includes drawings of scenery made during the voyage, newspaper clippings, penmanship exercises, and children's sketches.

This volume contains a 20-page daily account of the first leg of D. Coffin's voyage from New York City to California, covering the progress of the clipper ship Grecian between New York and Cape Horn in early 1852. The journal also includes 18 coastal profiles drawn in pencil during the voyage. A newspaper clipping at the beginning of the volume concerns the clipper ship Grecian's arrival in San Francisco. It provides names of passengers, names of three people who died during the voyage, a list of goods shipped onboard, and names of consignees.

The journal begins on February 19, 1852. The following day, Coffin arrived in New York, where he purchased a ticket for the ship Grecian, which set sail on March 2. In his first entry, he detailed the ship's specifications, including its size and number of passengers. He kept a daily record of weather and events onboard and frequently mentioned his negative opinion of "immoral" passengers who enjoyed alcohol and gambling. Several of the entries concern medical problems, such as the death of passenger John Morrison from smallpox on March 12, the author's own bout with side and bowel pain, and several other cases of smallpox reported by the ship's doctor on March 21. Though many passengers suffered from illness, they were allowed to go onshore after the ship's arrival at Rio de Janeiro on April 12. Coffin wrote lengthy descriptions of the fort and the city, including its geographical surroundings and a visit by the emperor. On April 15, he reported on local markets and made brief observations about slaves. The Grecian departed Rio de Janeiro on April 19 and Coffin's continued to make daily entries until April 24.

Newspaper clippings, penmanship exercises, and children's sketches make up the rest of the volume. The first 42 pages have pasted-in newspaper clippings of proverbs, humorous anecdotes, informational articles, news articles, and poetry. The creator pasted the clippings over earlier, mostly inaccessible pen writing. Some of the clippings relate to farming, housekeeping, nature, and recent gold discoveries. Two of the articles are a report on a lecture given by Lucy Stone on women's rights, and a brief feature on an "Emancipation Movement in Virginia."

Penmanship exercises and notes (two dated 1862 & 1888), signatures, and children's sketches (three associated with Edna Jane Coffin) are scattered throughout the volume. A pencil sketch of a three-masted sailing ship was signed by Mathew Doyle.

Collection

Lamb-Sykes family papers, 1680-1947 (majority within 1819-1911)

11 linear feet

The Lamb-Sykes family papers contain correspondence, financial and legal documents, daguerreotypes, and other materials related to the Philadelphia families' daily lives and business endeavors. The collection reflects their legal and mercantile affairs, investments, real estate, and involvement with the Mechanics Bank of Philadelphia.

The Lamb-Sykes family papers date from 1683 to 1947, with the bulk of the materials concentrated between 1819 and 1911. They form a record of the lives of the Lamb and Sykes families of Philadelphia, especially their financial, legal, and business activities. The collection includes approximately 300 letters; 9 linear feet of accounts, receipts, tax records, promissory notes, and legal documents; 60 account and expense books; 6 daguerreotypes; and 0.5 linear feet of school papers, family history, printed and ephemeral items, and other materials.

The Correspondence series is made up of approximately 300 letters to and from members of the Lamb, Sykes, and Norris families, between 1819 and 1907. Few writers sent more than a small number of letters to their family and friends. The correspondence reflects a variety of different activities and experiences, and many different geographical locations. Selected examples include:

  • Six letters between the Carswells and the Jacksons. Andrew Jackson and his wife Rachel sent four letters to Margaret and Margaretta Carswell between 1819 and 1822; Margaretta and Andrew Jackson each wrote 1 letter in 1843. These letters refer to historical events, such as the Treaty of Doak's Stand (Rachel Jackson's letter of October 20, 1820). In 1843, Margaretta wrote to Andrew Jackson about her intention to create a school for girls. The former U.S. President commended her for her proposal, and promised to spread the word amongst his female relations.
  • Five letters by Margaret Carswell, cousins, and siblings to Margaretta Lamb, from West Ely, Missouri, in the winter of 1837-1838
  • Approximately 10 letters between Margaretta and her husband, written when Lemuel traveled to London in the late 1830s. In these letters they discussed business and domestic life in Philadelphia.
  • Four letters written by Margaretta's daughter Margaret, during her travels to France and Germany in 1846
  • Six letters to Margaretta Lamb from her (former) pupils in 1851
  • Five letters by Margaretta's son Samuel, written from Panama, then San Francisco, in 1854. By the following year, he moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he wrote approximately 15 letters. In his letters from San Francisco, he described the quality of life in the West difficulties finding work, and the influx of people to the area.
  • Approximately 21 letters by Lemuel Lamb, Jr., in the mid-late 1850s from Detroit, Michigan; Superior, Wisconsin; St. Louis, Missouri; Chattanooga, Tennessee; New Orleans; Dubuque, Iowa; Pittsburgh; Marshall, Texas; and others. In letters to his mother and father, he remarked on his journey west, a cholera outbreak, his own good health, and his business affairs.
  • Twenty letters to Isaac Norris, Jr., from Jennie Carlile Boyd in Newport, Rhode Island, between April and July 1890. She wrote 15 of them on mourning stationery.
  • Approximately 27 letters from Harriet Lamb, Charles [Grugan?], and [Anne Grugan?] about their stay in Paris in 1851 and detailing the final illness and death of Margaret Lamb.

