BOOTHBAY
REGION HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Research & Services
Family Research
Clara Jones and Family, circa 1890s
We have extensive collections of files and documentary collections on local families and local history. We have: ten linear feet of family files, 18 LF of family file cards, 25 LF of documentary collections, 30 LF of account books, nearly complete sets of town reports for Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor, photocopies of early town of Boothbay vital records and other town records, listings for all major graveyards (up to 1985), and collections of maps and plans.
If you send an inquiry, please provide the information you already have on your person or topic, giving the sources you have already consulted.
Historian Services
A small donation of about $5 and a stamped self-addressed envelope should accompany simple inquiries. Extensive research can be undertaken for a cost of $20 an hour based on hours worked by a local historian.
Digitized Photo Archive
The collection of photographs relating to local history held by the the Boothbay Region Historical Society numbers over 10,000 negatives, prints, and postcards, and is still growing. Besides the large general collection, we are fortunate to have several excellent special collections including one put together by Elizabeth Reed of her family and
other local citizens of note; a series of some 2000 negatives of local shipbuilding during World War II made by East Boothbay photographer Herb Douglas; a number of vintage glass negatives donated by Bob Barter and made by photographer J. A. Labbie, and a collection of early Labbie and McDougall & Keefe photographic postcards of local
views.
Other collections filed separately, but cataloged with the general collection, are the Andy Marvin postcard collection in drawer 16, the Towle-Atcheson collection of Southport scenes on glass negatives in drawer 14, and about 260 scenic views by Herb Douglas. Most of the pictures have been cataloged and recorded in the computer; others are cataloged on paper but have yet to be entered into the computer.
The cataloged collection is subdivided into major categories by location and/or subject matter, viz: Boothbay, East Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Southport, Squirrel and other islands, vessels, shipyards, and several minor categories. Each geographic location is again subdivided into buildings, street scenes, waterfront scenes, views and panoramas,
activities and people. Sub-categories of vessels include schooners, steamers and passenger boats, tugboats, fishing boats and yachts. Various shipyards are cataloged and filed separately, as Sample's, Hodgdon Brothers, or Goudy and Stevens. Older shipyards, for which pictures are scarce, are included in the general collection.
There were at last count approximately 4,900 photos cataloged in the general and shipyard collections, of which there were negatives for about 3,400; of these negatives, some 2,500 were original, the rest being copies made from existing prints.
Each photo has a catalog number consisting of a prefix indicating its category (e.g. BHB for Boothbay Harbor buildings or EBWF for East Boothbay waterfront or SB for steamboats) plus a number (001 to 1000 or more). These are arranged in sixteen file drawers in alpha-numeric order, the file drawer containing any photo is listed in that
photo's entry in the catalog.
The quality of the photographs varies from professionally excellent to poor, but even the technically poorest may contain information of historical value. Some of the photographs are perhaps 100 years old (with the exception of studio photos, few, if any, date earlier than about 1870). Most cover the period between World War I and the end of World War II.
Although the catalog is printed periodically in hard copy, finding a specific subject is best done by a computer search
using one or more "key" words that best describe or identify the
subject. Copies of most pictures can be made for a modest fee, normally $5. A photographic print will be made from a negative on file, if that
is the only image we have of that photo. If we have a print, a scan will be made from the print.
The finding aid is a computerized database.
Archives
The remainder of this document is divided into three sections: section #1 describes the "scope and content of collections" and is the most general description level of the range of all society collections; section #2 is a "summary guide to collections" and describes the "scope and content" of each collection; section #3 is a detailed "collection description" of each discrete collection and provides information about the nature of each collection's most detailed finding aid.
Section 1
Scope and Content of Collections
The Boothbay Region Historical Society has collections of local primary and secondary historical documents dating from the seventeenth century to the present. The towns of Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, and Southport are the principal areas represented in the collections. There is a small amount of material on Edgecomb, and a scattering of material on other Damariscotta, Sheepscot, and Kennebec river towns.
The archival collections consist of maps, account and record books, newspapers, photostats, document collections, family histories, diaries, logs, videos, and vessel plans. Some document collections consist of letters, notes, and clippings. The book collection is also generally described for research purposes. The photo collection includes prints, negatives, and glass plates. Almost all collections are listed on computer.
We occupy Captain Freeman K. Reed's 1874 Italianate home. Many of our collections were gathered by Captain Reed's daughter, Elizabeth Reed. Because so much was jumbled in cardboard boxes when organization began in the 1980s, some things were grouped or divided unnaturally. Elizabeth Reed had been dead thirty years when the society obtained her house and surviving papers from the women's club that had occupied the house. Much was sold or taken to the dump by the club, and some, such as diaries and logs, has filtered back from dealers. Only over many years did it become clear that all Reed, Kenniston, and Blair material probably had been in the house and constituted one collection. By then the papers had been scattered in account book boxes, document boxes, and history files. Before 1990, the bulk of the society's holdings consisted of material gathered or generated by Elizabeth Reed.
Though the society was formed in 1967, there was no orderly accession system until the late 1980s. Therefore, many of the collections, including document collections and account books, came from unknown sources at unknown times.
List of Collections
The archival collections consist of:
#1: nine feet of history files containing clippings, notes, and letters
#2: seven feet of published town reports from the 1870s to the present
#3: three feet of photocopied town records
#4: a half foot of microfiche of town records
#5: twenty feet of genealogy files and manuscripts
#6: thirteen feet of newspapers
#7: seventeen feet of account books, diaries, and logs
#8: sixteen feet of document boxes containing discrete collections
#9: a half foot of pre-1870s original documents
10) three feet of oral history videos
11) seventy feet of history books and occasional publications.
12) a half foot of maps and rolled charts
13) twenty-four feet [about 10,000] of photographic files
Navigating the Collections
Most researchers arrive with a specific goal, to research a family, a house, or topics such as shipbuilding or events during the Revolution. Material pertaining to such matters is contained in more than one collection. For instance, there is a history file on naval affairs during the Civil War, but additional information may exist in diaries as well as in letters in collections of personal papers. Included among the collections is information on all aspects of Boothbay region conditions, with the bulk focusing on post-1730s matters. Shipbuilding, farming, schools, churches, rural industries, involvement in wars, and vessel information are a few of the collections' topics.
Researchers should have a passing knowledge of the names of those involved in their subject, the name of the event, the geographic area (Back River, East Boothbay), and the approximate dates. With those three parameters in mind, they can quickly scan the collections summaries and locate material that might be helpful. The "find" function may be used to have the computer scan the collections for key words.
Almost all the collections are located in the reference room.
Services
The society's main function is as a local history research facility.
The museum has six rooms which have public displays of local artifacts.
The society holds about five public events every year.
The society prints articles in the local paper and publishes local history books.
Holdings: The society has about 10,000 photographic images of local significance.
The society has about 150 feet of files and primary documents on local history, including information on families. There are about 200 published books in its library.
The Boothbay Region Historical Society was founded in 1967. It is governed by a board of fifteen trustees and its director who are residents of the three towns, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, and Southport, which all were originally part of the town of Boothbay. The society is housed in its museum which it rents from the town. It is supported principally by its members' yearly dues, donations, and the sale of books and monographs. Its mission is to collect local historical artifacts and information, and to provide such information to the public.
The historical society serves as the town's memory. Selectmen, town managers, townspeople, whole generations come and go, breaking the continuity with the past. We provide essential links with that past, informing the region about itself and deepening the understanding and appreciation of our region.
Section 2 Summary Guide of Collections• We have large documentary collections on local history which enable us to help old and new residents in finding out about their families, houses, and neighborhoods.
• We serve as a repository for items, such as icemaking tools and fishing memorabilia, that are emblems of our region's past.
• We help people understand issues. When the reunification of Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor was being considered, we provided a series of articles on why and how the towns had parted in 1889.
• We deepen residents' sense of place. The articles on The Granary Way Shops on the waterfront took the building and lot back through more than 150 years of its incarnations as a grain business, coal yard, shipyard, and fish stand.
• We add layers of meaning to the Boothbay experience for both residents and visitors. The museum is a place of constant reunions with predecessors we may never have known, but who have lived in and loved the same place, just as we do.
May 1999
History Files (Collection #1)
The society had accumulated, since its 1967 inception, various clippings, letters, notes on conversations, and profiles of aspects of local history. Starting in the mid-1980s, a concerted effort was made to organize and list all the miscellaneous topical papers. Since then there has been active seeking and collecting of material to augment the files.
There are now nine feet of historical files, consisting of more than 2,800 separate cataloged items listed in a database. There are sixty-five different files (1999) and more are continually created as the subject matter is refined.
Published Town Reports (Collection #2)
Over the years, the society has collected seven feet of Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, and Southport town reports from various donors. Town reports have been published annually since the 1870s to the present. The early ones provide information on various topics, including: the towns' expenditures, individuals paid by the town for services, paupers supported by the town, and the state of the schools; many decades of reports list births, marriages, and deaths. In 1891 Boothbay Harbor started listing all taxpayers who owed a poll tax or real or personal estate tax; Boothbay did the same in 1921. Thus, residency can be determined through consulting them.
