Corinth group working on town history

God bless those people who take on the important task of writing town histories.

The Corinth Historical Society is busy researching and writing the history of Corinth, a job which has not been done since 1883, James Wilson tell us.

“We are interested in collecting artifacts and data on the history of the town: old letters, farm journals and receipts, town reports, diaries, photos, school memorabilia, anecdotes you have to share. We are able to copy and return materials if need be.

“We are also very interested in genealogical information on any present or former resident of the town,” he wrote. “We are especially interested in hearing from descendants of some of the earlier settlers of the place. If you have any information that you could contribute, you may contact us at jamesrwilson@charter.net, or by mail at Corinth Historical Society, P.O. Box 541, Corinth, ME 04427.”

I will have to dig out the Bible record of my Alfred Hart, born in England, and Olive Nason of Atkinson, who married in Corinth about 1859.

As of the 1860 census, they were living in Dexter, where Alfred was a “dresser of cloth.” Their daughter, Hattie A., my great-great-grandmother, was one month old. The family resided in the same “dwelling-house” as the family of Samuel M. and Sylvania P. Ingalls.

Believe it or not, there are 69 cemeteries in the town of Penobscot. Margaret “Jill” Bowman has written a book transcribing their gravestones, “Cemeteries of Penobscot, Hancock County, Maine.”

She also includes maiden names and names of parents, where known.

For example, in the Hutchins-Hatch Cemetery in North Penobscot is a listing for Elisha Hatch, 1809-1894; Roxanna, 1812-1889; and Francis E., d. Dec. 24, 1865, age 18 years 8 months.

Bowen added that Roxanna, Elisha’s wife, had the maiden name Grindle and was born March 15, 1812, d. March 22, 1889. She was the daughter of Reuben and Mary “Polly” Winslow Grindell.

Through the courtesy of a patron of the Blue Hill Library, the book has an index of names. There also are photos of some of the cemeteries and gravestones.

The book may be purchased for $55, shipping included, from Margaret “Jill” Bowman, P.O. Box 59, Campbellsburg, KY 40011.

Blue Hill Library, the Springvale Library, the Wilson Museum in Castine and the Maine State Library in Augusta have a copy of the book.

I enjoyed the recent newsletter of the Monson Historical Society. Dora Casey Sheldon of Cornville has donated a collection of World War II items, including her WAVES uniform, to the museum. This is a great idea. Our family donated my dad’s Navy uniform from World War II, with ribbons, to the Abbot Historical Society.

The Monson group is looking for copies of the Monson Academy yearbook, the “Pharetra,” from certain years. As of mid-December, the society was looking for yearbooks for 1901-1913, 1915-1922, 1925-1930, 1933-1934, 1940, 1967 and 1969.

Yearbooks may be sent to Estella Kronholm Bennett, P.O. Box 173, Guilford, ME 04443. If you would like to check with her as to whether the group still needs the Monson yearbook you have to offer, contact her at emb@midmaine.com.

The society is in the process of gathering funds to restore several paintings by Seth Steward. The conservation work for each painting will cost between $300 and $450. If you would like to contribute toward the restoration of a painting, send a check to Monson Historical Society, P.O. Box 173, Guilford, ME 04443.

If you’d like to join the society and receive the newsletter, send in dues of $5.

If you’d like publicity for your historical society, send along a newsletter or other information, including dues, to “Family Ties.”

3353. PEASLEY-BOOKINS-HOWARD-YOUNG. Seeking parents, ancestry of Alex or Alexander Peasley, of, I believe, Whitefield, formerly known as Ballstown. He married, probably before 1814, Harriet Bookins of Gardiner, daughter of John Bookins (?) and Harriet (maiden name?). Alexander had a daughter, Mary Ann Peasley, born between 1814 and 1820, in Gardiner. She married Micah Howard of the town of Washington, about 1848. He was born 1816 in Washington, son of Micah and Elizabeth or Betsey (Young) Howard. Danny W. Howard 903, DECF 64 Base Road, Machiasport, ME 04655.

3354. MACLEOD-MACSWAIN. Seeking any info on Allan G. MacLeod, born 1846, died 1893; and Christy MacSwain, born 1846, died 1898, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Anything on my great-grandparents would be appreciated. Edward A. Dodge, 44 Lincolnville Ave., Searsmont, ME 04973.

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