How one Portland man went from kiddie ox driver to city councilman

Thomas Bolton, blacksmith, mason and city councilor
Died 1859 at age 66

October is the month of 31 interesting, “permanent Portlanders.” I‘m posting one video per day.

Thomas Bolton worked hard from an early age. By the time Bolton was 8 years old, he was driving his stepfather’s oxen back and forth from Windham to Stroudwater.

When he he was 16, he worked for a blacksmith in Portland. Later, he enlisted in the military and he became a Captain in the militia.

He married Martha Noble in 1816 and they had 10 children together.

After his military service, Bolton owned his own blacksmith shop where he did all of the iron work for the C&O Canal, which ran from Harrison to Portland. He also built houses, employing 30 men at one time.

Bolton became a wealthy man, and was elected to the city council. He was vice president of the Mechanic Association, a mason, and head of the Alms House, too.

Then, Thomas Bolton died — a presumably very happy man.

Special thanks today to the folks at Spirits Alive who take care of the Eastern Cemetery and educate the public through outreach and walking tours.

Disclaimer: I’m not a historian. I owe everything I know to the dedicated research of those who have come before me. These character sketches are assembled from multiple (often antique) sources and sprinkled with my own conjecture.

Thomas Bolton started working at age six. By the time he died at age 66 in 1859, he was a wealthy and powerful man of Portland. Troy R. Bennett | BDN

Thomas Bolton started working at age six. By the time he died at age 66 in 1859, he was a wealthy and powerful man of Portland. Troy R. Bennett | BDN

Troy R. Bennett

About Troy R. Bennett

Troy R. Bennett is a Buxton native and longtime Portland resident whose photojournalism has appeared in media outlets all over the world.