Mary (Woodman) Haskell Portrait

This portrait of Mary (Woodman) Haskell has been handed down through the generations and is a family treasure. Mary was the wife of Eliphalet Haskell, my fourth great-grandfather. Mary Woodman was b. 30 Mar 1755 to Joshua and Eunice (Sawyer) Woodman in Kingston, Rockingham County, New Hampshire. She d. 29 (or 23?) Sep 1839 in New Gloucester, Cumberland County, Maine and is buried in the Lower Cemetery in New Gloucester. Mary's gravestone indicates her death date as 29 Sep 1839. The New Gloucester Vital Records indicate her death date as 23 Sep 1839. Based on my grandmother's notes, this portrait was painted by an "itinerant artist, probably about 1800".Additional source information is available upon request.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Family Recipe Friday - Holiday (or Anytime) Prune Bread

Family Recipe Friday – is an opportunity to share your family recipes with fellow bloggers and foodies alike. Whether it’s an old-fashioned recipe passed down through generations, a recipe uncovered through your family history research, or a discovered recipe that embraces your ancestral heritage share them on Family Recipe Friday. This series was suggested by Lynn Palermo of The Armchair Genealogist.

 I am not sure when this tradition got started or where the recipe came from, but my family has been making and giving prune bread as gifts at Christmas for some time. Maybe this does not sound appetizing to some, but this is a really tasty quick bread. I am making three loaves this morning. Here is the recipe

1 cup uncooked prunes
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup shortening
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 egg beaten
2 cups flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder

Cut prunes into small pieces. Add shortening, water, sugar and spices to prunes and boil for 15 minutes. Cool. Stir in egg, flour sifted with baking powder. Pour batter into a greased and floured loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing from pan.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Advent Calendar Day 24 - Christmas Eve

Prompt for December 24 – Christmas Eve

How did you, your family or your ancestors spend Christmas Eve?

Christmas shopping! And wrapping presents. Well, sometimes. We did not do much different on Christmas Eve while I was growing up. Mostly we spent time preparing for Christmas day - cooking, last minute shopping, wrapping, making, etc. Once I got married, we celebrated Christmas Eve with my wife's family with a mid-afternoon meal and then opening presents around the Christmas tree.

I don't have any information on how any of my ancestors spent Christmas Eve.

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

image source: http://www.openclipart.org/browse

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Wordless Wednesday (Almost) - Typical Japanese Shop

My grandfather, Merrill Haskell, was on his way back from Vladivostok, Russia in February 1920 and stopped at Kyoto, Japan. This photograph was labeled "Typical Japanese Shop, Kyoto Feb. 1920"

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Current Research - Haskell, Holbrook and Goodhue lines

I am currently documenting and sourcing birth, marriage and death dates for my Haskell, Holbrook and Goodhue ancestors and their spouses and children. Since I am a member of the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) , I am taking advantage of their online databases at www.americanancestors.org. Their website was updated and enhanced earlier this fall and it is one of my favorites for online research. Since many of my ancestors are from Massachusetts, I have been using the Massachusetts Vital Records to 1850 database a lot. This is incredibly handy and saves me a great deal of time from having to travel to a library that has hard copies of the Massachusetts Vital Record books. I start out using the advanced search, but if I cannot find my ancestor that way, then I can view the scanned pages of the original records and scroll through page by page to see if I can find the person that way. This works well, especially since some of the names had interesting spelling variations. I have a lot of information that was compiled by my grandmother, so I generally have a good idea of where the specific event took place for many of my ancestors.

I have also been having success with some more recent ancestors in the Massachusetts Vital Records 1841 - 1910 and 1911 - 1915 databases. Both of these databases also have scanned copies of the original records.

If you are not a member of NEHGS, I highly recommend joining to take advantage of these great online databases.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Advent Calendar Day 21 - Christmas Music

Prompt for December 21 – Christmas Music

What songs did your family listen to during Christmas? 

 We listened to it all. Some of us even played it. I liked playing Christmas carols on my trumpet and sometimes on the piano, although I was not very good on the latter. As I noted in an earlier post, my Mom enjoyed Amahl and the Night Visitors which we had on a record.

Did you ever go caroling? 

 I remember going caroling the first year we had moved to New Gloucester and one neighbor came out with a gun. They never had carolers before and were suspicious. We became good friends with those neighbors after that. We only had three neighbors that lived close enough to walk to, so I don't remember going caroling very often.

Did you have a favorite song?

I like them all but if I have to choose, then I would say "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing".

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Advent Calendar Day 20 - Religious Services

Prompt for December 20 – Religious Services
Did your family attend religious services during the Christmas season? What were the customs and traditions involved?

We generally did not attend church when I was growing up and we still do not. That being said, we periodically attended Christmas Eve midnight services until I was about 8 years old or so. I do not remember much about the services other than getting to stay up later than usual and hoping to get a glimpse of Santa Claus on the way home. He had never eaten the cookies I had left out or left any presents before we got back...

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Advent Calendar Day 19 - Christmas Shopping

Prompt for December 19 – Christmas Shopping
How did your family handle Christmas Shopping? Did anyone finish early or did anyone start on Christmas Eve?

I rarely get my Christmas shopping done early. More often my shopping was/is done by making a trip to LL Bean the day before... My Mom was better, but I don't think anyone in my family ever did their shopping before Thanksgiving. These days we have reduced our purchased gift giving significantly, so now I struggle to find time to make gifts. Not sure which is more difficult.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Advent Calendar Day 16 - Christmas at School

Prompt for December 16 – Christmas at School
What did you or your ancestors do to celebrate Christmas at school? 
 I vaguely remember Christmas parties at school in grade school, but I don't remember the specifics. From 4th grade through 7th grade I remember playing my trumpet in the school band and we always did an annual Christmas concert. Of all the family history artifacts and photos that have been handed down to me, I have very little that indicates what my ancestors did for Christmas or other holidays.

