[Archive of 113 Letters to and from Picture Frame Manufacturers George W. and Lyman M. Smith of Portland, Maine and their extended family, 1827–1891].

Minnesota Territory observations, “Give give us a call if you want to get your books cheap,” Civil War news and more

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The Smith Brothers, George W. (1832–?) and Lyman M. Smith (1835–1872), were picture frame and bracket manufacturers in Portland, Maine ca. 1867–1872. This archive is mainly comprised of the personal, non-business correspondence received individually by George and Lyman, and their sister, Hannah D. Smith (1838–?). Approx. 50 letters and postal cards are addressed to Hannah.

Highlights of the archive include an 1857 letter from Minnesota Territory; a description of events in Boston on August 6, 1863 —a day of thanksgiving in celebration of Union Civil War victories at the Battle of Gettysburg and the Siege of Vicksburg; a man trying “[...] the book selling in the proposed new way.”

The letters contain much news of the family and events in such Maine places as Portland, Litchfield Corners, Winnegance, Richmond, and Winthrop. The other family members to or by whom letters were written include family patriarch Deacon Isaac Smith (1795–1877); Rev. (Elder) Henry Smith; B[oyes?]. W. Smith; Jennie W. Smith; F.J. Smith; Helen Carr Smith; Mary B. Smith (1820–?); Lydia Smith Larrabee (1826–1893); Almira Smith (1828–?); and Portland bookseller, Isaac Smith [Jr.] (1822–1858). The latter four are siblings of George, Lyman, and Hannah Smith; Helen Carr Smith, sometimes seen here as “Hellen,” was their sister-in-law, widow of Benjamin Smith (1814–1858).¹

Deacon Isaac Smith was the son of Benjamin Smith, Sr. (1749–1814) and Elizabeth Sparrow Smith. He served in the Maine militia and around 1830 became an agent of the Vermont Bible Society, traveling extensively throughout the Mississippi Valley for twenty years. He was a deacon of the Congregational church at Litchfield Corner, Maine for many years until his death.

A few scattered letters concern the Smith Brother’s framing business. One interesting letter is from a traveling company employee (possibly a relation), out soliciting framing orders. Another is from an entrepreneurial nephew minding the shop on West Commercial Street in Portland.

Smith Brothers &c. &c., Here she comes again. 1. 11x14 Inch half Moulding Gilt, 4 7x9 Rustic [Gilt], 11[?] 8x10 [Rustic Gilt], 1 the same stile [sic] as the Grant-frame but not so large like the one I have with me. I want some Pieces for backs. Some screws of different Sizes, to hang them up by. & Tacks to put the back in with. I believe that is all this time. I have got Orders for quite a number more, but have not got the Size yet. Send by Express to Litchfield Conn. to me. Mark the lowest priced on the plain moulding one & the others Large one that you can let me have them for. I have not been in Gardiner yet but am going to Brunswick Monday & so from there to Richmond, Gardiner, &c. [all likely in Maine] Send them soon as possible and look out for other Orders next week. L. Y. S. [a Smith relation?] (Litchfield [Litchfield Corners, Maine], Jan. 3rd [18]69)

Dear Uncle, ...Clinton and I are doing business at a great rate. I took $18.00 last week I think that is doing pretty well for the first week. That man man came in and got his other Frame and payed for them both and looked at that large glass Bracket. I told him the price was $5.50. He thought it was rather high and also that 4 Shelfed Book rack and I told him the price was $4.00. He thought that was too much and said he would be in again soon. If he came in again before you get back shall I let him have them for any less than those prices I named or not. Clinton and I went out on the Cape last Saturday afternoon and sold two of those carved 75ct. Brackets for 1.00. She took two [indistinct] would not have let them go so cheap and she says that she wants a gilt Frame and I am going to carry over those pieces go gilt that you have out in the shop. I went to Hales, priced them 4 inch 40cts. 4 inch is such as that you made for A. C. Tuxbury last winter and the price all made up is 80cts. I am going to tell her that is the price. ...Clint and I took a doz. Of those card picture Frames and bought a doz. Card pictures and fitted them up and carried them out with us and sold five of them. They take quite well. You need not hurry about coming back for there is nothing doing here except that I go out and get. I sold Clint one of the Pictures of General U.S. Grant making for it for $1.50. [H]e wanted it for his sister so sold it to him cheap as I could. He has got quite a number of Picture Frames to make for Persons. We have just enough to keep us out of idleness. ...yours, F. J. Smith (Portland [Maine], Jan. 21, 1872)