The Documents and Financial Records series consists of approximately 9 linear feet of financial, legal, and land documents of the Lamb and Sykes family. The series includes documents related to court cases; estate administration records for Margaretta Lamb, Franklin Wharton, Sarah Moore, and others; documents related to land holdings in Philadelphia, New Jersey, Delaware, and Rhode Island; and papers related to trade, investment, and banking.

The Photographs series includes 6 cased daguerreotypes. One postmortem portrait of Harriet Lamb in her coffin is accompanied by Philadelphia photographer Marcus Root's receipt of sale and the undertaker's bill for funeral expenses (1853). The other daguerreotypes are undated portraits of unidentified individuals and groups.

The Poetry, Recipes, Lists, and Fragments series contains 9 poems and writing fragments, 1 medicinal recipe, 1 recipe for cream pie, 1 book of lists, and 1 blank book. One poem, dated 1850 and titled "Fools and Their Money Parted," laments a decision to provide money to family members for the purposes of investment. The medicinal recipe is a "Cure for Cancer, Erysypelas, Humours, Diseases of the Liver, & Coughs" (undated). The book of lists is a volume of approximately 80 pages, which contains lists of books, Christmas gifts, prints, the contents of trunks, and other household objects (ca. 1880s).

The Printed Materials series consists of 2 circulars, 2 books, 16 stock reports, 23 issues of the serial Infant's Magazine, 2 pamphlets, approximately 60 newspaper clippings, and 2 engravings. See the box and folder listing below for more information about these items.

The Genealogy series consists of approximately 45 genealogical manuscripts pertaining to the Lamb, Norris, Pepper, Sykes, and Wharton families. One document regards Lemuel Lamb's immediate family, with birth and death dates for most of his siblings, and for some of his brothers-in-law. The Norris family genealogical materials include a 395-page family album with original and copied 18th- and 19th-century correspondence, photos and illustrations, newspaper clippings, and other items. A booklet printed by the "Provincial Councilors of Pennsylvania" includes a history of the Norris family. A similar booklet, prepared for an October 19, 1947, family reunion, describes the genealogy of the "Pepper Clan." The Sykes family materials are made up of copies of letters and writings documenting the early history of the family and their emigration to America. The Wharton family items include copied letters and writings, and an incomplete draft of the memoirs of Robert Wharton.

The Realia series includes 2 circular medals from the Bulldog Club of America, 1924 and 1925, and a metal nameplate from the urn of "Isacco Norris," Dr. Isaac Norris, who died in Italy.

Collection

Maria Marsh hair album, 1850-1853

1 volume

Between 1850 and 1853 Maria Marsh collected over one hundred hair samples from friends and family. She affixed them to the pages of this handmade album with pieces of fabric or paper, including decorative papers with metallic finishes, some cut into the shapes of hearts. The hair samples are predominantly identified with a number, the name of the individual, and the place of their residence. While the bulk of the entries are from people living in various places in New York state, several from Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Michigan are also present. Most of the hair samples are arranged in simple loops, but some are shaped in ornamental hairwork styles. Various shades of hair color are represented, include blonde, brunette, and one red. One entry is for an unnamed infant who died at four months old, and whose hair was too short to be able to loop or work. Some entries include brief lines of verse relating to remembrance.

Between 1850 and 1853 Maria Marsh collected over one hundred hair samples from friends and family. She affixed them to the pages of this handmade album with pieces of fabric or paper, including decorative papers with metallic finishes, some cut into the shapes of hearts. The hair samples are predominantly identified with a number, the name of the individual, and the place of their residence. Pages sometimes include multiple members of the same family. While the bulk of the entries are from people living in various places in New York state, several from Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Michigan are also present. Most frequently named places include Otisco, Beakman, and Williamsburg. Some entries for Otisco specify it as Otisco, Michigan, but it is possible some are also from Otisco, New York.

