Ephraim Huff
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Ephraim P. Huff (abt. 1818 - 1893)

Ephraim P. Huff
Born about in Kennebunkport, Maine, USAmap
Ancestors ancestors
Brother of [half]
Husband of — married 22 Apr 1846 in Kennebunkport, Maine, USAmap
Descendants descendants
Died at about age 75 in Kennebunkport, Maine, USAmap
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Profile last modified | Created 5 Mar 2017
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Biography

This profile is part of the Nowell Name Study.

One of the cousins has a wallet which belonged to Ephraim Huff. Inside are all sorts of receipts for various things. One has to wonder why he saved some of them! Inside the cover is written “Friday 16th went to work on board the Brig Recover” and on the other side “Begin the 27th of Nov. 1815”. At this point I’m not sure what this refers to… his birth perhaps? Or, perhaps it belonged to his father Thomas?

“I Oliver Bourne of Kennebunkport… Merchant in consideration of Sixty one dollars and ninety three cents paid by Ephraim Huff of said Kennebunkport… do… sell… a certain lot of land situated in said Kennebunkport… at the Western corner of a lot of Land on the south Eastern side of the New Cape Road (so called) Bounded to tom Rounds by said Bourne… to Thomas Huff’s Land… to Land owned by Jacob & Ephraim Wilds… Comprising 13 acres & 106 rods… this twentyninth day of November… one thousand eight hundred and fourty five…

Oliver Bourne
Jane J. Bourne

In presence of us
Enoch Cousens”[1]

Deed from Oliver & Jane Bourne to Ephraim Huff

22 Apr 1846 Ephraim Huff of Kennebunkport married Susan G Deshon of Sanford, Maine in Kennebunkport, Maine.[2]

Ephraim and Susanna are listed in the 1850 census report for Kennebunkport along with their children Lucy and David living within the household of Eprhaim's parents. His father is a farmer who owns real estate. Ephraim is a mariner. The census does not indicate that he owns real estate. Also in the home is a 42 year old fisherman William Wildes. It's unclear what the relationship William is to the family. [3]

“I Benjamin Dudley of Kennebunk Port… in consideration of one hundred & sixty six dollars & seventy two cents paid by Ephraim Huff of said Kennebunk Port… do… sell… A certain piece or parcel of land situated in said Kennebunk Port… beginning at Mr Huffs southerly corner… to Henry wileses Northerly corner… to Turberns Creak… to Hoopers line… & Mrs Fishers line to the highway… containing six acres & one hundred & seven [ ] rods… this first day of December… one thousand eight hundred and fifty two… Benjamin Dudley H. W. Dudley In presence of A. [ ]”[4]

Deed from Benjamin Dudley to Ephraim Huff

Ephraim then purchased a piece of land from his sister and brother-in-law:

“We James Wakefield & Polly Wakefield his wife both of Kennebunk port… in Consideraton of twenty dollars… paid by Ephraim Huff of said Kennebunk port… do… sell… a certain piece of land with the buildings thereon standing… in Kennebunk Port… on the old Cape road at the corner of land sold to Ephraim Huff by Benjn Dudley… this fourth day of Feby… eighteen hundred and fifty six…

James Wakefield
Polly Wakefield

In presence of
Benjamin McKenny”[5]

Deed from James & Polly Wakefield to Ephraim Huff

Ephraim and Susannah are listed in the 1860 census report for Kennebunkport with their children Lucy, James, Arrabella, John, George, Margaret and Willie. Ephraim is listed as head of household. He owns real estate and is a farmer. His father Thomas, age 82, now living with them; and he is no longer reported as owning real estate; but he does continue to farm. It appears from near neighbors that they are living in the same neighborhood if the not the same home as 1850.[6]

The 1870 census finds Ephraim and Susannah farming in Kennebunkport along with their children James, John, George, Margaret, Willie, Eleanor, Annetta, Charles and Jeremiah. Daughter Lucy has married Jacob Townsend Wildes who has lived with his parents in this same neighborhood since at least 1950. Lucy and her family are enumerated just below Ephraim on the census.[7]

Looks like Ephraim needed to have new shoes for his oxen… as well as fixing his hatchet for 25c! [8]

Ephraim Huff's Receipt from J.G. Smith

Starting in the 1870’s, Ephraim saved all his tax receipts all folded neatly and placed in his wallet.

Ephraim Huff's Tax Receipt for 1877

Can you imagine paying $11.32 for your property tax?

Looks like Ephraim may have had to borrow money to pay his taxes.[9]

Ephraim Huff's Receipt for Loan from Ira Grant

Ephraim and Susannah are listed in the 1880 census for Kennebunkport and he, along with his sons John, Willie, George, Elmer, Charles and his son-in-law are fishermen. Annetta, Jeremiah and Bertha were living at home. In 1783, Jacob Townsend Wildes is sold a piece of property by his father which abuts Ehpraim's land; and thus daughter Lucy and family remain nearby.[10]

Looks like Ephraim also owed Mr. Averill for pasturing his cows.[11]

Ephraim Huff's Receipt from George Averill

Looks like Ephraim ran into some financial problems with the Averills.[12]

Dunning Note from Walter Dane

Ephraim paid $3.75 for a pair of boots from Mr.Gooch. When you consider that the average laborer at the time earned $1.50 per day… that was two and a half days wages. I hope they fit!

Ephraim's Receipt for his Boots.

“I Mary Wakefield (widow of James Wakefield) of Kennebunkport… in consideration of One hundred dollars… paid by Ephraim Huff (my brother) of said Kennebunkport… do… sell… One undivided one half part of a certain piece of land upon the opposite side of the road leading by the old dwelling of said Ephraim and being a portion of the estate of James Deshon formerly of Arundel (ie. Kennebunkport) and being the same premises that were conveyed by Joseph Perkins to widow Martha Flanders (our mother) as pr his deed to said Martha dated March 14th 1820 and further described in a deed to said Perkins by Daniel Deshon dated June 4th 1809… this sixth day of September… one thousand eight hundred and eighty…

Mary Wakefield

In presence of
W.F. Moody”[13]

An interesting receipt from the local butcher shop. Looks like Ephraim and Susan liked pork and liver and even bought a hogs head! They paid for their purchases in seaweed, squash, fish and a calf.

Ephraim's Receipt from Charles Hull

“July 16th 1887
Schooner William Waren

Dr to Ephraim Huff
For repairs
3 days work..............................................$5.00
2 hhd [? Hired hand] 50 cts a piece......$1.00
1 saill..........................................................$1.00
1 ball sun garn [?]........................................ .40
......................................................................7.40”

There is also this bill from Joseph A. Titcomb for what appears to be netting and tar, again probably for the boat repairs.

Ephraim Huff's Receipt from Joseph Titcomb

One has to wonder why Ephraim bought a door from the local casket maker… must have been a nice one as it cost $5.00.

Ephraim Huff's Receipt from C.H. Ferguson

“Kennebunk port Dec 1889
Know all men by these presents that I Sumner A Huff of Kennebunk port trader in con Sideration of twenty dollars to me for one pare of Stears by Epheram Huff

Sumner A Huff”

“Portland, Me Dec. 16th 1889
Received of D. W. Snow- Fifteen Dollars
In full settlement of suit James Bain & als. Against Ephraim Huff, returnable to Dec. term Sup. Curt, Cumberland Co. Said sum is to include all claims which Bain, Russell & Co. may have against said Huff.

