Ann Skolfield was John B. Skolfield's sister,
Ann never married and always lived and worked on the family farm with her brother.
John Blake Skolfield was born 13 January 1864. He was a farmer. He was baptized in 1885 in the river and joined the Growstown Freewill Baptist Church. He had a certificate from the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle saying he had completed the four years course of reading on August 17, 1892. The group taking the course together at members' homes consisted of Kate Stanwood, later Mrs. Thomas B. Skolfield, Carrie Richardson of Bunganack, who married Daniel Skolfield, Susan Gummer and Ann Skolfield. The literary society continued for years and Thomas B. Skolfield and others attended the meetings by invitation from members. An undated article entitled
"Mere Point Man Has Ancient Gun: Deadly Accurate, It Was
Used Against The Indians." The article reads: "After examining a gun that J. B. Skolfield has, one is inclined to wonder who would get the worst of the bargain, the man standing in front, or the man standing behind the barrel. For the gun has a most business-like appearance, both front and rear, and while it seems to have that quality of being able to shoot a mile or so with deadly accuracy, it has also that appearance of being able to kick a man down flatter than last night's beer. This gun is one of the hand arms that were used in Fort George, in the old days when Brunswick was just a clearing on the bank of the river and the Indians used to come down every night and stick your blinds full of arrows. It was used by Thomas Skolfield, one of the attaches of the fort in those merry days, great-grandfather of the present owner of the
gun. He is supposed to have used it on numerous occasions when a small band of whites gathered all quaking behind the ramparts of Fort George to stave off a scalping at the
hands of the Abenaquies. The gun is very much the same as that grand fowling piece found in literature somewhere that needed two to shoot it, one to aim it and another to pull the trigger. This gun is longer than six feet. With the butt standing on the ground, its muzzle sticks well over the head of anyone supporting it. It's all the average sturdy citizen would want to do to lift it. Having lifted it, the idea of carrying it around a while [sic] is at once disposed of as absurd. But it was with just such guns as this that Brunswick kept the Indians at a distance, and succeeded in making the location safe for habitation. It almost seems that the very sight of the gun aimed at an Indian's anatomy would make him pause,
if not lose his sang-froid and die of fright. It is the most murderous looking firearm of those that many collectors hang around on walls. Naturally the gun, while coming under the general head of hand-arm, was not used with any freedom under stress of engagement. It was unwieldy. It rested against the bulwark of the fort, and probably threw the defending shooter back into the pit with painful celerity when it went off. Its accuracy was
supposed to be perfect. If the aim were true, it sent an ounce-and-a-half ball ripping mercilessly through the target. This greatly discouraged the Indians. The length of the barrel gave the ball its direction in no uncertain terms. The gun was a flint-lock. The haphazard flash of a hunk of flint against steel made the spark that ignited the powder. Sometimes it didn't work. If it did, the gunner then had the task of loading up again. Since
it was a muzzle loader, the long barrel had to be drawn in through the loop-hole, the ram-rod jammed down its huge throat, and all of a minute or two was passed in the task.
Old time soldiers who were calm enough to keep count tell of many a heated battle where in close combat with the enemy they could shoot no more than ten or twelve times a day.The big barrels would get hot, and then they would have to cool off before another blast. Powder had to be meticulously measured or the charge might bust the breech. Even in the Civil War days when a form of cartridge was available for muzzle loaders, there was one old soldier who told of shooting all day long at Gettysburg, seeing his man fall after each shot and in a whole day's work pulling his trigger only 16 times! And if people think a
Civil War musket was a big, ungainly thing, they ought to see this Skolfield gun. Thomas Skolfield gave it to his son Jacob. He passed it to his son Benjamin, and he in turn gave it to the present holder. They used to shoot geese with it. By lifting the barrel into the air,
and delivering a healthy charge in the general direction of a flock, devastating results were obtained, as well as plenty of geese. Targets at over a mile have been hit with a ball from the gun. But when the present holder of the gun was a small boy they had the gun built over into a more modern piece, using caps for the breech instead of a flint spark. Powder and shot were substituted for the powder and ball. Today it hangs on the wall at the old
Skolfield place, a souvenir, a family relic, a curiosity, and no more. The tales it might tell died with the third generation-tales of old Ft. George, and the early days of Brunswick." John Blake Skolfield died 22 March 1954 in Brunswick, Maine, and was buried there in Maquoit Cemetery. His obituary read: "Funeral Is Being Held for John Skolfield, 90, Brunswick's well-known nonagenarian. John B. Skolfield, died on Monday, March 22, at the Brunswick Hospital. Funeral services are being conducted today at 2 p.m., by the Rev. J. Arthur Samuelson at Stetson's Funeral Home, Federal Street, Brunswick. For many
years he had made his home with his sister, Miss Anne Skolfield, 94, on the Mere Point Road; she survives him. He was born in Brunswick on Jan. 13, 1864, son of Benjamin and Susan Blake Skolfield. He was a life-long resident of this community, and was a 50-year member of Dirigo Grange. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, including Mrs. Thomas Means and W. Stanwood Skolfield of Brunswick. Following the services, interment will take place in the Maquoit Cemetery."
