of Emma Pauline ("Pauline")
transcribed by Allison MacDuffee, email@example.com
Emma Pauline "Pauline" Johnston,
about 16 years old, Saint John, New Brunswick,
About the Autograph Book:
My grandmother, Emma Pauline ("Pauline") Johnston received this book as a birthday gift in 1882 (1), when she was about three years old, and entries cover the period 1882 to 1893 The book measures 8 x 13.5 cm and has a grey cover with an embossed design of flowers, leaves and a feather. It contains 54 leaves (i.e., 108 pages), of which 17 contain some writing.
Emma Pauline ("Pauline")
i. Stuart J. MCDUFFEE, b. 25 Apr 1905,
Gordon MACDUFFEE, b. 19 Nov 1906,
iii. Jane Rhoda MACDUFFEE, b. 18 Mar 1908, Saint John, NB, d. 1990, Toronto, Ontario
Johnston MACDUFFEE, b. 1 Apr. 1910,
Pauline died on 5 August 1953 in
Information about Pauline’s friends who wrote in her autograph book was gleaned from the 1881 Canadian Census transcription online at www.familysearch.org on December 8, 2002.
In transcribing the book, I have used the following symbols:
r = recto (front side of page)
v = verso (reverse side of page)
strikethrough = text that is erased or crossed out in the
Transcription of the Autograph Book
The first inscribed page of the autograph book, 1882. I have not
yet discovered the identity of "Aunt Belle.".
A birthday Present,
From Aunt Belle
To Pauline Johnson
April 12 1882
Remember My Dear Pauline
When on these lines you look;
Remember it was – Father
Who wrote this in your book
Nov. 20th, 1891
In after years when this you see,
I wonder what your name will be.
Nov 7th – 1889
love me ever.
I have been told
That you want your
name wrote in Gold
and if you do why tell
me so and then I’ll
write your name in Gold
Nov 19th 1891
[smudged] July 15th 1890 [1891?]
Rember me long
May your joys be as
deep as the ocean and
your sorrows as light as
the foam Is the wish of your
Kind hearts are the gardens
Kind thoughts are the roots
Kind words are the blossoms
Kind deeds are the fruits
When twilight draws the curtain
And pins it with a star
Remember your friend Jennie
Though you may wander far.
Believe me your friend.
Nov. 1st ’89
Now is the time for buckwheat
Nov. 20th 1891
Remember well and bear in mind
That a constant friend is hard to find
But if you find one good and true
Change not the old friend for the new.
Never trouble trouble
Till trouble troubles you
Nov 20th 1891
I turned these pages o’er and o'er.
To see what others wrote before.
And in this quiet little spot
I’ll write the words forget-me-not.
St John N.B.
July 15 1890
Rember me long
Rember me ever
Rember the fun we
both had together
A rich source for social history and photographs of
A final word....
I would be delighted to hear from descendants of the people who wrote in Pauline's autograph book, and/or from anyone with further information to share about Pauline and her family. Please write to me at firstname.lastname@example.org .
Web Design courtesy John Spragge,
Last updated: September 12, 2011.
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