Father John B. McMahon, Assigned to the Mission at Eastport, Maine, shortly after his arrival from Ireland in 1840

Father John B. McMahon (abt 1805-), ordained in Ireland, arrived in Boston in 1840 and was assigned to the mission at Eastport, Maine, from about 1841-1843, where he also provided medical services, at no cost, to his parishioners.

Because Father McMahon spoke Gaelic, he was much in demand to hear confession from the newly arrived immigrants from  Ireland and was recalled to Boston by Bishop John Fitzpatrick.

http://www.thebostonpilot.com/opinion/article.asp?ID=193962

Another source mentions that Father McMahon, or another Father McMahon was in Eastport in 1838 [the article says 1828 but 1838 seems more fitting] when Brevet-Brigadier General Brady, colonel of the 2 regiment of Infantry of the U.S. requested the presence of Father McMahon of Eastport to administer the Sacred Sacraments to the soldiers at Hancock barracks in Houlton.

Father John B. McMahon is mentioned several times in The Catholic Church in Maine, written by William Leo Lucey and published in 1957 - particularly on pages 78 and 79

If you have information on Father John B. McMahon, please leave a comment for the benefit of others.

1939 Program for Sunday, February 26, 1939 at the First Congregational Church in Calais, Maine; Thomas J. W. Cornish, Minister

Reprinted, with permission, from the Heirlooms Reunited blog

Program for the worship service of Sunday, February 26, 1939 at the First Congregational Church in Calais, Maine.  Thomas J. W. Cornish (1892-1966), Minister.

This was a precarious time.  By September 1939, Canada - just across the St. Croix River from Calais - would enter World War II.

The church building in use in 1939 would burn completely in 1992; a new structure was built.

1905/1906 Program of Women's Christian Temperance Union, at Willard Union in Calais, Maine

Reprinted, with permission, from the Heirlooms Reunited blog.

1905/1906 program for the Women's Christian Temperance Union, W.C.T.U., at Willard Union in Calais, Maine.  

Willard Union was presumably named in honor of Frances Elizabeth Willard (1839-1938), educator and temperance reformer.

One piece of cardstock folded once into final dimension of approximately 6-1/4" by 3-1/2".  Handwriting appears on all panes.

Officers:

• Mrs. E. M. Vose, President
• Mrs. C. B. Collins, Corresponding Secretary
• Mrs. Thomas Boyd, Recording Secretary - perhaps Margaret (Cockburn) Boyd (1844-1919), second wife of Thomas Boyd (1841-1914)
• Mrs. J. D. Bates, Treasurer
• Mrs. Atkinson, Vice President
• Mrs. McKeller, Vice President
• Mrs. Dutch, Vice President
• Mrs. Condell, Vice President
• Mrs. Randall, Vice President

Names above:

• Mrs. W. S. McKellar
• Mrs. William Woods
• Miss Winifred Vose (1879-1976), would marry Everett Richardson (1879-1969) in 1911
• Mrs. W. J. Fowler
• Mrs. Emily Dutch - presumably Emily P. (Cleaves) Dutch (1846-1909), wife of Winslow S. Dutch
• Mrs. C. B. Rounds
• Mrs. E. M. Vose, twice mentioned
• Mrs. F. N. Davis, mentioned twice
• Mrs. A. H. Eaton, mentioned twice
• Mrs. G. H. McAndrews
• Mrs. Ashley St. Clair - presumably Mary Louise (Hanson) St. Clair (1854-1928), second wife of Ashley St. Clair (1847-1929)
• Mrs. G. W. Lord
• Mrs. W. H. Nichols, mentioned twice
• Mrs. Henry Young
• Mrs. M. Armstrong
• Mrs. J. B. Allen - presumably Emily F. (Boardman) Lowell (abt 1833-1918)
• Mrs. Randall
• Mrs. E. C. Young
• Mrs. D. A. Swain
• Mrs. G. H. Condell - perhaps Barbara (Morrison) Condell, wife of George H. Condell
• Mrs. Cassie Anderson - Catherine Elizabeth (Belmore) Anderson (1850-1910), widow of Arthur Fessenden Anderson
• Mrs. C. B. Collins
• Mrs. William Henry - perhaps Louise Mauch (Hill) Henry (1873-1934), wife of William Alexander Henry (1876-1957)

Names above:

• Mrs. William Small - perhaps Eva Jane (Linscott) Small (abt 1852/1853-1935), wife of William Melvin Small (1849-1931)
• Mrs. S. D. Morrell
• Mrs. William Woods - perhaps Mary (Porter) Woods (abt 1823-1911), widow of William Woods
• Mrs. J. D. Bates, mentioned twice
• Mrs. Moses Young, mentioned twice - possibly Almira (?) Young (abt 1947-aft 1920)
• Mrs. W. H. Allen
• Mrs. G. H. McAndrews
• Mrs. Ashley St. Clair - presumably Mary Louise (Hanson) St. Clair (1854-1928), second wife of Ashley St. Clair (1847-1929)
• Mrs. W. S. McKellar
• Mrs. E. A. Hallowell
• Mrs. Thomas Boyd - perhaps Margaret (Cockburn) Boyd (1844-1919), second wife of Thomas Boyd (1841-1914)
• Mrs. Emily Dutch
• Mrs. C. B. Collins

If you can identify any of the women mentioned, please leave a comment for the benefit of other researchers.