Taken from a book:
"Decendants of Thomas Skolfield"
1707-1796 by "Ester S. deVries"
Ann never married and always lived and worked on the family farm with her brother.
John Blake Skolfield was born 13 January 1864. He was a farmer. He was baptized in 1885 in the river and joined the Growstown Freewill Baptist Church. He had a certificate from the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle saying he had completed the four years course of reading on August 17, 1892. The group taking the course together at members' homes consisted of Kate Stanwood, later Mrs. Thomas B. Skolfield, Carrie Richardson of Bunganack, who married Daniel Skolfield, Susan Gummer and Ann Skolfield. The literary society continued for years and Thomas B. Skolfield and others attended the meetings by invitation from members. An undated article entitled
"Mere Point Man Has Ancient Gun: Deadly Accurate, It Was
Used Against The Indians." The article reads: "After examining a gun that J. B. Skolfield has, one is inclined to wonder who would get the worst of the bargain, the man standing in front, or the man standing behind the barrel. For the gun has a most business-like appearance, both front and rear, and while it seems to have that quality of being able to shoot a mile or so with deadly accuracy, it has also that appearance of being able to kick a man down flatter than last night's beer. This gun is one of the hand arms that were used in Fort George, in the old days when Brunswick was just a clearing on the bank of the river and the Indians used to come down every night and stick your blinds full of arrows. It was used by Thomas Skolfield, one of the attaches of the fort in those merry days, great-grandfather of the present owner of the
gun. He is supposed to have used it on numerous occasions when a small band of whites gathered all quaking behind the ramparts of Fort George to stave off a scalping at the
hands of the Abenaquies. The gun is very much the same as that grand fowling piece found in literature somewhere that needed two to shoot it, one to aim it and another to pull the trigger. This gun is longer than six feet. With the butt standing on the ground, its muzzle sticks well over the head of anyone supporting it. It's all the average sturdy citizen would want to do to lift it. Having lifted it, the idea of carrying it around a while [sic] is at once disposed of as absurd. But it was with just such guns as this that Brunswick kept the Indians at a distance, and succeeded in making the location safe for habitation. It almost seems that the very sight of the gun aimed at an Indian's anatomy would make him pause,
if not lose his sang-froid and die of fright. It is the most murderous looking firearm of those that many collectors hang around on walls. Naturally the gun, while coming under the general head of hand-arm, was not used with any freedom under stress of engagement. It was unwieldy. It rested against the bulwark of the fort, and probably threw the defending shooter back into the pit with painful celerity when it went off. Its accuracy was
supposed to be perfect. If the aim were true, it sent an ounce-and-a-half ball ripping mercilessly through the target. This greatly discouraged the Indians. The length of the barrel gave the ball its direction in no uncertain terms. The gun was a flint-lock. The haphazard flash of a hunk of flint against steel made the spark that ignited the powder. Sometimes it didn't work. If it did, the gunner then had the task of loading up again. Since
it was a muzzle loader, the long barrel had to be drawn in through the loop-hole, the ram-rod jammed down its huge throat, and all of a minute or two was passed in the task.
Old time soldiers who were calm enough to keep count tell of many a heated battle where in close combat with the enemy they could shoot no more than ten or twelve times a day.The big barrels would get hot, and then they would have to cool off before another blast. Powder had to be meticulously measured or the charge might bust the breech. Even in the Civil War days when a form of cartridge was available for muzzle loaders, there was one old soldier who told of shooting all day long at Gettysburg, seeing his man fall after each shot and in a whole day's work pulling his trigger only 16 times! And if people think a
Civil War musket was a big, ungainly thing, they ought to see this Skolfield gun. Thomas Skolfield gave it to his son Jacob. He passed it to his son Benjamin, and he in turn gave it to the present holder. They used to shoot geese with it. By lifting the barrel into the air,
and delivering a healthy charge in the general direction of a flock, devastating results were obtained, as well as plenty of geese. Targets at over a mile have been hit with a ball from the gun. But when the present holder of the gun was a small boy they had the gun built over into a more modern piece, using caps for the breech instead of a flint spark. Powder and shot were substituted for the powder and ball. Today it hangs on the wall at the old
Skolfield place, a souvenir, a family relic, a curiosity, and no more. The tales it might tell died with the third generation-tales of old Ft. George, and the early days of Brunswick." John Blake Skolfield died 22 March 1954 in Brunswick, Maine, and was buried there in Maquoit Cemetery. His obituary read: "Funeral Is Being Held for John Skolfield, 90, Brunswick's well-known nonagenarian. John B. Skolfield, died on Monday, March 22, at the Brunswick Hospital. Funeral services are being conducted today at 2 p.m., by the Rev. J. Arthur Samuelson at Stetson's Funeral Home, Federal Street, Brunswick. For many
years he had made his home with his sister, Miss Anne Skolfield, 94, on the Mere Point Road; she survives him. He was born in Brunswick on Jan. 13, 1864, son of Benjamin and Susan Blake Skolfield. He was a life-long resident of this community, and was a 50-year member of Dirigo Grange. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, including Mrs. Thomas Means and W. Stanwood Skolfield of Brunswick. Following the services, interment will take place in the Maquoit Cemetery."
Taken from a book:
"Decendants of Thomas Skolfield"
1707-1796 by "Ester S. deVries"
Ann Skolfield was John B. Skolfield's sister,
Ann never married and always lived and worked on the family farm with her brother.
John Blake Skolfield was born 13 January 1864. He was a farmer. He was baptized in 1885 in the river and joined the Growstown Freewill Baptist Church. He had a certificate from the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle saying he had completed the four years course of reading on August 17, 1892. The group taking the course together at members' homes consisted of Kate Stanwood, later Mrs. Thomas B. Skolfield, Carrie Richardson of Bunganack, who married Daniel Skolfield, Susan Gummer and Ann Skolfield. The literary society continued for years and Thomas B. Skolfield and others attended the meetings by invitation from members. An undated article entitled
"Mere Point Man Has Ancient Gun: Deadly Accurate, It Was
Used Against The Indians." The article reads: "After examining a gun that J. B. Skolfield has, one is inclined to wonder who would get the worst of the bargain, the man standing in front, or the man standing behind the barrel. For the gun has a most business-like appearance, both front and rear, and while it seems to have that quality of being able to shoot a mile or so with deadly accuracy, it has also that appearance of being able to kick a man down flatter than last night's beer. This gun is one of the hand arms that were used in Fort George, in the old days when Brunswick was just a clearing on the bank of the river and the Indians used to come down every night and stick your blinds full of arrows. It was used by Thomas Skolfield, one of the attaches of the fort in those merry days, great-grandfather of the present owner of the
gun. He is supposed to have used it on numerous occasions when a small band of whites gathered all quaking behind the ramparts of Fort George to stave off a scalping at the
hands of the Abenaquies. The gun is very much the same as that grand fowling piece found in literature somewhere that needed two to shoot it, one to aim it and another to pull the trigger. This gun is longer than six feet. With the butt standing on the ground, its muzzle sticks well over the head of anyone supporting it. It's all the average sturdy citizen would want to do to lift it. Having lifted it, the idea of carrying it around a while [sic] is at once disposed of as absurd. But it was with just such guns as this that Brunswick kept the Indians at a distance, and succeeded in making the location safe for habitation. It almost seems that the very sight of the gun aimed at an Indian's anatomy would make him pause,
if not lose his sang-froid and die of fright. It is the most murderous looking firearm of those that many collectors hang around on walls. Naturally the gun, while coming under the general head of hand-arm, was not used with any freedom under stress of engagement. It was unwieldy. It rested against the bulwark of the fort, and probably threw the defending shooter back into the pit with painful celerity when it went off. Its accuracy was
supposed to be perfect. If the aim were true, it sent an ounce-and-a-half ball ripping mercilessly through the target. This greatly discouraged the Indians. The length of the barrel gave the ball its direction in no uncertain terms. The gun was a flint-lock. The haphazard flash of a hunk of flint against steel made the spark that ignited the powder. Sometimes it didn't work. If it did, the gunner then had the task of loading up again. Since
it was a muzzle loader, the long barrel had to be drawn in through the loop-hole, the ram-rod jammed down its huge throat, and all of a minute or two was passed in the task.
Old time soldiers who were calm enough to keep count tell of many a heated battle where in close combat with the enemy they could shoot no more than ten or twelve times a day.The big barrels would get hot, and then they would have to cool off before another blast. Powder had to be meticulously measured or the charge might bust the breech. Even in the Civil War days when a form of cartridge was available for muzzle loaders, there was one old soldier who told of shooting all day long at Gettysburg, seeing his man fall after each shot and in a whole day's work pulling his trigger only 16 times! And if people think a
Civil War musket was a big, ungainly thing, they ought to see this Skolfield gun. Thomas Skolfield gave it to his son Jacob. He passed it to his son Benjamin, and he in turn gave it to the present holder. They used to shoot geese with it. By lifting the barrel into the air,
and delivering a healthy charge in the general direction of a flock, devastating results were obtained, as well as plenty of geese. Targets at over a mile have been hit with a ball from the gun. But when the present holder of the gun was a small boy they had the gun built over into a more modern piece, using caps for the breech instead of a flint spark. Powder and shot were substituted for the powder and ball. Today it hangs on the wall at the old
Skolfield place, a souvenir, a family relic, a curiosity, and no more. The tales it might tell died with the third generation-tales of old Ft. George, and the early days of Brunswick." John Blake Skolfield died 22 March 1954 in Brunswick, Maine, and was buried there in Maquoit Cemetery. His obituary read: "Funeral Is Being Held for John Skolfield, 90, Brunswick's well-known nonagenarian. John B. Skolfield, died on Monday, March 22, at the Brunswick Hospital. Funeral services are being conducted today at 2 p.m., by the Rev. J. Arthur Samuelson at Stetson's Funeral Home, Federal Street, Brunswick. For many
years he had made his home with his sister, Miss Anne Skolfield, 94, on the Mere Point Road; she survives him. He was born in Brunswick on Jan. 13, 1864, son of Benjamin and Susan Blake Skolfield. He was a life-long resident of this community, and was a 50-year member of Dirigo Grange. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, including Mrs. Thomas Means and W. Stanwood Skolfield of Brunswick. Following the services, interment will take place in the Maquoit Cemetery."
Taken from a book:
"Decendants of Thomas Skolfield"
1707-1796 by "Ester S. deVries"
Ann never married and always lived and worked on the family farm with her brother.
