Family Relics

Artifacts of Special Interest

(Portrait of Harriet Gregory Warren executed and signed by her mother Anna Gregory)
(Floral art made from hair donated by various members of the Farwell line family. The workmanship is impressive displaying fine details and elaborate design. The date of the piece is presently unknown, but is presently being researched.)
This floral drawing shows the planning stage.)
A list of names originally accompanied the drawing identifying each donor. We're keeping our fingers crossed that it is found among other records.)
(According to the Smithsonian Institution, it has been a common practice for centuries to create art and other objects from human hair. The practice was especially popular during the Victorian period, but began to wane around 1929.)
(Exact lineage of floral hair artwork is presently unknown, but it hung on the wall of the back porch of Gretchen Emily Grace Kumme Farwell and her husband Chester's porch. Pictured is Gretchen Emily Grace with her granddaughter Barbara Stone. Artwork hanging on back wall. )

(Locket owned by Harriet Gregory Warren (Farwell).)
(Inside view of the Harriet Gregory Warren (Farwell) locket. Owner of hair unknown. Children pictured are siblings Warren Gregory Farwell to the right of photo, Violet Ruth Farwell to the left, and Hermena Eva Farwell in the middle. Harriet was their paternal great grandmother.)

(Stephen Parliman Wright's "Peerless Copy Book." Includes his signature, penmanship lessons, and various writings. First page of book reads: "Commenced this book January 10th 1878.")
(Ist Page of Stephen Parliman Wright's "Peerless Copy Book dated 10 January 1878. Additional pages available for viewing on profile page.)

(Harold Crosby Farwell's silver cup: Harold died around age ten months: b. 11 February 1877-–d. 22 December 1877)
(Harold's silver cup full view. It was treasured by his sister Minnie Gregory Farwell.)
(An old handwritten note (source believed to be Gretchen Emily Grace Kumme) identifies this china as having been hand painted by either Anna Gregory's mother or grandmother. The china was passed down from Anna Gregory (born 1777) to a "Mrs. Farwell." Anna's daughter Harriet Gregory Warren married Joseph Farwell (b.1817), and is most likely the "Mrs. Farwell" referred to.
(Set of china passed down to Anna Gregory and hand painted by either her mother or grandmother according to accompanying note.)
(This plate, made in Germany by R. B. Andrews, is decorated with an image of Allen's Block in Monument Square, Leominster, MA, USA. Allen's Block once housed the piano factory where Joseph Farwell (b.1817) and his son Edwin Crosby Farwell worked as piano finishers.
(Closeup of Allen's Block detail. Coincidentally, the plate also mentions Pleasant Street––the Stephen Buss family homestead was on Pleasant Street about two miles south of town (this reported by Christopher Y. Downs). Leominster has played a significant role in the various branches of the Family Lore genealogical tree.)
(Made in Germany by R.B. Andrews. This piece was passed down from Gretchen Emily Grace Kumme who may have received it from a prior generation. The first owner is unknown.)