In an 1857 letter to his siblings sent from Minnesota Territory, Lyman Smith describes business opportunities there for joiners and house framers and settlers. He writes:

Dear Brother & Sister, And again I undertake to address my dear folks at home. I shall still persevere although you do not notice me away up here in St. P. I have written to a number there at home, but have received no answer. ...I very often think I whish [sic] you were out here with me so that I could see some one that I knew. All strangers to me. If you were able ... to work at your trade you could get lots of work and good pay 2.50 to 3.00 per day and can’t get joiners at that. ...I am at work for the joiner yet don’t know how long I shall work for him. There are lots of small little Towns where they will give away lots 50 by 160 if persons will build on them. They are not a great way from St. P. You better come and take a lot. They are located on the river with a Saw mill, a Grist mill & other mills in it, and where the [railroad?] cars are to pass through. Grasshoppers are doing great damage here destroying crops badly. How is the prospect there with you for crops? ...Your Aff. Bro. Lyman M. Smith (St. Paul [Minnesota Territory], June 30th 1857)

Additional Selected Transcriptions:

Friend Lyman, ...I suppose you are still at the Mill and in the same business. I expect the next letter I have from you you will have a place on the street and going into the pictures and frames strong. Then Mr. Morrison will have some opposition. It is about time now that Portland should begin to support quite a picture frame trade. Enclosed you will find the amount due you on the last bill sent to Crisfield M[arylan]d. [S]o small amount should have been settled long ago, but you know me. ...your old Friend M. L. Elwell (Brooklin [Maine], Aug. 29 [18]69)

Dear Lizzie, How I wish you were here to enter into the gayeties of Rahway for I am sure Newburgh cannot be as lively, I am out somewhere every night, night before last & last night I spent at Maria Pearsons, & I have laughed so it is hard work to get my face straight, she has two young ladies staying with her from New York, & a house full of boarders Mrs. Graham, Jennie Stuart, Miss Kettlewell, Mrs. Mason, Mariam Pearson, Miss Fine, Miss Crowell, Mr. Stuart, & Mr. Hedenberg. Was there last night we played fruit basket; each has to choose a fruit, & the one that stands in the middle of the floor has to call some fruit three times (for instance) apple, apple, apple, if I did not say it before she got it out I would have to take her place and when you call fruit basket all have to change their seats. I laughed until I cried. Mr. Stuart chose plum & I chose apple he would run & pull me down on his lap & he would come bouncing down on mine he loves dearly to tell[?] [small paper loss affecting one word] Mr. Hedenberg we did not take any notice of each then all the evening after we got through playing we danced & Mr. Stuart danced with me every time. Murray Perkins is going to have the sociable up there next Friday & Mr. Stuart invited me to go with him... I remain yours affectionately, Jennie W. Smith (Rahway [New Jersey], October 10, 1856)

Dear Sister Jennie… Oh Jennie I wish you would give Frankie to Father and Mother they both say he is Isaac right over, if his name was only Isaac, he grows more to look like his Father as he grows older and he is so industrious tries to help Father in every way he can. They love him dearly and will make a real good boy of him (not saying but you would too) you know Father has such good government over children there is no one I would leave my little Bobby with, to feel safe about him as with father. My heart was very sad thanksgiving day I missed the loved ones so much Isaac more than any one else especially at the dinner table I tried as hard as I could to joke and train but it is hard work. Hellen left the table twice to go away and weep. I could not help thinking of the old house at home all still and silent Bobby and Isaac and Nelly sleeping their last sleep in the cold ground alone, their once dear homes vacated and silent and my food would almost choke me It was the saddest thanksgiving I ever spent. ...With love your sister Lydia S.L. [Larrabee] (Np, Christmas Eve [18]59)

Dearest Jane… I have concluded to remain here past this week and perhaps 2 weeks and try the book selling in the proposed new way. It is fair week here and we hope to do something this week we are [busy] getting ready to open our store Tuesday morning No. 7 Clapp’s block Congress St., just give us a call if you want to get your books cheap I will send you Notice as soon as we get our Notices out so be on the lookout for a regular smashes[?] I expect we shall knock Portland into about a thousand pieces in about a week I do not know what we shall do but hope for the best. ... Tell Benjamin if he will send me a list of what Books he wants, I will supply him cheaper than he ever thought of before Now is his time to buy tell him to send over what he wants in your letter. ... The young men’s christian association last evening it was a grand thing 3 thousand present. (Isaac Smith, Portland [Maine], October 19, [18]44)

My Dear Bro. & Sister… I was sorry to hear that your bro. George were among the list of drafted ones although in your little place I rather expected you other of my dear friends would have to catch it and it proved as I thought. I do hope the war will close before you conscripts will be called into action and I rather think it will. Our late victories are really encouraging! [Battle of Gettysburg and Siege of Vicksburg] Then my pictures are really in demand down there! Tell my “Friends” as dear Bennie used to say that I will try and send them some soon as I get a chance. ... I do think you are right smart to make so many cheeses, wish I could step in and take a small bit of curd once in a while. O, how much it reminds me of the time I made some there in my dear home six years ago this summer. ... I suppose Thurston is really going to be married before he goes into camp isn’t he? That courtship is done up quick I declare. ... Mrs. Goodwin is very much pleased to think Thurston is drafted so Davis and George say. ... August 6th Thanksgiving day. ... I am going out pretty soon to see the celebration on the [Boston] Common. O, how I wish you were here to go with us. We have been to church one part of the day but did not hardly get paid in the sermon. Dr. Blayden is very dry to me. I thought if our other pastor was only well what a sermon he would have given us! He is dangerously sick with fever and this morning his death was put in the paper but we found out in church that it was a mistake. ...good bye, Helen (Boston, August 1 and 6, 1863, envelope addressed to George W. Smith)

Dear Brothers… I had a letter from Lydia Sat. she said she had a letter from Aunt Paul the day before said that Caroline was dead. L. [Lydia] did not say what the matter was with her. She said there was a great revival in P [Portland?] so there is New York Boston and in a great many places they hold meetings in Bath [Maine] every day and in Richmond [Maine] and I guess all along up the [Kennebec] river hope they will get as far as here with their meetings we have had no preaching since last Fall. Mr. Hulbert preached with us for three months… (“Mira,” Almira Smith, Richmond, April 7, 1858)

Friend Lyman, What do you think of me you see what you get by being an old friend and acquaintance if you had been a stranger to me you would have received your money long ago for the frames you sent the first of the winter but as it was Lyman I have let it slide about long enough. Next week, you will have a registered letter with our money in it $28.00. Well I am getting along quite well in the store rather dull this month it has been a bad winter for any business…the Lumbermen have had a hard fight to get wood and Logs out at all. Lyman, the frames have given good satisfaction. I did not see then I got the Box and sent it to the one that they were for, as I said before I had sadly neglected my duty about then. The other day I got the one that was for me I like it much, all came safe not a thing damaged. ... Yours Truly, M.L. Elwell (North Sedgwick [Maine], February 21, [18]70)

A voluminous archive deserving more thorough study.

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