1. society

Time &
Tides
Border Historical Society Newsletter
InsidethisIssue:
PowderHouse&Fundraising .................1
President’sMessage&MeetingHighlights 2
People&PlacesofthePast .....................3
EastportChronology&QuoddyCoot .....4
ChurchCorner........................................5
DownEastSlang.....................................6
MembershipApplication ........................7
UpcomingMeetings ...............................8
Eastport, Maine ~ Summer Edition
Fort Sullivan Powder House
by John Miller
A small group of this island’s
large and noble cadre of volunteers
has been working very hard this
summer to provide access to ... and
knowledge of... The
Fort Sullivan Powder
House on McKinley
Street.
For over sixty
years, Fort Sullivan
stood watch over
Eastport Harbor. It
was constructed in
1808 when Major
Lemuel Trescott was Cory Critchley
sent to oversee the construction
of a garrison on a hill overlooking
the island’s waterfront. During the
War of 1812, the British sailed into
Eastport, captured the island and
occupied it from 1814 to 1818.
During their tenure in Eastport the
British troops occupied Fort Sullivan as well. To safeguard their
shot, powder, flints, tools, swords
and pikes the British built the
Powder House...the last remnant of
the fort that so proudly stood sentry
over the island city from 1808 to
1873.
Every Saturday morning this
summer a small band of volunteers
has been working on the Fort Sullivan Powder House and the land
around it. The brush has been
cleared away, the debris cleanedup and a parking area developed
for visitors. Wayne Wilcox, Carl
Young, Ross Furman, Mark Young,
Richard Green and Russ Terry have
probably put in more man hours volunteering to clean up the area and
provide a visitors’ approach
than the British
soldiers
spent building
it almost two
centuries ago.
Charlie Curtis
has
hauled
and donated
gravel
and
financial support has come from
Frances Raye, Alice Cates, John
Grady and Ross Furman.
The new visitors’ parking area
and the cleaned-up Powder House
site now make two great places
to visit here on the island for a
glimpse back to when Eastport was
occupied by the British. The other
site is the Barracks Museum on
Washington Street. The building
had served as the officers’ quarters
at Fort Sullivan. Now a museum,
it was moved to its present location
after the government sold the Fort
Sullivan property in 1877. A tour is
a worthwhile study of early 1800’s
architecture, construction and life at
Fort Sullivan and in Eastport.
Our “Powder House Army of Volunteers” will continue its work over
the weeks and months ahead. It
Powder House Continued on Page 6
Fundraising Activities
Our big annual fundraiser, the
auction, will be taking place on July
3 in front of the Quoddy Craft Shop
on Water Street. If you have items
you would like to donate, please
contact Ruth McInnis. The auction
is an important way for the Border
Historical Society to raise money.
Please donate.
There are several copies of Kil-
by’s Eastport and Passamaquoddy
for sale at the Quoddy Craft Shop for
$50 plus tax. Also available Coastal
Fort–A History of Ft. Sullivan is by
David Zimmerman for $25 plus
tax. A limited quantity of Beneath
the Barracks, Archaeology at Fort
Sullivan, by Neill Depaoli with Hugh
French is on sale for for $5. There is
also a Bird’s Eye View Map for $15.
This is an 1879 map of Eastport. If
you already have a copy, consider
buying one for a gift.
The Quoddy Craft Shop helps to
fund the Society’s activities. Members may place crafts or antiques
for sale at the shop. A percent of
the sales helps raise funds. For
more information on the Craft Shop
contact Frances Raye.
Submitted by Leasa Garvin
Border Historical Newsletter Page 2
Official Publication of the
Border Historical Society
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
Frances Raye
432 Shore Road, Perry, ME
Phone (207) 853-6630
E-mail: [email protected]
Vice-President
Masiel Miller
Johnson Road, Perry, ME
Phone (207) 853-4637
Secretary
Leasa Garvin
28 Capen Avenue, Eastport, ME 04631
[email protected]
Treasurer
Eleanor Norton
4 Broadway St., Eastport, ME 04631
Phone (207) 853-2724
E-mail: [email protected]
Director
Ruth McInnis
1 Capen Avenue, Eastport, ME 04631
Phone: (207) 853-2328
Director
Kathy Lewis
41 Third Street, Eastport, ME 04631
Phone (207) 853-2961
E-mail: [email protected]
Director
Ronda Voisine
67 Key Street, Eastport, ME 04631
Phone: (207) 853-9594
Director
Helen Archer
33 Third Street, Eastport, ME 04631
Phone: (207) 853-6632
[email protected]
Director
Debbie Stuart
23 Hawkes Ave., Eastport, ME 04631
Phone: (207) 853-2576
[email protected]
The Time & Tides Newsletter is prepared
by a committee including Leasa Garvin,
Debbie Stuart, Helen Archer & Cory
Critchely. Send submissions to Border
Historical Society, PO Box 95, Eastport,
ME 04631.
resident’s Message
Barracks Museum
The Barracks Museum is looking better with the new coat of paint. The front was
done by John Marshall and the sides and back were done by the youth group last
summer. Three of the rooms have been painted and we have done new displays.