Most of the hair samples are arranged in simple loops, but some are shaped in ornamental hairwork styles. Various shades of hair color are represented, include blonde, brunette, and one red. One entry is for an unnamed infant who died at four months old, and whose hair was too short to be able to loop or work. Some entries include brief lines of verse relating to remembrance.

The volume's covers were crafted out of Thomas Tillotson Superior Cutlery display boards, with small holes where the tableware was originally affixed.

Collection

Maria Marsh hair album, 1850-1853

1 volume

Between 1850 and 1853 Maria Marsh collected over one hundred hair samples from friends and family. She affixed them to the pages of this handmade album with pieces of fabric or paper, including decorative papers with metallic finishes, some cut into the shapes of hearts. The hair samples are predominantly identified with a number, the name of the individual, and the place of their residence. While the bulk of the entries are from people living in various places in New York state, several from Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Michigan are also present. Most of the hair samples are arranged in simple loops, but some are shaped in ornamental hairwork styles. Various shades of hair color are represented, include blonde, brunette, and one red. One entry is for an unnamed infant who died at four months old, and whose hair was too short to be able to loop or work. Some entries include brief lines of verse relating to remembrance.

Between 1850 and 1853 Maria Marsh collected over one hundred hair samples from friends and family. She affixed them to the pages of this handmade album with pieces of fabric or paper, including decorative papers with metallic finishes, some cut into the shapes of hearts. The hair samples are predominantly identified with a number, the name of the individual, and the place of their residence. Pages sometimes include multiple members of the same family. While the bulk of the entries are from people living in various places in New York state, several from Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Michigan are also present. Most frequently named places include Otisco, Beakman, and Williamsburg. Some entries for Otisco specify it as Otisco, Michigan, but it is possible some are also from Otisco, New York.

Most of the hair samples are arranged in simple loops, but some are shaped in ornamental hairwork styles. Various shades of hair color are represented, include blonde, brunette, and one red. One entry is for an unnamed infant who died at four months old, and whose hair was too short to be able to loop or work. Some entries include brief lines of verse relating to remembrance.

The volume's covers were crafted out of Thomas Tillotson Superior Cutlery display boards, with small holes where the tableware was originally affixed.

Collection

Maryann B. Clark hair album, 1852

1 volume

Maryann B. Clark of Antwerp, New York, created this volume in 1852, inserting nine samples of hair of herself, her father, mother, siblings, other relatives, and possibly friends. The samples are arranged in various styles of ornamental hairwork and affixed to the page with pieces of ribbon or fabric. Each hair sample is accompanied by the individual's name, birth and death date (if applicable), and a verse. In the back of the volume, Clark copied the "Mourner's Lamentation," a poem written by her brother-in-law Joseph S. Foster upon the death of Persis Sabrina (Clark) Foster.

Maryann B. Clark of Antwerp, New York, created this volume in 1852, inserting nine samples of hair of herself, her father, mother, siblings, other relatives, and possibly friends. The samples are arranged in various styles of ornamental hairwork and affixed to the page with pieces of ribbon or fabric. One white lock of hair belonged to Clark's grandmother who died at the age of 90. Each hair sample is accompanied by the individual's name, birth and death date (if applicable), and a verse. Some of the verses relate directly to the individuals, such as those for her deceased brothers and sister whose hair samples are accompanied by poems about the death of siblings. Other poems relate to hair and remembrance. In the back of the volume, Clark copied the "Mourner's Lamentation," a poem written by her brother-in-law Joseph S. Foster upon the death of Persis Sabrina (Clark) Foster.

The volume is handmade. The cover is paper with fabric ribbon sewn along the edges.

Collection

Maryann B. Clark hair album, 1852

1 volume

Maryann B. Clark of Antwerp, New York, created this volume in 1852, inserting nine samples of hair of herself, her father, mother, siblings, other relatives, and possibly friends. The samples are arranged in various styles of ornamental hairwork and affixed to the page with pieces of ribbon or fabric. Each hair sample is accompanied by the individual's name, birth and death date (if applicable), and a verse. In the back of the volume, Clark copied the "Mourner's Lamentation," a poem written by her brother-in-law Joseph S. Foster upon the death of Persis Sabrina (Clark) Foster.

