1899 Graduation Photograph of Isabelle Mary Towle of Belfast, Maine; graduated from Farmington State Normal School

Photograph of Isabelle Mary Towle of Belfast, Maine, who graduated with the Class of 1899 from Farmington State Normal School at Farmington, Maine.

From online research, hopefully correct: [corrections and additions welcome!]

Isabelle Mary Towle was born 5 December 1878 at Belfast, Maine, the daughter of Frank L. and Nancy Arbella (Pitcher) Towle, who were born at Searsport, Maine, and Belfast, Maine, respectively.

After graduation, Isabelle became a teacher.  She's listed in the 1909-1910 Annual Report of Belfast, Maine, as a teacher of Grade VII in the Fall Term at East Belfast, Maine.  Her salary was recorded in another area of the report as $143.74, for what length of time I don't know.

Very soon after the Fall Term ended, it appears, Isabelle moved to Andover, Massachusetts, where she's shown in the 1910 Census working as a teacher.

At some point, she left Massachusetts for Bridgeport, Connecticut, where she's listed in the 1940 Census, working as a teacher.

I don't believe she ever married.  She died about 1954 and is buried in a Belfast, Maine, cemetery, along with her parents and brother Maurice.

If you have corrections and/or information to share, please leave a comment for the benefit of other researchers.

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1880s Autograph Album of Sadie A. Triggs of Hermon, Maine

1880s autograph album of Sadie A. Triggs of Hermon, Maine.  

The album is approximately 7" x 4-1/4" and contains the sentiments of over 50 of Sadie's relatives and friends.  An alphabetical list of the signers appears at the end of this post.

From online research, hopefully correct: [corrections and additions welcome!]

Sarah A. Triggs, "Sadie", was born about August 1855, the daughter of Augustus D. and Maria J. (Gray) Triggs.  Augustus D. Triggs was born in New Hampshire.  Online sources for Maria J. (Gray) Triggs have her born in either Maine or New Brunswick.

It was presumably Sadie's mother Maria J. (Gray) Triggs who signed a page as M. J. Triggs at Hermon, Maine, on October 11, 1880.

The name of Sadie's older sister Ada P. Triggs appears on a page in the album.  Ada died 1 October 1880.  I wonder whether Ada signed the page herself or someone else wrote her name in the album as a memorial, as most of the autographs were from a year or more later.

Sadie had a brother, Henry S. Triggs, who might have inscribed a page at Hermon, Maine.  The handwriting is childlike, so it's possible that the signer Henry was a different person, unless he signed the album earlier than most of the other signers.  

The combination of Henry's handwriting and Ada's name in the album make me wonder if the album was started in an earlier era and then brought out again in the 1880s, and then brought out again in 1905 as you will see.

Sadie's sister-in-law, Ella B. (Strout) Triggs, wife of Sadie's brother Alberton Augustus Triggs, signed a page on March 31, in the 1880s.  I can't be sure of the last digit of the year.  She included a Victorian scrap.

On 1 January 1889 at Bristol, Maine, Sadie A. Triggs married Augustus P. Richards, son of Asa and Martha B. (Merithew) Richards.  Augustus was born 19 June 1857 at Camden, Maine.  I believe Sadie and Augustus had three sons, two of whom lived to adulthood.  

Apparently the album came to light a third time as both sons signed pages in 1905.  Son Oscar Milvern Richards signed a page as Oscar M. Richards of Walpole, Maine, on April 5, 1905.

Son Ernest Elroy Richards signed a page as Ernest E. Richards of Walpole, Maine, also on April 5, 1905.

I'm always interested in knowing how people like Sadie and Augustus met.  There were signers with the surname Richards who lived in the Hermon, Maine, area.  Or perhaps Sadie pursued an employment opportunity in the midcoast area.

Other relatives and in-laws signed pages in the album; refer to the list of signers below.

Augustus P. Richards died in 1915, and Sarah A. (Triggs) Richards died in 1937.  They're buried at the West Bristol Cemetery, in Bristol, Maine.

If you have corrections and/or additions to the information above, or information on any of the signers listed below, please leave a comment or contact me directly.  Thanks!

List of signers:   [Note: given names within a specific surname may not be in alphabetical order.]

