Description
This rare handwritten journal documents the activities of "The Ladies' Association for Moral and Mental Improvement" in Thomaston, Maine. Complete with sixty- four pages from women's meetings that took place at various upscale Thomaston homes between 1834 to 1866. It is solidly bound, in excellent condition and measures 6 5/8" x 8 1/8" when closed. Approximately thirty of the female members are identified. Among these include the surnames: O'Brien, Robinson, Ruggles, Woodhull, Washburn, Paine, Swan, Prince, Simpson, Copeland, Fales, Kellogg, Rose, Jordan, Singer, Gleason, Holmes, Abbottt, Snow, Allen, Stimpson, and Cilley. Most, if not all of these women, played key roles during Thomaston's booming shipbuilding days. For example, Deborah Cilley was the husband of U.S. Congressman John Cilley, who was killed in a famous duel near Washington D.C. - just two weeks after his wife hosted the "Ladies'" meeting at their home in February,1838. Margaret George and Adelaide Ruggles, were the wife and daughter of U.S. Senator John Ruggles. Caroline Swan Holmes, wife of U.S. Senator John Holmes, was also a daughter of General Henry Knox. Another is Mrs. Edward Robinson, whose ship captain husband was subsequently elected to the U.S. Congress following Cilley's death. As you can probably guess, this special manuscript from the early days of the women's movement deserves much more research. It was just recently rescued moments before being heaved into a dumpster!
