On Saturday morning, we looked out the front living room window and there was a

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We have an antique white rose bush that was my mother’s. It has grown quite tall since we planted it out front of the pergola. A couple of years ago it had a few rose hips after the blossoms were gone. There was a flock of Cedar Waxwings that arrived and ate a lot of them. The bush is loaded this year but we have seen only one Waxwing enjoying the rose hips. Some people used to make tea and other things from them.

Judy Bishop, our dedicated GHS member from Yarmouth, attended the last concert of the season at the All Souls Chapel on the Poland Spring Resort grounds, Poland Spring, Maine. Phil House and Kathy Haley were performing. They are two of the longest performing and most beloved musicians of the summer concert series. Phil has been part of the concert series for 30 of the 50 years, and together they have played at Poland Spring for close to 30 years.

After the concert, Judy drove to Gilead to be there for the last day the GHS buildings were open for the season. The members that were there held a birthday party for her since her birthday is at the end of the month. Those that could make it were Kevin Daniels, Pete and Claudia Risbara, and Hugh and Lin Chapman.

Gilead Historical Society

The GHS has wrapped up for this season. There are still quite a few leaf-peepers enjoying the little maple in front of the buildings. We will be closed until Memorial weekend next May. Good season and thanks to all who stopped by and learned a little bit about Gilead’s history.

Letter #12

Aug 15, 1905.

My dearest Family,

Our day in Canterbury was one of the red letter days of the summer. It is so picturesque and the many associations with history and literature make it wonderfully interesting. The train from Canterbury to London took us through such pretty country: fine grassy slopes with large flocks of sheep and herds of cows grazing on them.

We reached London about six, took a carriage and with our ten pieces of baggage (Paris gowns had to be carried in pasteboard boxes) and we arrived at Miss Glover’s boarding house just in time for dinner. The first thing we did Wednesday [Aug. 16] morning was to take a bus to Cook’s where we were made happy by two or three letters apiece: several had been forwarded to Lucerne and sent back to London, one from Ethel in which she had enclosed some money. After we had read our letters we walked to London Bridge, passing the great Fire Monument on our way

Thursday [Aug. 17] we made a day’s excursion to Hampton Court, the palace built by Cardinal Wolsey and presented to Henry VIII.

The Hampton Court gardens are beautiful; long walks between fine old trees, lotus and lily ponds, and the greatest profusion of flowers; long and rather narrow flower beds beside the walk or against a brick wall, and in them hollyhocks of all colors, roses, larkspur, phlox (the loveliest and most varied in color that I have ever seen) geraniums, etc. all mixed in together. I think it was really the prettiest garden I have ever seen. From these Gardens we went into Bushy Park and walked through it (about 2 miles) to Teddington. From Teddington we went by electric car to Richmond and from the bridge over the Thames we had lovely views of the river with its windings and picturesque bridges farther up the stream.

Sunday afternoon we drove through Hyde Park in hansom cabs. In the season it is the place to see society in the afternoon. Monday [Aug. 21] was our best day in London for we really devoted that to Westminster Abbey. We didn’t see even then all that we would have liked, but it was all we were equal to in one day. On Tuesday [Aug. 22] we made another excursion, this time to Windsor. It is over an hour’s ride by train, through pretty English country. Wednesday [Aug. 23] was our last whole day in London and as usual some of it had to be devoted to shopping. We had a good time looking at the lovely silks in Liberty’s windows, and we almost spent our last cent on gloves at Peter Robinson’s.

One other thing which we particularly enjoyed was a visit to the “Old Curiosity Shop.” It is just as quaint as Dickens represents it and the little old man and his wife who live there and sell postcards are real Dickens characters.

This finishes our London experiences, for at 1:25 on Thursday, we took the train for Oxford. I shall send you only one more letter for our trip is nearly over. It will be very good to get home though I have enjoyed every minute of the trip.

Much love to you all. Mary G. Peabody, Warwick, Aug. 29, 1905.

Got any news? Email chapmal@hotmail.com

Last Monday night around 11 PM the power went out. It was windy, so figured it might be a tree down on the wires. CMP estimated 1:15 AM and then …

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The leaves are turning but there are still a lot of trees holding onto their green leaves. The photo is of the tree between our garage and the Fire Station. Since it is ablaze with color, beside the fire station is a good place for it.

Gilead Historical Society

The GHS Annual Meeting was held on Saturday, September 26^th. Lunch was provided by the GHS. After lunch, the agenda was passed out and the meeting began. The agenda noted that the GHS lost two members this year—Maureen Swain and Life Member Randy Bennett. There were also five new members who signed up over the summer—Cynthia Ouellette, Kerrie Daniels Westerland, Mary Jo Landry, Rusty and Kerrie Myers. (There was one new member who signed up at the meeting—Celia Broomhall.)