1906 Calendar of the Wesley Church at Calais, Maine; Norman LaMarsh, Pastor

Reprinted, with permission, from the Heirlooms Reunited blog

1906 Calendar of the Wesley Church of Calais, Maine; Norman LaMarsh, Pastor.  

Brochure of 4 cards with handwriting on the reverse of each.  See images of all panes at the end of this post.

People mentioned, in order

• Pastor Norman LaMarsh, an Ontario, Canada, native, who led several Maine churches; known as the blind preacher
• Moses Young, leader, January 7
• George Glidden, leader, Jan 14
• Mrs. Willis Hill, leader, January 21
• Benjamin Gardner, Leader, January 28
• Charles Hatfield, leader, February 4
• H. A. Belmore, leader, February 11
• Mrs. Allen Hodgins, leader, February 18
• Mrs. Fred Carlow, leader, February 25
• Mrs. Moses Young, leader, March 4
• Mr. Flynn, leader, March 11
• Mrs. Mahar, leader, March 18
• Miss Annie Hill, leader, March 25
• Mrs. George Glidden, leader, April 1
• Mrs. Benjamin Gardner, leader, April 8
• Mr. Nichols, leader, April 15
• Mrs. Hallowell, leader, April 22
• Charles Hatfield, leader April 29
• Mrs. Spearin, leader, May 6
• Mrs. S. Hill, leader, May 13
• Moses Young, leader, May 20
• John Belmore, leader, May 27
• Mrs. Benjamin Gardner, leader, June 3
• George Glidden, leader, June 10
• Charles Hatfield, leader, June 17
• Mrs. John Belmore, leader, June 24
• Miss Carrie Pettigrove, leader, July 2
• Mrs. George Glidden, leader, July 9
• Mrs. Benjamin Gardner, leader, July 16
• Mrs. Willis Hill, leader, July 25
• Mrs. Moses Young, leader, July 30
• Mr. James Pettigrove, leader, August 6
• Moses Young, leader, August 13
• E. Flynn, leader, August 20
• Mrs. Allen Hodgins, leader, August 27
• Benjamin Gardner, leader, September 3
• Mrs. Herbert Mahar, leader, September 10
• H. A. Belmore, leader, September 17
• Etta Hallowell, leader, September 24
• George Glidden, leader, October 1
• Willis Hill, leader, October 8
• Mrs. Benjamin Gardner, leader, October 22
• Mrs. George Glidden, leader, October 29
• Mrs. Moses Young, leader, November 5
• Mrs. J. Spearin, leader, November 12
• Mrs. Salem Hill, leader, November 19
• Mrs. Willis Hill, leader, November 26
• H. A. Belmore, leader, December 3
• A. Gove, leader, December 10
• Moses Young, leader, December 17
• Etta Hallowell, leader, December 24
• E. Flynn, leader, December 31

If you have information to share on any of these people, please leave a comment for the benefit of other researchers

Panes, in order:

1831 Document from Ecclesiastical Council at Robbinston, Maine, to Dismiss Revd. Calvin White; addressed to Gen. John Balkam, Postmaster and Deacon

Reprinted, with permission, from the Heirlooms Reunited blog

1831 report from an ecclesiastical council held at Robbinston, Maine, to determine whether or not to dismiss Rev. Calvin White from his church there. 

The document was addressed to Reg. John Balkam, Postmaster, Robbinston, Maine.

Mentions:

• General John Balkam (1770-1832), Postmaster at Robbinston, Maine - short biography in The Bangor Historical Magazine, Volume 3, No. 10, April 1888

• Rev. Calvin White (1799-1884) at Robbinston, Maine, a native of Massachusetts and graduate of Monmouth Academy and Bangor [perhaps meaning Bangor Theological Seminary]. After his dismissal from Robbinston, Rev. White pastored in several Maine towns until he went to Massachusetts churches from 1841 to 1847, whereupon he returned to several positions in Maine; until again moving to Massachusetts in 1857, to a farm in Amherst. He married 1) Miss Mary Nye Dickson of East Machias in 1841; upon her death he married 2) Ellen Maria Nickerson of Boston, Massachusetts

• Rev. Wakefield Gale (1797-1881) of Eastport, Maine [who would himself part ways with his church in Eastport in 1835].  See other posts that feature 1828 and 1835 letters from or to Rev. Gale.

• Rev. Robert Crossett of Dennysville, Maine - Rev. Robert Crossette (1799-1872) - held the post in Dennysville for 12 years, until leaving in 1842

• Benjamin R. Jones, Delegate, of Dennysville, Maine - Benjamin Richards Jones (1776-1858)

• Rev. Aaron B. Church of Calais, Maine - Rev. Aaron Billings Church (1797-1857), graduate of Andover Theological Seminary; after his Calais post, Rev. Church pastored in Princeton, Illinois; he was the twin brother of Rev. Moses Billings Church (1797-1871).