Were you ever in a Christmas Pageant?

I do not remember ever being involved in a Christmas Pageant.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

New Gloucester Universalist Church - 100th Anniversary

 More history from New Gloucester, Maine. This article is about the 100th anniversary of the Universalist Church and was published on June 24, 1905 in the Lewiston Evening Journal. I found this article on the Google News site. Surnames in this article include: Albion, Andrews, Barnes, Barton, Byram, Fletcher, Forbes, Gowell, Hamilton, Hammond, Hitching, Locke, Markley, McAllister, Murray, Osgood, Paige, Perkins, Richards, Rogers, Scoborin, Snow, Titus, Wellington, Woodman.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Newspaper Clipping - 58th Wedding Anniversary

Transcription of newspaper clipping in Grace Ware (Holbrook) Haskell's scrapbook. Handwritten in pen at the top of the clipping is "1911". Handwritten at the bottom is "12/11/11.

     Mr. and Mrs. N. F. Cabot quietly observed their 58th wedding anniversary at their home on Terrace street Wednesday. As the family is scattered this year no attempt was made to celebrate the event. Their health is excellent for persons of their advanced years.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Wordless Wednesday (almost) - Apples from Scott Farm

Here are a couple undated photos from my grandmother's collection showing some of the excellent apples grown on Scott Farm in Dummerston, Vermont. My guess is that these photos were taken in the early 1900's.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Advent Calendar Day 14 - Fruitcake

Prompt for December 14 – Fruitcake – Friend or Foe?
Did you like fruitcake? Did your family receive fruitcakes? Have you ever re-gifted fruitcake? Have you ever devised creative uses for fruitcake?


Did you like fruitcake? Did your family receive fruitcakes?We used to get a brick of fruitcake in the mail every Christmas when I was growing up. I don't remember who sent it to us or what company made it, but it was the worst. I'm not sure why but that box of fruitcake lived in our refrigerator for several months before we took it to the compost heap. Some archaeologist may uncover those discarded cakes sometime in the future and they will probably still look like they did when we received them. Aside from those fruitcakes, I actually like some homemade fruitcake. 

Have you ever re-gifted fruitcake?
I don't think we ever wanted to regift the fruitcakes we received because we did not dislike anyone that much.


Have you ever devised creative uses for fruitcake?Maybe a doorstop...

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Advent Calendar Day 13 - Holiday Travel

Prompt for December 13 – Holiday Travel
Did you or your ancestors travel anywhere for Christmas? How did you travel and who traveled with you? Do you remember any special trips?

I have not done much traveling during the holidays, but what I have done, I sincerely disliked. The times that I did travel was when I was going to graduate school in Colorado and having to fly back to Maine at Thanksgiving and Christmas. I think holiday travel increases the normal travel stress by several times. I remember spending far too much time in the airports in Denver, Colorado and Chicago, Illinois because of weather delays. These days we drive about 20 to 30 minutes on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to our parents' house in a neighboring town. That is perfect!

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Advent Calendar Day 12 - Charitable/Volunteer Work

Prompt for December 12 – Charitable/Volunteer Work
Did your family ever volunteer with a charity such as a soup kitchen, homeless or battered women’s shelter during the holidays? Or perhaps were your ancestors involved with church groups that assisted others during the holiday?

 I have no idea. In recent years we have donated money to local food pantries to assist with holiday meals. I do not remember volunteering or doing charity work around the holidays.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

New Gloucester's Big Ones!

Here is another interesting bit of history about the local New Gloucester and Danville, Maine fair. This article was found on the Google News site in the Lewiston Evening Journal, September 29, 1898 paper. The article is about the "Big Ones", cattle and other things worth seeing at the New Gloucester and Danville Fair. Looks like they grew some big cows, oxen and top-notch veggies back in the day!

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Advent Calendar - Other Traditions

Prompt for December 11 – Other Traditions
Did your family or friends also celebrate other traditions during the holidays such as Hanukkah or Kwanzaa?  Did your immigrant ancestors have holiday traditions from their native country which they retained or perhaps abandoned?

I do not remember celebrating other traditions during the holidays. The closest thing I remember to another tradition was visiting our neighbors who were German and eating Marzipan candies and singing O' Tannenbaum.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Advent Calendar - Christmas Gifts

Prompt for December 10 – Christmas Gifts
What were your favorite gifts, both to receive and to give? Are there specific gift-giving traditions among your family or ancestors?

My family spent a lot of time outside and I always enjoyed giving and receiving outdoor gear. My favorites were sleds, cross-country ski equipment, snowshoes, fly fishing gear, outdoor clothing, backpacking equipment and books.Tools are another favorite gift to receive and give. I remember saving and buying an high quality set of screw drivers for my Dad one Christmas. I often received some item related to cross-country skiing because that was/is one of my favorite sports.


I don't recall any specific gift-giving traditions in my family or by my ancestors.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

New Gloucester Proprietors - Chapter 4

Here is the fourth chapter of New Gloucester Proprietors continued from my previous post. Lots of surnames in this article, including: Allen, Anderson, Bradbury, Brooks, Browne, Chandler, Deane, Ellery, Fairfield, Foxcroft, Fuller, Harris, Haskell, Hooper, Longfellow, Mason, Merrill, Milliken, Mitchell, Morrill, Noyes, Pike, Smith, Stevens, Stinchfield, Stirling, True, Tufts, Tyler, Warner, Willis, Woodbury. This article was written by Anson Titus in the June 27- July 1, 1908 edition of the Lewiston Journal Illustrated Magazine and was found on the Google News site.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Advent Calendar - Grab Bag

Prompt for December 9 – Grab Bag
Author’s choice. Please post from a topic that helps you remember Christmases past!

