Thursday, April 28, 2022

19 Letters and 1 Receipt Connected to the Mansir Family of East Pittston, Maine

Collection of 19 letters and one receipt pertaining to the family of widowed Martha A. (Murphy) Mansir (1831-1916) of East Pittston, Maine, widow of Charles B. Mansir (1822-1864) and her stepson and children:

It appears that the letters passed into the hands of Ida Gertrude (Mansir) Reed (1858-1943), who had written one of the letters herself.  Ida's sister Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie", author of many of the letters, died in 1878; Ida must have treasured Nellie's letters.  This was a very close family, it appears.

The letter writers:
  • The State of Maine Adjutant General's Office in Augusta, writing in March 1872 to acknowledge receipt of the State pension application sent by widow Martha A. (Murphy) Mansir (1831-1916)
  • Annie (Hayden) Hyde (1841-1915), wife of Bath Iron Works founder, Thomas Worcester Hyde (1841-1899); she was anxious for Ida to return to work in the family home.
  • Charles A. Morton, presumably a native of Pittston, Maine, or the area, who wrote a letter in May 1869 from Small Point, Maine, to Wesley E. Mansir 
  • Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie", who wrote eleven of the letters in the collection, and added a note to her sister Eda's letter to Ida in February 1878, a month before Nellie's death 
  • Edith C. Mansir (1861-1929), "Eda", who wrote two letters, one in 1875 and another in 1878
  • Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943), who wrote a letter to her mother when Ida was working in Bath, Maine, and was the recipient of many of the letters
  • Amelia G. Torrence (1858-1929), who wrote from Manchester, Maine, in August 1875 to Ellen A. Mansir, "Nellie". Amelia was born Pamelia Grace Torrence in Manchester on 17 December 1858.

With the letters is a receipt, shown below, acknowledging tuition payment, made by Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943) to Hattie L. King, perhaps Harriet Louisa King (1848-1888)


Samples of what the letters contain:
  •  family news, including the death of George W. Mansir, Jr. (1816-1878)
  •  the often grueling housework jobs that the younger women have found in the community and as far as Bath, Maine
  • a July 23, 1877 mass baptism, presumably in a pond or river
  • the break-up of John and Carrie when he spied Levi carrying her over the gutter; and the breakup of Levi and Carrie, when Levi said he'd had enough and John was welcome to her. Nellie instructs Ida to burn the letter.
  • an unexpected trip to Boston for Nellie when her employer's nanny left and Nellie was pressed into duty.
  • "Maying" on May Day; raspberrying; riding the boat down the Kennebec

The items in the collection:

People Mentioned in the Letters, followed by the item number . Some people are mentioned multiple times in the same letter.

