1827 Libby Family Deed Now Available

Posted on August 12, 2026 by Don Taylor

This deed, dated October 16, 1827, records Hiram and Mary Libby of Scarborough conveying to Nehemiah Libby (also of Scarborough) all of Mary’s inherited right, title, and interest in the estate of her late grandmother, Abigail Libby. Abigail, formerly the wife of Nehemiah Libby, had died leaving property in Scarborough; this document quitclaims Mary’s share of that inheritance to Nehemiah for $66.67. The deed was signed and sealed in the presence of witness Peter Libby, who also served as the Justice of the Peace, acknowledging the transaction that same day in Cumberland County.

The document offers a small but concrete window into how Scarborough’s Libby family managed inherited property in the early 19th century, and it adds another link to the family’s local genealogical record.

SHS Reference > People – Surname Files > L > Libby > Deed – Hiram Libby to Nehemiah Libby – Oct 16, 1827 – A2026.21.01 > Deed Image 1, Deed Image 2, Transcription of Deed.

Posted in Property Records | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Updates July 2026

Posted on July 31, 2026 by Don Taylor

Education > Early Scarborough High Schools – 1877-1926

Class of 1916

SHS Class of 1916 (White School) Graduates photo. Digital Maine

Class of 1921

SHS Class of 1921 (White School) Graduates, Principal, & Teacher photo – Digital Maine

Library > Organizations

Town of Scarborough

Added: Town of Scarborough, Maine – Officials Directory – 1992

Research > Annual Reports – Town of Scarborough

Research > Tax Valuation Books

Added: 1877 Scarborough Tax Valuation Book – Digital Maine – Internet Archive

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Faces from the Past – Rosile Dolley Poland (1837-1890)

Posted on May 30, 2026 by Don Taylor
Photo of A. J. Poland, sitting in a chair, circa 1889.
Probably Rosile Dolley Poland (1837-1890)

Rosile Dolley was born in 1837 and married Alvin J. Poland (1834–1914) as his second wife, Alvin having previously been married to Martha W. Pennell (1832–1864). By 1880 the couple were living in Biddeford, but by 1889 they had relocated to the West Scarborough area, near the Broad Turn School district (District No. 10). Town records reflect the family’s difficult circumstances in these final years — the 1889 Scarborough Town Report records Mrs. A. J. Poland receiving $2 in support, and Alvin receiving $14 for labor on the town farm buildings, while the 1890 Town Report notes Alvin receiving $10 worth of supplies as a recipient off the Poor Farm. Alvin filed for a Civil War pension on July 20, 1889, suggesting he was a veteran. Rosile passed away in 1890, after which Alvin is recorded as a widower living in Saco in the 1900 census. He lived until 1914. This cabinet card portrait, inscribed on the reverse “A. J. Poland, West Scarboro,” is believed to depict Rosile Dolley Poland, with the photo’s style and clothing suggesting a date of approximately 1887–1890, consistent with her final years in Scarborough.

Posted in Faces from the Past, People | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Faces From the Past – Hannah (Meserve) Moulton (1806-1884)

Posted on May 28, 2026 by Don Taylor
Photo of Hannah Meserve Moulton, circa 1876-1884
Hannah Meserve Moulton, circa 1876-1884

Hannah Libby Meserve was born on 13 December 1806 in Scarborough, Cumberland, Maine, the daughter of John Meserve (1767–1831) and Hannah Libby (1775–1859). On 21 November 1829, she married Charles Moulton (1801–1891), and together they raised eight children:

  • John B. (b. between 1831-1832)*,
  • Lydia M. (b. 1833),
  • Esther J. (1835–1908),
  • Mathias M. (1839–between 1903-1920)*,
  • Olive (1842–1926),
  • Charles (1844–1932),
  • Liberty (1848–1923), and
  • Fanny (b. 1851).

Census records show the family living in Gorham in 1850, returning to Scarborough by 1860, and back to Gorham by 1870. Hannah passed away on 17 January 1884 in Scarborough, Maine, and was buried in Portland, Cumberland County. Her husband Charles survived her by seven years, living until 1891. This cabinet card portrait, photographed by Conaut, appears to predate the portrait of her husband Charles, and is dated between 1876 and 1884 — suggesting it may have been taken while the couple were still living together in their later years, and no later than the year of Hannah’s death.

Posted in Faces from the Past, People | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Two More Photos from the 1922 North Scarborough School Event

Posted on May 26, 2026 by Don Taylor

SHS Accession #1963.04.01b
#1988.16.06[i]

A few weeks ago, in “Why Was Superintendent Heald There? The Story Behind a 1922 School Photo,” I wrote about a North Scarborough School photograph depicting children, Mr. Heald, and several other adults. I have since come across two additional photos from that same event that are worth sharing.

The original photographs were donated to the museum twenty-five years apart by different individuals. Neither carries a date nor any identifying names. However, a close examination revealed that the adults and several of the children are wearing the same clothing as those in the previously identified photograph, which allowed me to confidently date both images to 1922.

Photo of children outside the North Scarborough School, 1922.
Children in a Circle: Donald Hillock stands in the center holding a ball aloft, with Lena Sherman at the far right. Remodeled North Scarborough School, 1922.


Children in a Circle: Donald Hillock stands in the center holding a ball aloft, with Lena Sherman at the far right. Remodeled North Scarborough School, 1922.

Photo of children with arms outstreched at North Scarborough School, 1922

Children with Arms Outstretched: The group appears to be doing calisthenics. Donald Hillock leads the children, with Lena Sherman standing to his right. Remodeled North Scarborough School, 1922.  

Conclusion

My continuing goal is to ensure these photographs are preserved, understood, and shared with future generations.

ENDNOTES

[i] All photos courtesy Scarborough (Maine) Historical Society.

Disclaimer: This article was researched and written by the author. AI photo enhancement tools were used to improve image quality, and Grammarly was used for editing.

Don Taylor, Historian
Scarborough Historical Society

Posted in Faces from the Past, Grammar Schools, North Scarborough, Scarborough History | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment