Memorabilia of Mary Ann Hovey (1839-1926) was originally left in the Boxford Town Hall for safe keeping, and later transferred to the Boxford Historic Document Center.
Mary was born in South Hampton, NH, but her parents were probably living in Bradford, MA at that time or shortly after. They then moved to Groveland, which is where she grew up. She was the wife of Albert P. Hovey, and they resided in their later years at 605 Main Street. Albert (1828-1918) was born and raised in Boxford, and they are both buried in Brookside Cemetery. Albert fought in the Civil War, serving in Co. F of the 12th Massachusetts Infantry. Mary and Albert had no children.
Reunion form to be filled out by the descendants of Daniel Hovey, February 21, 1900
Pamphlet, "Rules and Regulations and Rules of Order of the
National Encampment, Grand Army of the Republic"1880
Booklet, "The Handy War Book" 1898
Pamphlet, “The Father’s House” by James H. McConkey
Small, hardcover copy of "The New Testament"; inscribed, “Hannah J. Kimball’s book from her sister Mary A. Kimball June the 29, 1857,” 1855 [Hannah died of typhoid in 1858]
Invitation to reception for Boxford boys, May 16, 1899
Page, “History of the Kimball Family” by Leonard A. Morrison, January 20, 1888
Letters to Mary A. Hovey:
- B. Pearl Lewis, on behalf of Second Church, December 7, 1923
- B. Pearl Lewis, on behalf of Second Church, January 6, 1925
- Letter on stationery from “Hovey & Weeks, Last Makers, Riverside Block, Haverhill, MA” [Joseph H. Hovey] RE: stoves, addressed “Dear Sister,” October 22, 1886
- Letter addressed to “My Dear Children,” January, 1894
13 photographs
- In paper sleeve; man; marked “Brother Kimball”; photograph by G.C. Robinson
- In paper sleeve; man ; marked “M. A. Kimball”; ambrotype photograph by Darling
- Older woman; marked “Susan Kimball” (unsure of relationship, possibly Mary’s aunt)
- Girl holding black cat – probably Lucy Porter Hovey, Albert’s older sister (gold frames match in portraits and age difference looks right)
- Unidentified older woman wearing gold brooch
- Unidentified young woman in plaid dress (possibly goes with paper – “Sept. the 17 1859 Mrs. Brown [?] – there was a Mrs. Brown living next door to the Kimball family in Groveland in 1860, Sarah Augusta Browne (1829-1891)
- Unidentified young woman with bows on dress – appears marked on back, but not a name
- Boy, appears to be Albert Hovey
- Marked “Mary A. Hovey W. Boxford” – almost certainly Albert Hovey in uniform
- Young woman, marked “To My Dear” – probably Mary Kimball Hovey
- Unidentified toddler in dress – photograph from A. Yeaw’s Ambrotype Rooms, No. 166 Essex Street, Lawrence”
- Unidentified man in ½ case – no markings inside case
- Unidentified soldier in case (possibly Albert’s older brother Orville who was 40 when he enlisted in the Civil War)
Objects
- Seashell
- Stone (possibly with silver on it from silver mine?)
- Large nut
- Button hook