WEAVING THE THREADS OF MEMORY
There were eight deaths and burials during this month of September of residents of 'Back Cove' or East Deering over the course of 89 years from 1804 to 1893. Although this may seem a small number, it is but a reminder that these few names that have survived in record, are among 47 out of the nearly two hundred people who were interred at this cemetery.
Three of the deceased are very young children: two toddler boys, and a five year old girl, the daughter of the Irish school master who once lived in a small house with a shop on what is now, Veranda Street in Portland.
*Harriot Galvin was the second oldest child to be born to Timothy (1766 - 1836/8), and Joanna Illsley Galvin (1769 - 1840) in July of 1800. She died on September 21, 1805. The original monument erected in her memory read: "Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven."
*John Gould/Goold Blake was the son of Samuel (1793 - 1846) and Martha Gould/Goold Blake (1783 -1857). John was born in August 1824, and died on September 25. 1827 at the age of 3 years and one month old.
*Joseph Merrill Sawyer, Jr. was born on October 10, 1832 to Joseph M. (1795- 1875) and Dorcus Whittam Sawyer (1801 - 1856.) The little boy died on September 27th, 1835, 13 days prior to his 3rd birthday.
Unfortuately, there isn't any recorded information about the cause of these children's deaths.
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A husband and wife, married by the Rev. Samuel Deane on February 22nd, 1785, died in the same month of September but thirty years apart. She, Jane Lunt, never remarried.
*Joseph Lunt, a veteran of the Revoultionary War, owner of merchant sailing vessels, including one named for his wife, "The Jane", was born on April 3, 1757, the youngest son of James (1718 -1799) and Hannah Noyes Lunt (1720 - 1761.) He was described as a 'charitable friend to anyone in need ',who died at the age of 48 on September 15, 1804.
*Jane Noyes Lunt, was born in 1764 to Col. Peter Noyes (1731 - 1796) and Hannah Merrill Noyes (1728 - 1803.) The couple had one son, Peter Lunt.
The Lunt and the Noyes families resided on farms along what is now Ocean Avenue but their property boundary lines extended down to, and including land where the Presumpscot/Grand Trunk Cemetery is today. The division of property was drawn up by Timothy Galvin around 1831.
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The last three deaths are those of three women, wives, mothers and grandmothers who died between 1849 and 1893.
*Elizabeth Webb Sawyer was born on September 3, 1782 the daughter of John (1754 - 1846) and Sarah Leighton (1758 - 1830). Elizabeth was the wife of Brackett Sawyer (1775 - 1851). The couple were married by the Rev. Caleb Bradley on January 10, 1805. During their 46 years of marriage, five children were born to the couple. Elizabeth outlived her husband by 13 years.
*Tabitha Cutter Graves, was born c. 1782 , a daughter of Ebenezer and Tabitha Cutter who records show, lived in North Yarmouth and Falmouth. On May 1, 1808, the Rev. Caleb Bradley married Tabitha Cutter and Andrew Graves (1774 - 1860.) Five children were born to the couple. In their older years, Tabitha and Andrew sold property to their son, Crispus Graves who agreed to care for them until their deaths.
*Frances Baker Boothby, was born on March 23rd, 1815, the daughter of John and Mariam Sawyer Baker (1783 - 1869). On April 3, 1839, Frances married Silas Boothby (1815 - 1867.) Frances and Silas brought six children into the world during their 28 years of marriage. Frances Boothby outlived her husband by 26 years, dying on September 20th, 1893 at the age of 78 years. When Maine finally achieved statehood in 1820, Frances Baker was five years old.
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I have heard it said, that repeating the names of those who died long ago, assures that their memory will not be lost. I hope by sharing a little bit about these people, that they will not be forgotten, at least by readers of this post.