We hope to get the other two rooms done this year. We received grant money to
work on this building and Ellsworth Building Supply gave us a generous donation.
Eleanor Norton, Masiel Miller, Janet Miller, Debbie Stuart and I have been working
on the painting.
We are looking for volunteers to spend an afternoon form 1-4 at the Barracks
Museum. If you have a free afternoon and would like to help, please let us know.
Quoddy Crafts
The shop has been cleaned and new displays have been arranged. We have
people back from last year and several new people this year. We are open most days
from 10 am to 6 pm and we will be open some evenings during the summer. Eleanor
Norton and I have been getting ready to open for the summer with help from Debbie
Stuart.
Quoddy Dam Model Museum
The Dam Model has to be cleaned, wire brushed and Fiberglas reapplied before we
can fill it with water. Debbie Stuart, Robyn Stuart and I will be working on this project.
Submitted by Frances Raye
Meeting Highlights
The Border Historical Society met on May 18, 2007, at Shead High School. The
purpose of the meeting was to amend the current By-Laws and appoint a Board of
Directors, a slate of Officers and Special Committees.
An amended copy of the Society By-Laws was presented, discussed and
adopted by a majority vote of those present.
The following people were appointed as Officers and to the Board of Directors
for a period of one year: Frances Raye, President, Masiel Miller, Vice President,
Eleanor Norton, Treasurer; and Leasa Garvin, Secretary, Also a new Board of
Directors was elected. All Officers sit on the Board, along with five at-large members: Rhonda Vosine, Ruth McInnis, Helen Archer, Kathy Lewis, and Debbie Stuart.
Frances Raye was appointed as curator of the Barracks Museum and Masiel Miller
as assistant curator.
Also appointed were the following committees: The Powder House Committee:
Russ Terry, Victor Voisine and Mike Garvin. The Newsletter Committee: Leasa
Garvin, Debbie Stuart, and Helen Archer. Ruth McInnis was appointed to the
Programs Committee and to the Auction Committee.
Helen Archer was appointed Agent for the Society.
The Society is working toward building its membership and welcomes all who
would be interested in joining. We have several projects in mind for the coming year
such as restoration of the historic Powder House on Fort Hill. We also are looking for
grants and donations for possible restoration of the City Tomb at Hillside Cemetery.
Work at the Barracks Museum is ongoing and we would like to thank the people
who have helped to restore the Dam to a working model again. The Craft Store has
many locally made crafts such as baskets, paintings, pottery, jewelry, and many knitted and crocheted items. Please stop in and browse.
Submitted by Helen Archer & Leasa Garvin
Border Historical Newsletter Page 3
Schooner Dorothy could tell tales
By Wayne H. M. Wilcox
When I was growing up in Eastport, I and countless other
children used to play upon the remains of an old wooden
sailing ship. This piece of keel is located on the beach in
Shackford’s Cove (a.k.a. Houston’s) in the south end of town
not far from the former railroad tracks. Every time I walk “the
tracks” I would gaze down upon this relic from the past. I wondered what was the name of this ship with the pile of timbers
and the iron spikes sticking out of it on the beach. This wood
and iron are the last remains of a four masted schooner called
the Dorothy.
This work horse of the coastal sailing fleet was built August
1896 in Bath, Maine, by the New England Company and was
named the Goodwin Stoddard. In 1898 her owner was Charles
G. Sanford. Her gross tonnage was 887. She was 183 feet in
length, 38 feet in width and drew 15 feet of water. The ship
was originally owned by the Atlantic Trading Company. Her
homeport was Bridgeport, Connecticut, her master was Lars
Andreassen (Anderson), and she had a crew of nine. By 1916
her name was changed to the Dorothy.
By 1924 the Dorothy was owned by W.C. Reid of New
York and was under the command of noted Eastport sea
captain Charles R. Trynor, who took over the vessel earlier
that year. In the first part of May the ship was sailing from
Norfolk, Virginia, to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, with 1,140 tons of
coal aboard. Not long after leaving Norfolk the schooner ran
into a large gale and a fire broke out in the captain’s quarters.