Town of Boothbay Records (Collection #3)
In the late 1980s, the town requested that we copy for them and the society some of the deteriorating old vital records, so they would be more manageable and accessible. The town consented to our continuing the process and copying other records of interest. We now have three feet of photocopied town records, including some vital records; town meeting proceedings; bills, mortgages, and deeds; and tax records.
The tax and valuation records are most valuable in determining residency and lifestyle of the residents since the real and personal estates are listed.
Town of Boothbay Microfiche (Collection #4)
The town of Boothbay microfiched many of their records in 1972. We obtained copies of their microfiche in 1987 with a Maine State Library grant. The same year the society copied more of the town's records onto microfiche. The total is a half foot of microfiche cards. Each card holds about thirty-five images which works out to seventy pages a card.
Genealogy/Family/Cemetery Files (Collection #5)
Information gathered by the society consists of six feet of family files totalling as many as 300 different files. Some files are an inch thick; some have no more than a few obituaries. There are two feet of manuscripts written about particular families. There is one foot of genealogical periodicals.
Howard Family Files
There are twenty-seven feet of file cards on individuals compiled by Muriel Howard. Mrs. Howard also compiled family files which total four feet. Her work ended with her death in the mid-1980s.
Howard Cemetery Files
Region cemetery lists total a half foot, compiled by Muriel Howard up to circa 1985.
Newspapers (Collection #6)
The society has thirteen feet of newspapers, mostly Boothbay Registers. That newspaper was founded in 1876 and shut down only briefly a few times. Much of the collection was given, reputedly, by the newspaper in the 1970s; the balance came from individual donors. Almost every year since the late 1970s, the newspaper has given us a bound copy of the preceding year. Aside from a short list, we have compiled a detailed 100-page list of every issue we have in the collection, as well as issues elsewhere: at the Lincoln County courthouse, the Boothbay Register office, and Maine Historical Society. We have also listed all other newspapers we have, such as the Boothbay Advance or the Pemaquid Messenger.
Account Books, Diaries, Logs (Collection #7)
The society has about seventeen feet of account books. They are arranged roughly by geographic area, family, or purpose, such as store goods or schools. The earliest dates from the 1750s and the latest to the 1970s. Account books are the only items that the society has purchased; we bought from dealers the Levi Reed shipbuilding, the Joseph McCobb store, the John M. McFarland store, and the William McCobb blacksmith account books.
The largest collections are the:
1) Elizabeth Reed extended family account books, including diaries, logs, and a couple of account books of her Reed and Blair families, in boxes 5, 6, 32, 39, 40, 41. The collection principally covers the second half of the 1800s.
2) Frank Rice shipyard collection, given and loaned by Frank's daughter Gwen Rice Gordon in boxes 22 to 27, and oversize books standing with the boxes. Principally covers the 1910s to the 1930s, some extending to the 1970s.
3) Billy Sawyer chandlery/wrecking business books given by Ed Baker, in boxes 34 to 37. Covers 1870 to 1922.
Aside from the store account books which provide insight into daily life, the account books tend to heavily reflect the local shipyards. Significant Boothbay account books located elsewhere are: the Paul G. Pinkham (vessel rigger) books at Maine Historical Society; and the Reuben Jones (sailmaker) book and the James Oliver Seavey (sparmaker) books at Maine Maritime Museum.
Document Boxes (Collection #8)
The society has sixteen feet of document boxes containing discrete collections. The collections, summarized here in three pages, are described in greater depth (six pages) in the next section. The highly detailed list is thirty-five pages long.
Document Box #1: Blair Papers
Four inches of material, principally collected by Elizabeth F. Reed (1874-1953), whose mother Elizabeth was the daughter of Benjamin Blair. The collection consists of letters and memorabilia, 1830s to 1930s.
Document Box #2: Anson K. Cross Collection
Four inches on Cross's art school on the east side of Boothbay Harbor dating from 1915 to mid-century. The collection consists mostly of scrapbooks, brochures, correspondence. Principal donor: lawyer Asa Tupper Sr. in 1989. One folder from Mort Grossman in 1997 who lived in Cross's Harbor house.
Document Box #3: Reed Letters and Documents
Two inches of material, principally collected and created by Elizabeth F. Reed, daughter of F. K. Reed. The collection consists of letters, memoirs, wills, and notes, covering 1809 to 1930.
Document Box #4: E. F. Reed Correspondence
Two inches of Elizabeth F. Reed's correspondence with historical researchers George Rice, Uncle Will Reed, William Patterson, and Fannie Chase on historical topics, 1923-1948.
Document Box #4A: E. F. Reed Correspondence, 1893-1951
Six inches of letters, mainly social, chatty re clubs, Mt. Holyoke, family.
Document Box #5: Chapman Reed Civil War Papers
Three inches of papers concerning the running of Company C, 14th Regiment, 50th ME, 1862-1864. Muster lists, equipment issue forms, ordnance issue forms, pension forms, transfers of equipment, explanations of losses, vouchers, clothing statements.
Document Box #6: Shipping Papers
Two inches of three small collections dealing with vessels and shipping. Byron Swett collection unknown origin; Will Barter donated by Sidney Baldwin (neighbor); Percy Adams loaned by Wayne Barter.
Document Box #7, 7A: Doc Rockwell Material
Six inches of Doc Rockwell material, 1899-1978, performed in vaudeville, wrote comical material, had column in "Down East." He retired to Boothbay Harbor and Southport. Principal donors: Franklyn Lenthall, Ruth Gardner.
Document Box #8: Boothbay Harbor Assessors Material, 1950s-1960s
Two hundred typed cards of assets, real and personal property.
Document Box #9: Jim Steven's Notes on Vessels
Four inches. Given by maritime historian Jim Stevens who ran Goudy & Stevens shipyard, 1950s-1980s.
Document Box #10: Lang Campbell/Uncle Wiggly
One inch. Lang Campbell was a cartoonist who retired to Boothbay Harbor about 1950. Given by Birdene Shackleton and perhaps Walter Welch (neighbor and executor). The Welch family took much of it back.
Document Box #11: Boothbay Packing Company, 1903 to 1908.
Four inches of material, discussion of flavoring and supplies, such as mustard. Some Bowdoin College bills. Invoices, correspondence, all dealing with sardine canning.
Document Box #12: Elizabeth F. Reed, Kate L. Reed Personal Material
Four inches of documents. Came indirectly from Elizabeth Reed; probably came with house to society.
Document Box #13: Barlow/Formation of Community School District
Albert Barlow's records of 1950 to 1956, four inches. Gift of widow Hildegarde Barlow.
Document Box #14: Barlow/Boothbay Selectmen's Records
Albert Barlow's records of his years as selectman, 1960-1969, one inch. Gift of widow Hilde Barlow.
Document Box #15: Division of the Towns, Creation of Boothbay Harbor, 1889
Four inches. Statement of assets, petition and 304 names. Proposal, cover letter of executive committee.
Fourteen folders concerning water system controversy donated by Natalie Wakeley, daughter of A. R. Nickerson. 1968 letter from Wakeley to Jim Stevens. Later material on the impact of the division.
Document Box #16: Castine Papers, 1803-1843
Two inches of letters re shipping and vessel matters. Liverpool, Boston, Castine, Bath. Men: Robert Gay, John Perkins. Vessels: Eight Sisters, Phoebe, Mary Jane, Samuel Hayes.
Document Box #17: Small Collections: Beath Documents; Good Templar Papers; Kelley-Blake Family
Beath nine family papers, 1700s-1800s, many from Georgetown branch, given by Marjorie Sylvester.
Good Templar Papers, 1895-1900, of Edgecomb and North Boothbay material, loaned by Wayne Barter.
Kelley-Blake family 1800s ten family documents given by Evelyn Blake.
Document Boxes #18: Cemeteries
Four inches of material gathered from various sources. Books and brochures on gravestone care. Folders containing graveyard maps, photos, clippings, MOCA newsletters
Document Box #19: Justin (Webber) Smith's Original Documents, 1748-1957
Two inches of family documents from 1748 to 1957, mostly from the early nineteenth century. Murray, Montgomery, and Hodgdon families predominate. Gift of Justin Smith.
Document Box #20: Back Narrows Haggett Iceworks/Robert G. DeWolfe papers, 1890s
Two inches of business papers of the ice business that started in the 1880s, including vessels, payroll, bills, given by Craig Andrews.
Document Box #21A and #21B: Little Theater Group, 1952-1960
Six inches of business papers, albums.
Document Box #22: Pete Jones Papers; Boothbay road crew
Eliphalet Prentiss (Pete) Jones Family papers, 1899-1970s, East Boothbay native who worked away and retired back in East Boothbay. Given by Chris Maurer, his housekeeper.
Town road crew papers, 1985, one inch purchase orders, internal memos, correspondence. Picked up in abandoned town office by Barbara Rumsey in 1992.
Document Box #23: Buzzell, 1910s-1940s
Walter Buzzell ran a health resort in Boothbay at Back Narrows from World War II until the 1960s. Two inches of memorabilia given by Franklyn Lenthall.
Document Box #24: Vessel Specifications
Specs of two vessels built in the 1910s by J. A. Stevens. Given by Jim Stevens of Goudy & Stevens.
Document Box #25: Ed Swett Collections
Swett is a local antique-used furniture dealer who bought house contents and gave us the below collections. Included is memorabilia of nine local families: McCobb War of 1812; McCobb/Larrabee; Giles; Wylie, Farmer, Pennington, Miller, Boyd, Reed (Bess Reed family material).