• George Downes, Delegate and Scribe, of Calais, Maine - presumably George Downes (1794-1869)

Transcription - please leave a comment if you have corrections and/or can fill in the blanks

at Robbinston on the twenty sixth day of July 1831

At a council held in pursuance of Letters ___ from the Congregational Church of Robbinston to advise with regard to dissolving the Pastoral connection between the Revd. Calvin White with said Church & People.

Present as Members from the Church at Eastport Rev. Wakefield Gale; from Church in Dennysville Rev. Robert Crossett;  Pastor & Benjamin R. Jones, Delegate; from Church in Calais, Rev. Aaron B. Church, Pastor & George Downes delegate.

The council were called to order by Rev. W Gale. The Revd. Aaron B. Church was chosen Moderator & George Downes Scribe.

Prayers were offered by Revd. Gale. On Motion Rev. Robert Crossett it was voted that the meetings of this Council be private.

Voted to adjourn to 2 o'clock this afternoon.

The Council met. The communications of Revd. Calvin White to the Church asking a____ & also the Record of the Doings of the Church thereon & also the original call to Revd. Calvin White were read & after having fully heard the Parties & the evidence adduced by them 

It was voted unanimously that it is expedient to recommend a dissolution of the Pastoral connection between the Revd. Calvin White & his Church of People.

Voted that Revd. Aaron B. Church, Revd. W. Gale & George Downes be a committee to make report of the doings of this council to the Parties thereto.

The above named Committee made the following Report.

Whereas for various reasons the Revd. Calvin White has deemed it his duty to request his Church & People to unite with him in calling a mutual Council  to advise & assess in dissolving the Pastoral connection with them & whereas they voted unanimously to comply with his request. Therefore an ecclesiastical council has convened at Robbinston on the 26 July 1831 & in view of the considerations & facts which have been presented by the Pastor & by the Church of people, The Council are of unanimous opinion 

That it is expedient that the connection between Revd. Calvin White & the people of his charge cease at the expiration of the present year of his Ministerial Labors. And it is the desire & Prayer of this Council that the blessing of Almighty God may rest abundantly upon both the Parties concerned in this decision.

Which Report being read was unanimously accepted.

Voted to adjourn to the house of ___ [Joseph perhaps] Briggs in Robbinston at 8 o'clock P.M. of this day.

Council Met according to adjournment & made report of their doings to the Parties concerned

They being present.

Voted to adjourn Sine Die

Signed Aaron B. Church, Moderator

George Downes, Scribe

A true copy of the Record of the above named Council

Attest George Downes, Scribe

If you have information to share on any of the men mentioned here, please leave a comment for the benefit of other researchers.

1835 Letter from Elizabeth Waldron in Eastport, Maine, to Rev. & Mrs. Wakefield Gale in Boston, Massachusetts - Controversy

Reprinted, with permission, from the Heirlooms Reunited blog

October 7, 1835 letter from Elizabeth Waldron in Eastport, Maine, to Rev. Wakefield Gale (1797-1881) and Wife Mary Louisa (Bigelow) Gale (1806-1861) in Boston, Massachusetts.

The Gales were staying with Mary's sister Ann Eliza (Bigelow) Safford (1802-1874) and brother-in-law Deacon Daniel Safford (1792-1856) at 7 Montgomery Street in Boston.

The letter hints of the displeasure of some in town with Rev. Gale, with Elizabeth stressing her loyalty to him. According to a bio on his FindaGrave Memorial, Rev. Gale was dismissed from his pastorate in November of 1835, a month after Elizabeth started her letter.  Elizabeth mentions Rev. Gale's future return to Eastport, but perhaps he intended to return only to settle his affairs there.

A transcription appears at the end of this post.

See other letters regarding Rev. Gale:

• 1828 Letter from Rev. Wakefield Gale (1797-1881) at Eastport, Maine, to his brother Joseph Worcester Gale (1809-1889) in Boston, Massachusetts
• 1831 letter - 1831 Document from Ecclesiastical Council at Robbinston, Maine, to Dismiss Rev. Calvin White; addressed to Gen. John Balkam, Postmaster and Deacon - Rev. Gale a member of the Council
• 1835 Letter from Aaron Hayden (1775-1842) in Eastport, Maine, to Rev. Wakefield Gale (1797-1881) in Boston, Massachusetts

There were two women named Elizabeth Waldron in Eastport, Maine, during this time, according to FindaGrave memorials, both born in 1786 and born dead in the same year as well, 1874.

