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From: "Shelley Cardiel" <>
Subject: [MAMiddle] DAMON - GATES Family Photographs
Date: Sat, 9 Feb 2008 08:28:13 -0800


I've "rescued" a group of three photographs including two with
identification. The first is a photograph of Lydia Clementine DAMON GATES
which was taken at the J. C. Moulton Studio in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.
The photograph appears to have been taken in the 1880's with Lydia likely in
her 30's at the time it was taken. In addition to her name, someone has
written "married Paul GATES of Ashby, Mass Oct 20 1880, born July 3rd 1841
at Ashby, Died Nov 2nd 1920 at Burbank Hospital, Fitchburg, Mass., this
photo taken about time of marriage" on the back of the photograph.

The second photograph is of an older man, likely in his 50's or 60's, taken
in the 1880's at the same J. C. Moulton Studio in Fitchburg. The photograph
has the names "Mr. & Mrs. Frank BUTTERFIELD" written on the back of the
photograph, so I am not sure if this is "Frank BUTTERFIELD" or if the
photograph was a gift to the BUTTERFIELD's and that is why their name
appears on the photograph. For all I know this could be a photograph of
Lydia's husband Paul GATES.

The third photograph is of an unidentified man, taken in the 1880's, at the
J. C. Moulton Studio in Fitchburg. The man in the photograph appears to be
in his 50's at the time it was taken. Based on limited research I was able
to gather the following information regarding these folks:

Lydia Clementine DAMON b. 3 Jul 1841 in Ashby, MA to parents Jonas Barrett
DAMON (b. 16 May 1809) and Joanna RANDALL (b. Jan 1812 in Berwick, ME). She
married Paul GATES (b. 8 Apr 1817 in Ashby, MA) on 20 Oct 1879 in Ashby, MA
and d. 2 Nov 1920 in Fitchburg, MA. Lydia's siblings include Ida Frances
and Sarah Ann DAMON, both born in Ashby, MA between 1849 and 1852.

Census records provide the following information:

1860 census of Ashby, MA:

Paul GATES, age 43, a Farmer, born MA
Lusy JETTS, age 68, a Housekeeper, born MA
Charles WHITNEY, age 19, born MA
Kilborn CHAPMAN, age 55, a Carpenter, born MA

1870 census of Ashby, MA:

Paul GATES, age 53, a Farmer, born MA

1880 census of Ashby, MA:

Paul GATES, age 63, a Farmer, born MA, parents born MA
L. Clementine GATES, wife, age 38, Housekeeper, born MA, parents born MA/ME

1900 census of Ashby, MA:

Cyrus K. WHEELER, age 71, born Jul 1828, married 22 years, born MA, parents
born MA, a Farmer
Eliza A. WHEELER, wife, age 66, born Sept 1833, married 22 years, no
children, born MA, parents born MA
L. Clementine GATES, niece, age 58, born July 1841, a widow, no children,
born MA, parents born MA/ME, a Nurse
Mary J. NEWELL, servant, age 55, born Sept 1844, a widow, no children, born
MA, parents born Ireland/NH, a Servant

1910 census of Worcester, MA: (living in the home of Henry C. TAYLOR and
family)

L. Clementine GATES, age 68, a widow, no children, born MA, parents born
MA/ME, an Attendant

1920 census of Fitchburg, MA:

Ida DAMON, age 70, born MA, parents born MA/ME, Keeper of Boarding House
Clementine GATES, partner, age 78, a widow, born MA, parents born MA/ME,
Keeper of Boarding House
Olive S. BUTTERFIELD, niece, age 33, born MA, parents born MA, a Hardware
Store Bookkeeper
+ 5 boarders

I believe that this group of photographs is all connected in some manner. I
am hoping to be able to return the photographs to their rightful place with
family. If you are a member of this family, or you know someone who might
be, please contact me.

Thank you,
Shelley

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