Thomaston considering purchase of oil painting

THOMASTON — An oil painting of Capt. Samuel Watts — a benefactor who donated Watts Hall to the community and established a “worthy poor” fund — may soon be owned by the town.

The 29 1/4-inch-by-24-inch oil on canvas in a gilded frame is for sale by American Antiques on Main Street. The asking price: $4,000, according to Town Manager Valmore Blastow Jr.

Selectmen expressed interest Monday in buying the painting, but suggested an appraisal be done. The purchase of the artwork could be funded through donations or with some of the town’s charitable funds, Blastow said.

Where the painting would be displayed has not been decided, he said, but the “important aspect is that it remains the property of Thomaston.”

Buying the painting for the town would be a tribute to Watts, Blastow said, noting that the former sea captain and shipbuilder donated the construction of Watts Block to the town in 1896 and stipulated that income from the building be used to help the worthy poor. The building burned in 1915, but was rebuilt to a larger size the same year.

“In this area, he’s probably the most historic person next to Knox,” said David Morey, owner of American Antiques, referring to Revolutionary War hero Gen. Henry Knox.

“It’s in excellent unrestored condition,” Morey said. “It’s been well taken care of.”

The painting was sent to Maine on consignment by a Massachusetts dealer who is Morey’s friend. Morey believes the painting is actually owned by Watts’ heirs.

According to Morey, Watts also donated the Tenants Harbor Baptist Church to townspeople there.

Watts was born in St. George in 1812. When he moved to Thomaston, he built his home on Knox Street, where Davis Funeral Home is now located.

In the early 1980s, the town went to court, seeking a separation of the Watts Fund monies, which allowed the town to do some major repairs to the building, Blastow said.

Since the block, which houses the town office, police station, an auditorium, meeting room and several commercial stores, was rebuilt to a larger size after the fire, the court determined the worth of Watts’ donation and a trust was established.

The trust, which is managed by the Maine Community Foundation in Ellsworth, was started about 1984 with $35,000, Blastow said, noting that the trust was worth $60,725 at the end of 1998. Interest from the trust is used annually to help those who are in need.

In 1994, a Thanksgiving basket program was started. This year 60 baskets filled with a full-course meal will be distributed to those in need. The trust had $2,400 available to spend as of Dec. 31, 1998. The baskets are made by the Thomaston Interchurch Fellowship Food Pantry.

Funds from the trust have also been used to help the needy in various ways, ranging from burial costs to hearing aids to firewood, Blastow said.

Anyone interested in contributing to the purchase may send donations to: Town of Thomaston for the Watts Tribute, P.O. Box 299, Thomaston 04861.