They are: 

• Elizabeth (Emmons) Waldron (1786-1874), "Betsey", wife of Dr. Timothy Waldron
• Elizabeth (Rumble) Waldron (1786-1874), wife of Ezra Waldron

People mentioned in the letter - some multiple times

• Elizabeth Waldron, letter writer; Eastport, Maine, presumably one of the two women mentioned above
• Rev. Wakefield Gale (1797-1881) and Wife Mary Louisa (Bigelow) Gale (1806-1861)
• Deacon Daniel Safford (1792-1856) and wife Abigail Jane (Biglow) Safford (1804-1830), at whose home at 7 Montgomery Street, Boston, Massachusetts, the Gales are staying
• Mrs. Weston; Eastport, Maine - perhaps Jane (Nelson) Weston (1781-1864), widow of Jonathan Delesdernier Weston (1782-1834)
• Mr. L.; Eastport, Maine - if L for Leavitt, perhaps Benjamin Brackett Leavitt (1798-1881)
• Shays, lay reader at Eastport, Maine
• Mr. Holcome, Minister; Eastport, Maine - Elizabeth likes him personally but doesn't think much of his preaching - she called him "Mr. Halfcome"
• Mr. Chute preached; Eastport, Maine - Mrs. Weston thinks he would be a good candidate to replace Rev. Gale
• Widow Buckman or Bucknam; Eastport, Maine - thinks that Rev. Gale's brother-in-law Deacon Daniel Safford encouraged Rev. Gale to leave Eastport
• Deacon Wheeler, Eastport, Maine
• Capt. Childs and Mrs. Childs; Eastport, Maine
• Mrs. Whitcom
• Deacon Prince; Eastport, Maine
• Emma (Hayden); Eastport, Maine - perhaps Emma Lincoln (Hayden) Hathorne, who died 21 October 1835 not long after her marriage to Benjamin Herbert Hathorne
• Mr. Green has moved to Calais, Maine
• Mr. Shaw; Eastport, Maine
• Mrs. Levett has another daughter, 2 weeks old; Eastport, Maine - perhaps Harriet (Lamprey) Leavitt (1802-1840), wife of Benjamin Brackett Leavitt (1798-1881) and mother of Mary Louisa Leavitt, born in 1835 but died the following year
• Mary Ann; presumably Eastport, Maine
• Emeline; Eastport, Maine
• Miss Ann Eliza, presumably Boston, Massachusetts - not a Miss, but perhaps Ann Eliza (Bigelow) Safford (1802-1874), wife of Deacon Daniel Safford (1792-1856), with whom the Gales were staying.

If you have a theory as to the identity of Elizabeth Waldron or any of the other people mentioned, please leave a comment for the benefit of other researchers.

Transcription - loose, some misspellings left intact, some punctuation added for comprehension - suggest corrections and/or additions in the comments sections

Eastport Oct 7 1835

My Dear Mr and Mrs. Gale

I have been waiting to try to learn, what god intended to do with this people, and as I was informed last evening by Mrs. Weston that you should give up your house in six weeks, from this I think we may say as she of old did, the glory is departed from Eastport, and learn that god intends to take a away our greatest blessing and bestow them on those who will better praise his worth, but I blame you not, for I believe unering wisdom is your guide and that you have sought it with deliberation. I have often thought that you was too bright a light to be Extinguished on this remote Island and Mrs. Weston has the same mind. but we were selfish and gain yet. I shall not attempt to discribe my feelings. Go on on thou man of god in the way He directs you,and I have a hope at the end of our race I shall meet you in that Kingdom of glory where sin can have no control and where you will receive your reward for all your labours of love to us. I can so no more.

After you left us, I thought our case much like the children of Israel when they saw Pharaoh and his host pursuing them after they had left Egypt, but I thought you would remain a Moses and intended for us and I believe you did, and in answer to prayer we still remain a church. that affair is not settled yet. I have done all that I can do without telling a falsehood that I shall not do I hope while I have my reason. I think if Mr. L had no more earthly riches then myself it would have come to a conclusion long before this. You will understand my meening, but is it not better to put our trust in Him who has all the money and the cattle upon a thousand hills at his disposal, then to place any confidence in man that has nothing but ungovernable temper to guide him. It has been said that we cannot support a Minister if Mr. L. withdraws his assistance, but I say we did have the gospel preached to us in its purity before he united with us and better is a little with the fear of the Lord then great treasures and trouble therewith. but you will say no more of this and I will forbare and strive to do right and keep under subjection all wrong feelings.

We were without preaching 4 sabbaths after your departure. In that time we meet once at our Meeting house and ___ Shays read to us, and then came Mr. Holcome and I am at a loss what to say of him. He is pleasant man, and in his preaching you would think he was coming right to the point and he will slide of so unpenceivable that one cannot trace the way he went. he tells us what we must be, before we can be admitted into heaven but what the sinner must do to acquire those attainments he does not clearly set forth. I have been thinking every sermon the whole would come but as yet it has not. but don't say that I do not like him, but as yet he has not enlarged nor united our society and would all our people speak the truth they would say they are disappointed in him. He has made me a visit and I should take him to be any thing but a minister if I did not know.  Mr. Chute preached one Sabbath and Mrs. Weston thinks he is the man for this place if you don't come back again. She says he came from a good soul and your recommendation we think much of, but I ___ [dare ?] not express my opinion for they say I like to much depravity so I say I like them both. 

