Nathan P Hall and Mary Ella Strout (son 13, daughter of 14)

[Jen's maternal GGGrandparents]
[Madelyn Hall > Orrin O Hall > son 13, daughter of 14]

Nathan, Mary, Harriet Hall, c. 1906

Nathan Pulsifer Hall
BIRTH: 30 May 1847, Columbia,Washington,Maine
DEATH: 7 May 1923, Milbridge, Washington, Maine, United States


Mary Ella Strout
BIRTH: 20 Mar 1862, Washington, Maine, United States
DEATH: 20 Dec 1914, Milbridge, Washington, Maine, United States


Nathan Pulsifer Hall
Nathan P was born in 1847 in Columbia, Maine to Orrin O Hall (1806-1885) and Abigail Willey (1810-1882).  Columbia is just the other side of Harrington from Milbridge.

Orrin (45), worked as a millman in 1850, with Abigail F (38) running the house, and his sons Abram W (19) and Zemro S (16) working alongside him at the mill.  The younger children, Abigail (14), Warren L (7), Harriet A H (5), Nathan P (3), and Sophronia W (infant) would have been a house full of activity.  Orrin's real estate value was $300, which could have been his house and small farm.

Sawmills were an important part of Maine's industry.

Lawrence Lumber Co, nearby Jonesboro, ME

Abigail (14) was the only child in the house to attend school that year.


By 1860, the two oldest boys, Abraham and Zemro had moved out.  Orrin (54) and Abigail  (47) were still in Columbia with their daughter Abby (22) at home, along with Warren L (17), Harriet A (14) Nathan P (13), Sophronia W (11), and two additions since the last Census, Irene N (8) and John J (5).


Nathan Hall's Siblings

Lumber on the Naraguagas, Cherryfield, ME.

1. Abraham S (1829-1907) m1. 1847 Bathsheba Randall (1827-??)  m2. 1851 Lucy P Carter (1830-1898) 
2. Zemro Small (1834-1910)  m1. 1854 Hannah Russells (1836-??) m2. 1866 Rosilla Martha Buzzell (1848-1935)
3. Abigail H (1837-1914) (C'60) m. 1857 Jeremiah L Randall (1837-1912)
4. Warren L (1841-1864) (C'60) died in Civil War at Siege at Petersburg
5. Sophronia W (1845-1881)  (C'60) m. 1869 Vandeluer Low (1835-1920) died at 36.
6. Harriet A (1845-1933) (C'60) m. 1864 George S Anderson (1849-1921)
7. Nathan Pulsifer (1847-1923) (C'60) m1. 1867 Athlona Adelia Low (1843-1879) m2. 1880 Mary Ella Strout (1862-1914)
8. Irene H (1853-1923) (C'60) m1. 1870 William W Walsh (1827-1907) m2 1886 William Philander Frye (1865-1948)
9. John J (1855-1882) (C'60) m 1876 Harriet A Allen (1858-1880)

Memorial at Petersburg, full size here.

On June 18, 1864, Nathan's brother Private Warren L Strout died as a result of the siege at Petersburg at age 22 years, 10 months.  He was a member of Company H, Regiment 1, Maine Heavy artillery.  His body was buried at the Hall-Randall Private Cemetery in Columbia, ME.


Nathan married Athlona Adelia "Delia" Lowe (1843-1879) in 1867, and lived in Columbia, and had 5 kids through that marriage.

Children of Nathan and Delia
Lillian (1869-1870) (confirmed birth record)
Pulsifer D (1871-1884) (living with Nathan in 1880), died at 13.
Nora H L (1874-1912) (marr. records parents as Nathaniel/Cedelia)
Lucy Helen (1874-1943) (Madelyn met Lucy)
Simeon B (1879-??) (on 1900 census)

After Nathan began his family, the 1870 Census records Orrin (64) was working as a laborer, with his real estate valued at $236 and personal effects at $121.  Abigail (57) was keeping house with just Irene (18) and John (15) at home.  As with the previous decade, they are still listed as living between the Frye's and the Randalls.

Nathan's first wife Delia died in August 1879, and he joined households with his sister, Sophronia and her husband, Vandeluer Lowe. A few weeks after Delia died, Sophronia's oldest boy, Philander (1869-1879) passed away (10 Sep 1879).  Then, a few months after Nathan's second marriage to Mary Ella Strout (Sep 1880), Sophronia passed away (March 1881), leaving Vandeluer with two surviving boys , Milton (1871-1946), Edgar (1873-1942).