 1997

 2002

 2003

 2004

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Advent Calendar - Christmas Cookies

Prompt for December 8 – Christmas Cookies
Did your family or ancestors make Christmas Cookies? How did you help? Did you have a favorite cookie?

Christmas cookies are the best! Spritz, gingerbread, pecan tassies, fudge, jam thumbprints, sugar, molasses crinkles - all my favorites. How can you pick just one? I remember helping to decorate the cookies with frosting, colored sugar, raisins, cinnamon candies, silver dragees.Cutting out the cookies was always fun too.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Wordless Wednesday (almost) - Turnverein

My great grandfather Frank Owen Haskell was a member of a turnverein in Portland, Maine. He is the one in the lower right of the photo. I would be interested in hearing from others who might have information on this group.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Advent Calendar - Party Time!

Prompt for December 7 – Holiday Parties
Did your family throw a holiday party each year? Do you remember attending any holiday parties?

 Our family did not throw Christmas parties. We did have New Year's Eve parties for several years. These parties usually involved sledding on our hill out in the hayfield or skating on the ponds near the house. We always hoped for a clear night with a full moon for these events. These events were a blast! Lots of food, mulled cider and family and friends. The first year we did this was 1971 after we moved to our farm in New Gloucester, Maine. I remember the house was undergoing major renovations and it was cold. I'm not sure anyone made it to midnight at that event because the house was so cold. We had a woodstove in the kitchen and it could not keep up. Over time these get-togethers disappeared. My sisters and I have talked about reviving this event, but it is one of those things that never seems to happen. It seems that in many recent years we have not even had snow or ice on New Year's.


My wife and I just attended my company Christmas party last Friday. This is the only holiday party that we attend regularly these days. For the past few years, this party has taken place at a local restaurant and is generally a pretty low-key event.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

The Harris Family of New Gloucester

Here is some more interesting New Gloucester, Maine history and genealogy news from an April 12-15, 1911 article in Lewiston Journal, Illustrated Magazine Section titled "Maine Families, and their Genealogies". The article is about the Harris Family of New Gloucester. This article was found searching the Google News site. Surnames in this article include: Allen, Bacheldor, Bradbury, Cook, Davis, Foxcroft, Gower, Guptil, Harris, Harrison, Haskell, Hersey, Johnson, Megquire, Merrill, Otis, Parsons, Record, Roberson, Tobie, Tyng, Waterman, White, Witham, Yetton.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Advent Calendar - Santa Claus

December 6 – Santa Claus
Did you ever send a letter to Santa? Did you ever visit Santa and “make a list?” Do you still believe in Santa Claus?

 You bet! Here is one from 1973 when I was 7 years old.

I don't recall getting anything on that list! I know I sent lists to Santa. Here is a letter that I received from Santa.

This is a little tough to read, so here is a transcription:

NORTH POLE
P.O. Box 1923
Portland, Maine 04104

Dear William,
     Thank you for writing to me. I know you've been good most of the year so I'll see what I can do for you. My elves and I have been very busy lately trying to get toys made for you. We even work after supper each night.
     Mrs Claus is helping out this year by dressing all the dolls. Her sewing machine has been going WHRRR-RR for weeks now. She has my red suit all set for me to wear.
     My reindeer are in top shape and all ready for the trip. Rudolph also tells me he's ready to lead my sleigh in case it's a foggy night.
     I flew down over Maine a few nights ago to pick up some toy making supplies. From the looks of all the bright lights, I'd say you people in Maine really have the Christmas spirit this year.
     I hope you'll all remember that Christmas is more than just presents, candy canes, and beautiful trees and decorations. It is also sharing, helping others and being nice to everyone all year long. And most of all, it is the birthday of baby Jesus.
Merry Christmas
Santa Claus

Seems kind of interesting that based on this letter the North Pole address was in Portland, Maine! I wonder if I noticed that before...

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Advent Calendar - Outdoor Decorations

Prompt for December 5 – Outdoor Decorations
Did people in your neighborhood decorate with lights? Did some people really go “all out” when decorating? Any stories involving your ancestors and decorations?

We were minimalists when it came to outdoor decoration. Homemade wreaths on the house doors and sometimes a large 5-foot diameter wreath on the barn was the extent of our outdoor decorations. It was probably because we lived on a rural dirt road and our nearest neighbors were 1/4 and 1/2 miles away.   I see many more people going "all out" today than back when I was growing up in the 1970's and 80's.  

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

New Gloucester Proprietors - Chapter 3

Here is the third chapter of New Gloucester Proprietors continued from my previous post. Lots of surnames in this article, including: Allen, Bradstreet, Chipman, Collins, Dennison, Foxcroft, Hammond, Harris, Haskell, Hayes, Herrick, Marston, Parson, Prince, Riggs, Sturgis, Thompson, Tyler, Ward, Warner, Whitney. This article was written by Anson Titus in the June 13-17, 1908 edition of the Lewiston Journal Illustrated Magazine and was found on the Google News site. Enjoy!

New Gloucester Proprietors - first page

New Gloucester Proprietors - second page

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Advent Calendar - Christmas Cards

Prompt for December 4 – Christmas Cards
Did your family send cards? Did your family display the ones they received? Do you still send Christmas cards? Do you have any cards from your ancestors?

 My mother was always very good about sending out Christmas cards, although I think it was always a chore. We always displayed up the cards that we received - usually hanging them around the doorway into the living room where we had the Christmas tree. I still send out a few Christmas cards, but the number has reduced significantly over the years. I remember making linoleum block print cards one year which was fun. I saw some copies of these cards at my Dad's house, but I don't have any images of them.