Election of Officers was held and the following were elected: President Kevin Daniels, Vice President Tedd Brown, Secretary Claudia Risbara, Treasurer Lin Chapman, and a Trustee for three years—Jimmy Lumbard.

Finances were presented, dates for 2027 were set, projects completed were discussed and upcoming projects, also. The website that Tedd is working on with a designer will be up and running soon. The GHS is also taking quotes for walkways to the buildings that will make handicap accessibility easier.

Door prize and raffle tickets were drawn. Thanks to Eileen Dupont for filling in for me at the last minute at the sale table, since I could not be there.

The guest speaker was Chris Silva, Executive Director of Custom House Maritime Museum, Newburyport, MA, Director of Facilities, Capital Planning and Real Estate, Harvard Arts Museums, and Director of Operations Facilities and Safety, Massachusetts Historical Society. In his speech, he talked about how important documentation of historical events can be. The C.H.M. Museum preserves documents that have been entrusted to them for safekeeping. They have a temperature-controlled environment to store them in so future generations can view them and learn of their historical significance.

Many thanks to all those who worked so hard to make it a successful day.

Aunt May’s Letters

Letter #10

Aug. 1–5. [1905]

My dearest Family,

I closed my last letter with preliminary remarks on Holland I believe. We reached Amsterdam late Tuesday afternoon [Aug. 1] and the next Saturday afternoon [Aug. 5] we arrived in Paris. So you see we had only a glimpse of the Low Countries though we kept on the go every minute of the four days.

The men we saw working here wore wooden shoes, the first we had seen. Saw the women in their pretty white caps and some quite characteristic Dutch costumes.

The next morning [Aug. 3] we devoted to the Ryks Museum. Saw much that showed the early industries of the Dutch people and their ways of living. Rooms fitted up with old furniture, old pewter and old silver. The picture gallery has much that is finest in the Dutch School. The Rembrandts, Ruysdael’s Mill, Gerard Dow’s are some I liked especially. At 2.07 we were on the train for the Hague.

Friday afternoon we went on to Antwerp. We staid at English Hotel (Owens Hotel). I can’t tell you what a pleasure it was to hear my own language from maids and porters. Of course we have heard English in the office at every hotel but we have often had rather amusing experiences making our wants known to porters and chambermaids. What little we saw of Antwerp as a city I liked. It is quite a commercial city with a good many fine buildings and squares. I would really like to see more of it.

We left Antwerp at 11.55 a.m. and about 5 p.m. we reached this gay city of Paris. My next letter will tell you of our stay here which has been very pleasant. At least I have a letter from Gilead, one from Mamma written on July 18. She refers to one Ada wrote the week before which has not reached me yet. I tried not to be anxious but it was an immense relief to hear from you. I hope the letters I have written you have not gone astray. Tomorrow we leave here so my Paris letter will be written and mailed in London. The time is drawing near when we shall start for home. I shall be quite [glad?] to go though I have enjoyed and am enjoying every minute of our trip.

Love to you all and keep well.

Mary G. Peabody

Got any news? Email chapman@hotmail.com

Pete and Claudia Risbara recently traveled to Hilton Head, South Carolina, to spend some time with their family.

When they returned to Gilead, there were plenty of things to catch up on around the garden. Claudia also reports that Pete…

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As usual, news is scarce around here. The Real Estate Tax Bills have been mailed out and most people have received them. If you did not receive a bill, contact the Town Office at 207-836-2115.

Mike Kelley and his crew have been wrapping up the work on the Town Hall. Hugh asked him if when he was done we could hire him to do a project for us. The old deck needed to be removed, and the cellar hole filled in. Since he had his equipment on site already, the work was completed quickly. (Even though we border with the Town this was a separate project and paid for by us.)

Gilead Historical Society

Reminder: The Annual Meeting Date has been changed from September 19^th to September 26^th. GHS is providing the food. Open to the public.

May’s Letters continued

Letter #8

Pension Kaufmann Lucerne, Switz.

July 27, 1905

My dear Family,

If I remember correctly I closed my last letter just as we were about to start on our second diligence ride, from Brieg to Gletsch. We left Zermatt Tuesday morning, July 18, and changed cars at Visp where we had luncheon. Then on to Brieg, all this over the same road we had travelled in going to Zermatt. (This was the first time we have had to go over the same route a second time.)

When we got into the hotel it seemed like a haven of rest for there was a big open fire in the office and ever so many people enjoying it. This little picture shows all the buildings in Gletsch; the hotel with its dependence across the Rhone, the post-office, stables, and two or three little houses. Our rooms were in the dependence so we had to leave the cheerful open fire and dash across the bridge in the wind and rain to rather bare and cheerless rooms. The beds were good and we were so tired that nothing else mattered. That night the wind whistled in a way which reminded one of Gilead.