During these tumultuous years, family helped take care of the younger children, as only Pulsifer (9) was living with Nathan in 1880.

Abigail (67) and Orrin (74) lived long lived in Columbia in 1880, maintaining their house and doing some farming.  Next door to them was their son John J Hall, working as a carpenter (age 24) and his wife Hattie (22) and their baby Freddy A.  Hattie died later that year (1880, age 22).

Nathan's mother, Abbie F. Hall died on 21 November 1882 in Columbia, and was buried in the Hall-Randall Private Cemetery.  There may have been a sickness in the house, because John J died a couple of weeks later on December 5, 1882, leaving Freddy orphaned.  Fred A Hall is listed in the 1900 census with his maternal grandmother, Lydia Allen in Milbridge. 

Orrin continued to live a few years until June 2, 1885, and was buried in the same cemetery.


Mary Ella Strout
Mary Ella Strout was born in 1862 to Otis Smith Strout (1818-1892) of Harrington, ME and Eliza S Joy (1828-1890) of Addison, ME (village next door) .  They had married in 1848 and had 7 children, of which Mary was the 5th.  They lived in a part of Milbridge that was almost all Strouts.

In 1870, Otis (50) and Eliza (42) had 6 kids at home.  The farm they worked was valued at $600, with another $200 in personal effects.  Their oldest son Gleason was a seaman.

1. Gleason C (1849-1906) m1. 1879 Abigail Ann Carver (1856-1887) m2. Emma W Burke (1869-1927)
2. Augusta Jane (1852-1915) m1 1885 John J Robinson (1817-1888), m2. Harlan P Allen (1844-??) m3. 1911 Darius D Sprague (1836-1913)
3. Everett Bucknam (1856-1892) m. 1880 Abigail S Pinkham (1860-1927)
4. Herbert O (1859-??) m. 1880 Arvilla M Strout (1864-1892)
5. Mary Ella (1862-1914) m 1880 Nathan Pulsifer Hall (1847-1923)
6. Benjamin Franklin (1864-1922) worked as hired man for Charles Grace.
7. Phoebe Ann (1872-1950) m. 1897 Forest Griffin (1872-1956)

In 1880, Mary lived with her parents Otis (60) and Eliza (53) Strout, four siblings, and a niece in Milbridge.  Otis was a farmer.  Her two older brothers Everett and Herbert were Sailors.

When Eliza died in 1890, and Otis died in 1892, they were buried in a family cemetery, known as the Otis Strout Family Cemetery. Also in that plot are Abigail Joy and Isaac Strout, Otis's parents, and Joseph Strout (1719-??).  I believe it's located here.

Life Together
In 1880, Nathan was widowed, and he went to live with his brother-in-law, Vandeluer Lowe's family in Columbia, along with his son Pulsifer D, as of the June Census.   Later that fall, he remarried Mary Ella Strout of Milbridge on September 18, 1880, and commenced his life with his "second family".

Children of Nathan Pulsifer Hall and Mary Ella Strout
1. Edgar Matthew (1881-1912)  "Eddie", m. 1905 Mary Louis Lucier (1885-??) died at Charlestown, NH, lived at Bellows Falls.  Was a plumber, died of accidental drowning on July 4.
2. Leverett George (1882-1973) "Leverett" m. 1950 Louise J Cote (1886-??)
3. John James (1884-1951) "John", a telephone lineman m. Lillian Helen McAllan (1893-1971)
4. Charles Herbert (1885-1951) "Charlie" m1. 1907 Bernice Hattie Smith (1883-1908) m2. 1910 Laura Harriet Young (1890-??)
5. Naldin Abram (1889-1971) "Naldin", a sailor m. 1910 Louise Lillias Robinson (1895-1963)
6. Minnie Mabel (1890-1989) "Minnie" m1. 1911 Fred Oakes (1887-1919) m2. 1922 Milton DUncan (1889-1961)
7. Hattie F (??) (1891-1891) (unknown link) unnamed.  Casket purchased 1891.
8. Orrin Otis (1892-1985) "Orrin" m. 1913 Judith Sprague (1893-1963)
9. Lillian Edith (1893-1930) "Lillian" m. 1911 Ira Smith (1888-1969)
10. no concise records
11. Leorance Eliza (1894-1972) "Eliza" m. 1913 Chase Wentworth Fickett (1891-1986)
12. Harry  (1896-1896) died at 6 weeks, died of "spasm"
13. male Hall (1898-1898) (stillborn)
14. Mary  (1900-1900) "Mary" died as 4 month old
15. Harry Everett  (1901-1902)  died as 14 month old of pneumonia.
16. Harriet Bernice (1904-2003) m. 1925 Reginald Sampson Booker (1901-1987)

