Album of Gems, a Friendship Album of Matilda S. Bedell, Coxsacki, New York

Coxsacki, NY, 1861. binding loose, leather on back strip has come off, some staining on front pages. The engravings within the album have been removed, this is evident by the three tissues guards that remain. Interior pages are toned.. A friendship album, entitled 'Album of Gems' which belonged to Matilda S. Bedell of Coxsacki, NY. The bulk of the entries in the album date from 1850-1852, and one of the first entries is by Matilda's husband, William. This date is done in pencil, while the entry is in ink, so it is possible it is wrong. Also featured within the album, is a dedication page, probably written by Matilda herself, but written from the perspective of the album itself, as though it was a living entity. The Bedell's were Quakers, and therefore most of the entries start with 'Sister Matilda', even though the authors are (mostly) not biologically related to Matilda. Below are excerpts from a few of the entries:

"My dear friend, as you have had teh curiostiy to open one, I trust for any owners sake, that you will turn over my leaves carefully and see what I have gathered. I commenced my rambles on the fourth day of July, eighteen hundred and fifty, and as my Mistress was desirous I should not stray from the friendly circle, or at least that I should not go where I should be in danger of bad usage. I spent some time in a parlor, before I fully determined what course to take." - Dedication Page, July 4, 1850

"To my wife: And thee would have me dedicate a line, a sentiment to thee upon this page unsullied is not our secret thoughts , our inmost [sic] souls already mingled into one?" - William, Matilda's husband

"Matilda at some lone hour when twilight sheds her mellow tints around, and fancy farms scenes expatiates, Oh! then remember a sister whose good wishes will ever attend thee, and hope love's roscate [red/red-haired] shadow's may ever mask thy pathway on to joys untold." - Sarah L. Gates, Rochester, 1850

Red gilt, blind stamped cover. Interior pages are various different colors and are gilt edge. Approximately half filled. Owner's name has been inscribed on front end papers, however it is extremely faded. Measures 8" x 6 1/2"

To view the item, please click on the following link:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/3KVHGxTwnY9suYxA7. Matilda S. Bedell was born on February 23, 1829 to Jeremiah Bedell (1777-1850) and Ruth Case (1782-1843) in New Baltimore, NY. She married William Bedell (1813-1861) and had three children: Emma Bedell Conrow (1853-1930), Matilda "Lillie" Bedell Comfort (1855-?) and Ellen Bedell Homer (1857-1939). After William's death in May 1861, she remarried Joel W. Andrews (1810-1898) and had one more child, Mary Andrews Crankshaw (1867-1898). Matilda died on April 11, 1906.