The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-12-14
A page was assigned to each separate lot

r
defect noted, and with the encumbrance IL
any, marked on the same page.
A record was kept daily of the changes
recorded in the Registry of Deeds and Pro-
bate so that the condition of real estate could
be ascertained by reference to the volume
and page on which it had been recorded.
These eight large folio volume cost him a
vast amount of time and labor and when
completed he opened an Office in Centennial
block, Exchange street, as a conveyancer and
examiner of titles. But this was not remu-
nerative. Whether the public considered
the charge excessive, or as is more than
likely, this was new departure in c0mmu-
nifty not given greatly to new ways and
methods, his patient and excessive labor was
not made use of. That which would have
not much esteemed in this city. Whatever
may have been his success or failure in
the business world is not now Of much con-
Germ. The man will be remembered here for
his strong interest and labor in connec-
ton with this society. For, to his
enthusiastic love of local history and genoa
logical study is due as much as to any other
one man, the organization of this society;
being one of its founders, and from its incep-
ton taking an active part in its affairs.
Possessing an active mind, he found congenial
employment in such pleasant pursuits, and
Dis former occasional investigation of ola
recorus developed into a settled habit of his
life. Writing to his brother some years ago,
he spoke of his immediate intention of con-
tributing more frequently to the press arti-
cles of local historical value, which he
thought would be appreciated at least by
those who felt an interest in such study.
A partial mention of some Of bis c0ntribu-
lions TO the daily and weekly papers will
show the variety and extent Of his voluntary
work in this direction.
In the Transcript was printed in five
parts, occupying in each issue. several
nf 10 a hicfnry M
family which was almost a volume in itself;
and at various times short "reminiscences of
houses and places and events OF men and
families-such as the Stephenson house,
Oliver CromwelPs Navy in Maine, a Maine
Journalist Theophilus Parsons, Scholars in
1771, the Balloon Ascension, an account of
the first balloon seen in Portland, Mrs.
Hannah Haynes 50 years old and a sketch
of her life, z. A. 5. DeabOrn, ChaS. E.
Swift account of family, The Brooks family
A. III Vinton ID. D., 5. S. Plentiss, Indian
Captives Of the Jordan family, Mrs. Daniel
Deshon, The County Buildings, Anniversary
OF Portland Settlement, Ancient records in
York County, Simon Greenleaf, The Robin
son family, and others. He was in the habit
of preparing articles for the press without
OF his best papers passed for others. produc-
ton. 1t has been said no man Of our day
was so well acquainted with the city
with possibly one exception. When we call
to mind the variety of his productions,
many of which were, published
without any claim to authorship, we shall
readily grant, that he was we'll furnished
with minute and accurate knowledge OF the
CITY and its past history and affairs. While
he was in Europe in 1868 he furnished
numerous letters of his travel for the papers
here, which at the time, received much CON-
mendation. One of his papers ON the Indian
Battle at Deering Oaks written in the fall
OF 1883 involved him in newspaper con-
troversy with Mr.. A. F. Lewis of Fryeburg
because OF his statement that this was the
greatest battle that ever took place on the
soil Of Maine, thereby. disparaging another
engagement known as the Lovewell fight at
Fryeburg With what interest we listened
To those excellent papers, entitled walks in
the Eastern Cemt terry" the first Of which
was read Oct. % 1885, and this was followed
by strangers Grave" James Bannetyre.
read Jan q 1887, and lastly that entertaining
account of John b. Russwurm, read April
10, 1887. Previous to this last paper he had
delivered lecture at St. Lawrence st. Chapel
on the history of Munjoy Hill. occupying an
hour and half in delivery, and listened to,
with the closest attention. With scholarly
habit and quick intellect, with much persis-
tency and pains-taBing effort he was we'll
fitted for such pursuits He had an en-.
thuSiasm in seeking the scattered details OF
his subject. With clear vision he saw the
disjointtd parts of family history and with
IdI6 skill, H6 COiltcbtu LU6 SCdbltItu pdIIc
into an orderly and harmonious whole. He
had found his true sphere in which diligent
study brought the scholars satisfaction. ln
the competition of life he was not greatly
rewarded but here in the quiet field of his
torical research which he loved so well, ne
achieved success. That his mind was wrap
ped up in these congenIal pursuits, is shown
by an article from his pen, which
appeared in the Argus, In the early part OF
the year 1884. He called attention to the
growing interest in historical and genoa
logical research sufficient $50 he thought to
warrant the formation OF a country society.
