A Pettingill Family Heirloom with Rich History
Some objects carry more than age–they carry stories. One such piece, an early 1800s settee once belonging to the Pettingill family, has finally returned to its roots in Monmouth, Maine.
The settee began its journey in Monmouth with Ichabod and Martha Pettingill. When they later relocated to Memphis, Missouri to be closer to their son, Judge Newland Pettingill, they brought their treasured belongings with them–including the settee. Over time, it became more than furniture. Family members fondly remembered napping on it while listening to Martha read aloud, creating moments that would echo across generations.
After Ichabod and Martha passed, the settee was inherited by Judge Newland and his wife, Bettie. They had three daughters, all of whom cherished the piece. By 1943, both parents were gone, and the sisters faced a familiar dilemma–who would keep the beloved heirloom? The settee ultimately went to Melinda, the only sister still living in Memphis.
But its story took an unexpected turn. With little space in her home, Melinda stored the settee in her barn, where it spent years alongside mules during the Great Depression and World War II–a humble chapter for such a treasured object.
Later, the settee was passed to Grace, daughter of Melinda’s sister Helena, as a furnighins for her fist home in Iowa. Grace, however, preferred more modern tastes and replaced it with a davenport as soon as she could afford to do so.
In 1947, Grace returned the settee to her mother, Helena, who had it reupholstered in a rosy red fabric. Settled in Mexico, Missouri, the settee once gain became part of family life. Helena’s grandchildren gathered on it to watch Howdy Doody, Roy Rogers, and other childhood favorites–adding a new layer of memories to its long history.
The settee continued its journey when Helena’s granddaughter, Melinda, received it in 1979 while living in Massachusetts. It traveled across the country with her to California in 1986, before eventually returning to New England in 1993.
Reflecting on the piece, Melinda shared, “I have happy memories of the settee, but it is fragile for my husband and boys.”
Recognizing both its sentimental and historic value, she made a meaningful decision. In 2025, the settee was donated to its permanent home at the Monmouth Museum–bringing it full circle, back to the town where its story began more than two centuries ago.
Today, the settee resides in the living room of the Blossom House, one of the museum’s nine historic buildings. Visitors can see it in person and discover how–and why–it now features its elegant Victorian light-print upholstery.
. three daughters wanted the settee. Sister Melinda, because she was the only one living in Memphis, Missouri, got the settee. Having no room in her houses, the settee whiled away the years of the Great Depression and World War II in the company of mules in Melinda’s barn. It was then given to Grace, the daughter of Melinda’s sister, Helena, for her first home in Iowa. Grace did not like the settee and replaced it with a modern davenport as soon as she saved enough money.
In 1947, Grace gave the settee to her mother, Helena, who had it freshly upholstered in a rosey red. The settee resided in Mexico, Missouri, where it again created memories for Helena’s grandchildren who sat upon it to watch Howdy Doody and Roy Rogers and enjoy other childish pastimes. Grace’s daughter, Melinda, received the settee in 1979 in Massachusetts. In 1986, Melinda moved to California and the settee went with her.
Melinda says, “I have happy memories of the settee, but it is fragile for my husband and boys.” Melinda moved back to New England in 1993 and in 2025 donated the beloved family settee to a forever home with the Monmouth Museum, Inc. It sits in the Blossom House, one of the nine buildings owned by the museum. Come see this settee in person to learn how and why it acquired its new Victorian light print upholstery.
| Figure 1. Pettingill Settee in the Blossom House of the Monmouth Museum, Inc. |
The Monmouth Museum, Inc, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of Monmouth’s history. The museum is managed solely by devoted volunteers and includes the Blossom House, Carriage House, Stencil Shop, Cobbler Shop, Corn Crib, Blacksmith Shop, Country Store, Freight Shed, North Monmouth Library and their contents depicting life from the 1800’s to post WWII. It is supported by donations and purchases at the museum gift shop. Docent-guided tours are available while the gift shop is open Wednesday and Saturday from 10AM to 3PM and Thursday and Friday from 1PM to 5PM. The tours are free, though we gratefully accept donations. The gift shop features vintage gift items in good to excellent conditionThis section provides an overview of the blog, showcasing a variety of articles, insights, and resources to inform and inspire readers.
Visit the Monmouth Museum
The Monmouth Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the rich history of Monmouth, Maine. Operated entirely by volunteers, the museum village includes the Blossom House, Carriage House, Stencil Shop, Cobbler Shop, Corn Crib, Freight Shed, and Country Store. Around the corner is the Blacksmith Shop and across town the North Monmouth Library. Together, these buildings and their collections depict everyday life from the 1800s through the post-World War II era.
Docent-guided tours are avaiable during gift shop hours:
- Wednesday & Saturday: 10 AM – 3 PM
- Thursday & Friday: 1 PM – 5 PM
Tours are free, though donations are always appreciated.
Be sure to visit the museum gift shop featuring a thoughtfully curated selection of vintage items and locally handcrafted goods.
748 Main Street, Monmouth, Maine
Come experience a piece of history–and see how one well-traveled settee finally found it way home.