Document Box #26: Pinkham Papers
Four inches of family papers from 1840s to 1915, mostly Benjamin Pinkham and his son James Pinkham of Dover, given by Peggy Luke Miner.
Document Box #27: Win Thompson Articles
Thompson was from Southport. Fifty marine-related articles he wrote for "Rudder magazine," 1903-1915. Copied from magazines by Cecil Pierce.
Document Box #28: Boothbay Assessors 1946
About 250 residents' lists of personal property and real estate. Given by Boothbay assessors in 1993.
Document Box #29: Steamer Material
Asa Tupper gave two inches of steamer company bills and receipts, 1872-1922. Ed Swett gave Miller/Swett steamer material
Document Box #30: Holbrook Collection
Two inches of material believed to have come from Hope Hodgdon Updegraff's house, donated by Robert Holbrook. Principally Hodgdon family legal material from 1820 to 1921.
Document Box #31A, 31B: School Memorabilia, Original Documents
31A: Four inches of original school memorabilia from various donors was segregated from general folders to better preserve the items. Most items are ceremonial, from 1801-1948.
31B: High school yearbooks:, 1934, 1942, 1943, 1959, 1963, 1966, 1975. Eighth-grade Boothbay Harbor yearbooks: 1965 through 1968.
Document Box #32: Hope Hodgdon Updegraff Papers
Four inches of family and school material from Hope, 1898-1991, a lifelong teacher, who was the daughter of the village tidemill owner. The material was left in the house and retrieved by Bert Winslow who bought a desk (and contents) and Barbara Rumsey who entered the abandoned house.
Document Box #33: Asa Tupper Papers
Four inches, given by Stanley Tupper relating to Asa's work with hospital, library, Coast Guard auxiliary.
Document Box #34: Alfred Wadsworth; Seavey; Nellie Baker; Tibbetts-Hagan Collections
Four small collections: Wadsworth, 1844-1849, given by Lydia Ripley; Seavey, 1863-1913, by Mildred Webster; Baker, 1891-1926, by Nellie Baker; Tibbetts by Evelyn Tibbetts estate.
Document Box #35: Hodgdon
Three inches of material gathered by Barbara Rumsey to write her 1995 book; mostly copies, vessels specs, clippings, title chains. Calendars, Rumsey articles, Elinor Froatz material.
Document Box #36:Josephine Newcomb Carbone
Three inches of school books, music books, personal material, given by Tom Carbone.
Document Box #37: Marson Collection
One inch of material of Mary, F. L., G. C., and Charles H. Marson: unidentified tintypes, clippings, letters, knife, bibles, including 1682 inscribed "Jenit Bone," probably through Leishman family.
Document Box #38: Elizabeth Andrews Collection
One inch of Summer Residents Association, 1946-1967, minutes of meetings, clippings, membership. Donated by Caroline Andrews Allen.
Document Box #39: Whitney Wright
One inch of Whitney Wright weather records, 1971-1994, given by Carol Wright.
Document Box #40: MAPBO
Two inches of David Dash files on Maine Association of Passenger Boat Owners, given by Marion Dash.
Document Box #41: Passenger Boat Brochures, 1940-1972
Two inches of brochures from various sources and Marion Dash.
Document Box #42: Marion and Dave Dash Papers
Clippings, memorabilia, postcards (in process), given by Marion Dash.
Document Boxes #43 and #44: Windjammer Days
Windjammer Days started in 1963, originated by Captain Dave Dash. Five inches of material compiled by Dave and Marion Dash: twenty-six folders, each covering one year, containing letters, clippings, photos, news releases, expenses memos, posters, invitations. Missing between 1963 and 1998 are 1968-1974; 1995-1996.
Document Box #45: Boothbay House Project
A list of 312 pre-World War II houses, keyed to map/lot numbers, with accompanying text of older residents' comments and photos of each house, created by Barbara Rumsey. The collection was partially created with a 1996/1997 20th Century Grant.
Document Boxes #46: Boothbay Playhouse
A twelve-foot collection of programs, clippings, scrapbooks, and posters of the playhouse that existed in North Boothbay from the 1940s to the 1970s. Gift of Frank Lenthall. In process.
Original Documents (Collection #9)
This collection consists of miscellaneous original documents which were purposely segregated from the history files in order to better preserve them. The six inches of documents date from 1774 to 1889 and include: town warrants, deeds, town tax lists, invoices, affidavits, summonses, sermons, proposals, notices, appointments, letters, fish book, agreements, bills, indentures, writs, family records, voter lists.
Oral History Videos (Collection #10)
Barbara Rumsey (Hartford before 1991) made videos of older Boothbay region residents and sites, principally in 1987 and 1988. There are 28 oral history videos. A grant was provided by MHRAB regrant program to transcribe some of the videos in 1995.
Books and Occasional Publications (Collection #11)
The seventy-foot book collection is primarily limited to Maine history, with a focus on local and county history. There is a strong archaeology section.
The Society has a collection of Maine history-related periodicals totaling a few feet. They range from the 1800s to the present.
Maps (Collection #12)
The map case in the office holds the flat maps which are consulted frequently. Many were collected by Bess Reed. They range in date from the 1600s to the 1900s. There are collections of rolled maps and charts of secondary significance.
Photographs (Collection #13)
The collection of photographs relating to local history held by the the Boothbay Region Historical Society numbers over 10,000 negatives, prints, and postcards, and is still growing. The computer-cataloged collection is subdivided into major categories by location and/or subject matter. Each geographic location is again subdivided into such categories as buildings, street scenes, waterfront scenes, etc.
Each photo has a catalog number consisting of a prefix indicating its category (e.g. BHB for Boothbay Harbor buildings or SB for steamboats) plus a number (001 to 1000 or more). These are arranged in sixteen file drawers in alpha-numeric order. The quality of the photographs varies from professionally excellent to poor. Some of the photographs are perhaps 100 years old; most cover the period between World War I and the end of World War II.
Section 3Collection #1
HISTORY FILES
F001: Indians
F001A: 17th Century
F002: Early Region History, 18th Century
F002A: Early Region History, 19th Century
F002B: Brown/Bryant Murder
F003: Colonial Muster Rolls
F004: Revolution
F005: The Rainbow Incident
F006: Revolutionary Muster Rolls; Other Lists
F007: Loyalists and Tories
F008: Revolutionary Pension Claims
F009: War of 1812
F010: Civil War
F011: Civil War Pensions
F012: Civil War Lists
F013: Civil War Original Documents
F014: Civil War Maritime Events
F014A: World War I
F014B: Mills
F014C: Ice Business
F015: Boothbay Harbor
F015A: East Side of Harbor
F015B: Brick House/Opera House
F015C: Horse Troughs
F015D: Bayville/Big Hills
F015E: Banks
F015F: Isle of Springs
F015G: Harbor Businesses
F015H: Telephones/Telegraphs
F015I: Meadow
F015J: Register
F016: East Boothbay
F016A: Murray Hill
F016B: East Boothbay Businesses
F016C: Linekin Neck
F016D: Fisherman's Fair, 1947 & 1948
F016E: Hartford house, U7L17, Documentation
F017: E. Boothbay Tide Mill, Mineral Spring
F018: Ocean Point
F018A: Back Narrows
F019: North Boothbay
F019A: Barters Island and Trevett
F019B: Boothbay Center
F019C: Town of Boothbay
F019D: Nicholas Knight House
F020: Sawyers Island
F020A: Indiantown
F021: West Harbor and Mill Cove
F021A: Samoset Road
F022: Southport
F022A: Juniper Point
F023: Squirrel Island
F023A: Housemoving
F023B: Dating Houses
F023C: Fisherman's and Ram Island
F024: Damariscove and other Islands
F024A: Clippings from 19th-c. Maine Papers
F024B: Region-General
F025: Shipping Documents, printed Material
F025A: Shipwrecks
F026: Steamboats
F026A: Customs Records Inventory
F026B: Steamer Tourist-Sabino
F027: Shipping Clippings
F027A: Fishing
F028: Shipping and Naval Activities
F028A: Vessels
F028B: Sea Serpent
F029: The Bowdoin
F029A: Lighthouses
F030: Schooner Yacht America
F031: Party Boat Brochures
F031A: The Hatchery
F032: Early Shipyards
F032A: Hodgdon Brothers
F032B: Goudy & Stevens
F032C: Rice Brothers
F032D: Samples
F032E: Adams
F032F: Paul Luke
F032G: Washburn & Doughty
F032H: Alfred Fuller
F032I: Miscellaneous Shipyards
F033: Boothbay Schools and Sports
F033A: Old Red School
F034: School Interviews with Older Citizens;
F035: Churches and Religious Figures
F036: Rev. Jonathan Gould
F037: Rev, Jacob Bailey
F038: Brickyards
F038A: Weather Events
F039: John North
F040: Deeds, handwritten and typed
F041: Notes and Papers on Deed Transactions
F042: Vital Statistics
F043: Vital Statistics, Outlying Towns
F044: Censuses
F044A: Post Offices
F044B: Boston Post Cane
F045: Town Government Papers
F045A: Town Seal Papers
F045B: Reunification
F046: F. B. Greene material
F047: Land Developments and Recreation
F047A: Summer Inns
F048: Boothbay Region Tourist Brochures
F049: Coast Guard and Auxiliary
F049A: Merchant Memorabilia
F050: Local Art, Literature, Drama
F050A: Theatre Museum
F050B: Carousel
F050C: The Theatre in the Woods
F050D: Poems
F050E: Drama/Music
F050F: Art
F050G: Art Schools
F051: Men's and Women's Social Clubs
F051A: Fire Departments
F051B: Hospital
F052: Social Mementos
F052A: YMCA
F053: Carroll Gray Articles
F054: Colonial History Outside Boothbay
F055: Lincoln County and Outlying Area
F055A: Edgecomb
F055B: Damariscotta River, East Side
F055C: Kennebec River Towns
F056: Environmental Reports
F057: Wiscasset
F058: Merchant Memorabilia, Out-of-town
F059: State Constitution
F060: Harry Sawyer Correspondence
F061: World War II
F062: Maine Register, Boothbay Entries
F063: Minorities
F064: Luther Maddocks
F065: Daniel Rose
• The finding aid consists of a computerized sixty-one-page database of each document in the files.
