By J. D. DavisContinued from the Dash, Spring 2009

The next letter was two weeks later, writ-ten on stationery from Arthur Palmer’sstore in South Harpswell. It mentions a

phone call, something that couldn’t be donefrom Eagle Island, so the letter must have beena follow-up to a phone conversation probablyplaced from Palmer’s store. It read as follows:

June 5th, 1907My Dear Captain:

I have phoned Mr. Reynolds that you will be there between3:30 and 4:30. You and he will arrange the matter of Shelter I.and I shall come up tomorrow or send a check.

In regard to Pettingill’s make an offer of $1200, and if acceptable make deposit and receive option. If not accepted getauthoritative price.

I am willing to pay a fair price for certain of these islands,but I shall pay no more fancy prices as on Basket Island orshall I submit to having prices run up on me because of thematter becoming public. Will meet you at the Steamer tonightat South Harpswell.

Peary

Nearly a month passed before there was another let-ter to Captain Morrill. Although there had been no

previous reference, apparently Peary planned to pur-chase Crab Island, located in Freeport waters not farfrom Bustins Island. Here also for the first time there ismention of another Freeport island that Peary had al-ready purchased: Pound of Tea.

July 3rd, 1907My Dear Captain:

In regard Crab Island, kindly mark out the following pro-gram. Write Nayer, tell him you have written your party thathe is willing to sell for $800 and ask him to send you at once,all information that will be needed in looking up the title.

Then I want you to see if you can find a tenant for the is-land for two seasons for $100. If you succeed, I should wantyou to have Nayer come in to see you, and have him include thefurniture in the cottage, bedticks , mattresses, stores, tables,chairs, dishes, etc. in the purchase price. Then we can concludethe matter and the rental for this summer would enable me toput the cottage in repair.

(Points re Crab Island)

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DashThe

[ P A R T T W O ]

Peary’s Freeport ‘Archipelago’

Summer 2009

The Newsletter of Freeport Historical Society Keeping the Past Present Since 1969

Incorporating, with permission, excerpts from the correspondence file of Admiral Robert E. Pearyin the George J. Mitchell SpecialCollections, Hawthorne – Longfellow Library, Bowdoin College

The island as you know is said to contain 2 and ! acres,steamboat landing is " mile distant. Steamer passes severaltimes a day.

It is covered with a good growth of grass and has three fineoak trees, a willow and fir on it.

The house has two rooms and a kitchen and attic, cellarand piazza. There is a small outhouse (combination woodshed and water closet), also a well and brick clam oven.

The island is only a short distance from Freeport and BibbersIsland, [Bustins] and has a fine view in every direction and getsevery breeze that stirs.

There is fishing off the rocks on the north and east sides,and an abundance of clams in the cove on the south end. It isa great place for a family with children. Driftwood for fuel.

I have bought Pound of Tea for my daughter Marie. Ishall have no time to do anything with it this year. See if youcan find anyone to pay $25 for exclusive camping rights on theisland for the entire season. The location of the island is at theentrance to Freeport Harbor directly in front of Casco Castle.Together with its own natural beauty makes it an ideal place.

The steamers, as you know, pass within a biscuit toss of it. On both these matters I will pay you the usual rental

commissions.

Peary

The initial part of the above letter is confusing. It ap-pears to indicate that a man named Nayer was the

owner of Crab Island and Peary was hoping to buy itfrom this gentleman for $800 and have the contents ofthe cottage included in the deal.

Three days later the Commander had his eye on another Freeport island—at least he was calling it an island. Today it is commonly called Little Flying Point!

New York, July 6th, 1907My Dear Captain:

I think I should like to know something in regard to LittleFlying Island, just off the mainland north of Sister Island.

I have been informed by a man who said he himself sold UpperGoose Island (said to contain about 100 acres) that it is owned by aman of the name of Day in the firm of Emery Waterhouse and Co.

Kindly see if you can verify this and if any price is placedon the island.

Very sincerely,

R. E. PearyGrand Union Hotel, N. Y. City

With this momentary focus on Little Flying ‘Point’,attention on Freeport islands comes to an end in

this correspondence. Acquisition of these Freeport is-lands is confirmed in the old Freeport tax records storedin the archives of the Freeport Historical Society. Therecords for 1907 indicate that Marie Peary had becomethe owner of Pound of Tea Island. Subsequent annualrecords indicate she continued to own the island foryears with her identity often being registered as ‘Maria’Peary. Many years subsequent to her marriage she fi-nally was noted as ‘Maria’ Stafford!