The next morning [July 19] we were up early and after breakfast we walked to the glacier. The color was a beautiful green and it was rather weird as we went through this winding passage farther and farther into the ice. Our first day in Interlaken [July 21] was a quiet one. We had not fully recovered from the effects of Zermatt and Gletsch.

Saturday [July 22] we took the excursion of Interlaken. That was an all day trip; we left Interlaken at eight and were back at the hotel just in time for dinner at seven thirty.

Sunday afternoon we took the steamer and sailed to the end of Lake Thun and back again. It is much larger than Brienz and the villages on its shores more picturesque and the surrounding country more varied and attractive. The water in all these lakes is a beautiful green. I never saw anything like it.

Our trip to Lucerne was by boat, and by rail; by boat to Brienz then by rail over Brunig Pass. It rained all day which saved us from dust but obscured the view. [July 24] There is a quaint old covered bridge in Lucerne across the Reuss with paintings in the roof illustrating the history of the town.

July 28, Heidelberg.

The last of this letter I have written here. We came today. It was a long, hot, rather monotonous railway journey from Lucerne. Will tell you all about Heidelberg in my next letter. I am anxious for letters from Gilead. The last letter from Mother was written at Belmont and I have had but one letter from Ada. Lily’s letters come pretty promptly, I found two at Lucerne, and she enclosed one from Ethel. Am so glad that Ethel and the baby are so well.

Much love to you all and keep well please.

Affectionately,

May G. Peabody

Got any news? Email chapmal@hotmaail.com

Fall colors are beginning to show up. This little tree is always the first one to turn on this street.

We stopped at the Swain Farm in Bethel when we were driving by the other day. Delicious corn and some real tomatoes.

Then we were gifted some new potatoes and real tom…

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Gilead Historical Society

Claudia has been busy weeding the gardens and keeping them looking great.

The new opaque shades look great. They keep out the sunlight and when they are down, it is still possible to see outside.

Hugh and Pete painted the sign on the corner. Looks great. Hugh also gave the Whistle Post a new coat of paint.

That left the Bumper Stop that needed some attention. Pete painted the information with white paint so the words would be easier to read.

Aunt May’s letters continued-

Letter #6

Deutsches Heim Old Clock Tower

Venice, July 12, 1905

My dearest Family

Yesterday I sent off a letter telling you of our last days in Florence and now I shall attempt to give you a little idea of this fairyland for such it seems to me.

I have sent you postals of the Old Clock Tower with our rooms marked so you know something of our surroundings. But that picture doesn’t show half how interesting and quaint it is. We go into a narrow dark alley, then up and up a narrow stone staircase before we reach our rooms which are really delightful. We have two large double rooms both on the verandah which is all our own.

Directly in front of us is the Piazza with the Grand Canal just beyond. Between us and the canal is the pillar with the winged lion.

There are only three bridges across the Grand Canal, and the Rialto is the only one of interest. I was grieved to find that

Shakespeare’s Rialto was the fishmarket close by and not the bridge which has quaint little shops something like the Ponte Vecchio in Florence.

But to return to my chronological order. Sunday [July 9] just at sunset we took a gondola ride under the Bridge of Sighs, through the

narrow canals and came out on the Grand Canal just by the Rialto. The sunset colors reflected in the water and on these fine old

palaces made a picture I shall not forget.

We left Venice this morning at 8:20 and reached here (Milan) about 2 p.m.

We leave here tomorrow at 10 a.m., spend the night at Domo D’Ossola, the next day on to Brieg by Diligence, and on Sunday we reach Zermatt.

I wish I had time to write more, but it is late and the others have all gone to bed. Everything is well with us and it goes without saying that we are enjoying every day.

It is still very warm though nothing like Florence and we long for the snow covered Alps. I am sending this letter to Gilead as Lily said they might be away all through August. I shall be so glad when I hear from you that my first letter has been reviewed.

Much love to each and every one. May

Got any news? Email chapmal@hotmail.com

This column comes out on August 27^th, which would have been my mother, Millie McLain’s birthday. She was almost 95 years old when she passed in June 2004 on the day of Gilead’s Bicentennial Celebration. She would be deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Randy Bennett, a cousin from the Heath and Bennett families. My mother and cousin Emeline Heath got together many times with Randy to sort out the family histories that connected them. Randy will be missed by the many people he connected with throughout his life.

On Monday morning, a couple of bucket trucks arrived to work on the weather station that was recently installed at the intersection of Route 2 and Bridge Street.

Gilead Historical Society

I already mentioned Randy on a personal note, but as a Life Member of the GHS, I have to add that he will be missed. His knowledge of the area and the genealogy of many families was unreal. All one had to say was “Randy, who was [such a person] related to that connects him to the [family of ]?” There was no hesitation with the answer to the question. If there was a question about it, he had notebooks full of family information.

