The Mystery of the Lemaitre

Parchment

I’m Java Benitez, a rising Junior at South Windsor High School and an aspiring novelist/poet who enjoys the exploration of disorienting, creepy and downright dark themes through metaphorical and descriptive writing. With stories about intrapersonal relationships, societal taboos, and frequent analyses of the morbid human mind, I bring to attention details glossed over the world’s eye through stories, whether those details be unpleasantries or something far more sinister. Novelism is something I have always expressed interest in even as a young child and is something I wish to pursue in my future, through the creation of a murky and fantastical universe in which my mind occupies.

I'm Madison Pramuka, a writer and a poet who is inspired by nature and the beauty of the world, but also the vileness that coexists in it. Even the simplicity of life entertains my work as I try to capture how simple humans really are, but also the paradox of their complexity. Ever since I was young I’ve been influenced by the arts, whether that be through paintings, books, or movies, it all inspires me just the same. I’ve become really motivated to start writing because of the way literature captures an alternate reality, while arts such as painting only give a glimpse into that world. I am going into my junior year at Cromwell High school. In my free time, I really enjoy reading, drawing, and writing, and music has also influenced my life quite a bit. In the future, I hope to create a better world by inspiring others with my art.

I'm Mary Jordan, a prolific writer, and over the years I have learned to express my thoughts in many forms of writing, from narrative fiction to freeform poetry. Sometimes I use this medium as a method of escapism, while other times I use it to explore myself and make peace with the challenges I face. I find my inspiration from a variety of sources, which helps me create new ideas and strengthen existing ones. I am a vivid daydreamer and an optimist at heart, and my writing is a part of me that I hold very dear.

The Trenton Times was a popular weekly newspaper of the 20th century, often logging shocking world events as well as news from inside the New Jersey capital. This particular article goes on to describe a tragedy the well-known Wilson family endured. A transcript has been provided here

"The bodies of five Wilson family members were recovered late last night after the wealthy household was set ablaze by an unknown cause. Of the five that have been recovered, only two have been recognised as Richard and Cynthia Wilson, both sustaining over seventeen stab wounds and three gunshot wounds. The other unidentified members sustained similar injuries. Three members of the household are still reported to be missing, including fifteen-year-old Mary-Anne Wilson, nine-year-old Kathleen Wilson, and the maid, thirty-two-year-old Margaret Thompson, who was with child at the time of the attack. An official report has yet to be issued, however, police remain investigating."

Here pictured is a phonograph—a device used to play music from record discs—found within the abandoned Lemaitre estate. Invented in 1880 and previously titled as the Gramophone, this was one of the most advanced music players of its time, with mass production beginning as early as 1887.

A presumably stolen and unbranded land camera had been retrieved from the discarded bag of Atticus Belvedere, along with other items. Using 100c film, this camera had the capability of both monotone and color photos, however no pictures could be located or salvaged at this time.

While we have not been able to recover Lucas' camera, we were able to find and scan several photos he left behind. These photos consisted of the basement, the storage loft above the carriage house, the exterior of the household, and more.

1820s: Lemaitre family residing in the estate. ⇨ 1861: Family is evacuated due to the Civil War, leaving the house dormant for over sixty years. ⇨ 1865: Michel Lemaitre passes from cholera. ⇨ 1868: Marie Lemaitre passes from malaria. ⇨ 1921: The estate is rediscovered by the explorers of this exhibit, and is shortly burned down after a gas fire of unknown origin. ⇨ 1942: Atticus is killed via six gunshot wounds. ⇨ 1946: Lucas Farwell and Leigh Paulson go on to found the HEA(pg7). ⇨ 1972: Lucas Farwell succumbs to influenza; Leigh Paulson passes on the organisation to Javani Belvedere and Mary Farwell, Lucas' and Atticus' adoptive children. ⇨ 1979: Leigh Paulson writes and publishes stories about the forgotten Lemaitre family, inspiring this exhibit. ⇨ 1998 ⇨ Leigh Paulson passes away peacefully in her home, her daughter Madison beginning the creation of this exhibit. ⇨ 2001: The Exhibit and all of its artifacts were put together with the help of Madison, Javani and Mary, three descendants of the original explorers. ⇨ 2021: The Exhibit is opened to the public.