More confirming information appeared in the taxrecords for 1909 whereRobert E. Peary is listed asthe owner of Crab Island andbeing taxed not only for theisland but also for the cottagethereon. Peary was alsolisted at that time as the

owner of Pettingill Island. No evidence was found ofPeary purchasing any other islands in Freeport waters.Apparently “Little Flying Island” eluded his grasp, orperhaps his interest faded when he found it had a tenu-ous intertidal connection to the mainland.

Through the years until 1919 ownership of thesethree islands was regularly recorded in the Freeport taxfiles as belonging to the Peary family. Then in 1920,ownership of Crab Island and Pettingill Island was notedas being held by Peary’s estate, inasmuch as the Admi-ral died February 20, 1920. Although the man who hadsucceeded in acquiring his personal ‘Freeport Archipel-ago’ was no longer living, the Peary family retainedownership of these pieces of Casco Bay for many years.

Finally, in 1951 the Peary estate sold Crab Island.Four years later, in 1955, the Admiral’s widow JosephineDiebitsch Peary died at her Portland, Maine residence,and the next year her daughter Marie Ahnighito PearyStafford—‘The Snow Baby’—sold Pound of Tea. Thenext year, 1958, Marie sold Pettingill Island, and Peary’s‘Freeport Archipelago’ was no more.

Webster’s Unabridged defines archipelago as follows:“Any large body of water studded with islands.” Whetherthe portion of Casco Bay lying within Freeport boundariesfully meets this definition might be debatable, but itmakes for a good story!

“Thank You” to John D. Davis for the excellent and informa-tive article on Peary.(A special thanks to the Freeport Town Assessor’s Officefor confirming sale of the islands.) i

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Webster’s Unabridged defines archipelago as follows:“Any large body of water studded with islands.”

Bath Savings Institution selected Freeport HistoricalSociety as one of its non-profit partners for itsnew Neighbor to Neighbor promotion. For each

new “e-checking” account opened, Bath Savingswill donate $25.00 to thenon-profit that the ac-count owner selects. Wereceived our first $25.00check in June! Thankyou very much for se-lecting us as a recipient.

In our last issue of The Dash, we announced that Brown Goldsmith’s were commemoratingFreeport’s maritime heritage and her famousprivateer, The Dash, by creating a 14 k gold

Dash charm. For each charm sold, BrownGoldsmiths makes a $20.00 donation toFreeport Historical Society. Last monthwe received our first check. Thank youvery much to them and the customerwho purchased the lovely tribute to

the Dash! i

Freeport HistoricalSociety (FHS) hasbeen awarded a

$5000 grant fromthe Davis FamilyFoundation to con-duct a Phase 1 Ar-chaeologicalexcavation aroundthe area of theprivy/tool shed atPettengill Farm, thesociety’s nine-teenth-century saltwater farm on theHarraseeket River.From August 3rd-7th, Historical Ar-chaeologist NormanL. Buttrick and histeam will be doing field work on-site.

Privies and other areas whereeveryday items were frequently dis-carded are known to be rich sourcesof material culture. This work isbeing undertaken to further illumi-nate the lives of those who lived onthe farm and to provide a guide forthe replacement of the privy/toolshed structure(s).

FHS members who are inter-ested in observing or participatingin this “dig” need to register withVanessa Rodriguez at the FHS office (865-3170) 45 Main Street.Members are invited from 9:00am-noon or 1:00pm-4:00pm from TuesdayAugust 4th through the 7th. Mem-bers may register for one or moreday segments.

During each period the totalnumber of observers/participants al-lowed on site will be limited to 15 sothat work can take place in a timelyand orderly fashion. For those whoare actively participating, profes-sional archaeological techniques willbe shared. Please register early toavoid disappointment! i

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Davis Foundation Awards Archaeological Grant

– THANK YOU –

Pictured is the “two-seater” found in the privy.

On May 28th, the 40th Annual Meeting of themembership of Freeport Historical Societytook place at the Freeport Community Cen-

ter on Depot Street.The business meeting portion of the agenda was led

by Trustee President Bill Muldoon, and Officers CitoSelinger, and Todd Nicholson.

It was an evening that celebrated our 40 year history(featuring a thirty foot, four-decade timeline), featured akeynote speech by Greg Paxton, Director of MainePreservation, focused on Freeport historic preservationactivities in recent years, and honored our volunteers.

