For the genealogist, little can compare to finding the homestead of your ancestor. And with the help of Dale Potter-Clark of the Readfield Historical Society in Maine that is exactly what we did!

First, some background: On 24 October, 1796, John Day purchased from Benjamin Allen a portion of Lot 41, then described as Winthrop, in the County of Lincoln, Maine.

In 1813, for the sum of $500, John deeds the land to his son Nathaniel. Then, in 1820, for receipt of $1.00 Nathaniel deeds a 1/4th part interest in the home to each of his unmarried sisters, Abigail, Sarah and Lucy. He describes it as the home in which John Day continues to reside. In 1845, Nathaniel then deeds a portion of the land to his niece, Harriet (Day) Freeman, giving her a house lot for the huge sum of – you guessed it – $1.00. Finally, in 1870, four years before his death, Nathaniel sold all of the lot, in addition to two others, to Harriet and her husband, Rowland Freeman.

Eventually, the property made it’s way to Harriet and Rowland’s daughter, Helen (Freeman) Grant. In 1911, Helen wrote in a letter to her cousin Elsie, “There is no ‘Place like Home’ and the dear ‘Old Day Homestead’ is an ideal home for me.” The property remained with family until 1929. It is now part of Lakeside Orchards. See the old trees below:

Yes, finding this home was quite an experience indeed. Here is a picture of five Day descendants with the “Old Day Homestead.”

Comments:

Valerie Dawes: Lauren … I’m fascinated! Now I see how the Freeman Family figures in to the line. Great information!

D.M. Clark: I am so enjoying this blog Lauren. Quite amazing! Am sharing pertinent info with the current owner of the John Day homestead. Dale