Description: Black and white image of the steamer paddle wheel boat "Lewiston" docked at Bar Harbor wharf. The Lewiston was the first passenger boat to make regular trips to Bar Harbor's wharf.
Description: Two page computer typed copy of a letter written by ACS to his wife dated September 29, 1864. He writes to his wife to let her know he is well and of the battles fought near by. He also pledges to send her more money after he has a chance to buy some replacement clothes. Talks of Captain H.H. Savage who thinks they maybe related. Hopes his wife is well and sends his love.
Description: 1867 Certificate of British Registry for the Schooner Alice T, built 1861 (too large to scan entire document). Official #42664, Port Number 46 Built at Dipper Harbor, Saint John, New Brunswick 1861, launched 10 Sept 1861. Length: 82 ft, 2 tenths, Breadth: 23 feet, 6 tenths, Depth: 9 feet. Built by James Thomson Dipper Harbor County of Saint John, NB. Tonnage 106 tons, 62 tenths. Owners: James Thomson of Dipper Harbour, Mariner, 22 shares, Master of the ship. James Edwards Hamm of Carleton, Loader?, 21 shares. William Henry Harding of Carleton, Surveyor, 21 shares. The Alice T wrecked off the Cranberry Isles in a snow storm January 18, 1867 with a load of lumber. William P. Preble was likely the Surveyor of Wrecks for that year as he was for many years. See below for further information on the Alice T from GCIHS ledgers kept by William P. Preble. See weblink for transcription of PROTEST OF CAPT WM. CLARK OF THE BRITISH SCHR ALICE T OF ST JOHNS N B ENTERED JAN 18TH. 1867. [show more]
Description: Charter document: Grand Lodge of North America (State of Maine) Independent Order of Good Templars, organized May 16, 1855, grant unto G. H. Pressey, C. H. Bulger, L. H. Bracy, A. M. Spurling, G. H. Spurling, Wm. P. Preble, H. A. Preble, L. G. Stanley, C. G. Kimball, A. Bunker, J. M. Bunker, S. A. Bunker and their associates this Charter for a Lodge to be known as Ocean Echo Lodge No. 157 located at Cranberry Isles… signed July 4, 1866. Wikipedia: "The IOGT originated as one of a number of fraternal organizations for temperance or total abstinence founded in the 19th century and with a structure modeled on Freemasonry, using similar ritual and regalia. Unlike many, however, it admitted men and women equally, and also made no distinction by race." According to a local 1888 newspaper article they met Tuesday evenings each week at Norwood's Cove School House. [show more]
Description: Photo album, miniature, clasp closure, with metal tintype photos, Inscription on first page: "Presented to Sarah M. Bunker by her brother Thomas J. Bunker 1862", some photos labeled with names.including: George Bulger, George Bunker, Clara Richardson, Harriet Bunker, Julia Bunker. Last page, handwritten: Joanha, Joanah, Johana"
Description: Document. Certificate: Augusta, Maine, 14 March 1860, William P. Preble of Cranberry Isle, State of Maine, as Notary Public for Hancock County for seven years. Signed by Scott M. Morrill, Governor. Certificate has an ivory and pink impressed and raised seal the State of Maine with the signature of the Governor below it and the notation: Commission Recorded Vol. 4, Page 173. Signed at bottom by Noah Smith, Secretary of State.
Description: Wedding Certificate, with engraved wedding scene, William P. Spurling to Dorcas Bunker (both from Cranberry Isles) 12 Dec 1869, married by Gilbert Hadlock, Justice of the Peace, in the presence of 2 witnesses, both named Howard, very faded writing
Description: Document, Probate order, with official stamps, sale of estate of Justus W. Gilley late of Cranberry Isles, to raise $170, sale to be 14 Aug 1865
Description: Letter 5 of 6 letters (with transcriptions) written 1865-1874 from Samuel E. Spurling (1827-1895) to his much younger half-sister Frances (Fannie) A. Preble (b. 1849). Samuel moved from Great Cranberry to California about age 23 ca.1850. In these six letters, he writes from Gold Hill, Nevada, where he works in gold mines. This letter #5 is from Gold Hill February 6, 1867 to Miss Fannie Preble from S. E. H. Spurling. Samuel mentions that smallpox is raging where he is but his health is good; winter not as severe as the last two; business dull; he worries that he’s caused offense to Andrew and wife; Fannie had been in Ellsworth for six weeks yet sent now news of Andrew. Uncertain when he will return home. Samuel E. Spurling is the eldest son of Abigail Cobb Hadlock Spurling and Samuel Spurling. A.B. Spurling (likely Civil War General Andrew Barclay) who wrote letter 7 is one of Samuel’s younger brothers. Frances (Fannie) A. Preble was Samuel and Andrew’s half-sister, the daughter of the widowed Abigail Cobb Hadlock Spurling and her second husband William P. Preble. [show more]
