Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-09-29
BELFAST
Historic Old Belfast Home
stead Built in 1896 Changes
Hands

time since IT was Dullt, Dack IN 1iJo'
one hundred and twenty-seven years
ago. the historic old homestead.
standing on the Atlantic highway, at
Little River bridge. admired year on
year by tourists, for its date appears
in the gable end facing the road, the
old Burd place will pass into other
hands than the family which has oc-
cupied it for more than a century.
Mrs Edwin D. Burd of Winches-
ter, widow of one Of scions OF this
old Belfast family, has sold the
property which also comprises so
acres Of land. with a large snore
frontage. to Maj. Arthur Hartley of
Philadelphia who will occupy It next
season and for many seasons to
come, undoubtedly ,as a summer
home.
Mai. Hartley AID his wife are
physicians and surgeons practicing
in Philadelphia, and with them also
will come DIR. Ruth Hartley, MAJ.
Hartley's sister, also a practitioner,
in the City of Brotherly Love. These
Philadelphians have summered for
two seasons at Northporr and Bel
fast and are charmed with Penobscot
Bay and it's environs.
Built in 1895
According to history. this old
house, built in 1895 was at first used
as a store, and probably stood on the
opposite side of the road, the first
store ever built and opened in the
city of Belfast, and was the prop
erty of an early settler. James
Nesmith, who also operated a grist-
mill, near where the Belfast Water
Districts pumping station now
stands.
The original deed Is still in the
possession of the Burd family, trans
ferring the property to Capt. Samuel
Burd, Aug. 10, 1901, and it is be-
lieved that the old house, formerly
the store was converted into dwell
ing by Capt. Burd. 1t is one or the
oldest houses still standing IN Bel
fast and is very picturesque.
Squire Nesmith, as the former
owner was called, back in 1896 and
later, history tells, was a man of
high standing in the community and
was the first and only notary public
in the city at that time. He par
ticipated in the Green Indian war.
famous scrap.
Another of the Nesmith family,
benjamin. an uncle of the Squire,
had the distinction Of beng a, one
time the largest taxpayer IN Belfast
and built the old Reed house on
Northport avenut, still extant, on Lot
as soon after 1870 when Belfast was
settled. When the old man died his
will stipulated that "s14 in cash to
buy a silk gown and trimmings for
the same" be given to his daughter
Mary This is said to be the only
article of luxury mentioned in the
inventory of" the estate or any per-
son, in this icinity, prior 10 1900.
find an historic setting in their new
summer home almost as old as the
Quaker City itself and having al
ready made many friends in Belfast
and Northport they will md them
selves quite at home at Little River.
Members of the Belfast Business
and Professional Women's club will
please take notice that there will be
a rally and everyone belonging to the
club is earnestly urged to be present.
The summer vacation is over, now It
is time to start activities at the
cIubroOm and this is the time for
each to add her enthusia SIN to make
the fall and winter lively and profit
able for it is planned to make every
other meeting educational alternating
with the social evenings. On Tues
day night Mrs. G. w. Wescott plans
to give an informal musical program,
which will include community sing
ing and some entertaining features
which will be a surprise. 1t is hoped
to see every member present.
The weekly card parties will begin
on Thursday, October 4th, the cap
tains to be announced tomorrow.
Several new features have been plan
ned to make these weekly money
making and social affairs more popu-
lar than ever. At a meeting of the
program committee held Thursday,
plans for October parties were made.
The Hallett Gilbertes of Pasadena
are due to arrive in Lincolnville
summer home for 20 years, on Mon
day night They have recently
bought a place in Pasadena, and
come east on q brief business visit.
Mr.. and Mrs. Gilberte went west
about this time last year and have
already become boosters for Califor-
MIA. Their many friends in Belfast
will be delighted to see them.
Mr.. and Mrs. Ben Ames Williams
and children have returned to their
home in Newton after passing the
summer at The Battery, occupying
the Howard cottage. Mr.. Williams
sister, Mrs. SlmmS. WIN MI. SlnlrnS
and their four children also returned
to the city, passing few days in
Newton. before leaving for their
home in Ohio. Mrs. Simms and
children have been here all summer,
Mr.. Simms coming few weeks ago.
The Belfast High football team is
putting in some good practice work.
under Coach Sullivan. and Is also
showing the results OF the coaching
last week by Earl Heal of Bangor.
who is now coaching Higgins Clas-
steal. There is some good material
in the school and the boys are very
enthusiastic.
"a better schoolhouse than we
have had for years" is the consensus
of opinion of students at the Junior
Senior High school now housed in
the factory building near the railroad
station. through the courtesy Of r. p.
Hazard of Gardiner. the owner.
while the new building is under con-
struction.
The cement walls Of the new Col
onial Theatre are growing daily and
an interested gallery is watching the
work from the sidewalk every day.
1t is expected to open the new play
house about the first of January.