The widow Buckman told me she thought Deacon Safford encouraged you to leave here. I told her she was misinformed and I presume she was. The Baptist have their Minister and are so pleased with him that they are not willing for him to come into our meeting house, for they have withdrawn from us altogether. They hold the monthly concert in their own house and we in ours. No great harm done yet. I believe Dea. Wheeler is at the head of the sepperation. Our vestry is ocupied every night in the week of singing and 3 meetings. Mr. Holcome or Mr. Halfcome gives us a sermon on Thursday eve'g. The meetings are very well attended. I have heard every sermon he has preached. Capt.Childs sought to see me out evenings. He knows my Motive. It was thought I should not go because you was away but they get disappointed in all their conjectures. You know who I mean. I shall not loose any friends. I have not attended any of the Maternal meetings, since you left and don't know when I shall. They have done a little to have me come in in an underhanded way, that is, Mrs. Childs told Mrs. L. that she ought to come and see me and invite me to attend. And I wanted to see Mrs. L on other business and I sent for her to come in which she did, and just as she was going I mentioned about her husband and told her I wish her to converse with him and let me know what he said. She said she would. I heard nothing more from her until meeting day. About 4 o'clock Mrs. Whitcom came in and asked why I was not to meeting. Said I, you know the reason. She says why. Mrs. L. says you can come but she had been so busy that she had forgot to say anything to her husband. From that Mrs. L. said she had been to see me and she did not know why I did not come. You understand the Matter. Now I was cast out publickly and I must be brought in more Publicky, that he or she must give me an inventation, the prayer meeting at this house has been well attended and only one refusal. There sisters down ____ attend and the young sisters have joined with us, and you have been remembered in every prayer that has been offered in this room since you left it and the ___ has been that you might be restored to us again in god's own time. The ___ is quite heavy. Deacon Prince has just left here; he sends his love to you and says he hopes God will bless you wherever you are and that he shall write you as soon as his eye gets better. It is now very sore, his heart was to full for ___ but says he feels resigned to his heavenly Father's will. I went over to your garden once and got some squash and turnips and but I could not go again it was too much for me to pluck up what My Minister had planted and in his absence to.  She that was Emma Hayden sends her love to you. She is quite low but appears very much resigned and composed. Mr. Green has moved to Calais. Mr. Shaw has moved in where they lived. Mrs. Levett has another daughter about 2 weeks old and is very comfortable. Mrs. Weston sends her love you and says she wants to write you an ___ soon. Mary Ann wrote you, 4 weeks ago but presumes you have not received. Emeline is working Mrs. G's watch mat but will not send it until Mr. Gale comes.Will Mr. Gale be so kind as to stop the Youths Companion when this year is out for we cannot take it longer. I believe it is paid for until then. Give our love to Miss Ann Eliza and tell her we should be glad to hear some of her interesting conversation. I must now think of drawing to a close, my best love to Mr. and Mrs. Safford and tell them that I do feel thankful that my Dear friends are under the protection of such worthy people - I shall expect to see Mr. G in about six weeks. I hope you will ever bear this church on your minds at the throne of grace and intercede for us that we may not be left without a teacher and one that shall declare the whole truth if we were delt with according to our deserts we should be shut up in heathenish darkness. I believe god will over  rule all things for his own glory and our best and I hope that all his dealings with us will prove for our everlasting good. I have written you both together for what interests one will the other. You must rectify all mistakes and imperfections in reading and pardon the writer who is your affectionate sister in the Lord.

Elizabeth Waldron

1828 Letter from Rev. Wakefield Gale (1797-1881) at Eastport, Maine, to his brother Joseph Worcester Gale (1809-1889) in Boston, Massachusetts

Reprinted, with permission, from the Heirlooms Reunited blog

December 17, 1828 letter from Rev. Wakefield Gale (1797-1881), a Congregational minister in Eastport, Maine, from 1825-1835, to his brother Joseph Worcester Gale (1809-1889), then in Boston, Massachusetts.

See other posts:

• 1831 letter - 1831 Document from Ecclesiastical Council at Robbinston, Maine, to Dismiss Rev. Calvin White; addressed to Gen. John Balkam, Postmaster and Deacon - Rev. Gale a member of the Council
• 1835 letter  - from Aaron Hayden (1775-1842) of Eastport, Maine, to Rev. Wakefield Gale (1797-1881), who was then staying with Deacon Daniel Safford (1782-1856) and wife Ann Eliza (Bigelow) Safford (1802-1874), who was the sister of Rev. Gale's wife Mary Louisa (Bigelow) Gale (1806-1861)
• 1835 letter  - from Elizabeth Waldron at Eastport, Maine, to Rev. Wakefield Gale (1797-1881) and wife Mary Louisa (Bigelow) Gale (1806-1861), who were then staying at 7 Montgomery Street in Boston, Massachusetts with Mrs. Gale's sister Ann Eliza (Bigelow) Safford (1802-1874) and her husband Deacon Daniel Safford (1782-1856)

The brothers were Pembroke, New Hampshire, natives, the sons of Deacon Joseph Gale (1768-1851) and Susannah (Frye) Gale (abt 1776-1859)

A transcription of the letter appears at the end of this post.

Rev. Gale was the center of a furious controversy in Eastport in the late 1820s, as noted in the booklet Correspondence Between the First Congregational Society in Eastport and Rev. Gale, but he apparently rode it out until leaving in 1835.

