This page is all that remains of an autograph book that belonged to Great-Grandma Young, Maude Lee Stout. Perhaps she kept this particular page, and stored it in the bookcase because the inspiring verse was inscribed by her mother, Frances Rebecca Lavina (Smith) Stout. Maude was 12 years old, and her mother was age 36.
March 12.th 1888
Dear Little Maud
Within this book so pure and
white let none but friends presume
to write; and may each line
with friendship given direct the
readers thoughts to heaven.Your Mother Rebecca F. Stout
The other side of the page seems to be a farewell from a friend.
To my dear Maud
Jan 6/89
Kittie Frazier
Above all be patient whith those that love
When many miles from here your rove
Remember your friend at Cedar Grove
Semper ? P ?
The 1880 census shows both the Stout and Frazier families living in Cedar Grove, Walker County, Georgia. Most likely, Maude and her family were preparing to leave Georgia in 1889, and move to Howe, Grayson County, Texas.
Carol, Thank you for preserving and sharing these little gems of thought and history and parts of my grandmother Maude’s life.