American AcornsAbbie Helen Whittier
1844–1916 · Female · died at 71
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Overview
Abbie Helen Whittier1844–1916Harlow S. Russell1837–1913Husband
Biography
Abbie Helen Whittier grew up in Brighton and Cornville, married Harlow Russell, and raised a family of seven children.
Brighton and Cornville
Abbie was born in Brighton in December 1843 or 1844, the daughter of John H. Whittier and Mary C. Hall. Her obituary says the family moved to Cornville when she was about twelve and that she lived there until she married Harlow S. Russell, a farmer from Farmington, in 1862 or 1863 (Independent-Reporter, 16 March 1916).
Likely About this evidence
The 1900 census gives December 1843; the 1850 Brighton census lists Abigail, six, in July, consistent with a birth around 1844. Her obituary's printed 1884 is inconsistent with both censuses and her marriage. The obituary gives 1862 for the wedding; the tree gives January 7, 1863, and the 1900 census records 37 years of marriage. The exact date remains unresolved. Harlow's obituary calls her “Mrs. Abbie Whittier” without explaining the title.
A growing family
Abbie and Harlow lived in Bingham and then for about twenty years in Cornville. Harlow's obituary also places them in Solon. Later they lived in Skowhegan and Madison. Six of their seven children survived Abbie: Nellie, Mabel, George Lee, Ada, Lewis and Bert. Her obituary counted twenty-one grandchildren, nineteen still living in 1916. In 1900, Ada worked in a shoe factory, Lewis as a farm laborer, and Bert attended school (Independent-Reporter; 1964 obituary).
Confirmed About this evidence
The censuses and family notices establish these names and households. The obituaries give different married names and towns for Nellie; they are not resolved here. The records cited do not describe Abbie's daily work.
Her last years
Harlow died in autumn 1913. Abbie later lived with their son Lewis in Madison. She died at home on Saturday night, March 11, 1916, after a short final illness following years of stomach trouble.
Likely About this evidence
The Saturday date in the March 16 obituary agrees with March 11 in the tree; an index gives March 18. Harlow's dated November 1913 death notice contradicts the 1914 year in Abbie's obituary, while his exact death day remains unresolved.
Her obituary announced a funeral at the house on Wednesday morning, with the Rev. George Merriam of Bethany Baptist Church officiating. Two brothers survived her: Albert of Cornville and Fred W. of Topeka, Kansas. The family tree records her burial in Skowhegan.
Likely About this evidence
Abbie's burial is supported here only by the tree. The officiating minister does not establish her church membership.
Timeline of the public record (5 entries)
Family
Parents
- Father: John Harrison Whittier 1814–1913
Unconfirmed evidence: show why
- Mother: Mary Collins Hall (Whittier) 1813–1908
Unconfirmed evidence: show why
Husband: Harlow S. Russell 1837–1913 Unconfirmed evidence: show why
Unconfirmed evidence: show why
- Daughter: Ada Russell ( Footer ) 1878–1921
Unconfirmed evidence: show why
- Son: Bert Von Russell 1886–1954
Unconfirmed evidence: show why
- Son: George Lee Russell 1875–1961
Unconfirmed evidence: show why
- Son: Lewis Whittier Russell 1882–1964
Unconfirmed evidence: show why
- Daughter: Nellie M. Russell 1864–1928
Unconfirmed evidence: show why
- Daughter: Mabel Russell 1873–1966
Unconfirmed evidence: show why
Life events
| Born | 22 Dec 1844 Confirmed evidence: show whyWhy: Her gravestone gives Dec. 22, 1844. Brighton as her birthplace comes only from the Find a Grave text. Records: Review: assessed 11-02-2026; evidence: Image examined. Earlier: Unconfirmed (10-05-2026, imported tree): From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed. |
|---|---|
| Died | 11 Mar 1916, Madison, Somerset, Maine, USA Confirmed evidence: show whyWhy: Her gravestone gives Mar. 11, 1916, and her obituary says she died 'Saturday night at her home in Madison' (11 March 1916 was a Saturday). Records: Review: assessed 11-02-2026; evidence: Image examined. Earlier: Unconfirmed (10-05-2026, imported tree): From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed. |
| Also recorded as | Abbie Helen Russell |
| Marriage | 7 JAN 1863, Maine, USA, with Harlow S. Russell 1837–1913 |
| Residence | Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Wife, 1900, Madison, Somerset, Maine, USA |
| Burial | Skowhegan, Somerset County, Maine, United States of America |
Newspapers
3 newspaper clippings to view here. View them larger, one at a time.
