Sorry that papa Stephen is away but the women folk are all here. Since there aren't any men around I think we will take a break and tell you about our mother Sarah Norton. But please come back again and maybe papa Stephen will be here next time to tell you about himself!
Sarah Fosdick Norton, wife of Stephen, was renowned for her horsemanship and also as the mother of Readfield's first lawyer, Peter Norton. More than that, Mrs. Norton was respected for her extensive knowledge, particularly of herbs and medicines. She carried remedies in her saddlebags and visited the sick. Sometimes she rode long distances to do so. The History of Monmouth (page 186) relates: "In all cases of sickness that could not be treated with 'pennyrial' the settlers were obliged to go to Pondtown (Winthrop) for an old lady whose knowledge of, and long experience in administering, roots and herbs led her to be honored as a veritable M.D.... In the winter, sickness was anticipated with much dread, as the deep snows and absence of all roads rendered it all but impossible to go from one settlement to the other, except on snow shoes". At one time a Monmouth man - Joseph Allen - was forced to go "for the old lady" in the midst of the winter. He took a hand sled on which he dragged back a supply of 'yarb tea'. Though the "old lady" is not named she was, without a doubt, Sarah Norton. I say this not only because she was the person most people went to for medical care and support around here during this era but also because there were many connections between the people of Winthrop (Readfield) and Monmouth. For one, Sarah's daughter-in-law Asenath (wife of the lawyer Peter) was a member of the Blossom family who settled early on in Monmouth.
In researching this family I discovered a connection between Sarah Fosdick Norton and the Salem witch trials. In 1692 Sarah's g-grandfather Cap. John Fosdick's (2nd) wife Elizabeth Fosdick was accused of witchcraft by Lieut. Nathaniel Putnam and Joseph Whipple of Salem Village. Many women of that time were forced to keep their knowledge and use of herbal remedies quiet for fear they would be accused of witchcraft. However, they discreetly passed on what they knew to the younger women in their own families. Consequently, during subsequent generations treatments became more individual to each family rather than universal. It can be said with certainty that knowledge of herbal remedies was carried on in this family and passed on to Sarah. By Sarah's time things had changed and she was free to use her knowledge and skills without hesitation. It would seem that she and her foremothers had developed a very useful and effective repertoire of treatments as evidenced by her reputation as a "veritable M.D." throughout our area.
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This home was built by Stephen Norton circa 1785. He and Sarah
first built a log cabin / home on the opposite corner of
Church & Chase Roads. It is said they are buried somewhere
on that land. The home pictured here is dated circa 1785 because
it was already there when Stephen and Sarah passed
it on to their oldest son Constant in 1789. The
deed states "...where I am living..." |
It is also interesting to note that Sarah Norton was a French Huguenot and spoke several languages. Because of her reputation for being learned and studious she is the one who prompted the legend that Readfield was named for someone who was a great reader.
That is so awesome!! I wonder who my grandparents purchased that home from in the early 1900's.
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