If nothing else, these Advent Calendar blogging prompts make me realize that I have not done a great job documenting some things in my life for future generations...

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

New Gloucester Proprietors - Chapters 1 & 2

As I have indicated previously, several of my Haskell ancestors were early residents of New Gloucester, District of Maine. I have found several articles published in the Lewiston Journal Illustrated Magazine in 1908 that provide a very interesting account of how the town was founded. These articles quite interesting to me, as I grew up in New Gloucester and lived there for 15+ years. There is a lot of great genealogy information in this article. The article "The New Gloucester Proprietors: Their Days and Descendants Chapters 1 & 2" written by Anson Titus in the May 16-20, 1908 edition of the Lewiston Journal Illustrated Magazine was found on the Google News site.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Advent Calendar - Christmas Tree Ornaments

Prompt for December 3 – Christmas Tree Ornaments
Did your family have heirloom or cherished ornaments? Did you ever string popcorn and cranberries? Did your family or ancestors make Christmas ornaments?

We had several old ornaments - mostly glass balls and a couple glass bird shaped ornaments. We never had a star that went on the top of the tree, but we did hang a small comet-shaped metal ornament near the top. I do remember stringing popcorn several times, but we did not do it every year. We made paper chains and often added to them year after year. When I was young I remember large multi-colored lights, but when I got older we bought small multi-color lights for the tree. We now use small white lights on the tree. There were many homemade ornaments made by various members of the family. There are many homemade ornaments on our tree now. My wife has made many cross-stitched and tatted ornaments that fill the branches. I remember making ornaments with my Mom out of dough. These were often farm animals, but they usually broke after a year or two. Some of the older ornaments may have come from previous generations, but, if they were, the history was never passed along to me.

The one thing I like the best was not a tree ornament but a decoration. We had a village consisting of little wooden houses and buildings, farm animals, people, cars, trains and trees. I would spent hours arranging and rearranging this village into different configurations. Some years I would get something new to add to the village.

Unfortunately, I don't seem to have any photographs of the village or of our Christmas tree from when I was growing up.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Advent Calendar - Holiday Foods

Prompt for December 2 – Holiday Foods
Did your family or ancestors serve traditional dishes for the holidays? Was there one dish that was unusual?

 My family generally ate what I would consider as traditional foods at our holiday meals. Christmas dinner usually included turkey or ham, salad, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, assorted vegetables and homemade bread or rolls. Dessert was often a variety of pies. While I was growing up we rotated holiday meals between my aunt and uncle's house and our house. I remember at our house always having to polish the special silverware before the meal. I don't remember any unusual Christmas meals. However, one Thanksgiving we had Japanese food prepared by several Japanese exchange students that were friends with one of my sisters. I'm not sure this was a big hit with most of the family, but it is certainly something I will always remember.

 Today we have two Christmas meals. On Christmas Eve we go to my wife's parents house. This meal consists of many finger-type foods, such as shrimp with cocktail sauce, lil' smokies, veggies & dip, bugle snack chips, crackers & cheese, various holiday cookies, pies, etc. On Christmas day we go to my Dad's house for a more traditional mid-day meal.

My Mom always made a variety of Christmas cookies and sweet breads to distribute to neighbors and friends and of course for our own enjoyment. spritz cookies and pecan tassies were always my favorites.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Wordless Wednesday - Goat at Upper Dutton Farm

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Advent Calendar Day 1 - The Christmas Tree

My family always had a real Christmas tree - usually a balsam fir tree. There is nothing better than a real balsam fir tree smell to make you get excited about Christmas! One year we tried a blue spruce tree instead, but it had a very pungent smell and was not very pleasant. It was typically a family event to walk out into the woodlot and pick out the Christmas tree. This expedition was often made while carrying sleigh bells and singing Christmas carols. My Dad's woodlot is full of mature trees, so it seems that we always cut down a 50-70 foot tall tree and lopped the top 6 feet off of it for our tree. The downside to this is that often several branches broke off as the tall tree came down to the ground and sometimes we had to drill holes in the trunk and wire new branches on to avoid having a gaping "hole" in our tree. Other times the trunk was so crooked that we had to wire the tree to the wall to keep it from tipping over. We always lugged back many of the extra boughs for making wreaths, swags, etc to decorate the doors and those of our neighbors. It always took a day or two to get the sticky pitch off of your hands and clothes after the Christmas tree expedition. We always got our tree the Sunday before Christmas and it usually came back down the Sunday after New Years. Before my Mom died in 1980 the whole family participated in decorating the tree, often while listening to Amahl and the Night Visitors on the record player. When we took the tree down, we always put it out back near the bird feeder for the birds to enjoy.

We have continued the tradition of making the annual trek out into the woodlot, although we now try to cut shorter trees. Sometimes I try to scout out some good trees prior too, or else it may take a long time to find one. When I lived out west while going to graduate school and during my first job, we considered getting an artificial tree, but I just never could get myself to buy one. I really enjoy the smell of a real balsam fir tree (the blue spruce I can do without!). Lately we have been considering the possibility of a live Christmas tree.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Merrill Haskell Ancestral Chart No. 20

Ancestral Chart No. 20, continuing Merrill Haskell's direct family line, compiled by Grace Ware (Holbrook) Haskell's. Chart 20 continues from Chart 1 with Ebenezer Owen, Jr. who married Abigail Cotton about 1763.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Grace Ware Holbrook Journal Entry - Post 17

 [This is the last entry in the journal]

July 13th [1918] On Monday July 8th camp opened. the first girls to arrive were those from South Vernon and Guilford who were met in Brattleboro & brought here by Cook & Brown. Last year's girls are: Helen Hughes, Gladys Brown, Hattie Johnson, Gertrude Johnson, Irene Fairman and Julia Fairman; and the new girls are Grace Johnson, Winnifred Mead & Virgie Goodnow. They were here for lunch, and in the afternoon settled down in their tents. Elizabeth gathered them together to start stoves while peas were being shelled.
     Other girls who arrived in the afternoon were Mildred Taft, Dora Clark & Bernice Dodge from West Dummerston; and Clara Fisher, Florence Merrill, Hazel Fox from West Brattleboro; and Marion Laughton from Dummerston.
     The old girls were delighted with the camp site and by supper time many said they knew camp was going to be even better fun than last years. the atmosphere was quite cheerful and the songs about the camp fire went very well - in spite of the cool evening. the beds were all pinned in by Sarah to insure no air spaces after getting into bed for the night.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Caleb S. Haskell - One of the Oldest Twins in the U.S.

