--- title: "\"Mr. Loring's play\"" description: "My cousin Neil recently shared some family albums with me: the oldest one belonged to his grandfather, Frederick Ayer (Jr.) (1888–1969), who kept it in 1905 and 1906." image: https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Robbins-house-summer-1906-for-VB-300x200-1.jpg --- # [Vita Brevis A resource for family history from AmericanAncestors.org](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. # "Mr. Loring's play" [July 31, 2015](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/2015/07/mr-lorings-play) [Critical Analysis](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/critical-analysis), [Photographs](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/photographs), [American History](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/american-history), [Technology](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/technology), [Spotlight](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/spotlight), [A Genealogist's Diary](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/a-genealogists-diary), [Object Lessons](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/object-lessons), [Research tips](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/research-tips), [Family stories](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/family-stories) [Scott C. Steward](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/author/ssteward) [![](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Robbins-house-summer-1906-for-VB-300x200-1.jpg?width=300&height=200&name=Robbins-house-summer-1906-for-VB-300x200-1.jpg)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Robbins-house-summer-1906-for-VB-1.jpg) Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Ayer's house in Prides Crossing, 1906. My cousin Neil recently shared some family albums with me: the oldest one belonged to his grandfather, Frederick Ayer (Jr.) (1888–1969), who kept it in 1905 and 1906. Over time, the images and the captions have faded, and the book’s middle section is held together with ancient cellophane tape, but Uncle Fred obviously cared about the record he was keeping. One of the most puzzling, and therefore interesting, images fills almost an entire leaf of the album; the identifying captions are squeezed out to the page edge: *D. Sohier, D. Beal, F. Ayer Jr*., etc. , F. Prince, P. Gardner, J. Blair, S. Eliot, C. E. Cotting, H. Thomas, M. Eliot, M. Loring, B. Lee, M. De Ford, L. Bradley, R. Anthony, R. Bradley, G. Prince, M. Hooper, E. Fitz, F__ T__, R__ R__ I despaired of identifying where or when the photo was taken until I had scanned it: enlarging the image and the names listed, I was also able to read the explanatory text trailing off below the photo: “Mr. Loring’s play, ‘Alladin,’ August 1905.” This was a very large hint, along with some of the other names I could now read, since the Sohiers and Lorings appear in the 2011 Lowell genealogy [[1]](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/2015/07/mr-lorings-play#_ftn1); furthermore, the photo was taken soon after the Ayers moved out to the Prides Crossing section of Beverly, Massachusetts, where the Lorings were their neighbors. A little more research indicates that the Loring play's performers came from Manchester, Beverly Farms, Prides Crossing, and Beverly Cove, all summer resorts on Boston's North Shore. Although stories abound of Bostonians of the period taking time to warm to newcomers, it's apparent that Uncle Fred’s contemporaries (and their parents) were quick to embrace him, even during his first summer in Prides Crossing (so-called for its train station). Given the prevalence of romances at summer resorts, it is interesting to see that, so far as I can tell, none of the young people in this photo grew up to marry one another; a generation later, Uncle Fred's niece Rosemary Merrill would marry the grandson of the play's producer, Augustus Peabody Loring (1856–1938), and many other such unions may be listed for descendants of the young people who appeared in "Mr. Loring's play." I have not been able to identify them all, but here are some initial notes on the cast:[[2]](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/2015/07/mr-lorings-play#_ftn2) *Back row, standing, from left*: William Davies Sohier (1889–1969); William De Ford Beal (1888–); Frederick Ayer (1888–1969); M. Lee; Margaret Thomas (1889–1981), who married William Tudor Gardiner, Governor of Maine 1929–33; M. Robinson; Morton Peabody Prince (1889–); Caleb Loring (1888–1954); Charles Minot Amory (1889–); Morton Prince’s cousin Frederick (1885–1962); the great Harvard athlete George Peabody “Peabo” Gardner (1888–1976); J. Blair; S. Eliot; and Charles Edward Cotting (1889–1985). *Middle row, seated, from left*: Margaret Thomas’ sister Helen, who married Samuel Dennis Warren; M. Eliot; M. Loring; B. Lee; M. De Ford; Leslie Bradley (1890–1971), who married Roger Wilson Cutler[[3]](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/2015/07/mr-lorings-play#_ftn3); and Ruth Anthony, who married Lyon Weyburn. *Front row, seated, from left*: Leslie Bradley’s sister Rosamond (1888–1969), who married Charles Auguste Rheault; Morton Prince’s cousin Gordon (1888–1983); M. Hooper; Edith Fitz; and two I could not identify (F__ T__ and R__ R__). ### Notes [[1]](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/2015/07/mr-lorings-play#_ftnref1) Scott C. Steward and Christopher C. Child, [The Descendants of Judge John Lowell of Newburyport, Massachusetts](http://shop.americanancestors.org/collections/genealogies-notable-kin/products/the-descendants-of-judge-john-lowell-of-newburyport-massachusetts?pass-through=true) (Boston: Newbury Street Press, 2011). [[2]](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/2015/07/mr-lorings-play#_ftnref2) Another clue: Several of the men in the photo were members of the Classes of 1910 or 1911 at Harvard. See *Boston Social Register 1906* (1905), *Summer Social Register 1906*, *Boston Social Register 1908* (1907), and *Who's Who along the North Shore ... for the summer of 1911*. [[3]](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/2015/07/mr-lorings-play#_ftnref3) The Cutlers’ granddaughter married my uncle. ### Share this: - [mailto:?body=https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/2015/07/mr-lorings-play](mailto:?body=https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/2015/07/mr-lorings-play) - - - More - - ![Scott C. Steward](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/hubfs/Imported%20images/f0ca00236a2eb95f2a42a6692ce1ee9c%3Fs=96%26d=identicon%26r=g.jpeg) ## About Scott C. Steward Scott C. Steward has been NEHGS’ Editor-in-Chief since 2013. He is the author, co-author, or editor of genealogies of the Ayer, Le Roy, Lowell, Saltonstall, Thorndike, and Winthrop families. His articles have appeared in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, NEXUS, New England Ancestors, American Ancestors, and The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine, and he has written book reviews for the Register, The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, and the National Genealogical Society Quarterly.