November 1845 Document from Bion Bradbury, Customs Collector at Passamaquoddy, Eastport, Maine, to Customs in Alexandria, Virginia

 

Reprinted, with permission, from the Heirlooms Reunited blog.

November 22, 1845 document from Bion Bradbury (1811-1887), Customs Collector at the District of Passamaquoddy, in Eastport, Maine, to the Customs Collector in the District of Alexandria, then, apparently, considered part of Washington, D.C.

The document concerns the Schooner Lucinda Snow of Boston, whose master was then William Hall.

The schooner Lucinda Snow came to grief after a voyage to the Gulf of Mexico, where her cargo was unloaded in Galveston, and she was then chartered by the U.S. Government for use during the Mexican-American War.  During the "great norther" of May 2, 1846, the schooner was cast upon the island of Sacrificios near Vera Cruz, Mexico, and later became the subject of a lawsuit.

Bradury, a native of Biddeford, Maine and graduate of Bowdoin College, was an attorney, before, in 1844, being appointed Customs Collector for the Passamaquoddy District. He served in the Maine State Legislature and ran several times for governor, but was not successful, although, according to a contemporary note in pencil on the document, he did serve as Lieutenant Governor at one time.

See a photograph of him circa 1880, on the Maine Memory Network.  From the July 2, 1887 issue of the Portland Daily Press:

If you have information on Bion Bradbury, William Hall or the Schooner Lucinda Snow, please leave a comment for the benefit of other researchers.  

And if you know of a way for Google Maps to show sea routes, please let me know.

Abraham Lincoln Campaign Button from Collection of Jim Jollotta of Eastport, Maine

 

Business card of antique dealer James N. Jollotta (1912-1993), "Jim", of Eastport, Maine, with an Abraham Lincoln campaign button pinned to it. 

Jim made a point of making friends of everyone he met, from figures in World War II, to politicians and their families, to screen stars, to Eastporters made good and to any interesting man or woman he encountered. Until his death in 1993, he spent every Christmas with Caroll Edwin Spinney (1933-2109), originator and persona of "Big Bird" and "Oscar the Grouch", himself with Eastport connections. 

The pin itself is not in the best condition but when I saw it on eBay in 2013, I had to have it for its connection to Jim, who was a friend of the family.

The reverse has a message written in Jim's hand, on October 23, 1963, noting that he was presenting the pin to Rev. Otto L. Palmer (1927-2021).  Jim noted that the pin had originally been presented to him by the late Mr. Joannson.

Perhaps Rev. Palmer, a native of Aroostook County, Maine, pastored at Eastport at some point, or he and Jim met each other at a gathering of some kind.

If you have information on James N. Jollotta (1912-1993), "Jim"; or Rev. Otto L. Palmer (1927-2021); or an identity for Mr. Joannson, please leave a comment for the benefit of other researchers.

Photograph of a Young Man IDed as Colin MacNichol, No Studio Imprint, but possibly Eastport, Maine, area

Reprinted, with permission, from the Heirlooms Reunited blog

Photograph of a young man identified on the reverse as Colin MacNichol. 

The reverse mentions: "Gave to me in 1920".

No studio imprint to give an idea of locale, but it's possible he was from the MacNichol family in Washington County, Maine and Charlotte County, New Brunswick.

Possibly James Colin MacNichol (1886-1960), if he went by "Colin", at least when he was younger.  This man was born in Eastport, Maine, the son of Avery Alexander MacNichol and Margaret (O'Brien) MacNichol. This Colin would move to New York and would marry Nancy Nicholls.

Although the photograph seems to have come from a later era, another possibility for Colin might have been Colin MacNichol (abt 1848-1913), a Customs officer in Eastport, Maine.  This Colin was born in Mascarene, New Brunswick, the son of John MacNichol and Jane (McDiarmid) MacNichol.  Colin married Abby Davis about 1894.

If you have a theory as to the identity of the Colin MacNichol pictured, please leave a comment for the benefit of other researchers.

