SEARSMONT— On Saturday, November 7, a group of interested people, Barbara (Fuller) Hills, Norman Withee, Melvin Shure, Jeff Linscott, and Isabel Morse Maresh, gathered at the Searsmont Historical Society to view the Second Edition of the book, History of Early Schools in Searsmont, Maine, from 1814 to 1914, compiled for the 2014 Bicentennial of the Town.

Barbara (Fuller) Hills, a member of the Bicentennial Committee volunteered to do a report on the history of the schools in the town. She began her research in the old town records and annual Town Reports. She frequented the Searsmont Historical Society, getting assistance from the curator, Norman Withee, who put considerable time assisting in the search.

Hills had amassed a thumb drive of 65 typewritten pages. She was not sure how to proceed with the work. Her friend, Isabel Morse Maresh, offered to format the pages, thinking that this would be a quick and easy process. As they worked to arrange the data, they searched for school photos.

Hills and Withee had determined that Searsmont had 16 schools. Maresh searched through her collection for data from local newspapers, scrapbooks, old records, anywhere data might be found. The book ended up with more than 40 pages of photos, six pages of which were from Alvin Pease of South Montville. There are many more pictures of schools and students, but they were only able to use what they found.

The result was a spiral-bound self-published book, which was quickly sold out, as well as two later printings.

A year later, Maresh contacted her friend, Jeff Linscott of SamTeddy publishing of China, Maine, to do a second edition. Linscott spent many hours editing, correcting and adding data for a second edition. The result is a professional book, with 159 pages, a complete index of 14 pages, two maps, origins of names of early Searsmont roads, photos and credits of those involved, including Superintendents' reports who wrote what was on their minds.

One such superintendent was E.A. Davis in 1917, who wrote of parents who didn't care if their children went to school or not, often being absent, called them "boneheaded" parents.

Superintendent C.S. Adams in 1901, reported in the Annual Town Report, "I believe the free text book law a gross humbug, and detrimental to the cause of education, and a most extravagant method of supplying our schools with books."

The book is primarily a research book. It is attractively wrapped in plastic for gift-giving. Christmas is not far away. It would make a nice gift for those with Searsmont ties. The book sells for $24.95, profit to go to Searsmont Historical Society. If it is to be mailed, add $3.99 for shipping and handling. It is available by contacting Norman Withee, Searsmont Historical Society, P.O. Box 104, Searsmont,  04973, or calling him at 207-342-5975.

A work and a dream started by one person and embellished by many became a valuable research tool.