Description: Letter 4 of 6 letters (with transcriptions) written 1865-1874 from Samuel E. Spurling (1827-1895) to his much younger half-sister Frances (Fannie) A. Preble (b. 1849). Samuel moved from Great Cranberry to California about age 23 ca.1850. In these six letters, he writes from Gold Hill, Nevada, where he works in gold mines. This letter #4 is from Gold Hill April 26, 1868 to Miss Fannie Preble from S. E. Spurling. Samuel mentions the picture of Father and Mother Preble; he has not seen them in 19 years; Mother looks like Grandmother Hadlock. Says he’ll visit when the Pacific Railroad is finished; mentions Zulma (sister); Enoch and Caroline; problems writing Andrew and his wife; weather getting better; business dull. Samuel E. Spurling is the eldest son of Abigail Cobb Hadlock Spurling and Samuel Spurling. A.B. Spurling (likely Civil War General Andrew Barclay) who wrote letter 7 is one of Samuel’s younger brothers. Frances (Fannie) A. Preble was Samuel and Andrew’s half-sister, the daughter of the widowed Abigail Cobb Hadlock Spurling and her second husband William P. Preble. [show more]
Description: Letter 3 of 6 letters (with transcriptions) written 1865-1874 from Samuel E. Spurling (1827-1895) to his much younger half-sister Frances (Fannie) A. Preble (b. 1849). Samuel moved from Great Cranberry to California about age 23 ca.1850. In these six letters, he writes from California and Nevada where he works in gold mines. This letter #3 is from Gold Hill Nevada, Jan 9, 1868. Samuel says he’s relieved Fannie hasn’t married yet; mentions letters from Sarah, and from Andrew and his wife. Says he didn’t go to California for the winter and hasn’t heard from Emeline Truworthy; road closures due to floods in California; and severe winter has brought work to a stop. Samuel E. Spurling is the eldest son of Abigail Cobb Hadlock Spurling and Samuel Spurling; A.B. Spurling (likely Civil War General Andrew Barclay) who wrote letter 7 is one of Samuel’s younger brothers. Frances (Fannie) A. Preble was Samuel and Andrew’s half-sister, the daughter of the widowed Abigail Cobb Hadlock Spurling and her second husband William P. Preble. [show more]
Description: Letter 2 of 6 letters with transcriptions (written 1865-1874) from Samuel E. Spurling (1827-1895) to his much younger half-sister Frances (Fannie) A. Preble (b. 1849). Samuel moved from Great Cranberry to California about age 23 ca.1850. In these six letters, he writes from California and Nevada where he works in gold mines. This letter #2 is from Gold Hill, Nevada, July 3, 1866. In this Samuel letter mentions the photographs Fannie sent him; the death of Charles by drowning; the death of Uncle John Pung; their mother’s birthday is today (July 3) and he thinks she is 59; sister Sarah is working ‘out’ (outside the home?) and he worries about her husband; asks about Andrew (is this his brother Andrew Barclay Spurling?); and mentions the 4th of July festivities. Samuel E. Spurling is the eldest son of Abigail Cobb Hadlock Spurling and Samuel Spurling; A.B. Spurling (likely Civil War General Andrew Barclay) who wrote letter 7 is one of Samuel’s younger brothers. Frances (Fannie) A. Preble was Samuel and Andrew’s half-sister, the daughter of the widowed Abigail Cobb Hadlock Spurling and her second husband William P. Preble. [show more]
Description: Letter 1 of 6 letters (with transcriptions) written 1865-1874 from Samuel E. Spurling (1827-1895) to his much younger half-sister Frances (Fannie) A. Preble (b. 1849). Samuel moved from Great Cranberry to California about age 23 ca.1850. In these six letters, he writes from California and Nevada where he works in gold mines. This letter #1 is from Gold Hill, Nevada. In this letter he mentions he’s an old bachelor who has been away since his sister was a baby; his desire to go home but he is not going home; using snowshoes in Siena(?) County California mountains; and he tells a story, perhaps in fun, about the Paiute Indians of Nevada. Samuel E. Spurling is the eldest son of Abigail Cobb Hadlock Spurling and Samuel Spurling; A.B. Spurling (likely Civil War General Andrew Barclay) who wrote letter 7 is one of Samuel’s younger brothers. Frances (Fannie) A. Preble was Samuel and Andrew’s half-sister, the daughter of the widowed Abigail Cobb Hadlock Spurling and her second husband William P. Preble. [show more]
Description: 1868 diary and account book in green leather case with foldover tab. Diarist not identified. Typed note inside: "This diary is the property of Joan Jones of Pretty Marsh. She found it, a few years ago, in the house in Northeast Harbor where she and her family then lived. The house is now owned by Lydia Lyman. Sept. 30, 1983. The diary is on loan by Joan to the MDI Historical Society. " Mentions Harding, Nash, Wallace, Somes families; refers to frequent Lodge activities, sleighing, euchre. Typed transcription of diary available. [show more]
Description: Photocopy and transcription of letter from Wilson Mayo to 1st Artillery Commanding Officer attempting to locate his brother, Isaac Mayo, during Civil War.
Description: Resolution submitted by the Tremont Lodge F.A. Masons for publication regarding the death of Capt. Nathaniel G. Richardson. Consists of three handwritten scraps of paper.
Description: Letter written by DeLorraine Higgins to his uncle, reportedly Benjamin Higgins. Letter written from Baton Rouge, LA, refers to picket duty and food rations.