[View all posts by Scott C. Steward →](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/author/ssteward) [← Identity and Family Life in 16th Century France](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/2015/08/identity-family-life-16th-century-france) [The Jamestowne Chancel Burials →](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/2015/07/jamestowne-chancel-burials) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ### Recent Posts [Sailor Bill and His Forgotten Wife](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/sailor-bill-and-his-forgotten-wife) [Professor X](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/professor-x) [Part I: Malaga Island, Maine](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/part-i-malaga-island-maine) [The Norwegian folge](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/the-norwegian-folge) [Research…in a Miniskirt? A ‘Style Guide’ to a Genealogist’s Wardrobe](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/research-in-a-miniskirt-a-style-guide-to-a-genealogists-wardrobe) ### Archives - [October 2014 (27)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2014/10) - [December 2015 (24)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2015/12) - [July 2020 (24)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2020/07) - [April 2014 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2014/04) - [July 2014 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2014/07) - [December 2014 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2014/12) - [July 2015 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2015/07) - [March 2017 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2017/03) - [May 2017 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2017/05) - [August 2017 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2017/08) - [January 2018 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2018/01) - [March 2014 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2014/03) - [August 2014 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2014/08) - [April 2015 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2015/04) - [September 2015 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2015/09) - [October 2015 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2015/10) - [March 2016 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2016/03) - [June 2016 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2016/06) - [August 2016 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2016/08) - [September 2016 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2016/09) - [November 2016 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2016/11) - [December 2016 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2016/12) - [January 2017 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2017/01) - [June 2017 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2017/06) - [November 2017 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2017/11) ### Categories - [Family stories (1260)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/family-stories) - [American History (1137)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/american-history) - [Critical Analysis (1126)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/critical-analysis) - [Research Methods (881)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/research-methods) - [Brick Walls (674)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/brick-walls) - [Object Lessons (617)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/object-lessons) - [Spotlight (617)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/spotlight) - [Genealogical Writing (554)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/genealogical-writing) - [Research tips (510)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/research-tips) - [Serendipity (479)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/serendipity) - [Road Trips (393)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/road-trips) ### Recent Posts [Sailor Bill and His Forgotten Wife](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/sailor-bill-and-his-forgotten-wife) [Professor X](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/professor-x) [Part I: Malaga Island, Maine](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/part-i-malaga-island-maine) [The Norwegian folge](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/the-norwegian-folge) [Research…in a Miniskirt? A ‘Style Guide’ to a Genealogist’s Wardrobe](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/research-in-a-miniskirt-a-style-guide-to-a-genealogists-wardrobe) ### Meta - [Log in](https://vita-brevis.org/wp-login.php) - [Entries RSS](https://vita-brevis.org/feed/) - [Comments RSS](https://vita-brevis.org/comments/feed/) - [WordPress.org](https://wordpress.org/) ### Subscribe to Blog via Email Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. ### Archives - [October 2014 (27)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2014/10) - [December 2015 (24)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2015/12) - [July 2020 (24)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2020/07) - [April 2014 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2014/04) - [July 2014 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2014/07) - [December 2014 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2014/12) - [July 2015 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2015/07) - [March 2017 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2017/03) - [May 2017 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2017/05) - [August 2017 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2017/08) - [January 2018 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2018/01) - [March 2014 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2014/03) - [August 2014 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2014/08) - [April 2015 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2015/04) - [September 2015 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2015/09) - [October 2015 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2015/10) - [March 2016 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2016/03) - [June 2016 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2016/06) - [August 2016 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2016/08) - [September 2016 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2016/09) - [November 2016 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2016/11) - [December 2016 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2016/12) - [January 2017 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2017/01) - [June 2017 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2017/06) - [November 2017 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2017/11)