UVA History of Childhood, Parenting, and Family Building--addition 76 Mary Amidon commonplace book

Content Description

This addition to MSS 16758, The University of Virginia Collection on the History of Childhood, Parenting, and Family Building, contains the commonplace book of Mary Amidon, an eleven-year-old girl from Massachusetts. The Commercially produced blank book with engraved title page illustrated in full color with the title "Floral album" by J.C. Riker, 129 Fulton St., New York, and decorated throughout with occasional colored paper (green, blue, yellow), and full-color floral illustrations. The cover is original black leather with an elaborate gilt stamp floral design. "Mrs. E.O. Gillmore" is in manuscript ink on the front flyleaf with a calligraphic swan of Mary's name below. The book contains twenty-nine manuscript entries in various hands, several examples of calligraphic illustrations, and a lock of hair. Occasional later annotations are made in green ink, perhaps from a descendent. These annotations connect the Plimpton, Amidon, and Weld families. These suggest that A.E. and Jane Plimpton were aunt and niece with A.E. Plimpton being the mother of the three half-sisters Mary Amidon, and Sarah and Amy Welde. Most entries, when noted, are from Southbridge and Sturbridge, Massachusetts. Many of the entries are from older women focusing on the importance of friendship and the afterlife.

Acquisition Type

Purchase

Provenance

Purchased from Whitmore Rare Books, 26 November 2024.

Language of Description

English

Restrictions Apply

No