Another wonderful Sepia Saturday (#153) shot!
Usually I go into Search Mode – flicking through boxes of photos to find one I can use (see my last week’s post), but this theme was an easy one for me – Best Friends!!! I knew exactly where to go to find this photograph: an old cabinet photo album that lives on the top shelf of my living room bookcase!
I’m not sure when this photograph was taken, but I’m guessing it was about 1875 or so, when these two young ladies were in high school in Gardner, Massachusetts. They were best friends – went to grade school and high school together, attended the same church.
On the left, Emma F. Whitman; on the right, Frances Taylor Sabin.
Emma Frances Whitman was born in 1857, daughter of Charles and Viola Whitman. After her father died, her mother married Edwin Hill; Emma lived with them in Gardner New York
Frances Taylor Sabin was born January 5, 1857 to Lucius Henry and Roxanna W. Adams Sabin. Her father was a carpenter and served in the Civil War (he couldn’t fire a rifle because he was missing one finger, but he could still build; he was a member of an engineering corps). On September 10, 1884, Frances married John Allen Gould in her family’s living room in Gardner Gardner
Frances and John Allen Gould lived at 1206 Boylston Street in Newton, and Emma visited there frequently. I have family diaries and letters that mention Emma Tidd; there are a couple of old photographs that have Frances and Emma together, but this cabinet photo was, by far, the best of the bunch. I also have old Christmas cards from her.
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Deb, You have a wonderful collection of photographs and memorabilia. This photo is superb and indeed perfect for this week's theme. I know exactly what you mean by reaching. The photos in our future loom large on the horizon ....
ReplyDeleteSo many of us have collections, Liz; Sepia Saturday gives us all the avenue for making use of those photographs! Thanks for your comments.
DeleteThe thing which struck me most were the birth-death dates - fifth and sixth of January - as though she waited to have another birthday first! Lovely set of facts and photo.
ReplyDeleteStrong women in this family, believe me! Family stories suggest she tried to wait for the birth of my brother, who was born in early February of 1943!
DeleteThe thing that struck me was that you know exactly what wedding present was given by Emma to Frances in 1884! It must have been in the family diaries. A charming picture of these two girlfriends.
ReplyDeleteI have a little book that lists all the wedding presents; Frances even noted the date she sent her thank-you notes! Talk about organized!!!!!
DeleteI never cease to be amazed at the way Sepians bring out photos and detailed family stories. We have very few such photos and even less records of what went on before the 1940s. Fascinating post, Deb
ReplyDeleteHi Deb, what a wonderful picture and stories of the two BFF's. The diaries must be one of your favorite treasures.
ReplyDeleteKathy M.
Those diaries are fabulous, believe me! They're wonderful to read, especially when I can remember most of the family members talked about, most of 'em are in my grandfather's generation. I'll post some of them sometime, I promise!
DeleteSisters don't have to be siblings. What a wonderful friendship. And how nice for you that Frances was so organized!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, to stumble upon diaries! What a find! It's always so interesting to learn about folks families!
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother read ALL the diaries (1885-1940) and then threw out all but 9 of them (she thought they were too boring). I could wring her neck for that, but.....the ones I have are fascinating; a way of life that is totally gone!
DeleteGlad for you you have so much info on people going that far back. I wish I knew more about my own family...
ReplyDeleteThis is truly a lovely photograph.
:)~
HUGZ
You sure have a lot of information about them.
ReplyDeleteThis family saved EVERYTHING -- letters, notes, photos! My father followed the tradition, and I'm the genealogical pack rat in my generation...
Deletehow lucky you are. I have a notebook my mother keept of religious songs and jokes, my father's notebook where he copied songs and two love poems my father wrote to my mother. that is all. Very few photos or stories from either side of the family. I envy you.
DeleteI enjoyed reading about these two best friends.
ReplyDeleteThis photo says it all! It shows what a sweet friendship they shared. And how fun for you to have those diaries. What a treasure!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful story of an enduring friendship.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely photo of two girls who were obviously very fond of each other, and the detail is quite clear when you zoom in. You have a lot of family treasures :-) Jo
ReplyDeleteWendy, Jana, Nell, Jo -- forgive me for responding to you all at once; thanks so much for your nice comments! I AM lucky, I know, to have so much tangible family history, and I'll always be grateful to all those diarists, letter-writers, picture-takers and odds-and-ends collectors who came before me.
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice that you have all that history on the two friends. It's a beautiful photo.
ReplyDeleteNancy