More of Rev. Gale's correspondence is held in the Wakefield Gale Family Papers collection at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Mentioned in the letter:

• Rev. Wakefield Gale (1797-1881), a Congregational minister in Eastport, Maine, from 1825-1835; letter writer
• Joseph Worcester Gale (1809-1889), younger brother of Rev. Wakefield Gale; letter recipient, then in Boston, Massachusetts
• Mary and "little Jona. Edwards" - Rev. Gale's wife Mary Louisa (Bigelow) Gale (1806-1861), whom he had married about two months previously. Jonathan Edwards may have been Mary's nephew, Jonathan Edwards (1820-1894), son of Rev. Justin Edwards (1787-1853) and Mary's sister Lydia (Bigelow) Edwards (1789-1868).
• Capt. Rogers and family of Eastport, Maine
• Brother and Sister Susan Ransom, recently arrived at Marietta - after a terrible stage coach accident - Susan (Gale) Ransom (1799-1845) and husband Rev. Calvin Noyes Ransom (1800-1889), to Marietta, Ohio. Susan was a sister of Rev. Wakefield Gale and Joseph Worcester Gale.
• Mother - presumably Susannah (Frye) Gale (abt 1776-1859), mother of brothers Wakefield and Joseph
• Dr. Edwards - possibly the above-mentioned Rev. Justin Edwards (1787-1853)
• Dr. Franklin - presumably Benjamin Franklin, who acquired the moniker Dr.
• Bloomfield, Somerset County, Maine
• Abby Jane Bigelow, sister of Mary Louisa (Bigelow) Gale - Abigail Jane Bigelow (1804-1830), soon to be married to Deacon Daniel Safford (1782-1856)
• Brother John - John Adams Gale (1807-1886), brother of Rev. Wakefield Gale and Joseph Worcester Gale
• Pembroke friends - presumably Pembroke, New Hampshire, where the Gale brothers were born

If you have information to share on any of the people mentioned in this letter, please leave a comment for the benefit of other researchers.

Transcription:

Eastport, December 17th 1828

My Dear Brother

The object of this hasty letter is to confess my fault in not writing you before & to inform you that we had a very quick and pleasant passage to this place after parting with you in Boston Harbor; that our articles of furniture all arrived safe; that Mary& little Jona. Edwards are quite well pleased with this place; that I am quite happy in having a little family of my own; that we live almost wholly by ourselves except taking our meals with Captain Rogers Family; & that the general interests of the little church and Society to which I am preaching are prosperous. We are not yet in the New Meeting House, but hope to be in a few weeks. Seriousness seems to be increasing in the congregation – 12 have attended an inquiry meeting at my study of late. Two are to be added to the church next sabbath. Some efforts are making to promote the cause of temperance here. We are having united meetings, that is, meetings of the several religious societies, in relation to this object. All the clergyman, four in number, are to preach on the subject twice a piece. We received a letter from Brother and Sister Ransom four or five weeks ago. They had arrived safely at Marietta tho their journey was rather longer than they expected. They experienced on their way a remarkable preservation. They with four other passengers were precipitated down a precipice 20 feet, and tho the stage was shivered to pieces, they were uninjured. Susan was pleased with the country, & with her new friends there. She did not regret leaving home - Her object is indeed good and great. I hope she will be faithful as long as she lives - & die in peace with her work done, & well done. We are expecting to hear from home soon. Mrs. G has written them a good long letter. They must be, I think, quite lonesome. But the Lord, I trust, is their ____. He will be with them & comfort them. I hope you will write them as often as convenient. Mother thinks a great deal about all her children. A letter often will be very gratifying. Do you intend going home by & by? How are you prospered in your business? With whom do you work? Where do you board? How do you prosper in religious things? Whose meetings do you attend on the Sabbath? Had you not better make Dr. Edwards meeting yours? Are you careful to maintain secret prayer? O my brother, do not neglect the soul! I hope you improve your leisure hours in useful reading, rather than in gazing at the vain objects of a large and enticing City. Dr. Franklin says, “Time is money”. The habit you now form will go along with you this life it is probable. Mind how you begin in every thing. You are greatly exposed in many ways. But your chief danger at present will be neglect the ___ & remiss ways in the duties of religion. Remember that you are young and inexperienced - & obey Our Saviors direction, to watch & pray but you enter into temptation. A young man of this place has called on me today, who is in trouble, & whose history himself interested me much. He is a school teacher – has studied some with a view of being a physician. He is poor, came here last Spring to get a school, with a view to aid himself in getting his profession. He is 23 years old - He joined the church in Bloomfield, Somerset Co. in this state when only 13 years old. His father died when this son was 12 years old - his mother when he was 15. He had lived like a Christian, till he came here. When he came to this place he concealed the fact ____ [tear in page] was a professor of religion - the youth and his first ____ society were all thoughtless - he engaged in a school but did not pray in it. He did not come to our communions - and no one knew till recently that he was a member of the Church of Christ. He has been round to a sense of his condition. Regrets the course he has taken, mourns... He has been ashamed of Christ - intends to confess his sin to the church before next Sabbath - & on the sabbath return to his duty and privilege in celebrating the love of Christ. He takes an active part now in our Saturday night prayer Meetings. If you have opportunity to take a part in such meetings or in family worship, I hope you will do it. It will be an advantage.Your employment is Honorable. I hope you will be contented with it & strive to excel as a mechanic, especially as a Christian and citizen. I want you to be a reading man and to form the habit and cultivate the taste for reading. Thus you will gradually and almost insensibly improve. 