The Dorothy was fitted with strong steam pumps and a large
amount of fire hose. Captain Trynor and his crew fought the
fire and saved the ship.
The Dorothy suffered a large amount of damage but
reached Yarmouth to unload her cargo. Unfortunately, the
captain lost most of his belongings to the fire.
Sometime between 1924 and 1927 Captain Trynor purchased the Dorothy and her homeport was changed to
Eastport. The captain was still listed as the owner of the
Dorothy in 1929. No doubt because of her age and the damage she acquired over the years she was listed by June 30,
1930, as “abandoned.” She was taken to the sand beach in
the south end of town where she was to be
broken up. Her top masts were removed
along with her bowsprit and her life boat
carelessly tossed aside on the beach at the
high tide mark.
The Dorothy’s fate was like other wooden
sailing vessels that outlived their usefulness–an inglorious end. She was broken Cory Critchley
up and the pieces sold for firewood. Jack
Original painting of the Schooner Dorothy by Lu Hardgraves
Photography by Cory Critchley
Wilson, who served with Captain Trynor on the Dorothy along
with others, had her hull towed into Shackford Cove and finally
beached. All that remains of this once graceful schooner is a
small part of her keel resting on the beach waiting for low tide
and children to play upon her timbers.
Leasa Garvin
Photos of the
remains of theSchooner Dorothy
Border Historical Newsletter Page 4
Eastport Chronologic Events
DATE
Feb. 24, 1798
EVENT
Town of Eastport granted incorporation by
the Mass. General Court
May 21, 1798 First Town Meeting at Meeting House,
North End
1804
First horse visited Moose Island
Dec. 1807
Embargo Act ushered in the “Smuggling
Era”
Summer 1808 Maj. Trescott builds Fort Sullivan
June 1811
Lubec (Lubeck) separated from Eastport
July 11, 1814 Fort Sullivan captured by British Naval
Forces under the command of Sir
Thomas Hardy
June 30, 1818 British Depart, Eastport returned to the U.S.
1820
Toll Bridge built from Tuttle’s Ferry
Landing to Perry
1832
Second bridge built from Pleasant Point
to Carlow’s Island and then onto Moose
Island.
July 6, 1839
First Great Fire of Eastport begins at foot
of Boynton Street.
Oct. 22, 1864
Second Great Fire
1866
Gen. Meade comes to Eastport to defuse
the Fenian Raid
1868
Saxby Gale devastates Bay of Fundy
region
Oct. 14, 1886 Third Great Fire of Eastport begins on
Sea Street
July 3, 1888
Electric lights turned on for 1st time–
generator on Leavitt’s Wharf. Water
Works begin at the same time.
1900
Washington County Railroad comes to
Eastport
Spring 1901
First car, a Stanley Steamer, visits the
City
June 1916
21 ships Torpedo Boat Flotilla, visits
Eastport
July 1933
FDR enters bay on battleship Mississippi,
first return to Campobello as President of
the United States
1934
Quoddy Project begins and causeway built
as part of dam
1936
WCA uses Quoddy Village as base for
work projects
1942
Quoddy Village taken over by Navy
SeaBees. Camp Lee-Stevenson used
until the end of the war.
May 1947
Mearl Corp. and Holmes Packing fire at
foot of Sullivan St.
Summer 1960 The movie, “Sun Rise at Campobello”
about FDR filmed in Eastport and
Campobello.
Submitted by Helen Archer
Source Eastport City Records
coot
Known anywhere else as a gray duck-like bird
with white bill and frontal shield, white undertail covers, and
lobed toes.
You know that you are an Old Coot when
•
•
•
You sit on a rocking chair and can’t get it going.
Your knees buckle but your belt won’t.
Your back goes out more than you do.
•
You hear a Beatles’ song from your youth on the
Music in the elevator.
•
Everything hurts, and what doesn’t hurt doesn’t work.
•
Your little black book contains only names ending in
“M.D.”
•
•
You can’t wait for Baskin-Robbins to market an oatbran ice cream.
You know all the answers, but nobody asks you the
questions.
•
The gleam in your eye is from the sun hitting your
bifocals.
•
You sink your teeth into a steak, and they stay there.
•
•
You need glasses to find your glasses.
You know what LSMFT means.
•
You finally reach the top of the ladder and find it
leaning against the wrong wall.
•
You’re still chasing women, but can’t remember why.
•
Your mind makes contracts that your body can’t meet.
•
The little gray-haired lady you help across the street is
your wife.