As of 1885-1912, the documents are fairly consistent that Nathan was a

ship carpenter.  An brief article with the historical society about this time period is linked here. More about Sawyer Shipbuilding here.  NOAA info sheet.

As of 1900, in their first 20 years of marriage, Nathan (50) and Mary (39) had 14 children, 10 survived.  In the next ten years until the 1910 Census, two more children were born, but two others died.

Nathan P (60, m2) and Mary E (48, m1), in the end, had 16 children together, of which 10 were living (the bold children above were alive at the time of the 1900, 1910 census).  Their son Orrin worked at the sardine factory that year, and his siblings had other various odd jobs (hiring out to do housework, sailors, telephone linemen, etc).  Also worthy of interest, that year, Darius D Sprague, (74 wd), who was Mary Ella's brother-in-law (via Augusta Jane Strout) lived with them.  Darius's 1st cousin was Lafayette Sprague, Judith's father.  Lafayette's family lived 3 households down the street in 1910.  Judith would become a their daughter-in law in 1913 when she and Orrin married.

Mary Ella died in 1914 at age 52, she is buried at Forest Hill, Harrington, Maine.  While the rest of her children were grown and married at the time, their youngest, Harriet, was 10 years old at the time.

 Nathan (71) was head of the house in 1920, retired, with his daughter Lillian and her husband Ira Smith and their three children.  They lived next door to Orrin and Judith Hall. 

Nathan Pulsifer Hall died in 1923 at age 75.

Lafayette Sprague and Nancy Cook (son 15, daughter of 16)

[Jen's maternal GGGrandparents]
[Madelyn Hall > Judith Sprague > son 15, daughter of 16]

Lafayette Sprague
BIRTH: 20 June 1864, Milbridge, Washington, Maine
DEATH: 2 May 1948, Milbridge, Washington, Maine

Nancy Cook
BIRTH: 02 Apr 1868, Sackville, Westmoreland, New Brunswick, Canada
DEATH: 10 May 1948, Milbridge, Washington, Maine

Lafayette Sprague

Lafayette Sprague

 Lafayette Sprague was born in the summer of 1864 in Milbridge, Maine, to Charles E Sprague (1826-1914) and Mary Ann McKenzie (1832-1883).  He was the 8th of 10 children.  His parents lived in Milbridge, Maine.  His father, Charles, had been a sailor when he was young, then a general laborer for the rest of his life.

Before Lafayette was born, the 1860 Census shows Charles (33) raising his family in Milbridge.  In 1870, Charles is 43, listed as a laborer owning $400 worth of real-estate in Milbridge, Maine.  This would be considered middle class.


Siblings of Lafayette
1. Abigail S (1851-1869)  (C'60) died at age 18.
2. William Edwin (1852-1909) (C'60, C'70) m 1876 Clementina Bracy (1860-1950)
3. Hollis "Woodbury" (1854-??) (C'60,C'70, C'80, sailor)
4. Frank?? (1856-1867) (don't see any justification, but an unlinked burial at Evergreen) died at age 11
5. Elvira W (1858-1903)  (C'70) m. 1879 Nelson R Williams (1857-after 1940)
6. James I (1859-bef1870) (C'60) presumed died before 1870
7. Caroline B (1861-1920) (C'70) m. 1880 Joseph Tilden Williams (1853-1913)
8. Lafayette (1864-1948) (C'70, C'80) m 1887 Nancy Cook (1868-1948)
9. Minnie (1868-1868) (death record, died at 4 months)
10. Charles F (1873-aft.1920) (C'80) m. 1891 Mary Ellen Staples (1871-1898)

As of 1880, Lafayette was still at home, and attending school (age 16).  His mother, Mary Ann, died in 1883 (age 51), leaving Lafayette at age 19 among 6 children who survived her.  His father, Charles, would live to age 88 (d.1914), old enough to meet all of Lafayette and Nancy's 10 children.

