The History of the Mary Kay-Wilder House
Information compiled and written by Doreen Bartlett

In Book 25, page 417, dated June 26, 1825, land and buildings were purchased from Andrew, John and Thomas Foster (they were heirs of Bossenger Foster), and this is listed on page 24 of the annals of Oxford. Major Winthrop Norton of Portland purchased a portion of this land for $2, 700.00 This deed mentions land and buildings, but we can't be sure it is this structure, or maybe only a portion of it. Winthrop Norton was one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Oxford and served on many committees for town affairs. He was a large land owner and very wealthy for the times.

In Book 105, page 51, Sally Norton sold to Joseph French, for $750.00, land and buildings, this being a portion of the estate of Winthrop Norton. The executor was Edwin A. Norton, the son of Winthrop and his first wife, Dorothy Gowell. This deed was dated April 3, 1853. Sally Norton was the second wife of Winthrop Norton. She was the widow pf Jonathan Symonds. Her death was listed as August 13, 1865. Joseph French was a son of John French, and with a family of eight, lived in New Hampshire and in Norway for a time before coming to Oxford. Joseph married Lorana Edwards of Otisfield, and for a time they lived in Oxford.

In Book 107, page 197, George Hayes and Edmond Hayes of Oxford sold to Joseph French, for $400.00, a parcel of land numbered 23 on the Alexander Greenwood plan of Hebron. This was listed as 50 acres.

In Book 450, page 220, James L. Kay bought land and buildings for $2, 700 from A. M. French and Roxie French. This deed was dated November 4, 1889. James Kay was born near Leeds, England on September 4, 1857 and came to Oxford at the age of 22 to work for a distant relative, J. Robinson and worked here at the woolen mill. His wife, Lillian Jordon, was born in Oxford on October 15, 1862. They bought the Pleasant St. home soon after they married and all ten of their children were born here. Each child went to college, business or nursing school.

Mr. Kay worked in nearly every department of the mill and in 1898 was promoted to superintendent. In 1935, the Kays celebrated their 50th Golden Wedding Anniversary  and all their children came home. It was the first time they had all been together in 35 years.  James Kay lived 101 years and his wife lived to be 93. They celebrated their 61st anniversary in 1946. They had nine living children and four granddaughters. I was unable to find all the data I needed but I have listed, below, what I did find.

Harry
Jessie Wheeler
Vera
Mary (born 1891 - died 1894)
James Jr. (born 1893 - died 1944 - had a daughter Mary Lou)
Charles (born 1896 - died 1973)
Albert (born 1899 - dies 1971)
Louise (mother of Patty, Gretta and Betty)
Beatrice

In Book 621, page 124, the Pleasant St. residence and former home of James L. Kay was deeded to Mary Kay-Wilder by Mary Lou and Joseph Martinez of Miami, Florida. This was dated July 30, 1963, and she lived here until her death in 1984 at the age of 93.

In Book 1330, page 061, Gretta Gould Clifford of Cape Elizabeth, being a niece of Mrs. Wilder gave the property to the Town of Oxford. This deed was dated July 3, 1985.

In the 1985 town report, on article 70, the town voted to accept the Mary Kay-Wilder house and one piece of land for a museum type building. If for any reason it is unable to maintain the building, the land and buildings will be returned to the donor.

In the 1987 town report, the condition was subsequently modified to state of the town is unable to maintain these premises, it is to be sold at fair market value and the proceeds are to be used to establish a trust find to support a scholarship for the training of local residents as nurses.

The ultimate goal, by the terms of the gift, is that the house become a repository of artifacts associated with the history of the town of Oxford, and that artifacts should be displayed in an "open house" setting for the enjoyment of the people of Oxford and surrounding communities.