We have lost a very good friend and all the knowledge he possessed.

This past weekend, there was a “shady” crew working at the schoolhouse. Pete Risbara, Hugh Chapman and Jimmy Lumbard installed the new room darkening shades that Claudia Risbara had ordered. These shades will eliminate having to cover up some of the items in the room when we close up on Saturday. They are opaque but will keep out the sun.

Aunt May’s Letters Continued

Letter #5

Deutsches Heim

Piazza San Marco Venice

July 11, 1905

My dear Family,

My last letter was sent from Florence in the hottest weather I have ever known. “They said” it was the most intense heat they have had for seventy years. I certainly know that it has required all my strength to keep up sightseeing and at the same time take care of myself. The shops in Florence are fascinating. We spent two afternoons wandering around and buying some things. Instead of the $10. Aunt Hattie sent me I have a very pretty gold chain for my watch. Did I tell you that I used Aunt Emma’s $2. toward some coral beads which I bought in Capri? Our last day in Florence was the sort personally conducted parties have all or at least much

of the time. First a carriage to the Church of the Carmines to see some very fine pictures by Masaccio. There are frescoes, many of them, one in each little cell, and in the large refectory a large painting (The Last Supper). To finish up our morning we spent an hour at the Bargello, a grand old palace, now a museum.

Thursday we were in Pisa for some hours. You all know the picture of the Cathedral and Baptistry with the Leaning Tower close by. That tower leans even more than it shows in most of the photographs. Of course we were sorry to leave Florence in spite of the pleasant experiences ahead of us. It really does seem as though we had been particularly fortunate in our trip so far. The voyage was

delightful; we have been able to carry out all the plans we had made and have seen even more than we expected; the weather has been good (not a single rainy day yet) hardly a shower; all the hotels and pensions have been excellent (good beds and good food); and we have all kept well.

Have I written since receiving Ada’s letter, also Mamma’s from Belmont and number 3 from Lily? It did seem so good to hear from you all. I am anxious to hear again from Akron and think it is about time for another letter from Lily. By this time Ada, Arthur and Mamma must be in Gilead. I wonder how you found the house. The supper bell has rung (7.30 p.m.) and as we are going out in a gondola at 8.30, I must close.

Much love to you all.

May

Got any news? Email chapmal@hotmail.com

Condolences go out to the family and friends of Selectman Jon Howe.

The workers are very busy at the Town Hall. The granite slabs are now back in place in the concrete base, with the building now resting on them. It will be nice to see it when all the work has finished. It will be ready to either repair or replace the windows.

Work has begun at the corner of Route 2 and Bridge Street. There were two poles installed a while back and now the reason has been revealed. There is going to be a weather station installed there. Not too much more information was found out other than it will help report winter weather conditions in the area.

Gilead Historical Society

Last weekend the corner was busy with quite a few visitors. Alison Aloisio stopped by to see what the GHS has been busy with recently. She was thinking of doing an article with the latest updates.

May Peabody letters Continued

Letter #4

Pension Benoit

13-15 Lung Arno Serrestori Florence, Italy

[no date, must have been started on 29 June or later]

My dear Family,

My last letter was such a miserable hodge podge that I have little courage to attempt another. Yet I suppose you will want to hear

from me so will take new courage and try again. We reached here last Thursday at nine o’clock in the evening and were met by the

concierge of the Pension Benoit. We had engaged our rooms before leaving Rome and had asked to be met. This pension is

delightful. Miss Hyde and I are roommates this time and our window looks out upon a pretty square and the Arno just beyond. Across the river we can see Santa Croce (the most interesting church perhaps in all Florence), Giotto’s Tower (the bell tower of the Cathedral) and the queer old tower on the Palazzo Vecchio. This is the pension where Kathleen staid and recommended so highly. We pay only $1.20 a day which includes even wine. Our general method of procedure when we arrive in a new place is first to go to Cook’s, then visit places in the city we most wish to see. We followed that program here. I was delighted to find Frank’s letter

announcing the safe arrival of John Wright Peabody. I think I am very glad that it is a boy and I am particularly pleased with the name. I do hope Ethel will get well quickly.

I wish you could all see Giotto’s Tower. It is impossible to give you any idea of its beauty. How I wish you could all see this

Beautiful group of buildings! It impressed me quite as much as the fine old ruins in Rome. We staid at Hotel Subasio,

close to the church. The view of the luxuriant valley below is magnificent. Vineyards and large wheat fields everywhere to be seen and all so peaceful and restful. Again we were favored with balcony rooms. I don’t know how I shall ever be able to live in New York if this sort of thing continues. The view of a plain brick wall will seem worse than ever. We walked about the town a little; the streets are narrow + steep + picturesque. We saw women going to the wells carrying waterjugs on their heads. The costumes were very picturesque and fitted in with quaint old streets.