2. The dining room isn't much of an improvement from the last, and I get the itching feeling that this house must be one of the most run-down we’ve encountered. The roof is half caved in, yet the table is set, as if waiting for a dinner to be served above a tablecloth eaten by moths. The black mold that clings to it is so thick that it resembles velvet. There's a fine layer of smoke collected on the walls here, and the broken floorboards are charred around their splintered edges. The floor groans with every step I take, undoubtedly structurally unsound. The living room is the same, with yellowed furniture covered in sheets of cobwebs and ash. A room like this would have been a place of laughter… More and more, I find myself pondering the lives of those who once lived here, of which only fragments of memories are left for us to find in this place. The very nature of this place is unsettling, yet Atticus’s brazen attitude doesn’t fade. His confidence is admirable, but I feel neither him nor Leigh feel the same as I. Perhaps I’m writing this as a source of comfort? Putting my thoughts and observations here lifts a weight off of my chest, though it isn’t as practical as my typical logs for ventures such as these.

5. I cut open my left hand on an old saw when fumbling through the darkness, so I am now writing with my right.&nbsp;My lantern is out of fuel, and my vision is swallowed by shadow. No one has yet answered my pleas. I pray they find me soon.

An unnamed painting, done by Michel Lemaitre.

In the 1820s, the Lemaitre family, residing in Yonkers, New York, were once highly revered figures in the art world. Members of the family were very well known for collecting all different forms of art, including writing, paintings, pottery and more. Michel Lemaitre, the father of the family, was a well-known artist who produced some of today's most famous oil paintings, including the one pictured here. His wife, Marie Lemaitre, was an esteemed poet in her lifetime, however, no poems under her name have ever been found. It is thought that she often wrote about depictions of life and nature at the family's time at the estate. No surviving children of the couple have been documented, although close relatives of the two have been found and have helped donate to this exhibit. Unfortunately, the Lemaitre family quickly fled Yonkers after the start of the civil war, leaving the estate and all of its contents dormant for many, many years until its rediscovery in 1921.

Still in mint condition, this teabag box was recovered at an auction after the remaining items at the Lemaitre Estate were sold off. Speculated to be from another country, this box held some of the Lemaitre family's finest tea. Its colourful patterns in no doubt helped showcase the wealth of this family, as it was difficult to find teaboxes as vibrant as this back during their lifetime.

A vase covered in flowers was recovered damaged from the inside of the Lemaitre estate, however was repaired and reconstructed with the help of many historians. It is thought that this vase housed many hyacinths in its lifetime.

Here pictured is a painting of a farmgirl with a bundle of flowers, a very famous painting the Lemaitre family purchased. Although a reconstruction of it lives in this exhibit, the real painting can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art located in New York City, New York. The identity of the artist remains unknown.

Java Benitez, Madison Pramuka, Mary Jordan

In the basement, Lucas found two books, both collections of acclaimed English poetry. He spent his free hours reading them as he explored the cellar he had been trapped in. These books once were a part of the Lemaitre family's library, before the room was renovated into a nursery for their first child. As a result, the books were moved to the cellar, where only a few survived the fire that would later ravage the estate.

5. Well, I found a teabox, and I found Lucas. He seems so scared. He’s bleeding. I need to help him, but I can’t. He’s so…haggard. His pen is covered in blood, he’s even got it on his damn journal! He needs to stop writing and rest his hand, it’s only what’s best for him. I’ll tear my shirt for him, I'll wrap it around his hand. Maybe that will stop the bleeding. I hope he’ll be okay.

6. We found Leigh. The house is on fire. I need to get everyone to safety. I’m sorry.

Typewritten letters to runaway Atticus Belvedere go on to express anger, loss and worry. Found in his discarded bag, they had been sent from uncles, parents, siblings, and other distant relatives with messages ranging from condemning his identity to asking him for help. The bag, including other artifacts within it, had been recovered from the estate prior to its unfortunate demolition in the fire. The history of the letters’ residence in the estate is unknown.

