Maine Memory Network

Contributed by Aroostook County Historical and Art Museum

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Description

In 1826 Shepard Cary opened a small store in his father's house in what was then Houlton Plantation. In 1828, the U.S. Army built the Hancock Barracks just up the hill from his store. Shepard and his father were involved in the construction of the fort and Cary became one of its principal suppliers.

Shepard became sutler to the barracks in 1837, a position he held until 1841. A sutler was an important aspect of such a northern and isolated military outpost like Hancock Barracks, they supplied all non-military items that the men and officers could not get elsewhere typically, tobacco, coffee, and sugar. Sutlers often ending up with a monopoly on the items they sold.

Shepard went on to operate one of the largest woods operations in northern Maine as well as becoming a prestigious Maine political leader.

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About This Item

• Title: Sutler agreement with Shepard Cary, Houlton, 1837
• Creation Date: 1837-06-24
• Subject Date: 1837-06-24
• Location: Houlton, Aroostook County, ME
• Media: Ink on Paper
• Dimensions: 25.4 cm x 40.6 cm
• Object Type: Text

Cross Reference Searches

Standardized Subject Headings

• Businesses--Maine--Houlton
• Forts & fortifications--Maine Barracks--Maine.
• Hancock Barracks (Houlton, Me.)
• Sutlers
• United States. Army--Facilities--Maine--Houlton

People

• Cary, Shephard
• Jones, Roger Catesby
• Poinsett , Joel Roberts

Other Keywords

• Army
• Aroostook War
• Civilian
• Merchant
• Military outpost
• Pork and Beans War
• Provisions
• Quartermaster
• Sutler
• The Bloodless Aroostook War
• Victualer

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More to Consider

Item 15424

Shepard Cary, Houlton, 1805-1866

Item 16290

Cary House, Military Street, Houlton, ca. 1925

Item 25700

Shepard Cary, Houlton, 1840

Exhibit

Shepard Cary: Lumberman, Legislator, Leader and Legend

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