• O. W.
• Eunie L. Bean of Bangor, Maine, signed on August 8, 1886; presumably Eunice L. Bean
• J. M. R. Blackwell of Hermon, Maine
• Annie M. Blackwell of Hermon Center, Maine, signed in the Fall of 1880
• Lillie J. Blackwell of Hermon Center, Maine, signed October 13, 1880
• Charles L. Eastman of East Corinth, Maine, signed at Bangor, Maine, on August 28, 1886
• George F. Emerson, signed at Bangor, Maine, on April 11, 1886
• Alwilda M. Emerson
• Annie M. Emerson
• W. W. Emerson of Hampden, Maine, signed on January 22, 1882 [not sure of the last digit].  The signer's sentiment is written upside down.
• Mrs. Fannie Emerson of Bangor, Maine, signed on April 8, 1886
• Albert Files, signed at Bangor, Maine, on March 1, 1886; his wife Sarah (Hill) Files signed the facing page
• Mrs. S. H. Files, signed at Bangor, Maine, on March 1, 1886.  She was Sarah (Hill) Files; her husband Albert Files signed the facing page.
• A. H. Harding of Hermon, Maine; signed on January 31, 1882
• Eliza B. Harding
• W. F. Harding, signed at Hermon, Maine, on March 1, 1882
• Ellen Hodgman
• Millie Hodgman
• Susie G. Hunt of Hermon Centre, Maine, signed on January 14 [no year written]; her husband Thurston Hunt signed the facing page on January 14, 1883.
• Thurston Hunt, signed at Hermon Centre on January 14, 1883; his wife Susie G. Hunt signed the facing page.
• H. B. Mower of East Bangor, Maine, signed on August 22, 1886
• Mary A. Reed, signed at Hermon, Maine, on March 25, 1882
• Oscar M. Richards of Walpole, Maine, signed on April 5, 1905; Sadie A. (Triggs) Richard's son Oscar Milvern Richards, born 2 September 1891; there's also a page noting the birth on September 2, 1891, presumably by his mother Sadie.
• Ernest E. Richards of Walpole, Maine, signed on April 5, 1905; son of album owner Sadie A. (Triggs) Richards
• G. S. Richards; presumably George S. Richards of Bangor, Maine, whose wife Mrs. Ella A. (Triggs) Richards signed the facing page on October 29, 1882
• Mrs. Flora T. Roberts, signed on December 9, 1880
• Mrs. Emily Roberts of Hampden, Maine, signed on December 9, 1880
• Charley Roberts, signed on December 8, 1880
• Tempy Robinson [not sure of given name]
• Flora Robinson of Hermon, Maine
• Miss Rufena Robinson
• Mrs. Diana Robinson of Hermon, Maine
• Rufus Robinson
• Lula B. Robinson of Hermon, Maine, signed on March 18, 1885; "your little friend"
• M. Estelle Robinson of Hermon, Maine, signed on March 16, 1885
• J. C. Temple
• Ella E. Temple, signed at Hampden, Maine, on February 3, 1885
• Rose B. Tibbetts of Hampden, Maine
• Mrs. Abbie Tibbetts of Hampden, Maine, signed on January 22, 1882
• Sadie A. Triggs of Hermon, Maine; album owner
• Henry S. Triggs of Hermon, Maine; Sadie's brother or perhaps nephew
• Ella A. Triggs; she was presumably the Mrs. Ella A. Richards, who signed the following page.  Ella married George S. Richards on 11 May 1881; he signed the facing page.
• M. J. Triggs, signed at Hermon, Maine, on October 11, 1880.  Presumably Maria J. (Gray) Triggs, mother of album owner Sadie A. (Triggs) Richards
• Ella B. Triggs, signed March 31, 188x [can't decipher last digit].  She was Ella B. (Strout) Triggs, wife of Alberton A. Triggs, Sadie's brother
• Ada P. Triggs of Hermon, Maine.  She was Sadie's older sister.  She died 1 October 1880.  Perhaps someone else wrote her name on the page.
• Albert S. Ware of Hampden, Maine, signed at Hermon, Maine, on February 6, 1882
• Olive C. Wiley of Bangor, Maine, signed on August 27, 1882
• Ada P. Wiley of Bangor, Maine, signed on August 27, 1882 [not positive of middle initial]
• A. F. Wiley of Bangor, Maine, signed on August 30, 1882; presumably Asher F. Wiley, brother of Delia E. Wiley who signed the following page.
• Delia E. Wiley of Bangor, Maine, signed on August 27, 1882
• Lester Wiley of Bangor, Maine, signed on August 28, 1882

Hermon, Maine [A] and Walpole, Maine, a village at South Bristol [B]

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1880s Autograph Album of Abbie Hughey of Moose River, Maine, in Somerset County

Note: The list of signers at the end of this post contains additional information supplied by a Hughey/Ray descendant.  Many thanks!

1880s autograph album that belonged to Abbie Hughey of Moose River, Maine, in Somerset County.

The album is approximately  5-1/2" x 3-1/4" and contains the sentiments of sixteen of Abbie's relatives and friends.  An alphabetical list of the signers appears at the end of this post.

From online research, hopefully correct: [corrections and additions welcome!]

Abbie Hughey was born 29 January 1870, the daughter of Robert Adams Hughey and Jane (Ray) Hughey, who I think were born in the Beauce, Quebec, and in Ireland.

Three of Abbie's sisters signed pages in her album.  Abbie's oldest sister, Maggie Hughey, signed at Skowhegan, Maine, in September 1882.

