The Book and the Old House, What A Find!

In April, I discovered two new lines, that of Stearns and Manning. While at the Chelmsford Library in Massachusetts, a big orange book looked down on me. It was called, "The Manning Families of New England." Was it worth a look, you bet. The book is like a family Bible with all kinds of sources and photos, including a ca 1901 picture of where several were buried, cemetery inscriptions, a full genealogy, plus family photos.

When I realized the family once lived just a few miles away, I drove over to check it out, although now a pub and restaurant (it isn't on a road I would normally travel). Several employees were outside, waiting for it to open to the public, told me that the Manning family was just there for their annual reunion. Goodness, I had to check into that bit of information, so I used Google quite a  bit that afternoon. That night, I took my husband to show him the house/restaurant, and I was thrilled to see the area lit up in lights. Below, are some photos taken that evening and a copy from the 1902 book.

Above photo (page 63) taken ca 1902 of the Billerica, Massachusetts homestead, (originally built in ca 1696) just miles from where I live.

In the past, this house and addition were used for restaurants. One being the long standing, The Manning Manse. Other restaurants came and went. The current restaurant is Jon Ryan's Pub (and Restaurant). The Manning Association owns this property, see below about the Association. Samuel Manning, my 8th great granduncle was the owner and builder of the original house. The president of the Association helped me in finding somebody who could tell me exactly where Samuel was buried, and yes, I found the tombstone. Photos of his parents will be posted tomorrow.

This information was exciting to me because, although not directly related to Samuel, I can claim his father, William, as a direct ancestor. I first ate in this house/building many years ago, so  approximately 50 years later I am here again. My husband and I ate in the restaurant section recently (both pub and restaurant had been updated). The waitress was a delight, and I told her of my relationship to the family. I couldn't tell if this  20 yr. old knew what I was talking about, because, after all, it was genealogy chatter. Minutes later she asked if I wanted to see the old rooms! What old rooms, I had no idea. Of course I did, silly question. Below is a combination of those taken at night, and the ones that I took a week later in the daylight. The owner's son brought me in and let me roam, and ask questions...I had a good 10 minutes there. There are four rooms, but I'm just showing three, because the 4th was set up for a future buffet. They rent out these rooms, I was informed. Three lovely period rooms.

Above shows half of the table.

Above and two photos below show the three fireplaces.

The stairs to the second floor, closed off...how I wanted to go up.

Link to the Manning Association, for information, history and photos.

In Westminster, Massachusetts -- The Forbush Library for Genealogy, Crackers and The Old Mill

The Forbush Memorial Library / aka Westminster Public Library

Above is the old original front entrance, and below is the back newer entrance. History of the Library may be seen HERE.

The newer book area is the first room you see entering from the above back door.

Below are four photos showing the beauty of the original part of the library. You feel as though you're visiting a museum. Every old area makes up for the ugliness of a new room.

The three photos below show the genealogy / local history in the locked, very small room. I didn't notice a table to work on!

 

The photos above and below are on the top floor, in the original building. During this day, the room was filled with many round tables topped with books for their book sale.

Looking out the front door to Main Street, Westminster, Massachusetts.

 

The Westminster Cracker Co. manufactures crackers and their famous oyster crackers, are made from the original 1828 recipe. The company had its beginnings in 1824, and is now headquartered in Vermont. (If you click on their link, you'll see an old photo of this building.) While researching this company, I discovered their facebook page. Apparently, the company still has ties to the town, and they are sponsoring The Westminster Cracker Festival in a few weeks.

No trip to Westminster would be complete without a meal from The Old Mill. Shown above is the old restaurant (enlarged so you can see it through woods), reached by a small covered bridge. Below is the scenic pond and falls.

The Pope and Joan Baez, 1979 in Washington, DC

Well, no, I never got to see the Pope Paul 11, on October 7, 1979, but I was on the National Mall the same time he was, I heard him speak and I took the below photo as proof.

That same year, in July, there was a free Joan Baez concert at the Lincoln Memorial. I don't believe I saw her either. I wonder if the reason for my not liking crowds stems from the many events I attended in Washington, DC during my 20 years there.

York Public Library, Genealogy Collection -- York, Maine

York Public Library in the center of York, Maine is so large, I couldn't figure out how to enter the building. Unlike many others I've visited, this is new, with little or no character on the inside. I asked several questions, but nobody knew the answers, like when was it built, where was the old one, was the lovely foundation part of a barn or old building. However, they have a good-sized genealogy/history collection. I didn't do any research but should have, as both my husband and I have ancestors from there.

Main entrance at the back of the library, the view below is what you see first. This was the first time I'd seen it, we had to ask where it was. Easy to get to, once we knew, and plenty of parking on two sides.

I wondered if the same architect built this as the Topsham, Maine Library. Both very similar to their main great room, reading room with lots of windows, and many side rooms.

Fortunately, there is a genealogy and history collection. Shown above are the family genealogies. Most libraries don't have that, so I give this library kudos.

There was an extensive collections of York books.

I loved the stone foundation, on the side entrance, but the door is not used, so it was a waste of energy and time to walk up it. You need to use the back entrance.