Robert Peter Tristram Coffin Poet, Professor, and Rhodes Scholar

Robert Peter Tristram Coffin , son of James William Coffin and Mary Alice Coombs Coffin was born on the 18th March 1892 in the town of Brunswick, Maine, U.S.A. He grew up on his father's salt water farm on Great Island in Harpswell. He attended the little red schoolhouse in Princes Point, entered the 7th grade in Brunswick and was graduated from Brunswick High School in 1911.
He was academically gifted graduating top of his class from Bowdoin College in Maine (1915) before going on to Princeton for a year and then to Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. He was a fairly prolific writer producing over three dozen books of poetry, novels and biographies as well as historical articles and essays. He won the Pulitzer prize for poetry with Strange Holiness in 1935. Coffin was an able teacher and lecturer working at Wells College in Aurora, New York from 1921 - 1934 and then Bowdoin from 1934 to 1955. He died on Jan 20th 1955. He married Ruth Phillips Children Margret "Peggy" Halvosa, Robert PT Coffin Jr. and Richard N Coffin
Robert Peter Tristram Coffin Collection, 1842-1989, n.d. (bulk 1910-1955).
Five Poems by Robert P. Tristram Coffin

The Secret Heart

Across the years he could recall
His father one way best of all.
In the stillest hour of night
The boy awakened to a light.
Half in dreams, he was his sire
With his great hands full of fire.
The man had struck a match to see
If his son slept peacefully.
He held his palms each side the spark
His love had kindled in the dark.
His two hands were curved apart
In the semblance of a heart.
He wore, it seemed to his small son,
A bare heart on his hidden one,
A heart that gave out such a glow
No son awake could bare to know.
It showed a look upon a face
Too tender for the day to trace.
One instant, it lit all about,
And then the secret heart went out.
But shone long enough for one
To know that hands held up the sun.

William Johnson Colby: A Remarkable Life Remembered

From Wicked Local Newburyport Current Article Book chronicles a 'remarkable' seafaring life by Melissa D Berry
In 1630 the Winthrop Fleet ferried the first Colby to New England shores. His name was Anthony and the ship befittingly was titled the Confidence. Birthed from this one courageous colonial are several descendants anchored in the chronicles of maritime and pioneer antiquity. See The vibrant energy of the Colby family

Captain Mark Colby, a 10th generation descendant of Anthony, recently launched a narration of the life of his grandfather in his book: "A Remarkable Life Remembered."

Mark Colby’s account of William J. Colby’s momentous journey is blended with ancestors oral and written accounts as well as archival records gathered from research and family contributions. The real-life dramas of these brave, undefiled master mates and "indomitable, fierce spirited" matriarchs illustrate colorful, intriguing insights into decades of history from the American Revolution to the Great Depression.

Among William J. Colby’s familial lines noted are Loyalist Dr. Azor Betts and Caleb Haskell Sr., a Patriot of the Revolution who records the events of the Quebec expedition with Benedict Arnold. Caleb Jr., his grandson son married Fanny Matilda Bett’s the daughter of Dr. Azor. 

Mary Amelia Haskell Colby

The reader will step on board the H G Johnson with Captain Isaac N. Colby and Mary Amelia Haskell and the amazing illustrations painted by artist Elizabeth Cushing Colby compliment Mark’s intriguing tales. Other family members will disclose private moments and candid memories promising to engage the reader. Mark notes that despite the heritage it was his father, Robert Colby, an accomplished writer of memoirs that prompted him to pursue this project. Robert, headmaster of the Hinckley School and commander of the Wawenock Power Squadron, instilled the seeds of passion for both history and maritime.

sketch of WJC by sister Elizabeth 1892 aboard ship H G. Johnson

William J. Colby’s bio starts in the Port at the home of his grandfather Caleb Haskell, Jr. where he was born. Within a few years William would be sailing the world with his family and his "diary offers a fascinating insight into the life of a ten year old boy while on a working voyage aboard his father’s merchant vessel."
The middle years are William’s service in the Spanish American War and his vocational pursuits. Although hindered physically from war and economically crippled from the Depression, William will not give power to any menacing albatross. His stamina, like his Colby predecessors can weather storms and ride out turbulent waves.

