p 29 E>92 Q6& CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND GIVEN IN 1891 BY HENRY WILLIAMS SAGE Digitized by Microsoft® Cornell University Library F 29B92 C68 History of Buckfleld, Oxford County, .Mai olin 3 1924 028 809 881 DATE DUE -9)0^te CAYLORD PRINTED INU.S. A. Digitized by Microsoft® This book was digitized by Microsoft Corporation in cooperation witli Cornell University Libraries, 2007. You may use and print this copy in limited quantity for your personal purposes, but may not distribute or provide access to it (or modified or partial versions of it) for revenue-generating or other commercial purposes. Digitized by Microsoft® .« Cornell University Library The original of this bool< is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archi^g,9|^^^^.^iJ§/^31924028809881 Hon. John D. Long Digitized by Microsoft® A HISTORY OF BUCK FIELD OXFORD COUNTY, MAINE FROM THE EARLIEST EXPLORATIONS TO THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR 1900 BY ALFRED COLE •s- Member of the Maine Historical Society AND CHARLES F. WHITMAN Clerk of Courts of Oxford County 'We will review the deeds of our fathers."— EUERSON BUCKFIELD, MAINE 1915 Digitized.^^ittPBdff® Copyrighted 1915 BY C. F. WHITMAN The paper for this book was kindly donated by the Maine Coated Paper Co. 0/ Rumford, Maine As a tribute to Hon. George D. Bisbee The Journal Printshop, Lewiston, Maine Digitized by Microsoft® PREFACE More than twenty-five years ago, one of the authors of this work, Mr. Alfred Cole, began collecting material for a History of Buckfield. The other, Mr. C. F. Whitman, began his collections five years ago. Each worked independently of the other, until, the health of Mr. Cole becom- ing impaired, he sent for Mr. Whitman early last year and proposed that the history be completed by their joint efforts. This was assented to. Each had material which was essential for a full and complete history of the town, and each was more interested in producing a work worthy of his native town than in obtaining credit for being its author. From that time, the work has been prosecuted vigorously and harmoniously. We have brought to the task a sincere regard for fact and truth. The records of the town and those in the county offices at Paris have been thoroughly searched, and also the ' early records of Cumberland County, of which Buckfield was once a part, and the archives at the State Houses in Boston and Augusta. The traditional portion of this work is many fold richer and more complete than that of any other town history with which we are acquainted. The chief credit for this is due to Dr. A. C. Whitman, who, about a dozen years ago, interviewed all the oldest people in the town and took down their statements. Among these aged people, were Elias Taylor, a grandson of Samuel Taylor, born in 1796; Mrs. Arvilla Record, a granddaughter of Benjamin Spaulding, bom in 1803; Briggs Record, a grandson of Jonathan Record, and Susan Leonard. The authors are descended from Revolutionay soldiers and from two of the very first settlers of the town, and are connected with a great many of the families which have lived here. We have had no disposi- tion to exalt their virtues and abilities over others. We have a sincere admiration for all the old families and those who have contributed to make our native town one of the very best upon the face of all the earth. We confidently hope that this book will meet with the hearty approbation of every son and daughter of Buckfield, into whose hands it may fall. Buckfield, June, 1902. Alfred Cole. C. F. Whitman. Digitized by Microsoft® ■a-SS S n « s t: &■* XI o a P" 13 a) p 53^-j - - 00-4-1 t- xn r-I b a o boo u 5 o d^ j- 2fS*> nlE»t " i s a S S vow ;^ o 2 J= ^ -7>,j:3 tn u o •r «J Mm J!" 13=" I- C a a '^ _ o Sh 1-5 (U ►-3 C ^^ ID O " i 3 pq Digitized by Microsoft® !> S gj= Scot; HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD CONTENTS CHAPTER I. Introduction Location — Ponds and Streams — Surface — Soil — Scenery. CHAPTER II. Perspective Summary of existing conditions — Extent of English settlements — Law relating to settlements on the public lands — Law modified, giving settlers 100 acres of land and not in force after Jan. 1, 1784. CHAPTER III. Early Settlement Hunting party's visit to the region — Benjamin Spaulding already located here in a hunter's camp — Coming of first two families in early part of 1777, followed by 3d family later in the season — Location of their lots — Traditional story of early settlement — First years's experi- ence of hardships and suffering — Coming of other settlers in 1778, 1779 and 1780. CHAPTER IV. Eafly Settlement Continued Pioneers in the eastern and southern parts of the township — Who they were and where they came froni — Traditions relating to their ex- periences — First marriage in the little settlement — Stories of later comings. CHAPTER V. Pioneer Ufe Manner of living in the early days — State of society — Customs and habits of the early settlers — Diary kept for about a year by a pioneer — Construction of habitations and rooms — Utensils and furniture used — Bridle paths and roads. CHAPTER VI. Purchase of Township Efforts to buy the land — Signers of the petition to the General Court — First fails, second petition succeeds — Provisions in deed and names of settlers secured in their possession of 100 acres of land — ^How their lots were laid out and they obtained their deeds. Digitized by Microsoft® 6 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD CHAPTER VII. Proprietors' Records Officers of the proprietary — How the business was transacted and the records kept — Not finally closed up till 25 years after purchase. CHAPTER VIII. later Traditional History- Survey of township — Coming of David Farrar and family — An ad- venture with a hear and a romantic meeting of Judith Farrar and Thomas Lowell — Coming- of William Harlow and other settlers in the northwestern part of the town. CHAPTER IX. Trench, and Indian -War Soldiers Settlers who had served in that war- — Some 'had resided for several years in the block-houses of Gorham and Windham — The attack on the Windham block-house — The killing of Ezra Brown and fall of the Indian chief, Poland — Brown's widow marries Eleazer Chase. CHAPTER X. Bevoliitlonary Soldiers Thirty-one of the settlers before Jan. 1, 1784, served in the war for American Independence — Seventy others, survivors of the contest, were afterwards residents in Buckfleld — ^Whom they were and where they served. CHAPTER XI. War of 1812 Three companies from Buckfleld, besides many other citizens en- listing in other commands, served in that war — Roll of the three com- panies — Action of the town opposing attitude of the Commonwealth. CHAPTER XII. Early Bnckfield Villag'e First settler, Benjamin Spaulding — Edmund Chandler erected first mills — Dominicus Record exchanging lots with Spaulding became half owner of the mills and water privilege. Soon became sole owner — Place first called Record's Mills, afterwards Buckfleld Mills — Joel Foster first inn-keeper and tanner — Coming of Dr. Wm. Bridgham— Post Office estab- lished in ISOO — The establishment of industries — First lawyers. CHAPTER XIII. Early Educational History Provision of the State for schools — Efforts to provide education for the children of the early settlers — Prominent oitizens interested — Teachers of note — Schoolhouses and school districts — Lack of super- vision. CHAPTER XIV. Incorporation of Town and First Meeting- Petition for incorporation — Favorable action by the General Court — First town meeting — Officers elected — Appropriations made — Votes for Governor, etc. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 7 CHAPTER XV. Bonndaiy DifBcnltles Proprietors claim a strip of land out of Butterfleld— Hebron claims a tract from southern part of the town— General Court orders a re- survey— The boundaries established and matter settled CHAPTER XVI. Buckfieia Villag-e About 1825 Location of principal stores and residences— Streets and roads- Traders and business men. CHAPTER XVII. Annals from 1795 to 1825 Town meeting's — Occurrences of note — Roads laid out — Appropria- tions made — Votes cast for President, Governor and other officers — Deaths of Dominicus Record and Benjamin Spaulding. CHAPTER XVm. Church History Ministerial lands — First preaching- — Baptist society of Turner and Bucktown — First Baptist Church — Elder Nathaniel Chase — Second Bap- tist Church — Present Baptist Church — Rev. Albion K. P. Small and other pastors. CHAPTER XIX. Church History Continued Union Chapel Society — Universalists — Federal Meeting House — Free Baptists, Rev. Levi Hersey — Methodists, Episcopal Mission. CHAPTER XX. Biog'raphlcal Sketches Sketches of prominent men, John D. Long, Zadoc Long, Seba Smith, Prentiss Cummings, F. O .J. Smith, Rear Admiral Thos. S. Phelps, Colum- bia Gardner, Rev. Eleanor B. Forbes, Hermon c. Bumpus, LL.D., Albion W. Small, LL.D., and others. CHAPTER XXI. Foets of Buckfleld Alfred Cole, John D. Long, Zadoc Long, Seba Smith, Columbia Gard- ner, John N. Irish, The Maxims, Ardelia H. Prince, Clara Marcelle Greene and others. CHAPTER XXII. lawyers Daniel Howard, first lawyer — Gen. Henry Farwell, second attorney — Samuel F. Brown, Hon. Virg-il D. Parris, first native of Buckfield to prac- tice law in town — Col. Jacob W. Browne, Hon. Sullivan C. Andrews, Hon. Geo. D. Bisbee, Hon. Oscar H. Hersey, Fred R. Dyer and others. Digitized by Microsoft® 8 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD CHAPTER XXIII. Fliysicians Dr. Daniel Childs of Turner was first practitioner In Bucktown — Dr. Samuel Frlnk, first resident physician — Coming of Dr. William Brldg- ham — A famous law suit — Dr. Brldgham wins his cause. The command- ing- flg-ure after this in the practice of medicine m Buckfield and vicinity to his death — Other physicians. CHAPTER XXIV. Annals 1825 to 1850 Events of interest — Death of Ahljah Buck for whom the town was named — Deaths of Revolutionary soldiers — Exercises at the opening of the Buckfield Branch R. R. — Other occurrences of note. CHAPTER XXV. Temperance MoTements Evils of intemperance recognized — Agitation for Reform — County So- ciety organized — Members — I..ocal organization in Buckfield — Washing- . tonian movement — Petition to traders not to sell ardent spirits by the glass — Efforts made to enforce first prohibitive measures — The affair of the Farrar brothers — An interesting law-suit. CHAPTER XXVI. Buckfield ViUag'e in the Fifties A correspondent writes of the village — Its business interests and business men in 1853 — "Meek" Farrar's hotel and his ad in local paper — Governor Long's letter. CHAPTER XXVII. Iiater Educational History Grammar school established — Incorporators — Rev. William Pidgin, preceptor — Rev. Cyril Pearl, Students in 1841 — The starting of the project of building a, railroad prevented the founding of a high school or academy. CHAPTER XXVIII. Buckfield in the Civil War Public sentiment overwhelming in sustaining the war for the Union — First company organized and disbanded — Enlistments — Draft — Buck- field's roll of honor — The soldier dead — Summary men furnished and credits. CHAPTER XX tX. Annals 1850 to 1875 Important events chronicled— Deaths of Rev. Nathaniel Chase .Jona- than Record and Capt. Joslah Parris — The latter was the last survivor of the Revolutionary soldiers who settled In Buckfield after the war — Death of the gifted Columbia Gardner at the age of 35 and Mrs. Phebe (Buck) Foster in her 97th year — Other Important events. CHAPTER XXX. Secret Societies and Public Iiibrary Free Masonry, Odd Fellows, Patrons of Husbandry — Order United American Mechanics — Ladies' societies — The Public Library. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKF]ELD 9 CHAPTER XXXi. The Railroad, Charter and Org'anizatlon Projected by Hon. Virgil D. Parris, mortgaged to Hon. F. O. J. Smith - — Bad management and final wreck of the road — Rescued by Hon. Geo. D. Bisbee and others — Extended to Rumford Falls — Sold to Boston & Maine system. CHAPTER XXXII. Annals 1875 to 1900 Fires — Buildings erected — Industries established — Cyclone in N. W. part of town — Deaths of prominent persons and others — Other events of note. CHAPTER XXXIII. North Buckfield John Warren first settler — Little village called "Spaulding's Mills" — Afterwards "Hale's Mills" and later "North Buckfleld" — Benj. Spaul- ding leading citizen — Larnard Swallow — Appleton F. Mason — Powder Mills — Social and business interests. PAST II. ZADOC LONG'S JOURNAL ABTJAH BUCK'S DIARY LUCIUS LORING'S REMINISCENCES ORFN RECORD'S DEPOSITION ARVILLA (SPAULDING) RECORD'S LETTER FART III. GENEALOGIES OF FAMILIES RECORD OF DEATHS APPENDIX TOWN OFFICERS REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS POST MASTERS MILITIA OFB^ICERS CENSUS OF 1790 TAX LIST OP 1797 CENSUS OF 1800 CENSUS OF 1850 COUNTY ROADS Digitized by Microsoft® ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE Hon. John D. Long Frontispiece Martha Maxim with Dedicatory Poem 13 Map of Township with Settling Lots, etc 4 Andrews, Hon. S. C .■ 334 Atwood, Ephraim ■ . . • 183 Dea. Wm. H 184 Kimball C 187 Geo. M 188 Chas. B. and wife 191 Four Gen. C. B. Fam. gr 192 Baptist Church 143 Parsonage, W. Buckfield 139 Bessey, Everett M 528 Bisbee, Hon. Geo. D 337 Elisha 533 Geo. W. and wife 534 Stanley 539 Spaulding 540 Mrs. A. Louise and gr 535 Bonney, Hon. Albion P 542 Bridgham, Capt. T. S 344 Dr. William 351 Browne, Col. Jacob W 333 Buck, Orlando J 555 Dr. C. L 558 Buck-field, View in 15 Village, High Street 395 Village, Elm Street 396 Village Square, Pen Picture of 392 !• Chase, Hon. Thomas 195 Roscoe G 196 ' Charles 199 Geo. H 200 Childs, Hon. John Lewis 205 Floral Park, etc 206 Cole, Alfred 209 Cummings, Hon. Prentiss 214 Dea. Whitney 213 DeCoster, Varanes and gr ■ 576 James H 575 Dyer, Fred R 347 Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 11 Emery, Ellen Morrill 638 Farrar's Hotel 391 Federal Meeting House 176 Forbes, Rev. Eleanor B 217 Foster, Phebe Buck, at 95 42S Gardner, Columbia 218 Gertrude 218 Greene, Clara Marcelle 297 Harlow, Dana B 298 Old Ho. at PI 597 Hersey, Rev. Levi ". • . . 173 Hon. O. H 343 Hutchinson, Hon. J. P 223 Irish, Thos. and wife, gr. . . ' 607 Long, John D 233 Summer Home 234 Public Library 441 Hon. Zadoc 469 Hon. Washington 247 Thomas and wife 618 Loring, Squire John 253 Maj. Lucius 254 Hill, view from 391 Maxim, Martha 13 Poets, gr 309 Soldiers, gr 625 Merrill, A. Judson, Fam. gr 631 Morrill, Nathan • • 637 Packard, Stephen and wife 641 Farm B'ld'gs 642 Stephen G ■ • . 645 Stephen G. Res 646 Dr. F. H 649 Penley and Hanno ■ ■ 650 Parris, Four Gen. Hon. V. D. Fam. gr 261 Phelps, R. Ad. Thos. S 265 Prince, Hon. Noah ■ 271 Hon. Chas. H 275 Henry C ■ 276 Ardelia • • 317 Record, Jonathan, at 100 421 Roberts, Capt. C. C, gr 669 Sawyer, Helen A • 553 Shaw, I. Wilson 681 Small, Rev. A. K. P 151 Albion W., L.L.D 279 Smith, Seba, gr 319 Digitized by Microsoft® 12 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Spaulding, Benj., Jr , 285 Wm. C 289 Ben 286 Cyrus C 290 Thayer, Old Lt. Isaac Ho. . . .• 693 Tucker, Ruth A • 553 Union Chapel 157 White, Col. A. D 292 Whitman, Joshua E. and Sons, gr 709 Chas. F., gr 710 Ozias and wife .' 713 Flora E 324 Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 13 Dedicatory poem By Martha Maxim Martha Maxim As kindred of a storied Past We turn this History's page, We trace upon its radiant leaves A goodly heritage. We call the Old Time back again Its scenes with joy we hail As from the hallowed, glowing past We lift the time-worn veil. Through vistas dim we trace the steps Of sturdy pioneers. To voices of the Long Ago We hark back through the years. As faint as echoes of a dream These voices from afar Seem floating down from Heaven's Gate Beyond the Evening Star. By fair Nezinscot's winding ways Our fathers' fathers trod. Loyal as were their Pilgrim sires To freedom, home, and God. To these Forefathers here recalled This Book we dedicate. May memories of their noble lives Its pages consecrate ! Ye dwellers by yon river fair With Time's unceasing flow More tenderly your hearts will cling To things of Long Ago. And as we wend our separate ways Come fortune's smile or frown. Our hearts will turn and voice^ this prayer God bless our dear old Town ! Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD CHAPTER I. Introductiox. Buckfield is situated in the valley, drained by the Great Androscoggin River and its tributaries. It is bounded on the north by Sumner and Hartford ; on the east by Turner in Andro- scoggin County; on the south by Hebron, and on the west by Paris, the shire town. Its area is about 22,000 acres. The town is well watered by ponds and streams. North Pond, so named from its situation about two miles north of the village, is partly in the town of Sumner. This little body of water is charmingly located in a deep secluded basin, environed by high wooded hills and is a favorite place of local resort. Its altitude is sufficient to afford a natural reservoir for an abundant supply of water by gravitation for Buckfield village. South Pond, also so called from its situation about one mile south of the village, is a small body of water of about half a mile in length and about one-quarter of that distance in its widest part. The road bed of the railroad was laid through a part of its east- ern border. Its waters are for the most part shallow, and in summer much of its surface is whitened with liHes. There is another very small pond in the northeastern section of the town called Lincoln Pond, which is the drainage center of a considerable section reaching to the Hartford town line. The fourth and last, is Whitman Pond, of some three acres, lying in the south part of the town quite near to the Hebron town line. It is the source of Bog Brook, which flows through Hebron and Minot into the Little Androscoggin River just below the village of Mechanic Falls. The outlet of South Pond is a sluggish stream flowing north into the West Branch of the Twenty-Mile River near the upper part of the village. One would suppose from the lay of the land Digitized by Microsoft® 18 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD that the natural outlet of this pond would run south instead of north, and there is little doubt that at some remote period it did so flow, till in some convulsion of nature a shde of earth from the mountains and hills filled up its southern end sufficiently and sent the waters of the pond running the other way. There are numerous httle streams which have their sources in the mountains and hills, and nearly all find their way into the Nezinscot or Twenty-Mile River — the principal stream which flows through the town, and across Turner, into the Great Andro- scoggin. This river has two branches which unite just below the vil- lage. The West Branch on which are the principal water powers of the village and at North Buckfield, once called Spaulding's Mills, has its source in Shagg Pond in northeastern Woodstock. The East Branch takes its rise near Tumble Down Dick in Peru and flowing south forms the boundary between the towns of Sumner and Hartford and enters Buckfield near the center of its northern border. The origin of the name of the principal stream of water in the town, is uncertain. It is not twenty miles from the junction of the two branches to its mouth and is more than that from either source to its union with the larger river. Nezinscot is from the Indian word nezinske, signifying twenty, but as the sav- ages could have had originally no knowledge of distances meas- ured by English miles, the application of this name to the river, must be attributed to some other cause than distance, now lost beyond recovery. The surface of the town has that diversity and rugged forma- tion, common to the other towns of the county. It is broken into numerous hills, with comparatively level stretches along the river valleys and undulating tracts of arable land in the highlands on either side. Waste lands here and there appear, aggregating quite an acreage, but mostly in the vicinity of Jersey Bog in the eastern part of the town, and in the mountain districts in the southwestern portion of Buckfield, where thie surface is more broken. The highest and most important elevation is Streaked Moun- tain, on which corner the three towns of Buckfield, Hebron and Paris. It is nearly i,8oo feet above sea level and about 900 feet above the village of Paris Hill. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 19 Next to Streaked Mountain in prominence is Owl's Head. Its altitude has never been ascertained. The two elevations are separated by a deep valley, and it's plain to be seen by compari- son that Streaked Mountain is several hundred feet higher than its neighboring peak. The soil of the town is of good quality and excellent for In- dian corn and grain. The intervales are free from stones and highly productive. The hill sides and uplands are well adapted for grazing and fruit culture. Here is the natural home of the apple, which grows to perfection. No town has a greater variety of springs of pure water. The principal varieties of forest trees are the pine, hemlock, spruce, fir, cedar, rock and white maple, beech, yellow and white birch, oak, white and brown ash, poplar, basswood and elm. No minerals of economic value are known to be in town, with the exception of a deposit of iron ore, on what was once known as the Lysander Lowe farm in the western part of the town. Some of this ore was smelted in 1837 and found to be of excellent quality. On Streaked Mountain and Owl's Head, mixed with the granite veins, beautiful crystals of beryl, black tourmalines, etc., have been found. Recent investigations here give inaications of richer mineral deposits similar to those of Mt. Mica in Paris. The scenery is everywhere deHghtful and from Streaked Mountain, grand and beautiful. The lovely landscape views from its summit dotted with ponds and silvery streams, and pretty villages, is almost unrivalled. One of the Harpers of New York, who once visited the place, said he had been all over Europe and in Switzerland, and he had seen nothing so beauti- ful and lovely as the view from Streaked Mountain. Digitized by Microsoft® 20 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD CHAPTER II. Perspective. Prior to the beginning of the War of the Revolution, the tract of country embraced in what is now the! town of Buckfield was an unbroken wilderness. It was but a cnecade and a half since Canada had passed into the possession of the English, through Gen. Wolfe's great victory on the Plains of Abraham, and the surrender of Quebec to the British Arms. This was the only period since the landing of the Pilgrims, at Plymouth, in which those 'seeking to found new settlements in the District of Maine and away from the coasts, could do so without fear of attack by savages, or of the interruption of peaceable pursuits. In the wars between England and France for the possession of the St. Lawrence and Ohio valleys and Acadia, ruin had often fallen on the homes of the white settlers, but the savage tribes in the District of Maine had been broken up or destroyed. Those who survived the wars and remained, in what is now the county of Oxford, were but a few scattered bands, living where they might best procure fish and game. At the time of the coming of the early settlers, a small band lived at the mouth of the Nezinscot, or Twenty-Mile River, a very few near North Pond, in what is now the town of Sumner, and a larger number in the Rangeley lake region. None of these showed any hostile disposition. During the period mentioned, the wilder- ness along the Androscoggin, Saco and other rivers, was invaded by hundreds of people in search of lands on which to found new settlements and make permanent homes. Massachusetts always pursued a wise and liberal poHcy, in promoting and encouraging new settlements, and from time to time, the General Court passed acts, in furtherance of this pol- icy. No difficulty in obtaining grants of land was experienced by those who had served the State in any of its wars, by their descendants, or by those who had been victims of Indian cruelty. Townships were assigned to responsible parties, on very liberal terms. Practically the lands belonging to the Commonwealth, away from the coast and large rivers, were open to all for settle- ment on the general conditions that each individual, to be entitled to lOO acres of land, must actually enter upon his tract, clear Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 21 from five to eight acres, and put them into condition for tillage, within three years. He must also erect a habitation at least eighteen feet square and seven feet post. The number required by the Commonwealth for the formation of a township was gen- erally about sixty. After a certain number of years, the com- munity thus formed was obliged to settle a "learned" Protestant minister and make provision for his support. Lots were re- served for schools and the ministry, and, at a later period, a lot for the future disposition of the government. This was substantially the law at the time the first settlers came into what is now the town of Buckfield. There is abundant evi- dence to show that they expected to induce a sufficient number to follow them, so that each would hold his loo or more acres of land free, and to ensure the purchase by them of the remainder of the township on the conditions usually imposed by the Com- monwealth. After the first settlement was made, and before the purchase of the township was effected, the law was changed, so that the only conditions impose'd, were that any settler who, in four years' time, cleared i6 acres and erected a habitation, could for a small sum, obtain his deed of loo acres. As will be seen hereafter, this sum varied at different dates from about one pound ($5) to a little over $9.00. Proprietors of townships, however, were compelled to submit to the usual conditions for the support of schools and the ministry. This law regarding individual settlers was not in force after January i, 1784, but it was in existence long, enough to change the purpose of the greater number of those who settled in the township prior to 1781. Before this act passed, they had ex- pected to become proprietors, but after it became a law, many chose to have their 100 acres set out to them, without being bur- dened with the responsibilities imposed on proprietors. A few of them, however, never relinquished the idea of purchasing the township and becoming proprietors. They saw, if the enterprise was successful, that they could acquire all the land they desired at little or no cost and, through the sale of lots to new settlers and others, that they had a fair prospect of becoming well-to-do. How successful they were, the future pages of this work will show. Digitized by Microsoft® 22 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD It should not be forgotten that the lands on the east, west and south of the tract which includes Buckfield had already been dis- posed of, in grants to other parties, and the fact that here and to the northward was the only land where practically free homes could be obtained, brought hither the greater number of those who settled in the township prior to January i, 1784. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 23 CHAPTER III. Early Settlement. In the autumn of 1776, according to tradition, a party of hunters from New Gloucester, Maine, consisting of Abijah and Nathaniel Buck, Thomas Allen and John Brown, with perhaps others, came into what is now the town of Buckfield, for the secondary purpose of procuring game in which the region abounded, but primarily to select lots for a permanent settlement. They, or a part of them, had been here before on hunting expe- ditions, and had ascertained that it was a goodly land fit for hab- itation, and had determined to settle here. Long before this. Streaked Mountain, Twenty-Mile River, and even Bog Brook, had received the names by which they have ever since been known. Hunters had found that bears and catamounts were numerous around Streaked Mountain and Owl's Head, that Twenty-Mile River and South Pond were full of fish, while Bog Brook was noted for its beaver. This brought them into the region during the autumn months, in increasing numbers. The party mentioned having determined upon a settlement, knew there was no time to lose if they were to obtain and hold possession. The leader and moving spirit was Abijah Buck, then about thirty-four years old. He had served in the Colonial forces during the greater part of the year 1760 — the year after Quebec had fallen. He had previously been a "Scout to the Eastward." From North Yarmouth, he had entered the service, and it was stated in his enlistment papers that he was born at Dunstable, Mass., age 17, and that his father's name was John Buck. His early education could not have been of the best, but he had ac- quired a large store of what may be termed practical knowl- edge. He wrote a fair hand for those times. His address was pleasing and his ways such as to win the confidence of those he approached. No man of the early period in the town's history was abler or of more integrity, and the most difficult undertakings requiring great tact and good judgment were given over to him to manage. He was the second person after the town was in- corporated, to be commissioned as a Justice of the Peace, and was ever afterwards called "Squire Buck," even in depositions and other legal documents. He was not much in town office, for Digitized by Microsoft® 24 HISTORY, OF BUCKFIELD the reason probably, that for a considerable time, there was a strong feeling among the town's people against the proprietors, conceiving that their interests must be antagonistic to the town's interest. He was, however, several times elected one of the board of selectmen and assessors. When Abijah Buck came into the township he was well-to-do. The price for which he sold his homestead in New Gloucester, shows him to have been possessed of $i,ooo and upwards in cash or currency — a handsome property for persons in his station for those times, and demonstrates that poverty did not drive him into the wilderness to find a new home. Nathaniel Buck, boril about 1750, was a younger brother of Abijah Buck. He was a man of great physical strength and endurance, and noted for being an expert hunter and skilled in wood craft. In after years he was called a "housewright" which occupa- tion claimed nearly all his attention. He was an industrious and thrifty man and withal a good citizen. Thomas Allen was a deserter from the English Army on ac- count of the Boston Massacre in 1770, in which he had partici- pated, and his sympathy with the Americans. He was born in Bolton, England, about 1752. Before attaining his majority he had been apprenticed to a weaver. Allen appears to have been fairly well educated and was a good penman, as his records as town clerk show. Being of an adventurous disposition, he had enlisted as a soldier to come to Massachusetts to keep the people of that colony in subjection. But he quickly caught the spirit of independence of the people, and when a favorable opportunity offered, he, with another British soldier, deserted. They were pursued, however, so hotly that they were forced to take refuge under a bridge, over which their pursuers galloped on horse- back. No sooner had the sound of their horses' hoofs died away in the distance than Allen and his companion scrambled out and fled into the woods. It had been a most anxious period for them while under the bridge, for they reahzed, if captured, that they would be shot. Allen, in relating the story in after years to his Buckfield neighbors, said that his hair fairly stood on end when the horses' hoofs struck the bridge. He espoused the cause of the Americans and did good service at different periods during the conflict. Referring to this service, he once Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 25 said: "I fought my own countrymen, and I fought like a lion but It was for that freedom which I now enjoy." Allen never ceased, however, to love his native land, and often remarked: "There are no such sweet songbirds as in Old England." He was a man of fiery temper, when aroused. In politics he became a staunch federalist and no amount of persuasion of his old associates, the Bucks, who had espoused the cause of the repub- licans, could induce him to change his views, no matter in how much of a minority he might find himself. John Brown had seen service in the old French and Indian War. He was the father-in-law of Thomas Allen and Nathan- iel Buck. His wife had died prior to his coming and it is proba- ble that he was then past middle Hfe. So far as known he was not related to the other Browns who afterwards acquired settUng lots in the township. The party had come by way of the Nezinscot or Twenty-Mile river, through what is now the town of Turner. They found here in a hunter's cabin, in the limits of what is now the village, Benjamin Spaulding of Chelmsford, Mass., who had taken up his abode in the wilderness for a season, till two friends of his who had failed to meet the payments of obligations, for which he was surety, could effect a satisfactory settlement with their creditors. This was done during the two following years. On Spaulding's camp were stretched to dry, the skins of many animals he had caught in traps, or shot in the chase. He informed the party that game of all kinds was there in great abundance, and that a few Indians had a wigwam near a pond about two miles north- ward, but were peaceably disposed and would make no trouble. Benjamin Spaulding had been born at Concord, Mass., Feb. 5, 1739, and was then in his prime. He married Patty Barrett of Chelmsford, Nov. 29, 1764. The descendants of this worthy .couple of every generation, have always been considered as of the very best of the people of the town, and have ever been honored with offices and positions of trust within their gift. ■ Spaulding became one of the three leading spirits in the management of the proprietary and the most prosperous and wealthy of them all. Abijah Buck and his associates tarried for several days with Spaulding. It is quite certain from previous knowledge and in- formation, that Abijah Buck had formed a definite purpose to purchase and colonize the township. Digitized by Microsoft® 26 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD It must have been a very difficult and laborious undertaking, at that period, to get together a sufficient number of persons to settle a new township, so far back in the wilderness. His father- in-law, Jonathan Tyler had had much experience, with others, in disposing of the proprietors' lands in New Gloucester, and it was determined that he, with his wife, Rebecca — their children hav- ing grown up, — should go to the new township and there pass the remainder of their days with the family of Abijah Buck, who doubtless considered it wise to locate a few famiilies on the tract in order the better to attract other settlers there. Besides, he must have desired to obtain the choicest lots for himself, his rela- tives, and those who were to start out with him. We can pretty accurately fix the time when his purpose to colonize this new township, was formed, for he had purchased an hundred-acre tract in New Gloucester in April, 1772, for £100, on which he subsequently built a house and barn. In April, 1773, with Jona- than Tyler, Samuel Tyler, and four others, he purchased a 600- acre tract in two parcels for £225, "lying in the Gore so called, in the back part of North Yarmouth, bordering on New Glouces- ter." Up to this time, it is apparent, that Abijah Buck had formed no purpose of going elsewhere, but to add to, and im- prove, the possessions he already had. He and the Tylers appear to have disposed of their interest, about two years later, in this North Yarmouth tract, which without doubt was the time when the project of settling a whole township, north of Shepardsfield and west of Sylvester townships, became the great purpose of his life. Aibjah Buck conveyed his New Gloucester homestead Nov. 4, 1776, for £213. This must have been shortly after the exploring party's examination of the new locality for a perma- nent settlement, as related. No doubt that the bargain for the sale of his place had been practically completed, contingent upon Abijah Buck and his associates finding in the wilderness on the, Nezinscot suitable and desirable locations for their new homes. So that between the Spring of 1773 and the Autumn of 1776, the project of a settlement, in what is now the town of Buckfield, was conceived and started by Abijah Buck. The desirability of hav- ing such a man as Benjamin Spaulding, with his knowledge of the region, interested in his enterprise, must have been apparent to one possessing the perception and judgment of Abijah Buck. That Spaulding was won over is shown by his beginning, that Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 27 very year, to fell trees for a clearing on the lot where his camp stood — the first made, in point of time, according to all accounts. The spot was at the junction of the East Branch with the main river, below the site of the present village. The lot selected by Abijah Buck was situated on the west branch of the river about a mile northwest of Spaulding's lot, on what was known in our boyhood as the Col. A. D. White farm. Nathaniel Buck took the lot adjoining on the north, Thomas Allen one on the southeast, while John Brown selected the one adjoining Allen's on the east. As the lands on the river at high water were overflowed, several acres on each of these lots were practically cleared, and here a certain kind of grass grew, which when properly cured, furnished good feed for cattle. As before stated, the law that settlers must clear a certain number of acres within a given period, no doubt appealed strongly to these pioneers, in the selection of their lots, as it lessened their labors in putting their land into a state of cultivation. Besides, it was desirable to have fodder for cattle. What they did at this time, if anything, in addition to the selection of their lots, it is now impossible to determine. It is probable that some hay was gath- ered and stacked, since the moving, with cattle, so early the next year, rendered it essential that something beforehand be pro- cured till grass grew in the Spring. While the snow was yet on the ground and the ice in the streams, preparations were made by these hardy settlers for mov- ing into the wilderness. It would have been a very laborious and difficult undertaking, after the snow had gone to come through the woods, with families and household effects, where for many miles there was not so much as a "bridle-path," or even a course marked by spotted trees. Acccordingly, it was determined to move by ox-team on the ice, by way of the Androscoggin and Twenty-Mile rivers. Traveling in that way during the latter part of March, 1777, they arrived at their new homes on the first day of April. Abijah Buck recorded in his diary and account book the following statement: "Bucktown March th4 yr 1777. Beginning this town at that time." What was done then to warrant this statement, is uncer- tain, but it is probable that it was the beginning of the con- struction of the log house and other buildings for Abijah Buck, and perhaps for Allen and Nathaniel Buck. The house of Abijah Digitized by Microsoft® 28 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Buck was built large enough for two families — his own and Jonathan Tyler's — thenceforth for life to reside with him. , On the opposite page of the diary from the entry mentioned, he wrote forty-nine names besides his own, presumably of per- sons he depended upon to aid him in purchasing the township and assist in its settlement. They are as follows. Many of the names have long been famiHar in Buckfield: Abijah Buck James Thurlo Benjamin Spaulding David Record Nathaniel Buck Jonathan Record Thomas Allen Simon Record John Brown John Buck, Jr. Jonathan Tyler Edmund Chandler Moses Buck Hezekiah Studson William Doble Samuel Merrill Jonas Coburn Jabez Cushman Thomas Coburn Richard Dearborn John Buck Silas Coburn Bani Teague Jacob Cram Isaac Foster Wm. Hutchinson Lemuel Crooker Nathaniel IngersoU Jonathan Philbrick Williani Widgery John Irish Joshua Ripley Andrew Elliott Samuel Butterfleld John Warren Samuel Butterfleld, Jr. Richard Thurlo Ebenezer Bancroft Davis Thurlo Ebenezer Bancroft, Jr. Nathaniel Gammon Henry Butterfleld John Thurlo Moses Butterfleld Thomas Lowell Joseph French Peter White John Jones Asa Thurlo Samuel Freeman As will be seen, hereafter, some of them became interested in the settlement of the two townships, north of "Bucktown," and a number actually settled there. WilHam Widgery and Samuel Freeman were prominent citi- zens of Cumberland county, and doubtless were relied upon to assist in procuring the passage of all necessary legislation through the General Court at Boston and perhaps to take a certain num- ber of shares or rights in the enterprise. Freeman "drew up'' several of the petitions which were presented to that body. Nathaniel Ingersoll was Abijah Buck's captain in the army. That to Abijah Buck is due the chief credit for the settlement of the town, there can be no question. On first coming he gave it the name of "Bucktown," and so entered it in his diary. The Gen- eral Court adopted the name and all acquiesced. The township was often referred to as "Buck's Proprietary." Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD - 29 There are several accounts of the journey of the earUest set- tlers here, which have come down to us through the Bucks, the Spauldings, tlie Records and other famihes. There are some variations, as might well be expected. Here is what Thomas Allen has left recorded about the first incidents of importance, in the settlement of the town on the first page of the town clerk's records of Buckfield : "The first improvement, ever known to be made in the town of Buckfield, by any Englishman, was in the year 1776, by Ben- jamin Spaulding. The first that came with their famihes, were Abijah Buck and Thomas Allen, who, on the first day of April 1777, came into this town, with their wives and children, and in the same month, Nathaniel Buck came in with his family. These were the three first families, that settled in what is now the town of Buckfield. On the 3olh day of September 1777, Molly Allen was born. Abijah Buck (Jr.) was born the first day of March 1778. These were the first children, born in the town of Buck- field." The general narrative of the coming is substantially as fol- lows : The families of Abijah Buck and Thomas Allen, with a part of their household goods, upon an ox-sled, drawn by a pair of three years old steers, owned by Abijah Buck, started from New Gloucester in the month of March 1777, for their new homes, in the wilderness. Arriving at the Androscoggin River, they proceeded on the ice to the mouth of Twenty-Mile River, then turned up this stream, westward into Sylvester township (now Turner). When they came to falls in the river, they were forced to leave the ice and proceed on the banks. It became necessary then to cut down some trees and lop off branches which prevented their progress. At the settlement in Sylvester township two men, one of whom was Jonathan Record, afterward a settler in Bucktown, were employed to assist Buck and Allen in their work of clearing a path. When the ceremony took place in 1848, at the village, of Note Jonathan Tyler sold his homestead farm in New Gloucestei March 27, 1777. Abijah Buck was one of the witnesses to the deed, which places him in New Gloucester on that date, undoubtedly just be- fore his and Allen's families started for their new homes in the wilder- Digitized by Microsoft® 30 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD breaking ground for the beginning of the construction of the Buckfield Branch Railroad, Jonathan Record, then nearly one hundred years old, and the only survivor of those who worked in clearing the way for the first team ever driven into the township, was assigned to shovel the first spadeful of earth. Having at last arrived at Benjamin Spaulding's camp, the emigrants rested for a short time, while the women prepared something to eat. On their way thither, Abijah Buck had gone on ahead to hunt for deer, and was fortunate enough to procure a moose. Some of the flesh of this animal, roasted brown over the fire, furnished the choicest part of the meal. After all had heartily eaten, they re- sumed their journey, and before nightfall were comfortable and merry in their new homes. The family of Abijah Buck then consisted of his wife and five children. One daughter, Phebe, ten y^ars old, was left in New Gloucester with her maternal grandparents, and came with them the next year. There was but one child in the Allen family — the little son John, less than two years old. Later in the same month, Nathaniel Buck moved his family into the township. His children numbered three. The youngest was Nathaniel, Jr., who was about the same age as the Allen child. With this family came also John Brown. In September of this year was born in the family of Thomas Allen, the first child in the little set- tlement. It was a girl, who was named Mollie for her aunt, Mrs. Nathaniel Buck. What crops they raised, or how these three famihes fared the first year, cannot now be told. It must have been a period of great hardship and toil. The following, how- ever, is the only incident of actual suffering for food, that has come down to us : They nearly got out of provisions late in the autumn, at about the time of the fall of the first snows, and Abijah Buck and two others started with the ox-team for New Gloucester, leaving one man (tradition says Nathaniel Buck) behind, to take care of the women and children. For better pro- tection, all went to Abijah Buck's, to stay till the men should return. For all the famihes there was but half a bushel of com meal. Abijah Buck had a small heifer which gave only three pints of milk a day. It was expected that the one left behind could supply them with sufficient meat with his gun to keep them from actual starvation, with the milk and corn bread, for the three days the men expected to be away. In the night after the Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 31 men had gone, a cold and violent snow storm came on, which lasted several days, followed by a high wind which piled the snow into huge drifts. Fearing that something might befall the man left in charge of the women and children, in his weakened condition, and that they would be left without protection, they would not let him go into the forest in search of food. There were eight children to feed, and the older ones ate but little, lest they should deprive the children of what was necessary to keep them from starvation. Nathaniel Buck became so weak that he staggered as he went about the work he must of necessity do. The men were gone seven days, and during two days of this time there was nothing to eat but the milk and this was given all to the children. The men knowing the urgent necessity of their re- turn, raised a crew and with their ox-teams broke through the snow drifts to the settlement. When they at last appeared, with food and provisions, the joy and relief of these nearly famished people can better be imagined than described. Only the two families of Benjamin Spaulding and Jonathan Tyler, so far as known, were added in 1778, to the number in the little settlement. At this time there were six children in the Spaulding family, the youngest being an infant in its mother's arms.' A part only of the children came with their parents. The family was moved from Chelmsford with a ox- team and a cow was led behind. The wife of Jason Mitchell of Buckfield, in 1888 had a chair which was brought with this family at the time of their coming. Jonathan Tyler's family consisted only of himself and wife,— both nearly seventy years of age. They brought with them their granddaughter, Phebe Buck, who had been left behind when her father's family came the year be- fore. The incident of this journey which has been preserved, is of their being rowed across a river — tradition does not say what river — in a birchbark canoe. Jonathan Tyler, like Benjamin Spaulding, was a valuable acquisition to the little colony. He was fourth in descent from Job Tyler, the American ancestor who had settled at Andover, Mass., in 1641. He was a "millwright" and is said to have built 200 mills. He had lost a part of one hand, probably his left, for he acted as clerk of the proprietors for many years. On the incorporation of the town of New Gloucester in 1774, he was chosen with two others, to "manage the affairs" of the town, and Digitized by Microsoft® 32 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD the next year re-elected. He had conveyed land in that town "in the 6th year of the Reign of Our Sovereign Lord and King George the Third" (1766). His wife's name was Rebecca — born in Haverhill, Mass. According to the Rev. Paul Coffin's journal of a missionary tour through the towns in this section in 1800, she was then living at the age of 90 and remembered Hannah Dustin who escaped from captivity after killing seven Indians. Her husband had passed away, probably the year (1797) that a new "dark" was elected for the proprietors. On coming here Jona- than Tyler did not select a lot for settlement, but one was after- wards voted him by the proprietors in the westerly part of the town, but he never occupied it. The year 1778 as well as 1777, must have been one of priva- tion and perhaps of some suffering. We are told of frequent journeys to New Gloucester for provisions, and of the settlers carrying home on their backs large loads of corn and rye meal, salt, and various other articles. On one occasion, Nathaniel Buck is said to have brought from New Gloucester, on his back, three bushels of meal and a bag of salt. A map of the township, made in 1795, gives the distance from the center of the town to New Gloucester court house as twenty-five miles, but by the way the settlers went and came, it must have been much farther. It is no wonder, although of fabulous strength — he is said to have been the strongest man, physically, ever in the township or town — that Nathaniel got very tired before reaching the settlement, and fear- ing if he laid down his load, that he should not be able to place it upon his shoulders again, to obtain a little rest and take breath he occasionally leaned against the trees by the side of the path. It is related in the History of Turner that mills for grinding corn were erected at what is now Turner village, in 1775. If this is so, it does not appear just why the early settlers in Bucktown went to New Gloucester. It took three days to go and come, and until horses were common in the settlement, provisions had to be transported on the settlers' backs. Probably the date given when mills in Sylvester township were first built, is an error. The stories of the journeys of the early Bucktown settlers to New Gloucester are so numerous and full of particulars that they leave no room for doubt of the fact that such journeys took place. The settlers were very industrious and their little clearings stead- ily broadened and widened year by year and here again the tales Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 33 of Nathaniel Buck's capacity for handling the trunks and limbs of large trees and piHng them together for burning, overshadow all others. Piles of logs were often seen in his clearing which re- quired cattle or several men to move in the openings of the other settlers. He was a veritable Samson among his associates, and it is to be presumed that no one of them cared to lay hands on him in anger. Jacob Leonard once said in speaking of him, that his hands and limbs were like a giant's. It is related, as a remarkable fact, that while Nathaniel Buck was clearing his land, an apple tree was found growing wild. It was regarded as a good omen of his future thrift and prosperity and was carefully preserved. The event of the year, in the Httle settlement, was the appear- ance in the family of Abijah Buck, on the first day of March, of the first male child born in the township. He was named Abijah Buck, Jr. A male child was also born, during the same month, in the family of Nathaniel Buck, and was named Moses, for his uncle, Moses Buck, who settled in what is now the town of Sumner. In the early part of 1779, John Buck, a brother of the two Bucks mentioned, moved his family into the township. It con- sisted of his wife and two daughters. The oldest was only about two years -of age, — the other an infant but a few weeks old. The date of their coming is fixed by family tradition as a short time after this child was born, which was on the 5th day of February, 1779. John Buck settled on the northern slope of North Hill on the westerly side of what is now the county road. Here he had great fields of corn, such as no other settler raised, if we are to put credence in the stories which have come down to us. He was generous with the poor in his dealings with them and often sup- plied them with corn to plant and to grind into meal, which, when cooked in the many ways then known to the housewife, furnished the staple article of diet. Many failed to repay him, and he never exacted remuneration. None were ever turned away empty- handed. Such a man could not grow wealthy in such a new set- tlement and John Buck was no exception to this rule. Jonathan and David Record, twin brothers, said to have been born in Pembroke, but then residents of Bridgewater, Mass., came into the township the same year, to select lots for a settlement. They went to Sylvester plantation in 1776. Two others of the Digitized by Microsoft® 34 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD name of Record were among the first settlers there, and they may- have been related. In company with one Phillips they raised corn there that year. Jonathan, at least, was in Sylvester in the early part of the next year, as we have seen. They began their clearing between North and South Hill, and erected a habitation to accommodate two famihes. Both had seen service in the Con- tinental Army and both were unmarried, but the happy event had been anticipated, and the time appointed, for celebrating the nup- tials. Jonathan's sweetheart was Remember Briggs of Bridge- water, David's was Abigail Damon of Pembroke. The double wedding took place as appointed and their wedding trip was their journey to their home in the wilds of Maine. All went well with them for a time, but later on there was a disagreement between the wives, and each husband espousing the' cause of his wife, the brothers agreed to separate and live apart, Jonathan leaving the lot to David, selected another on North Hill, on what was until recently known as the Rasselas Cole farm. (The Vital Statistics of Pembroke state that David Record and Abigail Damon were married Sept. 9, 1781. She was born Dec. 19, 1758.) There also came into the township, during the year 1779, or 1780, as new settlers, the following persons: Edmund Chandler Isaac Foster Jonathan Philbriok Bani Teague Thomas Coburn Jonas Cohurn James Thurlo John Warren John Irish, Jr. Simon Record Wiiyam Doble Nathaniel Gammon Richard Thurlo Davis Thurlo John Thurlo Thomas Lowell Asa Thurlo and Peter White Lemuel Crooker There may have been others, but if so, they stayed but a short time and then went elsewhere. Edmund Chandler was from New Gloucester or North Yarmouth. His lot was situated south of what is now the county road leading to Paris Hill and included the water privilege where the first mills were built. He was the first miller in the township, and is said to have built the first mill. He sold one-half of the mill and water privileges and his settling lot to Dominicus Record and Mark Andrews in 1795. Record and Andrews made a division — the former took the mills and the latter the settling lot and buildings upon it. In conveyances from 1790 to 1800, Chandler is sometimes described as being a resident Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 35 of Bucktown and sometimes of New Gloucester. He "got off" Jotham Shaw from Lot 6, E. Div., and appears to have Hved on it for a period. He died in North Yarmouth about 1818. Isaac Foster was from Pembroke. He had served in the Con- tinental Army. His wife was Ranah Taylor, a daughter of Sam- uel, the wit and rhymster of the early settlers. His settling lot was No. 14, comprising what is now Loring's Hill and a part of the village. Isaac Foster was an uncle of Joel Foster, who set- tled here about 1787, and married Phebe Buck. His wife died in 1799, and he married Judith C. Smith, who appears to have had so much influence over him that they moved to Portland — aban- doning two of his children by his first wife, to become town charges. Jonathan Philbrick from Standish, then past middle life, set- tled on Lot No. 13 just south of the village, where the Dean sisters lately resided. Here he spent the remainder of his days. He was a soldier in the old French and Indian War. Philbrick was the first pound keeper in town. He was undoubtedly a wor- thy man. He died after December, 1805. His son, Enoch, was elected as town clerk to succeed Thomas Allen when he moved to Hartford, and his grandson, Ximenes, represented the town in the Legislature. Bani (often spelled Beni) Teague from Plymouth Colony, set- tled on Lot No. 2, E. Div., north of the river on Turner line. Part of his settling lot was sold to Richard Taylor in 1788, and the rest of it was afterwards the property of Rev. Nathaniel Chase. His son of the same name, built the mills on the river in Turner about a mile from the Buckfield town line. They were first called Teague's Mills, now Chase's Mills. Bani Teague's name disappeared from the Buckfield tax Hsts after 181 5. Thomas and Jonas Coburn from Dracut, Mass., had lots Nos. 10 and II, on North Hill. The former is now the summer resi- dence of Hon. John D. Long. It is a singular fact that Jonas and Thomas Coburn were among the first settlers in what is now the city of Lewiston, about 1770 — moving from there to Buck- town. Jonas disposed of his settling lot before 1800 and moved into the town of Turner. Thomas Coburn was one of the pro- prietors of the township and was often selected for important duties connected therewith. He died in 1804 and his heirs sold the homestead to Daniel Howard, Esq., our first lawyer. Digitized by Microsoft® 36 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD John, James, Asa, Richard and Davis Thurlo from Windham and Gorham, signed Abijah Buck's petition for the purchase of the township. The last four were undoubtedly sons of James, a brother of John, who married in 1749, Judith Crediford. This James was a son of Richard, who had settled in Gorham from Berwick. He and his wife, Ann, had joined "the church" by "profession of faith." All five had seen service in the Continental Army. John's lot was No. 36 on the road from the Lowell Cor- ner to Hebron and bordering on the town line. He later sold hi^ lot to Jonas Coburn and went away. Asa's lot was, we think. No. 35, adjoining John's on the north, which he disposed of to Ezra Brown. He was a resident of Hebron in 1794. After- wards the family removed to Woodstock where he died. Davis had Lot No. 34 adjoining Asa's on the north, and Richard, Lot No. 3 in the extreme southeast part of the township in the vicin- ity, while the lot of James (No. 12) was on North Hill, north of Jonas Coburn's on the east side of the county road, as after- wards laid out. James Thurlo died before receiving the deed of his lot, and his heirs sold to Deacon William Berry. Richard and Davis did not remain long in the township. They joined the Shaker Colony at "Sabbath Day Pond," New Gloucester. Phile- mon Parsons in 1793 acquired Lot No. 34, and Ezra Brown Lot No. 3 as non-resident land. Richard, born in 1754, had married Miriam, daughter of Stephen Lowell, and it is said that he turned over to the society a considerable property, when he joined the Shakers. The parents and a daughter lived with them during the remainder of their lives. The three sons, Isaac, Robeil and Stephen, after they became of age, left and went into business for themselves. Peter White, a Revolutionary soldier from Gorham, had Lot No. 7 on South Hill (in later years what was known as the Elkanah Irish place). He sold out and went to Standish, Me., before the census of 1790 was taken. His farm was situated near Sebago Lake. Perhaps White River, which empties into the lake in that section where he lived, took its name from him. Nathaniel Gammon from Gorham, settled on Lot 32, near what was afterwards the Lowell Corner. He had served in the Continental Army. His wife was Molly, the second daughter of Stephen Lowell. He passed the rest of his life on the farm he had carved out of the wilderness. Nathaniel Gammon was a man Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 37 of upright character, of studious and industrious habits, and highly respected by all who knew him, as were also the members of his family — particularly his son, Jonathan, who was born, lived and died on the settling lot of his father. His descendants are scattered over the land; one, James Gammon, a worthy son and grandson, is an honored citizen in Dodge City, Kansas, and a sis- ter, Margaret, a former school teacher, whom the writer grate- fully remembers, is a widow in comfortable cicumstances in Eureka, California. William Doble and David Record had Lot. No. 9, W. Div., after enough land had been added by the proprietors to make 200 acres. They made the division themselves. Record's dwelling house was on the east side of the county road leading from the Lowell Corner, over North Hill to the village. Doble's on the northeast side of the river on the cross road leading from the Lowell Corner to the Turner road. Simon Record's lot. No. 8, was on this cross road. The origin of William Doble is uncer- tain. Elias Taylor, elsewhere mentioned, had heard it said that he had been left, while an infant, at the door of a well-to-do fam- ily, which had brought him up as one of their own. Many of his descendants at one period lived in the town of Sumner. John Irish, Jr., from Gorham, came to Bucktown about 1780, and settled on South Hill on Lot 6, adjoining Peter White's lot on the south. It was afterwards known as the Henry Hutchinson place. He died in 1805. His estate was appraised at £1400 — the larger part of which was real estate. Two of these early settlers, John Warren and Thomas Lowell, were unmarried, when they came to the township, and a romantic interest surrounds their early lives here. Warren was the son of Tristram Warren of Berwick, whose lot was in the vicinity of the river, and bordering on what is now the Sumner town line. He married the oldest daughter of Abijah Buck, as related elsewhere. Thomas Lowell was the oldest son of Stephen Lowell, who, with his good wife, lived with him, and whose deaths occurring quite near together a few years later, is mentioned elsewhere. His lot was No. 5 on South Hill. The romantic courtship of Thomas Lowell with Judith Farrar hereafter related, furnishes one of the most interesting and readable chapters in this history. He died Sept. 10, 1810, at the age of 49. The family removed to Litch- field, Me. Digitized by Microsoft® 38 HISTORY OF BUCKFTELD William Lowell, who began trade in that section of the town, was a younger brother. He married Margery, a daughter of Elder William Irish, and had a remarkable family of children. Three of his sons were members of the Maine Senate in 1853. Mark Lowell, who died in Buckfield in 1884 at the age of 91, was also one of William's sons. Polly, a daughter, married Ichabod Bonney of Turner. She was the mother of Hon. Percival Bonney of Portland, who held the position of Judge of the Superior Court in that city for many years. Lemuel Crooker's lot was No. 4 on South Hill. He was from Pembroke. His wife's name was Rachel Foster, sister of Isaac, whom he married Aug. 5, 1773. She was his cousin. He had seen service in the War for American Independence, was the lead- ing citizen of his section of the town and the first trader there. At the first town meeting, he was elected chairman of the board of selectmen and was many times re-elected. He also held other positions. His townsmen appear to have never lost confidence in •him. After a time he declined to accept town office, presumably to pay greater attention to his business. He was a great benefit to the people of that section as was Simon Record who had a blacksmith shop — the first in the township — near the Lowell Cor- ner. Soon after Lemuel Crooker opened his store a road was laid out from the county road to the mills, called Blake's Mills in Syl- vester, and it became a thoroughfare for the settlers who went there to have their corn and rye ground. With a store, black- smith shop and mills so near, the people of the south part of the town got along very well and by their industry in a short time began to thrive. It appears to have been at one time the most prosperous section of the town. There is a tradition that Jonas Coburn had a store in that locality before WiUiam Lowell, and that he succeeded Jonathan Roberts, Jr., "a trader," who pur- chased Peter White's settling lot. Coburn was a noted wrestler, and once a man came a great distance to try his strength and skill with him. Coburn happened to be away at the time, and among those who were present at the store was Simon Record, who, up- on learning the stranger's errand, offered to take Coburn's place. At the set-to which followed. Record threw the fellow twice, to the great satisfaction of the bystanders and the evident chagrin Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 39 of the athlete, who thereupon left without waiting for the arrival of Coburn. There must have been considerable business to have supported two stores in that part of the town for the time they were in oper- ation. In 1812 Crocker sold his. settling lot to Stephen Hutchin- son, and closing his store, moved into Hebron where he died at an advanced age. Then, after some years, the channels of trade shifted and both the store and blacksmith shop ceased to exist, but in that vicinity over the town line in Hebron, a store of some kind has been kept unto this day. Digitized by Microsoft® 40 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD CHAPTER IV. Early Settlement Continued. In the early part of the year 1781, Nathaniel Chase, then in his twentieth year, with Amos Brown, his half-brother, and Daniel Crockett, came on