Thomaston National Bank, Thomaston, ME (Charter 890)
Thomaston National Bank, Thomaston, ME (Chartered 1865 - Closed 1931)
Town History
Thomaston, formerly known as Fort St. Georges, Fort Wharf, and Lincoln, is a town in Knox County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,739 at the 2020 census. Noted for its antique architecture, Thomaston is an old port popular with tourists. The town was named after Major General John Thomas.
As early as 1630, a trading post was established on the eastern bank of the St. George River, then considered the boundary between New England and New France. In 1704, Thomas LeFebvre from Quebec bought a large tract of land along the Weskeag River on which he built a gristmill, with a house on the shoreline at what is now South Thomaston. The area became known as Thomas' Town. In 1719–1720, the old trading post was remodeled into Fort St. George, a stockaded fort protected by two blockhouses. But Abenaki Indian tribes protested the encroachment of an English fort on their territory. Instigated by the French, they attacked the garrison twice during Dummer's War in 1722, then again in 1723 with a siege lasting 30 days. In response to this and other provocations, soldiers destroyed the Abenaki stronghold of Norridgewock in 1724.
During the French and Indian War, to avenge the fall of Louisbourg, on August 13, 1758, French officer Boishebert left Miramichi, New Brunswick with 400 soldiers for Fort St. George in Thomaston. His detachment reached there on September 9 but was caught in an ambush and had to withdraw. This was Boishébert's last Acadian expedition. They then went on to raid Friendship, Maine, where people were killed and others taken prisoner. Hostilities of the French and Indian Wars ceased with the 1759 Fall of Quebec.
Mason Wheaton was the first permanent settler in 1763. Located at the heart of the Waldo Patent, Thomaston was incorporated from St. Georges Plantation on March 20, 1777. Many settlers arrived following the Revolutionary War in 1783. General Henry Knox built his Montpelier mansion at Thomaston in 1793–1794.
The town prospered in the early 19th century as a port and ship building center. Around 1840, two of seven recorded millionaires in the United States were Thomaston sea captains. Other industries included two gristmills, two sawmills and planing mills, three sail lofts, brickyards, cask manufacturing and a marble works. Lime had been manufactured here since 1734 in kilns. Thomaston is still home to Jeff's Marine, Inc. and Lyman Morse Boatbuilding, builders of custom power and sailing yachts. Located on St. George River, Lyman Morse Boatbuilding sits on the original site of the General Henry Knox Mansion, where wooden schooners have been built for over 200 years.
Thomaston was home to the Maine State Prison until 2002, when it moved to Warren and the former facility was demolished. The prison was locally famous for its shop featuring handmade wares of prisoners and inspired the prison in the film, The Shawshank Redemption.
Thomaston had two National Banks chartered during the Bank Note Era, and both of those banks issued National Bank Notes.
Bank History
- Organized February 14, 1865
- Chartered March 14, 1865
- Succeeded Thomaston Bank
- Closed September 16, 1931
- Consolidated with 1142 Sep 16, 1931 (Georges National Bank/Thomaston NB, Thomaston, ME)
- Circulation assumed by 1142 (Georges National Bank/Thomaston NB, Thomaston, ME)
The Thomaston Bank was organized in 1825 and remained in business until becoming the Thomaston National Bank in 1865.
A December 20, 1830, complaint and warrant concerned the robbery of the Thomaston Bank, Thomaston, Maine. Testimony by John Paine, cashier at the bank, who named Isaac Snaith as a suspect. A second document, addressed to the sheriff of Lincoln County, asks for permission to search Snaith's house and to order him to appear in court. An addendum by Peter Fuller notes Snaith's arrest and calls witnesses to give testimony.[1]
Mr. John Paine of Thomaston dropped dead on April 5, 1841. He was in good health and at the time was conversing with a gentleman. Mr. Paine was about 77 years old and well-known in the community as a merchant and cashier of the Thomaston Bank.[2]
The week of March 13th, 1865, 32 new national banks were authorized, the largest number in any single week to date. Three of them were in Maine, People's Bank, Waterville; Thomaston Bank, Thomaston; and Sandy River Bank, Farmington.[3] Wm. Singer was president of the Thomaston National Bank and Oliver Robinson, cashier. The capital was $50,000.[4]
On Tuesday, April 21, 1885, Hon. William Singer died at Thomaston, aged eighty-eight. He was president of the Thomaston National Bank, councilor under Governor Kent in 1841, and presidential elector in 1861.[5] He and his twin brother, John William Singer, were born in Boothbay, Maine, sons of Faithful Singer and his second wife Mary Fullerton.