Abby Jane Bigelow, sister of Mrs. G is expecting to be married next Wednesday evening at Dr. Edwards to Dea. Safford. You probably know Dea. Safford if you attend meetings at Salem Street Church.  Mary unites with me in love to you. Let us be remembered aff. to br. John when you see him or write to him also to Pembroke friends.

1911 Program at Memorial Opera House, Eastport, Maine, by St. Joseph's Catholic Choir

Reprinted, with permission, from the blog Heirlooms Reunited:

1911 Program, with many names of participants

Memorial Opera House, Eastport

Thursday, February 2, 1911

Grand Production of the Operetta

A Nautical Knot or The Belle of Barnstapoole

Presented under the Auspices of

St. Joseph's Catholic Choir

Miss Annie V. MacNichol, Director

Ads on this page include:

B. F. Milliken & Son

A. W. Beckett, Confectioner, Water Street

Hinkley Shoe Store, water Street

Rumery Brothers, Clothing, Water Street

Rexall Drug Store, Havey & Wilson
S. B. Hume & Son, Central Wharf, Eastport
Rayo Nickel Lamp, sold by Godfrey & Loring
L. M. & O. B. Whalen, Whalen Block, Water Street, Eastport
W. C. Beale, 95 Water Street, Eastport, Maine

Charles M. Buxton

John H. McFaul, Attorney, 62 Water St., Eastport, Maine
Bradish Insurance Agency
Eastport Steam Laundry, Hanson & Martyn, Proprietors
New Grocery Store, Watson & Mitchell, Water Street, opposite Post Office
Frazier Photography, Washington Street, Eastport

Wilbor A. Shea, Fire Insurance, Water Street, Eastport, Maine
Eastport Fruit Store, A. Conti, Proprietor
Eastport Electric Light Company, 99 Water Street

 

Fred A. Holmes, Boots, Shoes and Clothing, 48 and 50 Water Street, Eastport, Maine
Mrs. E. C. Bradish, Millinery, 40 Water Street
S. H. Wood, Ladies' Suits, Coats, Skirts etc., Corner Water and Washington Sts
Mary MacNichol Kelley, Millinery, opposite Post Office

 

Eastport Dry Goods Company

Cast of Characters
Julia, the haughty Belle o Barnstapoole... Mrs. D. E. Kelley
Nancy, her friend, a gentle damsel... Miss Elizabeth Baker
Dora, Barnstapoole Girl... Miss Maud A. Kelley
Delia, Barnstapoole Girl... Miss Mary Carr
Daisy, Barnstapoole GIrl... Miss Teresa Whalen
Barnabas Lee, a wandering artist... D. Ambrose Frost
Joe Stout, the mate of the "Bounding Billow"... W. S. Alexander
Bill Salt, an ancient mariner, boatswain of the "Bounding Billow"... David C. MacNichol
Jack Brace, Sailor on board the "Bounding Billow"... Ralph W. Bradish
Ned Bluff, Sailor on board the "Bounding Billow"... Leonard G. Clark
Jim Spray, Sailor on board the "Bounding Billow"... Clifton Dow

Barnstapoole Girls, Artists and Sailors
TIME: Present SCENE: Barnstapoole Quay

ACT I - A Summer Afternoon ACT II - One year later
Hutchison, Agent for Kodak, Brownies and Supplies

Palmer Brothers, Drugs, Stationery, Chocolates, Water St, Eastport, Maine
Bibber's Dry Goods Store, F. A. Coburn, Proprietor
Exchange Hotel, Boynton Street, Eastport, Maine
E. S. Martin & Son Co., Groceries, Stoes, Tinware, 73 Water St
Cherry's new Wall Papers
Bradish Bakery, Jelly Rolls, Water St

Bucknam and Colwell, Ladies, Men's & Boys' Suits

Barnstapoole Girls

 
Alice Creary
Della Follis
Mrs. Teresa Fish
Mazie Gilligan
Annie Murphy
Tina Gilligan
Mary McGraw
Susie Kelley
Alice Gilligan
Mrs. D. C. MacNichol
Mrs. D. P. Goulding
Rose Rutherford
Margaret Thorpe
Hazel Lambert
Margaret Goulding
Martha Murphy
Alma Parker
Beatrice McDonald
Nellie McElwee
Helen Parker
Gladys Skidds

Hutchison's Drug Store for Stationery Needs

Sailors

Thomas Calder
Peter Deignan
Will A. Murphy
Shirley Llewellyn
Jack Neary
Harry Thorpe
J. Fred Hamilton
Daniel E. Kelley

Artists

Leo T. Creary
Eugene Cassidy
Fulvio Ciummei
John Murphy
George Sexton
Louis White
Bernard Rutherford
Daniel McPhee

 

Pike & Kilby Co., Teas and Coffees, Water St.
Brown's News Store, Cigars, Pipes, Tobacco, Opposite Post Office, Eastport, Maine
Roche's Optical Annex
Over J. R. Roche & Co.'s Store, 70 Water Street
J. A. Ferris & Son, High Grade Furniture

G. W. Capen Corp, Wall Papers
S. L. Wadsworth & Son, Agts for Kyanize

Argument

ACT I. Julia, the haughty belle of Barnstapoole, is as proud as she is beautiful. All the sailor lads are hopelessly in love with her, but she scorns them all. On the eve of the depature of the "Bounding Billow" for a year's voyage, Barnabas Lee, a wandering artist, comes to town and falls in love with Julia, who returns his affection. The sailor lads, driven to despair by their rival's success, plan to kidnap Barnabas, stow him aboard the "Bounding Billow" and carry him to sea. They are successful in their scheme and the townsfolk returning from seeing the ship sail, announce to Julia that Barnabas was on board her.