The later years William spent with his family in Cozy Harbor Maine. Mark presents a beautiful account of the loving family ties and warm friendships fostered in a small community.
It is certain that families around the globe will identify with the intimate details shared in this book. An invitation is extended to the reader to surrender to all the imperfections of the human condition where joy and sorrow coexist; such as child rearing, sending a son to war, spiritual strife, economic hardship, and loss of loved ones.

William J Colby’s life will also bridge locations From Newburyport, Boothbay Harbor, and ports around the world. Area locals around the Merrimac will relish the countless references to familiar names and hot spots.
For example, the H G Johnson was the largest barque ever forged along the banks of the Merrimac and "there was never a mean vessel sent from the seas," winning "high repute around the world." The notable names of Currier, Jackman, Noyes, Lord, Goodwin, and Rolfe had a hand in her wide birth are still echoed among folks today.

Fanny G Bray, like William, was another sea urchin born in the Port. In 1854, she sailed the world with her parents Stephen and Elizabeth and her exotic encounters of far way lands stirred a course for her to remain forever one with the oceanic exploration. Fanny became a life long member of the American Seamen's Friend Society and the Port Bethel Society. These organizations provided humanitarian and spiritual support to local seamen. One of the paramount objectives of the Societies would be the establishment of libraries for ships.

In 1877, Fanny sent a correspondence to Capt. Isaac noting a gift of 75 volumes of books "hoping that some good seed may bear fruit, even in the forecastle" of his journey and wished him a "heart God speed" in his new start.

Another Colby connection with the Bray family is the amazing journal kept by Elizabeth Bray on the sailing adventures aboard the Violant. In November, Custom House Maritime Museum will feature a commissioned musical performance of Elizabeth’s remarkable narrative treasure.

Alex Haley once said: "In every conceivable manner, the family is a link to our past and a bridge to our future." For the Colby’s, Anthony’s hardy link began the sturdy bridge which Mark Colby has secured for a few more generations. This is why New England families maintain their strong character and continue to record their histories.

William Johnson Colby - David's Island c. 1950s

Purchase a copy of "A Remarkable Life" contact Mark Colby directly at captmarkcolby@gmail.com. Copies are $20 each.

See Also Preserving family history in paperback by
KATRINA CLARK, Staff Reporter Bootbay
More Sources & Links
Anthony Colby Turn the Hearts
Anthony Colby Great Migration Begins
Colby Family Genealogy 
Colby Family Assoc  
Dr. Azor and Gloriana Purdy Betts: Loyalists and Hearty Pioneers
Dr. Azor Betts vs Smallpox and George Washington
History of the Marine society of Newburyport, Massachusetts, from its incorporation in 1772 to the year 1906: together with a complete roster and narrative of important events in the lives of its members.
Newburyport and the Civil War By William Hallett 
Colby descendants make mark as social reformers
Clipper Heritage Trail 

Elijah Warren of Leicester MA & Descendants

Some genealogy and family photos Please post or e-mail me if you would like a pdf file and share if you have more information. Thanks  Picture taken in Leicester, Mass., Sept. 17, 1863 children of the Elijah Warren, of Leicester, taken at the old homestead where they were born. The elder children emigrated to different States before the younger were born, and even their father never saw them all together

Amos Warren, Woodstock, Vt., July 25, 1782. Joseph Warren. Leicester, Mass., Jan. 8, 1784. Betsey Bond, Lisbon, Oct. 17, 1785. Lydia Warren, Leicester, Mass., March 29, 1788 Mary W. Chapin, Lisbon, May 23, 1790. Charlotte Fuller, Leicester, Mass., Aug. 8, 1792. Louisa A. Wheeler, Topsham, Me., Aug. 18, 1807. Henry E. Warren, Leicester, Mass., July 4, 1809.

The photo mentioned is the one above. See also New England families, genealogical and memorial : a record of the achievements of her people in the making of commonwealths and the founding of a nation

                                                 

                                                         Warren Holden Home

September 28, 1895

July 7, 1896

 

 The Wheeler Families of Old Concord, Massachusetts

Holocaust and Human Rights Center U. Maine

A Share From Leigh Cummings Historian and David Greenham from the Holocaust and Human Rights Center located at UMA

New Exhibit looks at the little-known story of Maine P.O.W. camps

AUGUSTA - The Holocaust and Human Rights Center (HHRC) of Maine has created an exhibit focusing on the history and artifacts from Maine’s P.O.W. camps between 1944 and 1946. The exhibit, Maine Boys Overseas, German Boys in Maine, brings together artifacts, historical documents, and a film from a variety of Maine sources.

