This is the story of how a No. 5C model Flexible Flyer sled came home to roost. In 1884 the Agnew family took ownership of the house at 5 Pearl Street that is now the Captain Jefferds Inn. Captain William Jefferds had passed away in 1851 and his wife Sarah had passed on in 1871. The Agnew family ended up owning the house from 1884 through 1944.
In 1903 Catherine Sanford Agnew married Edgar Stirling Auchincloss. After her marriage, Catherine had ties to the Maine property as well as property in Connecticut. Catherine and Edgar had four children between 1904 and 1909. Sometime between 1915 and 1921 they acquired a Flexible Flyer sled. When they were in Maine the sled would rest on the porch of the Pearl Street house when it was not being used to fly down local Kennebunkport hills.
In the 1930's the sled made its way to Connecticut where local lore holds that Catherine, known locally as “Balma” would gleefully ride it belly flop style from the Library at the Gunnery School in Washington Depot, CT down to the Mayflower Inn.
In 2012 the sled ended up in an estate sale in Connecticut where a friend of Erik’s son Jonathan came across the now antique Flexible Flyer. The friend got talking with Lee Auchincloss and realized that the sled had ties to the property now owned by Jonathan’s father. She scooped up the sled and gave it to Jonathan who presented it to Erik for Christmas. It is pretty amazing that this lovely sled managed to make its way back home to the porch where it used to rest in the early 1900s.
For folks interested in the history of Flexible Flyer sleds, the No. 5C model was produced between 1915 to about 1928. This series utilized an all steel front end initiated on the Tuxedo Racer a few years before. Part way through the series the logo on the center of the sled was modified. In 1921 the eagle in the logo started carrying a sled whereas before it was an American shield. We know that this particular sled was manufactured before 1921 because in the logo the eagle carries an American shield.
". . . Then in 2007, we decided to spend New Year's Eve in Maine. Yes, our friends thought us crazy - why would anyone go to Maine in the depth of winter? Snow instead of palm trees? That was the first time we stayed at the Capt. Jefferds Inn. The morning after we arrived, we woke to a significant snowfall, close to a foot of the most brilliant white blanketing the grounds. The sun made it sparkle! It was magic for me - though I'm sure not so sweet for the residents. Charles drove me all around, stopping every few minutes so I could jump out and take another must-have photo. Hours later, red-cheeked, feet soaked (Uggs not so water-proof), we returned to warm up in front of the fire with tea and cookies and share our stories with other guests. Kennebunkport at its best!"
". . . our friend Eloise, the Inn's dog, lives there; she is always so much fun and she tells us about the best places in Kennebunkport where we can play (we love Goose Rocks beach). Upon arrival we're always greated by their friendly staff and best of all when we go into our luxurious room there is always a delicious cookie waiting for us. Last time we even found a brand new tennis ball for us! After taking a long stroll down Ocean Ave. in the winter mom & dad always seem so cold, we often think 'where are their fur coats...' but when we get back they always seem to enjoy the room where they get hot tea and cookies; looks kinda cool but we're not allowed in there. It's always sad when our vacation comes to an end because we love Captain Jefferds and the hospitality of Sarah and Erik but we're quickly cheered up with a walk through the downtown and a visit to Scalawags on our way out and knowing we'll be back soon."