Many of my Haskell ancestors lived in New Gloucester, Maine. I have found several interesting old newspaper articles in the Lewiston Evening Journal at the Google News site that provide some interesting glimpses into the past of this town. Here is an April 16, 1903 article about the death of Caleb S. Haskell  who had the distinction of being one of the oldest twins in the United States at the time of his death. 

Here is my transcription of the article

ONE OF THE TWINS IS DEAD
Caleb S. Haskell, Was One of New Gloucester's Oldest Citizens.
A Sister Survives Him, Aged Eighty-nine Years.
They Had the Distinction of Being the Oldest Twins in the United States.
     NEW GLOUCESTER, Me. April 16 (Special). -- Caleb S. Haskell of this town died early this A.M. after a short illness. He was stricken on Wednesday with acute kidney trouble. His family was hopeful of his recovery until Monday, when new complications developed.
     Wednesday he showed a marvelous revival of strength. But the power to hold this new condition failed rapidly and he lost his hold gradually on life, passing away quietly as one going asleep. This was just six days after taking his bed.
     Mr. Haskell in personal characteristics was a most affectionate and cherished husband and father.
     By reason of his age and his keen mental faculties Mr. Haskell was considered an authority on local history. Throughout the village he was known for his kindness of heart and benevolence to the poor and suffering.
     Mr. Haskell is survived by a twin sister, Mrs. Judith P. Bradbury, now living in Roxbury, Mass. Before Mr. Haskell's death, they had the distinction of being the oldest living twins living in New England and probably in the United States.
     They were born in New Gloucester, Aug. 14, 1814. Their parents, Caleb and Judith Collins Haskell had 12 children of whom 10 grew to maturity. Five of them were black-eyed and five blue; five right-handed and five left-handed. Their father, who lived to the ripe age of 91, had a twin sister who reached the age of 87.
     Caleb S. Haskell always was a resident of New Gloucester, except for a short time when he worked at the mason's trade in Boston, and was employed in the construction of the Boston custom house. He worked as a carpenter considerably and also devoted much attention to farming. Feb. 10, 1840, he married Martha P. Rowe, a daughter of Jonathan and Sarah Pierce Rowe of New Gloucester, who survives him. Both Mr. and Mrs Haskell were for many hears members of the choir of the New Gloucester Congregational church. Mr. Haskell never found it necessary to use glasses. He always totally abstained from the use of both tobacco and intoxicants. Of their three children the only one living is Newell P. Haskell, deputy collector of internal revenue with headquarters in Portland.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Book of Dates (1933) - Post 9

[Grace Ware (Holbrook) Haskell Book of Dates, continued]
[Entries entered in the order they are written, which indicates they were probably written after the fact. Some entries entered in pen and others in pencil]

1933
April              Mary Cary & Elizabeth Diament here on way to Bangor
                     Merrill & I in Boston
May 24         Miss Koerster here
                     Miss [blank] Shelburne M[errill] & I
July & August     In Brattleboro, GWH, LBH, OH; Lombards in Yarmouth July & Aug
July 3 - 6      C Tarbox at Terrace Street
September    Mrs Curtis came for month to Oct 7
[Sept] 23      Charles Haskell here AM     LBH birthday
                    Owen & Lucy at Waynefleet School
October 1-6 Shelburne Merrill & I
October 8     Miss Alys [?] arrives
Oct 15          Richard L Cary dies in Berlin Germany
[Oct] 19        Owen at Dr Ganthers
[Oct] 30       Merrill at Shelburne hunting 
Jan 9            Garden Club slides at Mrs Herbert Paysons
Jan 21          Merrills tonsils out at hospital
May 12        with Louise Haskell to Mrs Tobie's for Birthday
June             Mary deWetter's marriage to St Clair Smith at Roxbury Conn
July 4           MH, H Curtis & WBC to Yarmouth
                    Picnic at Goodhues - Hay barn at Scott Farm
[Jul] 8          Fisher's dinner 7:15 at Rice Farm
[Jul] 10        Robinsons & C Tarbox & G True (?) for day
[Jul] 12        Church fair

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Grace Ware Holbrook Journal Entry - Post 16

June 12th [1918] Heavy rain & thunderstorm through the morning & afternoon. Wrote letters, walked with the Dabneys & Miss Lubovitsky.


June 13th [1918] Cold & overcast in the morning, when all but Miss Lubovitsky, Miss Kehl & I went off to Cornish [?] for the day. I saw Miss Wellman, & we all did errands in the village till lunch time.
     We napped, wrote letters, typewrote & played the piano in the afternoon. Later, it cleared off finely, & the afterglow was beautiful - At twilight a bright new moon shone through the clouds over the tree tops over our hill.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Tombstone Tuesday - Charles Alfred Haskell Cemetery Plot

Cemetery: Evergreen Cemetery, Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
Photo Date: 13 November 2010
Subject Name: Charles Alfred Haskell Family Cemetery Plot
Location: Lot 171-172, Section U, Area 397

 There are six people buried in this plot, including Charles Alfred Haskell, his wife, Mary Sophia (Foye) Haskell, Louise F. Haskell, Nellie Marie Haskell, Dr. Alfred W. Haskell, and Julia M. Foye. Charles Alfred Haskell was the son of my great great grandfather Alfred Haskell and the brother of my great grandfather Frank Owen Haskell.

