In Remembrance: Silas Boothby, November 22, 1867 and Andrew Graves, November 28, 1860

    Two deaths are recorded of gentlemen interred at the Presumpscot/Grand Trunk Cemetery who lived in that part of Portland, known at that time as Westbrook. One was born during the War of 1812, and the other, born just prior to the Revolutionary War, and served in the militia during the War of 1812.  Both men were husbands and fathers, and both lived to see Maine finally separate from Massachusetts and become an independent state.

    Silas Boothby was born on February 14, 1814 in Saco in York County to Nathaniel Boothby, Jr. (1782-1860) and Anna Milliken Boothby (1785-1821).  He was one of ten children born to the couple.

    On April 3, 1839, Silas married Frances Sawyer Baker, (1815-1893).  He was 25 and Frances was 24 years old.  During their marriage of 21 years, six children were born.  One child, a daughter, Eva Ella died before her third birthday in 1852.   Silas and Frances Boothby are buried in a plot near their little daughter.

    Silas Boothby is listed in the Census records for 1850 and 1860 as a ships carpenter/  However, at the time of his death, Silas Boothby was an employee of the Grand Trunk Depot.  His obituary reveals he died suddenly on November 22, 1867 of appoplexy.  During the 18th and 19th century, appoplexy was used to describe what we might say today is a stroke.

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        Andrew Graves was born on May 22, 1774 to Lieut. Crispus Graves, (1742-1818) and Susannah/Hannah Merrill Graves, (1745-1793).  He was one of three children born to the couple.  His two sisters, Abigail Graves Sawyer, (1765-1848) and Tabitha Graves Sawyer, (1782-1849), married Sawyer brothers and during their lifetime remained close to Andrew and his family.

    On May 1st, 1808, Andrew and Tabitha Cutter (1742-1849) were married by the Rev. Caleb Bradley.  Andrew and his brothers-in-law resided on farms in what is now the East Deering neighborhood of Portland.

    Andrew and Tabitha had five children during their marriage:  Ebenezer C. (1812-1884), Crispus, (1816-1879), Andrew M. (1819-?), Robert M. (1825 -?), and Susan M. (1829 - ?)

     In 1841, Andrew made a legally binding contract with his second son, Crispus Graves to purchase property in exchange for the provision of personal care for his wife and himself until his death.  The document is very revealing in that it mentions a location of the farm and the names of each of the children.

    During the War of 1812,  Andrew Graves served in the militia along with his brothers-in-law, William and John Sawyer.

    Andrew Graves lived a long life, and died at the age of 86 at the home of his son, Crispus Graves.

ALL HALLOWS EVE 2022

     

Sunday, October 23rd, was a very special day when Portland Girl Scouts and their families and friends gathered at the Presumpscot/Grand Trunk Cemetery to honor Girl Scout founder, Juliette Gordon Low, whose 162 birthday was celebrated on, October 31st. The Girl Scouts did so by taking on the task of raking and cleanup the ancient burial site and by planting 100's of daffodil and other spring bulbs. In offering this service, the participants also honored those souls buried in this place long, long ago.

    The Machigonne Service Unit comprised of Portland Girl Scouts and volunteer leadership adopted the cemetery in 2014, and made a commitment to offer service to the burial site by undertaking an annual fall and spring cleanup, as well as engage in other activites at the cemetery. By so doing, they assure that the legacy of Samantha Allshouse and Kayla Theriault whose project: 'Unearthing the Roots of the Back Cove and East Deering Communities' continues. The project which began with a Cleanup on November 10th, 2010, brought about the recovery of the Presumpscot/Grand Trunk Cemetery.

    It was wonderful to see nearly 70 people engaged in this project after three years of not being able to hold this event due to Covid protocols for large gatherings, and the on-going school construction project. Of course, there were also other fun activities: games, crafts and refreshments. Thank you to the Machigonne Service team who planned and organized the activities. A special 'thanks' to all the participants who did a wonderful job making the cemetery look so good! It really made my heart glad!

    

    This blog is dedicated to the preservation of the remnant of the Grand Trunk Cemetery, and is a way of keeping alive the memory of the people interred here. It is also a vehicle for recording events and sharing information to followers. Please enjoy the photos of the day of service by the Portland Girl Scouts and their friends and families.

THE WORK OF TODAY IS THE HISTORY OF TOMORROW, AND WE ARE THE MAKERS.

Juliette Gordon Low

    I would be remiss if I forgot to honor the memory of a young woman who died in the month of October, and who is interred at the GTC.

Mary Ann Barbour was born in November of 1827, the eldest daughter to John (1801 - 1869) and Jane Morse Barbour (1806 - 1881).

   Mary Ann was one of twelve children born to the ship's carpenter and his wife. Mary Ann Barbour died on October 7th, 1855, just one month shy of her 28th birthday. Sadly, the surviving death record has no information about the cause of her death at this young age.

    Mary Ann Barbour's maternal grandparents are Capt. Ephraim Morse (1764 - 1843) and Rachel Noyes Morse (1771 - 1847). Her paternal grandparents are John M. Barbour (1773 - 1850) and Anna Huston Wilson Barbour (1774 - 1881.) It's interesting to note that Mary Ann's mother and grandmother died in the same year.