Capt. Ruben Blanchard and Christina Loring Blanchard married Feb 15, 1821 and settled on a farm in the town of Cumberland, Me., in 1830. Ruben served in the state legislature in 1853 and as town tax collector in Cumberland in 1850. They had seven children, including including Persis De Forrest Blanchard and Frank Weld Blanchard, both of whom are especially prominent in the collection. Of special interest are the letters of Persis, a single woman, which richly describe life during Civil War times. Frank and his wife, Elizabeth, had two children, including Fred Sweetser Blanchard, a dairy farmer in Cumberland, who is also prominently featured in the collection.
From the description of Blanchard family papers, 1794-1971 (bulk 1845-1945). (Maine Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 166427849