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

Item #Name
18Addie - cooking for the family of Thomas Worcester Hyde (1841-1899) in Bath, Maine, and doing well
9Ann, presumably a work for the Richards family but now gone
8Annie, baptized in pond or river
20Anson
14Aunt May, Sadie & Charles were there to see Manda Marson off to Boston
8Bertron, baptized in pond or river; Bertram ?
4Bradford, mutual acquaintance of Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie" and Pamelia G. Torrence (1858-1929), "Amelia"
5Charles and Lizzy are courting
20Don
8Ell, baptized in pond or river
9Ellen
8Em - perhaps Emily Ellen Blodgett (1850-1934)
10Em - perhaps Emily Ellen Blodgett (1850-1934) 
19Em - perhaps Emily Ellen Blodgett (1850-1934)
7Henry, mutual friend or relative of the Mansir family
4
8Ida, baptized in pond or river
8Isadore, baptized in pond or river
19Jake
20Jennie
9JohnCarrie Blodgett (1862-1950) and John have "dissolved" because Levi helped Carrie over the gutter
10Johnny - previous beau of Carrie Blodgett
8Julia, perhaps Julia Morison or Marson, baptized in pond or river
10Kate, perhaps Kate Parmenter
9Levi - perhaps Levi Pulsifer (1853-1915)
10Levi, new beau ofCarrie Blodgett (1862-1950) - perhaps Levi Pulsifer (1853-1915)
9Lizzie - has left the place where Ida is working
17Lizzie - was with Nellie on the harrowing way home in the dark and rain
5Lizzy and Charles are courting
4Lois, mutual friend of Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie" and Pamelia G. Torrence (1858-1929), "Amelia"
Mamie
9Mary, presumably a worker for the Richards family
6Melia
8Mollie; helpedEllen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie", with her work
14Mr. and Mrs. R. - either the family Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943) was working for or their housekeeper/caretaker
20Nan ? and Wes are going to a horse trot - Wes was Wesley E. Mansir (1853-1933), "Wes"
8Oll ?, baptized in pond or river
20Tina - had worked with Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie", in the past; Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943)
 has taken Nellie's place there, presumably at the Richards home or the Harry home
10Tina - someone working with Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie",
15Tina - someone working with Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie",
8Tom and Luckie had a row tonight, and Tom licked him
5William, acquaintance ofEllen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie", and sister Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943)
7Adalaide Avril - Adelaide Averill (1849-1875) - buried a week ago Sunday
8Mrs. George Blear, baptized in pond or river
9Carrie Blodgett (1862-1950) and John have "dissolved" because Levi helped Carrie over the gutter
10Carrie Blodgett (1862-1950) - Levi walked out of church and left her to go home alone - perhaps Levi Pulsifer (1853-1915)
8Ellen Blodgett, baptized in pond or river - perhaps Emily Ellen Blodgett (1850-1934) or sister Ella Blodgett (1853-1937)
7Emmie, teaching - perhaps Emily Ellen Blodgett (1850-1934)
Edith C. Mansir (1861-1929), "Eda", how to make coats - perhaps Emily Ellen Blodgett (1850-1934)
8John Blodgett, baptized in pond or river
7Mrs. Blodgett - neighbor of the Mansir family where women gather to sew, husk corn, etc. - perhaps Mary (Tyler) Blodgett (1827-1910)
10Mrs. Blodgett, Rose and Emmie Murphy were all taken into church - presumably Mary E. (Tyler) Blodgett (1827-1910); Rose Blodgett (1858-1935) and Emmie Murphy (Emily Ellen Blodgett (1850-1934), by then married to Dennis Murphy
12Mrs. Blodgett - hosting the sewing circle - perhaps Mary (Tyler) Blodgett (1827-1910)
14Pilus Blodgett - "about as talkative as Pilus Blodgett"
8Rosa, baptized in pond or river - presumably Rose F. Blodgett (1858-1935)
10Mrs. B. told Mother that Rosie's health was not good - Rose Blodgett (1858-1935)
11Rosa, presumably Rose F. Blodgett (1858-1935), is feeling better
15Rose - presumably Rose F. Blodgett (1858-1935)
4Bradford; not sure if given name or surname. Mutual acquaintance of Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie", and Pamelia G. Torrence (1858-1929), "Amelia"
5Mr. Brewster, possibly working for or selling to the Rogers household, where Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943) was working
15Hattie Burnham - perhaps Harriet R. (Colburn) Burnham (1817-1880)
9Mrs. Burnham - perhaps Harriet R. (Colburn) Burnham (1817-1880)
19Mrs. Burnham - perhaps Harriet R. (Colburn) Burnham (1817-1880)
11William Campbell and Flo - have set up housekeeping
10Mrs. Cleaves, for whom Rose F. Blodgett (1858-1935) has been working
5Charles Dudley, acquaintance of Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie", and Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943)
8Mrs. Ellkins and Fannie, baptized in pond or river - perhaps Lauretta (Brookings) Elkins (1838-1925) and daughter Frances B. Elkins (1865-1936)
4Skuyler Friend, mutual acquaintance of Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie" and Pamelia G. Torrence (1858-1929), "Amelia" . Perhaps Schuyler A. Friend (1848-1915)
19Mrs. Harmon
6Mr. Harry - employer of Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie" 
9Mrs. Harry
1Annie Hook, a young woman in the Small Point, Maine, area, that Charles says would be a fine girlfriend for Wesley E. Mansir.  Perhaps Anna L. Hook (1856-1872), who, sadly, would die less than 3 years later 
8Henry Hunt, baptized in pond or river - perhaps Henry Washburn Hunt (1851-1942), who would marry Emma Louise Thompson (1858-1930), presumably the Emmy who was also baptised that day
8Mrs. Delia Huntington - presumably Cordelia H. (Jordan) Huntington (1837-1899); Mrs. Kimball, Mrs. Delia Huntington and Fannie visited
8Fannie, presumably Frances Delia Huntington (1859-1910) - Mrs. Kimball, Mrs. Delia Huntington and Fannie visited
16Annie (Hayden) Hyde (1841-1915), letter writer; wife of Thomas Worcester Hyde (1841-1899), founder of Bath Iron Works
18Annie (Hayden) Hyde (1841-1915), letter writer; wife of Thomas Worcester Hyde (1841-1899), founder of Bath Iron Works - offers Ida more money but she must not tell the other employees
