26 , Baxter Ross

There is a beautifully-sculpted model sailboat on the window ledge above the Chesterfield in Baxter Ross’s home in Pinette. The boat is one he built himselfin 1930 and named Nina, after his wife, Nina Miller.

Baxter has spent his life in this community, next to the sea. He and his two brothers were raised here by his parents Robert Ross and Mary Ann MacDonald. He and his wife raised their three boys and one girl here. Baxter has witnessed many changes in Pinette but, for him, the sea and his little schooner are constants.

I ’m Baxter Ross and I’ll tell you all I know about Pinette Comer ”way back, as far as I can remember. First of all, down there, there was a big steam mill — Baker’s Mill. It was right almost on the shore there. I don’t remember that but I heard a lot about it. And then this Vickerson, Albert Vickerson came, and he built this big tannery. There was a lot of men worked there... . There was a big blacksmith shop right across the bridge from the tannery. Right across. A shoe shop on the comer. And a store. And the post office was there. And what else was down there at the Comer? There was a tailor shop making men’s suits and everything. Sam Penny. His brother Peter had the shop at Eldon. Great tailor. Made a great suit. Ah, it was a lively little place.

Youngster

We didn’t have a very big place. My father only had 10 acres. He drove the mail and farmed all his life... . Lot of snow to go through and bad storms. When he died, my brother took over the mail, and he drove it till he died. Just two brothers and myself.

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