Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-10-31
Report of the Committee of the
Thursday Club on the John NJ.
BENJAMIN records.

Benjamin records.
Since the last report OF this com
mittee it has been the privilege OF
your chairman with another member
of the club to spend several hours
in careful examination of the John
Benjamin records. Through the
courtesy Of Mrs. Frank Herrick of
Lexington. Mass, and Charles Ben
jamin Of Auburn, children of the late
John Benjamin. these books and
manuscripts were opened to US and
every facility given TO aid US in
their examination. The first book
we looked at contained the early
official records of the town. rIany
of which were in 4 mutilatei con-
dition in the original. To these he
had added copious notes and items.
In the back part of this book are
arranged in alphabetical order all
the births from the first volume OF
the town records some pages Of
which in the original are hardly
legible. This book is fully indexed
and of great value to the town. An
other book contains a list of mar
rages, another the deaths, another
Winthrop families and their chill
dren; all alphabetically arranged and
written so plainly that there Is no
mistaking word or date. In another
large record book Mr.. Benjamin was
copying at the time of his death the
genealogies and biographical sketch
es. These are complete in manu-
script form arranged in alphabetical
order and PACED. In the narrative
work We found that much had been
done.
Articles were found that Mr.. Ben
jamin had already prepared on the
following subjects: Origin Of land
titles in Winthrop. its incorporation
and name: the pioneers of Winthrop:
early settlers: plan of the town:
revolutionary soldiers; Talleyrand in
Winthrop: did Talleyrand breakfast
in Winthrop. origin and history of
the school fund: post offices and
mails: fish and fish ways: tannc-ies:
WOODEN mills: town meetings. ;S22
TO 1880; items from town reports:
spotted fever Of 1914: meeting houses
and ministers; incident at q religious
meeting; division of the town: tenn
perance movement; incident az the
funeral of Steven Foster: proper
pronunciation of Maranacook. -
We also found photographs and
sketches Of some of the oldest houses
and maps and plans Of the town
showing settlers lots. Your com
mittee believe that the town should
purchase these records rather than
any club or organization. Mrs. Her
rick is ready to turn the records
over to the town at the purchase
price already agreed upon. her ONLY
stipulation being that the person or
persons chosen to edit the work he
10 her and thorousnly
competent to carry to compilation
this great and accurate work of her
lather. The town at a meeting six
years ago voted to buy the records
with this restriction, a vote that has
not been rescinded. State Librarian
Dunnack. with whom we have 1ls-
cussed the matter, has suggested as |
a possible compiler of the book. DIR. |
Everett S. Stackpole of Bath, Maine. 4!
Dr. Stackpole is greatly interested |
n historical matters and has pub. |
ished besides other works. "Kittery /
and her Families" The History of |
New Hampshire" History OF Dur
iam.s Maine" and Durham. New
hampshire" and is thoroughly com
oetent to complete Mr.. Benjamin
work and bring it down to date.
While nothing official could be done
before our next town meeting. your
committee suggest that the records
,e purchased. fled and placed in a
ire proof vault: that PUBLIC interest
&c aroused through the work OF clubs