The following article was written by Alan D. Junkins and published in JFA Newsletter No. 16, Summer 2008.
I know what's happening in and around Robert's old homestead in York, but seldom do I get much news from you or your cousins out there. Here are a few things I have heard, and seen. It may be disjointed but these are the type of things I think the other members of the association would like to hear.
Robert Joseph Bellow Junkins, born May 9, 2008 to Adam and Amber (Griffith) Junkins of Downington, PA.
Mabel Lucille Cline, born June 16, 1909, is the oldest living graduate of Bowling Green State University. She is the daughter of Ernest Eugune Emrick and Goldie Mabel Junkins. She married Milton Carl Cline now deceased. Mable has a son Lynn Emrick Cline who married Patricia Isaacson, and three grandchildren, Scott Patrick, Cynthia Lynn and Eric Cline.
Elaine G. Russell, 97, died Thursday, March 8, 2007 at Sentry Hill in York Harbor. Born, March 6, 1910, daughter of Warren and ** Carrie E. (Junkins) Miles** and had lived in Kittery, Maine for many years. She leaves a son, Richard, a daughter, Patricia and grandchildren and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Historic Loss: After 251 years, a York home is reduced to rubble. For two and a half centuries, a Georgian Colonial house overlooking the York river on land that long before belonged to the Junkins family. In a matter of a few hours on December 10, it was bulldozed down and disappeared into a pile of shattered bricks, stone, sheathing and plaster and then burned—prompting the Historic District Commission to seek the support of the Board of Selectmen in proposing changes to York's zoning laws to protect such historic homes.
The really unfortunate thing about it is the fact that the house was not visible from route 91 because of overgrown trees in what had once been a field, so nobody really was aware of it or will miss it if they didn't know it was there. Even Nancy or I did not know this was going to happen until we heard the first great crash.
"If the destruction of this historic house can sere as an equivalent wake-up call to the community of York-like the loss of Union Station did for Portland or the Pennsylvania Station did for New York—then maybe its loss will have a positive outcome on protecting other structures from similar fates in the town." - Tom Johnson, Museums of Old York
New Members: Last Sunday, we called Ruth and Tom Hodgin to see if we could stop by for a few minutes at the beach for a visit. They had company but said sure, you know these people, come on down. We arrived and it was Ruth's nephew, David Junkins and his wife Kathleen and their daughter Carolyn Junkins Anderson. We had a nice visit and after talking with them for awhile about the Junkins clan and what they hadn't seen yet in York, we made arrangements to have them come over to Old York the next morning to see The Junkins Family Scottish Heritage Room at the Historical Society. They were thrilled with the room, the sampler, and the cradle used by generations of Junkins in the Junkins Garrison. From there, we went to the Three Trees Burial Ground to see the graves of Robert Junkins, his wife Sarah, and son Joseph Junkins and his infant baby. Then, on to our house to visit the site of the Garrison and have some refreshments.
All of this enticed them into joining the Junkins Family Association. They left for home, each carrying a brick made in York in 1699 that was from the chimney of the Garrison. Thank you David, Kathleen, and Carolyn, newest members of the JFA.