PainterWoman

A very old and exciting find

Friday, 9. October 2009, 18:48:29

As I am organizing things around here, I've been coming across some very interesting things. This old Arithmetic book was published in 1855 and used by my Great Aunt Anna in 1898. Actual size of this book is 4 1/2 inches by 6 1/2 inches.

Ok, call me a nerd for getting excited over this.

On the inside cover of this book is written: Anna Reynolds, Harrodsburg, Kentucky, Oct. 30, 1898.

I never knew my great aunt, only heard tid bits of different stories over the years. What I remember is that she spent many years in and out of the Indiana State Hospital in the 20s, 30s and 40s. When not in the hospital, her brother, my great uncle Everett (I think) would keep her locked up in a room because she was prone to fits and rages. At one time, she DID live in a house and I remember reading in one of my grandmother's letters (this was her sister) that someone needed to get Anna out of the house so they could get into it and get rid of junk. Apparently, it was so cluttered you could hardly walk in it.

During some geneology research a few years ago, I attempted to contact the state hospital to find out the nature of Aunt Anna's illness. This brought up nothing because the old hospital is now gone and all records sent elsewhere.

On the back of this book, is an advertisement for the publishing company's Drawing book. I thought it interesting.

A close up of the bottom part shows the prices of books 150 years ago.

Superstition Mountains, Peralta Trail and Weaver's NeedleI have a secret I'd like to tell

Comments

1 2 Next »

L2D2 # 9. October 2009, 19:22

Wouldn't it be fun if you could find a set of these books, still intact! I used to have a copy of Black Beauty owned by my dad, and I believe it was from a first publication run. Have no idea where he got it, but it was small and very ornate. I used to read it and read it and was forever after a great fan of Black Beauty.

I have no idea what happened to that book. It just disappeared. Would love to have it back. Just hope someone in my family has it and has taken good care of it.

Great post, Pam.

Stardancer # 9. October 2009, 19:29

I love old books. It is so cool that you have one used by one of your ancestors like this one.

Wonderful post.

PainterWoman # 9. October 2009, 19:47

Linda, thank you. There are several more really old books like this. I've got them in a small plastic box to keep dust off of them. In fact, I just this minute found them. They are right next to the computer desk in a plastic filing cabinet.

Star, thank you too. My mom was the saver of books, otherwise, these would be gone. I doubt very much my kids are going to want these, so may turn them over to an historical society or sell them if possible.

Somewhere, in Indiana, there is an old family bible that belonged to my Great Grandmother and had loads of info about our ancestors. When she passed away, everything in her house was thrown out or kept by whoever was doing the throwing out. This bible has never turned up. One day I will make a trip to Bloomington and do some research of my own....in person. That seems to get more action.

PainterWoman # 9. October 2009, 19:50

Graham, I love that I've kept these from my mom's possessions. If I hadn't taken them, they may have been thrown out, I'm not sure.

I'll have to scan in the covers of the other books and do another post later.

PainterWoman # 9. October 2009, 20:03

Ah, yes, Tombstone, Arizona. Will have to do a day trip to that.

The state where I was born (Indiana) has a lot of history too. Have you ever heard of Butcher's Hollow? It was named after some of my ancestors.

PainterWoman # 9. October 2009, 20:04

Actually, Butcher's Hollow is in Kentucky. Another state where some of my ancestor's lived. In fact, I have to make a notation in my post about Kentucky.

gdare # 9. October 2009, 20:08

Too bad you couldn`t find more about your great aunt. But having this book says she was educated, at least in Arithmetic

I think there is one old book at my parent`s place, some German religious book in leather bound. The oldest book I have is an Serbocroat-German dictionary with grammar printed before Wold War 2

PainterWoman # 9. October 2009, 20:21

Graham, there is also a Butchers Hollow in Monroe County, Indiana. Now I'm going to look for the old photos of the Butcher ancestors.

Darko, when I visit Indiana next year, I'm taking lots of paper work with me. I plan on visiting the present state hospital in person to ask about her. Somewhere there HAS to be records. I'll also visit some historical museums and other places, plus meet several cousins I discovered.

gdare # 9. October 2009, 20:37

When I made a family tree about 10 years ago, I got stuck at the end of 19th century. No one knew anything about ancestors of my great-great-great-grandfather. He has 4 sons and this is all I know. My grandmother told me I should go to a nearby village and ask in Evangelistic church if they still have it written somewhere. I should go, births of kids were written in church books back then, the only question is if their archive survived WW2

The same thing is with my mother`s side of family - end of 19th century and that`s it

PainterWoman # 9. October 2009, 20:46

Darko, all this history stuff about our families is so interesting.

My dad did much research about his family history. His book is with my sister. Not sure how she got it without anyone knowing. My great Aunt Anna was his aunt. His research goes back to mid to late 1700s which is astounding. He found out that one of our ancestors was killed from an overturned carriage; one drowned; one shot in a gun fight. Wish I could write a book about this stuff.

