Commonplace Book Sarah McElroy Bevan Antique 1830s Handwritten Poetry Baltimore

Description

You're bidding on a nice, antique commonplace book, primarily written between 1834-1835, belonging to Sarah Jane Bevan nee McElroy. The book actually covers the period of time of her engagement, as there are examples of her practicing her signatures within both endpapers. The book is primarily handwritten poetry, some transcribed and some original - mostly by her friends, but some of her own transcriptions. There are a few blank pages at the center, followed by a couple of poems that appear to be from suitors, after her engagement - one is a humorously terse anagram of her first name.
Sarah Jane McElroy was born in 1810. I was not able to find out much about her life, other than that she lived in the Baltimore area and in 1835 married Thomas Horatio Bevan, a widower and stone cutter who actually helped design the cemetery where they are both buried (Green Mount Cemetery in Baltimore). The 1830 census shows the two on the same page, her as the Head of Household, him as the head of a large family. Unfortunately, she died in 1839 at 29 years of age. The 1840 census shows Thomas with a child age 5 or under, so it's possible she died in childbirth. Or possibly she suffered with illness, as the last page of the book, after a few blank entries, eerily has an unfinished transcription of a period hymnal, under the title "The Dying Saint", with one line written: "What's this that steals, that steals upon my frame".
Book is in quite good condition for age and type. Leatherbound in red with gilt design with nice external appeal, it has several period-primitive engraved illustration plates within. The original title page is clipped out and half torn, but still tipped in. One page is torn-thru buy tape repaired, and there are other minor edge tears and foxing. Overall solid, though, in readable handleable condition.
Please review photos carefully to make your own determination of condition and appeal, and don't hesitate to ask any questions prior to bidding - thanks for looking!