snowshoes from Windham through the forest to Bucktown. He drew a hand sled, on which was a bushel of meal, an axe, a hatchet, and a gun. What the others brought, tradition has not informed us. Each selected a lot for settle- ment. Nathaniel's was known years ago as the Thomas Chase farm. The others took up lots in the same vicinity and north of the Bani Teague lot. In a year's time, Nathaniel had cleared twelve acres of land and built a log house, to which he moved his parents the next year. His father, Eleazer Chase, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. While he was in the army, the fam- ily was dependent upon the boy, Nathaniel. Before the long con- test for Independence had ended, Nathaniel also enlisted, and served about a year. Besides the 100 acres, which he obtained by being a settler in the township, prior to January i, 1784, he ac- quired by purchase a large number of acres of adjoining land (probably obtaining the lot of Daniel Crockett who appears to have gone away, but later returned to the township — at all events he acquired no settling lot.) A few years after he settled in the township, Nathaniel Chase was converted to the Baptist faith, and afterwards ordained as a preacher and became the first settled minister of the town. Joseph Chase, a younger brother of Nathaniel, born in 1769, acquired a settling lot. He could not at the time of his brother's coming have been but 12 years old, and only about 15 when the law went out of effect, giving 100 acres of land to actual settlers. He probably came with his parents and may have acquired his set- tling lot in place of his father, Eleazer. During the year 1781 occurred the first marriage in the town- ship. Elizabeth Buck, the oldest daughter of Abijah Buck, be- came the bride of John Warren. They went into the adjoining township of Sylvester to have the ceremony performed, for as yet there was no one in the settlement authorized by law to unite persons in marriage. A great feast was prepared for them and the invited guests on their return, at Abijah Buck's, in which Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFJELD 41 deer and moose steak formed not the least appetizing parts of the viands. All the neighboring settlers with their wives and children, were present. It was a great event in the little settle- ment and long remembered. In the same year, Wjilliam Irish and Gershom Davis from Gor- ham, who had married sisters, came into the township to select lots. When they left home, their wives charged them to build their habitations, so that each could see the other's home. Irish's lot was on North Hill southwest of Jonathan Records'. Davis settled on a hill still farther southwest, overlooking the valley through which the railroad was afterwards located. They felled trees for their openings and erected their log houses as requested by their wives. While they were doing this work they stopped at John Buck's, whose wife was a relative of Irish's. The fol: lowing year they moved their families into their new homes. Both had seen service in the Continental Army. Irish became a lay preacher of considerable ability and success. In the year 1781, came also into the township to select a lot for a settlement, Jacob Whitman from Easton, Mass. He had learned from the Record brothers about the township. He had married a sister of Simon's wife and probably stayed there while looking for a lot, clearing his land, and building his log house. He se- lected, at first, a lot in the northern part of the township, but one of the settlers advised him to look for one where the rock maples grew large and thrifty, as this kind of growth showed that the soil would be excellent corn land. He followed this advice and went into the extreme southern part of the town to the southwest of Davis' lot, and there he found rock maples growing, such as he had not seen elsewhere. Here, near a fine spring of water, over- looking the valley of Bog Brook and the hills to the east and northeast, he began his clearing. He was a stout and muscularly built man, had served several years in the War for Independence, and was inured to hardship. He set resolutely at work, and, in a few weeks' time, had several acres of trees felled and a log house constructed. The next June, he moved his family to their new home. Besides his wife, it consisted of three children. The youngest, Joseph, was only three months old. And when his wife spoke about the convenience of having a cradle for this infant, he went out and got a piece of hemlock bark which had been peeled the year before and in drying had rolled up at the Digitized by Microsoft® 42 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD sides. This, by a few strokes of the axe, was soon made to serve the purpose of a cradle. It is related that, one evening, after a hard day's work, he had gone to bed and fallen asleep, when he was suddenly awakened by his wife's calling, "Jacob ! Jacob ! come to the door ! I think there is a new camp-fire over on the hill. Do you suppose another settler has come?" He got up, tired as he was, with great interest. There had been three before in that direction, now there were four. After gazing awhile at the lights, he said, "O, yes, there is a new one there, and, I tell yoli what, Nabby, an old soldier built it, and he must be from the westward." (A common expression, meaning Massachusetts.) Who this settler was is somewhat uncertain, but it was probably Joshua Young, who had been a soldier in the Continental Army and was at Bunker Hill. He came into the township in 1782, or 1783, and settled on the eastern slope of South Hill, near the Turner town line. Jacob Whitman was born in Easton, Mass., Nov. 28, 1753. His father died when he was young and he was placed under guardianship. Perhaps he was not well used and he may have been very wilful. However this may be, we find him possessed of an adventurous spirit and ripe for the impending struggle of the people of the Colonies against the Mother Country. His first service was with the "Minute Men" of the old Commonwealth at the outbreak of the Revolution. He was in Capt. Daniel Lo- throp's company from April 10, 1775, to May 2, 1775. On the 19th of April of that year, occurred the battles of Lexington and Concord. He enlisted again in the same company, in Col. Bailey's regiment, the Aext day after he was discharged, and served till Aug. I, 1775. On the 17th of June the battle of Bunker Hill took place. There is a tradition in the family that he was present in that famous battle, and, while on the retreat across Charlestown Neck, his cartridge box was shot away, and that he turned and picked it up while the bullets were flying thickly around him. His name is on the return of the muster roll, dated at Rox- bury Camp, Dec. 16, 1775, "of men enhsted for the ensuing year, under the next establishment," Capt. Thomas Percy's Company, Col. Knox's Artillery Regt. He served during the Siege of Boston, the next year. Washington, having secured possession of Dorchester Heights, the British were forced to evacuate Bos- ton. After this, according to the records of the War Department, Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCkFIELD 43 he served in the Continental Army. He enlisted June 6, 1776 The length of service is not given. He re-enlisted and was with the army m New York when Stony Point was stormed and when Gen. John Burgoyne's army was captured near Saratoga. He was at home m the early part of the year 1777, for a short time, when he married Abigail Packard of Bridgewater. Elias Taylor said, m 1888, that this old Revolutionary Patriot told him that he was discharged from the army in New Jersey and, with only Conti- nental paper money, then considered almost worthless, he was left to find his way home as best he could. The people would not take this money in payment for food, and often he had to travel all day without anything to eat. At one place, he paid $40 in this cur- rency for a bowl of bread and milk. He came home with a pro- found regard for Washington, which he ever after retained, and bequeathed to his descendants. He settled in Bucktown, as we have seen, on a lot adjoining the Hebron town line, then called Shepardsfield. He was an industrious citizen and paid strict at- tention to the clearing up of his lot, rearing his family and attain- ing a competence. He was often selected for road surveyor, school agent and school committee and his name was always kept in the jury box until he got too old to attend to such service. He was a man of fierce spirit when aroused and positive in his opin- ions and fond of argument. The following incident, as related by Susan Leonard, who, in her younger days, was a school teacher of note in the town and had heard it from some of the oldest of the good Christian people living in the Berry neighborhood, is characteristic : When the first Baptist Society in town was formed, Jacob Whitman and his wife were soHcited to join it. They had previously belonged to some society and were considered as Christians. When the creed was read over to him, he shook his head and said, "You may turn me off, if you choose, but I do not believe that. For, after much reflection upon the matter, I have come to the conclusion that, in some way and somehow, there will be a final restoration of all human souls." They took the matter into consideration, and, after considerable deliberation, they de- cided that it would do no good to argue with him, for he hked controversy too well and was too positive in his opinions to be changed but, as he was a good citizen and contributed liberally to the support of the church, they would leave his case with God. Digitized by Microsoft® 44 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Joshua Young had Lot No. i on the east slope of South Hill adjoining the Turner town line. He was originally from Wellfleet, Mass., but came here from Gorham. Joshua Young was a Patriot of the Revolution and was at the battle of Bunker Hill. He was probably also in other engagements. It is related that, while on the retreat, after the redoubt was carried by the British, he thought of some supplies which had been left behind and, making the remark that they were "too good for the d — d red coats;" went back and brought them off at the great risk of his life, — his clothes being pierced with several musket balls, which had been fired at hm. He lived to a good old age. His settling lot has always been kept in the family name by his descendants. Dominicus Record from Easton, came into the township in 17,82. He first selected a lot as related on the river near John Warren's, but exchanged it with Benjamin Spaulding, for his lot in what is now the village. Record was a foundryman and mill- man. Had he adhered to his first selection, he would without doubt have erected mills at what is now North Buckfield and per- haps the principal center of business of the town might have been there. He acquired a half interest in the mills and water privi- leges with Edmund Chandler, of which he afterwards became the sole owner. In 1783 he moved his family, consisting of three children — his wife having died or been divorced — into the little place. There is a tradition that on account of domestic troubles, he had left a flourishing business in Massachusetts to make a new home in the wilds of Maine. From his coming dates the begin- ning of the prosperity and growth of the village. Soon after he married Jane Warren, daughter of Tristram Warren, who had become a settler near his son, John. By her he had three children. In the year 1783 Enoch Hall from Windham, came to the township for the purpose of selecting a lot for a settlement. He obtained the one on the high land east of the river. It is the same which was known years ago as the Wm. F. Robinson farm. It had been taken up by another, perhaps Andrew Elliott, who had felled 10 acres of trees and erected a log house and other buildings. Hall purchased the rights of this settler for $500, it is said. In 1784 he cleared up these ten acres and planted corn and 200 bushels were raised. In the autumn he went to Windham for his wife. In the month of November they started for Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 45 Bucktown with their household effects and some, provisions on the backs of two horses. On their way thither, they found the streams swollen from a recent rain storm. One (tradition does not say which) was found unfordable and it became necessary to construct a raft of driftwood bound together with withes to bring across their goods and provisions, while the horses swam over. When about midway of the stream, on one of the trips, the raft went to pieces and Hall was obliged to swim to the opposite shore. He lost his jacket and the provisions, saving only his shirt, trousers, and two dollars in money. His wife and the household effects had been taken over previous to the accident. They ar- rived at their new home in Bucktown on his 2ist birthday. With the two dollars he bought two sheep. After shearing time the next year his wife wove a piece of cloth from which she made him a suit of clothes. In 1786 he built a barn, covering it with "long shingles" made by himself. It was a rule of his Hfe after he got started to buy nothing he could not pay for. The only school he ever attended was taught at his own house by Elder Daniel Hutchinson. The term was three weeks in length. His three oldest children and himself were the pupils. During this time he gained some knowledge of arithmetic and learned to write. He was a natural mathematician and from this small beginning he educated himself from such books as he could procure, and be- came qualified in after years to transact business and teach his younger children. In nine years from the time he moved into his log house, his family occupied a comfortable frame house, and he was in easy circumstances. During the last few years of his life, he suffered much from a disease of the stomach, which proved to be the cause of his death Dec. 10, 1835. Enoch Hall was one of the principal men in town of his day. For several years he served as Buckfield's representative in the General Court at Boston, was a member of the convention in 1819 that framed the Constitution for this State, and was the first representative from the town in the Legislature. His name is perpetuated in "Hall's Bridge." Samuel Taylor from Pembroke, settled in the township prior to Jan. I, 1784. His lot was west of Jacob Whitman's on the Hebron town line. His habitation was built within a very few rods of Whitman's, and both families used water from the same spring. Taylor had served in both the old French and Indian Digitized by Microsoft® 46 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD War and the Revolution and was well along in years when he came to the township. He appears to have been the wit and fhymster of the original settlers. Some of his sayings were very witty, while others "bit like a serpent and stung like an adder." A story is told of him about an adventure which he had with James Rider's wife, who was beHeved by many people to be a witch. A man named Keen averred that she had once asked him for one of two partridges, which he had shot. He told her that he had no more than his own family wanted. She immediately pronounced a curse upon him and told him that he would never be able to shoot another bird. He said that he had tried several times to do so, but could not bring down the game — no doubt the eflfect of her words upon his nerves. Taylor, however, had no faith in her supernatural powers. It is related that, while making a journey on horseback, he had to put up for the night at Rider's house. He was urged to make a rhyme for the family. Though reluctant at first, he finally consented, with the proviso that half of it should be given that night, and the other half in the morning before he went away. The first half of his rhyme ran thus: "The children of Israel wanted bread and the Lord gave them manna;" after he had mounted his horse to depart the next morning, he was reminded that the rhyme had not been com- pleted. He promptly finished it as follows : "Jeems Rider wanted- a wife and the devil sent him Hannah." She started for him with uplifted broom and eyes blazing with wrath, but he put spurs to his horse and was soon out of sight and hearing. Daniel Packard from Bridgewater, first settled in what proved to be, after the lines were run, the town of Hebron. While there his daughter, Betsey, was born — the first female child in the township. He afterwards selected a lot north of Taylor's on which he built a log house, where he moved his family before January i, 1784. The others who acquired settUng lots here prior to that date of whom no mention has been made, are David Warren, Joel Rich, Ezra Brown, John Irish, Joseph Irish, Jonathan Roberts, Joseph Roberts, Jr., Caleb Young and Jonah Forbes. David Warren settled west of Jonathan Record's towards the pond, and adjoining Gershom Davis', which proved to be on the same lot as Record. He came from the vicinity of Falmouth and had served for a period in the Continental Army. It is not Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIFXD 47 known what relationship, if any, he was to John Warren. He appears to have been an able man. After residing in Buckfield many years, he removed to Hartford, where he was a selectman, deputy sheriff and a representative to the General Court. Joel Rich from Gorham, Me., settled on what in recent years has been known as the Lowell farm. He, too, had been a soldier in the Continental Army. He was the son of Lemuel and Eliz- abeth (Harding) Rich who came from Truro, Mass., to Gorham in 1762. They had a large family of children, among whom was Joel, born about 1757. He married EHzabeth Gates. Rich sold his settling lot to James Manwell in 1795 and removed to Brooks or vicinity. Ezra Brown of Windham, a brother of Amos, had a settling lot in Bucktown. No mention is made of him in the earlier transactions relating to the purchase and settlement of the town- ship. He was a prominent citizen in his town of Windham as early as 1783 when he was elected one of the selectmen, a posi- tion he held for many consecutive years. For this reason he could not have been a resident of Bucktown for the same period, yet he had a settling lot. No. 35, in the southeast part of the town, which we think he must have acquired by purchase and probably from Asa Thurlo. He was afterward taxed as a non-resident for land in the eastern part of the town for several years. Ezra Brown was elected as a representative to the General Court from Windham, where he died in 1826, "aged 76." John Irish, the oldest son of James Irish, the American an- cestor who came from England about 1710 and settled at Fal- mouth, now Portland, was born there April 13, 1724. He, with his wife, Sarah, settled in Gorham, Me., about 1750. Fourteen years later "he owned 50 acres of land in the back part of that town on a cross road." John Irish saw much service as a scout in the Indian wars. He was a member of Capt. Dominicus Jor- dan's "Snowshoe" company in the early part of 1744^ He par- ticipated in the siege of Louisburg when it was captured by the colonial troops. In Capt. John Phinney's company he served as Sergeant in 1759. John Irish was in the Continental forces at the surrender of Quebec. His children were all grown up prior to his taking up a settler's lot near his son-in-law, John Buck, on North Hill in Bucktown in 1783. The family seems to have alternately lived in Bucktown and Gorham. In 1789 "in the 14th Digitized by Microsoft® 48 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD year of American Independence" he sold his setthng lot to John Buck for £60. Joseph Irish of Gorham, a brother of John, senior, born April 12, 1728, was a soldier in the old French and Indian War and the War for Independence. He married Hannah Doane in 1753. His family had all grown up prior to his settling in Bucktown. His lot, which adjoined the Turner town line, he sold to his son, Ebenezer Irish, in 1802. There is no mention of his name on the census lists of 1800. We find under the record of the offspring of Ebenezer Irish and his wife, Bathsheba, this entry : "Mr. Joseph Irish, died April 14, 1808.'' His name disappeared from the tax hsts of the town in 1801. Jonathan Roberts, who settled at what was afterwards called "Federal Corner," was born in New Hampshire about 1746. He was probably a descendant of Thomas Roberts, who came from England with his wife, Rebecca, and settled in Dover, N. H., in 1633, and was colonial governor for a short time. This Thomas had two sons, one of whom was the sheriff who whipped the Quakers out of town "at the cart tail." The father, becoming converted to that faith, afterwards arose in church and asked the pardon of God for having such a son. It is said that the poet Whittier was a descendant of this sheriff. Many of this family name adopted the Quaker faith. Jonathan Roberts married, in 1768, Elizabeth Webb of Windham. He enHsted in the Conti- nental Army and is said to have been at Bunker Hill. Jonathan appears to have been a man of considerable ability and a leading citizen of his section of the town. Joseph Roberts, Jr., a nephew of Jonathan Roberts, was born in Brentwood, N. H., Feb. 6, 1756. He was the oldest son of Joseph and Hannah (Young) Roberts. He enlisted at Cape Elizabeth, May 15, 1775, in the Continental service, having run away for that purpose. His father went to take him back home, but was persuaded to enter the army himself. Both are said to have been at Bunker Hill, where they fought at the "rail fence." The son was at Copps Hill, when the British were forced to evac- uate Boston. He was at Fort George and Fort Edward, and also in the Penobscot Expedition. His service, at different periods, extended through five years. He settled on a lot, on what is now the road from Federal Corner to the Chase neighborhood. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 49 In 1818 he was granted a pension of $8, but was dropped from the rolls in 1820. He was restored by act of June 7, 1832, at $76.66 per year, commencing March 4, 1831. He married Esther Hamlin in 1777 and settled in Bucktown before Jan. i, 1784. In 1799, he went to Washington Plantation, now Brooks^ Me., and was the first settler in that township. He built the first mill there, was a natural mechanic and manufactured bowls, mortars, etc. Some of his dishes are still preserved among his descendants. Mr. Roberts was promised 500 acres of land from Gen. Knox for building the mill, but he never obtained the land. He was industrious, frugal, upright, moral, and a Christian man. He was twice married. By his first wife he had 12 children and 12 more by his second wife. His grandchildren numbered 157. He died in Brooks, Jan. 10, 1843, aged nearly 87. Caleb Young from Windham was also a Revolutionary soldier. He may have been a brother of Joshua. The two names are sug- gestive of the two great leaders of the hosts of Israel at an im- portant period of Jewish history. Caleb settled on what was known, thirty years ago, as the Ozias DeCoster farm. Joshua's lot was on Sylvester township line in the southeastern part of the town. It is related of Caleb that, at one time, he endeavored to cross, with a yoke of oxen, the bridge below the village which from a recent freshet had become unsafe. His cattle broke through and he quickly cut them loose from the load and, with great difficulty, saved them and himself by swimming ashore. The tradition is that the town authorities made him pay damages for breaking through the bridge. Jonah FoAes, of Easton, Mass., was born in the year 1741. He was one of the "Minute Men" and served in the Continental Army and was at the battle of Monmouth. He settled in Buck- town about 1783 on Lot No. 8, East Division. He was 79 years old in 1820, when he made an affidavit in the Court of Common Pleas, relating to his property, which was then required of those pensioned under the Act of 1818. Tradition says that when he came home from the war he had a large quantity of Continental money and wore an officer's cap. He was a powerfully built man. 'The men whose names have been mentioned in the foregoing pages, as acquiring settling lots of 100 acres free, prior to Jan. i, 1784, were forty-seven in number. Their lots were not laid out and numbered till long after they had made their clearings and Digitized by Microsoft® 50 HISTORY OF BU'CKFtELD erected habitations. By an entry in Abijah Buck's d'ary, it ap- pears that this work was completed in 1789. It must have been a difficult problem, in some cases, to run out the exact number of acres required for each lot and include "in it the settler's im- provements. In two instances, the proprietors "found" two set- tlers on the same lot. In other words, they could not make a satisfactory division, so they added enough from contiguous land belonging to the proprietors, to contain 200 acres, and left the settlers to make the division themselves. The work of laying out the lots appears to have been done as well as could reasonably be expected under the circumstances. The chief interest in the early history of the town must cen- ter in these 47 settlers and their families, for they must be re- garded as the founders of the town. How they lived and what they accomplished, we shall endeavor, as far as possible, to relate. Twelve (and if we count Daniel Crockett and Asa Thurlo, fourteen) of them, disposed of their settling lots and went else- where. One died before the deed of his lot was executed. Of the remaining number who passed the last years of their lives here, one lived to be over 104, three others over 90, nine others over 80, and five others over 70 years of age. Eight served in the old French and Indian War. Thirty-two are known to have been in the Continental Army. Their service represented all the important engagements in those great contests, from Braddock's defeat to the capture of Quebec, and from Bunker Hill to York- town. On fields of 'blood they served their country well. In peace, they founded a model little commonwealth. Honor and glory to their memories, evermore. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 51 CHAPTER V. Pioneer Life. What would we not give for a glimpse of any one of the clear- ings of these early settlers, with its log house and other primitive structures — the father, busy at his labor of "junking," planting, or harvesting; the mother hard at work at the loom, and the children playing about the door ? We may well conceive that, after the period of their greatest privations, and prosperous days had come, gatherings at certain places in each little neighborhood, on the long winter evenings, were frequent, with the great open fireplace piled high with the blazing logs and sending its cheerful heat and light into every corner. If at Thomas Allen's, they would perhaps be listening to his songs or stories of adventure and life in old England. If at Abijah Buck's, of stories of the Indians and incidents of his army life in the French and Indian War. Mrs. Rebecca Tyler, Mrs. Buck's mother, must have told, many times, the story of Hannah Dustin's escape from the Indians, who were carrying her away into captivity. It was related to Rev. Paul Coffin, in 1800, when on a missionary tour among the towns in this section. What is more probable at Benjamin Spaulding's, than that hunting exploits and incidents of the chase were often discussed? We know pretty accurately, from the many stories which have come down to us, what the gatherings were in the Whitman neighborhood. All were old Revolutionary soldiers and all, ex- cept one, serious and stern men. Samuel Taylor was given to the making of rhymes and to levity. And "Aunt Betty" Pack- ard, too ! What could she not tell of her native land, her voyage to America, and life in the army? We may well conceive that the stores and blacksmith shops drew together the men and older boys, who discussed the affairs of the township, state and nation Many a candidate for town office was selected m Lemuel Crooker's store. The project of laying out a county road from the southeast part of the town to "Jay Point" was started mWil- iam Lowell's store. At a later period, Larnard Swallow s black- smith shop in the northwest part of the town was a noted place for the town politicians of his section. And what solemn gatherings their religious meetings must have been! They were a God-fearing people, and the Bible, Digitized by Microsoft® 52 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD their great book of the law. Before the mills were built, the early settlers had to go to New Gloucester, or to Blake's Mills, now Turner village, to get their corn and grain ground They went for several years to the former place for such articles as salt and molasses, and often, while carrying home en their backs, their bags of corn meal or rye, they would have in either hand a jug of molasses and a box or bag of salt. The long journey was by spotted trees. One writing of the methods pursued by the early pioneers in this part of the state says : "The common course of proceeding with beginners was first to cut down the trees on five or six acres of land the first year, burn the ground over the next spring, plant with corn and build a log house. Then cut down more trees, move the family in be- fore harvest and live for a year, principally on corn meal food and such meat as the gun and fishing pole furnished. The third year, besides corn, raise wheat and beans and build a small barn. The fourth year raise hay and rye. By this time, the settler was in a way to live comfortably. After living in a log house for seven years, if he prospered, he would be able to build a frame house and be called an old settler. All who had nothing better than a log house were, by custom, bound to give a new settler two weeks' accommodation and board when moving in." No particular method was adopted in Buckfield. In every section there were places where new settlers were accustomed to go and stay, not for two, only, but for many weeks until lots were selected and suitable habitations constructed. There were several such havens of refuge in the southern part of the town. Elias Taylor, before mentioned, for a large part of his life, resided in the town of Hebron, which he at one time represented in the legislature of the state, but, during his old age, he came back to Buckfield to live and die. He delighted to tell about see- ing, when a boy, the new settlers with their families as they came into town, and particularly, of Joseph Lothrop and his fam- ily from Bridgewater, Mass. ■ They were made welcome at Jacob Whitman's. One of the daughters became his wife. The early settlers were noted for their hospitality. They delighted to see the new comers moving in and did everything they could to make them comfortable while their new homes were being prepared for occupancy. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 53 Although of a later period, the following from the diary of an Oxford County settler will be of interest, as it shows the man- ner of "getting on" in the early days : Mar. 23d Arrived with my family at my house. Hauled two loads of goods and returned to Minot. Mar. 24th Set out from Minot with my two hogs. Mar. 25th Arrived home. My brother moved from my house to his own. Mar. 26th Got 2| bushels corn from a neighbor and sent ^ bushel to mill. Mar. 27th At work on my house. Mar. 30th Made 22 sap troughs. Mar. 31st Made plank to finisih out my floor. April 1st Set one glass window. Began to catch sap. April 3d Set another glass window. April 4th Bot. ^ bush. corn. April 5th Bot. peck of wheat and one of rye and carried them to mill. April 6th Began junking my felled trees. (Junking is cut- ting off logs from fallen trees of such lengths as to be easily handled and rolled together in piles for burning.) We received the first visit from women. April 7th Junking. April 8th Fast day. April loth Snow storm, 11 inches fell. April 13th Lopping limbs among my burnt trees. April 14th Junking and piling the rest of the week. April 22d Burned the brush around m);- house. April 28th and 29th Felling trees for my neighbors. May 3d Set fire to our opening and had quite a good burn. May 4th Piling brands. May 13th Rain storm. It had been very dry. Made a table. May 24th Bot. a bushel seed corn. June 1st Planting. June I2th Finished planting corn. June 15th Fencing the opening. June 1 6th At work for a neighbor for a pig. June 17th and 18th Felling trees. June 2ist Brot. my cow and calf 'from father's. Digitized by Microsoft® 54 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD June 22nd Making cow yard and pig pen. June 29th and 30th Felling trees. July 5th Had a neighbor work for me telling trees and paid him in pork. July 1 2th Hoeing corn. July 14th Finished felling trees. July 17th Finished hoeing corn. July 25th Went to New Gloucester. July 29th Digging a water spring. July 30th and 31st Unwell. Aug. 5th Laid the foundation for my chimney. Aug. 6th Peeled bark for a chamber floor. Aug. loth Went to a lecture at Mr. Hutchin.son's. April 30th Went to mill. Sept. 1st Weeding my corn. Sept. 5th Went to meeting at Mr. Whitman's. Sept. 6t'h Began falling trees to lay over the season. Sept. 8th Went to mill. Sept. I2th Sunday. Went to meeting. Heard Deacon Packard and old Mr. Whitman. Sept. 2ist Began cutting stalks. Oct. 5th and 6th Digging and covering cellar drain. Oct. 7th Digging potatoes. Had 40 bushels. Put them in cellar. Oct. 9th Banking up house. Oct. I2th, 13th, i4th and 15th Gathering corn. Oct. 1 8th At work in cellar. Oct. 19th, 20th and 2 1st Gathering pumpkins. Oct. 22d Went to mill and had first new coirn ground. Oct. 27tih Went to meeting and heard Mr. Tripp. Oct. 28th Went to two neighbors and brot. home two kittens. Nov. 2d Finished gathering corn — raised about 60 bushels. Nov. 4th, 5th and 6th At work in my cellar. Nov. 9th and loth Building an oven. Nov. nth Baked in it. Nov. 14th Sunday. Nov. 18th Got a number of trees at Mr. Packard's and set them out. Nov. 15th At work on chimney. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 55 Nov. 19th Went to Minot. Dec. 1st to 4th At work on the road. Dec. 6th Killed my two hogs. They weighed about 450 lbs. Dec. i2th Sunday. Went to meeting. Dec. 13th Topped out chimney. Dec. 14th Went to mill. Dec. 1 6th Hauling barn logs. Dec. 17th Severe cold morning. Dec. i8th Weather moderates. Dec. 20th to 25th At work on barn. Dec. 27th Hauled in my loom. The log houses of the early settlers at first generally con- sisted of one room below, which served for kitchen, dining-room and sleeping room ; and one above this, reached by a ladder where the children slept and where the ears of corn were often piled after husking. The roofs of the houses were made of strips of hemlock bark, or of pine, or cedar. The doors were of hewed plank, hung on wooden hinges and fastened by a large wooden latch on the inside. A stout hempen cord was attached to the latch and ran through a hole to the outside. At night and in times of alarms, this string was drawn in, thus preventing any one on the outside from opening the door. A stout hardwood bar could be fixed across the door to make it further secure. It was the boast of some, however, that the latch strings to their doors were always out. There were no glass windows for several years after the first settlers came. Oiled paper supplied the place of glass when the houses were built, places being left in the walls for the introduc- tion of light. The oiled paper was fixed over these apertures. Pieces of wood, hewed to the right dimensions, were placed in shdes to cover these places at night or in stormy and cold weather. The foundations for chimneys were of stone cemented with clay. From the second floor the walls were constructed of sticks of split wood laid "00b fashion" and the spaces between were filled with clay or mud. The floor when not of hewed plank was the bare ground made smooth and hard by the con- stant tread of feet and kept heat and clean by the housewife's broom made from twigs or of ash wood pounded into strips of the right length. The' great fireplaces were among the best Digitized by Microsoft® 56 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD features of these habitations. They were bnilt to take in large ' sticks. Stones of the right size and shape were placed on each side for the great "back log" and the "forestick" between which the fire was made. Chairs, bottomed with basket stuff, for- the older members of the family and visitors, and wooden stools for the younger ones furnished the seats. Over the fireplace hung the old flint-lock gun, a very essential thing in those days. Within the fireplace hung the crane to hold the pots and kettles in which food was cooked by boiling, while nearby, on the wall, shelves were constructed for the tin, pewter and wooden ware, close to which hung the knife-basket. In this room, also, was the spinning wheel and often the loom. The clothing of the first settlers was made from flax and wool. Every settler had his field of flax. The instrument to dress it and make it into cloth every family possessed. Sheep, as well as pigs and cows, were among the first essential domestic animals. To prepare the flax and wool for making into cloth, with ev- erything else to do, made every habitation a hive of industry. A shoemaker, called a cordwainer, went around from house to house and made or mended the shoes and boots for the family. The road between one settler's home and another's was a path cut through the forest and called a bridle road. As the country became more settled, trees were cut down, stumps and rocks re- moved, low places filled up and streams bridged. Sunday was observed as a sacred day and meetings were held at the larger houses and most convenient places, where all the people old and young in the vicinity were expected to be present unless sickness or infirmity prevented. Lay preachers or those gifted in ex- hortation and prayer conducted the servicer. The necessity for schooling was very early felt but it is probable that for many years for one to master the "three R's, 'Reading, 'Riting and 'Rithmetic," was considered tantamount to having acquired a liberal education. It is customary in modern times to speak of the life of the early settlers as one of hardships and afflictions and devoid of comfort. We do not share in this view. For the first few years doubtless this was true but starting, as the most of them did, with but few of this world's goods and possessions, they went into the wilderness with the hope that by industry and frugality they would acquire not only homes but a competence. And in Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIIiLD 57 the acquiring of tiiese, there is little doubt that they enjoyed a degree of happiness fully equal to that of the people of the town to-day. From all that we can learn it had been bruited abroad that the tract of country, embraced in what is now the.tO'wn of Buckfield, was the poor man's Canaan and poor men came in great numbers. A few after staying awhile went away to other localities. Some were disappointed, as might have been ex- pected, and left the township without doing much in the way of bettering their condition.' But others came, like the Pilgrims, with no thought of turning back. They determined to pass the rest of .their days here and accomplish what they could. They succeeded, some more than others— as will always be the case — the result of which is the good old town with its many happy homes and its intelligent and moral people and which has been the mother of so many able and eminent men. Digitized by Microsoft® 58 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD CHAPTER VI. Purchase of Township. During the year 1779, as appears by the diary of Abijah Buck, the first effort was made to purchase the township. He had succeeded in getting several influential men and others be- sides those already settled here, interested in his plans, among whom were Col. Ebenezer Bancroft and Samviel Butterfield of Dunstable, Mass. They were from the same section of the old Commonwealth from which the Bucks came. He states that a meeting was held and the sum of $280 in paper money, worth 18 shillings and 8 pence were contributed towards the expense of getting up the petition and going to Boston to present it to the' General Court. He further states that he himself went to Samuel Freeman, Esquire, in Yarmouth, who drew it up and that he there signed it. Also that he went to Boston in April, 1780, and, while there, settled with Bancroft and Butterfield and paid them a small balance which was their due. His petition could not be found in the archives of the Secre- tary of the Commonwealth at Boston but where it should have been was the following. which undoubtedly accompanied it: "Mr. Abijah Buck, Sir: — please to enter our names to your Petition for a tract of land, in the State of Massachusetts Bay, in the county of Cumberland, lying to the Westward of Sylvester and to the Northward of land granted to Mr. Alexander Shepard, to the value of five or six miles square and you will oblige us your humble Servants. Isaac Foster Jonathan Tyler Bani Teague William Hutchinson Jonathan Record Jacob Cram Simon Record Benjamin Spaulding Richard Derburn Jonas Coburn Joshua Ripley Nathaniel Buck Silas Coburn Ebenezer Bancroft, Jr. Kbenezer Bancroft John Brown Samuel Merrill Andrew Elliott Henry Butterfield Thomas Allen Nathaniel IngersoU Thomas Coburn Edraun Chandler John Buck John Buck David Record William Wigery John Warren Jabez Cushman John Irish Samuel Butterfield Lemuel Crocker Samuel Freeman Davis Thurlo Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 59 foTl^'J^^"''^ Nathaniel Gammon Joseph Fletcher Jonathan Philbrick Samuel Butterfield, Jr. james Thurlo L°'"tt^r^" Richard Thurlo A J. ";'° William Doble ^"^ ,^'•"^1° Peter White Hezeluah Stetson j„h„ Brown." There is no date to this paper, but on the back of it are the following indorsements : '"Petition of a number of persons for a tract of land back of Sylvester." "Samuel Butterfields." "Supposed 1780." It will be noted that this paper contains the names of men who settled in what are now the 'towns of Sumner and Hartford and some were never settlers in this region. It will also be seen that it contained the names of two John Bucks and two John Browns. The petition and this paper accompanying it, no doubt, were presented to the General Court by Samuel Butterfield. Nothing came of it at this time at least. In the autumn of 1780 the efiCort to purchase the township •was renewed. We found the petition printed in a newspaper' which had been furnished it by one who had formerly been an official in the Archives Department at the State House at Boston and is as follows : "TO THE Honorable Senate and Honorable, the House of Representa- tives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts : The petition of Abijah Buck for himself and others, humbly shews ^-That he has with a number of other Persons, whose names, are upon the paper, accompanying this Petition, entered upon a Tract of Land, belonging to this State, in the"^ County of Cumberland, to the westward of Sylvester Town and to the northward of Land lately granted to Mr. Alexander Sheppard — That considering very little advantage could possi- bly accrue to the public, from an uncultivated wilderness, and on the con- trary, that the wealth of a community, is in a great measure increased, by subduing the Lands thereof, and preparing them to produce the neces- saries of Life for its inhabitants, and being under necessitous circum- stances, they have made considerable Improvements, upon the said Tract of Land, and built small cottages thereupon, in humble expectation, that the Government would quiet them, in their possessions, and encourage them to persevere in their industry. Digitized by Microsoft® 60 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD They have most of them served their country as soldiers in the pres- ent War, and are still ready to risque their Lives for its Defense, and as far as they are able, to contribute to its support, and as they have re- moved from several parts of the State, to this remote part of it, in order to procure a subsistence and as a band of Brothers, are united to pro- mote the Publick, as well as each others welfare, — not one of whom to your Petitioners knowledge, being tinctured, with the despicable Prin- ciples of a Tory, they humbly