John Blake Skolfield was born 13 January 1864. He was a farmer. He was baptized in 1885 in the river and joined the Growstown Freewill Baptist Church. He had a certificate from the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle saying he had completed the four years course of reading on August 17, 1892. The group taking the course together at members' homes consisted of Kate Stanwood, later Mrs. Thomas B. Skolfield, Carrie Richardson of Bunganack, who married Daniel Skolfield, Susan Gummer and Ann Skolfield. The literary society continued for years and Thomas B. Skolfield and others attended the meetings by invitation from members. An undated article entitled
"Mere Point Man Has Ancient Gun: Deadly Accurate, It Was
Used Against The Indians." The article reads: "After examining a gun that J. B. Skolfield has, one is inclined to wonder who would get the worst of the bargain, the man standing in front, or the man standing behind the barrel. For the gun has a most business-like appearance, both front and rear, and while it seems to have that quality of being able to shoot a mile or so with deadly accuracy, it has also that appearance of being able to kick a man down flatter than last night's beer. This gun is one of the hand arms that were used in Fort George, in the old days when Brunswick was just a clearing on the bank of the river and the Indians used to come down every night and stick your blinds full of arrows. It was used by Thomas Skolfield, one of the attaches of the fort in those merry days, great-grandfather of the present owner of the
gun. He is supposed to have used it on numerous occasions when a small band of whites gathered all quaking behind the ramparts of Fort George to stave off a scalping at the
hands of the Abenaquies. The gun is very much the same as that grand fowling piece found in literature somewhere that needed two to shoot it, one to aim it and another to pull the trigger. This gun is longer than six feet. With the butt standing on the ground, its muzzle sticks well over the head of anyone supporting it. It's all the average sturdy citizen would want to do to lift it. Having lifted it, the idea of carrying it around a while [sic] is at once disposed of as absurd. But it was with just such guns as this that Brunswick kept the Indians at a distance, and succeeded in making the location safe for habitation. It almost seems that the very sight of the gun aimed at an Indian's anatomy would make him pause,
if not lose his sang-froid and die of fright. It is the most murderous looking firearm of those that many collectors hang around on walls. Naturally the gun, while coming under the general head of hand-arm, was not used with any freedom under stress of engagement. It was unwieldy. It rested against the bulwark of the fort, and probably threw the defending shooter back into the pit with painful celerity when it went off. Its accuracy was
supposed to be perfect. If the aim were true, it sent an ounce-and-a-half ball ripping mercilessly through the target. This greatly discouraged the Indians. The length of the barrel gave the ball its direction in no uncertain terms. The gun was a flint-lock. The haphazard flash of a hunk of flint against steel made the spark that ignited the powder. Sometimes it didn't work. If it did, the gunner then had the task of loading up again. Since
it was a muzzle loader, the long barrel had to be drawn in through the loop-hole, the ram-rod jammed down its huge throat, and all of a minute or two was passed in the task.
Old time soldiers who were calm enough to keep count tell of many a heated battle where in close combat with the enemy they could shoot no more than ten or twelve times a day.The big barrels would get hot, and then they would have to cool off before another blast. Powder had to be meticulously measured or the charge might bust the breech. Even in the Civil War days when a form of cartridge was available for muzzle loaders, there was one old soldier who told of shooting all day long at Gettysburg, seeing his man fall after each shot and in a whole day's work pulling his trigger only 16 times! And if people think a
Civil War musket was a big, ungainly thing, they ought to see this Skolfield gun. Thomas Skolfield gave it to his son Jacob. He passed it to his son Benjamin, and he in turn gave it to the present holder. They used to shoot geese with it. By lifting the barrel into the air,
and delivering a healthy charge in the general direction of a flock, devastating results were obtained, as well as plenty of geese. Targets at over a mile have been hit with a ball from the gun. But when the present holder of the gun was a small boy they had the gun built over into a more modern piece, using caps for the breech instead of a flint spark. Powder and shot were substituted for the powder and ball. Today it hangs on the wall at the old
Skolfield place, a souvenir, a family relic, a curiosity, and no more. The tales it might tell died with the third generation-tales of old Ft. George, and the early days of Brunswick." John Blake Skolfield died 22 March 1954 in Brunswick, Maine, and was buried there in Maquoit Cemetery. His obituary read: "Funeral Is Being Held for John Skolfield, 90, Brunswick's well-known nonagenarian. John B. Skolfield, died on Monday, March 22, at the Brunswick Hospital. Funeral services are being conducted today at 2 p.m., by the Rev. J. Arthur Samuelson at Stetson's Funeral Home, Federal Street, Brunswick. For many
years he had made his home with his sister, Miss Anne Skolfield, 94, on the Mere Point Road; she survives him. He was born in Brunswick on Jan. 13, 1864, son of Benjamin and Susan Blake Skolfield. He was a life-long resident of this community, and was a 50-year member of Dirigo Grange. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, including Mrs. Thomas Means and W. Stanwood Skolfield of Brunswick. Following the services, interment will take place in the Maquoit Cemetery."
Taken from a book:
"Decendants of Thomas Skolfield"
1707-1796 by "Ester S. deVries"
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