History journal maps Maine’s family transit

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A map of New England, I think, is essential in doing regional genealogy. I like to plot the places my ancestors lived and note migration patterns.

The Bennett brothers I mention often – Isaac, John and Nathaniel – were born in Gloucester, Mass., moved to the Maine town of New Gloucester, then came to Guilford during 1806 and 1807. Some Wharffs and Haskells moved similarly.

As we gather knowledge of our ancestors, we accumulate a number of migration patterns. My Briggs family came from Taunton, Mass., to Turner and then Parkman, for instance.

A town history, or a town chapter in a country history, will often give us patterns to remember and check.

In 1916, John Francis Sprague devoted the August issue of his Sprague’s Journal of Maine History to Guilford, which marked its centennial that year. One chapter was “Some of Guilford’s Active Men, Past and Present,” with a few paragraphs and a picture of several prominent residents – a couple of them women. Note the origins of these people:

. The Rev. Thomas Macomber, first settled minister.

. Robert Low.

. Joseph Kelsey, b. 1784, Shirley, Mass., came to Guilford 1817.

. David R. Straw, b. 1795, Newfield, graduate of Brown University; David R. Straw II.

. Henry Hudson, b. 1824, Canaan, N.H. Delegate to

Democratic National Convention 1868, New York City. James H. Hudson, b. 1878, Guilford. Son of Henry Hudson and Ada M. (Lougee) Hudson.

. Addison Martin, b. 1797, New Gloucester. Married 1) Lydia P. Otis, 2) Achsa Leadbetter.

. Samuel Webber, b. 1826, Guilford.

. Howard and Betsey E. Turner. Howard b. 1811, Turner; Betsey E. Sargent, b. 1813, New Gloucester.

. George H. Douglass, b. 1806, Litchfield. Married Sarah Edes.

. Robinson Turner, b. 1834, Guilford. Married Alma Liscomb.

. Moses Guilford Low, b. March 29, 1816, first male child born in Guilford, to Moses Low and Mina (Morgan) Low of Yarmouth.

. John Morgan, b. 1803, Yarmouth. Married Eliza Herring.

. Joseph Kelsey Edes, b. 1832.

. Maj. Stephen Ellis, b. 1803, Sumner, moved to Guilford 1826. Received title at time of Aroostook War, no active service. Married Almeda Robinson.

. Henry Douglass, b. 1838, married Ellen M. Ellis.

. Columbus W. Ellis, b. 1837.

. John Ramsey Pollock, b. 1849, Barhead, Scotland.

. David Pearson, b. 1851, Hadfield, England. Married Harriet W. Bennett.

. Joseph Cousins, b. 1825, Lyman.

. Archie Houston, b. 1864, Scotland. John Houston, b. 1862, Scotland.

. Charles N. Rand, b. 1838, Bangor. Married Lucy Howard Lyon of New Gloucester.

. The Rev. George A. Martin, b. 1873, Guilford.

. Charles D. Shaw, b. 1852, Greenville.

. Paul H. Knowlton, b. 1870, Knowlton, Quebec.

. Zadoc L. Turner, b. 1838, Parkman.

. John E. French, b. 1852, Parkman.

. Marcellus L. Hussey, b. 1847, Sangerville.

. Charles Sumner Bennett, b. 1867, Guilford.

. Charles F. Scales, b. 1860, Corinna.

. Mellen F. Ellis, b. 1843. Guilford. Married Sarah Glass.

. William E. Wise, b. 1864, Willimantic.

. Dr. Ralph H. Marsh, b. 1863, Greenville.

. Micajah Hudson, b. 1854, Guilford. Son of Henry and Emily (Martin) Hudson.

. Harry W. Davis, b. 1862, Guilford.

. Sarah (Lucas) Martin, b. 1844, Guilford.

. Otis Martin, b. 1844, Guilford.

. John Scales, b. 1852, Corinna.

. Samuel H. Boardman, b. 1868, Bangor.

. John Sumner Williams, b. 1864, Monson.

Deborah Roberge has started a genealogy newsletter, “The Pine Cone and Tassel.” The January issue is 16 pages, and the newsletter is published six times a year.

Features in the most recent issue include the naming of Washington County places, Stillman Watson of Washington County, A Cautionary Tale by Sarah Crockett on searching for Marshalls, Maine Natives Listed as Patrons in Nevada History, news of the National Archives branch in Massachusetts, queries, 19th century Washington County marriages and Bob Chenard’s ‘Dit’ Names in French Culture.

Subscriptions are $24 a year. Make payment to Pine Cone and Tassel, P.O. Box 533, Waterville 04903-0533.

The Penobscot County Genealogical Society will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, at Bangor Public Library. Penobscot County Register of Probate Susan Almy will discuss probate records, wills, guardianships and other items.

3247. BOYNTON-HUNT. Looking for descendants of Richard and Sarah (Hunt) Boynton of Sherman. Nine adult children: Charles, Richard, Edgar, William and Nizolla (Trafton), Rose (Stefferson), Sarah (McDonald), Philena (Woodbury) and Emma (Gould). Gary Littlefield, 123 Pine St., Columbia, Conn. 06237; Littlef@adp.uchc.edu.

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