Nancy Cook

Nancy Cook

Nancy's parents were both from New Brunswick, Canada.  Samuel Cook (1826-bef. 1881) and Judith Snowden (1828-1917) were married in 1852 in Sackville, Westmorland, New Brunswick, and had 11 children.

Nancy, born in 1868, was among the youngest.  Judith traveled twice to the US with Frances (Fanny) Patterson, first in 1849 from Cumberland, then again immigrated in 1851 aboard the Schooner Britain, 23 years old, listed as a milliner (hat-maker), with the intention to become an inhabitant of the United States.

As of the 1881 Census, Nancy lived with her mother, Judith (55, assumed widow, but not indicated) and siblings.  The family were Presbyterians.
After Nancy left home, mother Judith continued (1891,1901,1911) as a widow living in Sackville.  She identified as Church of England on later census documents.   In 1901, she was living with son William, Charles B.  Charles's wife Susan had passed away in 1899, leaving him with five kids (Mary J, Lenna, Samuel Andrew, Ada, Hatty S).  By 1911, Judith (83!) is still living with William, and taking care of Charles' youngest three kids (Ada, Hattie, Andrew).  She died in 1917, and is buried in Sackville.

Nancy's Siblings
Mary Jane (1853-1921) ('61C, death record gives parents Samuel Cook of PEI and Judette Snowden of Woodpoint)

James "Valentine" (1854-??) ('71C,'81C)
Elizabeth "Bessie" Betsy/Bessie J (1856-1923)  ('71C,'81C)
Robert (1857-1935) ('71C,'81C)
Amos (1859-??)  ('71C,'81C)

William (1862-1934) ('71C,'81C)
Charles Bradford (1865-1931) ('71C,'81C)
Stephen Robie (1863-1949) ('81C)


Nancy (1868-1948) ('81C)
Draxy (1872-1934) ('81C)
Barbara (abt 1875?) (no corroborating documentation, but on FamilyTree)

Life Together

Long Bridge and Sprague house, Milbridge, ME, from here.

 Lafayette Sprague (22), a Mainer, married  Nancy Cook (18), an English Canadian from New Brunswick in 1887 in Milbridge, Maine.  They ultimately had 10 children, 9 of which lived to adulthood.

When Judith was born in 1893, Lafayette was working as a stone cutter in Milbridge.  Nancy was called "Sarah Cook" on the birth record, perhaps accidentally.

When Amos was born in 1897, Lafayette was working as a laborer.  Later, when Sydney was born in 1900, he's working as a "sealer".  It's likely this refers to sealing cans of sardines, as the 1900 census indicates factory work.  He did that for a few years, as in 1901, he's still working as a sealer.

As of the 1900 Census, they had been married for 14 years, and had 5 children, of which 5 were living.  Lafayette was a laborer at the sardine factory.  Charles (73, wd), Lafayette's father, lived next door with Charles Jr , and grandson Whitney.

By 1910, the family had grown.  Nancy (40), after 24 years of marriage, had borne 10 children, of which 9 survived.  Lafayette was working as a fireman at a sawmill.  Oldest son Harry E (abt 22) was working as a hired teamster.

Children of Lafayette and Nancy Sprague
1. Harry Elmer (1886-1958) m. 1940 Aggie Nora Garey (1885-?)
2. Mary Ann "Mazie" (1888-1949) m. 1909 Ralph L Driscoll (1882-1964), m2. 1939 Walter M Harvey (1884-?)
3. William Forest (1891-1958) m. 1919 Mildred Grant (1899-?)
4. Judith (1893-1963) m. Orrin Otis Hall (1892-1985)
5. Amos (1897-1976) m. 1922 Althea L. Fickett (1905-??)
6. Sydney (1900-1901) boy died at age 4 months
7. Elvira W (1903-1993) m. 1924 Percy Reel Merchant (1902-1989)
8. Clifford (1905-1987) m. 1936 Phyllis Coombs (1902-2001)
9. Almena (1907-1976) m. 1925 Milford Ray (1904-1983)
10. Lena (1910-1987) m. 1927 Millard Ray (1904-1986)

1920 Census was the last where they had kids at home with 5 kids (Amos, Elvira, Clifford, Almena, Lena) and a grandson (Donald).  They lived on Bridge Street around that year.