"Die", presumably Abbie's older sister Diantha or Deantha Hughey signed a page on September 14, 1882.

Sister Lizzie signed at page at Moose River, Maine, on September 15, 1882.

About 1891, Abbie married Frank Patrick Haggan, son of John and Annie Honora (McMahon) Haggan, Irish immigrants to Quebec.  Frank was born 26 December 1862 at St. Georges, Quebec, in the Beauce region.

Frank and Abbie settled at nearby Jackman, Maine, where Frank's occupation was listed as woodsman on the 1900 Census and lumbering foreman on the 1910 Census.  They had, I believe, three children.  Abbie died of a cerebral hemorrhage on 22 January 1919 at Moose River, Maine.

If you have corrections and/or additions to the information above, or information on any of the signers listed below, please leave a comment or contact me directly.  Thanks!

Surnames of signers:

• Armstrong
• Colby
• Haley
• Holden
• Holway
• Hughey
• Kennedy
• Libertey
• Moore
• Newton
• Pierce
• Sullivan

List of signers: [Note: given names within a specific surname may not be in alphabetical order.]  

[Reader comments in italics - I'm very grateful for the input of this Hughey/Ray descendant!]

• Maggie J. Armstrong, signed on May 7, 1884 [" believe this would be Margaret Armstong, dau of  William Armstrong and Sarah Cathcart born 1868 - Married James Farley in 1906"]
• Joel Colby of Moose River, Maine, signed on April 30, 1884 ["Would be a cousin to Abbie.  He was son of Helon Colby and Nancy Ray (sister to Abbie's mother, Jane Ray)  - born 1860 - lived in Jackman area."]
• Katie Haley, signed on August 26, 1883
• Mary A. Holden, signed at Moose River, Maine, on November 25, 1883 ["born about 1869, dau of Levi Holden (son of Melintus Holden) and Eliza Holden ( dau of James Holden and Eliza Hughes) lived in Holeb, Maine in 1880"]
• Can't decipher given name, possibly Marian Holden, signed at Moose River, Maine, on February 17, 1883 ["Could this be Melinda Holden?  I don't find a Marion, that doesn't mean there wasn't one.  However, Melinda was a cousin, daughter of James Holden (above) and Margaret Ray (sister to Abbie's mother, Jane)  She was born in 1862, lived in Moose River and never married that I know of."]
• Nellie S. Holway, signed on May 2, 1884
• Abbie Hughey of Moose River, Maine; album owner
• Maggie Hughey, signed at Skowhegan, Maine, in September 1882; Abbie's sister
• "Die", presumably Abbie's older sister Agnes Diantha Hughey, signed on September 14, 1882
• Lizzie A. Hughey of Moose River, Maine, signed on September 15, 1882; called herself Abbie's sister, presumably her older sister Elizabeth Hughey.
• Mrs. Nancy A. Kennedy of Moose River, Maine, signed on April 15, 1884
• Mrs. Elen Libertey of Moose River, Maine, signed in 1884.  Her Maine death record gives her name as Ellen Liberty, born about 1824 in Quebec, daughter of Patrick and Bridget Barney, and wife of Peter Liberty.
• Webster Moore of Moose River, Maine, signed in April 1884 ["Webster Moore - His wife, Flavilla Moore is daughter to Llewellyn Moore and Jane Holden, granddaughter to James Holden & Eliza Hughes.  James was, at one time or another, married to both Margaret Ray and Hannah Ray - both sisters to Abbie's mother, Jane Ray."]
• Mrs. Eliza Newton, signed at Moose River, Maine, on February 10, 1884 ["Mrs: Eliza Newton - now this one gets tricky.  My bet would be Eliza Henderson, wife of Sullivan Newton she was born about 1852, don't have a marriage date but their oldest child was born in 1880 so she would likely have been married by the time the folks were signing this book.  Sullivan was the son of Jacob Newton and Catharine Ray (sister to Abbie's mother, Jane)  They lived in Dennistown, Maine in 1880 BUT... 
  She could be Eliza Holden, daughter of James Holden (same James Holden mentioned under Melinda Holden and Webster Moore).  She was born in 1843 making her quite a bit older than most signers.  She married Ammon Newton in 1878 and lived in Holeb, Maine in 1880."]
• Levi Newton of Moose River, Maine, signed on June 23, 1883 ["Son of Horatio Newton & Loretta Gorman, born 1864.   Can't find a connection."]
• Agnes A. Pierce of Moose River, Maine, signed on March 25, 1884
• Carrie I. Sullivan of Skowhegan, Maine, signed on February 4, 1884

Moose River, Somerset County, Maine

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1880s Autograph Album of Leroy Sanborn Morrill of Windham, Maine, with 2 later additions

1880s autograph album of Leroy Sanborn Morrill of Windham, Maine, with two autographs from a later era, the early 1900s.