On April 20, 1881, Capt. William J. Singer, vice president of the Thomaston National Bank, a lumber dealer, and retired sea captain, died after a brief illness. He was 86 years old and one of the last "Square Rigger" captains. He left a widow and one son, Thomas Singer, who was in business with him.[6]
In January 1894, Mr. C. Prince tendered his resignation as president of the Thomaston National Bank after 13 years' service.[7] On November 22, 1894, Captain Edwin A. Robinson, president of the Thomaston National Bank, died at the age of 70 years. He was formerly a master mariner visiting all parts of the world.[8]
On February 19, 1901, Capt. Joshua L. Jordan, a resident of Newton, Massachusetts, died in that town. He was a native of Thomaston, Maine and was one of the oldest and best-known sea captains in New England. His last command was the Pride of the Port. Some years ago he retired from sea service and engaged in shipbuilding at Thomaston. He was at one time president of the Thomaston National Bank.[9]
Early in the morning on Monday, September 29, 1902, burglars were frightened away while trying to force an entrance to the Thomaston National Bank. The break-in was not discovered until 5 o'clock. Clerk McDonald of the Knox Hotel it up the office at 3:30 and this probably caused the flight of the would-be robbers. McDonald saw two men in front of the bank which was opposite the hotel but thought nothing strange. An investigation found that nothing had been disturbed inside, but at the entrance was a new jimmy, a bit and bit-stock, and some gutta percha intended for use on the safe.[10]
On Monday, February 6, 1911, Christopher Prince, formerly president of the Thomaston National Bank, died at the age of 88. He was born in the house where he died. His genealogy may be traced back to Rev. John Prince who preached in East Stafford, Berkshire, England early in the 17th century. Christopher Prince was secretary of the Georges Insurance Company. Moving to New York he engaged in the brokerage business. From there he went to St. Catherine's Island, Georgia, as a cotton planter, but ill-health compelled his retirement. He entered business in Spencer, Mass., but a few years later returned to Thomaston where he occupied the old homestead with his granddaughter, Mrs. Ralph G. Whitney. He was president of the Prince Vessel Company, a position which he held at the time of his death. Mr. Prince was survived by one son, Capt. Edmund W. Prince, a steamship commander, who lived in Tampa, Florida.[11]
In May 1922, Miss Fannie Shaw took a short vacation from her duties at the Thomaston National Bank and visited relatives in Portland.[12]
On Sunday, February 13, 1927, Thomas S. Singer died at his home on Main Street, removing the last man of a family long-identified with the business and political interests of Thomaston. He was the son of Capt. William J. Singer and Isabella (Fuller) Singer. He was born July 12, 1850, and made several voyages to sea with his father and under other captains. He held the office of postmaster one term, represented the town in the Legislature, and served on the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Singer was for many years director of the Thomaston National Bank and at the of his death its vice president.[13]
In January 1930, the officers of the Thomaston National Bank were William Washburn, president; Frank H. Jordan, vice president; J.W. Strout, cashier; and F.A. Shaw, assistant cashier. Among the highlights of the previous banking year was the opening of the Security Trust Company at Vinalhaven and the control of the Rockland National taken over by Financial Institutions, Inc.[14]
On Tuesday afternoon, January 13, 1931, stockholders elected the following directors: W.G. Washburn, F.H. Jordan, John Brown, I.C. Thurston, and A.J. Elliot. The officers elected were W.G. Washburn, president; F.H. Jordan, vice president; J.W. Strout, cashier; and F.A. Shaw, assistant cashier.[15]
On March 3, 1931, W.G. Washburn announced the Thomaston National Bank was sold to Financial Institutions, Inc. The bank was the oldest in Knox County having been established as a State bank in 1825 and made a national bank in 1865. The new owners bought the stock at $340 a share, the highest price previously paid for it being $150 a share. There would be no change in the personnel of the bank.[16]
On Monday, September 21, 1931, at a directors' meeting held in the banking rooms of the new Thomaston National Bank, the following officers were elected: Richard O. Elliot, president; Frank D. Elliot, executive vice president; Richard E. Dunn, vice president; Lizzie S. Levensaler, cashier; Charles M. Starrett and Frances A. Shaw, assistant cashiers; Mary McPhail and Gladys Doherty, bookkeepers. The new organization was formed by the consolidation of the Georges National Bank and the Thomaston National Bank, doing business under the name of the latter and occupying the banking rooms which were enlarged and remodeled a few years ago, the effects of the Georges National Bank having been removed while four State Policemen stood guard.[17]
Official Bank Title
1: The Thomaston National Bank, Thomaston, ME
Bank Note Types Issued
A total of $1,331,330 in National Bank Notes was issued by this bank between 1865 and 1931. This consisted of a total of 167,656 notes (156,712 large size and 10,944 small size notes).
