Passed Time - A Fine Boy: Announcement to Mary Denison May 25 circa 1907

A Fine Boy: Announcement to Mary Denison May 25 circa 1907

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Dennison Mary Frontw

This postcard is taped in a ledger which was re-purposed into a stamp collection and scrapbook. The ephemera found within was most likely saved due to the affixed stamps, so the ledger became a hybrid of ledger/stamp collection/scrapbook. As many of the letters and documents were addressed to John Woodword Miner, his daughter Mary Augusta Denison, or her husband Noyes Ramond Denison, one of the three was probably the stamp collector.

Mary Augusta Miner was a daughter of John Woodward Miner (Minor) and Emilia Avery Miner. Mary A. Miner married Noyes Raymond Denison, a son of Noyes Palmer Denison and Harriet L. Denison, on February 17, 1861.* The family lived in Groton, Connecticut with the sea serving as their means of livelihood.

When young, Denison served as a first mate aboard a cotton ship and upon maturation received his own command. The New London Crew Lists Index 1803-1878, indicates one Denison, Noyes Raymond served as "master" aboard the schooner Isabel. He was born in Stonington, Connecticut and resided in Groton. The Index states his complexion was "dark," which fits the image of a seafaring person.**

The postcard was sent from Springfield, Massachusetts which sits approximately 80 miles from Groton. A date of May 25 is evident but if present, the year is illegible. Luckily, the folks at MetroPostcard.com provide a guide used to date government issued postal cards. Those issued with this particular stamp of McKinley were first used in 1907. Noyes Raymond Denison died on July 4, 1876 but I have not been able to find Mary Denison's death date. That she was still alive in 1907 seems apparent.

The content of the postal card announces the birth of a "fine boy." It also states "all are pleased," suggesting the baby was healthy. Thus far, I cannot find anyone related to the Denisons or Miners with those initials. I suspect the baby is a grandchild of the Denisons, but save for the initials and the card's origin, little evidence as to the author's identity exists. As always, I call upon our readers if they are able to shed light as to the author's identity. Best, Pat***

Dennison Maryw

* Genealogical and Biographical Record of new Loncon County, Connecticut: Containing biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Early Settled Families. J. H. Beers & Company, 1905. new London County, Connecticut. page 250

**New London Crew Lists Index, 1803-1878, provided by the Mystic Seaport: The Museum of America and the Sea.

***The Denison family remains an integral part of Connecticut's history. The Denison Homestead in Mystic, Connecticut (6-10 miles from Groton), has been a steward of the area's history as well as lands originally awarded to George Denison. The Homestead offers activities, holds tours and reenactments, and provides a newsletter to interested parties.

Internal Resources:

Noyes Ramond Denison and Mary Augusta Miner Genealogy Link

External Resources:

Denison Homestead

John W. Miner House

Mary Augusta Denison on Geni

MetroPostcard.com

Mystic Seaport: The Museum of America and The Sea

Noyes Raymond Denison Birth and Death