Was Enoch Lander mining for gold in Benicia, Calif., when in 1854 he wrote to “my dear little Frank,” his daughter Frances Phoebe?

Could be, but I think he was quite entertaining as a writer:

Mary Ann says you will be a case of some kind I hope it will be a Book Case well filled, and not that alone, ask her if she can make a good Plumb Pudding of fat Pork cut it fine one good cook is considered by People of some sence worth about 88 of those who can do nothing by spin yarn at right angles and thumb the piano. For my daughters to have a knowledge of both would suit me …

According to the Dover-Foxcroft Historical Society, which printed the letter in the winter issue of The Shiretown Conserver, “Enoch” is probably the John Lander whose wife Phoebe was living in Bangor at the time of the 1850 census with Mary Ann, John Quincy, Arriana, Martha and Phoebe F.

By 1870, Arriana and Fanny P. were running a millinery shop in Dover, where John Quincy was living with wife Helen Chase Lander. John/Enoch was in Washington Territory that year, and in 1881, the city directory of Bangor listed Phoebe as a widow.

DFHS would be pleased to have more info on this Lander family, so if you know more, do send it along to newsletter editor Nancy Battick at 308 Foxcroft Center Road, Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 or battick@midmaine.com

Equally compelling in this issue is Jack Battick’s article, “Descent into Hell, The 1946 Elevator Accident at Brown Mill.” Two women died as a result of injuries, and several others were hurt very badly. One was hospitalized for nearly a year.

To join the Dover-Foxcroft Historical Society, send $5 to DFHS, 151 Lawrence St., Dover-Foxcroft, ME 004426. The dues year runs April to April. Gift memberships are welcome.

Today, as we celebrate Christmas, perhaps there’s a relative or ancestor you’d like to honor. Historical societies and local libraries are among the nonprofit organizations who could well use memorial gifts.

3385. HIGGINS-KEARNS-WATSON. My uncle, George S. Higgins, had his obituary published Oct. 22 or 23, 1955. He was 61. His survivors are listed as Mrs. Donald (Shirley) Kearns of Hermon, Mrs. Barbara Watson of Bangor, and Mr. Kenneth Higgins of Farmington. George is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery in Bangor. Would like to get in touch with these cousins or their descendants to try to locate info on my grandfather, Franklin S. Higgins. Norman R. Higgins, 19 Hurley Lane, Augusta, ME 04330; tel. 622-1273; normnlea@gwi.net

3386. H. Fremont MADDOCKS Papers. In 1907, H(amlin) Fremont Maddocks compiled and published a genealogy chart of four generations of descendants of Joshua Maddocks and Susannah (Austin) Maddocks. Joshua Maddocks, born 1732 in Saco, was the first of his family to move to Hancock County and settle in Ellsworth. The Maddocks Genealogy Chart that H. Fremont Maddocks produced took the form of a scroll, measuring 2 feet by 6 feet. Descendants were listed in four generational columns running down each side of the paper. While copies of the chart survive, I have been unable to find any information concerning the possible whereabouts of H. Fremont Maddocks’ genealogical files, which must have been extensive. What I have determined from census and other public records is that he was born in Ellsworth in September 1856, the son of Daniel F. and Phebe Maddocks. He married Dellie C. Emery in 1880 and they had six children who survived infancy: Anna, Addie, Hamlin, Ruth, Bryan and Dana. As best as I can tell, he lived his entire life in Ellsworth and passed away some time after 1920. Contacts with Ellsworth Public Library, Maine State Archives and Maine State Library have not yielded any results. Locating the papers of H. Fremont Maddocks would be a considerable boon to Maddocks family researchers since his chart remains a standard reference to anyone researching this line. If you have any information about H. Fremont Maddocks and the disposition of his files, please contact Ed Payne, P.O. Box 16823, Jackson, MS 39236; payneea@yahoo.com

3387. HAMILTON. Seeking information on my stepfather’s genealogy. His grandfather, William Hamilton, was born 1821 in Portland. Portland has no record of this birth, but the John Hamilton family that came to Chebeague Island in 1733 from Scotland had two William Hamiltons. One was a William born 1791, maybe the father of our William born 1821. Hoping this is the connection we have been looking for. Cecil Reed, 62 Maple St., Dexter, ME 04930; clreed37@verizon.net

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