Susan Sawyer Todd (1859-1891)

Posted on November 30, 2022 by Don Taylor

The museum recently received a wonderful photo of Susan Sawyer Todd.

Susan-Sawyer-Todd-1859-1891-Nana-Dorothy-Shaw_s-Mother-2022.40.02

Susan Sawyer Todd (1859-1891)

According to the information with the photo:

  • Susan Sawyer Todd
  • Nana Dorothy Shaw’s Mother
  • 1859-1891 (32 yrs old)
  • Birth mother to Dorothy Miller Shaw

Other Information about Susan Sawyer Todd.

  • Susan C. (Sawyer) Todd was born Aug. 16, 1859, and died Feb. 19, 1891. She was married to Lewis Tappan Todd 1st (1855-1932).[i] Her daughter was Dorothy Louise Shaw (1886-1987).[ii]
  • Family Search has profile L8M2-5MH for Susan C Sawyer (1859-1891)
  • Ancestry has 39 public trees that refer to Susan C Sawyer.

Endnotes

[i] Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/119680372/susan-g-todd: accessed 29 November 2022), memorial page for Susan G. Sawyer Todd (1860–20 Feb 1891), Find a Grave Memorial ID 119680372, citing Evergreen Cemetery, Portland, Cumberland County, Maine, USA; Maintained by Sally – Midcoast Maine (contributor 48138595).

[ii] Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/107972722/dorothy-louise-shaw: accessed 29 November 2022), memorial page for Dorothy Louise Miller Shaw (13 Nov 1886–9 Apr 1987), Find a Grave Memorial ID 107972722, citing Black Point Cemetery, Scarborough, Cumberland County, Maine, USA; Maintained by Brian Shaw (contributor 48492857).

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Beech Ridge School Renovation Update – Nov 20, 2022

Posted on November 20, 2022 by Karlene Osborne

The Beech Ridge School renovation continues. As of November 20, the first coat of paint has been applied to the replacement wood clapboards on all four sides of the building. The front entrance and steps are now in the process of being completed.

Notice the beautiful, new front door thanks to the generous donation of the Prouts Neck Association.

Donate and help with this historical renovation, please see our GoFundMe page.

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Holiday Gift Suggestion

Posted on November 20, 2022 by Don Taylor

Cover - Scarborough Fare CookbookNeed dinner ideas? Looking for something to bring to a holiday potluck? Want to explore the history of Scarborough? 

Scarborough Fare is a collection of recipes contributed by members and friends of the Scarborough Historical Society, history scattered throughout. $18.00. It is available at the Museum*, Len Libby Candies & Gifts, or eBay. Proceeds from the sale benefit the Society.

The cookbook includes many recipes, including “Mother Skillin’s Swill-Pail Surprise” from page 46.

* The Scarborough Historical Society Hours & Info:

Located at 647 U.S. Route One
Scarborough, ME 04074
Open Tuesdays: 9 am-Noon
2nd Saturday of the month: 9 am-Noon
 
Phone: 1-207-885-9997
Email: ScarboroughHist@gmail.com
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From the Ephemera: The Clams of Scarborough

Posted on November 19, 2022 by Linda Snow-McLoon

By Linda McLoon with assistance from Rodney Laughton

The Clams of Scarborough

“You may sing of your Providence oysters,
Or boast of your roasted spring lamb,
But there’s no dish or compound that ever was cooked,
That comes up to the Scarboro clam.”

Dunscroft Inn, W. Scarborough, ME (SHS Collections)

Scarborough clams have been sought-after seafood for as long as we can remember, whether served as fried clams, steamers, clam cakes, or clam chowder. Early 20th-century restaurants such as the Moulton House, Dunscroft, and Tarry-A-While were famous for their shore dinners, which in addition to a broiled lobster, always included both fried clams and steamers. Massive shell middens left behind by Native Americans indicate that clams were a staple of their summertime diets.

Clam Bake – Pine Point – (SHS Collections)

Enjoying Clams (SHS Collections)

Moses Plummer received permission to dig clam bait (SHS Ephemera)

There was a time in the 19th century when the plentiful clams dug on Scarborough clam flats were not thought of as anything special. Prior to the 1870s, when tourists discovered the tasty mollusks, clams were considered poor man’s food. In addition to being used for consumption, clams had another use. Clams were used for bait. Clams were so abundant in 1854 when Moses Plummer requested a license to dig them, they were often used for bait in long-line fishing. A hook with clam bait was placed every few feet on a long line that was let out behind a fishing boat. Later the line would be hauled in along with a good catch of fish attached to it.

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Fredrick Augustus Miller (1854-1927)

Posted on November 8, 2022 by Don Taylor

The museum recently received a wonderful photo of Fredrick Miller.

Photo of Fredrick Augustus Miller (1854-1927)

Fredrick Augustus Miller (1854-1927)

According to the information on the back of the photo Fredrick:

                    Fredrick Miller

  Born 1855 – Died 1927.

  • Back of Fredrick Miller photo.

             Married Susan Libby.

  • His adopted daughter was Dorothy Todd Miller.
    • She married Delmar D Shaw
      • Children – Rachael Shaw Bessey
      • Marguerite Shaw Davis
      • Delmar D Shaw Jr. (Twin)
      • Jocelyn Shaw Moulton (Twin)
  •             Fred Miller lived at 278 Black Point Rd, Scarborough, ME.

A note on the back of the photo says “1914,” which I presume is the date of the image.

Other Information about Fred A. Miller.

  • Fred was a school agent for District 2, Black Point.[i]
  • Fred was a constable at Prouts Neck.[ii]
  • Fred died on 2 Sep 1927 in Portland. He was 73 years old.[iii]
  • Family Search has profile MDPP-XS7 for Frederick Augustus Miller (1854-1927).
  • Ancestry has ten public trees that refer to Fredrick A. MILLER.

Endnotes

[i] The 1884 Scarborough Town Report indicates Fred was the school agent for District No. 2, Black Point.

[ii] The 1897 and 1898 Scarborough Town Reports indicate Fred was paid for his services as Constable at Prout’s Neck

[iii] The 1928 Scarborough Annual Report indicates that Fred A. Miller died in Portland on September 2, 1927, age 73 years.

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