CDV of a Young Boy IDed as Sterling Fessenden at 7 Years 11 Months, Eastport, Maine

Reprinted, with permission, from the Heirlooms Reunited blog

Carte de Visite of a young boy identified on the reverse as  "Sterling Fessenden, 7 years 11 mos, Eastport, August 1883"

It's likely that Sterling was Sterling Fessenden (1875-1943), son of Nicholas Fessenden (1847-1927) and Laura Emily (Stirling or Sterling) Fessenden (1852-1935) [although her birth year looks to be 1851 in the photograph of her stone]. 

Sterling's paternal grandparents, Hewitt Chandler Fessenden and Mary Turner (Peterson) Fessenden were in Eastport, Maine, by 1860 where Hewitt practiced medicine.  Their son Nicholas moved to Fort Fairfield, Maine, upon his 1874 marriage to Laura Emily Stirling, a native of that town, where Sterling would be born in 1875. I imagine young Sterling's photograph was taken on a visit to his paternal grandparents.

Sterling would graduate from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, and find his way to China, where he would run the Municipal Court in Shanghai and, if the facts are correct, lead a rather controversial life.  

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

John Moor(e) Thistle (abt 1854-1910), Mariner, of Eastport, Maine and his Chinese Wife Mary Ah Say (1864-1903)

 An interesting article from the Seacoast Online of New Hampshire about Chinese families in Exeter, New Hampshire, which contains mention of the family of John Moor(e) Thistle (abt January 1854-1910) of Eastport, Maine, who married a Chinese woman, Mary Ah Say or Ashay (1864-1903) , in Japan.  

According to the article, John and his bride moved to Shanghai, China, where they had four children, and later moved to the United States, presumably the area of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where another two children were born, at least one in Portsmouth in 1892.

At the time of enumeration of the 1900 US Census, John and family were living in Exeter, New Hampshire.  John, the son of Irish immigrant James Thistle and Louise (Roix) Thistle, died in 1910 in Exeter.

Read the article here:  

https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/2022/05/20/historically-speaking-chinese-families-exeter/9827152002/

1814 Letter from Lt. E. Manning at Fort Sullivan in Eastport, Maine, to Lt. Andrew Lewis in Castine, Maine

June 10, 1814 letter from Lieutenant E. Manning of the 40th Infantry, stationed at Fort Sullivan in Eastport, Maine, to Lieutenant Andrew Lewis, 40th Infantry Commanding, at Castine, Maine.

[Reprinted, with permission, from the Heirlooms Reunited blog]

Interestingly, both Fort Sullivan and Castine would fall into British hands, as the result of a surprise invasion not long after.  In the case of Fort Sullivan, which was captured on July 11, 1814, the British would not leave until June 30, 1818, as Eastport had been disputed territory since the American Revolution, and the British were anxious to retain it.

Interesting content:

• ... I fired a small Gun or Swivel burst and murdered two men, one of which died (Alden) third day after, the other is likely to do well.  Did "murdered" have a different meaning at that time - i.e. "grievously injured" as well as "killed"?
• The writer found Robbinston women more to his liking than Eastport women.
• I ordered two (women) drummed out of Camp yesterday, which caused considerable laughter in Post.

This letter appeared on page 200 in the The Bangor Historical Magazine, Volume 3, July 1887-June 1888.  The contents page lists many interesting articles, including several others with an Eastport, Maine, connection.

Transcript

LETTER FROM EASTPORT, 1814

[From Lieut. E. Manning, 40th Infantry U.S.A., to Lieutenant Andrew Lewis, 40th Infantry, Commanding, at Castine.]

"FORT SULLIVAN, 10th June, 1814 (EASTPORT).

DEAR SIR: - I have not had an opportunity to write you before, since my arrival at this Post. I was at Robbiston last month, and was relieved by Lieut. Blanchard. On his arrival at that Post, I fired a small Gun or Swivel, which burst and murdered two men, one of which died (Alden) third day after, the other is likely to do well. Robbinston is a fine place andthe young ladies very agreeable, much more so than at Eastport. Carpenter is at Machias. He released Lieut. Blanchard the last day of this month. I hope your situation is agreeable, which if it is or not, I hope you let me know by writing me. I have nothing new to write, except I ordered two (women) drummed out of Camp yesterday, which caused considerable laughter in Post.