By this time you must have received my first letter. I’m wondering if the Gilead home is open today. I do not know the date of Colby’s commencement but have a vague idea that it comes this week. I shall try to send a letter every week and postals in

between. Am hoping for a letter from you, Ada, sometime soon.

With very much love to you all.

May

Got any news? Email chapmal@hotmail.com.

Route 113 through Evans Notch has not been kind to motorcycles this year. There was one involving a motorcycle a while back and then another this past Friday. There was also a two vehicle accident last…

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Our granddaughter, Sidney Chapman, came to visit before she left for New York to get ready for college this upcoming year. She will be working on her Masters.

Gilead Historical Society

This is the second letter that May wrote and sent home to her family. A continuation of last week’s Letter #1

Letter #2

June 15, 1905

My dearest Family,

I can hardly realize that we have been in sunny Italy only five days, so much has been crowded into the time since we left the Prinz Adalbert Tuesday morning. Our rooms are delightful, large, cool, with elegant mahogany furniture, two single beds in each, a tiled floor, and best of all each has a balcony. The view is grand! a good bit of the city just below us, bay of Naples in the middle distance, and the lovely island of Capri in the background; just a little to our left but plainly visible from our balconies is Vesuvius. Just think of it! The wonderful burning mountain in sight from my window. Last night “our view” was wonderfully beautiful because of the moonlight; little sail boats moved slowly across the moonlight path on the bay, and Vesuvius showed a jagged line of fire on its slope. Today the mountain looked as we so often see it pictured; a column of smoke seeming to rise from its summit, but last night it seemed like a long line of fires on the slope. I think we may have had the best part of our trip. I feel certain we can have nothing we shall enjoy more.

The first thing we had to do on Tuesday was to get some Italian money and make arrangements for our trip to Capri etc.

Consequently, we went to the Cook office and the whole thing was arranged in a very short time. First the guide came to the hotel, put us in carriages and we drove to the pier; small row boats to a little steamer which took us down the bay to near Capri, then row boats again to go into the Blue Grotto. The water there is a most beautiful lapis lazuli; I’ve heard of its wonderful blue but never dreamed how beautiful it was. Next the little steamer took us to the port of Capri, and again we had to land in row boats. The boatmen are picturesque like everything and everybody here; they stand to row, wear neither shoes nor stockings and always have some bright color, either a handkerchief tied around their heads or a band on their hats.

Again we boarded the small steamer and this time Sorrento was our goal. We had fine large rooms at the Hotel Syrene, connecting, each had a balcony and we could hear the waves lap the shore at the foot of the staircase which we climbed.

Wednesday [May must mean Thursday] morning we started on our 45 mile drive for Cava. The road is a fine one, built some ten years ago. It winds up and down between vineyards, olive orchards, poppies growing everywhere, poppies growing everywhere among the vines, out of the crannies in the walls and besides the road. Time and again we would see some distant point only to lose it again at the next turn in the road. The road is walled on the side next to the sea. I’ll tell you more about it when I show you my picture postals.

Saturday we went to Pompeii. We had to start very early because there are so few trains. I will not attempt to describe what I saw there, I could not do it. I thought I knew something about Pompeii before but I realize now that I did not. It is wonderful that these excavations can be made and everything shown in such perfect condition.

June 19.

We rested Sunday and I began this letter. That evening Mr. Stark, our St. Louis acquaintance, who seems much interested in Miss Lester, called and took us all for a drive. Think of seeing Naples by moonlight! And so our visit in Naples ends. We have not been on Vesuvius and have seen only one of the 420 churches, but we feel that we have got many lasting impressions of life here, now and what it used to be. Have received letters from Mother, Lily, Frank and Ethel. It did seem so good to hear from you.

Tomorrow night we shall be in Rome.

Much love to you all

May

Got any news? Email chapmal@hotmail.com

The Fire Department/Town Garage has gotten a face lift. Ivan, who does mowing and odd jobs for the Town, has painted the whole building. They decided to give it …

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Pete and Claudia Risbara entertained some company last week. Their granddaughter, Campbell Perrine, from South Carolina spent some time with them here in Gilead and traveling around the Portland area.

Gilead Historical Society

Last week I posted photos of the new lights in the schoolhouse and station. I thought I included a thank you to Derek and his crew from Simpson Electric 207 LLC for a job well done. We appreciate the quick response from them. They are located in Dixfield, Maine. (207) 491-6373.

