Sawyer Family of Greenville, Maine

Greenville, Maine Genealogy -- USGENWEB Project

The Sawyer Family Of Greenville, Maine

Captain Henry P. (1850-1909) and Louisa May (Davis) Sawyer (1856-1957) lived on Lake View Street in Greenville, Maine. Henry was the child of Arthur B. (1821-1910) and Eunice (Lombard) Sawyer. Arthur and Joel Sawyer (1808-1895), who was “an early Greenville settler,” were brothers. Arthur’s and Joel’s father, Andrew Stackpole Sawyer died in Greenville in 1855 at the age of 75. This Sawyer family migrated to Greenville from Saco, York County, Maine.

Arthur B. and Eunice Sawyer had seven children. Arthur’s and Eunice’s second born, Henry P. Sawyer, was also known as Captain for his years of ship building and navigation on Moosehead Lake. Arthur moved to Greenville after 1880 (after his son Henry had moved there) from Medford, Piscataquis County, Maine.

Henry named one steamship, the Louisa, after his wife Louisa May Sawyer. Henry and Louisa were married April 11, 1879. They had three children: Stillman W. (1880-1961), Fred J. (1884-1951), and Florence E. Sawyer (1886-1972). The Sawyer house still stands today high on the hill on Lakeview Street overlooking Moosehead Lake. It is now a business named the Captain Sawyer Bed and Breakfast.

Henry P. Sawyer’s steamer: the Louisa

From the Collection of Deborah (Pelletier) Tajmajer.

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Both Stillman and Fred made their living working on Moosehead Lake. Stillman was a steamboat engineer in 1900. In 1910, he was living with his wife Winnifred and children, Florence and Maryjane, on Main Street. At a young age, Fred worked as a mechanic. In documents and sources of the area, Fred was a man of many trades, he has been referred to as Captain, Engineer, boat carpenter, mailman, and guide for the Moosehead Lake region. In 1930, his occupation was in transporation. Fred used gasoline boats by then. Fred also had an employee who worked on his “mail boats.”

Fred Sawyer married Isabel (Files,1884-1908) in 1902. They begat four children: Madeline, Dorothy, Louisa, and Kenneth. Isabel died very young, not quite 23 years old. Fred, only 24, needed a way to work and still look after his children. Fred turned to his mother and in-laws for assistance. Madeline and Dorothy were living with their grandparents William and Harriet (Lyons) Files at the “yellow” house on Lakeview Street in 1910. The younger two were being cared for at “Grammie Upstairs” (Louisa May (Davis) Sawyer ) house on the hill, across the same street from the Files’ home, along with the young widower, Fred. Many family members referred to Lousia M. Sawyer as “Grammie upstairs.” Others living at the house were Louisa’s third child Florence and Fred’s grandfather (Louisa’s father-in-law) Arthur Sawyer, 89, and Arthur’s second wife. By 1920, Fred was married to his third wife, Ida McDonald, and all the children were once again living with him.

Fred and Isabel’s eldest, Madeline A. Sawyer (1902-1999) is my Grandmother. Madeline was married in 1922 to Edward F. Jennings. Madeline and her mother-in-law Grace (Baker) Jennings both worked as music teachers in 1930. They made good use of Grace’s Ivers and Pond upright piano. They owned Jennings Lunch on Pleasant Street. Edward and Madeline raised their two daughters, Beverly and Marilyn (Dolly) in the apartment over the resturant. It is still standing today as Jamios. (see photo/postcard of the soda-fountain in the Jennings family history) Madeline was a member of the Evangelical Union Church (UCC) for 80 years.[1] She played the organ for over 40 years and the piano even longer. She aIso played at the Rockwood Community Church for many years. In addition to giving piano lessons in town, she served her community by performing at many weddings and funerals in the Moosehead area.

I would love to hear from cousins and share information on the Sawyers/Jennings families. I have more information on the Sawyer Family going back to about 1613. Deb (Pelletier) Tajmajer

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Updated November 10, 2002

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[1] Madeline’s obituary, May 1999.