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Emilie Clarissa Meynell Somes and Thaddeus Sheply Somes, Somesville, ca 1905

Contributed by Mount Desert Island Historical Society
MMN Item 78946 Item Details
Emilie Clarissa Meynell Somes and Thaddeus Sheply Somes, Somesville, ca 1905
MMN Item 78946 Zoom

Description

This photo is Emilie Clarissa Meynell Somes and Thaddeus Shepley Somes, seated on the front step of their home on the corner of Oak Hill Road and Main Street, Somesville.

Thaddeus Shepley Somes was born January 13, 1839 and died January 13, 1913. He was a descendant of the earliest founder of Somesville. Educated at East Corinth Academy, he was a merchant, ship builder and ship captain, and Deputy Collector of Customs in Southwest Harbor. He was a member of Mount Desert's board of selectmen, and served for thirteen years as chairman. He purchased an exemption during the Civil War for $300. In 1864 he captained a merchant ship the Adelma, traveling between Calais and Elizabeth, New Jersey, delivering coal and other goods.

Thaddeus and Clara were the grandparents of Virginia Somes Sanderson, a chronicler of Mount Desert history, who also donated the land and funds to construct the pedestrian bridge over Somes Brook that she named the Thaddeus Shepley Somes Memorial Bridge.

The handwriting on the back of the photo reads, " ------ thinks this good but I think Father look frightened. I have none of this -- Please send me a good one." Notes on back: "Garm and Gapa, 1905"

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