In early February, 1944, Maine Second District Congresswoman Margaret Chase Smith revealed that the War Department had made plans to send German prisoners of war to Maine to work on lumber projects. A month later, Senator Ralph Owen Brewster announced that 2,500 German POWs had been assigned to Maine and would be housed at a camp near the Houlton airfield, and possibly other locations. With that, a little-known chapter in Maine history began. 

The HHRC exhibit, Maine Boys Overseas, German Boys in Maine, brings together artifacts from the POW Camps at Houlton, Spencer Lake, Seboomooc, and Princeton/Indian Township, along with ten remarkable WWII posters from the Maine State Museum and documents from the National Archives for this one-of-a-kind exhibit. 

The exhibit was created with the help of the Aroostook County Historical and Art Museum; the Jackman Historical Society; Brenda Jepson; researchers and writers Bill Randall, Jocelyn Gray, and the late Milton Bailey; the Maine State Museum; Simons’ Photographic; the Folger Library at UMO; the Maine State Library; the Grand Lake Stream Historical Society; the Maine Folklife Center; Yankee Magazine; Northeast Historic Films; Paul Marcotte and Sons; and the facilities staff at UMA. 

Maine Boys Overseas, German Boys in Maine is open daily Monday through Friday from 10 am – 4 pm, and by appointment through November 30^th. Admission is free, although donations are gratefully accepted. The exhibit is suitable for all ages. For more information, call 621-3530 or visit hhrc.uma.edu.

David visited the Houlton Historical Society and Art Museum after the meeting. He was very impressed with the community and the items on display related to the POW camp. They are planning on an exhibit open in early September and run through November at the University of Maine at Augusta. David also met with Kay Bell a local resident with first hand experience of the POW prisoners, as they worked on her family farm picking potatoes. At this time Kay’s brother_____ was killed in Germany. David would like to use many of the Museums and Kay’s items for the exhibit. 

Many Rotarians shared their stories with David and he was very interested in learning more about the effect of the POW camp had on our local community. Some of the comments made were
“I remember asking my mom why do they look just like us?”
“I recall picking potatoes with the prisoners and they were required to pick only 20 barrels a day and they would sometime finish in the morning. My family would bring cookies for everyone picking and they loved that and then they would help with the loading of the barrels even though they did not have to.”
The meeting was very interesting and informative, thank you to all that shared stories.

Contact: Elizabeth Helitzer

Holocaust & Human Rights Center of Maine

207-621-3530

Elizabeth.helitzer@maine.edu

Photo Cutline: German POW potato pickers from the Houlton camp are pictured in 1946with Nancy Robinson McLeod at her farm in Dyer Brook.

Photo courtesy of Aroostook County Historical and Art Museum
 Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine

Helen F Spaulding/Spalding & her ancestors

Photo from Abplanalp Library, UNE Portland, ME 04103
In 1862, at age 18, Helen F. Spaulding was one of 15 women students attending Westbrook Seminary.
She was, however, the only female student from out of state. Daughter of Shercbiah Spaulding and Lurena A. Spaulding of Chelmsford

Helen was born there ]uly 23, 1837; educated in Chelmsford MA and at Francestown, N. H. Below is her family line history.
from Massachusetts History and Genealogy Project Beside Old Hearth-Stones. The Spauldings were in the town among the first settlers. Edward Spaulding was there before the incorporation in 1655, and was among those selected in November, 1654, "by the consent of the major part of the town for ordering the Public affairs." He belonged to that colony, who, with their minister, left Wenham in Essex County, and did good service in establishing the church and town that have made a most commendable record for two hundred and forty years. Ten generations of the Spaulding family are recorded as having resided in Chelmsford, and figured in the history of the town. I met, among others of the family, Mr. George Spaulding, busily occupied in tilling his acres. He said, "My father was Alpheus, and his father was Joseph Spaulding, who left this farm in response to the call of April 19, 1775, and who gained some notoriety in the battle of Bunker Hill. You have read the inscription on the slab at his grave, which gives only a part of my grandfather's story. His own report of it was, 'I fired ahead of time, and Putnam rushed up and struck at me for violating orders. I suppose I deserved it, but I was anxious to get another good shot at Gage's men ever since our affair at Concord. The blow from "Old Put" hit me on the head, made a hole in my hat, and left this scar;' and," said the grandson, "it was an honorable scar. Grandfather was proud of it, and carried it to his grave."