This week’s history is from some letters that were written in 1905. They were received by the GHS in 2006. The letters were transcribed by Cindy Bennett, who is a direct descendent of the Gilead Peabody family. There were thirteen letters in all that the sister of her great-grandfather had written on her trip through Europe in 1905. Some letters are quite long, so we will start with the introduction by Cindy Bennett and then include Letter #1. These letters are very well written and quite interesting with an insight into what was happening in 1905, so we hope they are to the readers of this column. (Letters were published in the GHS newsletter-Fall ‘06 & Spring ‘07)

Introduction by Cindy Bennett

“On May 30, 1905 May Peabody and her three friends left New York City on the German ship “Prinz Adelbert,” bound for Naples. In the course of the trip through Europe, which lasted until early September, May wrote 13 letters home to her family describing her experiences.

About the author of the letters: At the time she set out, May Peabody was 41. Unmarried, she was a teacher at the Horace Mann School in New York City. The school was an experimental school closely associated with the Teachers’ College of Columbia University, teaching boys and girls. In the letters, she occasionally refers to “Whittier Hall,” which houses the Teachers’ College. We know nothing of May’s companions on the trip to Europe, not even their first names.

Besides the trip described in these letters, there is another story available in which Aunt May took part. Around 1884, she and some friends had an outing to the top of Mt. Washington in a carriage. A description can be found here: http://www.bethelhistorical.org/Mountain_Days.html

On the recipients and the house in Gilead: The recipients were:

“Mamma” - her mother, Mary E. Peabody, born in 1841

Her sister Ada and brother-in-law Arthur Roberts living at Waterville Maine, where Arthur was on the faculty of Colby College. He served as President of the college from 1908 to 1927.

Her brother Will and sister-in-law Lily Peabody (CB’s great-grandparents) and their son Walter (then age 8), living in White Plains, New York, at the time. Will was a civil engineer. His most “visible” project was Quabbin Reservoir in Massachusetts (1920s), Boston’s water supply.

Her brother Frank and sister-in-law Ethel Peabody, living in Akron, Ohio.

The Peabody family was from Gilead, Maine (originally called “Peabody’s Patent”) and was descended from some of the first settlers of Gilead, Thomas and Mary Peabody. One of the main businesses in the area was logging and lumber.

Their house had originally been built as a tavern in 1799 and is on historic registers as the “Peabody Tavern,” but was no longer in use as such. It is still standing and has recently been renovated. It is now situated between the railroad line and US Route #2. In 1905 the house was only used by the family in summer. (It was considerably cooler than New York or Boston.) The summer get-togethers in Gilead continued into the 1940s: my mother remembers plagues of mosquitoes in summers at the “red house”.

Letter #1

Prinz Adelbert [a ship crossing the Atlantic Ocean]

Sunday, June 4, 1905

My dear Family,

There are so many things I want to tell you that I hardly know where to begin. We have been out almost a week and a more restful and delightful seven days I have never known. We have had all kinds of weather, cold and warm, windy and calm, sunshine and rain and the sea has changed accordingly. Sometimes as calm as a mill pond and sometimes like the sea as I have seen it at Cape

Elizabeth after a storm.

Since Saturday we have had ideal days, warm enough to sit on deck without jackets or gloves. No, I’ve had not the slightest touch of seasickness. I’ve enjoyed every minute since we came on board. I sleep like a top and eat every time anything is offered. In fact I’ve never felt better. This is an ideal morning and we are all on deck. The sea is blue as sapphires, not a white cap to be seen. The boat moves along so steadily that I hardly know we are on the water. Nothing to be seen but the beautiful blue sky and the sea almost as blue. This afternoon we have seen a great many porpoise and this evening the phosphorescent lights in the water have been

beautiful. It has been an ideal day, never to be forgotten.

Wednesday, June 7, 1905.

We passed the Azores yesterday. The only island we were near was Flores. We were about an hour passing it and it was a beautiful changing picture to be long remembered; the color of houses, soil, grass and rocks, the mist, and the sea on every side were

indescribably beautiful. The ship is becoming a very familiar place but I am not one bit tired of it. Naturally the passengers are

becoming very friendly. We have found some very pleasant Cleveland people, Dr. and Mrs. Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. Austin. They are to take much the same trip that we do so we are hoping to meet them again.

Such good meals we have had and so many courses! At luncheon we generally have soup, fish, and two meat courses beside desserts. For dinner soup, fish, three or more meat courses, dessert (usually ice cream) fruits, nuts, cheese, coffee. I’ve had a ravenous appetite all the time and now feel thoroughly rested.

Thurs. June 8.

I have not told you how much I enjoyed my steamer letters. When I first got on board I found fourteen but none from any of my

family. After we started I found letters from Mamma, Will, Lily, Walter, Ada, and Arthur. Thank you all for giving me so much pleasure. Lily, your letter was particularly clever, my friends thought. I had a letter from Aunt Hattie enclosing [a] check for $10. and Jessie Guernsey sent me $2. to buy something I wanted in Florence. So you see my friends and relatives have supplied me with means to purchase souvenirs, for Ada gave me $1. and Kathleen sent the same amount. I suspect Mamma of some such thing too for I found a nice little package in the pocket of my skirt marked for my birthday.