The album is approximately 5-1/2" x 3-1/4" and contains the sentiments of over 30 of Leroy's relatives, friends and schoolmates at Windham Center High School.  An alphabetical list of the signers appears at the end of this post.N

From online research, hopefully correct: [corrections and additions welcome!]

Leroy Sanborn Morrill was born 18 March 1874 at Windham, Maine, the son of Horatio T. and Katie M. (Allen) Morrill, who were born at Westbrook, Maine (according to his marriage record) and Monmouth, Maine (according to her birth record), respectively.

Leroy's paternal grandfather was Israel Morrill.  From what I could gather online, Israel was born 8 May 1817 at Raymond, Maine.  His first wife, mother of Leroy's father Horatio, was Rebecca (Peaco) Allen.  After Rebecca died, Israel married Elizabeth P. (Shaw) Morrill.  Israel and Elizabeth, "Lizzie", signed facing pages in Leroy's album.

Two other people indicated a family relationship with Leroy.  Walter J. Peaco of Otisfield, Maine, signed a page on February 21, 1894 and indicated he was Leroy's cousin.  Walter's paternal grandfather, Asa Peaco, was a brother to Leroy's paternal grandmother, Rebecca (Peaco) Morrill.

Another signer who called herself Leroy's cousin was M. J. Reed of Otisfield, Maine, who signed a page on August 14, 1888.  I believe she was Mary Jane (Peaco) Reed, whose father was the abovmentioned Asa Peaco, brother of Leroy's paternal grandmother Rebecca (Peaco) Morrill.  Mary Jane (Peaco) Reed was married to Samuel T. Reed.

Apparently the autograph album came to light in 1907 and received two more autographs, that of Leroy's wife, Lydia Ellen (Pratt) Morrill and her sister Josie M. Morrill.  Leroy and Lydia married on 18 November 1899 at Windham, Maine.

The couple had four children, I believe, three of whom lived to adulthood.  Leroy was an electrician or worked at electrical work.  He died relatively young in 1919.

If you have corrections to the information above or additional information on the Leroy Sanborn Morrill and Lydia Ellen (Pratt) Morrill or any of the signers listed below, please leave a comment or contact me directly.  Thanks!

List of signers: [Note: given names within a specific surname may not be in alphabetical order.]

• Carrie L. Cobb of Lynn, Massachusetts
• E. C. Cobb of Lynn, Massachusetts, signed on November 27, 1891
• Lizzie B. Cobb of Windham Center, Maine, signed at High School
• Hattie A. Cobb of Windham, Maine, signed on October 23, 1887 at W.C.H.S., presumably Windham Center High School
• Lilla F. Cobb of Windham Center, Maine, signed on October 18, 1887 at W.C.H.S., presumably Windham Center High School
• Joseph L. Cobb of Windham, Maine, signed on May 6, 1892
• Helen L. Cotton of West Gorham, Maine, signed at Windham, Maine, on July 12, 1888
• Ferdinand Dolley of Windham Center, Maine, signed on October 12, 1887; Leroy's schoolmate
• Wilson S. Dolley of Windham, Maine, signed on October 13, 1887
• Orin L. Elliot of Windham, Maine, signed on October 9, 1887; W.C.H.S., presumably Windham Center High School
• Nettie M. Foster of Windham, Maine, signed on November 2, 1887 at high school
• Harry Hallett of Windham, Maine, signed on October 25, 1887; mentioned W.C.H.S., presumably Windham Center High School
• Hiram C. Hawkes of South Windham, Maine, signed on October 10, 1887
• Harry Hawkes of Windham, Maine, signed on October 9, 1887
• Charlie Kallock of Windham, Maine, signed n October 21, 1887, at W.C.H.S., presumably Windham Center High School.  Not positive surname is Kalloch.  Could be Hallock.
• Alice Kemp, signed on October 16, 1887 at W.C.H.S., presumably Windham Center High School; Leroy's schoolmate
• Lizzie J. Knight of East Windham, Maine, signed at High School on October 19, 1887
• W. C. Lord of Duckpond, Maine, signed on December 14, 1887.  W., H., C., and S., are written in the corners, presumably Windham Center High School.  There is a Little Duck Pond in Windham, Maine.
• Ellen F. Maxfield of Casco, Maine, signed at Windham, Maine, on December 14, 1887
• Mabel May Mayberry of Windham, Maine, signed at high school on October 19, 1887
• Leroy Sanborn Morrill of Windham, Maine; wrote his name and address in front of the album
• Lydia E. Morrill of Gorham, Maine, signed on July 7, 1907.  Presumably Lydia was Lydia Ellen (Pratt) Morrill, who married album owner Leroy Sanborn Morrill on 18 November 1899.
• Lizzie P. Morrill of South Windham, Maine, signed on March 7, 1889.  She was Elizabeth P. (Shaw) Morrill, who became the second wife of Israel Morrill, Leroy's paternal grandfather, after his first wife and mother of his children, Rebecca (Peaco) Morrill had died.  I believe Lizzie's parents were Daniel and Lavina (Leighton) Shaw.  Her husband, Israel Morrill, signed the right facing page.
• Israel Morrill of Windham, Maine, signed on March 3, 1889; Leroy's paternal grandfather.  His second wife, Elizabeth P. (Shaw) Morrill, "Lizzie", signed the left facing page.
• Walter J. Peaco of Otisfield, Maine, signed on February 21, 1894; Leroy's cousin.  Leroy's paternal grandmother was Rebecca (Peaco) Morrill, a sister to Walter's grandfather Asa Peaco.
• Josie M. Pratt, signed on July 7, 1907.  Josephine M. Pratt was a younger sister to the album owner Leroy Sanborn Morrill's wife, Lydia Ellen (Pratt) Morrill.
• Alice B. Pride, signed on October 14, 1887
• Edith G. Pride of Windham Center, Maine, signed in the Fall of 1887 
• M. J. Reed, signed at Otisfield, Maine, on August 14, 1888; Leroy's cousin; possibly Mary Jane (Peaco) Reed, wife of Samuel T. Reed.  Mary Jane's father Asa Peaco was a brother to Leroy's paternal grandmother Rebecca (Peaco) Morrill.
• Reuben A. Shaw at Duck Pond, Maine, signed on February 1, 1888; not positive of middle initial.  There is a Little Duck Pond in Windham, Maine.
• Lizzie W. Smith of Windham Hills, Maine, signed on October 19, 1887, at W.C.H.S., presumably Windham Center High School
• Annie L. Staniels of Gorham, Maine, signed at Windham Centre, Maine, on October 13, 1887
• Martha J. Thompson of Windham Centre, Maine
• Ralph H. Tukey of Windham, Maine, signed on October 24, 1887

Windham, Maine


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Clipping showing c1826 Sampler of Charlotte White of Middlesex County, Massachusetts

While looking through some old papers, I found this wrinkled clipping, perhaps removed from an issue of "Maine Antiques Digest" or similar publication, showing the c. 1826 sampler of Charlotte White which sold at auction for $3422.  Photograph by Sloans & Kenyon, presumably the auctioneer.

I can just barely make out the following names:

• Parents John White and Charlotte Hapgood
• Abraham White
• Charlotte White
• Winthrop White
• Luther White
• possibly Mary White
• possibly John White

These names were enough to determine that this was the family of John and Charlotte (Hapgood) White of Action, Massachusetts.  An online tree gave the same names for their children and gave a birth date of 1 May 1814 for Charlotte White, at Acton, Massachusetts.  She married Elbridge Jones Robbins at Acton, in January 1833, had, according to the tree, eight children with him and died in 1844, possibly as a result of the birth of her son William.

Transcript of the wrinkled clipping

Charlotte White was 12 years old when she made this circa 1826 intricate needlework for her family tree.  Residing in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, she designed the 16-1/2" x 17" fabric with 11 squares in which to add family information.  She used seven of the squares, leaving four blank for the future.  Estimated at $3000/4000, it sold for $3422.  Sloans & Kenyon photo.

If you have further information on Charlotte White or her family, please leave a comment or contact me directly.  Sloans & Kenyon Auctioneers & Appraisers might have a record of where this sampler went after the auction, in case you are interested.

Acton, Massachusetts


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Photograph of Millard Fillmore Sargent (1852-1910); taken by a Lebanon, New Hampshire, studio

Photograph of a middle aged man identified on the reverse as Millard F. Sargent; someone, perhaps his widow, wrote his birth and death dates.  The photograph was taken by the Lewis studio of Lebanon, New Hampshire.

From online research, hopefully correct: [corrections and additions welcome!]

Millard Fillmore Sargent was born at Canaan, New Hampshire, on 18 July 1852, the son of Aaron and Mary J. (Stevens) Sargent.  Aaron Sargent died in battle at Petersburg, Virginia, on 16 June 1864.  He left, I think, four children, one of whom, Lucinda C.(Sargent) Aldrich, wife of Edwin D. Aldrich, would die in 1874.

By the time he was 18, Millard was working and living on the farm of Lewis and Mary Colby, as noted on the 1870 Census of Enfield, New Hampshire.  By the time of the 1880 Census of Windsor, Vermont, Millard was working as a grocer.

On 26 July 1887 at Lebanon, New Hampshire, Millard Fillmore Sargent married Maria M. Stevens, daughter of Charles Cutler [or Cutter] or Cutler [or Cutter] Stevens and Martha (Farwell) Stevens.

Millard and Maria settled at Lebanon, New Hampshire and raised a son.  Millard worked as a restaurant keeper.  As noted on the photograph, Millard died on 21 May 1910.  Maria lived until 1944.

If you have corrections and/or additions to the information above, please leave a comment or contact me directly.  Thanks!