Ed Bonney was presented with the Mel CollinsCommunity Service Award. Our 4th Annual PreservationAward was jointly given to Kathy and Howard Lowell

and to the “Freeport Flag Ladies,” for their respectiveefforts in preserving the historic landscape in town.

In addition, three winners were selected in our Raf-fle. Vice-President Kate Arno led the festivities invitingTrustees Tom Ingersoll and Tori Baron to assist her indrawing the winning tickets. Claire Betze won first prize;second prize was won by Eleanor Goldberg, and thirdprize by John Howard.

An array of scrumptious hors d’oeuvres were pro-vided by Azure Café and served to guests by Azure’s gra-cious owner, Jonas Werner. Delicious wine was donatedby Freeport Trading Company and an assortment ofother beverages was donated by Freeport Cheese &Wine. Yummy candy was provided by Wilbur’s Of Maine.Thank you all very much for making our 40th Anniver-

sary so special. i

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ANNUAL MEETING

Celebrating our fortieth anniversary Infront of Harrington House were currentand former Trustees, employees andvolunteers.

Ed Bonney was presented with theMel Collins Community ServiceAward for his years of service toFreeport.Four Charter Members of Freeport Historical Society: L-R, Earle

G. Shettleworth, Jr., Dot Maybury, Sally Rand, and David Coffin.

• David & DorothyGlendinning

• John & Sally Amory• Fore River Foundation• James Kise & Sarah Smith• J.A.Y. Enterprises• Arthur & Edith Sweeney• Betty M. Bibber• Richard A. Lord in

memory of Jane Small Lord• Verna Noble• Joan Falkins• Alain Roos• Sarah Walsh• Edward M. Bonney• Larry & Marsh Welsher

• Wheaton & Elinor Hudson

• Margaret M. Kiely• David & Jan Leeman• Ruth R. Pease• The Saunders Building• Linda R. Swanson• Lani Graham• Casco Bay Ford• Sam & Kathy Smith• Camy & Rob Goodwin• Caroline Southall• Steve & Edit Dubord• Dorothy P. Jordan• Joan Garber• Harry & Joan Virtue• Tom & Jule Whelan• Alan Hall• Morton & Evelyn Panish• Helen Clarkson• Fred Goldrup• Ruth K. Gruninger• Henry & Ingrid Thomas• John Kirsch & Pat Keegan• Inez M. Davis• Jay & Julie Flower• John Karp & Heidi Bishop• Chris Leighton• Cordelia Lane

• William Berkowitz &Nancy Walsh

• Jean D. Whiting• Thelma W. Dunning• Wendy Whitacre• Colleen Sanders• Perry & Sue Bradley• Judith & Bernard Elfring• Elizabeth Maule• Martha B. Kenney &

James B. Bannar• M/M John Boyne• William & Beth Muldoon• Jessie Reighley• Linda L. Bean• John W. L. White

• M/M David Hurd• Jeanne Little Fox• Edgar Leighton• Deb & Chris Pinkham• Nan Baker• Sally & David Conrad• Ralph & Marilyn

McMahon• William & Elizabeth

Peerenboom• Chris & Jayne Soles• Anne & Robert Ritchie• Todd & Gloria

Nicholson• Nelson Larkins• Lynne & Jay Espy• Cornelia & Robert

Santomenna• Ben & Anne Niles• Mary E. Dyer• Jack & Deede Montgomery• Jack M. Doughty & Gloria

Fogg DeGrandpre• Malcolm & Susan Collins• Sara Hayes & James C.

Chute• Miriam & Charles Butts• George Connick• Peter & Louise Price

• Andrew Despres• Miriam Schneider• Howard & Kathy Lowell• Norm Buttrick• Dale and Carol Hudson• John and Eleanor Davis• Sally Rand• Todd and Cynthia Doolan• Peter and Holly Horne• Elizabeth and Rod

Duckworth• Gaetano and Phebe

Quattrucci• Janice and Merrill

Fogg Jr.• Nancy Randall Clark

• Henry and Carol Lukas• Doug Fuhr• Tori and Robin Baron• Suzanne N. Earle• E. Ann Westervelt• John and Katherine Pierce• Elizabeth H. Ruff• Sandra Brown and Bruce

Brown• Herbert Taylor• Brown Goldsmiths• Anne B. Zill• Chilton Furniture• Peter and Mabel Gerquest• Joe and Susie Saunders• Janet and Paul