Pray, that your Honors, would so far in- terrupt your attention, to the more publick concerns, which are doubtless daily pressing upon you, as to brder this Petition, to be committed for consideration, and if consistent, with the Rules of Policy, that your Honors would grant them a Township where they have settled as afore- mentioned, upon such terms and conditions, as your Honors shall deem just and reasonable, and your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray. Dec. 25 1780. Abijah Buck Andrew Elliott Thomas Allen Thomas Coburn John Buck David Record Samuel Butterfield, Jr. John Warren Lemuel Crocker Davis Thurlo Nathaniel Gammon Jona Philbrick Thomas Lowell Richard Thurlo John Thurlo Henry Butterfield Wm. Doble Asa Thurlo Peter White Hezekiah Stetson Moses Buck John Irish John Brown Bani Teague Simon Record Joseph Fletcher John Brown Joshua Ripley Silas Coburn Samuel MerriU Nathaniel IngersoII Samuel Butterfield Edmund Chandler John Buck William Wigery Jabez Cushman Moses Butterfield Jonathan Tyler Bbenezer Bancroft William Hutchinson Jacob Cram Benjamin Spaulding Jonas Coburn Nathaniel Buck Ebenezer Bancroft, Jr. James Thurlo Samuel Freeman Isaac Foster Jonathan Record Richard Derburn." It seems to have soon occurred to Butterfield and Bancroft that they with others might acquire a tract of land as large as that which Abijah Buck and those particularly interested with him were striving to obtain and adjoining it on the North. This was no doubt satisfactory to all concerned. The petition of Samuel Butterfield and his associates for the purchase of this new tract is dated January 24, 1781. It will be seen that the statement was made in the second Buck petition that the signers had built small houses upon the tract which they wished to purchase and had Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD gl made considerable improvements thereon. Also, that the greater part of the petitioners had been in the Continental Army. The first statement could not be literally true as to all of them per- sonally, for some were never actual settlers. This petition was not then acted upon. At a later period it was determined that no more townships should be sold or granted till surveys had been made and boundaries established. We find the record of no other petition and it may be that this one was laid aside to be acted on when the township should be surveyed. This survey was made in 1785 by one John Jordan, or Jardine, as his name was sometimes spelled. The intervening years were ones of discouragement for Abi- jah Buck and many times he is found going to consult several parties to obtain advice. In the early part of the year 1786, he went to Boston and was gone from home twenty-seven days. This time he accomplished his purpose. A purchase was made of the township at two shillings per acre, but in this sale every one who had settled here prior to Jan. i, 1784 was protected in his lOO-acre lot to be laid out by the proprietors "'so as best to include his improvements." Buck came home in triumph but as he says in his diary "most tired out." There were a number in the township who had come in after January i, 1784, and before the purchase was effected. Tliese were treated by the proprietors as mere squatters and trespassers and some of them were driven away without much concern as the proprietor's records show. The General Court's Committee appears to have taken no interest in protecting them in their hold- ings and the "Betterments Act" would not apply to their case. Though the proprietors did not receive their deed till 1788, they immediately went to selling lots and giving deeds to purchasers. When Butterfield and Bancroft decided to give up the plan of working with Abijah Buck, he secured others. Some of the proprietors were undoubtedly possessed of means. The enterprise proved a success. They probably did not get very rich out of the speculation but the three chief men in it who were residents of the township, Abijah Buck, Benja- min Spaulding and Dominicus Record, became very well-to-do and able to provide handsomely for their children and leave a competence for their old age. Digitized by Microsoft® 62 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD The deed was executed by Samuel Phillips, Jr., Nath'l Wells and Leonard Jarvis appointed by the General Court for the pur- pose, the 13th day of November, 1788 and acknowledged before Samuel Cooper, Justice of the Peace, on the 25th of the same month. The consideration named was 1732 poiinds, 17 shillings and 10 pence in ''consolidated notes" of the Commonwealth. The grantees were: Abijah Buck, 9 parts; Benjamin Spaulding, 6 parts ; Nathaniel Buck, 4 parts ; John Brown, 2 parts ; Thomas Allen, I part ; Edmund Chandler, 2 parts ; John Buck, 2 parts ; John Warren, 2 parts ; Thomas Coburn, i part, yeomen ; Domini- cus Record, gentleman, 4 parts; Jonathan Tyler, millwright, i part — all of Bucktown, and Mo,ses Merrill Esq., 2 parts; Jabez Cushman, 2 parts and Ebenezer Lane, i part, yeomen, all of New Gloucester and Asa Lewis, 2 parts of North Yarmouth, yeoman, ■'making in the whole 41 parts.'' The land conveyed was bounded and described as follows: "A tract of land lying in the County of Cumberland known by the name of Bucktown or No. 5 as the same was surveyed by John Jordan, A. D., 1785, containing about 20,033 acres includ- ing Ponds, etc. Beginning at the N. W. corner of Shepardsfield (Hebron) and running S. 70° E. 5 miles and about 190 rods un- til it strikes Sylvester Canada (Turner) : Thence N., 26° E. by said line 5 miles and about 100 rods until it strikes the S. E. cor- ner of No. 6 or Butterfield (Hartford) : Thence S. 81" W. a'bout 8 miles and 200 rods to the E. line of No. 4 (Paris) : Thence by said line S. 13" E. to the place begun at." The deed reserved 200 acres for the ministry, 200 acres for the first settled miilister, 200 acres for the future disposition of the state, 280 acres for a grammar school and 4 lots of 100 acres each sold to Ichabod Thayer and 2 lots of 100 acres each sold to Seth Nelson, both grantees of Milford, Mass., February, 1787. These lots were in the first and second divisions. The most important res- ervation was that of 100 acres each to the following persons who (except Ezra Brown) had settled in the tOAvnship prior to Jan. i, 1784 "to be laid out so as to include .such settlers, improve- ments," etc. Benjamin Spaulding, Abijah Buck, Thomas Allen, John Brown, Nathaniel Buck, Jonathan Tyler, John Warren, Edmund Chandler, Dominicus Record, Isaac Foster, Jonathan Philbrick, James Thurlo, John Irish, Jonas Coburn, John Buck, Thomas Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 63 Coburn, David Record, Jonathan Record, William Irish, Wm. Doble, Nathaniel Gammon, Simon Record, Peter White, Joel Rich, John Irish, Jr., Davis Thurlo, Ezra Brown, Thomas Lowell, John Thurlo, Lemuel Crooker, Richard Thurlo', Joseph Irish, Joshua Young, Gershom Davis, Samuel Taylor, Jacob Whitman, Joseph Chase, Bani Teague, Amos Brown, Joseph Roberts, Jr., Jonah Forbes, Caleb Young, Jonathan Roberts, Enoch Hall, Na- thaniel Chase, David Warren and Daniel Packard. The settlers individually did not procure their deeds from the Commonwealth at this time. Some did not receive theirs for more than a dozen years after and they were not generally re- ceived singly but this made no diflference as the state's committee gave no boundaries to the lOO acres conveyed but left the propri- etors to run out the lots with the provision only, that each should be laid out so as best to include the settler's improvements. Abi- jah Buck, Benjamin Spaulding, Dominicus Record, Nathaniel Buck, John Brown, John Tyler, Thomas Allen, Thomas Coburn, John Warren, Edmund Chandler and Jonas Coburn procured a deed to them of their lots May 27, 1789. The consideration named was i6£ lOs "specie." Thomas Lowell, Caleb Young, Enoch Hall, John Thurlo, David Record, Jonathan Record and David Warren their deed in March, 1791, consideration io£ los; Isaac Foster, March 8, 1792, consideration i£ lu. 4 d. ; Jonathan Philbrick, March 25, 1793, consideration i£ 13s.; Joel Rich, Feb. 4, 1795, consideration $6.50. Richard and Davis Thurlo and heirs of James Thurlo, Feb. 9, 1796, consideration $19.50. Nathaniel Chase, Amos Brown, Joseph Chase, Nathaniel Gammon, William Doble, Joseph Irish and Lemuel Crooker and Ezra Brown, June 14, 1799, consideration $61.60; Joseph Rob- erts, Jr., June 14, 1799, consideration $7.70; Daniel Packard, June 19,' 1801, consideration $9.09 and Samuel Taylor, Feb. 10, 1802, consideration $9.09. These will suffice to show the manner in which the conveyances from the state were made and the actual prices paid for deeds at different dates. Digitized by Microsoft® 64 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD CHAPTER VII. Proprietors' Records. Memorandum of an agreement. A certain society met at a place called Bucktown in the County of Cumberland in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in order to agree about buying a township of land lying westward of a place called Silves- ter and to the northward of land belonging to Mr. Alexander Sheppard and at the said meeting chose and appointed Mr. Abijah Buck agent to go to Boston to agree with the Honorable General Court's committee appointed to sell land in eastern parts of this Commonwealth and on the seventeenth day of March 1786 made an agreement with the above said committee for the above said township for two shillings per acre to be, paid in consolodated notes, one-half to be paid the first day of June and the other moiety to be in twelve months after the said agreement was completed with the said Committee the society for the maintaining of peace, good order and a right understanding among themselves have agreed to divide the township into forty-one equal rights or parts after deducting out one hundred acres of land to every lawful settler in said Bucktown so that every signer hereof shall from and after this time know how- much he owns of said township by affixing his name to this and the num- ber of his Right or Rights against his name and if any of the signers shall neglect or refuse to pay his proportionable part of what he owes of all the charges that has arisen or shall arise until the town is incorporated or the society shall come unto a new agreement shall have so much of his land sold as will pay all the aforesaid charges at a publick vendue after said charges is duly assessed as the law directs in such cases, and for the true performance of the above written we have hereunto set to our hands the third day of July 1788. Abijah Buck, 9 Rights; Benj. Spaulding, 6; Nath. Buck, 4; Dominicus Record, 4; Jabez Cushman, 2; John Buck, 2; Thomas Allen, i; Nathan Pierce, i; John Brown, i; Edmund Chandler, 2; Thomas Cobum, i; Jonathan Tyler, i ; John Warren, 2 ; Asa Lewis, 2 ; Moses Merrill, 2 ; Ebenezer Lane, i. A true copy taken from the original agreement by me, Jonathan Tyler, proprietors' dark for Bucktown. February the 28, 1786, Mr. Abijah Buck was appointed by a certain Society to go to Boston as an agent for said Society to agree with the Honorable General Courts Committee appointed to sell unappropriated lands in the Eastern parts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and on the 17th of March one thousand seven hundred and eighty-six made an agreement with the Honorable Committee above said, for himself and associates for a certain township of land lying to the westward of the town called Turner and to the northward of land belonging to Mr. Alex- Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD ^5 ander Sheppard in the County of Cumberland and laid out by Mr. Jor- dan for two shillings per acre to be paid in consolodated notes for the whole township excepting those who were lawfully settled in said town- ship according to the General Courts act made for that purpose and is called Bucktown or No. S in the County of Cumberland. The names of the above said Society of purchasers with the said Abijah Buck are as followeth : Abijah Buck agent for the purchasers. Benjamin Spaulding Edmund Chandler John Warren Dominicus Record Nathaniel Buck John Buck Jonathan Tyler Thomas Coburn Thomas Allen Moses Merrill John Brown Bbenezer Lane Asa Lewis Jabez Cushman To Isaac Parsons, Esq., one of the Justices of the Peace in the County of Cumberland and in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We, the subscribers, being seven of the proprietors of land lying in Common in a place called Bucktown or No. S in the County of Cumber- land lying without the bound of any town or place incorporated, judging of the proprietors of said land necessary, do hereby apply to your honor for a warrant for calling a meeting of said proprietors to meet at the mills in said Bucktown on Tuesday the fourth day of September next at one o'clock in the afternoon for the following purpose, (viz.,). First to choose a moderator; 2d, a dark; 3d, a Treasurer; 4th, a Collector; Sth, to choose a Committee to transact and manage all the Prudential or necessary business of the proprietors,; 6th, to agree to measure off every legal settler one hundred acre lot exactly; 7th, to agree upon a method for calling meetings in future and do any other business for the benefit of said proprietors. Bucktown, Aug. the 3, 1787. Abijah Buck, Benjamin Spaulding,- Dominicus Record^ Jonathan Tyler, John Warren, John Brown, Thomas Coburn. Commonwealth of Massachusetts, August the 9, 1787- To Mr. Benjamin Spaulding, one of the subscribers, Greeting: You are hereby required in the name of the Commonwealth above said to warn a meeting of the proprietors of Bucktown above said to be held at the place and time above said and for the purposes before mentioned by posting up a copy of the above request their warrant, with your notifica- tion in the most public place in said Bucktown where all said proprietors dwell excepting four and notify the said four personally at least fifteen days before the day of said meeting. t *■ j: -d 0.= ■^ Isaac Parsons, Justice of Peace. Digitized by Microsoft® 66 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD A true copy examined by Jonathan Tyler, Proprietors Clark. By a warrant from under the hand of Isaac Parsons, Esq., one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Cumberland and seal thereon, requesting Mr. Benjamin Spaulding, one of the proprietors of a place called Bucktown or No. 5 in the County of Cumberland to meet on Tues- day the fourth day of September one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven at the mills in said Bucktown at one of the clock in the afternoon — and accordingly the proprietors met and proceeded to busi- ness. First, Dominicus Record was chosen moderator; 2d, Jonathan Tyler was chosen proprietors dark; 3d, Abijah Buck was chosen Treas- urer; 4th, Abijah Buck was chosen Collector; 5th, Benjamin Spaulding, Abijah Buck and Dominicus Record was chosen a committee to sell land anywhere in Bucktown above said provided it was regular laid out and not infringing on any lawful settler's hundred acre lot, the sale of the land to be in order to pay the General Court Committee as by agreement made with the above said committee and as Benjamin Spaulding, Abijah Buck, Dominicus Record had formerly sold proprietors land for to pay the aforesaid General Court Committee were by a vote justified in their doings ; the above said Committee were also chosen to transact and man- age all the prudential or necessary business of the proprietors. The 6th article was left for a further consideration and then the meeting was adjourned to Wednesday the 17th day of October following at two of the clock in the afternoon. Met upon adjournment October the 17, 1787. 7th article which was to agree upon some method in calling meetings in future, voted that the above said committee when requested by the proprietors or when the com- mittee shall think proper shall request the proprietors' dark to call meet- ings in future and then the meeting was desolved. At a legal meeting of the society or purchasers of a place called Buck- town in the county of Cumberland on April the 8, 1788, Dominicus Record Moderator. Voted that Thomas Coburn, Thomas Allen and Ben- jamin Spaulding should settle all the society or purchasers' accounts belonging to the above said society and assessors and then the meeting was adjourned to the last Tuesday of this instant April. At the above said meeting Jonathan Tyler was sworn to the office of proprietors' Clark, Abijah Buck was sworn to the office of Treasurer, Thomas Coburn, Thomas Allen and Benjamin Spaulding were sworn to settle all the accounts belonging to the society of Bucktown and to assess the same. April the 29, 1788, met upon adjournment and the meeting was dis- solved. At a legal meeting held at the Mills in Bucktown, July the 2, 1788, Dominicus Record Moderator, then voted that the Committee chosen in April the 8, 1788, to settle they shall settle the proprietors' accounts on September the 2 day next ensuing. Voted that if any one proprietor should draw a, lot unfit for settle- ment shall have the liberty to choose another lot anywhere in the un- Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 67 divided land in Bucktown that is not drawed nor sold provided he makes his returns to the Clark hefore the 20 of September next and no longer. Voted to draw lots on 3 day of July 1788. Voted that Jonathan Tyler should have a settling lot containing one hundred acres and then the meeting was dissolved. At a legal meeting at the house of Left. Dominicus Record in Buck- town Feb. the lo, 1789. 1st, Dominicus Record, Moderator. 2d, Voted to raise two pound eighteen shillings upon every single Right of land belonging to the proprietors of Bucktown. 4th, This article was thought proper to leave for further consid- eration. 5th, This article was to choose two men to sue off the illegal settlers and Mr. Asa Lewis and Col. Moses Merrill were the two men chosen for that business if need requires it. 6th, Voted that any of the proprietors of Bucktown between this and the last of March next shall have the liberty to agree with any or all the illegal settlers and trespassers in Bucktown shall have their lots tha.t they are now in possession of in the room of their second division lots provided they bring no charges upon the proprietors. Then the meeting was dissolved." At a legal meeting of the proprietors of Bucktown at the house of Left. Dominicus Record in said Bucktown on April the ist, 1789, Voted first Dominicus Record moderator. That no proprietor shall give a deed of any lot or lots of any land lying in Bucktown without ex- cepting the road or roads in their deed or deeds laid or to be laid. 2dly voted April the 1st, 1789, that the 6th Article that was passed in Feb. the 10th, 1789, should be continued until the next meeting of the proprietors. 3dly voted that every settler by agreement should work three days upon the roads in Bucktown that were settled in Bucktown. 4th voted that every proprietor should work upon the road two days for every Right one day upon the county road and one day upon the town road in Bucktown. 5th voted to choose surveyors and Dominicus Record, Thomas Coburn, Philemon Parsons, Enoch Hall and Nathaniel Chase were chosen sur- veyors of roads for Bucktown. 6th voted to choose a committee to lay out town roads in Bucktown and Benjamin Spauldlng, John Buck, and Thomas Lowell were chosen a committee to lay out roads in Bucktown. 7 voted that the work shall be done upon the above said roads some- time in the year of 1789. Then the meeting was dissolved. At a legal meeting of the proprietors of Bucktown in the County of Cumberland April the 19th, 1791, Lieut. Dominicus Record moderator. 1st voted to dismiss Mr. Asa Lewis and Col. Moses Merrill as they were chosen to sue off the illegal settlers and trespassers in Bucktown. 2d voted to choose two other men to sue off the illegal settlers and trespassers. , i, ^ 3 voted that Mr. Jabez Cushman and Bbenezer Lane be the two men chosen to sue off the illegal settlers and trespassers in Bucktown. 4 voted that Mr. Benjamin Spauldlng, Mr. Abijah Buck, Lieut. Dommi- cus Record be a committee to give power in behalf of the proprietors m Bucktown to Mr. Jabez Cushman and Mr. Bbenezer Lane to sue ofl; the illegal settlers and trespassers in Bucktown or settle with them other Digitized by Microsoft® 68 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 5th voted to raise three shillings upon every single Right of land in Bucktown to defray proprietors' charges. 6th voted that if the committee that is appointed to sell land in Buck- town do not sell land enough between this and the last of May next to pay the halance that is due to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for land they are to hire money in behalf of the proprietors of Bucktown enough to make the balance. At a legal meeting December the 6th 1791, Dominicus Record moder- ator. Voted that no one person shall cut, fall or carry away any pine tim- ber or logs ofC the proprietors' undivided land. At a legal meeting of the proprietors of Bucktown held at the house of Mr. Abijah Buck in Bucktown Dominicus Record moderator December the 20, 1 79 1. First voted to reserve roads on every undivided lot or lots to be laid where the committee that is appointed to lay out roads for the benefit of the town shall think proper. 2 voted to draw one hundred acres to every single Right and drawed them. 3 voted that if any one of the proprietors should draw a. lot that was unfit for a .settlement containing one hundred acres shall have the liberty to choose another hundred acres anywhere on the undivided land belong- ing to the proprietors provided they make their return to the dark before the first of June next and no longer. 4 voted that all those who.se names are hereafter mentioned who had lots in their possession containing one hundred acres before the first division was drawn was confirmed to them as strong as though they had drawn them in the first division — John Warren No., 22, Benjamin Spauld- ing No. 20, Nathaniel Buck No. 8, Dominions Record No. 21, Abijah Buck No. 9, 10, IS lots in his possession. All those men who had hundred acre lots in their possession in the second division was confirmed to them as strong as though they drawed them, namely Benjamin Spauldlng No. -21, Nathaniel Buck No. 19, Abijah Buck No. IS, John Buck No. 16, Dominicus Record No. 21 containing 187 acres by a vote February the 10, 17S9 that if any of the proprietors of Bucktown should get off any of the illegal settlers should have the lot that they got oft for their second division. Dominicus Record got off Joseph Irish 100 acre lot No. 8 R. 2 Bast. Thomas Cpburn got off Andrew Elliot 100 acre lot. Benjamin Spaulding got off Nathaniel Smith 100 acre lot No. 11 Bast. Abijah Buck Enoch I/eathers 50 acres No. S East, and there was fifty acres allowed to him of lot No. 9 first range. Edmund Chandler got off Jotham Shaw 60 acres No. 6 which was confirmed to him also 23^4 acres oft' lot No. 31 was also confirmed to him. Voted that Mark Andrews should have the lib- erty to choose two lots either No. seven in second range or No. seven in third range or No. twelve in the second range and No. thirteen west pro- vided he makes this return to the dark by the first of .Tune next. At a legal meeting of the proprietors of Bucktown February the 27, 1792, Dominicus Record moderator. 1 Voted to raise six shillings and ten pence upon every single Right. 2 Voted that as Abijah Buck our agent and treasurer received of the proprietor's money one hundred and twenty-seven pounds eleven shillings with which sum he went to Boston and finished the last payment that was due to the Committe at Boston for the township of Bucktown so called and for his pocket expenses and getting the deed recorded at Port- land office which was done to the exceptance of the proprietors. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 69 3 Voted that any one of the proprietors of Bucktown shall have the liberty to settle with Job Tucker and James Jordan who are unlawful settlers in Bucktown provided that whoever of the proprietors that settle with the said Tucker and Jordan shall discount out of their third divi- sion of land the value of the place that the said Tucker and Jordan are in possession of provided they settle by the first of April next. 4 Voted that any one of the proprietors of Bucktown shall have the liberty to settle with Thomas Lowell or John Thurlo concerning a piece of land lying near lot No. 35 containing 36% acres provided he will dis- count the value of two dollars per acre out of his third division of land In Bucktown. At a legal meeting of the proprietors at the house of Mr. Abijah Buck in Bucktown December i8, 1792, Dominicus Record moderator. First voted that the whole lots, gores and pieces of land should stand just as they were drawn in the last division and that the whole lots, gores and pieces of land should be recorded more or less. 2 voted to raise four shillings upon every single Right. 3 voted that although the proprietors have divided and drawn all their Eight or Rights of land — some small pieces excepted belonging to the proprietors of Bucktown yet they should hold together with the same power to call proprietors meetings and to raise money to defray charges that may arise upon any account whatsoever and to do any other busi- ness that shall be thought proper until further order and then the meet- ing was dissolved. At a legal meeting of the proprietors held at the house of Abijah Buck June the 30, 179S, Dominicus Record moderator. Voted to lay out a lot of land containing 85 acres into eight acre lots. 2 voted to alter the bounds of John Irish's lot. 3 voted to alter Edmund Chandler's lot. Then the meeting was adjourned. Buckfield September the 27, 1797. At a proprietors meeting at the house of Abijah Buck in Buckfield Thomas Allen moderator. lly voted Dominicus Record proprietors dark. Buckfield September the 27, 1797. Personally appeared the above named Dominicus Record and was sworn to the faithful discharge of his duty in which he is chosen. Before me Isaac Sturtifant Esq. At a legal meeting of the proprietors of the town of Buckfield Decem- ber the 19 A. D. 1798 Abijah Buck moderator and adjourned to Monday the 24 of December 1798 at one of the clock in the afternoon. Agreeable to the above adjournment the proprietors met at the house of Abijah Buck and voted on the following articles. 1 voted that the proprietors committee be a committee to give Samuel Andrews power to act in behalf of the proprietors of Buckfield to get the lines of the town established according to John Jordan's survey. 21y voted three dollars to Abijah Buck. 31y voted two dollars to Benjamin Spaulding. 41v voted two dollars to Dominicus Record. . 51y voted Abijah Buck seven dollars and seventy cents for attending Court at Portland to present the establishment of the town Imes at that ™6iy voted to raise one dollar and twenty-five cents on each Right. 71y voted to Dismiss the meeting. Digitized by Microsoft® 70 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Buckfield May i6 1799. At a legal meeting of the proprietors of the town of Buckfield, Abijah Buck moderator. 1 voted to choose a committee to go to Samuel Parris or others to act on the proprietors affairs and give power to act for them In General Court If they think proper relative to the town linos. 2 voted that the former committee shall be a committee for the above purpose. 3 voted that Abijah Buck shall be an agent to act in General court for the proprietors of Buckfield in getting the town lines established. 4 voted that Abijah Buck shall take his expense money out of what Jonathan Roberts owes the proprietors if he goes to Boston on proprie- tors business. 5 voted that the meeting Desmist. Buckfield, October the 6 A. D. 1800. At a legal meeting of the proprietors of the town of Buckfield at the school house between Thomas Allen and Abijah Buck. 1 voted Abijah Buck moderator. 2 voted to adjourn the meeting to Monday the thirteenth Day of Octo- ber instant at two of the clock in the afternoon. Agreeable to the above adjournment the proprietors met and voted as follows, to viz : First to raise twenty-flve cents on each Right of land in the propri- etors strips. 2d voted that Abijah Buck shall go to Portland and take care of the proprietors business at Portland with Jonathan Roberts. Sly voted to Dismiss the meeting." Buckfield March 29th 1803 At a legal meeting at the school house between Abijah Buck's and Thomas Allen's, the proprietors met and chose Abijah Buck moderator. "Voted to ajourn to the 5th day of April next at one o'clock in the afternoon to meet at the above said School house. April the sth 1803 agreeable to ajournment the proprietors met. Voted the proprietors committee's accounts to be allowed. Voted the proprietors committee shall measure olt lot No. 16. Voted to ajourn to the third Monday of next June at two of the clock in tJhe afternoon to meet at the above named Sohoolhouse. June the 20 — 1803 the proprietors met according to adjournment, and adjourned to Abijah Buck's Dwelling house in Buckfield. Voted to sell all the land belonging to the proprietors of Buckfield lying between the land of Dominicus Record and the land of Thomas Lincoln and Thomas Allen's land. Voted the former committee be a committee to sell the above said land. Voted to ajourn to the dwelling house of Dominicus Record to meet on Monday the 11th of July next at three of the clock in the afternoon. July the nth then met according to adjournment. Voted Dominicus Record $2.40 for recording land and meetings. Voted to ajourn to the last Monday of August next, to meet at the dwelling house of Dominicus Record at two of the clock in the afternoon, August the 29, 1803, then meet the proprietors of Buckfield and voted to dismiss the meeting. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 71 Buckfield April the ninth A. D. 1806. At a legal meeting of the pro- prietors of the town of Buckfield and Voted as follows viz : Voted Abijah Buck Esq moderator. Voted to sell all the peaces ot land that is not sold nor drawn, belong- ing to the proprietors of Buclcfleld. Voted the former Committee be a committee to sell land — peaces of land. Voted to dismiss the meeting. Buckfield January the i — 1810. At a legal meetting of the Proprie- tors of Buckfield at the house of Dominicus Record Esq. first Voted Ben.iamin Spaulding moderator. secondly Voted that Abiajh Buck to be Proprietors Clark. thirdly Voted that Abijah Buck should be agent on the acount of a law sute against David Farrow. forthly Voted to adjorn this meeting to the first Monday in February next at one of the clock in the afternoon at Abi,iah Buck's Dwelling house in Buckfield. January the first A. D. 1810 Parsonely appeared Abijah Buck Esquire, and took the oath that he wold Faithfully, perform the Duty of a Proprietor's Clark. Before me Dominicus Record Justice of the Peace. February the S — 1810 then met according to the ajoinment at the time and place above said and went on to Bisness. first Voted to Raise two Dollars on Each Right, on the Proprietors Lands in Buckfield, for the expense of the above Sute. Then Voted to ajorn this meeting to the 26 Day of March next, at one o'clock in the afternoon at Abijah Buck's dwelling house in Buckfield. Abijah Buck Proprietors Clarke There were several meetings held between the date ot the last men- tioned and the following, but no business appears to have been transacted. Buckfield Nov. the 19, 1810. At a legal meeting of the Proprietors of Buckfield upon an adjourn- ment. Voted that the accounts of Abijah Buck and Benjamin Spaulding for carrying on a law suit against David Farrow be allowed. Abijah Buck's acount for time a.nd expense, $44.47 Benajmin Spalding's acount for time and expense, $10.50 And then the meeting was adjourned. Buckfield March the 26 — ISll. Voted to chuse a Committee to Settle the Proprie.tors Books. Then voted that Abijah Buck and Dominicus Record should be the Committee to Settle and balance the Proprietors Books. Then voted to adjourn. . Buckfield September the 10— 181 1 Then voted to ajorn the meeting to the I2th Day of November next at one o'clock in the afternoon at Abijah Buck's dwelling house in Buckfield. This meeting was desolved by the Death of Mr. Benjamin Spalding he being moderator. He Died before the time of the meeting Abijah Buck, Proprietor's Clarke Digitized by Microsoft® 72 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Buclifield March the 31 — 1812 By order of the Proprietors of Buckfield I notify and warn the Pro- prietors of Said Buckfield, to meet at Abijah Buck's Dwelling house on Monday the twentyth Day of April next at one of the clock, in the after- noon for the following Purposes to : viz — First to chuse a moderator to govern Said meeting. Second to chuse one Committe man if thought best. Thirdly to allow the Proprietors' acounts if thought proper. Forthly to Do any other Bisness for the benefit of the Proprietors on said Day. Abijah Buck Proprietors' Clark. Pursuant to the within Request, I have notified and warned all the Proprietors of Buckfield to meet at the time and Place and for the Pur- poses within mentioned. Buckfield April the twenty Day — 1812 Abijah Buck Proprietors' Clark. Buckfield April the 20 — 1812 At a legal meeting of the Proprietors of Buckfield at Abijah Buck's house first. Voted Benjamin Spalding moderator for said meeting. Secondly, Voted John Warren a Committe man in the room of Mr. Spalding De- ceased. Thirdly, Voted to allow the acounts of Abijah Buck, Benjamin Spald- ing, Nathaniel Buck and Dominicus Record against the Proprietors for settling the Proprietors acounts and Ballencing the Books. Abijah Buck's aconnt to 2% Days, ?1.6B Benjamin Spalding's acount to 2 Days, $1.33 Nathaniel Buck's acount to 2 Days, $1.33 Dominicus Record's acount to Vz Day, $0.33 Fourthly Voted to allow Abijah Buck four Dollars and thirty six cents which was due on Jonathan Tyler's right $4.36 Fifthly, Voted to Abijah Buck's acount for Collecting the Proprietor's money and Paying out the same for eight years $8.00 Sixly, Voted to allow Abijah Bucks' acount for being Treasurer for twenty years for said Proprietors $4.00 Seventh, Voted to record the publick lands according to the Proprie- tor's Deed of the town of Buckfield. The Deed sals "Reserving however two hundred acres for the use of the minister" to viz One lot in the Fourth Range, East Division No. 2 contains 100 acres. One lot in the Fifth Range, East Division No. 1 contains 100 acres. These lots are for the use of the minister. "Two hundred acres for the first Settled minister." One lot in the Seventh range No. 12, west division, contains 100 acres. One lot in the fifth range No. 17 contains 100 acres West Division. These lots are for the first Settled minister. "Two hundred and eighty acres for" the use of a grammar School." One lot in the Second range No. 11 contains 100 acres Bast Division. One lot in the first range No. 11 contains 100 acres Bast Division and one lot in the third range No. 7 contains eighty acres of the South West end of said lot West Division. "And two hundred acres near the Center Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKKiKLD 73 of the town of Buckfleld for the futer disposition of the General Court." One lot in the Seventh H,ang-e No. 13 contains one hundred acres, West Division. One lot in the seventh range No. 14 contains one hundred acres West Division. These lots ware set off by the Commonwealth's Committe for the above use according to the Deed above said. Eighth Voted to chuse a Committe to meet with the town's Committe concerning the publick lands in the town of Buckfleld. Ninth Voted that the Committe shall consist of two. Tenth Voted that Abijah Buck and Benjamin Spalding shall be the Committe for that purpose. Eleventh, Voted to ajorn this meeting. Abijah Buck, Proprietors' Clark. MEMORANDA. John Brown sold one Right in the Proprietors' lands to Nathan Pierce May 16 1788. Tristram Warren bought one Right of Col. Moses Merrill. Buckfleld September the 6 — 181 1 This day the Proprietors' Committe look over the Proprietors Books and found the Debt and Credit Balance Right, by us the Subscribers. Benjamin Spalding ) The Proprietors Nathaniel Buck > Committe Abijah Buck, Proprietors' Clarke For and in consideration of a certain tract or parcel of land Deeded to me by Benjamin Spaulding, Abijah Buck and Dominicus Record all of Buckfleld. Said Deed bearing Date February the fourth, one thousand eight hundred and three, which land I received in consequence of a Car- tain lot of land, I had of the Heirs of James Thurlow, a settler in Buck- field, which was called one hundred and twelve rods in wedth, but proved to be but one hundred and four rods in wedth and I sartify, that I take the above named tract of land in full compensation for the Deficiancy of the weadth of said Thurlow settling lot of land in Buckfleld. Buckfleld February the fourth, one thousand eight hundred and three, as witness my hand William Berry Attest, George W. Cushman Betsy Buck. The Proprietors Committe payed the Charges of a law Sute against David Farrow and all other charges of the above said Proprietors and balanced the acounts on the Proprietors Books out of the above said money (money obtained from the sale of lands) and the rest was divided to each Right, according as the Proprietors owned. Done by the above said Proprietors Committee. Digitized by Microsoft® 74 HISTORY OF BQCKFIELD CHAPTER VIII. Later Traditional History. A survey of the township was made in 1785, as we have seen and the land run out into ranges and lots which were numbered. The first range in the West Division bordered on Paris town line. In the section west of the settling lots of those who had come into the township prior to Jan. i, 1784, was some excellent land but the country here was hilly and the bears were numerous. In 1787 the first settler entered the region for the purpose of select- ing a lot for a settlement. It was David Farrar — then generally written Farrow — of Hingham, Mass. He purchased a lot in the fourth range, adjoining the lots of the Warrens. Here 'he made a clearing and erected a log house. In the early spring of 1788 he set out with his wife and children for his pioneer home. They landed from a vessel at Falmouth, now Portland. It is said that he had but fifty cents in his pocket when the family started from Falmouth on foot for Bucktown. His family then consisted of his wife, who was Judith Stod- dard of Scituate and six children. Judith, the oldest, was in her i6th year; David, 13; Samuel, 9; Phillip, 7; Tamar, not quite 4 and Mehitable one year and three months old. It must have taken them several days to reach the township. As the family entered it, on the route traveled by the early settlers over South Hill, tradition says that it was nearly sun- down. Ahead of the others of this weary little company was the girl Judith, when a large black bear was espied in the path before her. As might have been expected from a girl reared in one of the oldest towns in the old colony she screamed. This brought quickly to the scene an athletic young man with his gun from a nearby clearing. At a glance he took in the situation and bid- ding the frightened girl step aside, he took aim at the bear and fired. The sharp report of the gun hastened the footsteps of the rest of the Farrar family and when they reached the place they found the animal just breathing its last. Gathering around the dead bear they had their first experience in pioneer life. The young man was Thomas Lowell, who had selected a lot for settlement nearby and had provided a home in his log house for his father and mother. He invited the Farrars to the bouse, Digitized by Microsoft® J \. HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 75 where they were made welcome. In after years they often re- ferred to their first night in Bucktown and the generous hospital- ity they received. The next day leaving his family with the Lowells, David Far- rar went on to his clearing. He found that the snow had blown into his log house. This was thrown out and the places where the snow had sifted in made tight. When it was rendered com- fortable the family was brought to it. While the father was working on the future abode of the family, it is said that Thomas Lowell began his wooing of the fair daughter, Judith. As may be supposed, it was not opposed by either family. When the father gave his consent, he told his future son-in-law that he must hunt up a minister to perform the marriage ceremony as he had no time to do so. The lovers were married in 1790. David Farrar spent the greater part of his time at work for the settlers at his trade as a housewright, as it was called in those days. After a few years he prospered and became well tO' do. He died in 1810 and Buckfield lost one of its most worthy citi- zens of that period. David Farrar was of medium height and slightly built, but his wife was a large woman . from whom the Farrars have inherited forms of good size. There were ten chil- dren in all. Those born here were: Nathan, Sept. 16, 1789; Bela, Dec. 26, 1791 ; Desire, Oct. 3, 1796 and John, July 10, 1800. Thev all settled near the old homestead. In the year 1788, William Harlow of Plymouth, Mass., came to Township No. 5 looking for a place to locate. It was the same year that David Farrar had moved his family beyond the lots of the Warrens into the unsettled western half of the planta- tion as related. Harlow was alone and carried the usual pioneer outfit, an ax, a gun, a bundle of necessary articles, all suspended froiTi his shoulders. He arrived at the mills (now Buckfield vil- lage) on the 26th day of June, where he met Abijah Buck, the pioneer. William Harlow found Buck no ordinary man as some years afterward he told the story of his visit to his intimate friend and neighbor, John Rider. Harlow was most cordially received and hospitably entertained. A plan of the town was laid before him and Buck talked to him through half of the afternoon and the Digitized by Microsoft® 76 HISTORY OF BUCKF.IELD whole of the evening of the great advantages which the different sections of the plantation presented to the settler. He cited the large crops of corn and wheat already raised by the resident farmers. The hills of the western section were in his estimation the best localities for farms. He was anxious to get a few set- tlers iiito the first range next to the Paris line and he informed Harlow that the Nezinscot river had been rudely bridged. (This was near the White bridge now built across the stream.) And the land had been taken up to the top of the hill west of it. John Buck, his son, then twenty years old, had taken the nearest lot in the range westerly (No. 9, Fifth Range) and had already begun clearing the land and making improvements. He advised Har- low to go into the next range west of his son John's land and select his lot. Old "Granny Tyler," who sat listening to the conversa- tion then said : "If you do, Mr. Harlow, look out that the bears don't eat j'-our children up, for they will holler up there at times like all possessed." Harlow met, that night, at Buck's, Joel Fos- ter, who had moved into the plantation about three years before from Pembroke, Mass., and who had established a tannery at the mills. He was the affianced husband of Phebe Buck, one of the daughters. He was there presumably tO' see his future wife. They were married fifteen days after, July 10, 1788. The next morning, accompanied by Abijah Buck, Harlow started out prospecting, but when only a short distance had been gone, they were overtaken by one of the boys, who had a message for his father's return to see some parties who wanted to inter- view him on business. Accordingly Harlow went on alone and traveling all day, finally near nightfall he returned to No. 9, Sec- ond Range, where he concluded to locate on account of the thick hard wood growth which he found in that locality. He felled two large trees, and between them arranged a couch, where he slept through the night. Tradition says that he was awakened by a bear that came smelling around the fallen trees. He was astir early and went to work felling the huge hard wood trees which then covered the hill where his future home was to- be. He cut and carried sticks of spruce and pine from the lowlands for parts of the log house. As a rule the settlers came ^in twos and threes and usually exchanged