Name/Title
Unidentified HouseEntry/Object ID
1986.28.2.66Description
A B/W photographic view of an unknown house located just off Oak Ledge Road. It has apparently been unoccupied for some time.
The original Paul Raymond house, was built by Paul Raymond who came from Dorchester, MA to Harpswell previous to 1760. The earmarks of his cattle are recorded in Harpswell 1765, He was descended from Arthur Raymond who took part in the Crusades and Mary _______. The Raymond farm was sold to Abner Holbrook and Anderson farms, being thus divided. Paul Raymond was selectman of the Town of Harpswell 1761-65 and again in 1770 to ?. He had been instructed by the town NOT to vote for separation from Massachusetts but he voted FOR separation in 1820.
There were several Paul Raymonds. Paul Raymond of the fifth generation in America, married Abigail Thompson (Thomson). daughter of William Thompson of Harpswell, and lived on the Raymond homestead in East Harpswell. Whether this was the same Paul Raymond who built the present house on Oakledge is unknown. Raymond and Abigail had three sons and five daughters The two oldest sons and eldest of the Raymond children were Edward b. Dec 21, 1792 and Johnathan b. July 2, 1794, These young men enlisted in War of 1812 and were captured by an English cruiser. They were constantly enduced (sic) by every psychological and physical means to "enter board", i.e. enlist in the British cause. This they refused to do. One punishment was to feed them a scanty amount of moldy hardtack and vile water. They were living skeletons when rescued by an American vessel which captured the English cruiser. Coming home to Oakledge Road they found themselves heroes and people came from far and near to hear their tales.
Edward and Johnathan's younger brother,Earl, Jr., had two sons lost at sea. In 1824, discouraged with the perils of the sea, he removed to Wayne, Maine. His descendents are buried in the Wing Cemetery. Next generation to live at Raymond homestead at Harpswell were Grosvenor and wife, Emma Harmon Raymond, a brilliant women from whom I obtained this information in 1939 and son Alfred Raymond for whom I was guardian for thirty years.Collection
Miriam Stover Thomas