University of Maine at Portland - Reflection / Umpire Yearbook (Portland, ME)

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6.131- rhegrassy knoll ,Deeting plotted and laid our designs for a l' ambling Mansion of the Federalist era. While directing the - muucuon himself, he moved his Family into the . iewvoluticnary farmhouse at the junuion of Brighton Avenue i-md Falmouth Street The subatantial two story wooden 'SErt-Icrute was conspicuous even though' it was of a 51er common I111 the period; it dominated the area where Luther Bonney Hall Inow stands The main house was broad and consisted of a few - gaegiaus high ceilinged and heavily deCOtated rooms; behlnd 1t 1 . iegXtended a large ell from which a covered walkway led to a wing Which housed the kitchen and servants' quarters Scattered on he thich curved from the dusty street to the very doors of the T311; periinetet of the knoll were sheep barns a carriage house great structure and was generously shaded by vase- like aims and 5W a semi buried ice house for the preservation of that Ewing was delighted with this pleasant green shrubbed esrate WWW? necessity An Immense garreted barn was parallel to ' 't;seIpa1-ated from the Manston by asweeping pebbled carriage- $3134 maples The commodmus home was completed 1'11 1804 pmpetly befitting his own benevolent nature, and here he 131.1115th entertained his numerous social connections ha. 5-- L... THE OORA-CRESSY, Reprinted with permiuionhom Ben's Marine Museum. Situated far enough from the sea, the Mansion avoided dam. age when the British thoroughly shelled and burned Falmouth in the War of 1812. However, the site which had seen enough conflict in its early history played a new role in the violence of this hosrility. Tradition holds that British prisoners were quartered in one section of a rear wing. Some forty privateers were registered out of Portland in those years, claiming and bringing to port fifty prize vessela It is plausable that the Mansion was considered adequate and proper board for captured British officers until an exchange was provided. Deering did not advocate separation from Massachusetts until the act became emminent in 1819. Portland, 215 the most popu- lous and prosperous city in the new state, was to many the logical Selection as state capital; the expansive, dominating hilltop was Strongly favored as a suitable location for the new State Capitol Building once statehood was attained in 1820. After the signing of the state's conStitution in the First Parish Church, the legislature met at Portland from 1820 to 1852. The comedians Deering Mansion now fell into its finest and most celebrated days. James Deming was at the height of pros.

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