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Photograph of Mr. Franklin and Miss Bickford, Later Married

Photograph of a man and woman identified on the reverse as Mr. Franklin and Miss Bickford, with the word "Married",  so apparently they married after this photograph was taken by the Philbrick studio of Biddeford, Maine.

If these surnames are familiar to you from your family or research, please leave a comment or contact me directly.  Thanks!


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Interesting Photograph of a Young Man IDed on Reverse as Percy Brown of Danielson, Connecticut

Note: The post has been amended with information provided by a reader.

Interesting photograph of a young man identified as Percy Brown of Danielson, Connecticut.  

He appears to be wearing a uniform of some sort, and there are some notations like "S.S." and "F.F" and, most intriguing of all, "Moosup ship".  I wonder if Percy was involved with a forest fire fighting unit?

From online research, hopefully correct: [corrections and additions welcome!]

Percy Brown was born 15 December 1889 at Killingly, Connecticut, the son of William and Emma Lucinda (Rice) Brown, who were born in Rhode Island and Connecticut, respectively.  

According to information on the 1900 Census of Killingly, William and Emma were divorced by then.  My only clue that Percy's father's name was William was on the Massachusetts birth record of Percy's brother Chester Vernon [written incorrectly as Burnham] Brown.  Chester was born at Cambridge, Massachusetts on 13 November 1884.  William's occupation was given as boxmaker.

Percy and his mother lived at Killingly, Connecticut up to the time of the 1920 Census.  By 1928 he was at Danielson, Connecticut, with wife Dora, who was Dora M. (Duquette), daughter of William and Catherine (King or LeRoy) Duquette.  Since Danielson is a borough of Killingly, it's possible that he lived in the same home the whole time.

Percy worked as a chauffeur and bus driver.  From photographs I found online it appears that he might have had a farm.  He and Dora had, I think, four children.

Dora died in 1952 and Percy in 1968.

If you have corrections and/or additions to the information above, please leave a comment or contact me directly.  Thanks!


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Photograph of Zilpha Lilian Dempsey as a young girl; Portland, Oregon studio

Photograph of a young girl identified on the reverse as Zilpha L. Dempsey; the photograph was taken by the Conn studio of Portland, Oregon.

From online research, hopefully correct: [corrections and additions welcome!]

Zilpha Lilian Dempsey was born 17 June 1893 at Boston, Massachusetts, the daughter of William A. and Grace Darling (Capen) Dempsey, who were born in New York and Massachusetts, respectively.

At some point the family moved to Portland, Oregon, where Zilpha and her parents were enumerated in the Censuses of 1900 and 1910 and where William was involved in the manufacturing/lumber business.  William died in 1919.

Zilpha and her mother were still at Portland, Oregon in 1920.  About 1924, Zilpha married civil engineer/soil scientist Walter Carey Roberts, son of Joseph A. and Rhoda D. (Carey) Roberts.  Walter was born at Noblesville, Indiana, on 15 January 1894.  He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley.

The 1930 Census found Walter and Zilpha, their newborn daughter and Zilpha's mother Grace living at Berkeley, California.  Grace had moved away from their household by the time of the 1940 Census, when Walter, Zilpha and their daughter were still living at Berkeley, California.

Zilpha died in 1957, and Walter in 1965.

If you have corrections to the information above, or additions to it, please leave a comment or contact me directly.  Thanks!


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Photograph of a young boy identified as Clayton Temple

Photograph of a young boy identified on the reverse as Uncle Clayton Temple.  Unfortunately, there is no photographer's imprint or other clue that might help identify which of the many Clayton Temples this boy might have been.

Hopefully a reader will recognize Clayton from family albums or research and leave a comment with more information on him.

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Carte de Visite of Elizabeth O. Wilbur; taken by a studio at Ellsworth, Maine; m. Theodore Augustus Wadsworth

Carte de Visite of a woman identiied on the reverse as Elizabeth O. Wilbur of Ellsworth, Maine; the photograph was taken by the studio of D. N. Moore of Ellsworth, Maine.

The CDV was presumably produced in the early 1870s before Elizabeth married dentist Theodore Augustus Wadsworth of New York.  Her marriage was noted in Ellsworth, Maine, records as occurring at Brooklyn, New York, on 5 June 1875, presumably because her address was given as Eastbrook, Maine, which is near Ellsworth, also in Hancock County.

Theodore Augustus Wadsworth, D.D.S., who was living in New York City at the time of his marriage to Elizabeth/Lizzie O. Wilbur, was the son of Rev. Edward Larkins Wadsworth and his first wife Charlotte (Clarke, I think) Wadsworth.  Theodore was born 1 May 1841 at Homer, New York, where I presume his father was pastoring at the time.

Obituary of Dr. Edward Larkins Wadsworth, from the Minutes of the Methodist Episcopal Conferences, Northern New York, published in 1884.