The field Of research was rich In material and
ample enough, so as not 10 interfere with
scope and purpose Of the Maine Historical
Society. whose work was co-extensive with
the whole state. He showed briefly how
wide field of investigation there was In the
ancient unpublished history of old Falmouth.
This was romance in itself Then the
shores Of Casco Bay and other iocalities
battles, and the bravery and hardships
of our early settlers, while our Eastern
Cemetery had its mouldering tomD stones
covering the ashes of our worthy sires
which seem to require that some old mortal
ity" shall arise and renew the record Oh their
lives and deeds. He referred to. the local
histories; those Of towns and villages and
churches; the geneaologies of families. the
names of the soldiers of the late war of the
Rebellion, all of which require preservation,
and calling for some organization with mem,
bers from every town in the county and
with corresponding members from abroad
In the month OF February, "a, few gentle
men met together for the purpose OF carry
ing ont the views so carefully outlined Dy
the writer. They sent out a printed invita-
tion to those who might be favorable 70 the
project. Mr.. Thomas fash was chairman
and Mr. j. T. Hull was secretary OF this
preliminary meeting. The invitation drew
attention to the growing interest in the study
of history and genealogy and to the Deneht
whi,h would accrue to the members by the
formation OF such society. fenruary loth
was named as the day for meeting to take
such measures as might be necessary Tor
permanent organization. When the evening
arrived a limited number II persons were
present on account of the storm, but the late
MIR. Thomas fash was made chairman and
the object of the meeting was stated by MIR.
Hull who also read letters from various
gentlemen who were unable to be present
and who favored the formation OF the pro-
posed society. Several gentlemen addressed
the meeting, among others Messrs. J. Mar
shall Brown, w. III Smith, VIM. nj. Sargent,
S. NJ. Watson, DR.. Meserye, all in favor OF
the proposed organization. 1t was further
more resolved that it was expedient to or
ganiZe the society, and committee OF fifteen
was appointed of which Mr.. Hull was
member, to prepare constitution and BY
laws and to report at a future meeting. AT
IL SuDotQutut lHcttiuS Gnu
bylaws were approved, and the infant
society was started upon its career OF use
fulness. In the succeeding year after the
formation of this society. committee was
appointed for the due observance OF the most
important event in our municipal history,
namely. the capture of Fort Lovall and the
destruction of Falmouth. The committee
decided to extend an invitation to Mr.. Hull
to elaborate such notes as he had collected
and to read a paper before the society and
its invited guests on the evening Of June 2,
1885. The paper was prepared with great
care. He had availed himself OF all the
authorities on the subject which could be
obtained, both French and English, and n.
succeeded in producing vivid and Important
chapter of our early history. Nor is IL likely
that any further documents relatlng 10 the
capture Fort Loyal will be found, nor any
details of this event. Such at least, was the
opinion of those who were privileged to
listen to this instructive paper which oc-
cupied three quarters of an hour In the
delivery. In token of its historic value,
score of prominent citizens petitioned the
city council to publish it in the interest of
the CITY. This action Was promptly taken,
and an attractive pamphlet Of 116 pages was
soon after given to the public under the title
of the siege and capture Of TT. Loyal and
destruction of Falmouth, May 90, 1890. o. s.
Many letters were received complimenting
him on his patient research and skill, and on
the value of the paper in bringing together
the scattered fragments of so important an
event. Mr.. W. NJ. Sargent In the daily paper
of Dec 31st, says: 1.-THE paper was listened
to with spel-bOund interest by large and
cultivated audience, and was matter OF
sG1.Ns -