We have been busy this past year and will continue to be so in 2023.
At this time we honor all those dear folks who have given so much to the Historical Society. Without them there would not be a Warren Historical Society. Thank you, Wayne Starrett, Vella Smith, Gilbert Boggs, Howard Wiley, Clayt Winchenbach, the Ferrens' and so many more. Gilbert is credited with designing of our W.H.S logo as seen at the top of this newsletter. Rest in peace good and faithful members.
December 7, 2022 we will have our Christmas Special at the Warren Baptist Community Center, also known as the Brick School. The musical program will start at 7 PM presenting the Wiley Family. Refreshments will be served as well as laughter and goodwill.
The Boston Tea Party Museum has undertaken the goal of placing a commemorative marker at the final resting places of every known Boston Tea Party participant in the nation by the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, which is coming up on December 16, 2023. A ceremony on Oct. 5th was attended by Museum participants as well as townspeople and others at the Fairview Cemetery (on Patterson Mill Road in Warren). Following is brief synopsis of the ceremony.
Benjamin Burton (l 749-1835), was born in Thomaston and lived most of his adult life in Warren. He participated in the meeting at the Old South Meeting House in Boston on December 16, 1773 and joined the party that boarded the tea-ships which threw the tea into the water. The account of Burton's involvement can be found in the Annals of the Town of Warren by Cyrus Eaton (1851)
Did you ever read Come Spring? Here is an interesting tidbit of history. Back in the day of the boats going up river they had to stop in Warren and access the locks. The area known as Payson Park was originally known as Boggs Landing and apparently very popular with gatherings. It would be grand if we could raise money not only for a walking sign for Boggs Landing, but new name boards for those benches named after those whose efforts were dedicated to the development of the park.
One of the major accomplishments is the re-roofing of the Campbell House which is a blessing, no more leaks! Now on to the porch which has its own issues. It has to be re-furbished or removed and therein lies the question. Originally there was no porch as we can see from photos of Mrs. Walker standing by the front door. However we have photos of the Campbell family and friends sitting on the porch so when did the addition come about? If anybody has some answers would you share with us as well as whether it should be re-built or removed. We are looking at a large sum of money either way.
By Karin Larson W.H.S Historian
Historical information, genealogical and house history requests
- Allan L . Soccea wanted genealogical information on Dexter Hahn (1853-1911) who is buried in the Town Cemetery. His parents were Joe and Mary E . Studley Hahn. I recommended contacting Waldoboro Historical Society for gathering information as they lived in Waldoboro.
- Nathaniel King from Bangor, Me, an archaeologist NRCS Maine was doing work for landowners in South Warren. He wanted to know where Moses Copeland shipyard was in South Warren. He had seen the map of the shipyards in Warren and was aware of the Windships of Warren book by Leland Overlock. I replied to Nathaniel informing him the yard was most likely near the old toll bridge remains on the banks of St. George River.
- Dan Peters of Hampden, Maine is writing a book on the history of the 2nd Maine Battery and was interested in Alexander Burgess's 1864 and 1865 diaries. Alexander Burgess was a bugler in the 2nd Maine Battery. Dan Peters sent me a draft of the list of men who were in the 2nd Maine Battery. Dan visited the Dr. Campbell house twice. I scanned the pages of Burgess's diaries for him and gave him a transcription.
I researched nine house histories for houses on Atlantic Highway, Finntown Road, Main St., Oyster River Road, and Western Road for new homeowners. I f you are a recent arrival to Warren and have an old house the society may have some history of the house to share.
Notes from transcription desk:
The society has four volumes of undertaker ledgers that belonged to Harold Sawyer who had a funeral/undertaker business on Main Street in Warren. I have been transcribing these ledgers.. The ledger entries are interesting as Harold Sawyer made note of the deceased name, place of death, place of birth, parents names, husband or wife names, and cause of death with the name of the doctor. Also noted was the place of burial and some pages have the burial permit from the Warren town clerk. These notebooks are a helpful source of information about who is buried in Warren cemeteries.
Curator's Report
W.H.S wishes to thank the following people and organizations for their donations.
- The Union Historical Society donated a 1978 revised map of the George's Valley Railroad, two photos of Warren High School students circa 1890s and a clear glass paper weight with a picture of the Warren Baptist Church.
