Genealogical and Family History
of the
STATE OF MAINE

Compiled under the editorial supervision of George Thomas Little, A. M., Litt. D.

LEWIS HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY
New York
1909.

[Please see Index page for full citation.]

[Transcribed by Coralynn Brown]

[Many families included in these genealogical records had their beginnings in Massachusetts.]

CALDERWOOD Calderwood is an ancient Scottish surname, doubtless a place name before it was used as a surname. The seat of the family is in Lanarkshire, where it was established the year 1300. One branch went to Ireland when King James settled Ulster with Scotch Presbyterians. The Hamilton and Montgomery families settled in county Down, Ireland, about 1620, and proved the most successful promoters of the Scottish plantation and were intimately connected with the subsequent vicissitudes of the Presbyterian church in Ulster. Rev. Andrew Stewart, son of one of the first Protestant ministers in Ireland, wrote of the Scottish settlement in Ireland. Of this settlement in Dows, he said: "Therefore the lords having a good bargain themselves, make some of their friends sharers as freeholders under them. Thus came several farmers under Mr. Montgomery, gentleman from Scotland, and of the names of Shaw, Calderwoods, Boyds, of the Keiths from the North. And some foundations are laid for towns, and incorporations, as Newton, Donaghadee, Comber, Old and new, Grey-Abbey. Many Hamiltons also followed Sir James, especially his own brethren, all of them worthy men; and other farmers as the Maxwells, Rosses, Barclays, Moors, Nayleys and others whose posterity hold good to his day." (See p. 550, vol I, Hanna's Scotch-Irish). But Antrim seems to have been the home of the Calderwoods in Ireland. In 1890 of the twelve births of this name in Ireland, ten were in Antrim. (I) James Calderwood, immigrant ancestor of the American family, was born in Londonderry, Ireland, or vicinity, and came from Londonderry in Nov., 1725, to Londonderry, New Hampshire, where he bought a farm of thirty acres of land of James Rogers. He married, in Ireland, Margaret _____. Children: 1. Jane, born in Ireland, died 1802 at Vinal Haven, Maine. 2. John, born Feb. 15, 1725, mentioned below. 3. Robert, born at Londonderry, N. H. Feb. 22, 1727, removed to Warren, Maine, about 1750, and with his brother John started for New York, and was never heard from again. (II) John, son of James Calderwood, was born in Londonderry, Ireland Feb. 15, 1725. He came to America in Nov. following his with parents and lived during his youth in Londonderry, N. H. He and his brother removed to Warren, Maine, after the death of their father, about 1750. Subsequently John sold his farm there in 1769 and removed to North Fox Island, now North Haven, Maine. His home at North Haven was near the Baptist church. In 1770 he exchanged it for Major White's farm on South Island or Vinal Haven. He built the first frame house in the town, and the farm has remained in possession of his family to the present (1908) time. He died in 1808. He married Elizabeth McCurdy, born July 20, 1731, probably at Bristol, Maine, and died about 1798. They had thirteen children, among whom were: Children: Thomas, born Jan. 21, 1752, married Eleanor Fassett, probably then of Bristol, (second) Abigial Gray, (third) Mrs. Stoddard, (fourth) Patience Clark; he was a soldier in the revolution and was a pensioner. James, fourth name on the list of Vinal Haven settlers. Samuel. Mark, father of David Calderwood, who was the father of Mrs. Ezra Calderwood, Hannah D. Calderwood. Jesse, thirteenth and youngest child, mentioned below. (III) Jesse, son of John Calderwood, was born Nov. 6, 1773, at Vinal Haven, Maine. He resided at Vinal Haven and married Susannah Green of that town. He died Jan. 11, 1858. They had twelve chldren, among whom were: Children: Samuel, second child, born Sept. 15, 1798, married Sally Brown, (second) Abigial Tilton; resided in Knox, Maine, where he died Feb. 5, 1860; his son Samuel, b. Dec. 29, 1832 resides (1907) at 75 Concord