Collection #2
PUBLISHED TOWN REPORTS
Boothbay town reports:
There is an incomplete collection from 1877 to 1998. Missing are years: 1884, 1891, 1897, 1899, and 1900. Our collection is more complete than the town of Boothbay's. In 1892 school districts were discontinued.
Boothbay Harbor town reports:
There is a complete collection from 1890 to 1998. There is no report for 1992 because of a change in the fiscal year. In 1892 school districts were discontinued.
Southport town reports:
There are no more than ten between 1888 and 1923; there is a complete run from 1923 to 1980. The Southport Historical Society has a more complete set.
Edgecomb town reports:
There are about twenty between 1886 and 1962.
• There is no more detailed finding aid.
Collection
#3
TOWN OF BOOTHBAY RECORDS
Three feet of photocopies
Valuations and Tax
Year Pages Year Pages Year Pages
1788-90 20 1836 15 1857 25
1804 20 1838 15 1860 26
1815/1816 22 1839 15 1861 30
1819 12 1840** 80 1862 25
1823* 10 1842 15 1863 28
1827-37 300 1844 25 1865** 25
1828 15 1845 30 1867 28
1830 15 1847 19 1868 28
1833 16 1851 24 1869
1834 15 1852 1870 29
1835 15 1856 30 1871 28
1887 25 (printed)
*1822-1827 at Maine Historical Society **Incomplete
The town of Boothbay has all the above valuations and those following 1871 to the present in their vault in the town office. Information on school and highway districts are provided in some of the tax records. Pre-1871 uncopied tax books at the town office are: 1857-1869 (400 pages), 1852-1860 (500 pages), 1867-1869, 1870-1874.
Book Pages
• Town Meeting Proceedings
Book A: 1765-1807 530
Book I: 1807-1853 600
Book AA: 1853-1884 550
Book M: 1884-1912 840 (in two parts)
• Treasurer's Books
Treasurer's Book, 1774-1832 340
Treasurer's Book, 1844-1858 300
• Bills, Mortgages, Deeds
Bills, mortgages, deeds, 1849-1870 259
• Vital Records
Book A, 1765-1807, as above, also has some vital records
Book A, volume 1: births and deaths; 1765-1858 277
Book B, volume 1: Intentions and marriages; 1796-1858 269
Book D, 1854-1892 marriages 200
Book L: births and deaths, 1819-1883 448
• There is no more detailed finding aid except the listing in the book card index.
Collection
#4
TOWN OF BOOTHBAY MICROFICHE
Items 1 through 48 are copies of the town's microfiche.
Book Pages Cards
Book 1. Book A, records, 1765-1841 530 9
Book 2. Treasurer's Book, 1774-1834 370 8
Book 3. Book I, meetings,1807-1853 600 9
Book 4. Tax Book, 1827-1837 6
Book 5. Town Orders record, 1844-1858 4
Book 6. Bills, Mortgages, Deeds, 1849-1870 259 4
Book 7. Tax Book, 1852 19 1
Book 8. Town meetings, 1853-1884 536 9
Book 9. Tax record, 1858-1862 5
Book 10. Highway Tax, 1867-1869 3
Book 11. Road Book, 1868 357 7
Book 12. Highway payroll record, 1804 1
Book 13. Tax Book, 1870-1875 4
Book 14. Book B, Bills, Mortgages, 1870-1884 630 11
Book 15. Book D, deeds,1884-1918 9
Book 16. Book M, meetings,1884-1912 14
Book 23. Book A1, births and deaths,1763-1877 277 6
Book 24. Book B1, marriage intentions, 1843-1858 1
Book 25. Book D, marriage intentions, 1854-1892 224 4
Book 26. Book M, births and deaths, 1866-1891 140 3
Book 27. Book L, births and deaths, 1819-1883 448 8
Book 28. Deaths, 1892-1915 67 2
Book 29. Marriages, 1892-1915 113 3
Book 30. Marriage intentions, 1892-1914 113 3
Book 31. Births, 1892-1915 259 2
Book 32. Book S, births/deaths, 1915-25, marriages, 1917-19 203 4
Book 33. Marriages, births, deaths, 1926-1933 199 4
Book 34. Marriages, births, deaths, 1933-1937 207 4
Book 35. Deaths, 1930-1934 50 2
Book 36. Marriages, births, deaths, 1937-1940 200 3
Book 37. Births, deaths, marriages, 1940-1943 200 3
Book 38. Births, deaths, marriages, 1943-1945 185 3
Book 39. Births, deaths, marriages, 1945-1950 180 4
Book 40. Births, deaths, marriages, 1950-1954 190 3
Book 41. Births, deaths, marriages, 1954-1958 193 4
Book 42. Births, deaths, marriages, 1958-1962 189 4
Book 43. Births, deaths, marriages, 1963-1966 159 3
Book 46. Births, 1963-1972 227 5
Book 47. Deaths,1963-1972 226 5
Book 48. Marriages, 1963-1971 263 8
(Below records microfiched by Historical Society)
Book 49. Birth, marriage, death corrections 3
Book 50: tax records, 1788, 1819, '23, '36, 1837-39, '42,'44, '45, '47, '51 8
Book 51: tax records, 1852, 1856, 1857, 1860, 1861-62, 1863, 1865 8
Book 52: tax records, 1867, 1868, 1869, 1870, 1871, 1872, 1874 7
• There is no more detailed finding aid.
Collection
#5
GENEALOGY FILES
Genealogy/Family/Cemetery Files (Collection #5)
Information gathered by the society consists of six feet of family files totaling as many as 300 different files. Some files are an inch thick; some have no more than a few obituaries. The most exhaustive files: Adams, Alley, Barter, Blair, Boyd, Dunton, Farnham, Fullerton, Gamage, Giles, Hodgdon, Knight, Montgomery, Moore, McCobb, Oliver, Pierce, Pinkham, Reed, Seavey, Sherman, Tibbetts, Van Horn, Wylie.
There are two feet of manuscripts written about particular families. The families covered are: Bennett, Burnham, Carlile, Clark, Decker, Horn, Linekin, Orne/Horn, Reed, Roberts, Tibbetts, and Westman; and a compilation of Boothbay marriage intentions, 1766-1904. There is one foot of genealogical periodicals, "Downeast Ancestry," including volumes 1 through 12 (1977-1988). Volume 3 is missing.
Howard Family Files
There are twenty-seven feet of file cards on individuals compiled by Muriel Howard. Mrs. Howard also compiled family files which total four feet. She gathered her information from primary and casual sources, so the accuracy is uneven. Her work ended with her death in the mid-1980s. The files are heavy on Greenleaf and Pinkham, her families.
Howard Cemetery Files
Region cemetery lists total a half foot, compiled by Muriel Howard up to circa 1985. They consist of typed lists of the stone inscriptions in each graveyard. All local graveyards that have inscribed stones are included.
• There is no more detailed finding aid.
Collection #6
NEWSPAPERS
The Boothbay Register Holdings
Boothbay Harbor Wiscasset
Historical Register Memorial Court
Year Society Office Library House
The Boothbay Register Holdings
Boothbay Harbor Wiscasset
Historical Register Memorial Court
Year Society Office Library House
The Boothbay Register Holdings
Boothbay Harbor Wiscasset
Historical Register Memorial Court
Year Society Office Library House
The Maine Historical Society in Augusta has a limited number of copies. Of theirs, the only issue not available elsewhere is January 6, 1900.
• The finding aid consists of a computerized 100-page list of each existing newspaper issue and its whereabouts.
Collection #7
ACCOUNT BOOKS
Box #1: River Road
Calvin Perkins account books, Edgecomb, ME: 1831-1835, 1835-1838, 1840-1860.
A. E. Perkins cash book, 1906-1926.
Eleazer Giles (probably) captain's account book, 1841-1858.
Box #2: McCobb and Southport
Joseph McCobb ledger, 1820-1824, for the Auld-McCobb business
1857-61 local account book unidentified, west side of town.
Schooner Cameron, 1851-1866, account book.
Mark Rand account book, 1845-1879.
Mark Rand revenue cutter record book, April 1843-March 1844.