Mr. George Spaulding, who is of the eighth generation, continued his story, "My grandfather was living at that time in an old house on this farm, and had just raised the frame of this dwelling when he was called to do a patriot's duty away from these acres. When the house was completed he moved into it with grandmother and the children, one of whom was my father; and the Revolutionary roof has already sheltered five generations of Spauldings."

To make his grandfather's part at Bunker Hill more vivid, Mr. Spaulding brought from the house a silver watch, ticking with as much regularity as it was on the morning of June 17, 1775, when Joseph Spaulding aimed his fowling-piece at Major Pitcairn. Said the proud descendant, "My grandfather brought the watch to this house; and here it has been kept ever since, often proving more reliable than some modern timepieces."

 

In confirmation of Mr. Spaulding's story of the cocked hat, Mrs. Luther Faulkner of Billerica says, "It was one of the delights of my childhood to play in that old garret with my companions, the grandchildren of Joseph Spaulding. It was the storeroom of scores of articles that dated back to the early generations of the family. There were the rude implements of the farm, the cast-off utensils of the kitchen, and many articles of husbandry that time had relegated to that lumber-room. Oh, what a pleasure it was for us children, on a rainy day, to amuse ourselves among those relics! The flax cards, the hatchel, the reel, the wheels great and small, were all put to our childish service. Then a season was spent in playing soldier, but the boys thought the girls had no part in that. 'Grandsir's' cocked hat was brought from its hiding-place; and each boy in turn, crowned with the tattered relic, marched up and down the garret floor. 'Just as Grandsir Spaulding marched at Bunker Hill,' was the childish order. It had received holes through the crown, and 'grandsir' was proud of them; but the old soldier of 1775 was gone, and I am afraid we were rough with his hat. The hat and all else in that ancient garret were consumed by fire; yet the memory of those days, and particularly of the old cocked hat, will remain as long as life lasts."

Another most interesting representative of the Spaulding family is Mrs. Mary (Spaulding) Shedd, who, at the age of ninety-three years, delights in repeating the stories heard from the lips of her grandfather, Zebulon Spaulding, who was one of the minute-men of the town. The story of the opening Revolution, as she tells it, confirms that already given, and her personal recollections of the second war with England are as vivid as are those of the Civil War. Said this venerable member of the family, "My father was Sherebiah Spaulding." In regard to the second trouble with England, she said, "The early spirit of patriotism was quickly kindled in his breast, as in others of Chelmsford. He presented a most charming appearance to my youthful eyes, when he was equipped in his brilliant uniform, and ready to march to Boston. I was too young to fully realize what the war-cry meant; but there were those in our family who recalled the sufferings of Concord, Bunker Hill, and Valley Forge, and with tearful faces stood by as the soldiers went away, while the old fire of patriotism was rekindled in their breasts; but their forms were too much bowed with age to again face the enemy." This delightful lady of the old school, on her ninety-third birthday, remarked, "I have known eight generations of my family, and have seen an entire change in the manner of conducting domestic matters, as well as business affairs. I have seen the loom and wheel, which were kept in action in each family, give way to the innumerable looms and spindles of the city of Lowell, which has sprung into existence since I came to maturity."

Spaulding Fiske House

At an early age Helen Spaulding began teaching, alternating teaching with furthering her own education.Helen was in Class of 1864, graduated from Westbrook Seminary with a Laureate of Science degree and was appointed head of the Woman's Department at Westbrook Seminary and Female Collegiate Institute. She served in this position for six years and taught Geometry, Algebra, English and Drawing. During the 1862 spring term at Westbrook Seminary, Helen took French and enrolled in the Normal Class. A Normal Class was offered during the spring and fall terms for those who were preparing themselves to be teachers. "Special attention" was given to this class. Helen also served as an assistant to Principal S. H. M'Collester and Associate Principal Charles S. Fobes.

