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.
****************************************************************************** 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.
Thank you so much for sharing this!! This is part of our family. Roxy Boothby married my Uncle Daniel Torsey. Roxy's Mom was Sally Hanson Boothby. My grandma is descended from the Hanson family! So related through both my grandpa and grandma's sides.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found it of interest to your family.
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