3. In the kitchen, a foul odor hangs in the air, something like smoke or rotting food… both seem equally likely. Not a utensil nor pan is in sight, except for an empty rusted kettle sitting awkwardly on the edge of the stove. I remember that night in the speakeasy, where I’d first seen Atticus, leaned against the wall as I sat nervously at the bar, eyeing one another through the dark crowd. At that moment, I assumed he intended to rob me. Never had I imagined we’d grow this close. I don't have much time to dwell on such things, my companions seem intent on venturing farther into the house. Even so, I can't shake the nervousness that gnaws at me.

4. &nbsp;I am unsure how long I have been trapped here. The dust and ash here is thick and blankets the floor, kicking up in clouds that catch the light of my dim lantern and choke out the air. I believe this to be the basement, however the only exit to the upstairs is locked from the outside. In my spare hours, I have indulged in the poetry books I have found here, ones not charred black by some bygone flame. Such delicate literature has always been a favorite of mine.

Age: 19 Age of Death: 96 1902-1998

Formerly known as Mary-Anne Wilson, Leigh Paulson had a past shrouded in much mystery due to the unsolved murder of her family on 17 September 1917. After hiding away for many years, she became an adopted sister to Atticus Belvedere and his close friend Lucas Farwell. After Atticus' death in 1942, she became the co-founder of the Homo Equality Association (HEA), a group that advocated for equal rights until resigning after the death of Lucas in 1972. She died peacefully of old age.

No one ever knew where Leigh got her notebooks from, however, it is speculated she stole them from Atticus. Not many people were allowed inside her journal, although entries were always brief and straight to the point. Historians have yet to solve some of the encrypted messages she had left here.

3. So, here I am, searching for Lucas. After falling through the floor, Leigh went on her own to look for an entrance herself as well, although I have doubts about her findings. I’m going to be the one to find him, no one else. He’s a bit of an idiot, but he’s my idiot. It was a tad obvious the floor was unstable, even to me, I swear. Erm…anyway,&nbsp;I’ll be searching for him. I’m just shocked, is there really no stairway here? For a house this grand, there should at least be a stairway. I’ll update if anything.

4. So guess what? No update on Lucas. But…I found letters. From my family. In a bedroom, heavens knows whose. There’s one from my uncle, from Patricia(sister), from Enrico(brother), and…from mom. I don’t know how to feel. No, I didn’t—I didn’t want to think about this, I wish I didn’t find this! I need to get rid of them. But I can’t let go of them. What does it matter? I just, I just need to focus on finding Lucas. Nothing else matters. I don’t feel good. (I'm tired.)

After the events inside of the estate took place, a gas fire was started after an unknown element caused flames to reignite. While the three explorers escaped unscathed, the same could not be said for other pieces inside of the home. While we have salvaged what we could, unfortunately, the collection is still missing some of what was left by the Lemaitre family before their disappearance. The three explorers go on to live their normal lives, detailed in their biographies on pages 6, 7 and 8.

3. After vague searching, I created a blueprint of the first floor layout. I find it useful to understand the layout of an area before searching thoroughly.

4. I search the dining room, the only artifact that seems to have value is the grand painting hanging above the fireplace. I feel as though this piece resonates with me. But why? There's a message..."You will never find peace by avoiding yourself and others."

Age: 21 Age of Death: 42 1900-1942

A runaway from his home, Atticus Belvedere earned the infamous title of the "Slick Shank" by the age of sixteen, just two years after abandoning his family due to currently unknown disagreements. Travelling around New England, he spent his days rummaging through foreclosed and old properties, often stealing wares and selling them. After meeting Lucas Farwell at a speakeasy, the two went on to continue their days together accompanied by Leigh Paulson, a runaway Atticus took on as a sister until his death in 1942 due to resisting arrest.

Atticus was notoriously known for carrying around a multitude of stolen leather notebooks, each detailing heists, daily encounters and even intimate love letters written to a close friend. This particular journal contained a great spectrum of his thoughts and emotions ranging from anger, sadness, fear and even love.

In 1917, Lucas Farwell moved to Manhattan after receiving a job offer to inspect buildings for the city council, because of his experience working for smaller construction projects in his hometown. The letter below is from his uncle Howard Farwell, congratulating him on this achievement. However, in 1919, his parents Ernest and Ruth learned of his recent friendship with Atticus Belvedere, a notorious thief, from an eavesdropping coworker of Lucas's. They were appalled and disappointed with their son's choice of company, but they were yet to find out Lucas and Atticus had already taken off on their own, accompanied by a runaway girl named Leigh Paulson.

