A Brief Background of
the Childhood History of George Arthur Estabrook I
is as follows:
Information written on June 27, 1992 by Ronald Estabrook.
My grandfather was George Arthur Estabrook I. He was the youngest of 15 children of Erastus Estabrook and
Mary Stearnes (his first wife) and Roxanna Farr (his second wife)ted). George A. Estabrook was born in Dover, VT on the 20th of October, 1869 and he was left an orphan at age 6. His mother
(Roxanna Farr) died when he was 3 years old and his father died when he was 6 years old. The story is told about his difficult childhood that led to his running away from a foster home and moving to Clinton, Mass. when he was about 16 years old.
Of interest to this phase of the Estabrook genealogy is the history surrounding Jedediah C. Estabrook, grandfather of George A. Estabrook and my great, great grandfather. Much of this history is derived from material presented in "History of Dover Vermont: 200 Years in a Hill Town" by Nell M. Kull. In that book she states (pg 66 67) that "Doctor Estabrook had come from Dummerston, NH in 1807 to locate on the hill, long designated as Estabrook Hill, one half mile southwest of the Center. After over forty years, Doctor Estabrook moved to West Dover to serve his neighbors for three more years. (The record indicates that he died August 15, 1853 although this may be in error). This able and beloved physician died at the age of sixty nine and was buried in the West Dover cemetary",(1) (The record shows that he was born May 22, 1784). He is listed as the original holder of Pew 9 of the West Dover Meeting House (pg 183). Jedediah C. was listed as Postmaster in West DoverPost Office from April 26, 1850 to July 4, 1854 and served as Dovers Representative in the General Assembly for 1860-63. (Note – this does seem to agree with date of his death.)
It is stated (1)(pg 46) that the sawmill in West Dover (founded by
William Gragg in 1796) was owned by William E. Estabrook (could this be William
French Estabrook son of Jedediah C., who purchased the mill in 1867. The mill was stated to turn out a large amount of chair stock. It is
stated that the mill was successfully operating in 1891. Since William French
Estabrook died in 1871 it is very possible that he sold the mill
to John B. Davis and his son John A. who made a real success in the manufacturing of chair stock. Note however that Samuel Gates Estabrook is stated to be a manufacturer of chair and cab stock in Wardsboro, Vt. (Samuel Gates Estabrook would have been the nefhew of William French Estabrook). About this time there was a
flourishing industry in the Dover area "that of hat braiding from palm leaf by the women of the community" (pg 47). Apparently the women did this to make spare money or barter money (being paid about 10 cents per hat). A ledger in the W.H. Jones store states that Mrs. Estabrook received $1.00 for one dozen perfect hats (about March 1859). Note that William F. Estabrook is listed as the original holder of Pew 13 of the West Dover Meeting House (ref 1, pg 183)
(1) Nell M. Kull (1961) "History of Dover Vermont. 200 Years in a Hill
Town",Vermont. (The Book Cellar, Brattleboro, Vermont).Library of Congress Catalog Card No: 61 17648.
NOTE: I HAVE IN MY POSSESSION (Jan 2008)
A NUMBER OF ITEMS PASSED ON FROM THE
EARLY ESTABROOK FAMILIES AND KEPT BY ME:
(1) 1866 Holy Bible, Old and New Testament (printed 1866). Owned by George Arthur Estabrook II,
January 13, 1907, 5 Union Street, Clinton, Mass..
(2) 1885 Book titled "Looking unto Jesus" endorsed "George A. Estabrook
presented by your sister Jennie Ellis, Frederick, Nov 1, 85".
(3) King James version of the Holy Bible. Endorsed "G. Arthur Estabrook from his Aunt Elizabeth, Aug 1898".
(4) 1946, Book of Common Prayer, Episcopal Church.
Presented to George and Lillian Estabrook, by Reverend Charles Findley, on their confirmation
at St. Andews Church, Albany, NY.
March 10, 1946.
(5) 1958, George Arthur Estabrook small Personal Diary Notebook with addresses, telephone numbers, trip to Europe, etc.
1860, Book on Ferrotypes
attributed to Estabrook Gallery,
Springfield, MA.
1860, A picture
from the
Book on Ferrotypes
attributed to Estabrook Gallery,
Springfield, MA.
PICTURES OF GEORGE ARTHUR ESTABROOK I
FAMILY
TAKEN IN THE LATE 1890s.
500x856.jpg)
1886, Minnie Cole
(later Grandma George A. Estabrook Sr.)
Clinton, MA.
November 27, 1890,
Wedding picture of Minnie Cole
and George A. Estabrook I. , Clinton, MA.
1890, George Arthur Estabrook
I
Clinton, MA.
1894, Birth Certificate for George A. Estabrook,
II
Clinton, MA.
1894, Picture of George A. Estabrook,
II,
Clinton, MA.
1894, Another
picture of George A. Estabrook,
II
Clinton, MA.
1897, George A. Estabrook, II about 3 years old.
House on Union
Street, Clinton where George A. Estabrook, II grew up.
Picture taken by RWE about 1973 during a visit to Clinton.
The Estabrook house
on Union Street
was directly across the street
from the Bigelow Carpet Co.
Grandpa Estabrook worked for 47 years
as foreman of the Axminister department.
About 1914, George
Sr., Minnie, and George Arthur Estabrook ii
at a Baptist Church retreat in Maine.
About 1914, another
picture of George
Sr., Minnie, and
George Arthur Estabrook at a Baptist Church retreat in Maine.
About 1914, George Arthur Estabrook
Jr.
Baptism Certificate
for George Arthur Estabrook.
1915, Picture of George Arthur Estabrook II.
DOCUMENTS FOR BURIAL PLOT AT WOODLAWN CEMETERY, CLINTON, MA.
1899,
Purchase Contract and Deed for plot 849
containing 10 graves in Woodlawn Cemetery,
Clinton, MA. Issued the 8th day of July 1899
to Evander Cole and his heirs.
Purchase cost was forty four dollars.
1899, Cover of Deed
for Woodlawn Cemetery Plot.
July 16,1932, Bill to
Evander Cole and
Mrs. Minnie E. Estabrook
for Perpetual care of lot 849
in Woodlawn Cemetery, Clinton, MA.
Note: George A. Estabrook Sr. died
and was buried August 1931.
July 1932. Certificate certifying payment of $100
for Perpetual Care of plot 849
in Woodlawn Cemetery, Clinton, MA.1899,
May 1975. Layout of plot 849
in Woodlawn Cemetery, Clinton, MA.
The order of the burial graves are:
6347 - Evander Cole; 6674 - Henrietta E. Cole:
2455 - Emma J. Cole; 8236 - Minnie Cole Estabrook:
6053 - George A. Estabrook I; 5317 - Susan R. Calhoun.
TO SEE THE NEXT SET OF PICTURES
SHOWING GEORGE A. ESTABROOK, II AND
LILLIAN FLORENCE CHILDS
AND THEIR WEDDING IN 1915
AND THE EARLY YEARS
OF GEORGE ARTHUR ESTABROOK III.
PRESS
