The Edgecomb Historical Society minutes

Minutes for Sep 24, 2009

Present: Sue Carlson, Ros Strong, Ruth Bryant, Jo Cameron, Bruce Cameron, Cathy Orne, Zibette Dean, Rebecca Townsend, guests Jay Robbins of Lincoln County Historical Society; Christina Scott of Topsham; Philip Wenzel of Vassalboro

The minutes of the May 28 meeting were approved with two corrections.

Treasurer Ruth Bryant reported a balance of $1,799.78 in May. Since then, interest of $2.98. $45.00 was paid to the Friends of Fort Edgecomb for half the cost of the website. $September b alance is $1,757.76, "but the money is rolling in." President Sue Carlson submitted a bill for postage in the amount $22.00 and received payment.

Elections: Secretary Jo Cameron cast the one vote in favor of the slate: Sue Carlson, President, Roslyn Strong, Vice President, Ruth Bryant, Treasurer, and Jo Cameron, Secretary.

Jo proposed a "sister town" project between Edgecomb, Maine, USA and Mt. Edgcumbe, Devon, UK, and will contact Alan Taylor, curator of the Mt. Edgcumbe Estate.

Jay Robbins agreed that an industrial survey of Edgecomb would be very worthwhile. Besides any sites of current Edgecomb, the group suggested brickyards, grist mills, tide mills, wharves, salt pans, ice ponds, boatyards and associated industries such as cooperage, glass-making.

A number of other sources for information were suggested.

Nick Dean's inter-tidal research; Zibette said Nick's maritime research is now at the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath
State Archives lists of occupations as of 1820, consult Jim Henderson, State Archivist
Bob Brown, whose ancestors were in the early ice industry
Peter Goodman, in Bath's Patten Library's local history department
Deeds through the early 19th century
Probate inventories
Census data (See KCO History of Edgecomb)–Jay has data on microfilm to 1920; Bruce pointed out the town's largest population was reached in the 1840s through before the Civil War. The last census did not exceed this figure; the lowest numbers, the low 400s, reached in the 1930s. The current figure is estimated at about 1,200.
Maine Registers – postal routes
Colby Atlas for Hancock County, which lists occupations
microfilms of newspapers

Jay asked why are we collecting this information? History only? Or for protection/preservation purposes? Sue said EHS wants both, particularly if any are worthy of further archaeological investigation. She projected a scenic overlay district for the town, from which people might create their own self-guided tours.

Jay proposed that a team be formed to go through the deed registers, so that it could be done in one day. Sue said we need a real impetus to get people involved.

Sue asked Jay to present a proposal with a dollar amount, so that EHS can approach the Selectmen for funding from the Maro Hammond Memorial Trust.

Philip Wenzel presented details about the Rosicrucian Springs, and said he has stamps issued from a Rosicrucian Springs Post Office. It was commented that this P.O. was in Newcastle, and the railroad station in Newcastle was officially the Rosicrucian Springs station. Mr. Wenzel cited articles in the publication Discover Maine, vol. 3, no. 3, 2006, the Greater Bath-Brunswick Region edition, and vol. 6, no. 7, 2009, the Mid-Coast Region edition, both by writer Charles Francis.

Ros mentioned that around 1850, around the Gold Rush period, there was a big scam about mines in Maine, shares issued, the same kind of fund-raising as was done for the Rosicrucian Springs.

Jo said that Linda Wood, who has since moved out of town, once mentioned that she was a descendent of the Dodge family who started the Rosicrucian Springs.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:15 p.m. The next meeting will be Thursday, October 22 at 2:00 p.m. at the Edgecomb Eddy School conference room and library.

Respectfully submitted,

Joanna M. Cameron

Secretary