Wyman Factory, Milbridge

Incidentally, the 1930 Census taker was very phonetic:  "Laffyett", which gives a good indication of how he would have said his name.  They lived on Harrington Road, Milbridge, between Clifford and Phyllis Sprague on one side and Orrin and Judith Hall on the other.  Lafayette still did general labor for hire.

Lafayette and Nancy both lived full lives.  On the 1940 Census, Lafayette (75) and Nancy (72) live in a house they own, worth not much more than $100 at Bendigo Flat.  Lafayette is listed as retired.  Down the street is son Clifford and Phyllis and their 7 kids (Oscar, Bernice, Joyce, Alice, Betty, Charlene, Charles)

Lafayette died on 2 May, 1948 at age 84.  His wife died a week later on 10 May at age 80.  They are both buried in Milbridge, Maine.

More on Sardine Packing
L Ray Packing Co was established in 1941.
Milbridge Historical Society.

Beach Cliff Sardines, Prospect Harbor (nearby, from here)

From Society for Preservation of the Lowly Tinned Sardine, here

Sardine Factory in Lubec, ME

Orrin O Hall and Judith Sprague (grandson of 13 & 14, granddaughter of 15 & 16)

[Jen's maternal GGrandparents]
[Madelyn Hall > grandson of 13 & 14, granddaughter of 15 & 16]

Orrin Otis Hall
BIRTH: 16 Jun 1892, Milbridge, Washington, Maine, United States
DEATH: 2 April 1985, Milbridge, Washington, Maine, United States


Judith Sprague
BIRTH: 1 Nov 1893, Milbridge, Washington, Maine, United States
DEATH: 22 Nov 1963, Milbridge, Washington, Maine, United States

Orrin Otis Hall

Orrin O Hall was born 16 June 1892 to  Nathan Pulsifer Hall (1847-1923),  and Mary Ella Strout (1862-1914).  He was born in Milbridge, Maine, the 8th of 16 children.

Orrin and daughter Phyllis

His father, Nathan, of Columbia, had been married previously to Athlona Adelia "Delia" Low (1843-1879), and had 5 kids through that marriage.
Lillian (1869-1870) (confirmed birth record)
Pulsifer D (1871-1884) (living with Nathan in 1880)
Nora H L (1874-1912) (unknown link to family--marr. records parents as Nathaniel/Cedelia)
Lucy Helen (1874-1943) (unknown link to family)
Simeon B (1879-??) (on 1900 census)

In 1880, Orrin's father Nathan was widowed, and he went to live with his brother-in-law, Vandeluer Lowe's family in Columbia, along with his son Pulsifer D, as of the June Census.   Later that fall, he remarried Mary Ella Strout of Milbridge on September 18, 1880, and commenced his life with his "second family". 


Siblings of Orrin Otis Hall
1. Edgar Matthew (1881-1912)  "Eddie", died at Charlestown, NH, lived at Bellows Falls.  Was a plumber, died of accidental drowning on July 4.
2. Leverett George (1882-1973) "Leverett"
3. John James (1884-1951) "John", a telephone lineman
4. Charles Herbert (1885-1951) "Charlie"
5. Naldin Abram (1889-1971) "Naldin", a sailor
6. Minnie Mabel (1890-1989) "Minnie"
7. Hattie F (??) (1891-1891) (unknown link) unnamed.  Casket purchased 1891.
8. Orrin Otis (1892-1985) "Orrin"
9. Lillian Edith (1893-1930) "Lillian"
10. no concise records
11. Leorance Eliza (1894-1972) "Eliza"

12. Harry  (1896-1896) died at 6 weeks, died of "spasm"
13. male Hall (1898-1898) (stillborn)
14. Mary  (1900-1900) "Mary" died as 4 month old
15. Harry Everett  (1901-1902)  died as 14 month old of pneumonia.
16. Harriet Bernice (1904-2003)

As of 1885-1912, the documents are fairly consistent stating that Nathan was a ship carpenter.

As of 1900, Nathan (50) and Mary (39) had been married for 20 years, and the record shows that of 14 children, 10 survived.