Maryann B. Clark of Antwerp, New York, created this volume in 1852, inserting nine samples of hair of herself, her father, mother, siblings, other relatives, and possibly friends. The samples are arranged in various styles of ornamental hairwork and affixed to the page with pieces of ribbon or fabric. One white lock of hair belonged to Clark's grandmother who died at the age of 90. Each hair sample is accompanied by the individual's name, birth and death date (if applicable), and a verse. Some of the verses relate directly to the individuals, such as those for her deceased brothers and sister whose hair samples are accompanied by poems about the death of siblings. Other poems relate to hair and remembrance. In the back of the volume, Clark copied the "Mourner's Lamentation," a poem written by her brother-in-law Joseph S. Foster upon the death of Persis Sabrina (Clark) Foster.

The volume is handmade. The cover is paper with fabric ribbon sewn along the edges.

Collection

Peter McGivney manuscript poetry and song lyrics album, [ca. 1870s?]

1 volume

This volume was produced by Peter McGivney as a gift for his sister, Julia A. McGivney. Its entries are largely copies of popular song lyrics and some poetry. Many focus on sentimental themes like remembrance, familial relationships, love, death, and religion. A few patriotic titles were included. Peter McGivney elaborately decorated and illustrated the volume with paintings, pencil drawings, pen-and-ink embellishments, printed scrapbook die-cuts, and calligraphic titles and borders. He drew numerous patriotic images, including American flags, shields, eagles, Union soldiers, and a portrait of George Washington. Flowers, leaves, birds, and landscapes feature prominently, along with depictions of women. He drew several illustrations of hands holding calling/visiting cards filled out with the names of friends and family members. One watercolor illustration of an African American man accompanies the lyrics of a minstrel song.

This volume was produced by Peter McGivney as a gift for his sister, Julia A. McGivney. Its entries are primarily copies of popular song lyrics and some poetry. Many focus on sentimental themes like remembrance, familial relationships, love, death, and religion. Some patriotic titles are also included. Titles like "Little Low Cabin" and "Half Way Doings" were likely minstrel songs, and include racist dialect. One is accompanied by a watercolor painting of an African American man in striped pants and a blue overcoat standing at a table with a Bible on it and a whitewash bucket on the floor.

Peter McGivney elaborately decorated and illustrated the volume with paintings, pencil drawings, pen-and-ink embellishments, printed scrapbook die-cuts, and calligraphic titles and borders. He drew numerous patriotic images, including American flags, shields, eagles, Union soldiers, and a portrait of George Washington. Flowers, leaves, birds, and landscapes feature prominently, along with depictions of women. He drew several illustrations of hands holding calling/visiting cards filled out with the names of friends and family members.

Attributable poetry and song titles include, among many others:
  • "The Lady’s Yes," by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
  • "Write Me a Letter [from] Home," by Will S. Hays
  • "[Darling] Minnie Lee," by Dexter Smith
  • "Ella Ree," by Charles E. Stewart
  • "God Bless My Boy at Sea," by T. Brigham Bishop
  • "Little Robin, Tell Kitty," by Frank Howard
  • "Killarney," by E. Falconer
  • "Sunny Days," by Edwin Ransford
  • "Remember Me," by M. W. Balfe
  • "We Parted by the River Side," by Will S. Hays
  • "The Last Rose of Summer," by Thomas Moore
  • "Lottie Lee," by C. T. Lockwood
  • "Kiss the Little Ones," by W. F. Wellman, Jr.
  • "Kiss Me Mother E'er I Die," by W. Dexter Smith, Jr.
  • "To a Beloved Woman," translated from Sappho
  • "Driven from Home," by Will S. Hays
  • "Bessy O'er the Lea" [e.g. "Darling Bessie of the Lea"], by George Cooper
  • "Our Own," by Margaret Elizabeth Sangster
  • "[When] The Corn is Waving, Annie Dear," by Charles Blamphin
  • "A Woman's Question," by Adelaide Anne Proctor
  • "Daisy O'Lynn," by M. H. McChesney
  • "I'll Remember You Love in my Prayers," by Will S. Hayes
  • "Don't be Angry With Me, Darling," by W. L. Gardner
  • "The Good Bye at the Door," by J. E. Carpenter
  • "Love On," by Eliza Cook
  • "Sweet Genevieve," by George Cooper
  • "When the [Autumn] Leaves are Falling," by J. E. Carpenter
  • "Mother, Is the Old Home Lonely," by Arthur W. French
  • "The Golden Side," by Mary Ann Kidder
  • "Wait Till the Moonlight Falls on the Water," by Sam Bagnall
  • "The Bells of Shadow" [e.g. "The Shandon Bells"], by Francis Mahony
  • "Annie of the Vale," by G. P. Morris
  • "My Pretty Jane," by Edward Fitzball
  • "Silver Threads among the Gold," by Eben E. Rexford
  • "When I Saw Sweet Nellie Home," by John Fletcher
  • "Come Like a Beautiful Dream," by George Cooper
  • "What Will I Do Without Thee," by Elmer Ruan Coates
  • "Star of the Evening," by James M. Sayles
  • "The Good Bye at the Door," by J. E. Carpenter
  • "Memory Bells," by Henry Tucker
  • "I Love the Merry Sunshine," by J. W. Lake
  • "Every Home has Lost a Darling," by George Cooper
  • "Wilt thou say Farewell Love," by Thomas Moore
  • "A Sweet Face at the Window," by W. C. Baker
  • "Faded Flowers," by I. H. Brown
  • "The Blind Girl," by Joshua Swan
  • "What Will I Do Without Thee," by Elmer Ruan Coates
  • "Why Was I Looking Out," by Claribel
  • "God Save the Flag," by Oliver Wendell Holmes
Images with titles include:
  • "Fair Maid of Perth"
  • "Arabella Dolora"
  • "A little Puss"
  • "Rebecca at the Well"
  • "E Pluribus Unum"
  • "Excelsior"
  • "The French Iron Clad Solferino"
  • "Volcano of Turrialba (Mexico)."
  • "View of Paknam on the Memam. Farther - India"
  • "The Rose of Orleans"
  • "The Queen of Flowers"
  • "Marriot's Aerial Steam Carriage. 'Avitor.'"
  • "Love in Winter"
  • "Dressing for the Masquerade"
  • "William Penn first Settler of Pennsylvania 1675"
  • "The Tambourine Player"
  • "Love in Summer"
Collection

