The Boothby Family/Sawyer Family Connection Part II

The Memorial stones for Silas and Frances are of the 1950's vintage.
The original stones were replaced by family members around 1953.
All that remains of the original field stone for their daughter, Eva Ella
 is but a tiny remnant which lies to the left of her father and mother.

SILAS BOOTHBY

     was born to Nathaniel Boothby , Jr.(1782 - 1860) and Anna Milliken Boothby (1785 - 1821) in Saco, York County on February 14, 1814 during the period of the War of 1812.  Silas was one of ten children born to the couple.  He was a ship carpenter by trade, and perhaps that is what influenced his move to the Portland area.  After the War of 1812 and the lifting of the embargo which, for a period of time, had a devastating effect on ship building and the waterfront throughout the coast of Maine, there was a resurgence.  Travel over the roads was easier and perhaps Silas could find work in the East Deering shipyards.

       On April 3, 1839, Silas married Frances I. Baker in Westbrook.  Silas was 25 and Frances, 24 when they married.  You will remember that East Deering Village, a part of Deering, belonged to the town of Westbrook at this time.  No longer a 'colony' within a colony, Maine separated from Massachusetts.  Maine was an independent state, having received ratification in 1820.   Silas and Frances lived in the area around Lunt's Corner and together raised seven children:

• Frances A., born November 12, 1839
• Mary Augusta, born January 15, 1843
• Elmer W., born October 22, 1844
• Charles M., born February 2, 1847
• Eva Ella, born October 17, 1849
• Martha A., born September 28, 1856

     Eva Ella Boothby died on January 29, 1852 at the age of two years and 3 months old.  She is interred at the East Deering/Grand Trunk Cemetery.

It's interesting to note that the record shows Francis (male spelling) as her father, instead of mother.

THE SAWYER CONNECTION

     In both Boothby and Sawyer Family genealogies, Frances is referred to as Frances B. Sawyer, although her father was John Baker and her mother, Mariam or Miriam Sawyer; both spellings appear to have been used.  Here is what I've been able to learn from Eleanor Grace Sawyer>

 Benjamin Sawyer, the second youngest son of Isaac Sawyer, Jr, and brother to Anthony,Zachariah and Thomas Sawyer, of whom I have written in  previous posts, married a second wife, one Miriam/ Mariam Sawyer on August 1, 1771.  They had seven children; one of whom was Miriam/Mariam, the mother of our Frances Boothby.  Unfortunately, I have not been able to determine which branch of the Sawyer family tree Miriam is a part of. 

 Perhaps the fact that two of her sisters also married Sawyer men from Durham, Maine,  is a clue to her mother's lineage.

     Theodore Sawyer, in his writing From Back Cove to Quaker Lane,  recounts the story of 

the three Benjamins.  One of these is Benjamin Sawyer, son of Isaac Jr. and husband of Miriam/Mariam Sawyer. Miriam Sawyer,a widow at this time, sells a home and property to a

member of the Knight family.  Apparently, the remainder of her husband' s property is eventually given or sold to her brother, Zebulon.

  

     Little is known about Frances Boothby's mother except that she married John Baker on April 6, 1812.  Mariam/Miriam Sawyer was born c. 1783 and died before 1870.  Until her death, Miriam Baker lived with her daughter's family.  Miriam/Mariam is listed in the census records which I will insert here for your interest.  On closer examination of France's record of death, I noticed that beside her parents' names there is also listed the occupation of her father, John Baker as a cordwainer.  I wasn't familiar with this term, but I soon learned it meant he was a shoemaker.

     I am also going to include additional records which I hope will be of interest to those of you who want to know a bit more about the Boothby family.  I was amazed to think about these two people and the events that must have shaped their lives.  Both Sias and Frances were war babies, born during the War of 1812.  Silas died around the start of the Civil War, Frances and her children lived through the war.  Frances lived through the Great Fire of 1866.  Although, East Deering was considered the 'hinterland' along with the rest of the town of Deering, separate, and yet a part of what would become in 1899, the city of Portland, what transpired on 'The Neck' impacted the citizens and probably the quality of their lives.

Here is the only record I could find for John Baker.

Handwritten records always provide interesting information including the names of neighbors.  You will notice that France's mother is listed as Miriam Blake.  A misprint?

 Here she is Mariam Blake

   , You'll note the spelling of Mariam's first name; and her last name is listed as Baker.  As to why Frances Boothby is so often listed as Frances B. Sawyer, I have no idea.  Hopefully, someone reading this post may have some information including what from which branch of the Sawyer Family tree she is descended.

A FINAL NOTE

     Plans are underway to hold a Cleanup and Planting at the GTC on Saturday, May 10 in the afternoon.  The young ladies, our three Junior Girl Scouts have sent out requests for donations from our local greater Portland greenhouses.  They have measured the area for the perennial garden and would love to have help  on that day.  
Many of you who follow this blog live away, but for those of you who are local and live in the vicinity, we invite your participation.  Look for a flyer with details soon!

HAPPY EASTER!  HAPPY SPRING!