A Nash Island Story
In January of 1916 the Purrington family moved to Nash Island, 3 miles off the coast of South Addison, Maine. John Purrington had been a lighthouse keeper at three other Maine lighthouses before being assigned to Nash Island Light. His family included his wife Ellen, daughters Mary and Genevieve (Jenny) and 5 sons. Jenny was 4 when the family arrived on Nash Island. Soon 2 more boys were added to the family.
When Jenny was a girl she kept a flock of sheep on the neighboring Big Nash Island. Her father retired in 1935. Jenny married Stanley Cirone and lived in South Addison. Her sheep remained on the islands and she continued to tend them into her nineties.
Over the years Jenny worked hauling lobster traps and caring for her sheep. She attended the sheep during lambing season and sheared them. She made use of the exceptional wool, either hauling it to a wool pool in Canada or having it made into blankets in Maine. Later Jani Estell of Starcroft Fibers milled and dyed beautiful yarn from the wool. Jenny’s longtime friends, the Wakeman family, helped and eventually took on care of the sheep.
The flock’s wool is long and lustrous. The wild conditions on the islands and their diet keep the fleece strong and amazingly clean. Bel & Paul Vassar of Pict Wool were invited to help at shearing time and to take on the milling of the Nash Island wool. We are honored beyond words to be a part of this continuing tradition.
To learn more visit https://www.nashislandlight.org/
Paradise
Some of the nearest sheep to the mill live at Paradise Farm in Lyndeborough, NH. They graze the hill alongside cattle, pigs and chickens. Wayne’s flock is predominantly Romney. They grow large fleeces which make a wonderful yarn and we have been glad to acquire the Paradise Romney wool to showcase our milling. Here’s a little from the Paradise Farm website: “When Adrienne and Wayne first bought the land back in 2002, the farm it is today was only a faint glimmer in their minds. They’ve spent the last 20 years grooming the land, planting fruit trees and berry bushes, Christmas Trees, creating pastures, and opening up an absolutely breathtaking view from the top of the hill — so many shades of greens, hills and valleys! If you come visit you’ll see the cows and goats first as you come up the drive.” Learn all about them here Paradise Farm, Lyndeborough, NH
Hornburg Brewing
Another local flock we work with is made up of the Jacob sheep at Hornburg Brewing in Hancock, NH. They produce a spotted fleece which we hand sort for a variety of natural colors. Go to the Taproom and have a beer and buy some yarn! https://www.hornburgbrewingcompany.com/