The 1910 Census confirms that Nathan P (60, m2) and Mary E (48, m1) had 16 children together, of which 10 were living (the bold children above were alive at the time of the 1900, 1910 census).  Orrin worked at the sardine factory that year, and his siblings had other various odd jobs (hiring out to do housework, sailors, telephone linemen, etc).  Also worthy of interest, that year, Orrin's uncle Darius D Sprague, (74 wd), who was Mary Ellen's brother-in-law (via Augusta Jane Strout) lived with them.  Darius's 1st cousin was Lafayett Sprague, Judith's father.  Lafayette's family lived 3 households down the street in 1910.

Hall Siblings: Simeon (from Nathan's first marriage), Minnie, Leverett George, Lydie, John, Naldin, Harriet, Orrin

Judith Sprague

Judith Sprague c. 1897

Judith Sprague was born in 1893 to Lafayette Sprague (1864-1948), a Mainer, and Nancy Cook (1868-1948), an English Canadian from New Brunswick.  At the time of her birth, her father was 29, and her mother was 23.

As of the 1900 Census, they had been married for 14 years, and had 5 children, of which 5 were living.  Lafayette was a laborer at the sardine factory.

By 1910, the family had grown.  Nancy (40), after 24 years of marriage, had borne 10 children, of which 9 survived.  Lafayette was working as a fireman at a sawmill.  Oldest son Harry E (abt 22) was working as a hired teamster.

Siblings of Judith Sprague
1. Harry Elmer (1886-1958) m. 1940 Aggie Nora Garey (1885-?)
2. Mary Ann "Mazie" (1888-1949) m. 1909 Ralph L Driscoll (1882-1964), m2. 1939 Walter M Harvey (1884-?)
3. William Forest (1891-1958) m. 1919 Mildred Grant (1899-?)
4. Judith (1893-1963) m. Orrin Otis Hall (1892-1985)
5. Amos (1897-1976) m 1922 Althea L. Fickett (1905-??)
6. Sydney (1900-1901) boy died at age 4 months
7. Elvira W (1903-1993) m. 1924 Percy Reel Merchant (1902-1989)
8. Clifford (1905-1987) m. 1936 Phyllis Coombs (1902-2001)
9. Almena (1907-1976) m. 1925 Milford Ray (1904-1983)
10. Lena (1910-1987) m. 1927 Millard Ray (1904-1986)

Charles (73, wd), Lafayette's father, lived next door with Charles Jr , and grandson Whitney

Judith's parents both lived full lives.  Lafayette died on 2 May, 1948 at age 84.  His wife died a week later on 10 May at age 80.  They are both buried in Milbridge, Maine.

Life Together 
Orrin and Judith were married on 13 September 1913.  Two months later, they had their first child (Lawrence, lived only a few months), and over the next 19 years, they would have 13 more children.

 Orrin's draft registration in 1917 declared him as employed by JC & G R Strout as a laborer.  He claimed exempt due to his wife and two children.  He claimed medium height, medium build, light brown eyes, and dark brown hair.

Judith and Orrin Hall

In 1920, Orrin lived next door to his Father.   Nathan (71) was a retired widower, and had in his household his Orrin's younger sister Lillian (26), her husband Ira B Smith (32), and their three young children (Warren (8), Mary E (3), Norman R (1)).

Orrin (27) and Judith(25) owned their house (albeit with a mortgage) on Bridge Street, and had three young children of their own at home.  Helen M (4), George L (3), and Nancy L  (1).   Orrin worked as a clerk at the hardware store at the time.

In 1930, Orrin (37) and Judith (35) owned their house on Harrington Road, next door to Lafayett and Nancy Sprague (Judith's parents).   Clifford Sprague (24, one of Judith's younger brother) and Phyllis (27) lived just the other side with their three kids (Albert(4), Oscar(2), and Bernice(3 mos.)).  Orrin is still working as a salesman at the hardware store.

Orrin and Judith had 14 children:

1. Lawrence (1913-1914) died at 10 weeks old.
2. Helen Mary (1915-1932) m. Oct 1831/2 Adrian Strout (1910-1982) died at age 17, six weeks after her marriage to Adrian Strout (in childbirth? the family tree indicates a stillborn baby boy here).
3. George Leverett (1916-1920) died at age 4
4. Nancy Lillian (1918-1966) m 1938 James Dickens (1917-1994) husband was in the service in Europe in 1940.
5. James Archibald (1920-1994) m. 1945 Doris Gelly (1924-2007)
6. Natalie Elvira (1921-1985) m. 1941 Robie Kelly (1921-1995)
7. John Leverett(1923-2004) m. 1943 Muriel M Holland (1926-1998)
8. Irene Louise (1925-1926) died 3 days prior to her first birthday
9. Orrin Otis Jr (1926-2000) m abt 1945 Estella Meshurle (), m2 1962 Janet Winnifred Dearborn (1931-2001)
10. Althea Louise (1928-2010) m. 1948 Alden Getchell Griffin (1926-2008)
11. Mary E (1930-Living) m.  ?? Ernest Peterson ()
12. George S (1931-2004) m. 1951 Murielle Rita Gallant (1933-2013), served in army during the Korean War
13. Madelyn Joyce (1932-Living) m. 1950 Raymond Vaughn Mitchell Jr (1931-living)
14. Phyllis (1941 -Living) m1. David Martin (-living) m2. Brad Butler (living)

Back row: Natalie, Nancy, Orrin Sr, James, Judith. Front row: John, Madelyn, George, Mary, Althea.  c. 1935.

By 1940, Orrin (47) and "Judy" (45) and their large family were renting a house on Wyman Lane (along the Narraguagas Bay) for $5 a month.  They had 10 kids at home.  Orrin had worked 48 hours the week prior to the Census at an unknown job.  Three of the kids, Nancy (22), Natalie (19), and John L (17) worked as snippers and shockers at the clam factory, while James (20) was an apprentice at the US Naval Hospital.

thanks to Ted Dickens

[from an interview with Madelyn]
Orrin's brother was working at Portland in the shipyard during the war, and recommended that he take his family down to Old Orchard to work at the ship yard also, because he could make good money to support his large family.  Otherwise, times were quite lean DownEast.  His brother paid the fare for the family to move.  When the war closed down, he went back to work at a Hardware store in South Portland.  He decided to work there for the rest of his career.

They discovered that Judith had cancer, and they gave her 5 months.  Their son John had a house that he had available for Judith and Orrin, and he helped them relocate in 1962/63, and he looked after them.  She died on the same day that President Kennedy was assassinated: November 22, 1963 at age 70.  She died in Bar Harbor, Maine and is buried at the Evergreen Cemetery.

Interestingly, the family was so attuned to the death of their mother, that they missed the news about Kennedy until after the funeral.


Orrin was hit by a car at one point (may have been drinking) and it fractured his skull.  Brother John put him in a home that was designed for elderly.  He was in a private home, then moved him to a place in Machias, then returned to a nursing home in Milbridge.  He had dementia during his later years, and didn't recognize most of his family members.   He wanted to get out of bed, but the home wasn't very good at helping him get up during the days.


 Orrin lived to age 92, passing away on 2 April, 1985.  He was at Marchalin Healthcare Center at the time of his death, and is buried alongside Judith at Evergreen.


Memories, according to Madelyn Hall Mitchell
Lived right next door to the Methodist church.   Orrin was a bellringer, and would bring the kids to church and he sang in the choir.  He would pull the rope down, and let the kids be pulled back up when the bell swung.  Mother wasn't very religious, and never attended with us.

My mother knew how to make something out of nothing.  We always had chickens.
People who didn't live in the city knew how to be self-sufficient.

We were poor, but never remember feeling poor.  In times of need, the government does a good job of taking care of large families.

Phyllis Martin-Butler recalls: 

"I don't know that [my older siblings] had bunk beds; but, sisters shared beds. I remember my sister Mary telling me about sharing a bed with our sister Althea (and there were no queen or king sized beds). I'm sure my other sisters shared beds also. Since I was the youngest, I slept between mom and dad in their bed until I was 8 years old. By then I was the only child at home; but, we only had two bedrooms. Mom and I shared a bed and dad had his own room. I was 14 before I finally got my own bedroom!!"

Orrin and Judith never had a car.  They would take the public transportation in South Portland, if necessary.  When asked how that affected shopping, Phyllis says, "There was always a "corner store", local neighborhood store that carried some groceries and other "odds & ends". We didn't buy a lot of groceries, not when I was growing up and I'm sure not when all those brothers and sisters of mine were living at home. I always referred to myself, when it came to food, as a "gatherer and gleaner". A lot of what we ate came from dad's vegetable garden, for the abundance of fruit trees, fields of berry bushes, lawns alive in the spring with dandelion greens, lots of fish (especially when Bud was home!! He loved to go fishing). Whatever Mother Nature had to offer, I gathered it up and mom cooked it!!"