The Mental Portrait Album, 1894-1972 (majority within 1894-1895)

1 volume

Seventeen individuals answered the questions printed in J. E. Spears' The Mental Portrait Album... (St. Louis: John L. Boland Book & Stationery Co., [1895]), which has a pictorial cloth cover showing a female figure and flowers. Entries between 1894 and 1895 were filled in by individuals residing in Missouri, Kentucky, and Kansas, while the later entries from 1910 to 1972 were written by those residing in Texas. Answers reveal contributors' favorite items, their tastes in music and literature, their opinions on admirable and detestable personality traits in men and women, as well as their beliefs about transportation, great reforms, follies, and wonders of the world.

Seventeen individuals answered the questions printed in J. E. Spears' The Mental Portrait Album. For Recording the Autographic Confessions of Friends and Acquaintances Regarding their Opinions, Tastes, Fancies, Etc. (St. Louis: John L. Boland Book & Stationery Co., [1895]), which has a pictorial cloth cover showing a female figure and flowers. Entries between 1894 and 1895 were filled in by individuals residing in Louisville and Danville, Kentucky; Pleasant Hill, Kansas City, Harrisonville, and Hughesville, Missouri; and Kansas City, Kansas, while the later entries from 1910 to 1972 were written by those residing in Forney and Wichita Falls, Texas. Answers reveal contributors' favorite items, their tastes in music and literature, their opinions on admirable and detestable personality traits in men and women, as well as their beliefs about transportation, great reforms, follies, and wonders of the world. Varying beliefs and prejudices are reflected, including those relating to women's rights, immigration, race (in particular against those of Mexican descent), and politics. Common answers celebrating emerging technologies, inventors, and historical figures, such as Thomas Edison and Robert E. Lee, indicate broader social phenomena.

Contributors noted their favorites of the following categories:

Color, Flower, Book, Animal, Season, Poet or Poetess, Prose Writer, Composer, Character in History, Character in Romance, Scenery, Music, Amusement, Occupation During a Summer's Vacation, and My Pet Hobby.

Additional questions on "opinions, tastes and fancies" consist of the following:
  • My Chief Ambition in Life
  • The trait I most admire in a woman
  • The trait I most admire in a man
  • The trait I most detest in each
  • The fault for which I have the most toleration in another person
  • That for which I have the least
  • The qualifications or accomplishments I most desire in a matrimonial partner
  • My idea of perfect happiness
  • My idea of real misery
  • There is always some one person, or thing, for which we have an attachment exceeding all other endearments in intensity. For me it is for
  • Of the various modes of traveling, I prefer
  • If privileged to make a journey, the single place or locality I would prefer to visit, above all others would be
  • As a traveling companion, I would most highly appreciate
  • Shipwrecked on a deserted island, I would most desire
  • The greatest wonder of the world, according to my estimation, is
  • As an inventor, I think the greatest service towards the world's progress has been rendered by
  • Of the many reforms at present under consideration, I most sincerely and particularly advocate
  • The greatest folly in the Nineteenth Century, in my opinion, is
  • My motto