Albert Norwood was born in Biddeford, which he always called home, although he was engaged as a fisherman or a sailor throughout the most of his life. When his savings had increased sufficiently, he bought a good farm, which his sons managed, and on which his widow and some of his children are now living. He was a lighthouse keeper from 1874 until his death, which occurred August 11, 1888.

His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Mitchell, was born in Saco, Me. They became the parents of eleven children, as follows: George, now a resident of Biddeford; Abbie, now deceased; Ida, the wife of John Wentworth, of Saco, Me.; Abraham, the subject of this sketch; Lorenzo, who lives on the homestead in Biddeford,; Nancy, also deceased; Estelle, who is the wife of Captain William Tuttle, of Cape Cod, Mass. ; Albert, who lives on the old homestead: James, living in Biddeford, who married Kate Tarbox: ) Mary, who is also at home; and Nelson, who married Stella Whitney, and resides at Biddeford. The mother also resides at the home farm.

Abraham Norwood received a practical education in the public schools of his native town. He remained at home, assisting his father in sailing and fishing until he was twenty-two years old. Then h was engaged in the manufacture of fine cigars in Dover, N.H., for two years. In 1879, shortly after his first marriage, Mr. Norwood went to Colorado, and from there traveled throughout the West, engaging in all kinds of business, from mail carrying to mining. In the spring of 1887 he returned to the place of his nativity, and was there employed in the hatter's trade for some time. In 1890 he came to this county, settling in the town of Waterford, where he bought his present farm, which was the first homestead cleared in Waterford, and was long known as the McWain farm. Mr. Norwood owns about one hundred and thirty acres of land, on which he raises hay, corn, and the smaller grains, and also carries on dairying and stock growing. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party. He is a member of the Norway Grange, and is now serving as Road Surveyor in Waterford township. Mr. Norwood was first married November 14, 1874, to Miss Carrie Thistle, who was born in Biddeford. She was a daughter of John and Loisa Thistle, of Nova Scotia, the former of whom died when she was a little girl. On March 8, 1890, he entered a second marriage, contracted with Fannie S. Libby, who was born October 26, 1846, in the town of Scarboro, Me., daughter of Cyrus and Sarah (Dyer) Libby, neither of whom is living. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Norwood is a daughter, Ruth, who was born July 6, 1891. Mrs. Norwood is a member of the Waterford

Norwood Monument, Oaks Cemetery, in back of 547 Pool Rd., Biddeford, Maine.
Abraham and Nancy Norwood and most of their children are buried here.
Abigail W (Norwood) Tarbox and Capt. Edwin Tarbox.

It should be noted that The Oaks Cemetery is located on the banks of the Saco River. It is also located about 1/2 mile from where the Norwood Home stood from about 1804 to 1950's when it was sold to The University Of New England. Bob Norwood was the last of 5 generations to live there. He has a picture of this home on his site that is linked to this site.

Facing the monument, the grave of Capt. Edwin Tarbox and Abigail is to the left, and to the right you can see Wood Island Light. Many that are buried here have been keepers of Wood Island Lighthouse. Abraham Norwood was keeper in the early 1800's as well as his son-in-law Capt. Edwin Tarbox in the 1870s.

This is a photo taken in 1888 or 1899 of my Great Grandmother Achsah (Tarbox) Lord Patterson, daughter of Capt. Edwin Tarbox and Abigail W. Norwood. Her Grandparents were Abraham and Nancy Norwood. The photos that will be included were in her old album, so could be Norwood's or Tarbox's.

NORWOOD or TARBOX Photographs

The people in the following photographs from the 19th century have not been identified yet. If you recognize these folks from your own photo collection, please contact Jeanette Nadreau. If you are an expert in dating photos by clothing, hairstyles, or other means, please help us with your expertise.