I am with due consideration, Sir, your most obedient servant.

E. Manning, Lieut. 40th Infantry

Lieut. Andrew Lewis, 40th Infantry.

Diorama of Fort Sullivan (1808-1873)

Fort Sullivan was captured by the British on June 11, 1814 and was renamed Fort Sherbrooke, in honor of Canadian military and political leader Sir John Coape Sherbrooke (1764-1830). When the British finally quit their occupation, on June 30, 1818, the fort returned to its original name of Fort Sullivan.

As for the origin of Sullivan, what is known is that it was likely named for one of two Sullivan brothers, with the younger brother the more likely.

• John Sullivan (1740-1795), a Revolutionary War general
• James Sullivan (1744-1808), Governor of Massachusetts, who died during his second term in 1808, the year the fort was originally built.

1846 Sampler Wrought by Sarah Ann Cheeney (1835-1895), then of Eastport, Maine

 Tilly Laskey, curator at Maine Historical Society, has sent along a link to the sales offering of a wonderful family record sampler wrought in 1846 by Sarah Ann Cheeney (1835-1895), then in Eastport, Maine.

https://www.antiquesamplers.com/samplers/cheeney,-sarah-a.htm

Sarah was born in Pembroke, Maine, on April 27, 1835 to George Cheeney and his wife Mary A., natives of Derry, New Hampshire, and Salem, Massachusetts, respectively.  George and Mary had married in Dennysville, Maine, on July 28, 1834.

Children listed on the sampler:

• Sarah Ann Cheeney, born in Pembroke, Maine, on April 27, 1835 [Sarah's gravestone gives her year of birth as 1836 but that does not reconcile with the birth of her next younger sibling]
• Emma Sophia Cheeney, born in Pembroke, Maine, on November 14, 1836
• George Alvin Cheeney, born in Robbinston, Maine, on January 12, 1839
• James William Cheeney, born in Eastport, Maine, on April 12, 1843
• Lemuel G. Cheeney, born in Eastport, Maine, on May 12, 1849

Sarah Ann Cheeney married George Kilborn, Jr., in 1858 in Boston, Massachusetts. She and George are buried in the Forest Dale Cemetery in Malden, Massachusetts.

If you have information on the Cheeney family, please leave a comment for the benefit of other researchers.

1861 Letter from William W. Bradbury, "Willie", in Machias, Maine, to his brother James True Bradbury, serving in Company A at Fort Sullivan, Maine; Effigy of Jefferson Davis

Reprinted, with permission, from the Heirlooms Reunited blog

June 7, 1861 letter from William Wyer Bradbury (1843-1901), "Willie", in Machias, Maine, to his brother James True Bradbury (1840-1863), serving in Company A at Fort Sullivan in Eastport, Maine.

The letter features a sketch by Willie of Jefferson Davis hanging in effigy. The letter was written after the attack of April 1861 on Fort Sumter in South Carolina, and contains the implication that James would be leaving Fort Sullivan, presumably for war. 

Sadly, James did not survive the war; he died in the Second Battle of Rappahannock Station in Virginia, in November of 1863.

Mentioned in the letter:

• James True Bradbury (1840-1863)
• William Wyer Bradbury (1843-1901), "Willie"
• Hen's cap - perhaps the brothers' infant brother Henry W. Bradbury (1860-1862) or a soldier serving with James
• Ike - perhaps Isaac Snow Bradbury (1840-1866), lost at sea while in the U.S. Navy
• George Allen - he may have been George H. Allen (abt 1842-1915), who also served in the Civil War and was wounded at Spotsylvania Court House in Virginia
• Mother - presumably Eliza (Webber) Bradbury (1810-1893)
• Father - Wyer Bradbury (1814-1882)

If you have information to share on the Bradbury and Webber families or information on a likely prospect for George Allen, please leave a comment for the benefit of fellow researchers.