Sawyer & Plummer sailmaker account book, 1858-1861.
Freeman Grover account book, 1837-1852 (marriages listed), Southport, Dead River.
Schooner Speedwell journal to the Banks, 1861.
Box #3: Boyd
Thomas Boyd 1788 ledger.
Thomas Boyd pre-1792 geography.
Andrew Boyd ledger 1848-1862.
School district #5 1839 book of record kept by Boyd.
Box #4: East Boothbay
Jacob Fuller, East Boothbay account books, 1876-1882, 1877-1887.
Day book, East Boothbay, 1841-1843.
Leander Fuller, 1867-1876.
William Seavey, sparmaker account book, 1859-1863.
Charles/Frank Seavey: store account 1891-1895
Alice M. Dodge autograph book, 1882; (uncle Alfred Seavey)
Caleb Hodgdon Jr. cash book, 1856-1857.
James Race account book, 1852-1861.
Box #5: Reed
Freeman K. Reed diary and notebook 1839-1883, #756.
Freeman K. Reed log 1883-1886 (mostly James S. Lowell), #514.
Joseph Reed penmanship practice book, #759.
Freeman K. Reed account books of vessels Challenge, Telumah, and Standard 1874-1883.
Freeman K. Reed private account book 1886-1887, #512.
Freeman K. Reed account logs: 1874-1875, 1873-1875, 1877-1879.
Box #6: Blair
Benjamin F. Blair log of S. P. Hitchcock 1884-1885.
Benjamin F. Blair 1833, 1834 account books (and typescript), account book 1866-1902.
"Family Pioneer and Juvenile Key," 1833-1834
Diaries: 1890-1899; 1900-1908
Box #7: Harbor Schools
Boothbay Harbor school record District #1 1855-1875.
Boothbay Harbor school committee 1898-1908.
Boothbay Harbor school board records, 1908-1928, 1928-1938, 1935-1948
Boothbay Harbor high school curriculum and pupil standing, 1902-1914, 1914-1923, 1923-1927.
Box #8: Out-of-Town
William Ames of Newcastle account book, 1828-1855.
Capt. Peter Briggs account book 1840s.
Richard Nutter Bath checkbook, 1825-1834.
Box #9: Patten, Wiley
Joseph Patten account book, 1750s.
William Wiley notebook 1760.
Box #10: Boothbay Harbor
Logs of the Zebedee Cliff: 1930-1932, 1924.
John Murray McFarland account book, 1813-1815.
DeWolfe Bayville account book, 1917, ice, carting, and groceries.
Henry Wylie 1920s cash book.
Engine logs of the Normad, 1937, 1940.
Luther Maddocks account book, 1870.
Bayville post office money order account book, 1930.
Box #11: Hatchery
Supt. Hahn 1904 letterbook.
Logs of Gannet: 1912-1913, 1913-1914.
Log of Pelican 1930-1933.
Laws Relating to Sea & Shore Fisheries, 1901.
Cush Gray scrapbook.
Box #12: Gould & Murray East Boothbay blacksmiths.
Gould and Murray day books 1837-1850, 1851-1855. account book 1842-1874..
Box #13: William McCobb-Larrabee-Marson
William McCobb blacksmith account books: 1828-1834, 1837-1850, 1850-1866.
William McCobb 1805 cipher book.
George McCobb 1840s account book.
Susan McCobb 1829 penmanship book.
McCobb book fragments. McCobb wallets.
C. H. Larrabee diaries: 1869, 1871, 1876
Charles C. Marson notebook/diary 1910
Charles Chapman diary, 1871
Box #14: East Boothbay
Levi Reed account book, 1835-1885.
Holbrook account book, 1866-1869.
Box #15: Political Parties
Enrollments of Boothbay Harbor Democrats and Republicans, 1912-1954.
Box #16: Boothbay Harbor
Boothbay Harbor Roads, Bridges, and Sidewalks account book, 1891-1920.
Boothbay Harbor Selectmen's record book, 1911.
Sprucewold Estates stock share book, 1920s.
1921 Harbor tax assessors list.
Box #17: Schools
East Boothbay District #3 1846 to 1875 record of meetings.
District #9 primary school record book,1895-1901.
Boothbay Center high school curriculum and pupil standing, 1909-1932.
Boothbay Harbor valuation of school property, District #1, 1890.
Taxpayers' rebate list.
School districts, 1895-1901
1894 book of Boothbay taxpayers due rebates from obsolete school districts.
Copy of Dover School records, 1862-1893.
Copy of parts of 1926 East Boothbay grammar school yearbook.
Union 49, 1931-1950; Union 49, 1951-1961
1916 rank and attendance Damariscove Island school book.
Box #18: Hodgdon Tide Mill
East Boothbay tide mill account books: 1912-1940, 1927-1930, 1939-1940, 1938-1940, 1941-1942.
Box #19: East Boothbay
Unidentified East Boothbay account book, 1877-1879.
Box #20: North Boothbay
1874 store account book of North Boothbay (Boothbay Center). Probably Gilman P. Hodgdon's.
Box #21: Boothbay Harbor
Fozena Dunton account book from Edward Dunton store, 1917-1918.
James Dunton account book, 1902-1904.
Edward S. Dunton business school notebook.
Willard Lewis account book, 1870-1884.
Walter Williams account book and copy, 1886-1893.
Box #22: Frank L. Rice Collection, and oversize books standing on shelves
Bills to customers, 1956-1965; letters from customers.
catalogs; envelopes; bank/financial records.
Coal and lumber cash books: 1913-1914,1914-1916, 1915-1916, 1924-1935.
storage and repair account books,1933-1935, 1940-1952, 1953-1971.
Frank Rice Hardware Order (Day) Books
April 12, 1930 to July 26, 1930, July 26, 1930 to Jan. 27, 1931, Jan. 28, 1931 to July 14, 1931, July 14, 1931 to March 1, 1932, Sept. 1, 1932 to June 15, 1933.
F. Rice letterboxes 1905-1914, 1917-1921, 1919-1934, 1922-1936, 1923-1937, 1946-1948, 1950-1953.
John Gordon, Kents Hill (Rice son-in-law)
1946-1948, invoices, correspondence. 1947-1949 invoices, bank statements, canceled checks.
Box #23: Frank L. Rice Collection.
1924-1926 coal account book. 1928-1930 lumber account book
1928-1930 check stubs, 1932-1933 check book
1931-1939 storage and repair account book
1933-1935 hardware store account book
Box #24: Frank L. Rice Collection
1951-1960 sales tax forms, including customers' invoices.
Box #25: Frank L. Rice Collection
Documents, invoices, letters, letters etc., 1911-1944. Leather notebook
1933-1935 deposit slips, Freight bills.
John Chisholm & Son Fabia q1919-1920 account book
Boats bought of S. F. Thompson Jan. 1, 1912
Leatherbound notebook 1906 gasoline sales.
Box #26: Frank L. Rice Collection
1930s-1970s governmental transactions; bills to Rice; check deposits
Box #27: Frank L. Rice Collection
Sales tax forms, 1960s
Bray/Rumsey 1990s correspondence
Flyers, blotters, small catalogs, brochures of suppliers
Box #28: Linekin Neck
Frank Alley Collection
Account book, 1901-1904.1904 Ledger of Accounts with Frank Alley 1904 through May 1924.
Personal and business papers, 1920s, 1930s.
Miriam McKown Collection
1930s-1950s material, principally relating to George Smith, letters, bills, etc.
Box #29: Boothbay Harbor
Permits and Notices, 1889-1903.
West Harbor postmasters' book, 1905-1907, kept by W. H. Reed and Charles Orne
Box #30: Asa Tupper Collection
Cash books: 1921, 1922, 1923, 1928-1936, 1937-1945
Lawyers docket: 1923-1928, 1928-1936
Box #31: Asa Tupper Collection
Business cash book. 1929
Rose garden diary, 1959-1966
C. R. Tupper business cash book, 1910-1924
C. R. Tupper personal cash book, 1943-1944
Box #32: Benjamin Blair (continued from Box #6)
Almanacs: 1849, 1853
Diaries: 1864, 1867, 1871, 1872, 1874-1889
Box #33: Greene's 1906 history
Used to reprint in 1984; from Cecil Pierce.
Box #34: Billy Sawyer chandlery, wrecking commissioner
W. E. Sawyer ledger, 1870-1902 (BS1).
W. E. Sawyer account book, 1903 (BS2), 1907-1909 (BS3).
Box #35: Billy Sawyer chandlery, wrecking commissioner
W. E. Sawyer daybook, 1909-1910 (BS4).
W. E. Sawyer order book, 1910-1911 (BS5), 1911 (BS6).
Box #36: Billy Sawyer chandlery, wrecking commissioner
W. E. Sawyer order book, 1912 (BS7), 1921-1922 (BS11).
W. E. Sawyer account book, 1922 (BS13).
Box #37: Billy Sawyer chandlery, wrecking commissioner
W. E. Sawyer order book, 1913-1914 (BS8), 1915 (BS9), 1915-1917 (BS10).
W. E. Sawyer account book, 1925 (BS12).
Box #38: available
Box #39: Kenniston & Reed Diaries, etc., 1870s-1917
Freeman K. Reed diaries: 1882, 1885, 1886, 1888
Elizabeth Blair Reed diary 1858
Annie J. Blair Kenniston Diaries 1883, 1893, 1917, 1918; 1874+ scrapbook
Fullerton P. Reed Autograph books 1881, 1893; diary 1885
Kate L. Reed Autograph book 1879, class book Sept. 1, 1891, Mt. Holyoke 1895, 1899 scrapbook.
