Capt. Melville H. Walker Papers, 1865-1932 | Maine Maritime Museum Manuscript Collection Online Catalog

T. J. Southard & Co., later known as T. J. Southard & Son (solely owned by Thomas Jefferson Southard until 1865, when his son Charles H. T. J Southard became a partner¹) was the largest shipyard in Richmond, Maine, opening in 1852.²  During its years of operation (1852-1895), T. J. Southard & Co. were also one of the most productive shipyards in Maine producing between 75 and 100 vessels of all types.³ Notably, T. J. Southard & Co. retained majority of shares in many of their vessels.  In so doing, Southard created and maintained his own merchant fleet.³ One of these merchant ships was the Olive S.Southard, which was commanded by Captain Melville H. Walker for over 17 years between the years of 1872 and 1889.

Thomas Jefferson Southard was born on May 18, 1808 in Boothbay, Maine.⁴  At the age of 11, T. J. Southard went to Richmond, Maine where he was hired as a ship’s boy and cook for Captain Solomon Blanchard.⁵ The next year Southard secured a position as an apprentice to a blacksmith in Richmond. Once the apprenticeship had finished, Southard opened a forge and became a shipsmith on the Kennebec River.⁶  Around 1837, Southard built his first ship, the schooner Texas. Between the years 1845 and 1852, T. J. Southard partnered with Stanwood Alexander and together they built 16 vessels. In 1852, Alexander died² and T. J. Southard went into business on his own with T. J. Southard & Co.¹ By 1865, Thomas’ son, Charles, had become full partner in the business and the name was changed to T. J. Southard & Son.¹  In 1871, T. J. Southard & Son built the ship Olive S. Southard, which had a tonnage of 1,193, a length of 186.2 ft., a beam of 37.1 ft., and a draft of 24.2 ft.¹

In 1831, Southard married Jane Jones Springer and together they had at least eight children: Charles H. T. J., Ellen J., Caroline G., Harriet Frances [Hussey], Mary Elizabeth [Merrill], Ellen Jane [Stoutenburg], Florianna M. [Hulbert], and Delia Davis [Tallman].⁴

In addition to his merchant shipping business, Southard also established the Southard Cotton Mill⁶ in Richmond, Maine, and a mineral springs business.⁷ Thomas Jefferson Southard died on September 20, 1896 at the age of 88.⁴

Charles H. T. J. Southard was born June 9, 1841 and was the only son of Thomas Jefferson Southard. On December 14, 1865, Charles married Olive S. Foster who became Olive S. Southard the namesake for the T. J. Southard & Son ship commanded by Melville Walker. Together they had a son, Thomas J. [Jeffie] Southard (b. abt.1869). In 1865, Charles became a partner in the firm T. J. Southard & Co.² At this time, the firm changed its name to T. J. Southard & Son. As partner in this firm, Charles’ main responsibility was bookkeeping.

Other than partnering in T. J. Southard & Son with his father, Charles also became a Notary Public for Sagadahoc County, Maine, on February 20, 1873. ⁹ Charles died October 20, 1912 at the age of 71.⁸

References cited:

1. William Armstrong Fairburn with Ethel Ritchie, ed. Merchant Sail. Vol. 5. (Center Lovell, Maine: Fairburn Marine Educational Foundation, Inc., 1955), 3314-3317. 2. George Thomas Little. Genealogical and Fam 3. “News of Shipping.” The Baltimore Sun. (September 18, 1896), 9. 4. Samuel G. Webber. A Genealogy of the Southworths (Southards) Descendants of Constant Southworth with a Sketch of the Family in England. (Boston: The Fort Hill Press, 1905), 445-446. 5. Priscilla E. Braun. “T. J. Southard, Richmond’s Builder.” Lewiston Evening Journal. (October 7, 1972). 6. “Richmond Resident Launched Ships at Early Age.” Lewiston Sun-Journal. (March 18, 1992). 7. Braun. “T. J. Southard, Richmond’s Builder.” (October 7, 1972). 8. Ancestry.com.</li></ol> "Secretary of State Correspondence, 1820-191