Despite the map below, bear in mind that travel between Machias and Eastport was just as likely to have occurred by sea.

2 1835 or 1855 Letters from J. ? B. traveling in Boston, Massachusetts, to Lizzie back home, presumably Machias, Maine area

Reprinted, with permission, from the Heirlooms Reunited blog

Two letters, either from 1835 or 1855, from J.? B., possibly J. V. B., traveling in Boston, Massachusetts, to Lizzie, his wife, sweetheart or sister back home, presumably in the Machias, Maine, area.

Transcriptions of both letters appear at the end of this post.

Clues:

• letter writer - J.? B., possibly J.V. B., on a trip to Boston, Massachusetts
• letter recipient - Lizzie, presumably in Machias, Maine, or the immediate area, and presumably the wife, sweetheart or dear friend of the letter writer
• J. ? B.'s uncle - who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, or environs
• William Train of Roxbury, Massachusetts
• Cohassett [sic] - has a connection to both the letter writer and to Joseph, perhaps Lizzie's brother
• Lizzie's Mother - apparently has family living in Boston, Massachusetts
• Mother, Sarah & Jos. or Joe - presumably Lizzie's family

The letter at top is dated February 15, 1835 [or 1855]. There's nothing written on the reverse.

The letter below is dated either July 1835, or 1855, or January 1835, or 1855.

This letter has Lizzie written on the reverse.

If you have a theory as to the identity of J. ? B. who had a habit of traveling to Boston, Massachusetts from the Machias, Maine, area, and had a Lizzie in his life, please leave a comment for the benefit of other researchers.

Transcriptions - please leave a comment with any corrections and/or additions

February letter

Boston February 15, 1835 [or 1855]

My dear Lizzie,

I made my calculations to be at home Saturday night, but it has rained all day & I have not been able to settle all up - I shall get through tomorrow & at present I intend to go to Bangor on Saturday & get to Machias on Monday. I am getting quite homesick. In fact, I have had rather a dull time & shall be glad when I get through with it. I have been to E. Boston any number of times. The Henry has become quite familiar to me. Machias is gayety itself to Boston. Everyone seems poor and wears a long face.

I have seen none of your acquaintance. I went to the Museum one eve, which is the extent of my amusements. I have not received a word from Machias since I left. 

It is now raining torrents & a deluge threatens the city. Fifteen inches of snow in the streets to melt besides any quantity sliding from the roofs of buildings .

I took tea last evening at my uncle's. I have been busy during the day time, therefore the old clothes have had to go it.

Yours truly,

J. ? B.

July or January letter

Boston July 22, 1833 [or July 1833 or January 1835 or January 1855]

Dear Lizzie

I got here very comfortably on Friday as per arrangements & as usual I found myself at the American. Eastern people are very scarce. I have hardly seen an Eastern countenance. I must make one exception. This morning at breakfast I met Lieut. Stevens of the U.S.N., his bride formerly known & some what distinguished as "Mary Mae" [or "Mary Mac"]. They arrived here yesterday in the Eastport boat & are bound I don't know where. Mary looked very well, but does not look much like Mary Mae of old.

I have received a note inviting me to dine at the house of William Train in Roxbury this day. But I think it doubtful if I am able to go. I looks to me as if it would warm this afternoon & if so (tell Joe) I may go to Cohassett.

I delivered your Mother's package as per orders & received for an answer "all right". Shall probably return Tuesday evening via Rockland. Remember me to your Mother, Sarah & Jos.

Yours truly.

J.? B.

The map below shows the inland route from Machias to Boston, but in the 1830s or 1850s the letter writer would have traveled by sea, or, in the case of Bangor, by the Penobscot River.

Photographs of the Seeley, Mulholland and Dudley Families of Perry, Maine, and Eastport, Maine

Reprinted, with permission, from the Heirlooms Reunited blog

Photographs related to the Mulholland, Seeley and Dudley families of Perry, Maine, and Eastport, Maine.