Aliapoulios• John and Carol Farrell• Cricket Hunt School• Thomas and Janet Ross• Mark and Liz Standen• Elizabeth N. Thayer• Betty Jean Hilton• C. Michael Sandberg• Lucille P. Dennison• Kelly and Michael

Thibodeau• Mary Beth Willhoite• David & Laura Hench

• Tony & Charlotte Ingersoll

• Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Field• Barbara Hadlock• Jessie Moore• Alexander Abbott and

Jennifer Melville• Gerald and Mary Kennedy• Rita Armstrong & Frank

Rogers• Katherine Arno• Leon & Lisa Gorman• Gerald & Mary Kennedy• Vicki M. Lowe & John

Lowe• Bath Savings Institution

• F. Donald & Lorna Dorsey• Hope W. Haug• Barbara Skelton• Robert and Jean Aranson• Kathryn Ball• Cynthia & Cito Selinger• Anne LeClair• Clarabel Marstaller• David Latulippe• John & Catherine

Cunningham• Helen H. Cromer• Kimball & Mollie Mason• John & Katherine Nelson• Mr. H. Vance Smith• Esther O’Brien• William & Charlotte Bower• Nancy Marston• Josephine B. Bail• George & Joyce Denney• Nancy Fox & Jon Edwards• Patty & Ned Wight • Judith Miskell• Laura & Cliff George• Mark & Beverly Curry• Peter B. Rice & Co., Inc.• Judy & Gordon Hamlin• Steve Bradbury & Wendy

Harlan

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A N N U A L F U N D D O N O R S– 2 0 0 8 - 2 0 0 9 –

Pictured on the left is Donald B. MacMillan. One of the two gentlemen on the rightis Rufus Soule Randall. Which gentlemen is Capt. Randall? Who are the others

that are pictured? Where are they and what is the event?

For 2010, our programmingtheme of Freeport-Amuse-ments, Entertainments, andOddities, allows us tofocus on pastimes rangingfrom church socials, Minnie Brook Dance Hall,Casco Castle, baseball,and the Dairy Maids Festival and more.

Please be in touchwith your recollections onleisure time in Freeport.We’d love to speak withyou and share your remembrances via ourprograms and exhibits.

And, if you haveitems— photos, ticketstubs, baseball uniform or other artifacts or docu-ments- we’d welcome theopportunity to take loanof them.

Through the generosity of Freeport Community Improvement Association (FCIA), The Denney

Block, and Joyce and George Denney, Freeport HistoricalSociety’s headquarters at Harrington House will be gracedwith a handsome granite and black iron fence beautifyingits Main Street perimeter.

FCIA was the lead advocate for this project. It’s Chair-man, George Denney and the FCIA Directors felt that thefence for Harrington House served the organizational mis-sion "to enhance the environment and quality of life for allFreeport citizens and visitors through the beautification ofour village and its pathways." George and Joyce felt thatthe FCIA mission and their own goal of “supporting efforts that make a difference,” came together beautifullyin this project.

In terms of the courtyard green space, Mike Marino andCamplin/Marino have contributed landscaping materialsand labor and even donated four apple trees, two YellowTransparent and two Wolf River, bringing a bit of the Har-rington family orchards back to the property!

“We are expecting to install the fence this summer andwith other landscaping improvements to our courtyard , wewill be able to share a much-improved, beautiful public

green space in the center of the village”, stated ChristinaWhite, FHS Director.

Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr., Director of the MaineHistoric Preservation Commission, reviewed the fencedesign and was “…pleased to approve this project .”

In early autumn, once all the work is complete,FHS members and the public will be invited to the Harrington House courtyard to celebrate.

This handsome black iron and granite fencethat will be installed along Main Street at

Harrington House.

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?HI

ST O R Y

M Y S TE

RY

•

•

Happenings at Harrington House

PLEASE BE IN TOUCH

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J O I N U SMembership does have its benefits!

A copy of the book Tides of Change: A Guide to the Harraseeket HistoricDistrict, a trail map of Pettengill Farm, and our quarterly newsletter, The Dash, are included.

And members receive three hours of research time in our archives(a $75.00 value) and invitations to all Society events and exhibits atfree or reduced rates.Name

Address

Town State Zip

Email

! $20 Individual ! $10 Senior ! $10 Student

! $50 Family ! $30 Contributing ! $150 Sustaining

! $75 Supporting ! $150 Corporate ! $50 Supporting BusinessPlease make checks payable to Freeport Historical Society and mail to 45 Main Street,Freeport, Maine 04032, or join us online at www.freeporthistoricalsociety.org/home

• AEC Engineering• Autowerkes Maine, Inc.• Bath Savings Institution• Bow Street Market• Brown Goldsmiths• Casco Bay Ford• Chilton Furniture• China Rose Restaurant• Comfort Suites• Cricket-Hunt School• Mark M. Dorsey, Inc.

