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