Monday June 12.

The end of our voyage seems very near for tomorrow we reach Naples. These last days have had more variety. On Friday afternoon we passed Cape St. Vincent, and all the evening we could faintly discern the lights of the Spanish shore. We were all up early

Saturday for we were to pass Gibraltar. Gibraltar itself was grand, a huge mass of rock towering up into the sky. Apparently entirely separated from the mainland until we were close by. The finest view of the rock itself is after we have passed it and are in the blue Mediterranean. Then it rises to an immense height and its sides are almost perpendicular. This is the view we most often see. Saturday was a gala day on the ship too. The captain celebrated his twenty fifth anniversary of his life on the sea.

Today we expect to see Sardinia and between ten and twelve tomorrow reach Naples. I am anxious to hear from you all, but hope all is well. Shall be especially glad to hear how Ethel is getting on.

Tuesday a.m.

Our bags are packed and we are all ready to leave the steamer. I want to mail this at Naples as soon as we land so shall add only a word. Last night was the Captain’s dinner. About the same things to eat except for an extra meat course, but the dining room was decorated and everybody dressed in his or her best.

Goodbye for this time. Everybody is astir and I cannot write. Much love to you all.

May

Got any news? Email chapmal@hotmail.com

Not a lot going on. There are a few of the usual birds that come for breakfast every day. The little chipmunks keep busy cleaning up leftovers and storing them for next winter. I have not seen any skunks for a long time, but there was…

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Our son, Chris Chapman, who works for Wreaths Across America, travels for all sorts of events. He lives in Virginia so a lot of them happen in Washington, DC. This past weekend, Wreaths Across America and Wreaths Across America Radio had the chance to set up at the Great American State Fair at the National Mall in DC and represent the great State of Maine. He met people from about every state and several countries that were in DC for the 4^th. There were thousands of people who braved the heat to attend. He said that he had a blast promoting what the Pine Tree State has to offer.

Gilead Historical Society

On the 4^th, the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society hosted a 250^th anniversary celebration, which included a concert by the Portland Brass Quintet, a parade and a few booths. Pete and Claudia Risbara and Hugh Chapman represented the Gilead Historical Society, and of course, Pierre, went with them.

A bit of history from a GHS publication: “School Days, A Brief History of the Many School Houses of Gilead, Maine~ One Room, a Wood Stove and Two Privies ~” Howard Reiche, Jr., Hugh Chapman

Emeline Heath, whose father kept a farm on the North Rd., wrote these memories below of attending school during World War One. (1914-1918):

There were six schools in Gilead to which the students walked. They had no grades and no required course of study. In summer, attendance was chiefly girls and little boys, for the big boys were needed on the farms. Those who wanted more education and had the means often attended Gould Academy, in Bethel, either boarding in private homes or renting rooms and “boarding themselves” with the help of food from home. My Aunt Ida attended Gould Academy and taught school a little while before her marriage and my father and some other young men from Gilead attended one or more winters about which I always like to hear the stories.

When I first began attending school during World War One, we had a shorter school year with a long winter vacation. After the community Christmas program, things were pretty quiet until about the last week of March. The children who lived in the village had a more exciting life, sliding on the hill, skating on the frog pond, building ski jumps, and so on. I never thought the winter would come to an end.

My Aunt Alma, who lived with us, did much to make my life happy. She would read to me and tell me about her own childhood. We would play games like “Flinch,” dominoes, and tiddley-winks and I would cut pictures out of old copies of a magazine called “Delineator.” She let me write with her fountain pen in a copybook until I did well enough to write a letter to another aunt. Also, I learned to knit.

Got any news? Email chapmal@hotmail.com

We have been quite busy this past weekend. Chris and Kym Chapman, along with our granddog Moxee arrived Friday night, in the Wreaths Across America vehicle that he drives, after a long road trip from Edinburg,…

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Our son and family, Tim, Michele and Sidney Chapman and our Granddog Charlie from Gorham, NH, attended the Community Friends and Family Day on Saturday, June 20^th. Our grandson, Ajay Landry and Jenna Edwards from Shelburne, NH, along with our Granddog Ollie, were there also.

My brother, Steve McLain, will be celebrating a birthday this weekend on June 27^th. Happy Birthday! Pete and Claudia Risbara celebrated their 55^th wedding anniversary last Sunday, June 21^st. Happy Anniversary! They are only 5 years behind us.

Gilead Historical Society

There were approximately 40 people who attended the Community Friends and Family Day on June 20^th. There were even some Daniels relatives that came from Connecticut. Most of the rest were Maine and New Hampshire. We would have loved to see more Gilead people stop by for a free lunch and meet some of their neighbors. Maybe next time.

There were two new members who signed up. Cynthia Ouillette from South Paris, Maine, and Kerrie Daniels from Gorham, NH. Welcome to GHS.

Everyone had a great time. The celebration is much smaller than years past. We never did have a big celebration like the Gilead Centennial in 1904. We came close at the Bicentennial in 2004. We try to celebrate with the Community Friends and Family Day as close to June 26^th as possible.

From Gilead’s Past:

Gilead was incorporated on June 26, 1804. There were noted speakers and a big parade. The following except is from information from newspapers and some McLain writings. Dad is referring to my father, Stephen McLain.

In 1904, the Town of Gilead celebrated its hundredth year as a town. Everybody came out to celebrate. Grandfather took the whole family, and Dad participated in the foot races that were held. Early in the morning the guests began to arrive. The train brought people from both directions into town. Many people came by team from the surrounding towns. The reception committee was kept busy seeing to it that everyone felt that they were among friends.

The exercises in the morning began with the formation of a parade after the arrival of the Portland train at 11 o’clock. President R. D. Hastings was master of ceremonies and acted as Marshal of the Day. He was in uniform and mounted and did honors with military precision. On account of the sparsely settled community, no attempt was made to form a big parade. First in the parade came the Gilead Cornet Band, which was led by Milan Bennett. They were followed by all of the school children of the town. There were some 70-75 in line dressed up in white. The invited guests were next in line, and these were quite numerous. Old residents of the town were there in numbers and marched as proudly as their sons and grandchildren did.

The Indian rangers and cowboys who were led by Possum Jack made up one of the big features of the day. They were all mounted and armed. The march led to Hastings’ Store. A platform was set up there and tables were arranged. After everyone was settled, Chairman Hastings called for order, and a blessing was given by Rev. Mr. Bosworth. Dinner followed this. The large crowd was fed baked beans, cold meats, and many other home-cooked foods. During the meal, the crowd began to reminisce. Old time stories and anecdotes were brought out. It was a full hour before the banquet was over and then another hour of social chat and games followed. The band played fine music and all were merry. In the afternoon a speech was given by President Hastings. Field sports, ball games, wheelbarrow and leg races were numerous and interesting. Many of the people visited the home of Mr. J. W. Bennett. There were 3,000 acres on the Mr. Bennett place. The greater part of the land was wooded. His house was like a museum. There were some old rare linens that were woven by his mother on a hand loam. There was old china, pewter ware and many other objects of interest to be seen there at his house.

Got any news? Email chapmal@hotmail.com

Sorry. Not much news this week, so I thought I would include a couple of pictures of the flowers in our front yard. The an…

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Not much to report on the bird population around here. The Catbirds are still around. We know where the nest is but do not know if they have any family yet because we do not want to disturb them. We have been noticing quite a few Swallowtail Butterflies. Claudia Risbara took a picture of a swarm of them when she was taking a walk. The shadows on the ground make it a little hard to see some of them, but thought it was interesting.

Hugh and I took a ride last Tuesday on Rt. 113 up to Hastings Campground. Besides the host, there were only a couple of campsites that were occupied but several had reserved signs on them for the weekend.

There are a couple of trees beside Route 2 across from the town buildings. The Town mows this area to keep things looking nice between Route 2 and the railroad tracks. A branch from one of the trees broke off over the weekend, so Ivan Tilton, who does mowing and repair jobs for the Town, tackled the downed limb and got most of it picked up. Next comes the big branch that broke off.

Town of Gilead

Today is Election Day. It looks like the Town Hall has been fairly busy with several voters coming in to cast their ballot. It is a long day to have to show up early to be there when the polls open at 10:00 AM until they close at 8:00 PM. Then there is still more paperwork after that before they are sealed up and locked in a safe place. Of course, if there is a recount, the ballots will have to be picked up by a secure messenger and taken to the Secretary of State in Augusta. Whenever this has happened in the past, Gilead has always come out with the same number of cast ballots as was originally reported.

Gilead Historical Society

The GHS is getting ready for the annual Community Friends and Family Day. This will be held on June 20^th at the Gilead Town Hall. People can start gathering around 11:00 AM and lunch will be at noon. We hope to have a good turnout again this year. Everyone is welcome. Lunch is free, so stop by for a hamburger or hot dog. The desserts and other items will be in the Town Hall. There will be a couple of people who can take your order and bring lunch into the hall if walking back and forth is a problem.

Pete and Claudia Risbara have been busy moving the plants from Diane ‘Dupont’ Bean’s Memorial Garden from the location behind the school to in front of the school between the steps by the flagpole.

After a while the plants will spread and fill in the area. The garden will be more noticeable as a focal point in the new location. The plaque is attached to the school.

Got any news? Email chapmal@hotmail.com