I believe the real photo postcard, shown above and below, was sent from Margaret (Mulholland) Seeley (1849-1915), wife of Salathiel Davis Seeley (1845-1922) to her aunt, Mrs. Hannah Mulholland of Perry, Maine.

Another photograph shows a woman of a similar countenance, not identified except through the name of Frank Seeley of Perry, Maine. This may have been a cabinet photograph of Margaret (Mulholland) Seeley with her son's name on the reverse -  Frank Frederick Seeley (1875-1955).

A similar cabinet photograph with the name Frank Seeley on the reverse may have been Frank's father - and Margaret's husband - Salathiel Davis Seeley (1845-1922).

The following photograph of a winsome young girl was found with the three mentioned above. I believe she was Addie Villa Dudley (1903-1994), daughter of Herbert Dudley and Alphenia (Waltman) Dudley (1887-1966). Alphenia would marry the above-mentioned Frank Frederick Seeley (1875-1955) in 1913. I believe Addie would marry several times.

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

1824 Letter Attesting to Outcome of Vote for County Treasurer: George S. Smith, Peter Goulding, Nathaniel Stoddar(d), Timothy Stickney

Reprinted, with permission, from the Heirlooms Reunited blog

1824, Perry Maine: Selectmen Peter Goulding and Nathaniel Stoddar and Town Clerk Timothy Stickney attest to the result of the qualified town inhabitants' vote on September 13, 1824 to elect County Treasurer.  24 votes for George S. Smith.

The count was postmarked at Eastport, Maine and directed to the Justice(s) of the Court of Assessors of Washington County, presumably at the county seat in Machias, Maine.

• Peter Goulding (abt 1785-1839), Selectman of Town of Perry, Maine; also Maine's agent to the Passamaquoddy Tribe; more information here 
• Nathaniel Stoddar - Selectman of Town of Perry, Maine; Nathaniel Stoddar(d) (1758-1828); more information here
• Timothy Stickney (1776-1851); more information here
• George S. Smith, Candidate for Treasurer of Washington County, Maine - presumably George Samuel Smith (1787-1853); more information here

At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Perry qualified to vote for County Treasurer holden in said town on Monday the 13th of said month they give in the votes which were ___ [viewed ?]  by the Selectmen & counted by them in accord thereof made by the town clerk & declared in open town meeting & were as follows

For George S. Smith Twenty four 

Attested by Peter Goulding and Nathan Stoddar, Selectmen of Perry, and Timothy Stickney, Town Clerk

If you have corrections to the information above, please leave a comment so the facts may be corrected, for the benefit of other researchers.

Although the map below shows the land route between Perry and Machias, the more likely route was from Perry, Maine, to the nearby port of Eastport, Maine, and then by sea to Machias.

1936 Postcard Showing Site of Tidal Power Project - from Ellen in Eastport, Maine, to Miss Madeline Conlon at Hotel Wellesley in Wellesley, Massachusetts

Reprinted, with permission, from the Heirlooms Reunited blog

Postcard postmarked 1936 at Eastport, Maine, from Ellen to "Blondie", Miss Madelyn Conlon at Hotel Wellesley on Grove Street in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Ellen mentions "Fran", who is presumably also in Wellesley.

The picture side shows the site of the proposed $100,000,000 tidal power project in Passamaquoddy and Cobscook Bays, around Eastport.

Blondie,

Are you still at the grind or has Fran mapped out a new life for you by now. Let's hear all about everything. Kinda miss the fun we had - though everything is grand here. Remember me to everyone & drop me a line when you have a chance.

Ellen

If you have a theory as to the identities of Ellen, Fran or Miss Madelyn Conlon or if you have information to share on them, please leave a comment for the benefit of other researchers.

1893 Letter from John N. Young in Calais, Maine, to D. M. Gardner; re: Estate of B. Young

Reprinted, with permission, from the Heirlooms Reunited blog

December 11, 1893 letter from John N. Young in Calais, Maine, to D. M. Gardner, regarding the estate of B. Young.

