Tintype, Unknown Boy with Gilded Jewelry

This tintype was found with a lot of things related to Shumate/Irvine/Ferguson relatives.  The tintype has two gilded pieces of jewelry, a pinky ring and a small pin in the center of his shirt collar.  In my mind the book he's holding is a clue but the meaning has been lost with time.  There's a clasp on the left side of the book and is ornately decorated on the front. It's interesting how he's holding the book, from the top so that the front is prominently displayed.  If it was ever in a case it was removed long ago.

Marion Moran and doll, ca 1890

The photo's of Marion Moran are always so sweet.  Notice the doll she's holding is wearing a bonnet that looks just like the one that Marion is wearing.  Adorable. 

The photo was taken by R.S. Patterson of Nashville Tennessee.

Nathan Harrell Moran holding a pinwheel

Here's another cute picture of Bub.  This was probably taken about 1922.  I'm pretty sure that's a pinwheel he's holding and doesn't he look adorable in that ruffled shirt?

Carolyn Elizabeth Cobb, circa 1914

This little girl with the enormous bow in her hair is Carolyn Elizabeth Cobb, my husband's cousin once removed.

She was the daughter of Marion Moran of Dresden Tennessee and Charles Henry Cobb of Union City.

She married Joseph Linton Godown of Memphis in 1938.

I love her sideways glance, the absurdly oversized bow and the tassle hanging from her sock. Even though she's dressed so prim and proper her eyes scream imp!

Carolyn was born in 1907 and passed away in 1997.

Three Dolls, circa 1920

Search for The History of Dolls at Amazon!

Durability and toys don't usually go hand and hand.  Some kids play rough and tumble with their toys, others are more gently.  These dolls have seen some rough play but are still around after almost 100 years.  They've come out of the steamer trunk and the cedar chests to see the light of day again.  These dolls probably belonged to a very young Louise Moran and I believe them to be from around 1920.

Three dolls from the Moran family.  Circa 1920.

Cute bunny doll.

Articulated doll, head view.  I particularly like this image because she reminds
me of the statues of angels in cemeteries.

Very unhappy, two faced doll.

Happy side, two faced doll.
This one reminds me of the creepy dolls in Toy Story.

Side view of two faced doll.
There's just something about a two faced doll that is creepy.

Paper dolls circa 1895

These paper dolls probably belonged to the youngest Moran girl, Marion, who was born about 1884.  I found them all in one envelope inside one of the many boxes containing Moran items.  It's amazing how beautiful and intact they still are after 126 years!  

Some of the dolls are from a company called Barbour's who produced thread and other textile products.  Barbour's was founded in 1784, the date on the back of the Barbour's dolls is 1885.  Here is some reading from Barbour's entitled A Treatise on lace-making and embroidery with Barbour's Flax Thread.

The top row of paper dolls originate from the Coats and Clark thread called O.N.T (One New Thread).  O.N.T. thread became available in 1864.  Here is a short history of the Coats and Clark Company including the development in 1864 of its thread division.

Paper dolls have always been an inexpensive toy for children.  They originated in Paris, moved to England and eventually made there way to America.  For a concise history of American paper dolls visit 

Victoriana Magazine. 

Bess, Marion and Hugh

Unlike so many of the pictures we have this one does not have a photographers name stamp or city.  However, on the back side it tells us that we are looking at Bess, Marion, and Hugh.
**Updated 10/22/2011  The children are Bessie Barr, Marion Moran, and Hugh Barr, Jr.
Since Marion is still a baby here that would put this picture being taken about 1886.
For more information about the Barr's see the Oct. 23 blog entry, Barr None.