The large monument has "HASKELL" on the front and no other information on any of the other sides. The transcriptions of the small stones from left to right, are as follows:

JULIA M. FOYE/1855 - 1922
ALFRED W. HASKELL/1876 - 1951
NELLIE M. HASKELL/1876 - 1951
LOUISE F. HASKELL/1873 - 1962
MARY S. HASKELL/1846 - 1935
CHARLES A. HASKELL/1848 - 1931

Alfred W. and Louise F. Haskell were children of Charles A. and Mary S. Haskell. Julia M. Foye was the sister of Mary S. (Foye) Haskell. I'm not sure where Nellie M. Haskell fits in to the family. I have not found her living in the Charles A. Haskell household in the 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920 or 1930 censuses.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Newspaper Clipping - Engagement

Transcription of newspaper clipping in Grace Ware (Holbrook) Haskell's scrapbook. Handwritten in pen at the top of the clipping is "1926". No newspaper name is provided.

Engagements of Interest in Various Cities

     Mrs. Frederick Holbrook of Brattleboro, Vt., announces the engagement of her daughter, Miss Grace Ware Holbrook, to Mr. Merrill Haskell of Portland, Me. Miss Holbrook, who attended Milton Academy and was graduated from the Lowthrope School of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture for Women, is a member of the Sewing Circle of 1913. No definite date has been set for her marriage to Mr. Haskell, who received his degree from Dartmouth College in 1915.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Treasure Chest Thursday - Red Address Book

     One of the more interesting source documents handed down by my grandmother, Grace Ware (Holbrook) Haskell is her red address book. This book is not only packed with addresses, but it also has a wealth of genealogy and family history data, including cemetery lot locations, school graduation dates, military service dates, trip dates, military ranks, health information, dates of major sicknesses, birth dates, death dates, marriage dates, employment dates and locations, holiday gift lists.
     I doubt that many people kept this kind of information in their address book, but my advice is don't overlook the address book as a valuable source of information. 

This page provides information on schools attended, trips abroad and marriage date for Grace Ware (Holbrook) Haskell

This page provides information on the Haskell Cemetery Lot at Evergreen Cemetery in Portland, Maine

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Newspaper Clipping - Francis Goodhue Leaves For France

Transcription of newspaper clipping in Grace Ware (Holbrook) Haskell's scrapbook. Handwritten in pen at the top of the clipping is "Reformer June 19, '12"

FRANCIS GOODHUE LEAVES FOR FRANCE
Grandson of Late Col. Francis Goodhue of Brattleboro Plans to Drive in Ambulance Corps
      Francis Goodhue, 3d, of Philadelphia sailed June 2 for France to drive in the Norton Hardges ambulance corps. He had been working for his father, Francis Goodhue, in Philadelphia up to the time of his departure. He is 23 years old and a grandson of the late Col. Francis Goodhue of Brattleboro. He hopes to drive with or near the unit in which Appleton Miles of Brattleboro is working and with whom he has been intimate since they were small boys in Brattleboro.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Newspaper Clipping - Miss Cabot, Historian

Transcription of newspaper clipping in Grace Ware (Holbrook) Haskell's scrapbook. Name and date of newspaper not provided.

MISS CABOT, HISTORIAN

Brattleboro Woman Elected to Important Office in Colonial Dames

     The 19th annual meeting of the National society of Colonial Dames in Vermont was held Wednesday in Burlington. Visiting members were entertained at luncheon by Mrs. J. Holmes Jackson, wife of the mayor, and Mrs. H. Nelson Jackson. Mrs. J. A. Mead of Rutland, president, delivered an address.
      During the last year the society has contributed money for a Plymouth memorial and a hospital ship given by the national society to the government. Money was also voted during the year for a women's hospital in France and for the support of French orphans. A resume of the activities of the societies in other states was given by the historian, Miss Mary Rogers Cabot of Brattleboro. The following officers were elected: --
      President, Mrs. John Abner Mead of Rutland; first vice president, Miss Mary Austin of Burlington; second vice president, Mrs. J. Holmes Jackson of Burlington; secretary, Mrs. George Allen Laird of Royalston; treasurer, Mrs. Charles H. Darling of Burlington; registrar, Mrs. Perley Hazen of St. Johnsbury; historian, Miss Mary Rogers Cabot of Brattleboro.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Grace Ware Holbrook Journal Entry - Post 15

June 11th [1918] - clear
     Michael left for New York and Mrs. Delano, Miss Kehl & I saw him off at the station. After the errands were done, we went across the river to get mountain laurel, and found quantities, although much had already been picked.
     In a beautiful grove, I found maiden hair fern in great clumps, and gathered a small amount of it.
     Mrs. Delano was absorbed in the Boston American headlines, while Miss Kehl & I joined forces on the laurel hunt.
     The others motored, & I wrote letters etc.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Grace Ware Holbrook Journal Entry - Post 14

June 10th 1918 Overcast & cold.
     In the morning I met Miss Eddy to talk over prospects of camp.
     We had a picnic lunch at Upper Dutton Farm, & it was great fun getting it ready in spite of excitements not being prepared for it. The planked [?] shad was fine, & all enjoyed the lunch. the Misses Dabney & Miss Lubovitsky walked up the hill, & later Miss Kehl, Michael & I walked home. We went to call on Mrs Miles who was out, & then saw Aunt Molly, as Michael wished to say goodbye to her.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Brooks & Forman Papers - William Forman Brooks