The Independent-Reporter (Skowhegan, Me.), 16 Mar 1916, p. 4: Death of Mrs. Abbie H. Russell.16 Mar 1916 · p. 4- The Independent-Reporter (Skowhegan), 16 March 1916: 'Death of Mrs. Abbie H. Russell' at her home in Madison, daughter of John H. and Mary C. (Hall) Whittier, wife of Harlow S. Russell, with her surviving children.16 Mar 1916
The Independent-Reporter of 16 March 1916, 'Death of Mrs. Abbie H. Russell': born in Brighton, married Harlow S. Russell in 1862, lived at Bingham, Cornville, Skowhegan and Madison; survived by six children. The paper prints her birth year as 1884, an evident error.1916
Also cited, with no image here
- “Death of Mrs. Abbie H. Russell,” The Independent-Reporter (Skowhegan, Me.), 16 Mar. 1916, p. 4, Newspapers.com image 885796736. Also Vermont marriage record (groom's card), Lewis W. Russell and Mabel R. Davidson, Walden, 12 Dec. 1910 (mother "Abbie Whittier"); “Lewis W. Russell” obituary, Morning Sentinel, 16 July 1964, p. 2 Newspaper or record reference; read it at the archive or publisher.
Record images
6 record images to view here. View them larger, one at a time.
1900 U.S. census, Madison, Somerset County, Maine (NARA roll 600, page 24, ED 157): the page the family tree attaches to Harlow S. Russell, George Lee Russell, Abbie Helen Russell.1900 · NARA roll 600, page 24, ED 157
June 1900, Madison: Harlow S. Russell, 62, a farmer, with his wife Abbie and son George, a shoe-factory laborer; seven children born, six living.1900
A second photograph of the weathered gravestone of Abbie Helen (Whittier) Russell, wife of Harlow S. Russell. Find a Grave photograph supplied in the family tree.photograph
Gravestone of Abbie Helen (Whittier) Russell, 'wife of Harlow S. Russell', who died in March 1916; the inscription is weathered. Photograph supplied in the family tree.photograph
Maine, Marriage Records, 1713-1937
Vermont, U.S., Marriage Records, 1909-2008
Sources
- U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current Burials and memorials Scan: family sign-in Birth
- New Hampshire, U.S., Marriage and Divorce Records, 1659-1947 Birth, marriage and death records Scan: family sign-in Birth
New England Historical Genealogical Society; New Hampshire Bureau of Vital Records, Concord, New Hampshire - 1900 United States Federal Census Census Viewable scan Birth, Marriage, Residence
Year: 1900; Census Place: Madison, Somerset, Maine; Roll: 600; Page: 24; Enumeration District: 0157 - U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current Burials and memorials Scan: family sign-in Death
- “Death of Mrs. Abbie H. Russell,” The Independent-Reporter (Skowhegan, Me.), 16 Mar. 1916, p. 4, Newspapers.com image 885796736. Also Vermont marriage record (groom's card), Lewis W. Russell and Mabel R. Davidson, Walden, 12 Dec. 1910 (mother "Abbie Whittier"); “Lewis W. Russell” obituary, Morning Sentinel, 16 July 1964, p. 2 Newspapers Citation only
- Maine, Marriage Records, 1713-1937 Birth, marriage and death records Viewable scan
- U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current Burials and memorials Scan: family sign-in
- U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current Burials and memorials Scan: family sign-in Burial
- Vermont, U.S., Marriage Records, 1909-2008 Birth, marriage and death records Viewable scan
Research sources
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Open an evidence label for the sources, assessment and review date. Unreviewed tree entries are Unconfirmed. How sure is each statement?