name: Janice Charest
email: jchares2(a)maine.rr
message: I found the following excerpt in "The Centennial History of Harrison,
Maine" It was published in 1909.
It is great information except when I found Simeon on the Caswell Web Site (David
Blackburn's home page), he is there twice... once as the son of Job Caswell and
another time as the son of Moses Caswell (brother to Job). Can anyone help me determine
if Stephen, Job or Moses is the correct line????
I am in the direct line from Simeon. Here is the information I found.
THE CASWELL FAMILY
One of the first families to settle in Otisfield, west of Crooked River, was that of
SIMEON CASWELL; born in Taunton, Massachusetts, in March 1763. He was a son of Stephen
Caswell of Taunton. His wife was Rachael Staples, born in Taunton, August 16, 1766.
They moved to Minot, Maine, and lived there several years, changing their residence to
Otisfield in 1800.
They had four children when they came here, the other children being all born in
Harrison.
Mr. Caswell was a soldier in the War of the American Revolution, and a pensioner at the
rate of eight dollars per month. He died October 20, 1844. His widow died September 6,
1851.
A letter still extant, written at Raynham, Massachusetts, adjoining Taunton, "
October ye 5, 1799" is a curious relic of those times in possession of the
descendants of Simeon, the pioneer.
It is by Silas Shaw and Betsey Shaw, and addressed "To Mr. Simeon Caswell, in Turner
or near by".
The language shows the affectionate style of addressing near relatives in those times:
"Most Loveing Sister and brother."
In a letter dated "Augt ye 20, 1792," the same relatives, evidently a
brother-in-law and wife,say. "We have a little dfter (daughter), which we have named
Rachael after her ant... your loveing brother and sister tal death."
In an old Bible about one hundred years old--published in Boston in 1809, inscribed on
back of the title page. "The property of Philena Bray." appears the family
record