Ethel May Kenniston Autographs
Box #40: Elizabeth F. Reed Diaries, etc., 1888-1920s
1888 Autograph book
Diaries 1898, 1902, 1903, 1905, 1907-09, 1910-12, 1914, 1924, 1927-29, 1931, 1935-1938.
Plan and Progress Feb -June 1911. My trip abroad 1925. Scrapbook 1926-1931
Box #41: Elizabeth F. Reed Diaries, etc., 1920s-1940s
Diaries 1940, 1942, 1949, 1950. Scrapbooks 1926, 1941. Address book 1930.
• The finding aid consists of an eleven-page computerized list of the contents of each box.
Collection #8
DOCUMENT BOXES
Document Box #1: Blair Papers
Four inches of material, principally collected by Elizabeth F. Reed (1874-1953), whose mother Elizabeth was the daughter of Benjamin Blair.
Folder #1: Typed copies of letters 1836 to 1863.
Fourteen letters from or to various Blairs. Topics: Texas, Civil War, local news.
Folder #2: Civil War typed letters, 1863-1865
Twenty-one letters, principally Elizabeth and Benjamin Blair, captain of the Mohecan.
Folder #3: King typed correspondence, 1869-1884
Mary King-Blair, mostly chatty. Kings were Blair relatives who lived in Willoughby, Ontario.
Folder #4: 1865 to 1892, typed.
Thirteen letters. Topics: court case, business, seafaring, elections, Milwaukee police search, principally Benjamin and Elizabeth Blair.
Folder #5: Miles correspondence, typed.
1863-1866 Miles-Blair, mostly chatty. Miles family was in Massachusetts.
Folder #6: Handwritten Blair letters, 1859-1921
Topics: local news, civil war politics, rowing to Bath, post offices. Most typed above.
Folder #7: Frank Blair letters.
Frank Blair to E. F. Reed, 1941-1945, mostly family real estate. George Blair 1926 letters.
Folder #8: Blair mementos, 1850s, 1860s
Scrapbook, calling card, drawings.
Folder #9: Blair Profiles and Diaries, 1700s-1930
Profiles, mostly by E. F. Reed, clippings, diary entries, articles, genealogy, reminiscences, notebooks.
Document Box #2: Anson K. Cross Collection
Four inches of documents on Cross's art school on the east side of Boothbay Harbor dating from 1915 to mid-century. SEE art school historical file F050G.
Folder #1: Art School Memorabilia, 1915-1950
Scrapbook, ads, testimonials, articles, brochures, memorials, description of art aids.
Folder #2: Correspondence, 1934-1965
Dissolution of school and turning over to Skowhegan School. Cross obit.
Folder #3: Cross Drawing Glass instructions
Document Box #3: Reed Letters and Documents
Two inches of material, principally collected and created by Elizabeth F. Reed, daughter of F. K. Reed. Folder #1: Typed Reed Letters, 1863-1871.
Thirty-eight letters from and to Freeman Reed (at sea on the east coast) and Elizabeth Blair Reed. Topics: cargo problems, storms, business, family purchases, lawsuit, sinking of Tallapoosa.
Folder #2: Typed Reed Documents, 1809-1900.
Fifteen wills, obituaries, diaries, profiles, genealogy, letters.
Folder #3: Original Reed documents and letters, 1840-1930
Forty documents, some to and from Freeman Reed: poem, postcards, letters, receipts, telegram, Masonic material, notes on diaries, school merit forms. Of interest: missing brother, Russian sailor.
Document Box #4: E. F. Reed Correspondence
Collections of Elizabeth F. Reed's correspondence with researchers on historical topics, 1923-1948.
Folder #1: E. F. Reed - George Rice, 1927-1948
Thirty letters. She helped Rice write Shipping Days of Old Boothbay.
Folder #2: E. F. Reed - Will Reed, 1919-1932
Twenty-two letters from Uncle Will Reed, born 1845, to E. F. Reed. Topics: genealogy, Civil War, houses, vessels, graves.
Folder #3: E. F. Reed - William D. Patterson, 1923-1931.
Sixty-five letters of Patterson, a Wiscasset researcher, and E. F. Reed; they aided one another in research. Topics: Civil War, Hendricks Head, early maps, Patterson family, Revolution, War of 1812, Sevey, Boyd, Revs. Gould, Murray, and Cheever.
Folder #4: E. F. Reed - Fannie Chase, 1930s letters
Four letters. Fannie Chase wrote Wiscasset in Pownalborough.
Document Box #4A: E. F. Reed Correspondence, 1893-1951
Six inches of letters, mainly social, chatty. SEE: Box #25 for more of Eliz. F. Reed's letters. SEE: Box #25 for more of Eliz. F. Reed's letters.
Bundle #1: Social Letters from New York and Places Other than Boothbay (1893-1942)
Topics: Mount Holyoke, Titanic, mugging, social engagements.
Bundle #2: Letters from Boothbay region friends, 1891-1951
Bundle #3: Letters re DAR, Republican party, other NYC. clubs.
Topics: suffrage, politics, Daus. Am. Colonists.
Bundle #4: Letters from relatives, 1891 to 1927
Bundle #5: Letters from Blairs, 1919
Document Box #5: Chapman Reed Papers
Three inches of papers concerning the running of Company C, 14th Regiment, 50th ME. Muster lists, equipment issue forms, ordnance issue forms, pension forms, transfers of equipment, explanations of losses, vouchers, clothing statements. SEE Civil War historical files F010 to F014.
Folder #1: Stores and ordnance lists.
Folder #2: muster rolls
Folder #3: pension forms up to 1900.
Document Box #6: Shipping Papers
Two inches of three small collections, Swett, Barter, and Adams, dealing with vessels and shipping.
Folder #1: Byron Swett Papers, 1871-1905
Eighty-four letters, receipts, invoices, vessels supplies, manifests, bills of lading, towing, wharfage, watchman, hoisting, stevedoring. Vessels: Alaska, Prescott, Mary Snow
Folder #2: Capt. William Barter Papers, 1848-1854
Twenty-eight papers, schooners Spartan and Henry R. Invoices, fish books, and letters.
Folder #3: Percy Adams papers, 1910s-1920s
Eleven papers: Atlantic Coast Yard shares. Documents of vessels.
Document Box #7: Doc Rockwell Material
Doc Rockwell, 1899-1978, performed in vaudeville, wrote comical material, had column in "Down East." He retired to Boothbay Harbor and Southport. Principal donors: Franklyn Lenthall, Ruth Gardner. SEE: Barbara Rumsey's 1987 video of Doc's friends, Ruth Gardner, Ruth Potter, and Nora Brewer reminiscing about him.
Folder #1: Clippings, 1929-1991
Thirteen articles by Richard Hallett, John Gould, "Down East," others. Three pictures
Folder #2: Joke Material
Fifty-two billheads, telegram blanks, menus, phone directories, posters, notices, brochures.
Folder #3: Joke Material
Doll, bulletins, pocket guide, blotters, reports
Folder #4: Greeting Cards (1940s-1960s)
Sixteen Christmas and Easter
Folder #5: Printed Stationery
Fifty-three envelopes and sheets of stationery with Doc Rockwell designs and letterheads.
Folder #6: "Mustard Plaster" magazine, two each
1928 - Aug, Sep, Nov, Dec, 1929 - Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr. 1943 dictionary.
Document Box #7A: Doc Rockwell material
Working notebooks with sketches, jingles, rhymes, one for "The Glass Woman."
Photographs and sketches of Doc Rockwell. Metal Tea Dance poster.
Working sketches, some for "Mustard Plaster" ads and Meredith sign.
Document Box #8: Boothbay Harbor Assessors Material, 1950s-1960s
Two hundred typed cards of assets, real and personal property.
Document Box #9: Jim Steven's Notes on Vessels
Four inches. Jim Stevens ran Goudy & Stevens shipyard, 1950s-1980s; he is a maritime historian.
Folder #1: Steamboats news items
Folder #2: Notes on various local steamers
Folder #3: Steamboats and vessels connected with Maine
Folder #4: Notes on vessels
Folder #5: Kennebec River Steamboat notes
Folder #6: Jim Stevens caulking article and pictures. "The role of the Dubber."
Folder #7: vessel ownership notes.
Folder #8: sardine carriers, A-R
Folder #9: Vessels built at Harwincton, ME. Three and four-masted schooners built in Boothbay Region; profiles of shipyards, 1873-1921. Jim Stevens shipping notes. A play written by Jim Stevens. Local yards, boats, and workmen, by Jim Stevens.
Document Box #10: Lang Campbell/Uncle Wiggly
One inch. Lang Campbell was a cartoonist who retired to Boothbay Harbor about 1950.
Folder #1: Original drawings
Folder #2: Sunday drawings
Folder #3: Correspondence and lists
Document Box #11: Boothbay Packing Company, 1903 to 1908.
