As in all towns in Maine before the advent of automobiles, local blacksmiths played a vital role in Scarborough. Not only did they shoe horses and oxen, but the smiths made and repaired metal tools such as hoes, plows, and wheels for wagons, along with kitchen equipment for housewives. You could count on blacksmith shops to have a coal-fired forge with large bellows to fan the flames when needed, an anvil and a vise. Another important fixture was a sling. The blacksmith could hold up a horse’s leg when nailing a horseshoe into place, but a sling was needed to carry the heavier weight of oxen.
Freedom Libby in his shop – SHS Collection
From the SHS collections come these images of the blacksmith shop of Freedom Libby (1844-1928), whose shop on the State Road was a busy place. Freedom and his wife sadly lost 2 of their 3 children, and their only surviving daughter, Ruth Libby, was a teacher in the Dunstan, North Scarborough, and Libby district schools.
Another early blacksmith was Ai P. Seavey (1816-1889). His blacksmith shop was on the Seavey family farm, located on the Black Point Road just before the state park, which later became the Lindholm farm and nursery. A sign Ai P. Seavey had in his shop announcing the cost of shoeing one horse encouraged prompt payment: Trust—$1.00 Cash—$.75
Seavey Farm before it became the Lindholm Nursery with greenhouses Laughton Collection
Ai P. Seavey’s son, Harris Seavey, was a renowned carriage driver who operated a stagecoach that brought passengers from the Black Point railroad station to the summer lodging places at Prouts Neck. Harris Seavey was reputed to be a whip expert who could flick a fly from the lead horse’s ear. In later years, Seavey’s coach was shipped to New York to be used in the Broadway theater production of Rebecca of Sunny Brook Farm.
The Scarborough Historical Society and Museum was represented at the Fuel Rally at Town Hall & Public Safety building on Saturday morning by Karlene & Tom Osborne. Several other organizations also had tables, including Project Grace, the Kiwanis, Lions, Library, Rotary, and the Audubon Center. Our focus was to highlight the Beech Ridge School project and our Museum. They answered many questions and handed out newsletters.
Tom Osborne at the Scarborough Historical Society Table at Town Hall for the Project Grace Fuel Rally 11 February 2023
Fuel assistance is essential, and visitors to the Fuel Rally learned much about Project Grace and other Scarborough nonprofits, including the Historical Society.
Years ago, when we needed screws, nuts, or bolts, my dad didn’t go to the hardware store. The first trip would be “down cellar” to the pan of mixed hardware. Dad would look through the assortment and pick out what he wanted. On many occasions, he would turn to me saying “ find me some more just like this.” I would take a large bolt and rake through the pile until I found some that matched.
If something was being discarded and there were screws, nuts, or bolts that could be easily salvaged, the pan would be replenished. Today I drive to Oak Hill, where the fastener room at Ace Hardware stocks what seems to be every fastener imaginable.
This old pan has been sitting untouched for decades. It served us well at one time, and I hate to junk it. Today its only purpose is to provide me a pleasant memory of my childhood.
Do you have a memory you would like to share in the newsletter? If so, forward it to the editor at [email protected].
The Pictures of the Week selections for 1.20.23 from the Scarborough Historical Society include one of the most unusual pictures in our collections. The picture is of a water wheel that was on the Rufus Carter farm located near the intersection of the Payne Road and Scottows Hill Road, the only picture of a water wheel I’ve ever seen recorded in Scarborough. Other images include those of the Carter farm home that burned in 1919 and some of the family members who lived there. Also included is a view of the intersection of Scottows Hill Road and Payne Road as it looked in 1909. We’d love to hear from anyone who has a broader knowledge of water wheels in early Scarborough.
Payment to inhabitants for part of Scarboro annex to Gorham by Act of Legislature of 1864.
This may certify that the Assessors of the town of Scarboro Have apportioned to the inhabitants Of that part of Scarboro set off And annexed to the town of Gorham by act of the legislature of 1864 the sums due them under Acts of 1868 and 1870 and Have committed the same to Cyrus F. Moulton Treasurer of Scarboro who will pay said inhabitants said sums the 26 day of Aug 1870 Scarboro Aug. 11 1870
Seth Scammon { Assessors { of Grandville McKinney { Scarboro
(Transcription by Betty McKown, Scarborough Historical Society)
From the Scarborough Historical Society’s digital collections come these pictures of an early Pine Point tourist destination, the Pillsbury House, that opened its doors for lodging and shore dinners in 1875. Included is a picture of the Pillsbury House staff circa 1890, a 1946 advertising card, and pictures taken during the razing of the building in 1985.
Beulah A Moulton - SHS Class 1933
Dexter M Peacock - SHS Class '33 - 2023.02.04o
Doris M Prout - SHS Class '33 - 2023.02.04u
Eleanor L Stanford - SHS Class 1933
Florence M Ray - SHS Class 1933
Greta Moulton - SHS Class '33 - C2023.02.04l
Marjorie L Douglas - SHS Class '33 - 2023.02.04n
Rubylee M Mottram - SHS Class 1933
Ruth E Moulton - SHS Class 1933
William Schultz - SHS Class '33
