Remnant: Grand Trunk Cemetery Reclamation Project: Highlights of 2019

A Pictorial Reflection

Snow is on the ground, the rain has finally stopped on this New Year's Eve day, a perfect time to share some of the events and happenings that took place at the Grand Trunk (Presumpscot/East Deering) Cemetery over this last year.

A decade has past since the work began in earnest to recover the once neglected ,and nearly obliterated, sacred, final resting place for people who lived and died in this area of Portland from the period of re-settlement when Portland, then called the town of Falmouth was subject to the British Crown and part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Some lived through the French and Indian Wars, the War for Independence and the War of 1812, and the United States Civil War. Some lived to witness Maine become a separate and sovereign state.

The place where they resided was first referred to as Back Cove, then separated from the Neck (Portland), became part of the town of Westbrook, called East Westbrook, until in 1871, the area, became part of the town of Deering, and is still called East Deering.

In August of 2013, in an effort to recover to memory the stories of these first residents, this blog; the Remnant was first published. With the support and encouragement from the city of Portland Cemeteries Director, two volumes of posts from the blog were published and accepted by the Maine Historical Society so that others who might wish to pursue their own research might find some of what is included helpful. To date, there have been 26,384 page views. It's a surprise, but gratifying that therre has been such interest.

Over the last year, the cemetery has been well cared for by the city's Cemeteries Department despite their changes in personnel and being short staffed. I can report that there have been no incidents of misuse or vandalism. I believe that people are far more respectful because of the care given to the space. In great part, this is due to the on-going commitment of the Machigonne Service Unit of Portland Girl Scouts who twice a year, organize the annual Spring and Fall Cleanup and Planting Parties at the cemetery.

The Girl Scouts contribution of service to the city of Portland at the Grand Trunk Cemetery is a genuine continuation of the legacy began in 2010 by Samantha Allshouse and Kayla Theriault with their project "Unearthing the Roots of the Back Cove and East Deering Communities." We are ever grateful to the young women, their Girl Scout Leaders and their families, and the Friends of the Grand Trunk Cemetery for their hard work during this past year.

Highlights

May 19, 2019

Annual Spring Garden Party

and Multi-level Bridging Ceremony

There were 30 plus participants

Girls and parents planted annuals.

These young ladies partnered with "Garbage to Garden"
and recieved bags of soil to spred in the gardens

The Girl Scout Bridging Ceremony where girls move up to the next level of Scouting

Claire and Janet Christopher longtime supporters of the GTC.
Claire bridged to Adult Girl Scouts today.

Flag Ceremony In Preparation for Memorial Day

A tradition was created over the last several years to involve Portland Girl Scouts in the laying on of flags to honor the soldiers interred. Girl Scouts from Troop 1756 had never performed a formal Flag Ceremony and I were honored to instruct them. The ceremony included a procession from Presumpscot School, the Presentation of the Colors, the reading of the names of the deceased soldiers, the presentation of the individual flags, and the laying on of the wreathes.

The Procession

Presenting the Colors

Honoring Simon Davis, Revolutionary War, and Francis Smith, War of 1812

Ceremony of Remembrance/Unveiling of Interpretive Sign

June 21, 2019

A copy of the Press Release

June 21st was a day that started out with rain, mud and humidity, a challenge to putting up the tent and the chairs. The sun came out and it turned out to be a wonderful afternoon of celebration.

There were 41 participants who attended; representatives from the City of Portland, Friends of Evergreen Cemetery, Spirits Alive, Friends of the Grand Trunk Cemetery, Girl Scouts and their families, and even visitors from France who were friends of Nancy Montgomery and Jack Vreeland, the wonderful designers of the sign. I think Anthony Sawyer who we remembered this day, would be pleased especially to see that two of his descendants, Stephen and Benjamin Sawyer were here to honor him. Here are some of the best pictures.

Particpants Gather

Steve Sawyer speaks about his ancesters

Flower Girls scatter rose petals on the graves to honor the dead.

Matthew Jude Barker speaks about School Master Timothy Galvin

Anya Ouellet recites poem "Ancestors"

Ethan Hipple delivers Greeting from The Cty of Portland

Nancy Montgomery speaks about the process of creating the sign
to benefit visitors to the cemetery

Ethan Hipple Unveiling the new sign

Musician Michael Albert plays for the scattering of roses
and throughout the ceremony of Remembrance.

Our lovely Girl Scout Flower Girls

Ethan Hipple, Nancy Montgomery and Marianne Chapman

The sign contains the surviving 47 names of early residents
and some history of the cemetery.

The Annual Fall Cleanup and Planting Party

November 3, 2019

This was the first year we actually had to use a rain date. It was a cool but perfect day with over forty participants. In addition to the cleanup and regular daffodil planting, the Girl Scouts planted 100 daffodil bulbs around the new sign to commemorate the 100 anniversary of Women's Suffrage, and they collected cleaning supplies and toiletries to benefit Portland's newest residents. I also shared a bit of history to usher in Maine's 200th birthday, albeit brief because it got very cold and windy. Here are some pictures of the day.

Finally, I will conclude this post with the wish that we, the Friends of the Grand Trunk Cemetery, will continue the work of preserving this little, but none the less, sacred place, to honor those who once lived here, and whose lives have contributed, in some small measure, to the history of the city we call Portland.

As has been our custom since beginning this project, we deliver wreathes to celebrate the holiday season.