By the time of the 1870 Census, Theodore A. Wadsworth, then a dentist, a graduate of the New York College of Dentistry, was living in the household of his older brother Edward Clifford Wadsworth, also a dentist, and family at Brooklyn, New York.  Perhaps Elizabeth was also living at or visiting Brooklyn at that time, and that is how she and Theodore met.

I've been unable to identify Elizabeth/Lizzie as to her parents or actual maiden name, if not Wilbur, but it was interesting to note that on the 1880 Census of New York City, she gave Boston, Massachusetts, as the place of her birth, and the place of birth of both of her parents.

This is an intriguing case as both Wilbur and Wadsworth are surnames that occur in Maine, and I would love to know how Eastbrook, Maine, and Ellsworth, Maine, tie in.  Hopefully a reader will have information that will untangle this mystery.

Interestingly, I found an obituary for a dentist named Theodore A. Wadsworth, who died suddenly 18 March 1890 from angina pectoris.  He was described in glowing terms, but the fact that he was described as unmarried makes me wonder if this was an uncle or cousin or if Lizzie had predeceased him or left him, or he her, many years before.  Or perhaps I've been chasing the wrong Theodore A. Wadsworth.

If you have knowledge of the Wadsworth and Wilbur families of New York, Massachusetts, and Maine, please leave a comment or contact me directly.  Thanks!


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Braintree Farm with View of Boston Harbors, For Sale in 1790 Massachusetts Centinel

A house, barn, outbildings and acres in Braintree, Massachusetts, with a commanding view of all of the lower and part of the upper harbour of Boston.

Transcript:

On WEDNESDAY, the 31st inst, Will be sold at PUBLICK VENDUE, (if not sold before at Private Sale.)
THAT pleasant PLACE in Braintree, that commands a full view of all the lower and part of the upper harbour of Boston, 9-1/4 miles fro town, with a very good House, Barn and Out-Houses, all in handsoe repair, with about 33 acres of Land, and a good Orchard, some of which is of the first quality.  The terms of payment will be made convenient to the purchaser, and will be made known at the time of sale. - For further particulars inquire of JOSEPH WOODWARD.
N.B. - The premises may be seen at any time before the sale, which will be held at Messrs. RUSSELL and CLAP's Auction-Office in Court-Street, precisely at One o'clock on said day.

Very tempting!  Though no doubt looking a bit different over 220 years later.  I wonder if this farm is/was located in the Blue Hills?  If so, maybe I've hiked over it.

I found a deed dated 29 November 1786 where a Joseph Woodward acquired a parcel of land at Braintree, Massachusetts, from Royall Tyler (1757-1826), a playwright and jurist who served on the Supreme Court of Vermont.  The deed is held at the Harvard Law School Library.

Braintree, Massachusetts [Notice the undeveloped area to the northwest - the Blue Hills Reservation


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Newpaper Clipping about Foundering of Schooner Fox about 1790; discourtesy on the high seas

News item in the 20 March 1790 issue of the Massachusetts Centinel of the foundering of the Schooner Fox, built by Josiah Edes of Boston, Massachusetts.  

It describes a shocking case of maritime discourtesy on the part of an unknown sloop which declined to aid the men who had taken to an open boat.  Was it because the sloop decided not to help after seeing the colors the men raised on an oar?

Transcript:

Ship News
The Schooner Fox, Josiah Edes, maker, of this port, foundered in lat. 33.35 North and long. 74.0 West.  The Captain and crew got into an open boat, in which they continued four days and nights, without the least sustenance.  In this distressing situation they discovered a sloop standing for them, and in order to obtain relief, hoisted their colors on an oar, with the union down, being a signal of distress, when the sloop hauled her wind and ran from them.  In two hours afterwards saw the land a head and in four hours came up with it.  The wind blowing very hard, and there being a high sea and heavy surf, the boat filled with water and soon overset, by which accident the mate and four men were drowned, the Captain and one man only getting to shore alive, who arrived at Charleston (S.C.) with Capt. Swain from Wilmington.

From my admittedly-lacking knowledge of coordinates, it sounds as though the men were off the coast of North Carolina, but I welcome corrections!


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Marriages and Deaths in the 20 March 1790 issue of the Massachusetts Centinel

Marriages and Deaths in the 20 March 1790 issue of the Massachusetts Centinel

Note: A reader has left a comment with important information about Hezekiah Chadwick and Hannah Voax, so be sure to scroll down to the comments.

Marriages

• Mr. Hezekiah Chadwick to Miss Hannah Voax
• At Lanesborough, Dr. Ezra Hoyt to Miss Sally Smith, eldest daughter of Colonel Jonathan Smith, the gentleman whose speech in Convention, "to his brother Farmers", was so much celebrated.