Submitted by Cory Critchley
Please feel free to offer suggestions and/or comments on our publication by contacting a Newsletter
Committee member volunteer:
Helen Archer, Leasa Garvin, Deb
Stuart, or Cory Critchley. Address
for comments or suggestions on
our organization to any member of
the Board of Directors listed on page 2 of the Newsletter.
We are striving for an active Society with an informative
Newsletter.
Border Historical Newsletter Page 5
GENEALOGY
Connecting to the Past Through Querry....
Marriages
Eastport, June 21, 1851
To the Town Clerk;
Sir,
As required by the law of the State, I herewith furnish you
with a list of the Marriages solemnized by me in this town,
within the year ending with date.
Names of the parties Residence Date of Marriage
Enoch Leland
Eastport
June 23, 1850
Rebecca Ferris
Eastport
George Batey
Eastport
June 25, 1850
Sarah Jane Campbell Eastport
William Van Horn
Mary E. Norton
Eastport
Eastport
Wilmont Lowell
Adelaide H. Wheeler
Andrew Bennett
Olivia Wilkins
John Swan
Martha Mascilathain
Eliphalet S. Harrington
Emma L. Carpenter
Benjamin F. Elliott
Julia Waters
Alfred Hoback
Margaret Somers
August 29, 1850
Church Corner
First Congregational MeetingHouse Built 1819
The foundation of the First Congregational, or Unitarian Meetinghouse, Shackford Street, was laid in the fall of 1818; and in the following year the building was completed. The following is a copy of
the agreement under which the house was erected: MOOSE ISLAND,
June 4th, 1818.
We the subscribers form ourselves into a company for the purpose
of purchasing a lot and building a Meeting-House for the use of a
Congregational minister.
We further agree to take and pay for the number of shares affixed to
our names estimated at one hundred dollars each share–and provided
the cost exceeds or falls short of such estimate we are to pay in proportion to our shares. Bonds or notes are to be given by each subscriber
for the amount of his subscription to such person or persons as may be
appointed for that purpose.
Any profit that may arise on the sale of pews is to be appropriated
for the use of the congregation, as a majority of the subscribers may
direct.
We further agree that the building is for a Congregational Minister,
such as a majority of the subscribers may agree to hire or settle for
a limited time or for life, without reference to any party or particular
denomination of Congregationalists.
And we further agree to be bound by the decision of the majority of
the subscribers in all matters pertaining to the premises.
Article from the 1975 Eastport City Report
Calais
Eastport
Eastport
Eastport
Lubec
Eastport
Eastport
Eastport
Eastport
Eastport
Eastport
Eastport
October 15, 1850
October 27, 1850
October 28, 1850
November 21, 1850
December 31, 1850
April 15, 1851
Signed, Kendall Brooks Jr.
Submitted by Helen Archer
Source Eastport City Records
Border Historical Newsletter Page 6
On-Going Projects
Ay ah Yes, OK
dooryard \’dor-yard\ n - The exterior area of a home surrounding the most commonly used entryway, typically the
driveway area; “Buddy does a good job of plowin’ out th’
dooryard.” A logical extension of “barnyard,” “back yard” and
“front yard,” it is likely that this compound word grew out of
a necessity to distinguish working areas from living areas. In
a practice common to the region, homes were attached to
barns and other out-buildings; dooryard identifies the exterior area of a home not given over to farming. A household
word in the County, dooryard is seldom heard elsewhere.
elastic \ee-’lass-tik\ n - A continuous band of rubber used to hold
separate items together, and known everywhere else as a “rubber
band.” “Go see if Grammy’s got an elastic for your pigtail.
fiddleheadin’ \’fid-ul-hed-din\ v The act of harvesting fiddleheads,
the edible juvenile fronds of
the
ostrich
fern
(Matteucia
struthiopteris), which resemble the
heads of violins; “Uncle Richard’s
goan fiddleheadin’ and he wants to
borrow your rubbers.” Fiddleheads
are a local delicacy, and a former
dietary staple of the Micmac and
Maliseet natives. They grow in
boggy areas bordering on rivers
and streams and are delicious.
Leasa Garvin
Attempts, some quite ambitious, to
cultivate fiddleheads commercially
have met with little success. CAUTION: Don’t go fiddleheadin’
if you don’t know what you’re doing: mature ostrich ferns (and
other wild ferns) are toxic!
At the May 4th meeting of the Border Historical Society, it
was voted to pursue the following projects for the summer
months:
A dehumidifier for the basement at the Barracks Museum
be installed.
A drain around the outside perimeter of the Barracks
Museum.
The floor at the Museum be raised and possibly a new
roof on the rear of the Museum.
The Quoddy Dam Model needs a new coat of fiber-glass
before water can be put in.