Nothing written on reverse, but the paper scrap used for the letter was a form from the Custom-House, Collector's Office at Eastport, Maine.

Transcription:

Calais Dec 11.93

D. M. Gardner

Please pay Estate of B. Young twenty dollars for pasturage due me and charge same to me.

John N. Young

• John N. Young - presumably John Nelson Young (1842-1912)
• D. M. Gardner - perhaps Daniel Morgan Gardner (1834-1897)
• B. Young - possibly Benjamin Young (1813-1892)

If you have corrections and/or information to share on any of these men, please leave a comment or contact me directly.

1922 Commencement Program of Shead Memorial High School in Eastport, Maine

Reprinted, with permission, from the Heirlooms Reunited blog

1922 commencement program of Shead Memorial High School of Eastport, Maine.

Mentioned below:

• Allen G. Chaffey, President - Allen Gilman Chaffey (1903-1977)
• David R. Rutherford, Vice President - David Ronald Rutherford (1902-1992)
• Eugenie E. Adams, Secretary - Eugenie Elmyra Adams (1903-1940)  
• Ethel M. Savage, Treasurer - Ethel May Savage - possibly Ethel Savage (-1981)

Mentioned below, right:

• Doris Stuart, Salutatory - - perhaps Doris Stuart (1904-1984)
• Harry Victor Gilson, Essay - Harry Victor Gilson (1904-1992)
• Richard Baltzly, History - possibly John Richard Baltzly (1906-1983)
• Sara Agnes Butler, Essay - Sara Agnes Butler (1902-1963)
• Allen Gilman Chaffey, Prophecy - Allen Gilman Chaffey (1903-1977)
• Helen Josephine Matthews, Essay - Helen Josephine Matthews (1903-1987)
• David Ronald Rutherford, Gifts - David Ronald Rutherford (1904-1992)
• Edward Russell Stoddard, Valedictory - Edward Russell Stoddard (1905-1996)
• E. M. Beale, Superintendent - Eunice (Mower) Beale (1883-1970), wife of William C. Beale

Class Roll

• Eugenie Elmyra Adams (1903-1940) - married Roscoe M. Pike in 1924
• Richard Baltzly - possibly John Richard Baltzly (1906-1983)
• Carrie Bayliss (1905-1971) - married Heber Gerald Brooks in 1928
• Anna Mary Beale (1903-1991) - married Mr. Dullnig
• Arline Virginia Bennett (1902-1999) - married Pierce A. White in 1925
• William Reid Bibber, Jr. (1903-1953)
• Sara Agnes Butler (1902-1963) - married William Todd Murchie in 1923 and Willard Edgar Hilton in 1938
• Roland Francis Capen (1902-1989)
• Allen Gilman Chaffey (1903-1977)
• Albert Wellington Danks (1902-1977)
• Mary Jeannette Currie (1903-1995) - married Dean Adelbert Ellithorpe in 1926 and John Gorman Dearborn in 1969
• Hazel May Dudley (1903-1990) - married Frederick Gordon Byther in 1930
• Herbert Vincent Ellingwood (1903-1986)
• Catherine Isabel Emery (abt 1901-unk) - married Richard M. Firth in 1925
• Alexander Anderson Finch (1902-1959)
• Mary Greta Furlong (1902-1987) - married Neil J. Mahoney
• Harry Victor Gilson (1904-1992)
• Frances Rolfe Gove (1904-2001) - married Fred Wren in 1922
• Arthur Carl Hadley - presumably this Arthur C. Hadley (1903-1981)
• John Paul Hogan (1904-1981)
• Pauline Claire Hurley (1903-1982)
• Horace Jonah Kemp (1903-1966)
• Joseph Edgar Kendle - perhaps sometimes seen as Kendall
• Nadine Alys Leighton (1903-1953) - married Arthur Eugene Lawrence 
• Margaret Frances Lamond (1903-2002) - married Gerald Houston Atwood
• Helen Josephine Matthews (1903-1987) - married Percy Ernest Huntley in 1923
• Mary Elizabeth MacFaul - perhaps Mary Elizabeth McFaul (1905-1971)
• Lillian Portia MacNichol (1902-1986) - married Carl Hibbard
• Mary Kathleen MacNichol (1903-1981) - married James Edward Orrell
• Walter Aloysius Nadeau  (1904-1979)
• Donald Reginald Rice (1904-1979)
• David Ronald Rutherford (1904-1992)
• Ethel May Savage - possibly Ethel Savage (-1981)
• Hazel Linwood Shaw (1904-1886) - married Raye Holman Spear
• Ralph Bernard Smith (1902-1926)
• Doris Stuart - perhaps Doris Stuart (1904-1984)
• Edward Russell Stoddard (1905-1996)
• Lester Darius Turner (1902-1985)