He had started on my mom's history but was unable to finish.

gdare # 9. October 2009, 21:03

Wow, now this is a history

I don`t know how interesting it was with my family. I know that one of my ancestors came in Serbia 300 years ago from a village near Bratislava in Slovakia. It could be nice to know more. And my great grandfather spent about 10 years in Argentina, earned some money, bought a ranch and then got doublecrossed by his partner. Returned to Serbia the same way he went - without any money in his pockets

My grandma told me the story, and I guess it has happened somewhere at the beginning of 20th century.

ellinidata # 9. October 2009, 21:42

what a gteat find Pamela! this is a piece of history wight there!
thank you for sharing!

Unasia # 9. October 2009, 22:04

I have all my families old book and photos, It is good to have that connectedness to the past. Cool post, I am sure I'll bring some of mine down over the weekend from the shelf

PainterWoman # 9. October 2009, 22:18

Thank you Angeliki. Yes, indeed, a great find.

Clance thank you. I'd love to see and hear about them.

Now all I need is some floor to ceiling shelves built in my computer room. That would help tremendously!

Dacotah # 9. October 2009, 22:33

Pam, WOW, that is really neat to have.

ellinidata # 10. October 2009, 00:11

Originally posted by PainterWoman:

One day I will make a trip to Bloomington and do some research of my own....in person. That seems to get more action.

wow! the world gets smaller and smaller! NoahCounte lives in Bloomington IN,
but I doubt he has anything to do with it!

PainterWoman # 10. October 2009, 00:21

Originally posted by ellinidata:

but I doubt he has anything to do with it!

He and I discussed this a while back. He lives near the university where an old family farm used to be. This was on my mom's side of the family.

ngtuanngoc # 10. October 2009, 01:09

I dun know literature's foreign is how special.
But it was wrote in 1855, very very precious thing

L2D2 # 10. October 2009, 01:42

I have several old books, some of them song books, that date from the 1800s. Most of them are books of sermons and theology.

I mentioned that once that my mom met Buffalo Bill Cody when she was a girl. Isn't that something?

My ancestors came here from Scotland. I need to contact some of my relatives who have much updated history of our family that I haven't known about. After they got to the states, though, most of my family drifted into Texas from Kentucky and Tennessee.

ellinidata # 10. October 2009, 02:02

Originally posted by L2D2:

I mentioned that once that my mom met Buffalo Bill Cody when she was a girl. Isn't that something?

wow! that's some story to hear!

Originally posted by L2D2:

I need to contact some of my relatives who have much updated history of our family that I haven't known about.

I hope when you find out you share some of the stories! I love everyday stories from immigrants!

L2D2 # 10. October 2009, 02:20

I would love to be able to track my family from Scotland to here, but I have a sneaking suspicion that they may have been running from the British or something, because my maiden name very likely is a made up last name, just don't know.

PainterWoman # 10. October 2009, 02:21

Originally posted by ngtuanngoc:

But it was wrote in 1855, very very precious thing

Yes, very much a precious thing. I am glad I have it.

Is your first name Tuan or Ngoc? I get confused with Vietnamese names sometimes.

PainterWoman # 10. October 2009, 02:26

Linda and Angeliki: I enjoy hearing about all the stories of the past and of people immigrating to America.

Both my parents' families have been here since mid 1700. They came from England, Holland, France, Germany, and Ireland. We have a little Native American in there too.

Dacotah # 10. October 2009, 03:45

Hi Pam, didn't you see my comment?

L2D2 # 10. October 2009, 03:59

McLeod, does that copy of Pilgrim's Progress have a publication date on it? I would LOVE to see that. Where did you get it? Did you purchase it or did it come from a family member?

ngtuanngoc # 10. October 2009, 04:02

My name is Ngọc, and mid name is Tuấn
My full name is: Nguyễn Tuấn Ngọc

But you can call me Ruby that mean my name is like a ruby stone.

Too easy to say

BabyJay99 # 10. October 2009, 10:28

Awesome!

ricewood # 10. October 2009, 13:37

Coming in late, I can only say that for me that would be a very interesting find, too. I would be very excited.

In fact, a couple of years ago, I stumbled over my late dad's reading book. I just might follow your lead and make a post about that one.

PainterWoman # 10. October 2009, 15:25

Originally posted by gdare:

one of my ancestors came in Serbia 300 years ago from a village near Bratislava in Slovakia. It could be nice to know more. And my great grandfather spent about 10 years in Argentina, earned some money, bought a ranch and then got doublecrossed by his partner. Returned to Serbia the same way he went - without any money in his pockets

Darko: This could almost be a movie. I think it's very interesting.

PainterWoman # 10. October 2009, 15:28

Originally posted by Dacotah:

WOW, that is really neat to have

I think so too. Wish it was worth about 50 grand!

PainterWoman # 10. October 2009, 15:31

Originally posted by Dacotah:

didn't you see my comment?

