Searsport in Waldo County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)
Home of Clara Pendleton Blanchard 1843-1931 / La maison de Clara Pendleton Blanchard 1843-1931
Searsport, Maine
— The Museum in the Streets —
Photographed By James True, September 3, 2012
1. Home of Clara Pendleton Blanchard 1843-1931 Marker
For 40 years Clara sailed, first with her father at age nine, then with her husband, Captain William Blanchard, aboard 13 vessels in all. She enjoyed one of the longest documented lives at sea and sailed to all parts of the world. Clara was one of five sisters to marry sea captains. Over the next 19 years this seafaring couple had eight children with only one born on land. Four of her sons would go on to become masters of their own vessels. After "coming ashore" in 1904, Captain Blanchard took one last passage with their son, Captain Frederick, leaving Clara at home in Searsport where she would bear her grief. Her husband and son died when the bark Willard Mudgett was lost at sea. Photos show the vessel, Captain and Clara Blanchard as a young couple and Captain Blanchard shortly before his death.
Erected 2009 by The Museum in the Streets®. (Marker Number 15.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Waterways & Vessels • Women.
this page online
Location. 44° 27.154′ N, 68° 55.938′ W. Marker is in Searsport, Maine, in Waldo County. Marker is on West Main Street (U.S. 1), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Searsport ME 04974, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Searsport Cyclone May 22, 1921 / Le Cyclone de Searsport, le 22 mai 1921 (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Site of a Lumber Mill 1890 / Site d'une scierie, 1890 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Searsport House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Raising the Flag / Hisser le drapeau (approx. half a mile away); Early Banking / Les premières banques (approx. half a mile away); Peter Ward, Ship Carpenter: Living and Working in a Neighborhood of Artisans (approx. half a mile away); Making a Living / Gagner sa vie (approx. 0.6 miles away); Main Street, 1875 (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Searsport.
More about this marker. Marker #15 (of 17) in "The Museum in the Streets". The text on the Marker is in English, followed by a French translation.
Photographed By James True, September 3, 2012
2. Detail of Home of Clara Pendleton Blanchard 1843-1931 Marker
Photographed By James True, September 3, 2012
3. Detail of Home of Clara Pendleton Blanchard 1843-1931 Marker
Photographed By James True, September 3, 2012
4. Captain and Clara Blanchard as a young couple
Photographed By James True, September 3, 2012
5. Captain Blanchard shortly before his death.
Photographed By James True, September 3, 2012
6. Blanchard Home as it appears today
Credits. This page was last revised on December 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2012, by James True of Newark, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 550 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 7, 2012, by James True of Newark, New Jersey. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Transcription of the French text • Can you help?