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

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.

1881 letter from Seth O. Rogers, Inspector, Grand Army of the Republic, at Bath, Maine, to George P. Andrews, Esq., Commander of "Meade" Post No. 40, G.A.R., Eastport, Maine

Reprinted, with permission, from the Heirlooms Reunited blog

November 4, 1881 letter from Seth O. Rogers, Inspector, Department of Maine, Grand Army of the Republic, at Bath, Maine, to George P. Andrews, Esq., Commander of "Meade" Post 40, G.A.R., at Eastport, Maine.

Nothing on reverse.

Transcription:

Office of Inspector
Bath, Me. Nov 4th 1881
Geo. P. Andrews Esq
Commander "Meade" Post No. 40 G.A.R.
Eastport, Me.

Dear Sir and Comrade
Enclosed please find "Cipher" of the "unwritten work", the receipt of which you will please acknowledge.

Fraternally Yours in F.C. and L.
Seth O. Rogers
Inspector, Dept of Maine

Seth Osborne Rogers (1837-1916)

George Peabody Andrews (1842-1914)

If you have information on either man or on Meade Post 40, G.A.R., Eastport, Maine, please leave a comment for the benefit of other researchers.

The map below gives land routes, but missives such as this might well have been carried by sea.

Advertising Postcard from Unobsky's Store in Lubec, Maine, to Hilda Spear at 6 Barron Road in Eastport, Maine

Reprinted, with permission, from the Heirlooms Reunited blog

Undated postcard sent to Hilda Spear at 6 Barron Road in Eastport, Maine, by Unobsky's a store in Lubec, Maine.

Hilda may have been Mrs. Hilda (Leland) Spear (1894-1989) or Miss Hilda Elizabeth Spear (1904-1979), a veteran of World War II. 

Notice how close Eastport and Lubec are by sea but by land separated by the large estuary of Cobscook Bay

Diary of Events of 3 Weeks Following Bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941 - presumably kept by a Young Woman from Perry, Maine

Reprinted, with permission, from the Heirlooms Reunited blog

Small diary from 1921 that was used for the on the spot observations of someone reacting to the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 and for about three weeks after. The diary was apparently then set aside.

There are a couple mentions of Eastport, Maine, and the handwriting looks very similar to that of Rachael Virginia (Golding) Pottle (1915-2013), "Virginia", long time resident of Perry, Maine, and daughter of the iconic Rob Golding (1875-1969), who was a mentor to Maine humorist Marshall Dodge of Bert & I fame.

Transcription - bold font and links mine - you can feel the shock, uncertainty, hope and resolve

December 1941, Sunday 7

At dawn today the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - the U.S. Naval & Air Base there.

Pres. Roosevelt sent a message to Emperor Hirohito over a week ago - it requested that Japan withdraw from China & cease hostilities - it also made generous concessions of trade between U.S. and Japan. The answer to this message was not delivered until twenty minutes after the Japan attack was launched.

Monday 8 and Tuesday 9

Japanese representatives have been discussing the "Far Eastern situation" - in Washington for the last few weeks. Even while discussion was going on Japan's ships & planes were on their way to bomb Honolulu.

3000 casualties including 1500 dead were reported in Hawaii.

The warships Oklahoma & W. Va. were reported sunk.

The liner Pres Harrison is thought to be either sunk or captured near the Yangtse river.

Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, England & China have declared war on Japan or all the Axis.

The Pres. of the U.S. spoke to Congress at noon today (Monday). The House & Legislature declared war on Japan 43 min. after Pres. R. spoke.

The whole nation was shocked & enraged at the underhandedness of the attack by Japan.

Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11

Monday night there were air raid alarms in San Francisco & the whole West Coast was ordered blacked out. Some thought it was only a test but the Army said that enemy planes came within 1/2 hour of the Golden Gate bridge. Some stores left their neon & show window lights on & had them promptly broken by people in the street.

Tuesday afternoon New York City had 2 alarms. Both were thought to be tests. Boston stopped all street traffic & all cars entering the city at the same time.Sheriffs & other law officers were notified to be alert for aircraft all along the Atlantic coast as far as Eastport [Maine]

Wednesday morning San Francisco had an early alarm & fires were found burning in the shape of arrows pointing to Seattle. Fifth columnists are sought.

Friday 12 and Saturday 13

Japanese sunk 2 British ships near Hongkong - the Prince of Wales (on which Pres. R. & Winston Churchill held their conference in the Atlantic last summer) & the Repulse.

Thurs. morning Italy & Germany both declared war on the U.S.

Germany  says that because of the weather she has given up the idea of taking Moscow This winter. The Russians have been winning consistently around Moscow for the last few weeks.

It is rumored that Hitler is planning to strike on the Atlantic coast next.

The government has ordered work to be resumed on the airport at Eastport & that one runway must be completed in 3 weeks. Work will be continuous - 7 days a week. 

Japanese have landed on Luzon island about 250

Sunday 14 & Monday 15

miles from Manilla, but American troops are "mopping up" the remainder now.

Our Navy has sunk the Jap. 29,000 ton battleship Paruna & put another out of control - the Congo [Kongo].

Friday morning San Diego & Los Angeles had a brief alert.

The Manilla reporter said that people stood in the street & cheered an American aviator as he had a dog fight with a Jap. plane almost directly over the city.

Some Phillipino natives brought in 3 Jap. av. - trussed up like wild animals.

I heard the eye witness account of the sinking of the 2 British ships by the C.B.S. reporter Cecil Brown who was on the Repulse as was torpedoed. He said there were about 87 planes attacking & he mentioned no protecting British planes in the vicinity although the action took place only 150 miles from the great British airbase at Singapore.

Sec. of the Navy

Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17

Frank Knox arrived safely in Honolulu yesterday where he went to see for himself what was the extent of the damage done at Pearl Harbor last Sunday.

Saturday - he returned to San Francisco but would make no statement until he had talked with the president.

The Navy has been unable to communicate with Guam either by cable or radio today & it is thought that Japs may have taken it.

Midway & Wake Is. are still holding out however. 

Russia has declared herself on the side of the U.S. against Japan.

The U.S. is in a much better atmosphere on the home front now than in the last world war because of the change in attitude of some of our southern neighbors. Mexico was the cause of much trouble in the last war but is now in complete accord with us against Japan & G. & I. Most other South and Central American countries have either declared war on one

Thursday 19 and Friday 19

or more of the Axis partners or are giving the U.S. use of their air & harbor facilities.

The Polish government declared war on Japan today.

Russia says that she will observe her neutrality pact until the Allies have the upper hand in the Pacific - because Russia does not want to divide her forces but wishes keep her Troops concentrated on the European front.

The Germans are still retreating from Moscow with great loss of life.

In Serbia it is rumored that the Germans have picked the wrong "Quisling" to head the Loyalist forces & that he (Neditch) [Milan Nedic] is fighting with the Russians instead of against them. Gestapo agents sent to investigate are mysteriously killed.

Alan Hale [presumably Arthur Hale] in the newscast "Confidentially Yours" said tonight that Navy experts seemed to feel that the bombers which attacked Pearl Harbor

Saturday 20 

Sunday did not come from an aircraft carrier but from a land base somewhere near by which has not been suspected by the outside world.

Images of the pages, in order