Sarah S. Sampson

1836-1907

Part 2

Clipping from The Washington Post (Washington, District of Columbia) · 25 Dec 1907. Courtesy photo

On July 21, 1869 a home on South Street was conveyed to the State of Maine in trust by William Rogers, for $10.000. On March 15, 1870 with fifteen orphans in tow, Mrs. Sampson and the Rev. A. (Augustus) F. Beard, whom she had recruited to the cause, went to the State Legislature petitioning the State to assist them with funds for financial support to the orphans. In the evening of the same day, the children entertained the lawmakers in the Hall of Representatives. The State immediately allocated funds of $15,000 for the children.

The Ladies Orphan Association obtained the Rogers home from the State; this home was to be the final location of the Asylum until its closure. The home was an elegant mansion of colonial style, built by Samuel Davis in 1800 and located on the corner of High and South Street. At the time the home could accommodate approximately 50 children, but with extensive remodeling it could double in size. The property consisted of the home, 6 acres of land, a two-story stable, some out buildings, plus ample yard space for the children’s playground. To enlarge the home, a mansard roof was added allowing additional room to accommodate more children. The stable was converted into a playhouse for the older boys and girls to be used during inclement weather. The girls occupied the first floor, with the second floor belonging to the boys. It was also deemed necessary to appoint a board of lady managers for the asylum. This group consisted of Mrs. Israel Putnam, Mrs. A. Fuller, Mrs. J.T. Howland, Mrs. M. F. Gannett, Mrs. S. F. Dike, Mrs. T. G. Stockbridge, Mrs. James Bailey, Mrs. James T. Patten, Mrs. John Shaw, and Mrs. Sarah S. Sampson. The husbands of nearly all of these ladies had served in the war.

Detail regarding Sampson’s burial in Arlington. Courtesy photo

Each child was provided with three sets of clothing: one for church, one for school, and one for the playground. Generally, when a child was admitted into the asylum their only clothing would be what they were wearing. It is noted that the children were not given institutionalized clothing. Their clothes did not distinguish them from any other child of the town. Each child was given a sled, and the boys were additionally given a pair of skates. The efforts of the ladies didn’t go unnoticed, and a change of mind was now beginning to appear with the citizens of Maine. They were seeing the importance of the asylum, and the provisions being given to the helpless and destitute children of the military men.

A commemorative tablet from the Third Maine Regiment Association. Courtesy photo

Money from various drives, State Funding, and donations, began to come in from all parts of the state to help the ladies and orphans. By 1870 there were nearly 2,500 soldiers, 250 orphans of soldiers, and 150 widows of soldiers who had returned. On October 10,1870 it was voted by the Trustees of the Orphan’s Home that all orphans and half-orphans of soldiers and sailors, as well as full orphans up to the age of twelve years, were eligible for admission to the institution. They were to be kept until suitable homes could be found, or until they were at an age whereas they were able to care for themselves. Good behavior was an absolute must. If someone desired to take a child for adoption it had to be considered by the Committee on Homes before the child left. The child was taken on a trial basis for three months. If either child or family seemed dissatisfied with the arrangement, the child was to be returned to the institution. This, however, would not happen until after the three month trial period had ended. No child was to be solicited for profit. Two deaths occurred in this year, one in January and one in December.

In 1871 there were sixty-four children in the home with one death occurring. In 1873 a fire broke out in the basement of the asylum and although there was a lot of water and smoke damage, the house and orphans were spared from any major tragedy. Miss Mayhew resigned due to ill health and moved back to Rockland. Taking her place was Miss Goodale of Saco, with seventy-three children in the home. Eight returned to their mothers, one to her guardian, three were adopted, three were provided good homes, with five older boys having good homes in the country learning work skills. One child also died during this year. In 1874 another child died. Miss Mayhew died on June 22 of the same year in Rockland. On November 4, 1875, Mrs. Partridge took over the helm from Miss Goodale but stayed for only a short time. There were fifty-seven children in the home at the beginning of the year. An additional eighteen had been added during the year, and twenty had been placed in homes. In 1876 during the year, seventy-three different children had been housed at the institution.

At the end of December 1876, the number in the Asylum was sixty-two. By the middle of May, 1878 there were fifty-five orphans of soldiers and sailors in the home. Lt. Col. Charles A. L. Sampson, the husband of Sarah, passed away on January 1, 1881, from pneumonia.

The home went through many ups and downs, eventually becoming a home for helping troubled teenagers with family issues who would otherwise be homeless. In 1991 twenty- three girls were in the home. An increasing number of girls were being referred to the home from psychiatric hospitals, indicating the problems were more serious than the inability to get along with their families. some of the girls had actually attempted to commit suicide.

In 1981, due to State budget cutbacks for 1982 – 1983, the State considered closing the home permanently. The home unfortunately needed considerable repair even though it had been well maintained throughout the years. Because of this, Gov. Joseph E. Brennan recommended eliminating the home’s $208,000.00 a year budget.

Officials of the State Mental Health and Corrections Department also claimed it would cost that amount to bring the facility up to all fire and safety standards. Gov. Brennan however, seemed to be the only one in the administration who supported closure of the home. Due to much protesting the home was once again spared from closure. The home however, would have to be well scrutinized to make sure it was running more efficiently. The asylum at this time had a total of only eighteen boys and girls in the home.

In November of 1996 the doors closed on the last remaining State children’s institution now having only fifteen homeless teenagers as residents. Of these fourteen were of age to take care of themselves. The other child was taken into a private home. A home that had once been refuge to thousands of destitute orphans and homeless children would now be going into the annals of history carrying forth the inmates, the institution, and all who were a very important part of its history. The Bath Military and Naval Asylum is now a private residence that still has many of its original features.

(This concludes the Maine Women in the Civil War, in honor of Women’s History month. March is Women’s History Month – commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history.)