Cumberland County, Maine - Captain Levi Marston ********************************************************************** 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 (c) 2005 by C. Wendland Caitlin's Gold Award Project, Girl Scouts USA, Rio Grande Girl Scout Council, El Paso, Texas ********************************************************************** Biography Captain Levi Marston Biographical Review Cumberland County, Maine Boston Biographical Review Publishing Company 1896 Page 369-371 Captain Levi Marston, formerly a well-known ship-master, who is now living in retirement at his home in Yarmouthville, was born in North Yarmouth, June 2, 1816, son of Thomas and Eunice (Roberts) Marston. Captain Marston's grandparents were jasper and Patience Marston, the former of whom was a sturdy pioneer and an early settler of North Yarmouth. Jasper cleared a good farm out of the original wilderness, and extracted from it a good living. Both he and his wife lived to an advanced age. Thomas Marston, Captain Marston's father, was born in North Yarmouth, and was a lifelong resident of that town. He owned a good farm, and was successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits during his active period. Industrious and energetic, he had the esteem and good will of the entire community. He served as a soldier in the War of 1812, for which he received a pension, was a Democrat in politics, and lived seventy-four years. His wife, Eunice, who was a native of North Yarmouth, became the mother of nine children, as follows: George R., born July 14, 1810; Margaret, born May 4, 1813; Jane, born November 19, 1814; Levi, the subject of this sketch; Thankful, born May 16, 1818; Thomas, born July 2, 1820; Eliza T., born December 1, 1822; Jeremiah W., born January 16, 1825; and Emeline, born March 19, 1819, who died in infancy. Of these the survivors, besides Levi, are: Eliza T., who is now Mrs. Edward T. Smith, and resides in Windham, Me.; and Jeremiah W., a resident of Pownal, Me. The mother lived to the age of seventy-seven years. Captain Marston's parents attended the Methodist Episcopal church. Captain Levi Marston received his education in the district schools of North Yarmouth. At the age of fourteen he began to follow the sea, shipping as cook at six dollars and fifty cents per month. He later became an able seaman; and in 1837 he served on board the ship "Tarquin," which was the largest merchant vessel afloat at that time. Working his way steadily step by step, he was appointed first mate of the brig "Vincennes," of Portland. Soon after he became master and part owner of the schooner "Effort," one hundred tons' burden. In 1849 he had constructed at North Yarmouth, under his own supervision, the brig "Harriet," registering two hundred and twenty-five tons, and with it engaged in the West India trade for some twenty-five years. The largest vessel he ever commanded was the "S. R. Bearce," six hundred and fifteen tons, which is still in commission. He followed the sea for fifty years, during which he visited the principal ports of the world. An accomplished seaman and a good business man, his voyages were always attended with success. He abandoned seafaring in 1880, since which time he has resided at his home in Yarmouthville. During the Civil War he commanded the transport steamer "General Howard," which was engaged in carrying troops and supplies for the army. On November 9, 1851, he rescued two hundred and fifty of the three hundred and twenty-five souls, comprising the passengers and crew of a wreck, the British ship "Unicorn," the remainder being taken off by another American ship, the "Daniel Webster." For this gallant deed of humanity he was presented with a commemorative medal. In politics he supports the Republican party, while in his religious belief he is a Methodist. Captain Marston has been twice married. On March 26, 1840, he was united to Lavina Mitchell, who was born in North Yarmouth, November 3, 1813, and died January 9, 1880. On November 19, 1884, he married for his second wife Mrs. Louise Humphrey, a sister of his first wife, who was born June 9, 1832. They were daughters of John and Eliza (Gooding) Mitchell. John Mitchell, Mrs. Marston's father, was born in that part of Yarmouth which was formerly included in the town of North Yarmouth, September 12, 1778. His parents, Benjamin and Jane (Loring) Mitchell, were also natives of North Yarmouth. His grandfather, Benjamin Mitchell, the first of his ancestors to settle in that locality, cleared and improved a good farm in the eastern part of North Yarmouth. Indians were numerous in those early days; and two of his sons, Solomon and Daniel, were made captives. Solomon soon returned, but Daniel remained away from his people for many years. Grandfather Mitchell married Mehitable Bragdon, and the two lived to an advanced age. John Mitchell's father, Benjamin (second), was also a successful farmer, and resided in North Yarmouth until his death, which took place in middle life. He was twice married, having had no children by his first wife. By his second union, contracted with Jane Loring, he became the father of eight children - Nathaniel, David, Loring, John, Benjamin, Charles, Dorcas, and Jane. John Mitchell followed the sea in his early life, and became master of a sloop, which he sailed in the coasting trade. He also made several foreign voyages, shipping as an able seaman. Upon one occasion, while he and his brother were crossing the Spanish main, they were made prisoners. Between the years 1813 and 1815 he relinquished sea life, and settled upon a tract of land in North Yarmouth. Out of this he made the farm now occupied by his son, Azor Mitchell, who bought it in 1860. Having spent his last days in retirement, he died August 4, 1562, aged eighty-three years. He was a practical and successful farmer, and was always ready to aid in anything designed to promote the welfare of the community. He was a member of the Congregational church of Pownal, and in politics he supported the Whig and the Republican parties. He married Elizabeth Gooding, who was born in Portland, Me., November 20, 1789. They reared a family of four sons and four daughters, as follows: Dorcas, who was born on January 13, 1811; Lavina, born November 3, 1813; Elizabeth W., born December 11, 1816; John H., born September 28, 1819; George G., born November 19, 1821; Albert L., born December 29, 1824; Azor, born May 8, 1828; and Mary Louise, born June 9, 1832, now Mrs. Levi Marston. Of these, Lavina, George G., and Albert L. are no longer living. The mother died July 13, 1872, aged eighty-two years. Captain Marston has four children living, namely: Ellen M., born July 6, 1843, who married James Lawrence, March 31, 1869, and is now residing at the old homestead; Charles L., born May 21, 1846, who married Lizzie J. Drummond, of Phippsburg, Me., and resides in Yarmouth; Alfred T., born April 29, 1849, who married Emma Lawrence, of Boston (born in England), and is now living in Arlington, Mass.; and George H., born May 13, 1851, married Orissa H. Bragdon, of Corinth, Me., and lives in Cambridge, Mass. In politics Captain Marston supports the Republican party, while in religious belief he is a Methodist. He is now one of the oldest shipmasters in Maine.