Yes, I saw it, just got interrupted while on the pc and couldn't get back till this morning.

PainterWoman # 10. October 2009, 15:32

Originally posted by ngtuanngoc:

My name is Ngọc, and mid name is Tuấn
My full name is: Nguyễn Tuấn Ngọc

But you can call me Ruby that mean my name is like a ruby stone.
Too easy to say

Ahhh, thank you Ruby.

PainterWoman # 10. October 2009, 15:33

Originally posted by BabyJay99:

Awesome!

Thank you Leazz!

PainterWoman # 10. October 2009, 15:35

Originally posted by ricewood:

In fact, a couple of years ago, I stumbled over my late dad's reading book. I just might follow your lead and make a post about that one.

Would love to see it Allan. Old books are so fascinating. To me, they have more stories between the pages than what actually is printed.

PainterWoman # 10. October 2009, 15:43

Originally posted by L2D2:

I mentioned that once that my mom met Buffalo Bill Cody when she was a girl.

This is really cool. I discovered a cousin named Allen back in Bloomington who, coincidentally was the best friend of a man I met online who helps people do searches. The man who helped me search, also coincidentally, lives next door to another cousin.

Anyway, my cousin Allen had done a lot of geneology and sent me info that he'd written down. Supposedly, Jesse James is one of our ancestors. He lived in many of the towns our families lived. Now there are a lot of people who say they are related to Jesse James and there are others who scoff at this idea. But being that outlaws got around, I can believe it.

PainterWoman # 10. October 2009, 15:45

Originally posted by gdare:

My grandmother told me I should go to a nearby village and ask in Evangelistic church if they still have it written somewhere. I should go, births of kids were written in church books back then, the only question is if their archive survived WW2

This would be fascinating to find out Darko. Are you going to go?

Dacotah # 10. October 2009, 15:47

Pam, it's priceless.

gdare # 10. October 2009, 15:51

I will have to, if I want that family tree completed

PainterWoman # 10. October 2009, 16:01

Carol, yes it is. But I think I'd sell it or donate it to an historical museum because I doubt my kids will want it. It would be a shame to think it'd be tossed in the trash.

Darko, can't wait to see a post about it. Photos too!

Dacotah # 10. October 2009, 16:02

Pam, that's a good idea.

night wolf # 10. October 2009, 20:39

WOW!!!

PainterWoman # 10. October 2009, 21:18

I know! I feel quite humble holding this small book that is over 150 years old.

L2D2 # 10. October 2009, 23:05

I need to read Pilgrim's Progress again. Haven't redy it since middle school I think. I like John Bunyan.

L2D2 # 10. October 2009, 23:08

Brain glitch. I had typed John Donne in that comment. Well, I like John Donne, too.

slackwrdave # 12. October 2009, 04:05

I very much enjoy old scans and photos. In my opinion, it's a great use of the Internet. Nice job Pam! You got a great discussion going, too.

I found some of my grandmother's notes from garden club meetings from the 1940's. I had a good time reading those. I liked the way she noted phone numbers back then: CYpress-96329 and BRoadway-33434. It was a big city back then to have *two* telephone exchanges and seven digits in the phone numbers, though up until the 1960's, you could get away with only dialing the last four.

PainterWoman # 12. October 2009, 05:12

Thanks Dave. I remember the those kinds of phone numbers. The first phone we had when we moved to Arizona began with ALpine. Can't remember the numbers anymore. And, of course, we only had one phone on the wall in the kitchen where everybody could hear what you said. No privacy back then.

daxonmacs # 14. October 2009, 02:15

Nice post Pam and a great find. I hope you can find out more about your great aunt.
The book seems to have been rather expensive at the time, too.

Suntana # 14. October 2009, 03:15

there ... Ummm, Nerd.

Hey, you said to call you that.

I can't say that I have any books remotely that old. I think the oldest pieces of written material I have lying around are my old, dog-eared Spiral Notebooks from back in Electronics School.

OMG!

It WAS 100 years ago!

Okay, I'm Just Kidding. REALLY! It wasn't 100 years ago.

I do have a little pouch with a whole mess of Concert Ticket Stubs and assorted other trinkets I kept for this reason or that reason from way back. I have in there 1 freakin' Cover Knob from my first Organ. I have a Homecoming Garter and something resembling a Shoelace with Beads on it

that some girl gave me.

And more stuff that I'd have to go check to jar my memory. A Gold Mine, I tell ya!

studio41 # 14. October 2009, 07:49

nice to find treasures like this

PainterWoman # 14. October 2009, 11:43

Thanks Danny. Yeah, it would be interesting to find out more about my Great Aunt. My sister once said it might have been schizophrenia but I doubt it. Schizophrenia runs in families. If one person had it, it will turn up again in the next generation or sometimes skip a generation. To my knowledge no one else has been affected by this in 100 years.

1 2 Next »

Showing comments 1 - 50 of 67.