November 22, 2024
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Bradford history detailed in publication

Robert Marshal used a swallowtail in the left ear, while John J. Bither put a swallowtail on each ear.

Those are just two of the sheep marks featured in the fall issue of “Looking Back at Bradford,” published by Bradford Heritage: Museum and Historical Society.

Also mentioned are sheep marks of owners Isaac Davis, Sedate Bickmore, Owen Briggs, Joseph Ames and Daniel Plummer, mostly from the 1820s.

Other features of this issue are “The Revelations of Lot Number 97,” the James Braley farm, by Rodric C. Johnson; “A Tally of Human and Livestock Inhabitants of Lot Number 97;” and “A Lost Treasure of Bradford,” John H. Wilson’s 19th century account of his family’s arrival in town in 1806.

Glennis Williams Dunfee has given the society a large scrapbook of clippings.

Theo Bragdon has donated “Vital Records of Corinth;” “Cemetery Inscriptions from Stratton, Eustis, Flagstaff and Palermo;” miscellaneous Milo vital records, 1777-1896; “Vital Records of Clinton;” “Vital Records of Charleston” and cemetery inscriptions; “Vital Records of LaGrange,” with cemetery inscriptions; voter registration lists, militia rolls; and “Vital Records of Kenduskeag.”

The museum is housed in the basement of John B. Curtis Free Public Library. Bradford Heritage now has in binders, a copy of the First Record Book of Blakesburgh, 1818-1854; Intentions and Marriage, 1844-1940; and Births and Deaths, 1863-1940. Also available are various odds and ends of certificates, marriage consents and vital records from the back of the working copies of the tax records, 1867-1885.

In addition there are tax records from the 1820s and from 1852 upward; records of fence viewers, sheep marks, sheriff’s sales and militia rolls; and a complete set of printed Bradford Town Records, beginning with 1870.

Dues for the Bradford Heritage: Museum and Historical Society are $4 a year. Checks may be sent to the society in care of Rodric C. Johnson, P.O. Box 11, Bradford 04410. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you would like a membership card mailed to you.

In the winter issue of The Shiretown Conserver, newsletter of the Dover-Foxcroft Historical Society, we find part one of Ted Bragdon’s piece on the Burgess Family of Dover.

Descendants of William and Mary (Knowlton) Burgess still occupy part of lot 2 in the third range, purchased June 7, 1834, by William Burgess, 11th of 14 children of Capt. John and Hannah (Moore) Burgess of Belfast. John was a fifth-generation descendant of immigrants Thomas and Dorothy (Phippen) Burgess of Sandwich, Mass.

William and Mary were parents of John, Hannah, Jemima, Mary, William, Harriet, Charles and Susan. This is a good example of a family that repeated first names in a new generation.

Other highlights of this issue are “Future Dormitory on the Move,” the Chamberlain House, by Nancy and Jack Battick; “The Case of the Mortgaged Teeth,” belonging to Orland Morrill; and an opportunity to “buy” a window at the Blacksmith Shop in memory of loved ones. The casings need to be rebuilt and the windows replaced. The cost of a memory window is $300, sent to Dover-Foxcroft Historical Society, 28 Orchard Road, Dover-Foxcroft 04426.

The Observer Building Museum in downtown Dover-Foxcroft will be open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 28. There will be special Christmas displays, recipes from the past and other surprises.

To join the Dover-Foxcroft Historical Society and receive the newsletter, send $5 to DFHS, 308 Foxcroft Center Road, Dover-Foxcroft 04426. Memberships are tax-deductible.

The society also has available an official Dover-Foxcroft throw, done in Foxcroft Academy colors with thread portraits of historic buildings, for $38 plus $10 shipping and mailing. Send checks to DFHS, 28 Orchard Road, Dover-Foxcroft 04426. Or you can pick up your throw in person by calling 564-0820.

3307. MUNCEY-LEE-CRABTREE. Looking for information on Muncey family from around the state and perhaps Danforth, and descendants. Also looking for Lee from Danforth, and Crabtree family from Hancock County and statewide. Robert Muncey Jr., P.O. Box 319, Winterport 04496.

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


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