Four inches of material, discussion of flavoring and supplies, such as mustard. Some Bowdoin College bills. Invoices, correspondence, all dealing with sardine canning.
Document Box #12: Elizabeth F. Reed, Kate L. Reed Personal Material
Came indirectly from Elizabeth Reed; probably came with house to society.
Folder #1: 1880s-1950s, autobiography; inventories; club material; pageants; cards; letters; brochures.
Folder #2: Kate L. Reed Alumni Material, 1870s-1910s.
Document Box #15: Division of the Towns, Creation of Boothbay Harbor, 1889
Four inches. Statement of assets, petition and 304 names. Proposal, cover letter of executive committee.
Fourteen folders concerning water system controversy donated by Natalie Wakeley, daughter of A. R. Nickerson. 1968 letter from Wakeley to Jim Stevens.
Copies of Register articles from 1888 and 1889. Notes of Pat Requa. Correspondence with Chip Griffin; his essay on division. 1989 article on division. Copies of 1991 papers provided by town of Boothbay. Pierce, Cornish arguments, copy of act to divide.
Document Box #16: Castine Papers, 1803-1843
Two inches of letters re shipment of goods; wage agreement; prices, drafts. Liverpool, Boston, Castine, Bath. Men: Robert Gay, John Perkins. Vessels: Eight Sisters, Phoebe, Mary Jane, Samuel Hayes.
Document Box #17: Small Collections: Beath Documents; Good Templar Papers; Kelley-Blake Family
Collection #1: Beath Documents, 1700s-1800s
Nine family papers, many from Georgetown branch, given by Marjorie Sylvester: deeds, marriage certificate, letters, will, Rev. Murray letter fragment.
Collection #2: Good Templar Papers, 1895-1900
One inch of Edgecomb and North Boothbay material, loaned by Wayne Barter. Meeting minutes, journals of Grand Lodge Sessions, cards, by-laws, price list of badges, etc., notices, booklets.
Collection #3: Kelley-Blake Family, 1800s
Ten documents given by Evelyn (Mrs. Frank) Blake: John E. Kelley Civil War material; Pleasant Cove deed, pew deed, genealogy.
Document Boxes #18: Cemeteries
Four inches. Books and brochures on gravestone care.
Maps of Spruce Lawn, Wylie, Hillside, Oak Lawn, Pear Street.
Folder #1: Boothbay Cemeteries
Correspondence; the 1995 mapping of Pear Street Cemetery by Patch and Streett; 1990s photos of Wylie and Pear; 1989 Maine laws; restoration fundraising; newspaper articles and clippings.
Folder #2: MOCA Newsletters
Maine Old Cemetery Association newsletters, 1978-1997
Document Box #19: Justin (Webber) Smith's Original Documents, 1748-1957
Two inches of documents from 1748 to 1957, mostly from the early nineteenth century. Murray, Montgomery, and Hodgdon families predominate. Probate, deeds (some unrecorded), membership cards, promissory notes, disputes, letters, stock certificates, bills. Of interest: Bristol and Jeremysquam (Westport) material.
Document Box #20: Back Narrows Haggett Iceworks/Robert G. DeWolfe papers, 1890s
Folder #1: six DeWolfe 1890s letters re ice, payroll, boats chartered, arrival of vessel.
Folder #2: thirteen bills, bills of lading for goods and freight, 1890s
Folder #3: twelve invoices to Robert G. DeWolfe, 1890s
Folder #4: Four K of P, Town of Boothbay Knights of Pythias, 1890s
Folder #5: Benjamin Reed 1871 Masons certificate
Folder #6: Four DeWolfe correspondence, 1890s
Document Box #21A and #21B: Little Theater Group
Six inches of minutes of meetings, 1952 to 1960, business papers. Photo album with pictures and clippings 1951 to 1954. Folder of clippings. Programs.
Document Box #22: Pete Jones Papers; Boothbay road crew
Collection #1: Eliphalet Prentiss (Pete) Jones Papers, 1899-1970s
Family papers of East Boothbay native who worked away and retired back in East Boothbay. Twenty-five documents: World War I service, veteran matters; Masonic memberships, local real estate, birth certificates, diploma, obituaries, cemetery lots, Jainus P. Jones 1941 probate.
Collection #2: Town road crew papers 1985.
One inch purchase orders, internal memos, correspondence.
Document Box #23: Buzzell, 1910s-1940s
Walter Buzzell ran a health resort in Boothbay at Back Narrows from World War II until the 1960s. Two inches of papers relating to gymnastics, sports, health: epigrams, songs, scripts, lectures, clippings, scrapbook, correspondence. Given by Franklyn Lenthall.
Document Box #24: Vessel Specifications
1918 wood coal barge. 1916 108' fishing steamer Halcyon. 1918 converting steamer. 100' harbor tug. Given by Jim Stevens, prior owner of Goudy & Stevens. SEE: Halcyon drawing on Reference shelf #1
Document Box #25: Ed Swett Collections
Swett is a local antique-used furniture dealer who bought house contents.
Collection #1: Lt. McCobb's Company, War of 1812
Folder #1: eight rations, requisitions, lodging bills, 1814-1818
Folder #2: thirty morning reports, September 1814, Edgecomb and courthouse
Folder #3: nineteen regimental and company orders, 1811-1826
Folder #4: eight rosters, rolls, musters, 1813-1817
Collection #2: Larrabee-McCobb Papers, 1864-1919
Twenty-two bills, invitations, letters, receipts, 1870s William McCobb estate business, poems, calling cards. (About twenty-five 1900s-1910s Larrabee documents were given to the Railway Museum by somebody. We listed it.)
Collection #3: Giles Papers
Ten Boothbay tax bills to William Giles for 1878-1890.
Collection #4: Wylie Papers, 1842-1925
Nine letters, calling card, bills, certificates, receipts.
Collection #5: Farmer Papers, 1910-1936
Seven bill, letter, tax bills, steamer tickets Virginia.
Collection #6: Pennington papers, 1899-1942
Twenty-three receipts, bills, mortgage payments, typical household needs
Collection #7: Miller papers, 1877-1920
Twenty-six letters, prescription, bills, receipts, jury duty, attorney advice
Collection #8: Boyd Papers, 1904-1912
Nine bills, jury duty, letters, notes on school reunion
Collection #9: Reed Papers, 1888-1948
Fifty-five receipts, bills, letters to Elizabeth F. Reed from friends, relatives re local news, search for brother, women's clubs, genealogy. Some to Annie Blair Kenniston and Kate Reed.
Document Box #26: Pinkham Papers
Four inches of family papers from 1840s to 1915, mostly Benjamin Pinkham and his son James Pinkham of Dover, given by Peggy Luke Miner. Papers are: store bills, shopping lists, tax receipts, bills of sale, building bills, medical bills, fishing records, legal documents, Knight of Pythias receipts, personal correspondence.
Document Box #27: Win Thompson Articles
Thompson was from Southport. Fifty marine-related articles he wrote for "Rudder magazine," 1903-1915. Photocopied from magazines by Cecil Pierce.
Document Box #28: Boothbay Assessors 1946
About 250 residents' lists of personal property and real estate. Given by Boothbay assessors in 1993.
Document Box #29: Steamer Material
Gift of Asa Tupper and Ed Swett.
Envelope #1: 1880s-1900s Portland and Boothbay Steamboat Co. bills
Envelope #2: 1872-1905 Eastern Steamboat Co. bills
Envelope #3: 1888-1895 Portland Steam Packet Co. bills
Envelope #4: 1907 Harpswell Steamboat Co. bills
Envelope #5: 1885-1893 Steamer Kennebec bills, 1887-1890 Steamer Star of the East bills
Envelope #6: 1890-1891 Knox & Lincoln R. R. Co. bills, 1887-1892 Maine Central R. R. Co. bills
Envelope #7: Agents E. J. Miller receipts, 1887-1889, Claude S. Miller receipts, 1899-1914
Envelope #8: Receipts: Islander 1887; Kennebec 1890-91; Portland & Boothbay 1887-1907; Eastern Steamship Co. 1874, 1905-1908 1912 Bill of Lading, C. Swett Agent account book 1907-1922.
Document Box #30: Holbrook Collection
Material believed to have come from Hope Hodgdon Updegraff's house, donated by Robert Holbrook. Principally Hodgdon material: promissory notes, deeds, agreements, letters, life insurance, court papers, some shipyard bills, Masonic papers, bills of sale.
Folder 1: 1820-1876, thirty-two documents.
Folder 2 1876-1921, thirty-six documents.
Document Box #31A: School Memorabilia, Original Documents
Original school memorabilia from various donors was segregated from general folders to better preserve the items. Most items are ceremonial, from 1801-1948.
Folder #1: Boothbay Harbor High School, 1889-1948
Thirty-four report card, graduation exercises, Midwinter Exhibition, appointments, calendar, alumni ball, senior play, invitations, programs, tickets, school newspapers.
Folder #2: Grade Schools, 1880-1921
Fourteen report card, list of pupils, certificates, graduation programs, announcements.
Folder #3: Boothbay High Schools, 1899-1904
Two report card, graduation program
Folder #4: Lincoln Academy, 1801-1946
Sixteen act, article, graduation programs, lists, tickets, invitation, program, tuition receipts.
