Jesse Mighels, Portland,

Contributed by Maine Historical Society

Jesse Mighels, Portland,

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Description

Dr. Jesse Wedgewood Mighels was a physician whose passion was conchology, or the study of shells. He amassed a large collection of shells, many from Casco Bay.

Mighels was a founding member of the Portland Society of Natural History in 1843. Prior to moving from Portland to Ohio, Mighels sold his entire shell collection for $1,000 to the PSNH, consisting of more than 3000 mollusk species and nearly 10,000 specimens., Mighels wrote a telegram after hearing about the 1854 fire,
"My Dear Sir: Is it possible that my beautiful collection of shells is destroyed? Is it all ruined? Must I know I can see that collection no more? The work of nine years of delightful enthusiastic industry—is it all gone? . . . Your beautiful collections of shells, and birds, and minerals and fossils-alas, are they all lost?"

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About This Item

  • Title: Jesse Mighels, Portland,
  • Creation Date: circa 1860
  • Subject Date: circa 1860
  • Location: Portland, Cumberland County, ME
  • Media: Photographic print
  • Local Code: Coll. 901_B4F3 / 1991.134
  • Object Type: Image

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For more information about this item, contact:

Maine Historical Society
485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
Website

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