The Portland daily press., 1889-10-17
MAINE GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY.
First Fall Meeting Held Last
Night.
Interesting Papers Read and Busi-
ness Transacted.

The first fall meeting of the Maine Genea-
logical Society was held last evening ia the
rooms of the Maine Historical Society in the
Library building President King presided.
After the meeting was called to order Secre'
tary Conant read the records of the previous
meeting and they were approved. President
King introduced l.. b. Chapman, ESQ.,, who
read an interesting paper relative to dis
coyery made by him during his historical re-
search. The paper, giving an account of an
old map OF Portland, was as follows:
Last summer In copy of the Argus of
notice that said Cullam's map of Portland
was ready for distribution. also found that
the city government had taken action To
procure a survey of the city. l called upon
the city clerk and also upon the civil en-
glneer OF the city. but neither knew any
made at that period. then wrote to Mr.. S.
Il. Colesworthy. now living at West Cor
nam, who kept book store in this city
many years ago. who promptly responded as
follows
WEST GoRHAM. Aug. 2, 1889.
MY DEAR SIR: Your letter of yesterday duly
received, and In reply will say do not know OF a
copy OF map or plan Of the city of Portland of
sacn as you describe; Before Mr.. Cullam left
Portland purchased his establishment and car
RED on the engraving AID copper plate business.
MADE some few improvements on his plate of
fortland and printed a lot and intended TO pre-
serve tne plate Tor poSterity The plate was In my
possession at my store at the time Of the great
fre OF 1869, but it was destroyed together with
many other valuable plates and wood engravings.
before the nre Mr.. Oliver Gerrish and Messrs.
Lowell and Senter each had copy. In cleaning
out the rubbish in the cellar latter the fire
L nj har ald
Shortly after the publishing of Cullam's map
view OF Portland was taken by New York firm,
is quite large. 1 had framed copy when broke
up housekeeping last fall and made a present of
1t to Mr.. VIM. II. Ohler ON Locust street.
When purchased Cullams establishment he
had large copper plate of Portland made about
the year Of 1903, and engraved by VIM. Buxton.
A copy would be great curiosity as 1t contained
the names of many streets with queer names,
such as Fiddle Lane, Moose Alley, etc. cut the
plate up to make small ones TO engrave on. l was
foolish In doing SO and have often iegretted 1t.
irecollect OF selling a number of copies to the
advocates of the Atlau ic and st. Lawrence rail-
road road when that scheme was projected and had
S. H. CoLEswoRTHY.
This note from the venerable bookseller
gave me better clue; the note is of value !;
and | present it here tonight that it may be
preserved.
Further search put me into possession of
the way of finding the coveted prize-a
print ON sheet Of paper IS by IS inches.
and inscribed: "a Map of the City of Port
land, with the latest improvements, includ-
ing view of the principal buildings.
Engraved and published by John Cullam,
1885,"
Not only are the locations of the principal
buildings noted, but engravings of each ap-
pear-elevations of the Elm House, with its
great elm trees; Cumberland House, where
now stands the United States Hotel; the
Exchange Coffee House, foot of Market
street; the Friends meeting house; the
Methodist house; .Christian Chapel: New
Jerusalem Temple; Free Street Baptist,
buildings without towers or steeples, and
the building, over Mariners Spring, over the
"Casc0 Engine No. l."
Three batteries on Munjoy Hill are rep
resented, one called "Old," one new" the
other Is on Fish Point. Close to the waters
edge Is represented a hospital" and
large large city Eya it, nnorthery Of Congress
was than called Mt. Joy. Congress street
from India easterly was called Mt. Joy
street.
A further search brought to light we'll
preserved Autograph copy of an official plan
ascr iSe city a maze n the in o, 1881 SSs feet
from q survey made under the directions of
the City Council by James Hall, G. e.,
drawn by W. l.. Dearborn and Thomas
Qulnby, 1887"
City Clerk Burgess then commenced a
office the original contract made with Hall
by the City Council, from which it appears
Hall was paid 81, $50 for the survey and plan
Civil Engineer Goodwin pronounced the
paper valuable one and has made copy,
a%blue print. Of which he presented to me.
named and located. The city farm, the
arsenal lot, the Promenades, the city land
ing at foot of Hancock street, also Green
WOODS Mall, near the observatory, are all
outlinsd; A9 I'd who can tell about Green
Mr., Hall lived near Woodfords, in what
Is now the town Of Deerlng. and Mr. Quinby
at Stroudwater; Of Mr.. Dearborn, have no
knowledge.
Mrs.. M. Watson, at the request of the So
ciety, read paper on the late Cyrus Wood
man, late OF Cambridge, Mass. who although
not resident of Portland, was an active
member of the Maine Genealogical Society.
After presenting genealogy of the Wood
man family, Mr. Watson read several letters
which he received from Mr.. Woodman just
before that gentleman's death. In closing
Mr. Watson read poem entitled SIN Me-
moriam," in which he spoke of those quail
ties that made Mr.. Woodman beloved by the
many who knew him.
The Rev. G. T. Ogden read most interest.
ing paper on the late John T. Hull. He re-
ferred to Mr.. Hull as man of bright intel
lect, quick perception, and scholarly ways,
and spoke at length upon his work in con-
nection with the Maine Genealogical Socle
ty, and his many literary productions that
have made his name familiar to so many
people. Mr.. Ogden's paper was one of much
merit and was listened to with the closest at.
teLtion.
On motion of Mr.. George c. Burgess a vote
of thanks was unanimously extended to
those who read papers before the society and
they were requested to furnish copies to the
society for publication at some future day.
The following were elected active mem
bers of the society:
DR.. Charles d. Smith, c. F. Berry, Edgar
X. Dow, L. j Larrabee, James III. McMul-
len, Charles FL. True, John j. Gerrish, all of
Portland; Howard d. Smith, Norway; Will
lam 5. Thompson, Kennehunk; Hon. John
A. Waterman, Gorham; John s. Fogg, Bid
deford Isaac M. Boardman, Belfast; Alfred
Coe, Buckfeld; William p. Merrill Tops
ham; E. p. Morgan, Biddeford.
j. w. Porter of Bangor, and William l..
Chaffin of Easton, were elected honorary
members.
Donations were acknowledged from M. j.
Herrick, New London Historical Society, S.
M. Watson and Henry M. King.
1t was voted to purchase scrap book in
which to preserve the obituary notices pub-