Fred Ryder, Bangor, 1864
Contributed by Maine Historical Society and Maine State Museum
Description
Fred Ryder was an orphan who lived with his uncle in Bangor. He sold candy on the streets. In cold weather, he visited John Martin's store on Center Street and asked for work.
Martin (1823-1904) hired Ryder to deliver goods for him. Martin provided the boy with some clothes and boots and employed him for 16 months until April 1864 when he found him work on a farm and a chance to go to school.
The illustrations, on page 596 of the Martin's "Journal" that he wrote and illustrated beginning in 1864 reflecting on his life and activities, show Ryder, at left, as he looked when he began working for Martin and the boy, at right, after he had been on the farm for six months.
Martin wrote, "I claim the change in this boy which I wrought wholly by my advice and kind usage, and he is the third boy which I have influenced and started in the same way."
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