DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am trying to find out if there ever was a cattle pound in either Lewiston or Auburn. — Jean, jthomp@localnet.com

ANSWER: Sun Spots had no idea what a cattle pound was — or is — so she emailed Jean for clarification. Jean said that “a cattle pound is a lot like a stone wall but in a square with a gate to put stray cattle in during the late 1800s. Farmers could go there and claim their cows, maybe pay a small fee to get them back.

“Some towns have restored them, and it is a nice part of history. I know Lewiston-Auburn was a great farming area, but I cannot find information on the pounds.

“I thought maybe there was someone out there who just might remember. Harpswell has a nice picture of one in their history online.

(Sun Spots looked up that site; it is at www.harpswellhistorical.org/history/cattle/cattle.htm.)

“I take a ride now and then just to see the difference in the pounds and I take pictures of them. I am also taking pictures of Civil War monuments.”

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DEAR SUN SPOTS: Grant’s Bakery is trying to compile its history. We’re hoping your readers might have photos or memorabilia of products, locations, receipts (early to mid-1900s) and news articles featuring Grant’s Bakery, Grant & Grant Catering, Alton L Grant’s candy shoppe or Quality Market (1930s when owned by the Grants).

Should you have any memorabilia you’d be willing to share with the Grants, please drop it off or mail it to Grant’s Bakery (525 Sabattus St., Lewiston, ME 04240).

If you’d like it returned, we’d be happy to do so; please make sure your name and address are included. Thanks in advance for sharing our history with us! — Kari Grant-Gagnon, karigg@oxfordnetworks.net, 207-783-2226

DEAR SUN SPOTS: My youngest grandson was asking me about our immigrant grandfather, Thomas Allen, who lived in Buckfield. He was one of the first settlers there along with Abijah Buck.

He was a British soldier sent here to patrol the streets of Boston and was in the Boston Massacre. He was so outraged by this he became a traitor to the British Army and joined the American struggle, in the Army.

For his service he and his friend Buck were given land grants to settle what is now known as Buckfield. He died in Hartford in 1826.

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My youngest grandson Ian wants to go and visit his gravesite, but I have not been able to find where he is buried. He should have some sort of marker seeing he was a Revolutionary War soldier. His life is on Wikipedia. Does anyone have an idea where his gravesite is? — Robert Allen, Turner, brooms052204@yahoo.com

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Oxford Hills High School Class of 1965 is trying to find contact information for some of our classmates so we can send them an invitation to our 50th class reunion next year.

We are looking for contact information for David Austin, Patti Bean Smith, Jim Bryant, Belva Durgin, Rodney Hall, Lorraine Henderson, Bill Herrick, Christine Leach, Gilles Nadeau, Theresa Napalitano, Michael Patten, Lenny Powers, David Richards, Judi Ricker, David Rogers, Sheila Ryerson Daniels, Russell Sparks, William Sheppield, Lewis Staples, Eugene Stevens, and Carl Teilinen.

If you have any information concerning how we may reach any of the above individuals, please contact Doris Hardy-Hertell at 207-744-4030 or Donna Mawhinney at 207-743-2494 or go to Facebook at Oxford Hills High School Class of 1965. Thank you. — Ingrid Small via email

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.


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