18Arthur - Arthur Sewall Hyde (1875-1920) - sick in bed with a high fever and headache
18John - John Sedgewick Hyde (1867-1917) - has been ill but is better
18Mr. Hyde -Thomas Worcester Hyde (1841-1899), founder of Bath Iron Works
15Jackson - given name or surname - perhaps a family where Nellie was hoping to find work
19Mr. Jackson - would like Ida to work for him
8Mrs. Kimball - Mrs. Kimball, Mrs. Delia Huntington and Fannie visited
3Hattie King, Miss; school teacher. Perhaps Harriet Louisa King (1848-1888)
5Mrs. Lapham, perhaps a housekeeper for whom Ida Gertrude Mansir was working
5Edith C. Mansir (1861-1929), "Eda"
6Edith C. Mansir (1861-1929), "Eda"
7Edith C. Mansir (1861-1929), "Eda"; letter writer
8Edith C. Mansir (1861-1929), "Eda"
9Edith C. Mansir (1861-1929), "Eda"
12Edith C. Mansir (1861-1929), "Eda" in East Pittston, Maine; letter writer
13Edith C. Mansir (1861-1929), "Eda"
14Edith C. Mansir (1861-1929), "Eda" 
15Edith C. Mansir (1861-1929), "Eda" 
19Edith C. Mansir (1861-1929), "Eda"
5Frank has just got home from church - possibly Charles F. Mansir (1847-1881)
10Frank - possibly Charles F. Mansir (1847-1881)
19Frank - possibly Charles F. Mansir (1847-1881)
11George W. Mansir, Jr. (1816-1878), who had just died; description of his last hours - "Uncle George"
3Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943) of East Pittston, Maine; paid tuition
5Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943), presumably working as a maid somewhere; letter recipient
6Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943); letter recipient
7Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943); letter recipient
8Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943); letter recipient
9Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943), letter recipient
10Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943), letter recipient
11Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943), letter recipient
12Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943), away from home working; letter recipient
13Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943), working away from home; letter recipient
15Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943), letter recipient
17Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943), letter recipient
14Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943), letter writer
16Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943), letter recipient; presumably at home in East Pittston, Maine
18Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943), at home, presumably, in East Pittston, Maine - about to return to work for the family; letter recipient
19Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943), letter recipient
20Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943),, letter recipient
2Martha A. (Murphy) Mansir (1831-1916) of East Pittston, Maine; widow of Civil War veteran Charles B. Mansir
7Martha A. (Murphy) Mansir (1831-1916) of East Pittston, Maine
8Martha A. (Murphy) Mansir (1831-1916)- "Mama", gone raspberrying
9Martha A. (Murphy) Mansir (1831-1916) of East Pittston, Maine - "Mama"
10Martha A. (Murphy) Mansir (1831-1916), "Mother"
13Martha A. (Murphy) Mansir (1831-1916) of East Pittston, Maine; letter writer
14Martha A. (Murphy) Mansir (1831-1916) in East Pittston, Maine; letter recipient
15Martha A. (Murphy) Mansir (1831-1916) of East Pittston, Maine - "Mama"
19Martha A. (Murphy) Mansir (1831-1916)
20Martha A. (Murphy) Mansir (1831-1916), "Mother"
20Nan and Wes are going to the horse-trot - Nan and Wesley E. Mansir (1853-1933), "Wes"
4Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie" in East Pittston, Maine; letter recipient
5Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie" in Gardiner, Maine; letter writer
6Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie"; letter writer
7Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie"
8Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie", letter writer
9Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie"; letter writer
10Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie", letter writer
11Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie", letter writer
12Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie", in East Pittston, Maine, not well; she would die the next month
15Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie" letter writer
17Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie", letter writer
19Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie", letter writer
20Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie", letter writer
5Rod - presumably George Rodney Mansir (1855-1920), "Rodney"
8Rod is going to work for Len - presumably George Rodney Mansir (1855-1920)"Rodney" and perhaps Len Moody
10Rod - presumably George Rodney Mansir (1855-1920)"Rodney"
12Rod - presumably George Rodney Mansir (1855-1920)"Rodney"
8"Waltie"Walter Elwood Mansir (1862-1942), "Walt" or "Waltie"
9Walter Elwood Mansir (1862-1942), "Walt" or "Waltie",
 of East Pittston, Maine
12Walter Elwood Mansir (1862-1942), "Walt" or "Waltie", of East Pittston, Maine
14Walter Elwood Mansir (1862-1942), "Walt" or "Waltie", of East Pittston, Maine
15Walter Elwood Mansir (1862-1942), "Walt" or "Waltie" of East Pittston, Maine
19Walter Elwood Mansir (1862-1942), "Walt" or "Waltie" of East Pittston, Maine
1Wesley E. Mansir (1853-1933), "Wes", letter recipient
8Wesley E. Mansir (1853-1933), "Wes"
11Wesley E. Mansir (1853-1933), "Wes"
12Wesley E. Mansir (1853-1933), "Wes", to take Henry Moody's job after Henry leaves
20Wesley E. Mansir (1853-1933), "Wes"
19Charles Marsh
8Julia, perhaps Julia Marson or Morison, baptized in pond or river
14Manda Marson was on board on her way to Boston
9Clatt Moody - perhaps Charles Nathaniel Moody (1834-1897)
12Henry Moody - working at Cedar Grove
8Len Moody, whose German folks have just left - possibly Leonard Moody (1839-1905)
8Len, perhaps Leonard Moody (1839-1905) - Rod, presumably George Rodney Mansir (1855-1920)"Rodney"; is going to work for him


