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.

Unraveling The Mystery of Mr. Joseph Merrill

A Bit of Background:

The process which has led to the ceremony we will celebrate on October 14, 2013, has been long(three years) and complicated.  When Samantha Allshouse and Kayla Theriault took on this Girl Scout Gold award project,"Unearthing the Roots of the East Deering and Back Cove Communities", the reclamation of the Grand Trunk Cemetery, they and we, had no idea it would lead to the discovery of the eight Veterans interred there.  They are: Lieut. Crispus Graves, Revolutionary War, Samuel Blake, Andrew Graves, John Sawyer, Joseph Sawyer, William Sawyer, and Joseph Merrill, War of 1812, and James Mosley, Civil War.  All but Joseph Merrill received recognition at the Dedication held on August 4, 2012.

Many years of neglect, disinterest, and vandalism made it nearly impossible to imagine that this cemetery was the final resting place of the first settlers of East Deering Village. All but eight memorial stones, some only partial remained.  Determining who is buried where, continues to be a mystery.  Joseph Merrill is listed among the 42 names of record, however, there was little information to allow is to petition the National Archives for his military records.  Finally, after several attempts, and with persistence and the invaluable 

expertise of the genealogical detective skills of Herb Adams, Portland Historian, and Cheryl Willis Patten, President of the Maine Old Cemetery Association, I finally received Joseph Merrill's military records in September.

The Drama Continues

A phone call from the VA saddens  and frustrates me!  It seems that a rule change from Congress passed in 2009, but not enacted until 2010, will prevent anyone other than a 'Next-of-kin' or one appointed by the family of the decedent from petitioning for a government issued replacement marker for the Veteran.   What to do?  How do I go about finding living relatives for a man who lived nearly two hundred years ago about whom we know so little? 

 Again, Cheryl Willis Patten comes to the rescue and with her persistence and skill, we finally connect with a living descendant.  Merrill R. Macgowan, gentleman from South Carolina, is the grandson of Henry Merrill , who is descended from Samuel Merrill and whose lineage can be traced back to James Merrill, the father of our Joseph Merrill.  After exchanging phone conversations, passing on family lineage information, Mr. Macgowan sends his  letter allowing me to petition for the memorial on behalf of his family. 

Several months later, after more requirements for further supporting documents, the City of Portland Cemeteries Division received the lovely white stone, but the date of death inscribed is incorrect!  

An Aside

Seven men named Joseph Merrill served in the Massachusetts Militia during the War of 1812.  One of these gentlemen, happens to be the nephew of our Joseph, born c. 1791, died in 1825, the son of Joseph Merrill's sister, Abigail Merrill and her husband, Benniah Merrill. This Joseph served under Capt. Alpheus Fields.  Joseph Merrill (the younger) was also married to a woman named Lucy Noyes whose lineage we've been able to trace.  I have also received his military records and a letter to petition for his stone, however, we have no idea where he or Lucy are buried.  The search goes on!

Back to Joseph(the elder)

Another phone call to the VA and verification from the cemetery office was required to have the stone re-issued with the correct information inscribed.  We are still waiting patiently and hope to receive the marker shortly and before our Dedication ceremony.

Who is Joseph Merrill?

Joseph Merrill was the eldest son of Abigail Brackett and Major James Merrill, born c. 1754 and died, April 8, 1823 in East Deering Village.  There is some evidence that he married a Lucy Noyes, born c. 1756 and they married c. 1788.  There are no other entries for Lucy Noyes Merrill.

Census reveals only Joseph Merrill's name and that he resided with two females; possibly his wife and a sister? or Mother-in-law?

After spending a dusty afternoon in the attic of the Falmouth Town Hall, I found a tax record from 1821.  Is this our Joseph?  Was he a farmer?  Unfortunately, there is such a little bit of information recorded and no indication of the location of the property.  I'm including it for your interest.

Tax Record From 1821

Military Service

Joseph Merrill was not a young man when he was mustered into service during the War of 1812.  If, indeed he was born in 1754, he would have been 60 years old.  There are some indications he may have been born later.  We may never know.  However, we do know he was a rifleman, serving in the Portland Rifle Corp founded on June 2, 1812 by order of President James Madison for the 'defence of the town of Portland.'  Joseph held the rank of Private in the 3 Regiment (Nicholas) Massachusetts Militia.

 

As you remember, the War of 1812 was an unpopular war.  Most of New England was in opposition.  In some cases, there was talk about succeeding from the union.  While there was privateering  by both Americans and the British, it was not until 1814 that the British began invading the northern regions of Maine, hoping to gain a foothold to the maritimes to Quebec.  The Maine district was pretty much left to its own to defend its coastline.

A handwritten document I was able to find at the Maine Historical Society library shows the establishment of the rifle company of which Joseph Merrill was a member.  Apparently, the Portland Rifle Company continued service until the late 1800's when it was incorporated into what we now recognize as the Maine National Guard.

The Uniform

Curious, I wondered if Joseph Merrill wore a uniform.  Here's what I was able to find out from this link:http://the miniaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=267840

The District of Maine belonged to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts during this period, so their forces were uniformed per Massachusetts regulations.Volunteers were uniformed. .......         The Portland Rifle Company wore green coatees with three rows of buttons and gold lace, white turnbacks, white pantaloons, half boots, and helmets with a brass comb, white feather crest, and red plumes topped white.This particular uniform may not have been too practical, but it would have been colorful. 

The Middle Image  Uniform of Soldier

Final Reflection

We may never have a complete answer to the question, Who was Joseph Merrill?  Never be able to recapture his past.  None-the less, this does not deter our interest in learning about our historical roots, nor from attempting to celebrate his place in the history of Portland and the state of Maine.  The Grand Trunk Cemetery is, as you no doubt realize by now, just a mere skeleton of what it once was.  Vandals did more than destroy stones, they robbed us and future generations of ever really knowing those people who settled in the East Deering Village.  We do what we can to recapture some memory of who they may have been and to celebrate their lives and their contribution, no matter how great or small.

This Is A Cemetery

(a verse)

by John Slaughter

A cemetery is a history of people-a

perpetual record of yesterday and a

sanctuary of peace and quiet today. A

cemetery exists because every life is worth

loving and remembering-always.

 

MUSINGS

     I feel compelled to share my thoughts, having just returned from the graveside celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of the Boxer and Enterprise off the Maine coast during the War of 1812 at Portland's Eastern Cemetery.  

The British and American Captains and an American Officer are laid to rest, side by side.

     The curator, Mr. Googins from the Maine Military Historical Museum was the Master of Ceremonies for the event.  Representatives from the city of Portland,Mayor Michael Brennan, the Maine Historical Society, the British Consulate and 1st Lady, Ann LePage, as well as the Maine National Guard and the Maine Naval Reserve created a wonderful, and solemn celebration.  Our friend and Portland historian, Herb Adams presented the Longfellow poem which speaks of the battle. 

      The commander of the Maine National Guard spoke about the significance of the War of 1812 in Maine's history.  An unpopular war to citizens of  the infant nation, only thirty-six years after the Revolution, and especially to the Maine district, still part of Massachusetts;  there was great reluctance about engaging in a battle with the British empire again.  There was also the issue of privateering  on the Maine coast; a dark moment in our history.  In the end, Maine rallied.

     The War of 1812 is often referred to as the second war of independence.  It certainly was that for Maine since the Governor of Massachusetts refused to send aid to the district to help in the defense of the Maine coast.  The Maine Light Infantry and the Portland Rifle Company were formed in 1812 for the defense of Portland. Eventually, these volunteer militia groups became the Maine National Guard.

     The War of 1812 was perhaps most significant as the catalyst to Maine achieving independence from Massachusetts and becoming a state.  

     I thought about the six Veterans interred in our Grand Trunk Cemetery, especially Joseph Merrill who we will honor in a month's time on October 14th, with a ceremony to dedicate his memorial marker.  Joseph was a member of Captain Abel Atherton's Portland Rifle Company, a special unit of the Infantry which was enacted by the then, Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1812.  Joseph, born c. 1754 was close to 60 years old when he was mustered.  My understanding is that the men called upon to serve in the  company were marksmen.  I will leave off here to return later with more about the illusive, Joseph Merrill and the journey to finally obtain a memorial marker to honor him.

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 11am

Grand Trunk Cemetery

TAKEN AT THE DEDICATION ON AUGUST 4, 2012