Charles S. Fobes, Westbrook Seminary, ca. 1887

Helen received her instruction from the school of Horace Mann as well. She was with Westbrook for 6 years went to Fitchburg, MA and was for some time the first assistant in the High School. When Westbrook Seminary principal Rev. Sullivan Holman McCollester was called to be the first president of Buchtel College, founded in Akron, Ohio, in 1870, Helen Spaulding became Buchtel's chair of English Literature, a position she held for three years.

S. H. McCollester, Westbrook Seminary, ca. 1865

                                          

In 1880 Mr. Eliot and Miss Helen F. Spaulding president and vice-president of the Christian Union, inaugurated a series of lectures on Social Science which were given in the chapel.

                                                              
By MRS. CATHERINE A. COBPRN

LIST of the educators of the state would not be complete without the name of Helen F. Spalding, and no record of the part that the women of the state have borne in its educational work would be complete without at least a brief mention of the part that she has had in it.

Miss Spalding was born in Chelmsford, Mass., and received her first instruction in the matchless public schools of that state in the days of Horace Mann. At an early age she began teaching. She alternated this work with attendance upon private schools under eminent instructors, and when about 20 years of age she graduated at Westbrook Seminary, Maine. Upon completing her course she was chosen head of the woman's department at Westbrook Seminary, a position that she filled successfully and acceptably for six years. She went from there to Fitchburg, Mass., where for some time she was first assistant in the High School. On the opening of Buchtel College at Akron, Ohio, Miss Spalding was given the chair of English literature, a position which she held for three years. Her health becoming impaired by constant application to the duties of her profession, she asked and obtained leave of absence, and improved the opportunity thus given to visit her brothers in Portland, Oregon. Finding the climate beneficial to her health, she later resigned the chair of literature at Buchtel College and accepted a similar position in the Portland High School. With tin's work Miss Spalding was identified for a period of thirteen years, during which time she Laid a shaping hand upon the lives of hundreds of the young men and women of the state. For obvious reasons the true record of this endeavor must forever remain unwritten except as it is recorded in the character and attainments of those who as the years went on passed out of school into the active'duties and responsibilities of life.

Careful investment of her earnings grew with the growth of the city into business interests that required her personal attention, and in 18— Miss Spalding reluctantly resigned her position in the Portland High School and retired from the profession to which she had devoted so many useful years.

Though Miss Spalding withdrew from the teachers' ranks, her active sympathies are still enlisted in the cause of education, and to this extent she has never dropped out of the work, but in a quiet, earnest, helpful way continues to promote its interests. A busy woman, active in good works and ever ready with good words, she is a dependable force in all lines in which true womanly endeavor is enlisted for the public weal. Active in the cause of liberal religion: a humanitarian who is always ready to voice the wrongs of the voiceless, she is passing gently down the sunset slope of life. And when at last its evening shadows enfold her she will gratefully be "remembered for what she has done."

Books published:
Statistical Trends in Religious Education
Evaluation and Christian Education: Discussion of Some Theological, Education, and Practical Issues; Papers Presented
Missionary Education for Young People in Disciple Churches
Abstracts of Doctoral Dissertations in Religious Education

 

                                                            

Jonathan Spaulding

Henry Spaulding Perham

                                                    

Miss Eliza Spaulding

N E Spaulding

                                                                      
Hannah "Ann" BALLARD
Birth: August 14, 1655 in Andover, Massachusetts
Marriage: July or September 20, 1681 John Spaulding in Chelmsford, Middlesex, MA
John Spaulding / Spalding
Birth: February 15, 1658-59 in Chelmsford, Middlesex, Massachusetts
Death: 1720 in Plainfield, CT
Death: 1726-27 in Plainfield, Windham, CT     

Sources of Information:

• -The Chelmsford Historical Society
• - The History of New Ipswich, NH 1735-1914; by Charles Henry Chandler; Fitchburg, Mass. Sentinel Printing Company; 1914
• -The History of the Town of Wilton, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire; by Abiel Abbot Livermore and Sewall Putnam; Lowell, Mass; Marden & Rowell, Printers; 1888.
• -The Spalding Memorial A Genealogical History of Edward Spalding of VA and MA and His Descendants by Rev S J Spalding revised and enlarged by Charles Warren Spalding; Chicago, 1897
• -Ancestry.com - genealogies of members
• - The history of Milford by George A. Ramsdell; Concord, N.H.: Rumford Press, 1901, 1118 pgs.
•  Grave Photo by Ellen Notbohm