1Charles A. Morton, letter writer
10Emmie Murphypresumably Mary E. (Tyler) Blodgett (1827-1910)Rose Blodgett (1858-1935) and Emmie Murphy - (Emily Ellen Blodgett (1850-1934), by then married to Dennis Murphy
6Clara Newell of South Gardiner - also working for the Harry family doing chamber work; helpful to Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie", who has suddenly got charge of the children, since the nurse left. Perhaps Clara E. Newell (1952-1940)
4Norcross - perhaps in the Manchester, Maine, area
4Kate Parmenter, mutual acquaintance of Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie" and Pamelia G. Torrence (1858-1929), "Amelia"
10Kate, perhaps Kate Parmenter, mutual aquaintance of Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie" and Pamelia G. Torrence (1858-1929), "Amelia"
14Pottle
7Levi Pulsifer is sick with acute rheumatism - perhaps Levi B. Pulsifer (1853-1915)
7Pulsifer, Mr. - perhaps Joel Pulsifer (1813-1891), father of Levi B. Pulsifer (1853-1915)
9Levi - perhaps Levi Pulsifer (1853-1915)
10Levi , new beau of Carrie Blodgett - perhaps Carrie Blodgett (1862-1950) and  Levi Pulsifer (1853-1915)
4Elonia Rackliff - has sold the farm and moved to Rockland - Lenora Elonia (Rackliffe) Farr (1858-1920)
7Daniel W. Reed (1853-1925), future husband of Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943)
10D. W. R. - Daniel W. Reed (1853-1925), future husband of Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943)
14D.W.R.Daniel W. Reed (1853-1925), future husband of Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943) - possibly working in New Brunswick or Nebraska
15Dan - Daniel W. Reed (1853-1925), future husband of Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943)
10George Reed, presumably of Pittston, Maine; perhaps George Frederick Reed (1840-1898), who moved to Massachusetts
4Richards, Mr. - for whom Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie", and Pamelia G. Torrence (1858-1929), "Amelia"  may have worked
6Mrs. R. - perhaps Mrs. Richards, for whom the Mansir sisters occasionally worked
9Mrs. R. - presumably Mrs. Richards, for whom the Mansir sisters occasionally worked - "mean"
10Mr. R., possibly Mr. Richards, for whom Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943) was working
14Mr. and Mrs. P. or Mrs. R. - either the family Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943) was working for or their housekeeper/caretaker
15John R. - presumably John Richards - perhaps someone for whom Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie", and Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943) worked
5Rogers, Mr., for whom Ida Gertrude Mansir (1858-1943) was working as a maid; a difficult person
8Fred Shea, baptized in pond or river
8John Shea and wife, baptized in pond or river
4Stevens, a family for whom Ellen A. Mansir (1851-1878), "Nellie" and Pamelia G. Torrence (1858-1929), "Amelia" may have worked
9May Stevenson
9Ada Stilphen - might offer a private school this year - perhaps Ada J. Stilphen (1861-1880)
8Dora Ann Thompson, baptized in pond or river - perhaps Dora Ann Thompson (1854-1931)
8Emmie Thompson, baptized in pond or river - perhaps Emma Louise Thompson (1858-1930); would marry Henry Washburn Hunt (1851-1942), who was also baptized that day
8Fred Thompson, baptized in pond or river
8Hannah Thompson, baptized in pond or river
4Amelia G. Torrence, then in Manchester, Maine; native of Norridgewock, Maine; letter writer - Pamelia G. Torrence (1858-1929), "Amelia"
1Billy Troop - presumably William Troop (1851-1874), friend of Charles A. Morton and Wesley E. Mansir in the Pittston, Maine, area
8Mrs. Troop, Mamie and Blanchie. Presumably Charlotte (Shea) Troop (1830-1921) and daughters Mary Josephine Troop (1862-1939) [who marriedWesley E. Mansir (1853-1933), "Wes"]and Blanche Troop (1873-1947) of Pittston, Maine
10Harry Troop - presumably Harry Eugene Troop
10Jess Troop's folks have moved from the pond up into the George Reed house -
14Jess Troop and Sharlott - presumably Jesse M. Troop (1827-1904) and wife Charlotte (Shea) Troop (1830-1921). "Jess Troop & Sharlott both went out to Gardiner & I thought they would squak me to death. That old hag."
11Sammy Troop - presumably Samuel Jesse Troop (1857-1936)
1John Wallace, perhaps of Phippsburg, Maine; uncle of Charles A. Morton