Charles Sprague and Mary Ann McKenzie (couple 15)

[Jen's maternal GGGGrandparents]
[Madelyn Hall > Judith Sprague > Lafeyett Sprague > couple 15]

Charles E Sprague
BIRTH: 26 June 1826, Grand Manan, Charlotte, New Brunswick, Canada
DEATH: 8 July 1914, Milbridge, Washington, Maine, United States

Mary Ann McKenzie
BIRTH: 14 August 1832, Franklin, Hancock, Maine, United States
DEATH: 9 Aug 1883, Milbridge, Washington, Maine

Charles E Sprague

Swallowtwail Light, Grand Manan, New Brunswick

 Charles E Sprague was born to John W Sprague, Jr, and Mary Morse, toward the tail end of perhaps 18 children on the island of Grand Manan, New Brunswick.  (Alternately at St John, NB, per Lafayette's birth record).

Grand Manan Herring Fishing Sheds

From Wikipedia: "The actual boundary and ownership of local islands in Passamaquoddy Bay was not settled until 1817, when the United States gave up its claim to Grand Manan and the surrounding islands.  By 1832, the island had become a destination for those seeking prosperity and privacy. Schools were established by the Anglican Church. While neighbouring islands along the American coast to Boston relied on whaling, Grand Manan established a reputation for fishing and shipbuilding. The early 19th Century saw the harvesting of hackmatack, birch and oak and a
burgeoning shipbuilding community. Population on the island grew to include many fine carpenters, and Grand Manan became known for its accomplished maritime craftsmen."


Mary Ann McKenzie
Mary Ann's parents are unclear (perhaps McCaleb, McKenzie, or Joy), but there seems to be reminders that she was born in either Cherryfield or Franklin, Maine in 1832.  It is unclear, as the documentation is not consistent through the years (see here for further discussion).  Her son William's death certificate says she was born in Cherryfield.  Lafayette's birth record records Franklin, ME as her birth place.  Regardless, Mary Ann and Charles had in common their connection to Charlotte county, New Brunswick.

Possible Siblings
1.  Mary Ann McKenzie (1832-1883) m 1848 Charles E Sprague (1826-1914)
2. Lucy A McKenzie (1838-??)
3. Alexander McKenzie (1839-??)
4. James McKenzie (1842-??)
5. Elizabeth McKenzie (1843-??)
6. Elizabeth McKenzie (1845-??) m 1865 Charles Murray (1832-1894)
7. William H McKenzie (1850-??)


Life Together
At age 22, Charles married Mary Ann McKenzie, who was 16.  Together, they subsequently had 10 children.

In 1850, Charles (23) is listed as a sailor, with his wife, Mary A (17), and they lived in the household of sea captain Moses Thompson and his wife Achsa.  Next door to Jason and Eliza D Strout in Milbridge, Maine.

They had the following children:
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)  A ship carpenter (per death record.)
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. Charles F (1863-aft.1920) (C'80) m. 1891 Mary Ellen Staples (1871-1898)
9. Lafayette (1864-1948) (C'70, C'80) m 1887 Nancy Cook (1868-1948)
10. Minnie (1868-1868) (death record, died at 4 months)

The 1860 Census shows Charles (33) and family in Milbridge, Maine.

In 1870, Charles is 43, listed as a laborer owning $400 worth of real-estate.

READ MORE ABOUT MAINE Village life.
More on family life in Early America.

In 1880, Charles is 53, listed as a laborer in Milbridge.  He is living in the same stretch of road as Reuben and Ephraim Sprague, Edwin McKenney, Edwin Sprague (his son). Mary Ann (47) still has Woodbury (25), Lafayette (17), and Charles F (7) at home.

Mary Ann passed away in 1883 at the age of 51, leaving six kids.  Their youngest, Charles F was raised primarily by his father, Charles.  The other children apart from Lafayette were already married, but he was 19 at the time and fairly independent.

In 1900, Charles, a 73 year old widower, is living with son Charles F (27), also widowed, and grandson Whitney (7), living next door to son Lafayette and his large family.  Charles is still taking odd-jobs, working as a day laborer, and Charles F works as a laborer in the sardine factory while Whitney is at school.

In 1910, Charles (83) is living with his daughter Caroline B (48) and Tilden (56) Williams in Fairfield, Maine.  They had been married for 30 years, and their one child, Mildred (18) was at home.  While Tilden is a carpenter, Charles is STILL listed as working odd jobs as a laborer!