[William F. Brooks was born 29 Aug 1811 to William S. and Eleanor [Forman] Brooks]

WILLIAM FORMAN BROOKS

     William F. Brooks, the gifted son, was said to be "the handsomest young man in the State of Vermont." He also had fine manners and conversational brilliancy: because of his personal charm and a natural susceptibility to environment, Grandmother evinced anxiety for the future of her eldest son to whom she was particularly devoted. She feared that "William would either be a very good man or a very bad one."
     In 1829- 1830, when he was ten years of age, he began his career as clerk in the store of Gardner C. Hall at Putney, which was at this time a more important town than Brattleboro, and lived with Mr. And Mrs. Hall. He was Captain of the Brattleboro Light Infantry the same year.
     In 1834-36 he entered into business in Manchester, England, with his cousin, Samuel R. Brooks, a man of gentlemanly tastes, but visionary in matters of business. The undertaking was a failure. In 1836, he lived at Waterloo five miles from Liverpool.
     The family have in their possession illustrated books, vases, candlesticks and other household furnishings, all in exquisite taste, sent by William Brooks from England to his people at home, for he was generous to a fault, and a good friend to his brothers and sisters, -- interested in the education of those younger than himself and always ready to give them assistance to the best opportunities of the period.
     On his return to America he made some important inventions, but the money obtained from them accrued to others, as is so often the experience of inventors, so that his life would have been a struggle if it had not been relieved by the practical aid of his brother Horace.
     He was handsome, and charming, and generous to the end.


"From William F. Brooks when in England, came the art of making seamless brass and copper tubing, and patents therefor have been sold to the amount of $500,000." Burnham's History of Brattleboro.


In 1862 he received an order for 10,000 carbines.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Brooks & Forman Papers - Introduction

My grandmother, Grace Ware (Holbrook) Haskell's  genealogy research  binder that focuses on the Holbrook Family genealogy includes a manuscript prepared by Mary Rogers Cabot titled "Brooks & Forman Papers". This document is typescript and undated. There is a note on the front cover indicating this was a copy for GWH. This document provides some interesting information about the Brooks and Forman families, even though there is limited source information provided. Mary Rogers Cabot was the author of the two volume set titled "Annals of Brattleboro [Vermont], 1681 - 1895", published in 1921 and 1922 by the E. L. Hildreth & Co., Brattleboro, Vermont. Mary Rogers Cabot was the daughter of Norman Franklin and Lucy T. (Brooks) Cabot was born in Brattleboro, Vermont on 20 August 1856. She died in Brattlboro on 30 April 1932. I look forward to transcribing and sharing the information from this manuscript over a series of posts in the coming months.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Grace Ware Holbrook Journal Entry - Post 13

June 9th - Sunday [1918]
      We climbed Skyrocket in the morning - Miss Lubovitsky, Michael, Cabot & I, and found quantities of strawberries on the hill. We discussed growing things in general and enjoyed ourselves very much. 
      Michael received from Miss Follett a letter on democracy which stirred everyone, especially him, by the general attitude with which it was received as much as anything else. We played tennis a little, after Cabot had departed & the letter was read aloud to all by mother, leaving them to discuss matters by themselves.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Tombstone Tuesday - Jabez C. Haskell

Cemetery: Pond Cemetery, New Gloucester, Cumberland County, Maine
Photo Date: 8 November 2009
Subject Name: Jabez C.and Lucinda (Purinton) Haskell

Transcription of Gravestone #1: JABEZ C. HASKELL/DIED/June 27, 1875/AE. 76.
Transcription of Gravestone #2: LUCINDA/wife of/Jabez C. Haskell/Died Sept. 11, 1852,/AE. 45 yrs. 7 mos./[epitaph illegible]


Jabez's gravestone death date conflicts with the New Gloucester Vital Records which includes the following entry: Jabez C. Haskell died January 27th, 1875 aged 76 years.

Lucinda's gravestone death date matches the New Gloucester Vital Records provides the following entry: Mrs Lucinda Haskell died Sept 11, 1852 aged forty-five years.

The New Gloucester Vital Records also provide the following marriage record: Joined in Marriage Mr Jabez C. Haskell and Miss Lucinda Purinton both of New Gloucester Dec 2, 1827.

Gravestone #1 - Jabez C. Haskell

Gravestone #2 - Lucinda Haskell

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Amanuensis Monday - Mary C. Diller Letter - Feb. 4, 1943

Here is the transcription of another letter from Mary C. Diller to my grandmother Grace Ware (Holbrook) Haskell.

Feb. 4th, 1943.
My Dear Cousin: -
     It is a long time since I have heard from you or cousin Nellie Torrey.
     She usually writes me about "Xmas" time; but she did not write me this last "Xmas" and I am afraid she is sick or passed away.
     Will you please write me as I am anxious to know if she is in good health and still living?
     This terrible War so depressing.
     Is your son old enough to be in this World's War?
     How are you all?
     My Eldest son John Cabot Diller is Major in the Air Corpse somewhere over seas.
     I am anxiously awaiting official announcement of his safe arrival.
     His wife and four children are moving from Meridian, Connecticut to a warmer climate in Florida.
     She feels her heavy burden keenly and I do hope she can stem the tide.
     Major John Cabot Diller was at Miami and Busch, Florida six weeks.
     Then sent to Harrisburg, Pa after three weeks stay.
     The Majors were sent to Washington, D.C. 2 1/2 weeks.
     Given a Furlough and son John went home to Meridian, Conn.
     From there he was sent to San Francisco, California awaiting transportation to go over seas.
     After that sent to New Port, Virginia.
     "Xmas" morning a telegram announcing he had sailed for over-seas.
     His wife calapsed [sic] in a Real Estate Car looking up a home to move to.
     She was carried to a stranger's home and a Dr. summoned by the good lady of the house.
     Result a nervous break down.
     However she wrote  she must go on and do her part to win this terrible War.
     I do hope she can survive her terrible ordeal.
     Meridian climate too cold for her.
     Hence she is seeking a warmer clime.
     Her four children in school.
     To be placed to another school.
     I do hope and pray that she may be able to stand up under the terrible strain.
     She writes however she shall always love Texas she calls her husband nevertheless.
     I have been in three Wars and shall be so thankful when it is over.
     Please do write all are well. Love, cousin Mary C. Diller

