Anthony Sawyer's Legacy

Prelude

     If has taken me much longer than I anticipated to compete this final section on the Sawyers of East Deering Village, perhaps because mysteries and new revelations abound.  It is clear that Anthony Sawyer can be claimed by a large number of people as a fore-father.  It's been my privilege to meet some of them, either in person,  or through the internet,  because of this reclamation project.  That has been such a big help in trying to create a picture, albeit, a fuzzy one, of people who lived in the 18th and 19th century, and to commemorate  their lives,  here at the Grand Trunk Cemetery; their final resting place.

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     Anthony Sawyer, was the second oldest son of Isaac Sawyer Jr., born on January 21, 1734/5.  The mysterious date is due to the fact that the United Kingdom and the Colonies used the Julian calendar until 1752 when it switched to the Gregorian calendar.  So most genealogies show a date of 1735 today. Anthony married Susanna(h) Marston on November 7, 1755 at the 1st Church of Falmouth.  His grandfather, Isaac Sawyer, Sr. is noted to be the founder of the church, and as you may recall, membership in the church assured citizenship in Old Falmouth and a right to property ownership.

     Anthony and Susanna produced eleven children; nine  boys and  two girls.  Some genealogies list another child who may have died at birth or early on.  When Anthony died on December 21, 1804, at the age of 69,  his wife and his off-spring, along with their spouses sold his farm to one Simon Davis, a trader from Boston on December 31, 1804.  In my last post,  I printed out  that document for its value in showing all of the familial relationships, and,  because it also shows the occupation of Anthony's sons. 

     One mystery still exists for me: Who or which Isaac Sawyer, merchant, and his wife Susanna was present and participated in this transaction?  I'm assuming that it may be a cousin, the son of Zachariah Sawyer, Anthony's brother.  This Isaac would also figure in a later transaction involving the sale of a vessel.  More of this to come!

     What happened to Susanna Marston Sawyer after her husband's death?  Did she go to live with a relative; one of Anthony's brothers' families, or  with one of her daughters or sons?  She died fifteen years after Anthony's death, on August 31st, 1819, but there is no listing of where she was buried, with her husband or in another location?  Another mystery!

    

Here are the obituary notices printed for both Anthony and Susanna Sawyer.

     You'll note that Susanna Marston Sawyer died in Westbrook.  I believe at the time of her death, that East Deering,  part of what we have previously referenced as Old Falmouth, may have then become part of Westbrook (Sacarappa), adding to the mystery.  

     The Maine Historical and Genealogical Recorder, Volume 4 (1887) contains a list of cemetery inscriptions recorded by Isaac Cobb.  This is only a partial list accounting for a few of the over one hundred burials at the Grand Trunk Cemetery.( I have made a few handwritten notes on the page.)

You will note that the man we know as Lieut. Crispus Graves is referred to as

 Christopher and his wife, as Hannah Graves.

    Thomas Sawyer was the first born son of Anthony and Susanna Sawyer, born July 14, 1758 and died in Westbrook on April 11, 1833. On January 31st, 1784, he married Susanna Barton at the 1st Church of Falmouth.  Susanna Barton was born in 1765 and died on February 6, 1805 at the age of 40.  You'll notice that her inscription reads:  wife of Captain Thomas Sawyer.  Thomas Sawyer married a second wife, Mary David, on May 31st, 1806.  After his death, Mary David applied for a pension since Thomas served in the Revolutionary War.  

     Thomas and Susanna gave birth to four children:  Dorcas, born 1783 and died June 23, 1803, Thomas Jr, born December 15, 1785 and died on April 21, 1807 at the age of 22 years, George, born in 1790 and died on June 13, 1808 and Daniel, born in 1798 and died on October 17, 1820.

     Thomas and his second wife, Mary David produced two other children:  Susan M. born in 1807.  No date of death is listed for Susan.  Another child, Aaron G. was born in 1812 and died in 1895.

     Susanna Barton Sawyer and her son, Thomas Sawyer Jr. are interred in the Grand Trunk Cemetery.  Captain Thomas Sawyer is buried in Westbrook.  His widow, Mary David Sawyer married a second time to  Moses Roberts.  On examining the pension record, provided by our friend, Mike sawyer, we discovered that Thomas's widow received payments for his rank as a private during the Revolutionary War.

     Another mystery to solve?  Where did the title Captain come from?  Clearly, it was not a military rank in Thomas's case.  Taking a look at the document from the sale of Anthony Sawyer's property, I noticed that both Thomas and his brother, Ephraim bear the title mariner after their names.  An 'Ah  ha! moment.  Could Thomas have been a sailor or even a ship's master?  With the persistence of Mike Sawyer, we made a discovery that would lend light.  Mike discovered a document for the sale of a sloop, called the Cyrus to Harvard College dated February 2, 1793 by Thomas Sawyer, Mariner in partnership with Isaac Sawyer, Merchant and Jacob Adams Cordwainer.  The document clearly list Thomas Sawyer as the Master of the Cyrus; thus, the title, Captain Thomas Sawyer.

     I wrote about two of Anthony Sawyer's other sons, John and William in my post regarding the connection between the Graves family and the Sawyers.  Both brothers married daughters of Lieut. Crispus Graves, Abigail and Tabitha.  Both brothers served in the militia during the War of 1812. John was 54 and William 51 when they served as militiamen.  Here is a bit more about them.

     John Sawyer was born on November 13, 1760 in Falmouth and died on December 6, 1842 in Westbrook at the age of 82.  He married Abigail Graves at the 1st Church of Falmouth on April 22, 1790.  John and Abigail has five children:  Susannah, born in 1794, but who died at the age of six years on January 16, 1800; a second daughter, Nabby, was born in 1796, also appeared to have died on January 25, in the same year, at the age of four.  A son, John was born in August, 1801, but died  at the age of 14 months on October 2nd, 1802.  Another daughter is named Dorcas, but there is no other information.  Only one son, Joel, born in 1805, lived a long life, and died at the age of 69 in 1874.  Abigail Graves, born on August 13, 1765, died on March 10, 1848 at the age of 82, is interred with her husband at the Grand Trunk Cemetery. 

     William Sawyer was born in Falmouth in 1763, and died in East Deering on May 14, 1825.  He married Tabitha Graves at the 1st Church of Falmouth in 1793.  Their union produced four children.  A son,William was  born in 1794 and  is listed in the Westbrook census as a laborer.  There is no other information.  Joseph Merrill Sawyer was born in August 1795 and died on June 1st,1875 at the age of 79. Crispus Sawyer was born on March 28, 1804 in Falmouth and died on August 24, 1873 at the age of 69.

     William Sawyer and his son Joseph M. served in the militia during the War of 1812.  Joseph was 19 at the time.  Joseph M. married Dorcas Whittam on November 18, 1832.  Dorcas was born in 1801 and died at the age of 55, on December 15, 1856.  A little son, Joseph Merrill Sawyer, Jr. was born to the couple on October 10, 1832, but died just before his third birthday on September 27, 1835. 

     William Sawyer and his wife, Tabitha Graves Sawyer, their sons, Joseph Merrill Sawyer and Crispus Sawyer, along with their daughter-in-law, Dorcas Whittam Sawyer, and their grandson, Joseph M. Sawyer, Jr. are buried at the Grand Trunk Cemetery.

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     My attempt to create a picture of the Sawyers of East Deering Village has been an interesting and challenging adventure, and so worthwhile.  I have gained a great deal of knowledge and a bit of understanding about life during the 18th and early 19th centuries, and, a tremendous respect for those early settlers.  My picture will remain incomplete and fuzzy, but I hope that descendants of Anthony Sawyer and his brothers, children and grandchildren will find some of this valuable.  For the rest of you who read this blog, I hope it peaks your interest enough to inspire you to take a walk into the Grand Trunk Cemetery to remember those folks who are a part of our history and whose lives inform our present; Portland, Maine today.

     Happy Thanksgiving to all!  More discoveries yet to come, after the holidays!

Anthony, Zachariah and Thomas Sawyer

Old Falmouth 1754

     

Anthony Sawyer, age nineteen, was assigned along with his fellow  Militiamen to guard his Excellency, Governor, William Shirley, Esq, during a twelve day conference with the Norridgewalk and Penobscot Chiefs resulting in the Treaty of Falmouth.  The purpose of these proceedings was to bolster the tenuous relationship with the Indians to encourage them to act on behalf of the Governors of the colonies to encourage and persuade other Tribes to remain neutral in the continuing conflict between the French and the English.  This Treaty is one of many over 50 years of conflict since European pilgrims set foot in the new world.  The end result is that the seven year war that we know as the French and Indian War intensified that same year. 

Record of Muster Roll 1757

Anthony, and his brother Zachariah Sawyer served in the Back Cove Company of  Capt. Isaac Illsley.  There is also a Thomas Sawyer, who some present living relatives believe to be Anthony and Zachariah's younger brother.  However, most of the documentation I have been able to find, indicate that Thomas, born c. 1747/8, would have been a mere child of ten in 1757.  I surmise, this Thomas Sawyer,  may have been the youngest son of Isaac Sawyer, Sr, the uncle of the younger Sawyers.  This Thomas was born in 1711 and died in 1765.

Historical Digression

You'll forgive me for back tracking a bit.  I need to do this for myself as much as for anyone who reads this post.  The history of the East Deering/Back Cove Community is complicated and it is very difficult to try to create a picture of what life was like for these early settlers for several good reasons: the use and over-use of forenames, inaccurate records of births and deaths, records lost and the continuous conflicts between the Natives and the colonists, the impact of being a colony within a colony, the pressure of expansionism, and the effect of continuing war between the French and the British.

Ancient Falmouth was a large territory encompassing present day Falmouth, extending to today's neighboring cities of Portland and Westbrook, and extending into South Portland and Cape Elizabeth.  At one time, East Deering, North Deering and part of Portland down to Deering Oaks, belonged to Stroudwater (Westbrook).  During the mid 1700's, there was a re-settlement of Falmouth as conflicts with the Native Tribes lessened.

 "The population of Maine began to grow, encouraged by an open offer by Massachusetts of 100 acre- lots free to anyone who would settle the northern province.  The population doubled from 12,000 to 24,000 between 1743 and 1763.  By the end of the century, the number of Maine settlers had grown to more than 150,000."
http://www.state.me.us/legis/general/history/hstry3.htm

 It seems that the Indian settlement at Presumpscot Falls was the last in the area, and the Indians, tired of their hunting and fishing grounds being encroached upon by the settlers who moved back into the region, and established their farms and homesteads,  moved more northward.  

Beginning in 1636, each town and village was required to form their own militia units for protection, as there was no standing army at the time.  Militiamen furnished their own weapons.  Many militia units or companies made up a regiment.

"There are many tales of the French and Indian Wars in other places such as New York and Massachusetts, but Maine was pretty bloody as well.  At one point, white settlers were driven from Maine as far back as York.  There were no white people north of York."

David Googins, President of Maine Military Historical Society 

 If  I imagined a bucolic setting where these early settlers lived, I was mistaken.  Something that Herb Adams said during his speech at the Dedication of Joseph Merrill's memorial stone resonated with me.  I paraphrase here:  these men, moved back and forth between being 'at the ready' for conflict as citizen soldiers, and their lives as fathers, grandfathers, husbands, farmers, land owners, laborers, merchants; all pioneers of a new land.  

Social Life

Life in the mid 1700's centered around the farms, the waterfront, and the church. It was hard work.  Baptism in the 1st Church of Falmouth seemed to establish residency and entitled men to the 100 acre lot for setting up their homesteads and farms. Women in their own right did not own property.  However, if a widow, a woman could own one third of her husbands estate in her own right and she could engage in selling and purchasing land.  We'll see an example of this later.

If you recall, Isaac Sawyer, Sr. arrived in Falmouth about 1720 and purchases land.  He brought his wife and  children to settle in Falmouth.  The oldest son, Isaac Sawyer , Jr.will become the father of Anthony, Zachariah and Thomas Sawyer and eight other children.

Theodore Sawyer, whom I referred to in earlier postings, writes extensively about the land purchases and sales of property which accounted for the settling of East Deering and Back Cove, and a bit of the history of our Grand Trunk Cemetery. All of these folks are involved and part of the story.

Zachariah Sawyer is the oldest son of Isaac, Jr. born c. 1733.  He was baptized in the 1st Church of Falmouth on June 10, 1733, and later married Sarah Knight there on August 27, 1754.  He was twenty-one, she was 19 years old.  They produced 10 children; although one child died early.   When Sarah died, Zachariah remarried Susanna Watson Skillings, widow of Isaac Skillings, on May 2, 1784, possibly in Gorham.

Zachariah's son Brackett Sawyer is buried along with his wife, Elizabeth Webb Sawyer, in the Grand Trunk Cemetery.  Brackett was born on March 4, 1775 and died on April 21, 1851.  He married Elizabeth on January 10, 1805 in Westbrook.  Elizabeth and Brackett produced six children, although one child died at the age of five years.  Brackett's occupation was that of 'housewright';i.e. carpenter.

Thomas Sawyer, born c. 1747/8, ( some records have him born in 1742), was also baptized at the 1st Church of Falmouth.  Thomas also marries a member of the Knight family as indicated by Theodore Sawyer.  Thomas marries Eunice Knight, born 1747, on May 15, 1768.  They produce six children.  An interesting fact is that Theodore Sawyer is descended  from both Anthony Sawyer and his brother Thomas.   (Note:  for those of you who may have picked up on my earlier mistake indicating he was descended from Hannah Sawyer,  here is Theodore's lineage; 'thanks!' to Mike Sawyer): Isaac Sawyer, Jr.>  Anthony Sawyer > Asa Sawyer > Simeon Knight Sawyer > Eugene Sawyer > Ted Sawyer.

Isaac Sawyer, Jr. >  Thomas Sawyer > Benjamin Sawyer > Lewis Bean Sawyer > Sophia Knight Sawyer > Eugene Sawyer > Ted Sawyer.

  I imagine that the close family ties to land ownership, and reliance on neighbors for security, as well as  membership in the church, brought about many of these marriages.

Anthony Sawyer, the second oldest of Isaac Sawyer, Jr's sons, accounts for most of the Sawyer family members buried in the Grand Trunk Cemetery.  Anthony was born on January 21, 1735 and died on June 21, 1804.  He was baptized at the 1st Church of Falmouth in 1735 and later married Susanna Marston there on November 7, 1755.  He was twenty years of age; she was 17.  They raised eleven children.  As previously indicated, Anthony served as a guard to Governor William Shirley at the Treaty of Falmouth in 1754.

Some of Anthony's living relatives say he was a Tory and supported the King.  This would not have been unusual.  However, later as the colonies move toward revolution, it raises questions for all the citizens of the colony within a colony.  Which side would they support.  Perhaps the most interesting document I've been able to find is the sale of Anthony's farm after his death by his wife and children to Simon Davis, a trader from Boston.  This is the first time that I was able to see all the names and occupations listed.  It lends a great deal of insight into some of the names that have become familiar and associated with our Grand Trunk Cemetery.



KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That we Susanna Sawyer, Widow Isaac Sawyer, merchant and Susanna and his in her right, Thomas Sawyer, Mariner John Sawyer, William Sawyer, Yeoman, Ephraim Sawyer, Mariner, Anthony Sawyer, Asa Sawyer, Joseph Sawyer, Robert Sawyer, Yeoman, Peter Brackett and Sarah his wife in her right, Amos Knight and Jane his wife in her right, all of Falmouth in the County of Cumberland, in consideration of the sum of two thousand dollars paid us by Simon Davis of Boston, in the County of Suffolk, Trader, the receipt whereof we do hereby acknowledge, do hereby give, grant, bargain, sell and convey unto him the said Simon Davis his heirs & assigns forever. A certain parcel of land, situated in said Falmouth containing forty seven acres and five eighth parts of an acre, together with the Dwelling house, Barn and other buildings, standing thereon, being the same land, that Anthony Sawyer, late of said Falmouth, Deceased, purchased of James Douty and of Isaac Knight by two several Deeds, that is of James Douty, nineteen acres and one half of an acre, and of Isaac Knight, twenty eight acres and one eighth of an acre, for the particular boundaries thereof, reference must be had to the said two deeds from James Douty and Isaac Knight duly executed and recorded in the Registry of deeds for said County of Cumberland, being the farm whereon the said Anthony Sawyer Deceased, lait lived, and which descended to us, as heirs at law to the said Anthony Sawyer, Deceased. Excepting and reserving however, half an acre of said land, sold by said Anthony in his life time to John Trip, also a small piece sold to Robert Knight for a Garden.
     TO HAVE AND TO HOLD, the said granted and bargained premises, with all the privileges and appurtenances thereof, to him the said
Simon Davis his heirs and assigns to his_and their use and behoof forever. And we do covenant with the said Simon Davis his heirs and assigns, that we are lawfully seized in fee of the premises, that they are free of all incumbrances, that we have good right to sell and convey the same to the said Simon Davis to hold as aforesaid, and that we will warrant and defend the same to the said Simon Davis his heirs a assigns forever against the lawful claims and demands of all persons.
     And we Susanna Sawyer, wife of said Thomas, Abigail wife of John, Tabitha wife of said William, Abigail wife of said Ephraim, Joanna wife of said Anthony, Sarah wife of said Asa, Charlotte wife of said Joseph and Elizabeth wife of said Robert do hereby relinquish all our right of dower in the premises.
     In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and Seals this thirty first day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred & four.
     Signed Sealed & delivered in the presence of us Moses Merrill,
     Simon Sawyer Witness to the signing of Susanna Sawyer Isaac Sawyer & Susannah Sawyer. Peter Brackett & Sarah Brackett, William Sawyer & Tabitha Sawyer
     William Sawyer
     Tabitha Sawyer
     Thomas Sawyer Jun'r. Witness to John Sawyer, Abigail Sawyer, Joseph Sawyer, Charlotte Sawyer, Robert Sawyer, Betsey Sawyer, Amos Knight and Jane Knight.
     Susannah (her X mark) Sawyer   (L.S.)
     Isaac Sawyer   (L.S.)
     Thomas Sawyer   (L.S.)
     Susanna Sawyer   (L.S.)
     John Sawyer   (L.S.)
     Abigail Sawyer   (L.S.)
     William Sawyer   (L.S.)
     Tabitha Sawyer   (L.S.)
     Ephraim Sawyer   (L.S.)
     Abigail (her X mark) Sawyer   (L.S.)
     Anthony Sawyer   (L.S.)
     Joanna Sawyer   (L.S.)
     Asa Sawyer   (L.S.)
     Sarah Sawyer   (L.S.)
     Joseph Sawyer   (L.S.)
     Charlotte Sawyer   (L.S.)
     Robert Sawyer   (L.S.)
     Betsey Sawyer   (L.S.)
     Peter Brackett   (L.S.)
     Sarah Brackett   (L.S.)
     Amos Knight 3d   (L.S.)
     Jane Knight   (L.S.)
     Cumberland S.S. January 1st, 1805.  Personally appeared Susanna Sawyer, Isaac Sawyer, Susannah Sawyer, Thomas Sawyer, Susanna Sawyer, John Sawyer, Abigail Sawyer, William Sawyer, Tabitha Sawyer, Anthony Sawyer, Joanna Sawyer, Asa Sawyer, Sarah Sawyer, Joseph Sawyer, Charlotte Sawyer, Robert Sawyer, Betsey Sawyer, Peter Brackett, Sarah Brackett, Amos Knight and Jane Knight personally appeared and ackowledged the within instrument to be their free act & deed.
     Before me,    Moses Merrill   Justice Peace
     Received August 13, 1811, and recorded from the Original    Pr   Elias Merrill   Reg r.

A Pause and a Reflection

I have decided that either I was asleep during American history or it had no real meaning, but for remembrance of some major events where I was able to make some tangible connections.  I think the primary reason why I am so committed to trying to create a picture,albeit, an incomplete one, of the history of these people and this time period is that it is a challenge worth pursuing.  These folks who lived more than two hundred years ago were part of the fabric of life in what is today Portland and the state of Maine.  Though we know so little about them, remembering them is important and they should not be forgotten.  Though our Grand Trunk Cemetery is not 'grand' like many others of the well cared for cemeteries around the state, we attempt to preserve and treat with dignity the  final resting place of these settlers , and try remember what we can learn about their lives,  and, once in a while, repeat their names. 

Someone sent me an e mail shortly after the Dedication ceremony congratulating Samantha and Kayla for undertaking the project and us, for putting together the ceremony. The final comment, however, bothered me.  This person felt the ceremony was more of a tribute to all of us rather than'old Joseph; he didn't do much!'  I wonder, do we measure a person's value based only on their'great' accomplishments?   I leave you with that final thought for now.  Would like to hear your thoughts.

Highlights of the Dedication Ceremony

     The day was crisp and cool.  The sun shining reflected brightly on the white stones at the Grand Trunk Veterans Memorial.  The fence surrounding the cemetery was bedecked with patriotic bunting.  Chairs were set up to accommodate the expected guests; descendants of the honoree, Joseph Merrill and Friends of the Grand Trunk Cemetery.  

     Samantha Allshouse and her mother, Lynda greeted guests as they arrived and handed them the ceremony program.  All who took the time to come seemed pleased to participate in this long awaited opportunity to honor this sixth Veteran of the War of 1812, and the Veteran whose headstone is finally erected in its rightful place within the memorial enclosure.

      The Dedication received wonderful coverage by the local TV stations, and two well written articles: by David Carkhuff in the Portland Daily, October 15, 2013 and by Ben McCanna in The Forecaster, October 16, 2013.  These are significant not only because they celebrate the Dedication event, but they raise the consciousness of Portland citizens and beyond to appreciate how important it is to take care of our historic cemeteries.  Though the Dedication ceremony is a milestone, it is not the end of our efforts to preserve the remnant that is the Grand Trunk Cemetery for future generations.

The Roots of the present lie deep

in the past,

and nothing in the past is dead

to the man who would learn

how the Present 

came to be what it is.

Prof. W. Stubbs

  When your children ask in time to come,

"What do these stones mean to you?"

then you shall tell them that....

"These stones shall be

a memorial forever...."

Joshua 4: 6a - 7

Upcoming Events

Dedication Ceremony

                                    

The honor of your presence

Is requested at the

Ceremony of dedication of the

Memorial stone

For

Joseph Merrill

Veteran of the War of 1812

Monday, October 14, 2013

At 11 AM

Grand Trunk Cemetery

We hope that those of you who are local readers of this blog might be interested in attending the ceremony at the Grand Trunk Cemetery on Columbus day.  Parking is available at the rear of Presumpscot School.

Daffodils in bloom last Spring

3rd Annual Planting Party at the

 Grand Trunk Cemetery

DAFFODIL PLANTING PARTY

 AT THE

GRAND TRUNK CEMETERY

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20th 12 NOON – 3 PM

SPONSORED BY

FRIENDS OF THE GRAND TRUNK CEMETERY

WELCOME!

FAMILIES, GIRL SCOUT TROOPS, NEIGHBORS

We are requesting each group or individual  bring planting tools, garden gloves, & a bag of   DAFFODIL bulbs 

                                                    .

SPEND A FUN AFTERNOON PROVIDING BEAUTY TO OUR HISTORIC CEMETERY!

Contact Marianne Chapman FYI @ 775-0284

THE SAWYERS OF EAST DEERING/PART II

The Journey continues.....

     Theodore Sawyer created a document that served to give a picture of the areas we know today as   Back Cove, East Deering and North Deering, previously part of the large territory of Old Falmouth, and to lay out the trail of his progenitors.   I could, in no adequate manner, give attention to,  or do justice to all the material in his book.  I will encourage anyone who has the interest and seriousness,  to pursue the trail he laid out in Back Cove to Quaker Lane. 

     

     My purpose in writing this blog is to share the little I've learned as a result of this project, and to inspire readers to want to know more about the people laid to rest at the Grand Trunk Cemetery; to attempt to create a picture of who they were, where they lived and how their lives contributed to the growth of what we now call, Portland, so that the remnant of the Grand Trunk Cemetery that exists today will continue to be cared for and revered by us and future generations.

     I am a visual person and I wanted to attempt to create a picture for myself of the places to which Ted refers when following the trail of the land purchases and sales by his relatives and others in the East Deering(Back Cove) area. This is where they settled on family farms to raise their children, attend church, defend their homes. 

     My vision was blurred and narrowed by my adherence to what exists there now, in 2013.  So, I hopped in the car and followed the trail using reference I received from Mike Sawyer to give clarity to what I read in Ted's book.  By the way, I traveled a radius of about 8.7 miles.  I started measuring mileage from about Bates Street, drove up Washington,  checked out the Randall Street, Johanson references, took a left down Ocean Ave to Read Street until I could drive up Forest Ave to Allen's Corner, at the intersection of our  Allen Ave and Washington, I noted this is where the Falls Road met the Meadow Road, drove straight down the Avenue to Ledgewood Dr. to Presumpscot Street, down Washington to Veranda across to Martins Point and turned around and stopped again at Bates before going home.  It helped me to use my imagination!

GLOSSARY

provided to me by Mike Sawyer for my clarification.

OLD BACK COVE ROAD is our present Ocean Avenue

THE MEADOW ROAD is Washington Avenue, but north of ALLEN'S CORNER, it was known      as  QUAKER LANE

FALLS ROAD is the present Allen Avenue

THE MEADOW (referred to sometimes as the GREAT MEADOW, is the area north of              Ocean Avenue, bordered by Allen Avenue, Read Street and about Ledgewood Drive.

This is the area where most families lived on family farms.  

HANSON'S CREEK AND MARSH CREEK were tidal inlets from Back Cove which served to define the lot lines of the properties purchased by Col. Joseph Noyes and Major Isaac Illsley.

     Hanson's Creek crossed the Meadow Road at about today's Johanson Street and met     Marsh Creek, which until recently, still existed at the foot of Dalton Street.  Apparently it ran from Randall Street until it met the other creek, crossing the Meadow Road (Washington Avenue).  Veranda Street didn't exist yet.

     I mention Marsh Creek particularly because it is referred to later in the layout of plot lines which defined the area of our Grand Trunk Cemetery.  I am going to include a portion of a map from 1871 which includes the names of property owners and the location of their homes.

    This came from Mike Sawyer and helped me to visualize some of Ted's points of reference. Many of the names refer to relatives of Anthony, Zachariah and Thomas Sawyer.  Anthony Sawyer is buried at the Grand Trunk Cemetery, and some are family members who still lived in the area around what would have been Anthony Sawyer's farm.

Looking north of the corner of Meadow Road and Ray Street, you will see"S. Sawyer" across from"G. Sawyer".  These are Simeon and George, grandsons of Anthony who lived in the general area of the old Anthony Sawyer farm.

http://www.historicmapworks.com/Map/US/144/Westbrook+and +Deering++East++Deering

   Looking through some of Theodore Sawyer's accounts of land purchases, and reading the language of the deeds as they were written in the 18th century,  is an adventure in itself. Today we are a bit dumb-founded by the references to creeks, boulders and trees which marked property boundaries, but were certainly comprehensible to the citizen of that era.

    Another complicating factor, is the use of the same first name like Isaac, Thomas or Benjamin.  An example of this is when we  needed to ascertain which Joseph Merrill served in the Portland Rifle Company and who he was descended from.  This was a major feat of genealogical detective work.

  I've also learned that the suffix, Jr. did not necessarily refer to a son who was named for his father.  If for example, there were three men of the same name: say 'Benjamin',  each from fathers who were brothers or cousins, I learned that the youngest Ben would receive the title of Junior to lessen the confusion in the village.

SEGUE TO ISAAC SAWYER, SR.

     You will remember that James Sawyer was the first of the Sawyers to emigrate to the colonies settling in Gloucester, Massachusetts from England.   Three of his sons moved up the coast to the district of Maine in or about 1725:  John, Isaac and Jacob. 

     Jacob moved to Old Falmouth with his wife, Sarah Wallis and several children.  He died in Cape Elizabeth,  before February 25, 1767.

    John Sawyer is reported to have married Rebecca Stanford and may have moved to Milbridge, Maine. I have no other information about John. 

     Isaac Sawyer, Sr. is reported by Ted Sawyer to have purchased a farm from John Wass of Boston  of about 100 acres and six acres of marsh.  The farm was apparently located east on the Old Back Cove Road (to be). 

 "It was formerly owned by various members of the 'Skillions' family and is bounded by land formerly of George 'Ingersons' and John 'Weakly.'" 

 I believe I have seen these names in other documents and maps.

     Isaac Sawyer, Sr. was born in Gloucester on February, 14, 1684 and died in Falmouth on February 13, 1772.  He married Martha Bond on June 3, 1705 in Gloucester.  She died before his move to Maine on August 20, 1724.  They had eight children, all born in Gloucester.  The oldest son was Isaac Sawyer, Jr., the father of Anthony, Zachariah and Thomas Sawyer who are important to our story of the Sawyers buried in the Grand Trunk Cemetery.

A sad note:

     All that remains of this Sawyer family is  one original stone ; that of Thomas Sawyer, Jr.  There are small flat stones with brass pins  which probably housed a small fence marking a family plot. 

A HAPPY CONSEQUENCE OF THIS RECLAMATION

In 2012, we were able to honor three Sawyers with the Dedication of their replacement markers for their service during the War of 1812.

 

I need to leave off here, but Part III will follow soon.

     

THE FASCINATING SAWYERS OF EAST DEERING VILLAGE AND BEYOND

PRELUDE

It's been two weeks since I've set finger-tips to keyboard, but have been composing this piece in my head for much longer.  It's my process. 

      My fascination with the Sawyer family goes beyond the fact that they are the largest family group (13) interred in the Grand Trunk Cemetery and that they were instrumental in settling this area of Portland through their land purchases and sales, their patriotism and devotion to their family and neighbors.  

