Vintage Photograph of the "Lincoln House" in Washington County, Maine; presumably the Lincoln House in Dennysville

Reprinted, with permission, from the Heirlooms Reunited blog

Photograph, dating to the late 19th or early 20th century, of a house along the water, identified as the "Lincoln House in Wash. County Me".

Presumably "The Lincoln House" built in 1787 in Dennysville, Maine, along the Dennys River, by Revolutionary War General Benjamin Lincoln (1733-1810), a native of Hingham, Massachusetts.

In the map below, the "Hansom House" is a contemporary name for the "Lincoln House".

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.

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.

1853 Letter from William, Traveling to Eastport, Maine, to Wife Mary in Boston, Massachusetts, area; Searching for "Family" of Caretakers

Reprinted, with permission, from the Heirlooms Reunited blog.

Letter dated June 29, 1853 from William, visiting at Eastport, Maine, to his wife Mary, with daughter Ella, back home, presumably in the Boston, Massachusetts, area.  

William, who is on a mission to procure a "family" to help his household at home, is not impressed by the rocky aspects of the Maine coast.  If he can't find a "family", he will have to consider some single girls.

Transcription at the end of this post - any corrections gratefully received, as well as theories as to William's identity.

Another guest at the Mabee Hotel where William is staying has this advice: go to "Prince Edwards Island", as there are an abundance of such families who have nothing to do - and are of Scotch descent. 

People and places mentioned in the letter:

• Mary - William's wife in the Boston, Massachusetts, area; daughter Ella
• Cousin Mary, presumably also in the Boston area
• Portland, Maine - 15 minute stop - he observed a Lighthouse, a Railroad and Neal Dow (1804-1897), of Maine Liquor Law fame, on the wharf 
• Machias Light
• "Grand Monand Island" - Grand Manan Island
• Admiral Owen - owner of Campobello Island - Admiral William Owen
• Dr. Richardson -  Dr. Erastus Richardson (1794-1855) and wife
• Mr. Billing, wife and daughter - son in law of Dr. Richardson; married to the youngest Richardson daughter - William B. Billings, husband of Frances E. (Richardson) Billings (1830-1874)
• Mabee's Hotel
• Washington Street, Eastport, Maine
• Custom House, Eastport, Maine
• British Consul Office
• Fort Sullivan with a Colonel, two Lieutenants and a garrison of soldiers
• George, back home
• William, letter writer

One of Dr. Richardson's interesting observations was that there was a good deal of Aristocratic feeling in the place and the ladies consisted of two classes. The parlor and the kitchen girls no medium - poor & proud and how they contrived to get a living and comfortable support was more than he could tell. 

Transcription

Eastport, Maine June 29, 1853

Dear Mary

I am at last in Eastport, having arrived here this afternoon at 1/2 past one o'clock after a very plesant trip so far as weather and good sea go to make a voyage plesant. I left Boston as I expected at 11 o'clock A.M. But Cousin Mary was not there to meet me - so I am all alone once more - The voyage was quite monotonous, nothing to see but just the rocky share of Maine in the distance. We arrived in Portland at 1/4 before 8 o'clock and made a stop of 15 minutes - jumped on shore so that I might say that I had been in the place. It seems to be a thriving place the eastern part is lately built over and looks new around the Lighthouse. The Rail Road runs along between the City and the water's edge and tends to make it look more business like. The business is mostly trade with the West Indies. When we arrived Neal Dow of Maine Liquor Law notoriety was on the wharf - having his eyes on what was going on. Two miserable sots aboard when we left gave three cheers for "Dow" and the Law" out of spite - they were then so drunk that they could hardly stand much to their discredit. we left the wharf at 8 o'clock - and I turned in for the night and slept soundly until about 5 o'clock My eyes felt and looked as though they had been boiled and smarted like pepper - in the morning were well in shore, which was nothing but barren rocks with a little stunted wood upon it and a few Island interspersed along the shore. Now and then a few headland find their way to the water - but otherwise it is not very high. We came in sight of Machias light about 11 o'clock leaving them to the south and next made Grand Monland Island [Grand Manan Island] which was left about Southeast of us 20 miles from the main land and run around the Island which belongs to Admiral Owen of the British Navy - and lays east of Eastport. After I arrived I brushed up a little and called upon Doct. Richardson, found him at home - also his son in law Mr. Billing who married his youngest daughter and arrived with his wife and child in the same Boat with me. I saw also Mrs. Richardson - was very politely received and was invited to tea, which I did not think advisable to accept until tomorrow. He racked his brain for me and finally concluded to let the old gossip of the place know my errand across the way and the morrow I expected to be frosted. Good night to you & Ella.

June 30th - It is quite plesant this morning and I have been looking over the island and I find it nothing but sterile rocks with now and then a tree upon it. The people live by fishing and logging. The Doctor told me that there was a good deal of Aristocratic feeling in the place and the ladies consisted of two classes. The parlor and the kitchen girls no medium - poor & proud and how they contrived to get a living and comfortable support was more than he could tell. I suppose I shall have to go back into the country a ways to find what I want. At any rate, I am laying my plans for a general scour and I shall be able very soon to know what I can do.  