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Grace Ware Holbrook Journal Entry - Post 12

June 8th [1918]
      Yesterday it rained hard, & later in the day it cleared & grew colder. We remained here through the day doing various bits of housework.
     Today Miss Lubovitsky & I drove with Edwards to Brattleboro & stayed to lunch with Aunt Molly. Mr Moffitt met me & we went over the lists for camp candidates.
     Mother & Michael arrived later, with the Dabneys & Cabot in time for afternoon tea. Michael handed He was most excited over his Boston visit & with all that happened there - The Barrys dined with them, also Sarah Bradley & Miss West. Then Michael went to see Gerard's pictures, shopped with Cook, had tea with the Bradleys etc. We played tennis before dinner for a short time - and danced for the benefit of with several spectators about. presented me a huge box of candy with remarks that it was "so very small".

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Grace Ware Holbrook Ancestral Chart 2

This chart continues from Grace Ware Holbrook Ancestral Chart 1. This chart begins with John Holbrook b. July 10, 1761. Surnames on this chart include: Holbrook, Turner, Hunt, Lane, Hersey, Bradford, Rogers, Richards, Pabodie.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Grace Ware Holbrook Ancestral Chart 1

Here is an ancestral chart that was filled out by my grandmother, Grace Ware Holbrook. Lots of information here that I need to document and source. These old charts are some of my favorite genealogy notes that were handed down by my grandmother. Surnames on this chart include: Holbrook, Goodhue, Knowlton, Edwards, Nourse, Mason, Parker, Ware, Cabot, Rogers, Sabin, Mayes, Brooks, Forman, Tufts, Wyckoff

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Tombstone Tuesday - Major Jacob Haskell

Cemetery: Lower Cemetery, New Gloucester, Cumberland County, Maine
Photo Date: 30 Jun 2007
Subject Name: Major Jacob Haskell
Transcription: In memory of/Majr. Jacob Haskell./died Sept. 29, 1825./AEt. 82.

Jacob Haskell was b. 12 Aug 1745 to Jacob and Tabitha (Day) Haskell in Gloucester, Essex County, Massachusetts (Gloucester VR to 1849). Based on this birth date and the death date on his gravestone, this would put his age at 80 at time of death not 82. I have also seen an alternate death date for Jacob as 29 Sept. 1820.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Amanuensis Monday - Mary C. Diller Letter , Jan. 1, 1941

 I transcribed this New Year's card/letter from Mary C. Diller to my grandmother Grace Ware (Holbrook) Haskell/

Jan. 1st 1941,
My Dear Cousin:
      So few of us are left. I want to keep in touch with them.
      How are cousin Will Cabot [William Brooks Cabot] and family? Also Dear Nellie Torrey? I fear cousin Nellie must see so lonely in this rushing world; but one should be so thankful we are so fortunate to have a home in the U.S.A. Our President is doing his best to keep us out of War.
      Do you have Relatives in Europe? If so your heart must ache for them.
      These are indeed strenuous times and stands [?] one in hand to be ready to meet our Maker. I hope you all keep well.
      I am enclosing to you a clipping of inquiry so you know of this John B. Cabot of Boston? I suppose cousin Will Cabot of Boston might give one some information but I have never been able to get his address.
      I met him years ago with Dear Uncle Norman Cabot [Norman Franklin Cabot] at the Worlds Fair Chicago, Ill. The year before my marriage.
      My son John has four children. Three boys and a sweet little Lucia. They live at Meridian, Conn. 3186 Emlock Road. Son Roland has no children but a very sweet wife. We are quite well but my eyes poor. A Happy New Year to you all with much love. Cousin Mary C. Diller

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Amanuensis Monday - Grace Ware Holbrook Journal Entry - Post 11

June 6th [1918]
     Mother & Michael went early in the car on their way to Boston for two or three days stay. They planned to stop at Camp Devens to see Cabot on the way down. Later, I took the car down to the repair shop - as the shaft & bearing were broken. At the Episcopal Parish House there was a meeting of Public Health workers of the County, to discuss the possibilities of cooperating & organizing with the Red Cross, for a larger field of work & workers. Miss Mary Gardner spoke then & also in the afternoon - in an appeal for the public health work. Miss van Patten & Miss Wakefield gave outlines of their work among others, & all was well & clearly expressed.
     I met Mr. Moffit to talk over plans for camp etc - & made beginnings at least toward a settlement of ideas.

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Treasure Chest Thursday - Kashima Maru Passenger List

When my grandfather, Merrill Haskell, went to Vladivostok, Russia in 1919 he sailed out of Seattle on the S.S. "Kashima Maru". He saved a copy of the passenger list, which provides details about the ship, the itinerary, and a list of the passenger. He is listed as a Saloon Passenger on page 4 as "Haskell, Mr. M., New York, N.Y.". The others he was traveling with, include "Norwood, Mr. R., New York, N.Y." on page 5 and "Wood, Mr. E.P. and Mrs., New York, N.Y." on page 6.

Cover

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© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell