Cumberland County, Maine - Captain Perez N. Blanchard
**********************************************************************
USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any
format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons
or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent
of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact
the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent.
The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file
permanently for free access. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb

This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:
C. Wendland SilverDrusilla@aol.com
Copyright © 2005 by C. Wendland
Caitlin's Gold Award Project, Girl Scouts USA, Rio Grande Girl Scout Council,
El Paso, Texas
**********************************************************************

Biography
Captain Perez N. Blanchard
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 603-604


Captain Perez N. Blanchard, who died at his home in Yarmouth, Me., April 3,
1883, was a well known ship-builder, formerly a master of merchant vessels, and
was a prominent resident of Yarmouth. He was born in this town, May 6, 1815, son
of Captain Sylvanus and Dorcas (Prince) Blanchard.

Captain Sylvanus Blanchard was a native of North Yarmouth, and at an early age
began to follow the sea. His ability as a mariner rapidly asserted itself. He
advanced in his calling, while still young being placed in command of a
merchantman engaged in the foreign trade; and he became one of the sturdy and
successful ship-masters of his day. He owned a good farm in Yarmouth ; and after
his retirement from seafaring he engaged in agricultural pursuits, also
successfully turning his attention to ship building. He was a highly esteemed
and useful citizen, and a Whig in politics. He died in Yarmouth at the age of
over eighty years. His wife, Dorcas Prince, who was born in Yarmouth, became the
mother of seven children, all of whom have passed away. They were named as
follows: David, Paul, Sylvanus, Perez Nathaniel, Samuel W., Dorcas Jane, and
Olive Elizabeth. Mrs. Dorcas P. Blanchard lived to be over eighty years old. She
and her husband were members of the Congregational church.

Perez Nathaniel Blanchard received his education in the schools of Yarmouth, and
his boyhood and youth were passed in assisting in carrying on the farm. At the
age of twenty years he shipped as a sailor before the mast on board his father's
vessel, and before reaching the age of thirty he had advanced through the
various subordinate positions to that of master, having the command of a
merchantman. An able and successful navigator, he sailed many prosperous voyages
to the different important maritime ports of the world, and he was always a
favorite both with the vessel-owners and his crew. He commanded and owned an
interest in several well-known merchantmen. After following the sea for a period
of twenty-five years, he retired to his home in Yarmouth, where he engaged in
ship building in company with his father and brothers. He was for several years
extensively engaged in building vessels at Yarmouth, launching some of the
finest and most successful trading crafts which hail from this section, and he
became a prominent and influential business man. He was a Democrat in politics,
vigorously supporting that party; and be ably filled several important town
offices. He was a member of the Board of Selectmen, was long connected with
educational matters, and represented his district in the legislature with credit
both to himself and his town.

On January 20, 1838, Captain Blanchard was united in marriage to Cynthia Stone
Blanchard, daughter of Captain Solomon L. and Elizabeth (Buxton) Blanchard, the
former of whom was a well-known ship-master, who died at sea at the age of forty
years. Captain Solomon L. Blanchard reared a family of six children, three of
whom are now living; namely, Joanna, Harriet, and Cynthia. The departed were:
Captain Nathaniel, Solomon, and Statira. The mother, Mrs. Elizabeth B.
Blanchard, lived to reach the age of eighty-five.

Mrs. Cynthia S. Blanchard, who, with a family of three children, survives her
husband, resides at the homestead in Yarmouth, where she is one of the oldest
residents and is known as a liberal and high-minded lady. She has two daughters
and one son, namely: Frances E., wife of Captain Frank Oakes, a prosperous ship-
master; Cynthia E., who resides at home with her mother; and Captain Nathaniel
Willis Blanchard, who is now master of the ship "P. N. Blanchard," which was
named in honor of his father. He has followed the sea since young manhood, and
for several years past has commanded the "P. N. Blanchard," being at the present
writing upon a voyage to Hong-Kong, China. He is married, and his wife
accompanies him.

Captain Perez N. Blanchard took an active interest in the welfare of his town
and the development of its industrial resources. He was held in the highest
respect by all, and at his death, which took place as above stated, he was
mourned as a valued citizen and a liberal-minded, conscientious man. His
portrait, an admirable likeness, graces this gallery of Cumberland County
worthies.