Folder #5: Bowdoin College, 1891-1935
Thirty Frank Blair, 1891, Stephen H. Pinkham 1905 and Stanley D. Pinkham 1931 papers: programs, entrance exam, supper, articles, rank, invitation, flyer, pin, ribon, song sheet, letters.
Document Box #31B: School Yearbooks
High school yearbooks:, 1934, 1942, 1943, 1959, 1963, 1966, 1975. Eighth-grade Boothbay Harbor yearbooks: 1965 through 1968.
Document Box #32: Hope Hodgdon Updegraff Papers
Four inches of family and school material from Hope, 1898-1991, a lifelong teacher, who was the daughter of the village tidemill owner. The material was left in the house and retrieved by Bert Winslow who bought a desk (and contents) and Barbara Rumsey who entered the abandoned house.
Envelope #1: Pictures of children, some of Hope Hodgdon
Envelope #2: 1913-1927 school items of Hope Hodgdon
Envelope #3: 1924-1937 Hope Hodgdon cards, letters, pictures, certificate, membership card
Envelope #4: Adult pictures of Hope Hodgdon and others
Envelope #5: documents after marriage: bills of sale, cards, dog bite episode
Envelope #6: Documents: cards, letters, notes, automobile, insurance
Envelope #7: organized photos Envelope #8: poems, Child's Garden of Verses book, fan
Envelope #9: Pictures of unidentified people and boats
Envelope #10: Assorted items, some school related
Envelope #11: Floyd Updegraff ("Upde"): withholding, insurance, military pictures.
Envelope #12: Minnie (Mrs. C. Tyler) Hodgdon (mother of Hope) 1899-1945Negro Island Partition, estate insurance, letters
Envelope #13: C. (Caleb) Tyler Hodgdon (father of Hope, 1870-1942), 1928-1970s estate Documents: receipt, will, estate insurance, taxes and receipts, letters, photos
Envelope #14: Grace Hilda Hodgdon (sister to Hope) clipping, letters, pictures, literature book
Document Box #33: Asa Tupper Papers
Given by Asa's son Stanley Tupper relating to Asa's work with hospital, library, Coast Guard auxiliary.
Folder #1: U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary 1942-44 letters and documents
Folder #2: 1950-1978 hospital board correspondence, facts, by-laws, estate matters, purchase
Folder #3: 1962-1975 Library correspondence and documents
Folder #4: 1978-1981 correspondence
Document Box #34: Alfred Wadsworth; Seavey; Nellie Baker; Tibbetts-Hagan Collections
Four small collections: Wadsworth, 1844-1849, given by Lydia Ripley; Seavey, 1863-1913, by Mildred Webster; Baker, 1891-1926, by Nellie Baker; Tibbetts by Evelyn Tibbetts estate.
Collection #1: Alfred Wadsworth Estate, 1844-1849
Ten documents: Will, inventory, list of claims, agreement, letters
Collection #2: Seavey legal papers, 1863-1913
Twenty deeds, petitions, court case.
Collection #3: Nellie Baker Collection, 1891-1926
Deeds, will, stocks, letters, Knights of Pythias, school memorabilia, cards, postcards, bills of sale, certificates, vessel specs, bills of lading, receipts.
Collection #4: Evelyn (Mrs. Robert L.) Tibbetts, 1895-1910s
East Boothbay Hagan school memorabilia, letters, diary of voyage, medal; 1910s Stinson taxes.
Document Box #35: Hodgdon
Three inches of material gathered by Barbara Rumsey to write her 1995 book; mostly copies, vessels specs, clippings, title chains. Calendars, Rumsey articles, Elinor Froatz material.
Document Box #36:Josephine Newcomb Carbone
Three inches of school books, music books, personal material, given by Tom Carbone.
Document Box #37: Marson Collection
One inch of material of Mary, F. L., G. C., and Charles H. Marson: unidentified tintypes, clippings, letters, knife, bibles, including 1682 inscribed "Jenit Bone," probably through Leishman family.
Document Box #38: Elizabeth Andrews Collection
One inch of Summer Residents Association, 1946-1967, minutes of meetings, clippings, membership. Donated by Caroline Andrews Allen.
Document Box #39: Whitney Wright
One inch of Whitney Wright weather records, 1971-1994.
Document Box #40: MAPBO
Two inches of David Dash files on Maine Association of Passenger Boat Owners, given by Marion Dash.
Folder #1: Papers relating to formation and by-laws, 1954-1957, thirteen documents
Folder #2: Membership lists and matters, twelve documents, 1956-1961
Folder #3: Correspondence, 1956-1963, eighteen letters
Folder #4: Correspondence with NJ, NY, and other Passenger Boat Associations
Folder #5: Minutes of Meetings, 1956-1958, eleven documents
Folder #6: Public Law 519 and other regulations, letters, clippings, fifty-two documents, 1956-1963
Folder #7: Blank forms, envelopes, advertisements
Folder #8: 1957 and 1958 clippings
Document Box #41: Passenger Boat Brochures, 1940-1972
Two inches of brochures from various sources and Marion Dash. Balmy Days, Richard T. II, Holiday, Viking, Magnum, Argo, Linekin, Nellie G., Maranbo, Goodtimes, Fish Hawk, Mystery, Buccaneer, Stardust, Andiamo, MAPBO.
Document Box #42: Marion and Dave Dash Papers
Clippings, memorabilia, postcards (in process), given by Marion Dash.
Document Boxes #43 and #44: Windjammer Days
Windjammer Days started in 1963, originated by Captain Dave Dash. Five inches of material compiled by Dave and Marion Dash: twenty-six folders, each covering one year, containing letters, clippings, photos, news releases, expenses memos, posters, invitations. Missing between 1963 and 1998 are 1968-1974; 1995-1996.
Document Box #45: Boothbay House Project
Four inches, including forty-five pages of text, consisting of a list of 312 pre-World War II houses, keyed to map/lot numbers, with accompanying text by older residents and keyed photos of each house, created by Barbara Rumsey. Partially created with a 1996/1997 20th Century Grant. Barbara drove the roads of Boothbay with, principally, Red Giles to learn the histories of the houses. Other informants: George Campbell, Vincent Lewis, Florence Harrold, Lester Barter.
• The finding aid for the document box collection consists of a thirty-five page computerized list of contents of the boxes.
Collection #9
Original Documents
This file is intended to segregate the older material from the more recent. There are about thirty-five 1700s documents and about 160 1800s documents. Perhaps the documents should be rearranged into appropriate document boxes. All the town affairs came, according to Jim Stevens, from the estate of a Dr. Hahn of Bremen or Bristol before 1985. They were offered first to the town and the town didn't want them. Jim paid $400 for them.
• The finding aid consists of a three-page computerized list.
Collection #10
Oral History Videos
Barbara Rumsey (Hartford before 1991) made videos of older Boothbay region residents and sites, principally in 1987 and 1988. There are 28 oral history videos. A MHRAB grant was provided to transcribe some of the videos in 1995.
Videos:
Carroll Gray, 75, Boothbay resident, was recorded seven times from September 1987 to January 1988. Transcribed, the video totals 25,000 words.
Video of Edgecomb 1940s memories recorded November 1987.
Cecil Pierce, born 1906, recorded his memories of Southport teacher Violet Smith.
Violet's daughter, Emolyn Pratt, also recorded her memories. Transcribed, Cecil's totals 600 words.
Video of the operation of a lobster pound.
Video of lobstering and making lobster stew.
Video of making a Queen Anne tea table.
Video of making windows.
Video of Boothbay mill sites with John Welsh.
Video of moving Cameron house/museum.
Video of Barters Island oak tree
Ethelyn Giles, born 1904, retired local realtor, was recorded many times starting in July 1987. Transcribed, the video totals 13,000 words.
Evelyn Luther Pratt, 97 in 1987, Southport resident, was recorded twice in August 1987.
Transcribed, the video totals 5,000 words.
Fozena Dunton Sprague, born 1901, Boothbay Harbor resident, was recorded a few time in summer 1988. Transcribed, the video totals 12,000 words.
Katherine Thompson Buck, born 1902, Southport resident, was recorded twice in February 1988. Transcribed, totals 4,400 words.
Reuben McFarland, 76 in 1987, Boothbay resident, was recorded in December 1987 and October 1988. Transcribed, the video totals 6,700 words.
Wendell Lewis, born 1898, Boothbay resident, was recorded in January 1988. Transcribed, the video totals 3,300 words.
Asa Tupper, born 1898, Boothbay Harbor resident/lawyer, 1988 walking tour of Harbor.
Video of memories of Mill Cove Hodgdons, with Carroll Gray.
Hazel McCobb Poore, born 1909, recorded October 1987, 35 minutes, about Alna and Boothbay.
Harold Clifford, 93, recorded May 1987, 25 minutes.
Jim Stevens, born 1912, recorded 40 minutes describing old tools at Wiscasset jail.
Video of minesweeper days memories, with brother Tunk, and Buck Hasch.
John Moses (79) and Carol Joy (80), Southport summer residents, recorded September 1987, 45 minutes.
Doc Rockwell, memories about him of Ruth Gardner, Ruth Potter, and Nora Brewer.
Chip Griffin, 1987 two-hour talk on Damariscove.
East Boothbay Methodist church anniversary, 1988.
Videos of local interest borrowed and copied: