Contributed by Penobscot Marine Museum
Description
The so-called Marie Antoinette house was built in 1774 on land on Westport Island, claimed by the Decker family since at least 1751.
In 1793, during the French Revolution, Captain Joseph Decker's son-in-law Stephen Clough, for whom Clough's Ledges in the Sheepscot River were named, was in France. Legend has it that he planned to save Queen Marie Antoinette's life by taking her to Maine to live in this house, which he had purchased from Joseph Decker. However, she was arrested before he could intervene.
When he returned to Maine, he brought with him French china and furniture, said by some to be Marie Antoinette's. At least four other places in America, including an entire village called "Azelium" near Athens, Pennsylvania, were made ready for her and her court.
In 1838 this house was moved across the Sheepscot River on flat-bottomed boats called gundalows and hauled by oxen to a site overlooking the river in Edgecomb.
About This Item
- Title: Marie Antoinette house, North Edgecomb, ca. 1930
- Creation Date: circa 1930
- Subject Date: circa 1793
- Location: North Edgecomb, Lincoln County, ME
- Media: Postcard
- Dimensions: 12.7 cm x 17.8 cm
- Local Code: 105208
- Collection: Eastern Illustrating & Publishing Co.
- Object Type: Image
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Legends
- Marie Antoinette, Queen, consort of Louis XVI, King of France, 1755-1793.
- Westport Island (Me.)
People
Other Keywords
For more information about this item, contact:
Penobscot Marine MuseumPO Box 498, 5 Church Street, Searsport, ME 04974
(207) 548-2529
Website
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