street, Woodford Station, Maine. Ezra, born Feb. 17, 1823, was killed on the Bowlder Valley railroad, Colorado, Sept. 20, 1876. He married Jan., 1847, Hannah D., born at Vinal Haven Feb. 8, 1825, died Dec. 14, 1866, daughter of David Calderwood (4), granddaughter of Mark Calderwood (3) and great-granddaughter of John Calderwood (3). Children: Henry, Mary, Hannah D. (mentioned above), Ann, Jennie, Charles V. and Bloomfield. Ezra Calderwood was educated in the public schools of Vinal Haven and learned the trade of shipbuilding. He worked for some years building fishing schooners. He had a grocery store on the island for a time. In the fall of 1860 he came to Portland and established a grocery store in partnership with Mr. Beckett under the firm name of Claderwood & Beckett. He disposed of his interests in 1865 on account of ill health and retired. He went west for the sake of his health and met his death while working on the Bowlder Valley railroad. In politics he was a Republican. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Portland. He was a selectman of Vinal Haven in 1848. Children: 1. Lincoln A., born Dec. 29, 1847, resides in Boston. 2. Franklin N., born Sept. 18, 1851, resides in Portland, Maine. 3. George G., born Nov. 9, 1852, mentioned below. 4. Everard M., born July 3, 1854, died Sept. 3, 1870. 5. Vesta N., born Jan. 28, 1858, died March 18, 1863. 6. Elmer E., born May 14, 1861, is in St. Paul, Minnesota. 7. William, born Oct. 21, 1862, died Aug.1 6, 1864. 8. Edward K., born Feb. 15, 1864, died Aug. 4, 1864. (V) George Greenville, son of Ezra Calderwood, was born in North Haven, Maine, Nov. 9, 1852. He was educated in the public schools of North Haven and Portland, Maine. He began to work for a living in a bakery in Portland owned by Reuben Kent, and in 1872 entered the employ of his brother in the same line of business, also in Portland. In 1880 he left his brother to engage in business in Biddeford in partnership with Mr. West, the firm buying the business of Alfred Pierce, a baker with an established trade. The firm name was West & Calderwood, and in the course of time Mr. Calderwood became the sole owner. In addition to his bakery he built up a trade in confectionery, etc. He recently sold the bakery to Grant & Matzen, and his confectionary business to his son, and at the present time is not in active business. He makes his home at Biddeford. In politics Mr. Calderwood is independent. He is a member of Dunlap Lodge of Free Masons of Biddeford; of York Royal Arch Chapter; of Maine Council, Royal and Select Masters; and of Bradford Commandery, Knights Templar, of Biddeford. He is also a member of Kora Temple, Order of the Mystic Shrine, Lewiston; of Laconia Lodge of Odd Fellows, Biddeford; York Encampment and Canton J. H. Dearborn. In religion he is a Universalist. He is a well-known and highly respected citizen, upright and honorable in all the relations of life, a man of many steadfast friends. He married Jan. 2, 1876, Ella A., born Sept. 21, 1854, daughter of George H. and Martha A. Barr, of Portland. Children: 1. Harry Clifton, born July 1, 1877, mentioned below. 2. Eva M., born June 25, 1881, educated in the public schools of Biddeford, graduating from the high school; married March 4, 1903, Frank Wallace, of Portland, Maine; in the summer of 1907, while abroad, she visited the ancient seat of the Calderwood family, Castle Blamtyre, Calderwood, Scotland. (VI) Harry Clifton, son of George Greenville Calderwood, was born in Portland July 1, 1877, and attended the public and high schools of Biddeford and Shaw's Business College, Portland. He was associated in business with his father for two years. Then he bought his father's interests in the confectionery business and has continued it alone. He is a member of Dunlap Lodge of Free Masons, Biddeford. In religion he is a Universalist; in politics a Republican. He married Nov. 24, 1904, Thanksgiving Day, Gertrude, of Saco, born in Saco July 9, 1882, daughter of Edward W. and Annie (Hersey Deland. They have one child, Arnold D., born July 27, 1906.