- Tammy Hilchey of Warren donated a pair of crutches that belonged to Elwell R. Moody, and one 18th Maine Regiment cap.
- Jan MacDonald of Warren donated labels for Deer Track Stew and Pure Sea Air that belonged to her mother Barbara Harris.
- Barry Jenkins of Warren donated a cigar box made in Warren.
- S. Hutchinson of Deer Isle donated a photo of Mollie E. Looke of South Warren.
- Jennifer Carter of Standish donated twelve photos of a W.H.S Strawberry Social event.
- Leslie Searles of Dublin, NH donated two Greetings from Warren post cards.
- Jeff Chapman of Topsham, Me donated a 1945 newspaper article on John L. Mathews, an 1888 History of Warren, one Bicentennial Celebration of Warren booklet, one copy of the Alewife 1923 edition published by Warren High School, two photos of the 1965 Warren Day parade, photos of basketball players and cheerleaders 1959-1961,a 1945 photo of the alewife run in the village with Alfred Kenniston, Merrill Fisk, George Wiley, Phyllis Pease, Ernestine Hartford, Ronnie Carter, Philip Pease, Richard Overlock, Elaine Payson, one of the Niemi twins & Norman Ahlholm pictured.
- Diana Overlock Sewell of Warren donated Warren High School Graduation Exercises June 1955 & 1957,a Benefit Dance ticket 1953 held at Glover Hall, three copies of Regulations at the Georges River Mills 1878, three copies of Notice of hours of labor at the Mills in 1878, a letter to parents from Principal Vernon Jordan in 1956, Medomak Valley League Basketball Round Robin schedule in 1953, Hobby Show program 1956 5th grade students of Lillian Lemke, program of one act Warren High School plays 1954-55 and a notebook of newspaper articles on the Route 1 widening plans 1990s- early 2000s with car bumper stickers "Stop the Widening of Route 1".
- Emilie Beattie of Warren donated 1936 photos of Warren Intermediate School students and a map of
Knox and Waldo Counties compliments of Lewis Farm Equipment Route 1 Warren.
- Vella Smith of Warren donated the following items between February & June: one notebook on Corporal Edward Charles Barrett 2nd Marine Division Pacific Theater WWII, one notebook containing items from Dana Smith's naval career, a notebook containing photos and info on Warren's three-sided Veterans Monument, her documented research on the Peterborough settlement and families in South Warren in notebooks and photos. Also donated were Ruth Wiley's handwritten essays about school days in Warren and her personal biography.
- Alice Reyes of NY (Vella's daughter) donated in September two white water pitchers and a matching basin (used in a bedroom prior to indoor plumbing) and info on the Peterborough School District 16, black and white photos of the Peters family and color photos of gravestones in the Peterborough Cemetery.
The goals of the Historical Society are to preserve records, documents, genealogies, artifacts and relics pertaining to the Town of Warren. This all happens only with the vision and help of the community and its existing groups and clubs. The Town of Warren has helped us out with a generous donation of monies which basically makes it possible to heat the Campbell House for the year. We try to be good stewards of these monies in managing on a very tight budget.
Historically speaking Warren does go beyond Main Street and we all want to encourage everyone to explore their neighborhoods and document their findings. Yo u can send your information to Warren Historical Society, PO Box 11, Warren, M E 04864 or drop it by the Campbell House. We usually have somebody available to open the House and give tours just give us a call at 207-273-3154. We are having a membership drive and renewal as of this date. Membership is $10.00 per year for an individual. Couples are $18.00 per year. Sustaining Member is $25.00, Contributing Member is $50.00, Benefactor Member is $100.00, and a Business Member is $50.00. Please fill in the enclosed envelop and send it back to the Warren Historical Society PO Bo x 11, Warren, Maine 04864. We are limited in resources, so memberships are very important to the survival of the Historical Society. Please encourage and invite friends and family to join us in the preservation of Warren History.
Board Members
Jan MacDonald, President
Vice-President Carolyn Wiley
Nancy Blake, Treasurer
Bev Williamson, Secretary
Barb Larson, Curator
Diana Sewell, Genealogist
Karin L,arson, Historian
Deborah Mansfield Membership
Joan Winchenbach, Board Member
Sandra Overlock, Board Member
Sonja Wyllie, Board Member
Zach Wyllie , Board member