This bank issued the following Types and Denominations of bank notes:
Series/Type Sheet/Denoms Serial#s Sheet Comments Original Series 3x1-2 1 - 1000 Original Series 4x5 1 - 2600 Original Series 3x10-20 1 - 2300 Series 1875 4x5 1 - 2122 Series 1875 3x10-20 1 - 1794 1882 Brown Back 4x5 1 - 4947 1882 Brown Back 3x10-20 1 - 3267 1902 Red Seal 4x5 1 - 1865 1902 Red Seal 3x10-20 1 - 1154 1902 Date Back 4x5 1 - 3000 1902 Date Back 3x10-20 1 - 2380 1902 Plain Back 4x5 3001 - 10615 1902 Plain Back 3x10-20 2381 - 7514 1929 Type 1 6x5 1 - 1152 1929 Type 1 6x10 1 - 555 1929 Type 1 6x20 1 - 117
Bank Presidents and Cashiers
Bank Presidents and Cashiers during the National Bank Note Era (1865 - 1931):
Presidents:
- William Singer, 1865-1879
- Joshua Lane Jordan, 1880-1880
- Christopher Prince, 1881-1893
- Charles H. Washburn, 1894-1919
- William Goodrich Washburn, 1920-1930
Cashiers:
- Oliver Robinson, 1865-1876
- Augustus Oliver Robinson, 1877-1877
- Frank H. Jordan, 1878-1924
- James Walter Strout, 1925-1930
Other Known Bank Note Signers
- No other known bank note signers for this bank
Bank Note History Links
Sources
- Thomaston, ME, on Wikipedia
- Don C. Kelly, National Bank Notes, A Guide with Prices. 6th Edition (Oxford, OH: The Paper Money Institute, 2008).
- Dean Oakes and John Hickman, Standard Catalog of National Bank Notes. 2nd Edition (Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 1990).
- Banks & Bankers Historical Database (1782-1935), https://spmc.org/bank-note-history-project
- ↑ Maine Historical Society
- ↑ Bangor Daily Whig and Courier, Bangor, ME, Tue., Apr. 13, 1841.
- ↑ The Portland Daily Press, Portland, ME, Tue., Mar. 21, 1865.
- ↑ Bangor Daily Whig and Courier, Bangor, ME, Tue., Mar. 21, 1865.
- ↑ Boston Evening Transcript, Boston, MA, Wed., Apr. 22, 1885.
- ↑ Commercial, Bangor, ME, Thu., Mar. 19, 1908.
- ↑ Sun-Journal, Lewiston, ME, Fri., Jan. 12, 1894.
- ↑ The Portland Daily Press, Portland, ME, Fri., Nov. 23, 1894.
- ↑ Sun-Journal, Lewiston, ME, Wed., Feb. 20, 1901.
- ↑ Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME, Wed., Oct. 1, 1902.
- ↑ Sun-Journal, Lewiston, ME, Wed., Feb. 8, 1911.
- ↑ Portland Press Herald, Portland, ME, Fri., May 26, 1922.
- ↑ Sun-Journal, Lewiston, ME, Wed., Feb. 16, 1927.
- ↑ Portland Press Herald, Portland, ME, Wed., Jan. 15, 1930.
- ↑ Portland Press Herald, Portland, ME, Thu., Jan. 15, 1931.
- ↑ The Boston Globe, Boston, MA, Wed., Mar. 4, 1931.
- ↑ Portland Press Herald, Portland, ME, Wed., Sep. 23, 1931.