A new roof on the Powder House.
New steps in the entrance to the basement at the Quoddy
Craft Shop.
And also the Society has chosen to undertake the replacement of the steps going down into the City Tomb.
There is a lot of work to be done. If you have some spare
time and are willing to help out, please step forward and
volunteer. If you would like to make a donation, that will be
gladly accepted. The time and money spent will be appreciated and will help with much needed repairs.
Submitted by Helen Archer
.
I
.
Y
.
F
Submitted by Cory Critchley
Continued from page 1
Powder House
is a significant
contribution to
our community
for all of us to
enjoy and learn
from.
A great way to
say thank you to
all of the volunteers is to come
to Eastport and
visit the Powder
House and the
Barracks
Museum.
Cory Critchley
Plaque Reads:
Fort Sullivan Magazine 1808 - 1873
The Old Powder House Built by the
British Army During the Occupation
of Eastport 1814 - 1818
Peavey Memorial Library
26 Water Street. Romanesque Revival structure built in
1893. Permanent art collection. Public access computers
and WiFi. Local interest books, best-sellers, contemporary &
classic literature, children’s books, videos & music CDs,
genealogy & history section. Regular and special programs.
Hours are Monday 12-8, Tuesday & Thursday 12-5,
Wednesday & Friday 10-5, Saturday 10-3, Sunday closed.
Phone/fax (207)853-4021.
Washington County
Registry of Deeds
Phone: (207) 255-6512
Fax: (207) 255-3838
County of Washington
Registry of Deeds
, PO Box 297
47
Court Street
, Machias, Maine 04654. Office Hours:
8 AM–4
PM Monday–Friday except on holidays.
Eastport City Hall
78 High Street, Eastport, ME 04631
Hours: 7:30 am–4:30 pm Monday through Friday
Telephone: (207) 853-2300 FAX: 207-853-4712
Border Historical Newsletter Page 7
New Acquisitions for The Border Historical Society
The Border Historical Society has a few new
acquisitions adding to the nice collection of art and
historical items on display for the public to enjoy. Ellen
and Bud Grant of Georgetown, Maine have donated
two original Dougal Anderson paintings. One is pictured
below. Dougal Anderson was a noted Eastport artist. Both
paintings may be seen at the Barracks Museum.
Harold Robinson of Brewer donated a photograph of
what the power plant at the Quoddy Dam project was going
to look like back in the1930s. It may be viewed near the
Quoddy Dam model on Water Street.
The Society is thankful for these donations and
appreciates folks remembering the Society when giving
such treasures.
Clip and Share With Your Friends!
Border Historical Society
2007 Membership Application
Name ____________________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Telephone Number __________________________________________________
E-mail Address _____________________________________________________
Dues are:
$10.00 for Individual Member
$20.00 for Family Membership
$150.00 for Lifetime Membership
Non-Voting Junior Membership, under 18, $2.00 (if family does not belong)
Make Check payable to:
Border Historical Society, PO Box 95, Eastport, ME 04631
Border Historical Newsletter Page 8
2007 Upcoming Meetings
June 15: Movies: Helen Huntley,
Quoddy Project, and Meeting
Quoddy Dam Model Museum and Quoddy Craft Shop
72 Water Street, Eastport, ME 04631
Hours: 10 to 6 All Summer
Site of Fort Sullivan & Powder Magazine
Fort Hill, End of McKinley Street off Adams St.
Mailing address
PO Box 95, Eastport, ME 04631
September 21: Planned Program
October 19: Board Meeting
November 16: Pot Luck Program
December 21: Board Meeting
Meetings will be held in the Shead High School Band
Room unless otherwise notified.
Notices will be posted at:
Eastport City Hall
R & M IGA
The First Bank
The Quoddy Tides
US Post Office
S.L. Wadsworth
Time &
Tides
Barracks Museum
Washington Street, Eastport, Maine 04631
Hours: 1-4 Mon., Wed., Fri.
August 17: Board Meeting
Border Historical Society Newsletter
PO Box 95
Eastport, ME 04631
An organization of Eastport area residents committed
to preserving local history and operating the Barracks
Museum, Quoddy Dam Model Museum, Quoddy Craft
Shop and site of Fort Sullivan and Powder Magazine.
The public is encouraged to visit our sites.
July 20: Planned Program
Fort Sullivan Powder House
Work is progressing on the
Ft. Sullivan Powder House.
Pictured here as it appeared
in 1812, there is much work to
be done. Russell Terry, Victor
Voisine and Mike Garvin are
the committee working on the
project. See page 1 for more
information on the past work at
the site on McKinley Street
Border Historical Society