Amos and Octavia Moulton Graffte Papers

Collection

Identifier: SpC MS 0207

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection reflects the business and civic activities of both Amos A. and Octavia Moulton Graffte. It is arranged in one series with three sub-series: Papers of Amos A. Graffte, Papers of Octavia Moulton Graffte and Papers of the Graffte Family. The collection is enriched by notes of explanation added to most items by the Grafftes' daughter, Marjorie Graffte Prout, the donor of the collection.

The first sub-series, Papers of Amos A. Graffte, centers around his work as a lumberman in the early 20th century. It includes logging contracts, ledgers of financial information for both logging and a general store owned by the Graffte family in the 19th century, information about scaling logs, wage scales and time books. Of particular interest are the photographs showing logging crews at Graffte's camps in Holeb and Skinner, Maine.

The second sub-series, Papers of Octavia Moulton Graffte, is almost entirely concerned with her career as a teacher; it includes teacher's certificates, receipts for teaching, school registers, and an essay about the Dennistown School written by her in the early 1890s. Also included is a tribute to her written in 1974 by a former pupil.

The third sub-series, Papers of the Graffte family, contains items common to both Amos and Octavia Graffte or not clearly identified as belonging to one or the other. It reflects their civic activities in Dennistown, their involvement in local education, and their volunteer work in World War I.

Dates

Creation: 1890-1974
Creation: Majority of material found within 1897-1926

Creator

Graffte, Amos A., 1871-1945 (Person)

Restrictions on Access

Kept at Fogler Library's offsite storage facility. One week's notice required for retrieval.

Use Restrictions

Information on literary rights available in the Library.

Biographical Note

The collection contains the personal papers and business records of Amos A. and Octavia Moulton Graffte, lifelong residents of Dennistown, Maine.

Amos Graffte was born in 1871 on the farm in Dennistown where he spent his entire life. In addition to farming, he was a successful lumberman, having logging crews in Skinner and Holeb, Maine, in the early 20th century. He was also associated with the Jackman Lumber Company and was foreman at the Kellogg Lumber Company in Long Pond, Maine. He was the town clerk of Dennistown for 52 years and town treasurer for 51 consecutive years. He was also superintendent of schools in Dennistown. Amos Graffte married Octavia Moulton in 1893 and they had two daughters. One daughter died as an infant; the other daughter, Marjorie Graffte Prout, married Everett Prout and lived in Massachusetts. Amos Graffte died on October 30, 1945.

Octavia Moulton Graffte was born in Embden, Maine, and came to Dennistown in about 1889 to teach school. She continued to teach in Dennistown for many years and also held town offices there. She was the first woman assessor elected in Maine. She was also active in the Red Cross and in various Liberty Loan and other campaigns during and following World War I. Octavia Graffte died on August 21, 1943.

Extent

1 cubic foot (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The collection reflects the business and civic activities of both Amos A. and Octavia Moulton Graffte. The collection is enriched by notes of explanation added to most items by the Grafftes' daughter, Marjorie Graffte Prout, the donor of the collection.

Conservation Note

The collection has been re-housed in acid-free folders and boxes. Photographs have been housed in polypropylene sleeves and remain with the relevant documents.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Graffte papers came to the Special Collections Department, Raymond H. Fogler Library, University of Maine as a gift from Marjorie Graffte Proud between 1973 and 1975.