New book celebrates anniversary of Abbot

It may take me awhile to get through the 232-page “A Centeseptquinary History of Abbot, Maine 1827-2002.” It’s not that I’m a slow reader, but that so many pages bring tears to my eyes, knowing as I do how much my dad would have loved this book.

Compiled by Wayne Bennett, Donna Runnels, Kaye Roberts Sakahara and Alice Hescock Weymouth – and nicely dedicated to Weymouth, without her knowledge – the book is a wonderful finish to a year that saw this Piscataquis County town celebrate its 175th anniversary.

The questions on the back cover give you an idea of what’s covered: “Did you know that Abbot had two newspapers, a band, four covered bridges, a fair, two railroad stations, a fox farm and a high school? Do you remember getting ice cream at Titcomb’s store?” Countless numbers of people, from within Maine and without, can answer “yes” to the latter question.

The volume is just full of history, and treasures such as George Rollins’ written records of the 1947 town baseball team, including: “August 17th – A twin bill was played with Monson and Sangerville. Jim Brown pitched a 7-1 over Monson and Dinty Moore subdued Sangerville 5-0.”

There are so many nice pictures, from The Moosehorns to Crockett’s Brickyard, the spring floods on the Back Road, the Abbot Village School Class of 1910, and the Abbot Fair with the old Buxton’s Store in the background – later Titcomb’s. Under many of the photos of homes in Abbot are the names not only of the present owners, but of original owners. And of course there are pictures from last year’s anniversary parade in July, a grand event.

Then, too, there are entries from Charles Bennett’s diary from 1897 through 1918, including:

“May 15, 1900. We organized a telephone co. this PM 12 members to start with.”

“June 11, 1900. Have been to Guilford with potatoes. Got the wire for the telephone. 930 lb.”

And don’t forget the lists of veterans, from the Spanish American War through Vietnam, including pictures of Clifton and Florence Carr’s sons who served in World War II or Korea, or both – Dana, Richard, Clifton Jr., Phillip, Alton and Merton.

The Abbot history, which was printed by Moosehead Communications in Greenville, is available for $20 at the Abbot Town Office, or at Mr. Paperback in Dover-Foxcroft. The cost by mail is $22, sent to Abbot Historical Society, PO Box 105, Abbot, ME 04406.

Do come to Bangor on Wednesday. In the first place, any time Cheryl Patten is speaking, you want to be there. The Smithfield genealogist is very active in both the Maine Genealogical Society and the Maine Old Cemetery Association. She’s coming to Bangor Public Library to share information on a fascinating topic, “The Art of Reading Old Handwriting.”

Come to the meeting of the Penobscot Valley Genealogical Society at 6 p.m. April 16 in the Lecture Hall on the third floor of the library. The program is free, and the room may be accessed by elevator.

In less than six months, the society has drawn 100 members. Join up by sending $5 to PCGS, c/o Phil Getchell, Bangor Public Library, 145 Harlow St., Bangor, ME 04401.

The Washington County Genealogical Society will meet at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at the Milbridge Historical Society Museum. For info, call Frances Raye at 853-6630; Valdine Atwood at 255-4432; or Gwen Lujan at 853-0717.

3222. STAPLES-HOBBS. Who were the ancestors of my great-great-great-great-grandmother, Huldah Hobbs? She md. David Staples April 3, 1803, in Newfield. Huldah Hobbs b. Dec. 11, 1768, d. as Huldah Staples, Nov. 3, 1830, Wellington. Wayne Bennett, P.O. Box 173, Guilford, ME 04443; emb@midmaine.com.

3223. HAMILTON-PEASLEY-HOWES. Looking for parents and siblings of Hiram Hamilton, b. 1798, Albion, and wife Clarissa Peasley. When and where was she born? They were parents of Elizabeth Ann Hamilton, b. 1838, Liberty, md. Edwin Howes in 1859. Did Elizabeth have siblings? Margaret Millay, 627 Fishtown Road, Liberty, ME 04949.

3224. KETCH-KEECH-DUNHAM-OLIVER. Have been researching United Empire Loyalists who went to New Brunswick in 1783. Especially trying to find more info on one John Ketch or Keech, who settled in Queensbury. He had a large family. One son, John, was married to a Mary Dunham. I think her father was Asher Dunham, but have no documentation on that line. I think the elder John, the Loyalist, was married to Mary Oliver. Ward H. Ketch, 35 South Margaretta St., Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972; or e-mail theketchs@hotmail.com.

Send genealogy queries to Family Ties, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402; or send e-mail to familyti@bangordailynews.net.