Our great, great-grandfather, Frank Purinton Reed, compiled a history of his father, Captain Elias Reed, through his own memories of traveling with his parents on different ships, stories that were passed down and around the family, including many which were published in the local newspaper, and primary documents that recorded voyages, passengers, cargo and other interesting details. He writes this preliminary biography of his father, and leaves us with many questions: "Captain Elias Reed was born on Orr's Island, Maine, on June 11, 1843, to Arthur Reed and Elizabeth Jacobs Reed. Their home, the first framed house on the island, and built by Joseph Orr, who came to the island "Little Sebascodigan" in 1748 and bought the whole island--about 1000 acres--for two shillings per acre. The island was thereafter known as Orr's Island. Their home, the Gambrel Roofed house was built in 1756.
"The house and home farm was left by Joseph Orr to his daughter Lettice Orr Reed, and her husband, John Reed, who was an army captain. The house and farm were later bequeathed to their youngest son Arthur, who took care of his parents and an older sister. This place of the Gambrel Roof House was later referred to as the Captain Kitridge House in Harriet Beecher Stowe's book, "The Pearl of Orr's Island." The children born there to Arthur and Elizabeth Reed were Abigail (Mrs. Captain John Pennell of Captain Abby and Captain John fame), Caroline (died at age 16), Elias and Mary Francis (Mrs. E. M. Oliver).
"Elias Reed's education did not extend very far, as the ordinary schooling of the 1850's did not amount to much for the younger children, and when the older boys could work, they had plenty to do at home and only went to school during winter terms. On two occasions, Elias Reed stayed home from sea and took Navigation in the country school.
"In 1855 the Reeds sold their farm on Orrs Island and bought another farm on Harpswell Island nearer the mainland.
"On December 20, 1860, Arthur Reed took his son, Elias, seventeen years of age, to the new bark Deborah Pennell lying at Bath, Maine, to begin his first voyage at sea, which he was determined to follow, and to learn the duties on ship board. The bark had been launched from Pennell Brothers Ship Yard, Brunswick, Maine, towed to Bath to be rigged ready for sea, and loaded. The following eleven years were largely spent on and quite represent the length of life of the bark."
The Captain of the bark for Elias' (and the bark's) first voyage was John D. Pennell of Brunswick, Maine. 1st mate was a Mr. Parker of Bath, and 2nd mate was Mr. Jacob Dunning of Brunswick.
What was Harriet Beecher Stowe's connection to Orr's Island?
What did Caroline Reed die from?
Who was Captain Kitridge?
How was Mr. Jacob Dunning related to us?
We hope to find the answers to these questions in the coming weeks.
"The house and home farm was left by Joseph Orr to his daughter Lettice Orr Reed, and her husband, John Reed, who was an army captain. The house and farm were later bequeathed to their youngest son Arthur, who took care of his parents and an older sister. This place of the Gambrel Roof House was later referred to as the Captain Kitridge House in Harriet Beecher Stowe's book, "The Pearl of Orr's Island." The children born there to Arthur and Elizabeth Reed were Abigail (Mrs. Captain John Pennell of Captain Abby and Captain John fame), Caroline (died at age 16), Elias and Mary Francis (Mrs. E. M. Oliver).
"Elias Reed's education did not extend very far, as the ordinary schooling of the 1850's did not amount to much for the younger children, and when the older boys could work, they had plenty to do at home and only went to school during winter terms. On two occasions, Elias Reed stayed home from sea and took Navigation in the country school.
"In 1855 the Reeds sold their farm on Orrs Island and bought another farm on Harpswell Island nearer the mainland.
"On December 20, 1860, Arthur Reed took his son, Elias, seventeen years of age, to the new bark Deborah Pennell lying at Bath, Maine, to begin his first voyage at sea, which he was determined to follow, and to learn the duties on ship board. The bark had been launched from Pennell Brothers Ship Yard, Brunswick, Maine, towed to Bath to be rigged ready for sea, and loaded. The following eleven years were largely spent on and quite represent the length of life of the bark."
The Captain of the bark for Elias' (and the bark's) first voyage was John D. Pennell of Brunswick, Maine. 1st mate was a Mr. Parker of Bath, and 2nd mate was Mr. Jacob Dunning of Brunswick.
What was Harriet Beecher Stowe's connection to Orr's Island?
What did Caroline Reed die from?
Who was Captain Kitridge?
How was Mr. Jacob Dunning related to us?
We hope to find the answers to these questions in the coming weeks.
1 comment:
Hello! My ancestors built the bark Deborah Pennell (and many other vessels). I have a photograph of the bark. I'd love to get a copy of Elias Reed's biography, if possible. You can contact me at:
jpennell24@aol.com
-Jeff Pennell
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