News Notes – Winter, 2007

TRESCOTT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
                             … AND SOCIAL CLUB

An Old Trescott Homestead Several generations of Dinsmores lived in this early 1800s farmhouse on the County Road, near the Whiting town line. The house and barn were lost to fire in October, 2000.

Since the first of the year the average morning temperature has been 14°, and in just the last three weeks, 6.1°. Prior to this deep freeze we enjoyed warm early winter field trips to the Griggs property at Moose Cove (for the third and fourth time) to find a flat cemetery stone in an overgrown field. Shirley Moores joined in our third search, all the while lamenting that she had misplaced the information on the stone's inscription. We'll keep trying.

Member Lee Cleveland has advised the Cemetery Committee that he has unearthed two additional stones in the Jones-McFadden cemetery on his property. Underway are gravesite inventory updates. Renewing our membership in the Maine Old Cemetery Association (MOCA) assures that we will be informed of available grants for repair of old head and foot stones, fences and rehabilitation of overgrown burial grounds.

Our scheduled September program was tabled so that members Erich Veyhl and Nancy Enright could give a presentation on newly enacted state legislation which requires a 250 foot setback from any and all salt and fresh water bays, estuaries and streams. Also, the Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) has proposed increases of up to 800% in the unorganized territories permit fees.

In October we viewed “Shingle Making in Maine”, one of four videos we have purchased from Historic Northeast Films in Bucksport. A new weekly history series began this month on Maine Public Broadcasting System (MPBN TV) called “Maine Experience”. The half hour segments may also be viewed online in shortened form at www.mpbn.net/maineexperience/. Episodes include topics such as shipwrecks, the Grange, prohibition and winter in Maine.

The society's fall/winter Food Pantry drive was again successful. Following the busy wreath-making and gift-buying season, we held our annual December holiday party with the Lubec Memorial Library staff members as our invited guests.

Joshua M. Smith, Professor of Humanities at the U. S. Merchant Marine Academy, who had contacted us in 2003 for information we may have had on Haycock Harbor in the War of 1812, has authored Border land Smuggling – Patriots, Loyalists and Illicit Trade in the Northeast 1783 – 1820. A copy is available at the Lubec Memorial Library. The story focuses on the Passamaquoddy Bay area, primarily during the 1809 ‘Flour War’; War of 1812; and the 1820 ‘Plaster War.’ Lemuel Trescott, for whom our town was named, is characterized, along with others held in high esteem, as an unscrupulous Eastport Customs Collector who aided the local smuggling trade during the embargo years.

Voted into office at our 58th meeting were: Rick Tanney, President; Bonnie Healy, Vice President; Hope Pressley, Treasurer; Len Healy, Secretary and ‘Court Jester’; and Judy Jones, Refreshments Chair.

Member Lewis Jones [Blueberry Ridge Taxidermy in Trescott] hosted the January field trip. He has been satisfying sportsmen and museums for over 30 years. His walls, display cases and full-mounted deer and moose are perfect in the minutest detail.