James Gower papers

Collection

Identifier: Coll. 4239

Staff Only

Scope and Content note

Legal documents, correspondence, financial papers, and various writs, deeds, and agreements of James Gower, his family, and related to his various positions in local government. Included are several documents related to Bowdoin College land sales for which Gower played a role as agent, as well as versions of his own will and testament with details regarding his estate.

Dates

Creation: 1810 - 1856

Creator

Gower, James (1772-1855) (Person)

Access

Unrestricted

Copyright

Access to collections at Maine Historical Society is not an authorization to publish. Rights and reproduction requests may be submitted in writing to the MHS Image Services Coordinator or Research & Administrative Librarian, subject to format.

Biographical note

James Gower (1772-1855) owned various businesses, including a sawmill and gristmill, and farmed in Abbot, Maine, where he lived with his wife Susan (née Norton) and their children. A Justice of the Peace and Treasurer for the town, he also served as a land agent for various Bowdoin College land sales.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Provenance

Gift of E. Christopher Livesay, June 20 and June 27, 2022 (acc. no. 2023.021).

Processing note

E. Christopher Livesay gifted these papers to MHS as part of a larger donation of material compiled over decades as a collector of Maine-related manuscripts and books. All of the material from the donation shares accession number 2023.021.

The papers arrived in labeled folders, differentiated by purpose and date. This order was largely retained, while some new folders were created and others combined to improve housing. The material was processed as an individual collection.