Age: 23 Age of Death: 74 1894-1972

Lucas had lived a rather noble life before 1920, working for the city to demolish and restore abandoned houses. Homeschooled as a child in the countryside, he was quite intelligent and always had a keen eye for plants, forests and literature. After meeting Atticus at a speakeasy, the two travelled around New England together, living as close friends with adopted sister Leigh Paulson until his death from influenza in 1972.

Lucas enjoyed writing poetry and observing nature in his notebooks, as well as logging his experiences and more. He grew up introverted without many close friends before meeting Atticus, so he found comfort in his writings and learned to express himself through the medium.

This exhibit traces the story of three misfits living in early 1921 and their experiences within an abandoned Victorian estate. Runaways Atticus Belvedere, Leigh Paulson and Lucas Farwell go on to describe, explore and experience this estate, as well as its inexplicable and ominous origins. Throughout your experience, you will be taken back through time, learning about the past through logs and artifacts and stepping into the shoes of these brave explorers, who traversed the property over a hundred years ago

Leigh's notes were always brief; simple observations about the world around her. She always loved to sketch, and some of her works are provided here, as well as a transcript.

1. After hours of travelling this forest, we have finally stumbled across a house. The house looked oddly...alive, especially for its location within such a dead and silent forest.

2. The main entry door is tall and heavy. It's also very detailed. It must be the work of a skilled craftsman. This house must be worth a lot of money. Hopefully the contents are worth stealing. Upon arrival, I was correct, I had already spotted a vase that could be worth stealing. Lucas attempted to pull me away, but to his surprise, he fell through floorboards.

We hope you enjoyed the story of these three runaways. While their lives had sadly come to an end, their legacy still lives on through the impacts they have created in recovering history one piece at a time.

5. The only artifact in the library that felt significant was the atlas, it feels so...alive. Many of the pieces in this house seem to feel oddly alive.

Lucas was well-known for journalling every experience he could, even if he was hurt while doing so. Provided are transcripts of five logs he had written during his exploration of the house.

1. None of us had anticipated finding anything in this dreary wood, yet here we are. I suppose I should have trusted Atticus’s judgement when he directed us away from the initial route- well, perhaps I shouldn’t speak too soon, he has gotten us into trouble now and again. It’s not my first time exploring abandoned residences, not long ago I worked for the city council inspecting them for demolition. I don’t think either of my companions have noticed how eerily silent this forest is, probably because the two of them had spent their youths in the cities. As if the exterior wasn't foreboding enough, the entrance parlor is practically falling apart. Here, the stench of mothballs and rotting wood hangs in the air, strips of wallpaper peeling from the plaster. I feel as though there is a presence here, it sends shudders down my spine as I breathe this wretched air.

Atticus was always thorough in his logs, describing events in as much detail as he could and voicing his thoughts and worries simultaneously all throughout the way. Provided along with these journal pages are six logs he had written alongside Lucas and Leigh during their exploration of the house.

1. There is a looming structure there. I haven’t a clue its origins. Perhaps Lucas might be aware, he’s always had a keen eye for structures such as this, for some odd reason. Nevertheless, we are here, at this house, and I suppose we lucked out here. I just hope I don’t run out of pen ink this time. Should we go inside? We’ll go inside. Lucas and Leigh shall just follow, I’ll handle the rest. I suppose we’ll wait and see what happens. (I wonder what Leigh will find.)

2. Well, we found our way inside now. Lucas seems…oddly frightened. I hope he’ll be all right. Leigh seems very interested, but cautious still. I can hear a phonograph in the distance. I wonder how much it’s worth. I find myself so drawn to it, to that song. Leigh seems to be interested in a stray vase in the nearby room. Lucas seems frantic now, almost yelling at Leigh to move away from a vase. But as he swipes for her, he falls through the floor. Erm…wow. I hadn’t expected that. I made sure to check if he was okay, he doesn’t appear to be badly wounded. I’m going to go look for him. I need to get him out of there, before the fear pulverises his poor little heart. (I hope he's okay)

Name

Safari may block some audio or video from playing automatically and ‘read to me’ will skip these. You can configure this in Safari’s preferences.