• Earthscape, UNLTD• Freeport True Value

Hardware• Frost Gully Violins• Northeast Financial

Services - Mary Holmes• Gritty McDuffs• Hampton Inn• Harraseeket Inn• Hilton Garden Inn &

Conference Center

• James Place Inn• Jameson Tavern• J.A.Y. Enterprises• George Lawrence & Lynn

Pierce - REMAX Heritage• L.L. Bean, Inc.• Maine Dry Stone• McMahon Creative• Maine Optometry, P.D.• Motion Media Film &

Video

• Richard T. Reynolds -Geotechnical Consultants

• Peter B. Rice & Co., Inc.• Riley Insurance Agency• The Saunders Building• Strouts Point Wharf Co.• Taggart Construction,

Inc.• Toole & Powers, P.A.• Zachau Construction

THANK YOU TO OUR BUSINESS MEMBERS

Visit our website www.freeporthistoricalsociety.org/home and find direct web links to our participating business sponsors!

The Dash Summer 2009Harrington House45 Main Street, Freeport, ME 04032

The Dash is published four times annually by Freeport Historical Societyfor its members.

Our New Public Exhibit HoursMonday, Thursday and Friday10 AM-5:00 PM and Saturday 10 AM-2:00 PM and by appointmentTo conduct research, please call for aconvenient appointmentPlease call 865-3170 or go online atinfo@freeporthistoricalsociety.org

www.freeporthistoricalsociety.org/home

Freeport Historical SocietyBoard of TrusteesRita ArmstrongKate ArnoMichelle BroderickNancy FrenchPeter GerquestLaura HenchMary HolmesTom IngersollKathy LowellJen Morrissey

Bill Muldoon – PresidentTori Baron – Vice-PresidentCito Selinger – SecretaryTodd Nicholson – Treasurer

Executive DirectorChristina White

Assistant to the DirectorVanessa Rodriguez

Collections ManagerNed Allen Printed on Recycled Paper

Mary Holmes

Freeport Village Walking ToursApproximately one-hour, starting at Harrington HouseThurs August 13th, 11:00amSaturday, August 15, 10:00amThursday, August 20th, 11:00amThurs August 27th, 11:00amSaturday, August 29th, 10:00amThursday, September 3rd, 11:00amSaturday, September 5th, 10:00amWatch for more dates and times. Due to demand, earlyticket purchasing for the tour of your choice is encour-aged. Reserve your place at 865-3170, Tickets: $7.00Adults; $2.00 Children ages 10 and younger; $5.00 FHS Members:

September 12th, 9:00a-Noon Pie Perfection Work-shop- learn to make an award-winning, delicious pie withDebbie Thurlow. Debbie, who owns Debbie’s Pies (avail-able at Pineland Farms) is a passionate pie-maker with 30years experience. Book your spot by calling 865-3170 forthis fun and informative workshop taking place at Freeport

Community Center (Depot Street) $5.00 for FHS mem-bers, $10.00 non-members. Each participant needs to bringtheir own rolling pin, large mixing bowl, and pastry cutter.

With your new skills, confidently enter our first annualPettengill Pie-Making Contest and be crowned Pie Queenor King of the Day! Sunday, October, 4th, 10:00a-3:00p34th Annual Pettengill Farm Day.

September 12th, 9:00a-4:00p Dry Stone WallBuilding Workshop at Pettengill Farm with master crafts-man and British Dry stone wall member, Chris Tanguay.Don’t miss this opportunity tolearn and work with Chris.Lunch included in the $55.00fee. Sign-up Now – Registrationis limited to 20. FHS Membershave priority.

October 4th, 34th Annual Pettengill Farm Day athistoric Pettengill Farm, 10:00a- 3:00p- a wonderful dayfor everyone with a 19th century magic show, barnyardanimals, olde-tyme music, tug-o-war, cider press, geo-caching, apple hucking and so much more…

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S A V E T H E D A T E S

Freeport Historical SocietyHarrington House45 Main StreetFreeport, ME 04032

info@freeporthistoricalsociety.orgwww.freeporthistoricalsociety.org/home