In the meantime, Nancy - a gentle damsel - is loved by Joe Stout. Joe is as bashful as he is honest, and fearing a repulse he induces Bill Salt to propose to Nance in his name. Bill promises to perform the task, but unfortunately he meets Julia first, and thinking her the object of Joe's affections, delivers the bashful suitor's message to her.

Julia is a great believer in the old saying "One in hand is better far than two in the bushes are". She tells Bill to bid his friend try his luck a year hence. Bill, delighted at his supposed success, seeks Joe and informs him of the result, only to learn of the sad mistake he has made. The whistle sounds from the ship "All Aboard", and poor Jim is obliged to sail without seeing his sweetheart Nance.

Julia tells Nance of Joe's love for her and Nance is heartbroken. The Barnstapoole girls, having quarreled with the sailors, pretend indifference at their departure.

ACT II. takes place one year hence. The townsfolk are waiting on the quay for the return of the "Bounding Billow". The Barnstapoole girls meeting a party of artists down from town for the day, take a malicious pleasure in going to welcome back the "Bounding Billow" accompanied by the artists. The sailors who during their long absence from home had quite recovered from their love for Julia, are much chagrined to find that the Barnstapoole girls are apparently quite indifferent to their return. Even Julia will not speak to them.

Bill Salt has the unpleasant duty of explaining his mistake to Julia and offering himself in Joe's place. Julia at first spurns him indignantly, but afterward accepts him. The happy return of Barnabas Lee releases Bill Salt from the noose he had cast about his own neck. Joe soon finds Nance and explains the situation to her. The artists return to town and the sailors and girls become reconciled. The scene ends with the promise of many happy weddings in the near future.

 

E. F. Hefron, Dealer in Ranges, Furnaces, 51 Water St
William G. Low, Groceries, Provisions, Water St, Eastport, Me.
R. A. Burr, Jewelry & Watch Repairing, Water St, Eastport
A. W. Bishop, Grocer
Byron N. Andrews, Druggist
Bibber & Flagg, Carpets, Rugs, Linoleums, Etc., off Water St, Eastport, Me.
Broad Cove Farm, Pure Milk and Cream

Capen's Drug Store, 88 Water St, Eastport, Maine

Members of the Orchestra

Miss Edith Gardner, 1st Violin
A. Conti, Cello
Fred Russell, 2nd Violin
Abe Lodge, Clarinet
Fred W. MacGregor, Flute
Simeon A. Frost, 1st Cornet
W. H. MacNichol, Trombone
Fred Leighton, 2nd Cornet
Arthur LeSuer, Drum
Miss Corinne Jewers, Pianist
Miss Annie V. MacNichol, Conductor

Executive Staff

Manager, Leo T. Creary
Stage Manager, W. S. Alexander
Stage Effects and Properties, J. A. Muldoon

Dr. W. R. Bibber, Dentist, Water Street, Eastport, Maine
I. G. McLarren, Attorney, Office in Sharland Block, Eastport, Me.
W. F. Cleveland, M. D., Homeopathic Physician and Surgeon, office and residence at Jackson House, Washington St.
F. C. Jewett, D. D.S., Office in Whalen Block, Corner Boynton and Water Sts., Eastport
Leo D. Lamond, Attorney, Martin Block, Water Street, Eastport, Me.
L. H. Newcomb, Attorney, Office over Atwood's Market, 75 Water St., Eastport, Maine
C. O. Gardner, Livery Stable, Water St. (North End), Telephone 37-2
Elisha W. Pike, Law, Real Estate, Leavitt Block, Water St., Eastport

 

C. Doherty, Provisions and Groceries, 14 Adams St., Eastport
Goulding's Restaurant, Meals at All Hours, Opp Post Office, Water St., Eastport
John E. Healy, tires
Frank Murphy, Custom Tailor, Furniture Avenue
American Hand Laundry, William Tooze, Proprietor, Opp Public Library, Water St., Eastport
Reliable Machine and Die Works, General Machinists, Eastport
J. A. Greenlaw, Clothing, 60 Water Street
Mrs. Emma Fahey, Millinery and Novelties, High Street, Eastport

 

Gove's Cash Stores, Justin Gove, Proprietor, stores in Perry, Eastport, Calais
Frontier National Bank, Eastport, Maine, W. S. Hume, President; George H. Hayes, Cashier

Eastport Savings Bank, Eastport, Maine; L. M. Whalen, President; Charles E. Capen, Vice President; C. I. Morton, Treasurer

View Larger Map