Deaths

• Thursday about noon.  After a tedious illness, in the fifteenth year of her age, departed this life, Miss Abigail Otis, daughter of the Secretary of the Senate of the United States. - This is a second instance within a short period, in which the connections of the family are called to deplore the loss of a most lovely and amiable young lady in the morning of life, adorned with every female virtue and accomplishment.  The funeral will be this afternoon at 4 o'clock, when relations, friends and acquaintance of the family are requested to attend, with no further notice or invitation.
• Died - on Thursday afternoon, Mr. Recompense W. Stimpson, age 62 years. - His funeral will proceed from his house, head of Federal street, to-morrow afternoon, precisely at 5 o'clock, which his friends and acquaintance are desired to attend without further invitation.
• Mrs. Lois Kilcup, age 92
• Last Thursday morning, Miss Sally Appleton, eldest daughter of Dr. N. W. Appleton, age 9

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British Encroachments in the Passamaquoddy Bay Region, from Massachusetts Centinel, March 1790

From the Massachusetts Centinel, issue of 20 March 1790, an article about British encroachments in the disputed border around Passamaquoddy Bay in Maine and New Brunswick.

Transcription

BRITISH ENCROACHMENTS
Circumstantially related by a Correspondent

There are three rivers that empty themselves into the Bay of Passamaquady [now called Passamaquoddy], the easternmost always called by the native Indians and French St. Croix, and the middle one Schooduck.  Before the commencement of the late war, Gov. BARNARD sent Mr. Mitchell, a Surveyor, and several others to explore the Bay of Passamaquady, and to examine the natives, to find out which was the true river St. Croix; they accordingly did, and reported it to be the easternmost river, and returned plans of their survey as such.  At the forming of the Treaty of Peace, the Commissioners had Mitchell's maps, and in fixing the boundary between that part of Nova-Scotia now called New Brunswick, and this Commonwealth, they considered it to be the river laid down by him.  - After the Peace, the subjects of the British King took possession of all the lands, between the St. Croix and Schooduck rivers, (which tract is nearly as large as the State of New-Hampshire) and now hold possession of the same, under a pretence that the Schooduck is the true river St. Croix; they also claim all the islands in the Bay of Passamaquady, although many of them lay several miles to the westward of the river that they call the boundary; and have in a number of instances exercised, by force, jurisdiction over the subjects of this Commonwealth, living on those Islands. - The British Sheriff from St. Andrews, with an armed force, took a Mr. TUTTLE (formerly a Lieutenant in the American army) from his house on Moor Island [likely Moose Island], and conveyed him to St. Andrews gaol, where he was confined a considerable time; their Court have repeatedly fined the inhabitants of these Islands for refusing to obey when summoned as jurymen, and they have taken several of their vessels laying close under those Islands, and carried them to St. John's [Saint John], where they detained them a considerable time before the owners could obtain their release.  In the late instance, Capt. Dunn their High-Sheriff for Charlottee [Charlotte] County, with David Owen, Esq., one of their principal Magistrates, and four men, armed with muskets, pistols, &c. in a hostile and violent manner, went on Frederick Island, (above five miles west of what they call the river St. Croix, and attempted to break open Mr. DELESDERNIER'S house to search for property they said belonged to a British subject.  Mr. Delesdernier opposing them, armed with an ax, prevented their succeeding on the house; but they finding a cow on the Island forcibly carried her off with them.   Mr. Delesdernier not having any assistance, could not prevent it.  Mr. Delesdernier is the collector of the Customs for the United States, and keeps his office in the house they endeavored to break open. - It is presumed, that Lord DORCHESTER, Governour General of the British Colonies in America, would not countenance such proceedings - but it is to be wished that measures may be speedily taken to prevent such insults in future.


The most intense of these "encroachments" would occur on July 14, 1814 when a British fleet under the command of Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia, captured Fort Sullivan on Moose Island [also known as Eastport, Maine] and renamed it Fort Sherbrooke after Sir John Coape Sherbrooke, then Lieutenant Governour of Nova Scotia.

Because the British had felt since the American Revolution that the islands of Passamaquoddy Bay were in their jurisdiction, they did not leave Moose Island at the end of the War of 1812 in 1815.  After a few more years of negotiation, an agreement was reached on November 24, 1817 between the British representative Thomas Barclay, and the American, John Holmes, apportioning all of the islands in Passamaquoddy Bay to the British, except for Frederick, Dudley and Moose Islands, though the agreement still had to go through channels.  The British left Moose Island in June 1818.   

Though some townspeople refused to take the oath of allegiance and left, some just to the nearby mainland, where the British did not harrass them, most of those who stayed reportedly did not notice much difference between American and British rule in the areas of trade and daily life.  Arguably, the influx of the British contributed to the cultural and social life.

While at Fort Sullivan/Sherbrooke, the British built a powder house that still stands, though in desperate need of restoration, a project that the Border Historical Society has ongoing.  

Eastport, on Moose Island, and the islands of Passamaquoddy Bay: Moose Island is very close to the Perry, Maine, shore; the other two islands are now known as Treat Island and Dudley Island.  Treat Island is managed by the Maine Coast Heritage Trust and is open to visitors.

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