| Creator/Compiler | John West Haley |
| Repository | Dyer Library Archives & Special Collections |
| Inclusive Dates | 1758-1921 |
| Bulk Dates | 1862-1865 |
| Collection Size | 13 linear feet |
| Bio/Hist. Notes | John
Haley. His life spanned eighty-one year; he was born March 3, 1840, and
died April 7, 1921, of liver and stomach ailments contracted during the
Civil War, which had plagued him throughout his life. He was the only
son of Nathan G. Haley and Hitty (Mehitable) Barnes Lee. Three girls
were also born to the Haley’s but all died fairly young. John was
employed as an alley boy in old number four mill on the York ( York
Mills, which manufactured fine textiles) at fifty cents per day and
counted himself quite well-to-do. It provided him with food for the
family. He remained there seven years and finally received the grand
sum of seventy-five cents per day. The great Panic of 1857 closed the
mill. He then worked at the Saco Water Power Shop until the Civil War
broke out. From his description, his enlistment was more a matter of
saving face with is friends than an affair of patriotism. In 1861, John
Haley concluded that he had a duty to perform but hesitated about
embarking on troubled seas. He feared he lacked the qualities which
soldiers so much needed. Haley served in Company I, 17th Main Volunteer
Regiment from August 7, 182, the day the regiment was formed, to June
10, 1865, the date it was mustered out. He described himself as a
solider “below criticism..” A poor fighter who achieved
successful mediocrity. Sick, weary, starving, disgusted wit the
military, John nonetheless was unwavering in his belief in the Union
and determined to protect it at all costs. June 19, 1865, Haley
returned to civilian life and to the shop he had left three years
before— the same room, the same boss, the same job. He was too
restless to settle back into the old run, however, and secured a
position as a night watchman at Portland-Saco-Portsmouth Railroad. Here
he also worked as clerk and freight agent, then as York County’s
first telegrapher, but in 1877 the railroad underwent a change of
management and he was again out of a job. Meanwhile he had married
Abbie A. Batchelder, and they had two children. Adelaide and George.
Having no means of supporting his family after the railroad let him go,
he traded his home for a farm named Toad’s Island in local
parlance. He wasn’t at the Dayton farm long enough to put down
roots, for his venture in agriculture ended within a year and he took a
position as bookkeeper with the Saco and Biddeford Gas-Light Company.
He later spoke proudly of his fourteen years there and his efficient
disbursement of funds. He was employed by the Record in 1891 to canvass
for subscriptions but was unsuccessful in this job. When the Dyer
Library opened its doors for the first time in 1892 and John was
offered the position as librarian, he leapt at the opportunity. He held
this position for twentyeight years. Haley was already recognized as
the area historian and was never happier than when in the world of
books. He was a voracious treader and devoured everything on Maine history, with a special interest in the Saco Valley, the Indian raids, forts on the Saco River, and the Revolutionary War, leaving his research for today’s historian—The Dyer Library’s “John Haley Papers” and the Saco Museum “Adelaide Haley Papers.” John was also a genealogist, an artist of considerable talent and a popular speaker on diverse subjects and also produced a scholarly paper on the history of libraries. His interests ranged from poetry and philosphy to body-building. In terms of the latter, he was never proud of his short stature and described himself as having an “excess of adipose tissue.” He maintinaed an exercise regime of weight-lifing and long daily walks. His white hair and black frock coat were a familiar sight as he same striding down Main Street in Saco. |
| Scope/Content Notes | As first librarian of Dyer Library and past Civil War Soldier, the John Haley papers contains numerous personal writings about local history, the civil war, social issues and personal musings. This is the greatest bulk of his papers. We also have the John Haley Civil War diaries handwritten in school tablets. These diaries have been written and re-written by John Haley himself in order to embellish many of his experiences. |
| Provenance | Provenance. This collection was a part of the Dyer Library’s archives records. Since John Haley was the first head librarian, all his materials, notes, photographs were housed in the library. There are no accessions records so there is no way of knowing if some of these papers came directly from the John Haley estate or from Adelaide Haley, his daughter. Until documentation can be found, we will assume provenance as written here. Note: A very small number of papres (letters of John Haley) were donated by DeWolfe and Wood antiquarian book dealers in 2004. These papers were introduced into the collection. |
| Restrictions | Unrestricted |
| Series Descriptions | Series 1. Correspondences. This
series contains John Haley’s letters to various people including
letters to editors. There are also correspondences written to John by
various people. Series 2. Personal writings of John Haley. This is one of the larger series in this collection. John Haley constanting wrote about events going on in Saco and Biddedord. He wrote his personal thoughts on a variety of subjects. He wrote poetry—either his own or copies from other sources. He kept lists of items, name of peoples, lists of books read, etc. He personal views on politics and religion are in abundance here as well as personal view about life in general. This series is separted into two subseries. The first subseries houses all his diaries and/or journals in which he wrote many of his thoughts. The second subseries are individual writings, musings, poetry and local interest pieces. Many of these “so-called” musings were written on back of books, envelopes, discarded stationery, etc. He also wrote commentaries on daily happenings. Note that not all musings are indexed. Series 3. Research Notes. John Haley was the town historian and did a great deal of research on the history of Saco and Biddeford. His writings helped him put together books on local history. His interest in Saco Forts, Indian raids and other local history are evident in his research notes. A large portion of this series contains John Haley’s writings on the “History of Saco & Biddeford.” Series 4. Civil War Papers. This series contains all of John Haley’s civil war diaries, reminiscences of the war, statistics on the Civil and miscellaneous ephemera realting to the war including newspapers clippings and a scrapbook. Series 5. John Haley, Librarian Dyer Library. In tihs series we find John Haley’s writings on librarianship, collection records, lists of suggested books, catalogs of the Dyer Library Collection and personal comments about the Dyer Library and its relationship with the city of Saco. Series 6. Genealogical notes. John Haley gathered vital stats on births and deaths of local residents. He also compiled a list of early family names of Biddeford and Saco. Lastely, his own research on the Haley family name. Series 7. Scrapbooks. There are only three scrapbooks in the John Haley Collection. The first two are small and contains locals news and humor. The larger photograph scrapbook books contains local advertisments and world figures. Again, Mr. Haley the librarian, was one that collected numerous photos, articles and ephemera in order to become knowledgeable in all subjects. Series 8. Subject Interests. This series contains newspaper clippings and articles on various topics that John Haley was interested in. This series is broken down into subjects, i.e. religion, philosophy, health, etc. Series 9. Photographs. There are a number of photographs in John Haley’s collections of Saco Homes, places and people. We have a number of cyanotypes and a panoramic photographs of Saco, Main Street. (Click HERE for photographic index for MS18) Series 10. Maps. This collections contains a number of maps Adelaide used in her loca history research. Some of these maps are located in the Library Vault. Series 11. Miscellaneous Personal Documents. This series comprises of personal papers of John Haley including his obituaries, wedding certificates and financial interests and investments. Series 12. Books, Pamphlets, Journals. A number of books pertaining to regional history, pamphlets covering a variety of subjects and rare journals that John Haley had in his collection. One particular rare item is the Captain’s Log Book from the ship “Snow Leopard.” Series 13. Ephemera. John Haley collected a vast number of prints from books, magazines and journals which is 90% of this collection. Other items are art cards, calendars, and posters. Included in this series is a “Still Life” charcoal drawing by John Haley. |
| Organizaton of Series | Series 1. Correspondences, 1881-1921 Series 2. Personal writings
Series 6. Genealogical notes, 1896, n.d. Series 7. Scrapbooks, n.d., 1915 Series 8. Subject Interests, 1887-1920 Series 9. Photographs, 1877-1907, n.d Series 10. Maps, 1830-1913 Series 11. Personal Miscellaneous Papers, 1874-1921 Series 12. Books, Pamphlets, Journals, 1811-1919
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for John Haley Finding Aid