I am stopping at "Mabee's Hotel". The Landlord is an old sailor. And the sign swings on a pole before the house. It has a steamboat on one side and Gen. Taylor giving orders to Capt. May to storm the Battery on the other. By the way, the Street is called Washington St. and on one side it is all planked the whole length of the street and Doct. Richardson lives at the head. You must know that this is the promenade and that the Custom House is close by and the British Consul office right above us. The street is very narrow and steep and I can go down at an easy pace. On the hight of land overlooking the town is situated "Fort Sullivan" with a garrison of soldiers on duty. Officers one Colonel and two Lieutenants a regular dog life they live. They drill about 3 hours per day and sentries are on duty the whole time. About 60 miles from here they catch salmon and close off the shore they catch Cod & Haddock in any quantity, Haddock bring the enormous sum of 1/2 cent per pound after it is all dressed. I am awful lonesome here and shall be glad when I get home once more. I intend to finish up business this time so that I shall not have to go from home again. It is as cold as September here now but in an hour it may be as hot as Dog-days. Take good care of yourself and Ella until come back and look out for mad dogs, cats & c__. As for the garden, pick and eat and spare not, on my account - but be sure and not get sick.

July 1 - I called on the Doctor last evening and took "tea". I think he is a very fine man and his wife is a very fine woman indeed. He will ride over the island with me today and call on those that he thinks will answer. And if I can find none here I shall strike off into the interior. One old gentleman at the Hotel from the western part of the State advises me to go to "Prince Edwards Island" as there are an abundance of such families who have nothing to do - and are of Scotch descent. But it will take me a week to get there and back from this place. It is one complete mass of fog this morning yet. I think it will clear off before noon for the sun is trying hard at times to get a peep at the "Earth" if rocks can be called such.

Tell George all about what I am doing and tell him to write me. If I cannot get such a family as we want I must get some single girls. The Boat starts for Boston this morning and I wish I was one of the passengers, don't you? Kiss Ella for me and let Ella kiss you - and I trust I shall be home soon. The breakfast bell is ringing and I must bid you good morning. Write often - say every other day - And think of me as your affectionate

William

I cannot stop to read it over -

Sadly the map below cannot give the option to travel by sea, let alone to travel by sea, then by land across the Isthmus of Chignecto and then again by sea to Prince Edward Island, but it will have to do.

1878 Letter to Edward Edes Shead in Eastport, Maine, from Watchmaker Francis Kemlo of Boston, Massachusetts

Letter dated March 10, 1878, from watchmaker Francis Kemlo (about 1817-1892) in Boston, Massachusetts, to Edward Edes Shead (1835-1908), a merchant at Eastport, Maine.  Transcription at the end of this post.

Shead published Eastport and Passamaquoddy, a history of Eastport, Maine, with author William Henry Kilby (1820-1898).

Francis Kemlo was writing, apparently at Shead's request, with his personal recollections of the Willard family, master clockmakers and inventors of Massachusetts.  It would be interesting to know the reason for Shead's interest.  

• Did he own a Willard clock?
• Was he interested in the history of Willard Clocks and perhaps planning to write an article?
• Was he related to the Willard family?
• Was he planning to sell Willard timepieces in his drug store?

Visit the website of the Willard House and Clock Museum at North Grafton, Massachusetts - closed at this time because of the pandemic.

Transcription - please weigh in with clarifications and missing elements

Sunday

Boston March 10th 1878

Mr. E. E. Shead

Dear Sir:

The Willards was born in Grafton this State 40 miles W.S.W. from Boston. Their father's business I do not know. Simon & Aaron was brothers. I don't know if there was any other Children, think there was. Never heard Simon or A say where they learned the trade; think they was mostly self taught learning from such few books as they could get in their days. Simon was the oldest by a few years and the leader and genius of the family. The timepiece called the Willard patent was his invention. He also made light [harness ?] machinery for ____ lights and many other things that required clock works. Aaron also made such things, I think.

They was both good sterling workmen. I only knew Aaron by sight, having while an apprentice to Simon Jr. been into his Shop and workshops for hire. Aaron's shop was on the line that divided Boston & Roxbury on a large lot of land which he owned. He lived in the large house ___ [over ?] his Shop other buildings & Shops Connected with it run up a land ways from Washington St. It was near where Genl. Washington stayed when he visited this City. I know two of his Sons, Aaron Jr. & Henry.  A Jr. followed the same trade. He made clock cases for his Father and others. A. Jr. is dead. H. "Still lives. A lived to be quite aged, died before Simon. He lived to be over 90 . He died ____ like most inventors & ___. A. left some property. Their Clocks was all good & was the most known. S. W. Jr. My Master was the best known of any one in his line.

in this City Ships Chronometers. Clock & watch repairing was his trade. he learned his trade of an old firm in New York. I commenced with him in two years after he opened his Shop No. 9., Congress St. this City. He is now dead. He left a son, one daughter & Wife. The Son is the only one except myself that learned the trade of him. They Sold out 4 years ago. The Son is now engaged in Colorado gold mines. The Willard Clocks Stand No. 1 all over this Country.

The only one of A's family that I know of is Henry who keeps bachelors hall a few miles from this City. His only Companion L. W. Jr. Wife's brother. He is completely ___ [off ?].

I hope this will please you.

I am respectfully yours

F. Kemlo  

P. S. Their Clocks were all made in their own Shops. Some years later there was a firm of ___  by the name of May that imported Clock pinions in the rough, but I believe in their early days everything was made from the rough cast and made here. 

F. K.

My Father was from Aberdeen Scotland. My mother was born in the town of Waltham this State.  I spent 6 years in the West Indies. The rest of my life passed here, ____ [excuse ?] me for saying too much.

"Adieu"

If you have information to share on Edward Edes Shead or Francis Kemlo, please leave a comment.