     If a cemetery is historical documentation of people's existence in a place and time, it is as much about  the legacy that forms (and informs)  our present and future.  When Samantha Allshouse began her research of the Grand Trunk Cemetery she was given the book:   Back Cove to Quaker Lane,  a book about the early history of the East Deering and North Deering neighborhoods, written by Theodore L. Sawyer.  A copy of this manuscript is on file at the Maine Historical Society library.

This is the family's favorite photo of Ted in 1969

     I would have loved to have met Ted Sawyer.  A wonderful and surprising outcome of this reclamation project is that we have had the good fortune of meeting Ted's sons, and their wives and grandson, Mike Sawyer, as well as Benjamin and Robert Sawyer and their wives, cousins of Ted.  I need to acknowledge Mike Sawyer because he has provided me with wonderful information about the Sawyers and is always willing to help me sift through the genealogical maze.  Ted would be proud that his Grandson is following in his footsteps and preserving the rich history of the Sawyer family.

     On more than one occasion, one of Ted's relatives has expressed to Samantha and Kayla how much their dedication and commitment to restoring dignity to this remnant of Portland history would have meant to Ted.  Like Leonard B. Chapman before him, Theodore Sawyer devoted time and effort to getting people to appreciate and care for the ancient cemetery.  I'd like to think he would be happy to see what has  transpired over the last three years.

     There is another marvelous source of information written by Eleanor Grace Sawyer called  "Sawyer Families of New England," 1636 - 1900 published by Penobscot Press, Camden, Maine 1995.  Mike Sawyer mentioned that Eleanor Sawyer  also wrote a third volume:  "Sawyer Families III:  James of Gloucester and William of Reading" in 2012.  

     

     According to Mike, Eleanor spent decades documenting all the male Sawyer lineage from these two immigrants from England.  Apparently, Ted Sawyer provided a great deal of source material to her about their Sawyer family branch.  The Sawyers buried in the Grand Trunk Cemetery are descendants of James Sawyer of Gloucester, Massachusetts.

A Necessary Side-step

     I am originally from Gloucester, Massachusetts, and was aware as a student that our library was called the Sawyer Free Library and that it had a wonderful glass floor in the upstairs Children's Library.  I spent many hours there as a young child, and more as an older student. 

     

      Each year, at graduation , the top ten graduating seniors received the Sawyer Medal.  I was not one of them, alas!   I did know from conversations with my parents, that they both attended the Sawyer School before going on to high-school.  However, thanks to Sam and Kayla's work, I am suddenly aware and fascinated by the connections I've been able to discover.  Readers who wish to know more about Gloucester and its history should access: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloucester, Massachusetts.

     Samuel Elwell Sawyer was born and died in Gloucester and was perhaps the city's greatest philanthropist contributing to many causes, but education was his primary cause.  The school, library and the medals are named for him.

     Samuel Elwell Sawyer is a descendant  of the first immigrant , James Sawyer, born c. 1632 in Lincolnshire, England, who came first to Ipswich, and then, in 1677, settled in Gloucester.  His occupation was listed as a weaver.  However, he was elected a selectman of Gloucester, in 1698.  His marriage to Sarah Bray produced eight off-spring.  Three of whom would later travel up the coast to Old Falmouth in the district of Maine:  John, Jacob and Isaac, Sr.  Isaac Sr. will became very important to our story about the Sawyer Family of East Deering.

     In 1977, my husband and I settled here in Portland.  Both of us were born in Gloucester. I feel somewhat like those early Sawyers who traveled up the coast and settled here.  Of course, we traveled by car, up Route 95 in just under two hours.  Their journey, more than two hundred years ago was much more perilous and uncertain, but nonetheless an adventure of a lifetime.

The Lay of the Land

     It's difficult to wrap my mind around what this area of  Old Falmouth (now Portland) was like.  Still more complicated is the fact that there was a period when what we know as North Deering, Deering Center and East Deering were separate entities, villages, and later, Deering was a city separate from Portland.  Actually, there was a time when Deering and East Deering were part of Westbrook.  I was amazed to realize that the town of Deering was much larger than Portland, and that it was not annexed to Portland until 1899.  This was done by the action of the State legislature, much to the consternation of many of the citizens of Deering.  I am including a piece taken in part from the Westbrook Chronicle, dated February 16, 1883.

     I am going to stop for now, but when I return, I plan to continue the story of the Sawyers and share what I've discovered about this family and their importance to the East Deering and Back Cove Communities.