Woodman & Thompson
Attys for Bain, Russell & Co.”[14]

Ephraim Huff's Receipt from D.W. Snow

“Charles H. Bain, (Successor to Bain, Russell & Co.) Grocer, Ship Stores and Ship Chandlery furnished at Short Notice and Low Prices, 119 Commercial Street, Portland, Me. An enterprise which has been in continuous and successful operation for fully half a century is certainly entitled to a leading position among the representative commercial undertakings carried on by Portland houses, especially when, as is the case with that conducted by Mr. Charles H. Bain, it has an unsurpassed reputation for the reliability and efficiency of the methods employed in its management. The enterprise to which we have reference was inaugurated in 1840 by Messrs. Perley, Russell & Co., and in 1884 came under the control of Messrs. Bain, Russell & Co., the present proprietor assuming sole control in 1888. He is a native of Portland, and is too generally known throughout that city and vicinity to render extended personal mention necessary. Mr. Bain is a grocer, and a dealer in ship stores and ship chandlery of all descriptions; he utilizing four floors of the dimensions of 25x60 feet, carrying a very large and varied stock, and being prepared to furnish anything in his line in quantities to suit, at short notice and at low rates; the quality of the supplies being guaranteed in every care to prove as represented. The store is located at No. 119 Commercial St. and is largely patronized by retail as well by wholesale buyers, for the assortment of family groceries and ship chandlery is very complete and desirable, and the service is prompt and efficient at all times.”[15]

I suspect Ephraim had used them as his ship’s chandler. Perhaps he had to retire from the sea and was obviously unable to pay his account. Also, it looks as though the suit was brought at the time of the sale of the business to Mr. Bain… the new owner cleaning out old accounts no doubt.

Ephraim died in 1893 and we have his memorial card:

Ephraim Huff's Memorial Card
List of Burials in the Wildes District Cemetery- Compiled by Aunt Bessie Nunan Eaton

Sources

  1. Family Papers
  2. "Maine Marriages, 1771-1907", Kennebunkport, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F48V-99V : 14 January 2020), Image 530, Page 31.Reported date of 15 Feb 1847, Ephraim Huff and Susan G. Deshon, 22 Apr 1846.
  3. "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6Q77-G1H?cc=1401638&wc=95RX-PY9%3A1031308201%2C1032214901%2C1032684801 : 9 April 2016), Maine > York > Kennebunkport > image 5 of 66; citing NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.). Handwritten No. 2, 223 and stamped 111. Lines 21 - 27.
  4. Family Papers
  5. Family Papers
  6. "United States Census, 1860," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9B9V-RVT?cc=1473181&wc=73BR-CW2%3A1589428278%2C1589428513%2C1589428593 : 24 March 2017), Maine > York > Kennebunk Part > image 12 of 68; from "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Population," database, Fold3.com (http://www.fold3.com : n.d.); citing NARA microfilm publication M653 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.). Page 12. Lines 10 - 19.
  7. "United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6WV3-8GH?cc=1438024&wc=KK1W-K68%3A518654601%2C518810401%2C518854401 : 12 June 2019), Maine > York > Kennebunkport > image 31 of 62; citing NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.). Page 31, lines 1 - 11 with his daughter Lucy (Huff) Wildes family on lines 12 - 14.
  8. Family Papers
  9. Family Papers
  10. "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YBJ-9DBC?cc=1417683&wc=XWC5-7M9%3A1589404979%2C1589405535%2C1589405629%2C1589395029 : 24 December 2015), Maine > York > Kennebunkport > ED 193 > image 15 of 54; citing NARA microfilm publication T9, (National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C., n.d.) Page No. 15, stamped 304 C, lines 23 - 33 and lines 12 - 18.
  11. Family Papers
  12. Family Papers
  13. Family Papers
  14. Family Papers
  15. Portland: Its Representative Business Men and Its Points of Interest- George Fox Bacon, Glenwood Pub. Co., Portland, 1891- p. 150
  • Kennebunkport V.R.
  • Family Papers




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DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships with Ephraim by comparing test results with other carriers of his Y-chromosome or his mother's mitochondrial DNA. However, there are no known yDNA or mtDNA test-takers in his direct paternal or maternal line. It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with Ephraim:

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