Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-06-09
NO. 1877.
Misteltamepns.
MAWTHORNE'S HOME In MAINE.

A writer in the Press, &C." calls atten-
ton to fact, not hitherto generally
known, that Nathaniel Hawthorne spent a
portion of his boy life in Maine and he
gives very interesting account of the
present ruinous condition of the old house
in Raymond where these youthful years
were passed. He alludes to the fact that
Hawthornes mother, grieving for the loss
of her husband, here sought and found
complete seclusion. 1t will be interesting
to give more in detail the history of this
house, and the circumstances which have
led to its becoming ruin.
Hawthorne's father was ship master
and died of yellow fever at Havana in
1910, when Nathaniel was six years of age.
His mother was one of the Salem Mann
ings, sister of Richard and Robert
Manning, who were among the original
proprietors of the town of Raymond in
this State, which then included a territory
more than seven miles square, and which
has since been divided to form the town of
Casco. Richard had taken up his resi-
dence in the wilderness and built house,
still standing near what is known as Ra-
doux's Mills, on a little stream which is the
dividing line between Casco and Raymond,
not far from where it empties into Lake
Sebago. This house (now occupied by
Mr. Andrew Libby has been kept painted
and in good repair.
| For four years after the death of her
husband Mrs. Hawthorne remained at her
home in Salem, when her brother Richard
built for her a large, and for those times
genteel, house on the opposite side of the
creek from his own residence, but only
few rods distant This was in 1914, dur
ing our war with Great Britain. Haw-
thorne was then a lad of ten years. Here
they resided about six years in great Sc
clusion, time having little effect in assuag-
ing the grief of the widowed mother. At
length the necessity of providing better
facilities for the education of her son, who,
with the help of his uncle Richard, was
with him to Salem, where he finished his
preparatory studies, and in 1921 he enter
ed Bowdoin College.
1t was remarkable class-that class of
| 1920, of which he was member. 1t in
cluded such names as Henry w. Longfel-
low, and Stephen LongfellOw, his celebra-
ted brother, George B.. Cheever, j. S. c.
Abbott, j. w. Bradbury and Jonathan
Cilley. Besides these, who have national
reputation, were three well-known gentle
men of this city, all now deceased, viz:
j. d. Kinsman, j. S. Little and Hezekiah
Packard. But we do not propose now to
sketch further the foutunes of this child Of
genius, for his life from this date is already
sufficiently well known to the public.
Our business is with the house still stand
ing, which has been consecrated by his
residence within its walls for those years
of his life when all the springs Of his
character were being formed. 1t is re-
markable that there is no local tradition of
this residence of the llawthornes in Ray
mond. Very few of the present inhabi-
tants of that region had been aware of
the treasure that had once been in their
midst, till last winter the worthy librarian
of our public library, in a lecture delivered
in that vicinity, called their attention to
the fact 1t is singular that no one remains
in that region who remembers the boy
Hawthorne, who resided there only fifty
years ago. 1t shows the seclusion in
which he was kept, and that he had few
or no playfellows.
Richard Manning died befor his illustri-
Gus nephew had shown to the world the
stuff of which he was made, or at least
before the world walked up to the recogni-
ton of his genius. This was about the
year 1880. In 1882 his widow married
a
residing in this city, which has long been
his home. He will be remembered as
teacher of the polite accomplishment Of
dancing by all the Portland dancers of the
last generation. AT the age of eighty he
is still erect in form as in his vigorous
youth, and retains all the grace of man
ner for which he was known in his palmy
DAYS. When we called to consult him
about the materials for this sketch, we
found him reading fine print without
glasses BY the will of Mr.. Manning
provision was made for church to be
built in the vicinity of his late residence.
Mr.. Radoux suggested that the Hawthorne
house be remodeled into a church, as it
was too large house for any family then
likely to want it. This was done at cost
however, exceeding that which a new and
more suitable church would have involved.
As there was no society to take charge
OF the church. it was opened as free
meeting house, and Rev. Mr.. Richardson
of Otisficld preached the dedicatory ser
mon. Its doors were open to clergymen
of all denominations, and as ''what is
every body's business is nobOdy's" there was
no one to take care of the ediiice now
doubly sacred. Then the road which used
to pass it has been diverted in direction
more convenient tor the neighborhood,
so that it is now off the highway. Thus il
happens that the early home Of one of the
greatest, if not the greatest, of American
authors is going rapidly to decay. We do
hope something will be done to preserve
this relic, for in coming years pilgrims
from all parts Of the world will search for
it as an object of constantly increasing in
terest. We cross the ocean to find the
early homes of lesser men.-C Portland
Transcript.