Sketch of a Gundalow by Eva M. Huckins from her book, Down by the Sea.

Eva M. Huckins Book
1884

DAL.SMS.087

Collection Overview:
Title: Eva Huckins Book
Dates: 1884
Creator: Eva Huckins
Call Number: DAL.SMS.087
Repository: Drew Archival Library
Location: Small Collections Box 3
Quantity: 1 folder
Language: English

Administrative Information:
Access Restrictions: Collection is open to researchers
Acquisition Information: Donated by Malcolm M.  MacNeil
Preferred form of citation: DAL.SMS.087, Eva Huckins Book in the Drew Archival Library of the Duxbury Rural & Historical Society
Finding Aid prepared by: Carolyn Ravenscroft, July 2015

Scope and Context:

The collection consists of one hand drawn book created by Eva M. (Close) Huckins entitled, “Down by the Sea.” This six page book contains pen and ink sketches of Duxbury scenes done by Huckins along with excerpts of poetry by famous authors. The book was drawn in Duxbury, MA in 1884, the year of Eva’s marriage to Frank Huckins. Although it is unsigned, the same sketches, attributed to Eva Huckins, appear in the 1937 Duxbury Tercentenary Program. The book was donated to the DRHS by Malcolm M. MacNeil.

Biographical Information:

Eva M. (Close) Huckins was born in Boston to Archelaus H. Close and Frances C. Stuart in 1858. In 1884, she married Frank Huckins (1858-1915), the son of Pembroke S. Huckins and Emily J. Frost. Frank and Eva owned a house on the north side of Powder Point in Duxbury, MA (Eva later built a house on a lot across the street). Together they had three children, Frank P. (b. 1886), Marian (1888-1948) and Stuart (1896-1967). Son Stuart Huckins and his wife, Olga, were friends of Rachel Carson, the author of Silent Spring. In 1937 some of Eva’s sketches appeared in the Tercentenary Program for the town of Duxbury. Eva M. Huckins died in 1938 and is buried in Mayflower Cemetery, Duxbury,  along with her husband and two youngest children.