work, especially the lifting of heavy logs and such labor. Harlow was alone, away from other Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 77 settlers and was obliged to do his own work unaided whether light or heavy. He was within half a mile of the Paris line and eibout four miles from the settlement on Paris Hill which was begun there a few years before but to reach it 'twas necessary to go through an unbroken forest by a spotted line. After toiling laboriously for many days, he had made a small clearing, erected a log house, cut a path to the Buck hill and bridged the streams. He had backed his eatables from the mills while at work and his trusty rifle had furnished him game in abundance. His work done he returned to his home in Massachusetts to prepare for his removal in the spring of the next year. In 1789 he moved his family into the plantation. It consisted of his wife and four children as follows : Nathaniel, eight years old ; Ivory, five years ; Jerusha, three years and Ephraim, not yet one year old. William Harlow was descended from Robert Har- low who married Rebecca Bartlett at Plymouth, Mass., in 1649. Plis house was constructed out of the timbers of the old fort on Burial Hill used ,by the settlers to protect themselves against the Indians. The fort had been abandoned after the close of King Philip's war, and the timbers were given him to erect his dwelling house. William was sixth in descent from this Robert and married Susannah, daughter of Thomas Harlow. Their other children born in Buckfield were Susannah, March 19, 1793 ; Isaac, April 10, 1795; Elizabeth, April 23, 1797 and Ducilla, March 31, 1800. William Harlow, the pioneer, was a man of the pure Saxon type — strong, robust, intelligent and ready and willing to labor. Four years later, at the first town meeting, he was chosen second on the board of selectmen. He had an unusually good education for the times. He was killed while felling a tree in 1800 and his bereaved widow was left with a family of nine children to take care of. The spot where he was killed is still shown to the curi- ous. The widow in later years married a Macomber of Jay. She died at a daughter's in Sangerville. Nathaniel, the oldest son, married Polly Thayer and settled on the east half of his father's lot. He was a school teacher, jus- tice of the peace and trader. Ephraim married Laodicia Bessey of Paris and occupied the western half of the lot. living in the house with his mother. About 1826, under his preaching, a church society was organized and the brick schoolhouse at the Digitized by Microsoft® 78 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Three Corners was used as a chapel. Later he was ordained an elder. Abijah Buck's son John, the third settler in the ranges of lots west, married Mollie, daughter of Tristam Warren, Oct. i4, 1789. The ceremony was performed at Turner by the Rev. John Strickland. Moses Bisbee married Ellen Buck, a sis- ter of John at the same time. It was a double wedding. John moved away about 1814 and settled in Penobscot County. In the year 1789 three young men from Massachusetts, Luther Gardner of Hingham, Jonathan Damon of Pembroke and William Brock of the same vicinity, settled in the section near David Farrar's. The two former selected land in the fourth range north of Farrar's. Gardner took the eastern half and Damon the western half of the lot. Brock took a whole lot in Range 3. There were three additional settlers between John Buck 2nd, and William Harlow's viz. Capt. John Rider, Job Prince and James Waterman from Kingston, Mass. The two latter were unmarried. Waterman took lot No. 8 in the Third Range and began his clearing on the hillside sloping toward the west. Here he built his log house which he occupied for some years. Prince was not satisfied with any one of the adjoining lots and he pur- chased the western halves oi lots No. 8 and 9 in the Fourth Range which made a most excellent farm. Luther Gardner was a soldier in the; Continental Army, and incidents in his military life are still told with pride among his neighbors' descendants. He is spoken of as a quiet, practical, honest and industrious man. Here he died, but left no offspring. William Brock by hard work and good calculation and econo- my, wrought from the wilderness a productive farm and a com- petence. He was a horse raiser. He was the father of a large family of children yet we have to record that after giving up his property to one of them for his maintenance, he died at the alms- house. A sister of Jonathan Damon had married David Record who had moved to Buckfield from Pembroke, Mass., in 1781. Whether her presence here was the cause of her brother's coming or the accounts given by David Farrar caused him to seek a place of settlement is uncertain. He had been bound out while a child Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 79 and had been inured to hardship and toil. He Avas uneducated but honest and industrious. The first year of his coming he made a clearing and erected his log house. He did not return to Massa- chusetts on the approach of winter as did Gardner and Brock but he hired out to Benj. Spaulding at four dollars per month taking lard in payment. In the year 1791 he raised a very large corn crop. It is said by his descendants that for many days and nights he only left his husking to prepare and eat his meals. He worked right along through the night, lying back among the fodder to sleep, when ex- hausted nature could no longer bear up under the constant strain. His only companion as he told one of his grandchildren in after years, was a big, black bear that used to come every night and eat her supper from the opposite side of the pile of corn. "Why didn't -you kill her?" asked the boy, while he was tell- ing the story. "Because I was so lonesome that even the- coming of this bear was company for me," he answered. After his corn was husked he went back to Massachusetts for the purpose of suing for the heart and hand of Miss Patience Joselyn. It is related at one of his visits she asked him why his hand's were so hard, and he answered that it was because he husked so much corn. He won Miss Patience and they were married the next April t is now impossible to determinT" The collector of taxes was directed "to take notes on demand of such persons as have no more stock than one cow," if not able to pay their ^nTrirr^\ VJ^-\t''"'"^ ^' """ "Innholder" and John Loring, Enoch Crocker, Nathaniel Harlow and Stephen Phelps, as "Retailers "- ihe vote for governor this year was as follows: Hon. Albion K Parris Rep., 130; Hon. Ezekiel Whitman, Fed., 21. Benj. Spaulding for repre- sentative to the legislature had 62, Larnard Swallow had 13 and Enoch Hall 19 votes.-Among the deaths this year was that of Elder William Irish. He was born in Gorham in 1741. Having seen considerable ser- .vice in the Continental Army during the Revolution, he was accustomed to hardships and privations which fitted him for a pioneer life. His great service to the settlers was in becoming a lay preacher of the Gospel In spiritual, moral and educational matters, he was the leader of the people of his section of the township for many years, and was finally succeeded by Elder Nathaniel Chase. 1822. William Pidgin, Winslow Hall and Zadoc Long were elected school committee.— Zadoc Long was chosen town clerk.— The assessors were advised to require of every inhabitant whom they might think, liable to be assessed for money at interest, "to give in the amount under oath."— The following persons were licensed "to be sellers of Wine, Beer, Ale, Cider, Brandy and Rum, and other strong liquors for one year:" John Loring, Enoch Crocker, Mark Lowell, Nathaniel Harlow and Long & Atwood. These were the principal traders in town at this time.— The vote for representative to the legislature this year was as follows: Lar- nard Swallow 64, Eliphalet Packard 13, Benj. Spaulding 7, and Enoch Hall 8. — For several years, the town had been troubled with "uncurrent" money. Twenty dollars of such currency having found its way into the town treasurer's hands, a vote passed to have it sent to Boston to be dis- posed of to the best advantage. 1823. "Ebenezer and John Shaw in Co." were licensed as Innholders. — For representative "to represent the Oxford District in the Congress of the United States, Enoch Lincoln of Paris had all the votes cast, 86." — It was "voted that the following persons, who have given their notes in pay- ment for taxes, have the privilege of working them out on the highways at six pence an hour:" James Monk, Ebenezer Austin, Levi Bryant, George Roberts, John Chaffin, Moses Buck, Philemon Parsons, John Drake, John Irish and Abner Rounds. — "After legal notice, John Loring, Nathan- iel Harlow, Nathan Atwood, Enoch Crocker and Long and Loring in Co." were licensed to sell strong liquors. — There was a sharp contest this year over representative to the legislature. It resulted as follows: Benj. Spaulding 36, Larnard Swallow 21, Enoch Hall 7. Digitized by Microsoft® 130 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 1824. Henry Hutchinson was chosen collector of taxes this year. — Enoch Hall, Samuel F. Brown and Nathaniel Harlow were chosen a committee "to exmaine the counterfeit money, which is in the hands of the town officers, and report what they think is proper for the town to do with "the same." — Voted "that it is the sense of the town that no Surveyor will so far deviate from his duty as to appropriate the money in his bills to the purchase of ardent spirits." — The town expense account this year amounted to $266.88. — The road "beginning in the center of the road near Long and Loring's Store," thence running by William Cole's "till it meets the road coming from John Mathews', " was accepted. Also, the road leading from Tobias Ricker's by James Hussey's to Hartford and the the road from Noah Hall's to land of James Lewis, were accepted. — Twenty cents for each militiaman was voted in lieu of rations. The" sum of $75 was appropriated for powder and balls, and $25 "to replenish the town magazine with ammunition." — Voted to allow Sylvanus Irish $53.90 for the value of a horse which had been injured or killed by failing from a bridge. Enoch Hall had been selected to examine into the mat- ter and effect a settlement if possible. — At a meeting of the trustees of the school and ministerial fund, Benj. Spaulding was chosen president, Eliphalet Packard, clerk, and Larnard Swallow, treasurer. — The following new names appear among those licensed to sell ardent spirits : Allen Pompilly and Isaac Parsons. — The republicans had it all their own way at the presidential election. The vote was light and no opposition ballots were cast. Benj. Chandler for elector had 34 votes. He was a John Quincy Adams man. — At the election of a representative to the legisla- ture, there was more interest. Benj. Spaulding was again elected. The vote stood thus: Benj. Spaulding had 37 votes, Larnard Swallow had 8 votes, Enoch Hall had 10 votes, Aaron Parsons had 7 votes, Daniel Chase had i vote. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD lyj CHAPTER XVIII. Church History. When the sale of the township was made to Abijah Buck and his associates as will be seen elsewhere in these pages, two hun- dred acres of land were reserved for the first settled minister, an equal number for the use of the ministry, the same number of acres for the future disposition of the state and two hundred and eighty acres^ for schools. These were denominated public lands and were allotted by the proprietors many years after the first settlements were made and the most desirable localities had been selected and occupied. There was no provision in the deed to the purchasers how these lots should be selected or located except that the two hundred acres reserved for the future disposition of the Commonwealth should be near the center of the township. When the town had become so -well settled as to be interested in having a resident minister and an established school system, con- troversies arose over the selection and location of these lands and a petition was made to the General Court of Massachusetts in i8i4 by Henry Farwell, Larnard Swallow and William Berry representing these interests that fraud had been used in allotting the lands and that they had been located in swamps and on moun- tains where the land was not, or ever would be of any value and that the purpose of the Legislature in reserving these lands had been defeated and asking that an act be passed providing a rem- edy or some relief. The General Court sustained the proprietors and the petitioners were given leave to withdraw. Three years after a satisfactory settlement was made be- tween the town and the proprietors. The lands were sold and placed in separate funds. The proceeds of the sale o'f the min^ isterial lands were never used for ministerial purposes, through conflict of denominational interests and in 1830 aiithority was ob- tained from the Legislature of Maine to transfer the investment to the school fund. This was done. Thus, after many years of controversy, the money derived from the sale of these lots was merged in a perpetual school fund with the municipal officers as trustees. It amounts at the present time to a little over two thousand dollars, the interest of which is annually devoted to the support of the public schools. Digitized by Microsoft® 132 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD EARLY PREACHING AND MISSIONARIES. The first preaching and rehgious ministrations to the people in Buckfield were from the missionaries who were accustomed to visit the early settlements calling upon families, distributing books, printed discourses and tracts and holding services in farm houses and harns. They were earnest, self-denying men, some of whom were liberally educated, others possessing few acquire- ments beyond their natural gifts for religious work, but all were imbued with a martyr-like zeal in extending spiritual instructions to their fellow men. Elder James Potter, pastor of the "First Bowdoin Church'' Society of the Baptist denomination and of strong Calvinistic doctrines which in those days rigidly prevailed, appears to have been the first to visit Buckfield on a missionary tour. This was in 1789. He left a record of that visit in which he stated that he found here a number of loving brethren and had fellowship with them. Several other missionaries came to Buckfield — the most prominent being Elder Elisha Snow of Thomaston and Rev. Paul Coffin of Buxton. The latter was a liberal-minded, cultivated man, a graduate of Plarvard College and a scholar of repute. He was born in Newbury, Mass., in 1737 and though reared in one of the most cultivated communities of New England he conceived it his duty to settle among a people living in a comparative wilderness and he moved to the township, afterwards incorporated as Buxton in the District of Maine, and here began a pastorate which con- tinued over sixty years. He died there in 1821, beloved and revered by all. During his long pastorate he made many ex- tended missionary tours into this section. He kept a journal which was printed. The references to his experiences in Buck- field are very interesting. We quote : . "1796, June 28, Buclcfield, formerly Bucktown. It lies N. of Hebron and above which is Butterfield, etc. Nearly E. is Turner. Preached from Acts 17: 30, 31. Put up with Mr. George (probably John) Buck, originally from Newbury, who with nothing but two hands has advanced to 500 acres of good land. He has 8 pails of milk from ten cows." — "1798, Aug. 23, left Hebron and rode to Buckfield, guided by a lad, Josiah Pratt of Hebron to whom I. gave a testa- ment. Gave Mr. Buck Belknap's Sermon and Hemmingway's Sermon to Benjamin Spaulding and a primer to the children of Isaac Foster." "Aug. 24, rode to Buckfield Mills. There are Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 133 two brothers by the name of Andrews— money getters in trade here with a large house and a shop and a Mr. Record with a large house begun. From this center is a road west to Paris, north to Butterfield and N.E. to Livermore. Preached from 2d Timothy 3 •• I4> 15- All preaching is thought by many here to be iieedless and the 'Age of Reason' is too sweet to the people. Oh ! the bad effects of lay preachers of several sorts and of deistical writers when these follow as here great ignorance and neglect of the means of grace. How sad is the case of the people in such hands. The low state of religion in this place and the corruption of principle too fully prove such a sad case. Aug. 26, Sabbath, Buckfield. It being rainy I preached to about six score people from Mark 16: 15, 16 and Matt. 5 : 23, 24. 1 lost about half my hearers I believe by the rain. What I had gave attention." "1800, Sept. 2, Hebron. Rode to Buckfield with Mr. Benjamin Spaulding and John Clay. Clay is the son of Richard, late of Buxton, whose wife was Ruth Whiton. Qay has three married si.'sters in Buckfield where is his mother also. Sept. 3, Buckfield. Mr. Spaulding is the first settler here of about 20 years' standing. He lives about ten miles from Mr. Turner's in Hebron. He owns 800 acres and is from small beginnings advanced to wealth. He has four barns and several convenient out houses — ^makes about five tons of potash yearly. His situation is rich and pleas- ant. He lives in plenty and entertains a friend well. The town ■has 150 or 160 families, some good houses, no settled minister; all are divided. He says near 20 ministers from Gorham have en- tered among them to spoil their union and prevent the settlement of a minister. Oh ! Gorham what hast thou done ? Spaulding has 40 black cattle with sheep and horses. He is situated on the road to Paris and has a grist and saw mill." "Sept. 4, Thursday, Buckfield. Preached from Acts 24: 25. Put up with Abijah Buck. He and his brother, Nathaniel, and Spaulding are beautifully situated on the north side of excellent intervale land annually overflowed. It bears usually one and one- fourth tons of hay per acre. Buck has a sweet garden running from his door to the stream. Five houses for martins on poles before his door are ornamental. These birds went off three weeks ago. Sept. 5, at Buck's. This morning after a rain is pleasant. All things green and clover fit for mowing. Visited three families yesterday. Mrs. Tyler, Buck's mother-in-law, is Digitized by Microsoft® 134 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 90 years old. She was born at Haverhill and remembers Hannah Dustm who killed seven Indians. Her husband with one hand only has biiilt more than 200 mills. Visited Messrs. Ricker, War- ren, Hussey, John Cole and John Elwell. Put up again with Abijah Buck. Cold night, but no frost. New corn ground here the first instant. Sept. 6, visited Mr. Harlow, long sick and emaciated. He and his wife appearing mild and Christianlike. Gave a Psalter to their little sweet daughter, Sukey. Mrs. Buck asked me this good question : Can a man be a Christian before he is clever ? Preached from James 3 : 7. Then rode to Sumner over a good road and put up with Joshua Richardson, son of the Deacon — a pleasant family it was." FIRST BAPTIST SOCIETY. The result of the work of the missionaries and itinerant preachers was a movement to form a Baptist society and it was found on looking over the ground that it was advisable to locate it in Turner, where the people of the east and southeastern por- tions of Buckfield in which sections the tenets of that faith had taken root, could be quite well accommodated. Accordingly in 1791, two years before the incorporation of the town, a petition to incorporate such a society was presented to the General Court of Massachusetts. Joseph Roberts, Jr., was the first name on the petition. Of the 61 other names on it, 34 were from this town-' ship. Their names were as follows : William Irish, William Berry, Jonathan Philbrick, Joshua Wescott, William Doble, Simon Record, Edmund Irish, John Buck, William Cilley, Jona-. than Roberts, Jotharn Shaw, James Jordan, Jeremiah Hodgdon, James Hodgdon, Thomas Lowell, John Swett, David Warren, Joseph Roberts, John Irish, Jr., Enoch Hall, Benj. Cilley, William Lowell, Eleazer Chase, Caleb Young, Amos Brown, Richard Taylor, Joseph Chase, John Irish, Joshua Davis, Thomas Irish, Stephen Lowell, Lemuel Crooker, Jonathan Record and Nathaniel Smith. In the latter part of the next year the petition was granted and the society incorporated. It never, however, ac- quired much success or stability and its influence in the com- munity was less than expected. It was unable to sustain regular preaching and its promoters scon drifted away to other asso- ciations. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 135 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF BUCKFIELD. The missionary labors of Elders Potter and Snow had re- sulted in the conversion of several persons in the village and vicinity and about the same time that the movement was started to incorporate the Turner and Bucktown society, an association was formed of seventeen persons who united with the church and they entered upon the work of the new society with an energy that promised fruitful results but their isolated situation and meagre privileges for public worship were unfavorable to rapid advancement. For the first ten years of its existence (till 1801), the society was without a pastor and dependent for preaching on itinerant ministers with slight aid from the Baptist Bowdoinham Association which extended its fostering care over the church. Various preachers from it volunteered occasional visits here, hold- ing services and making a few converts, but with its small mem- bership and destitution of a settled pastor, the society after a few years of comparative prosperity began to decline in numbers and influence until its perpetuity became a question of serious con- sideration. But at length through the darkness of depression appeared the dawning of brighter days, which brought rejoicing to the faithful supporters of the church. Relative to the church here at this period we quote from Mil- lett's History of the Baptists in Maine: "In 1801 Rev. Nathaniel Chase becaine its pastor. With a warm, vigorous and zealous piety, he strove untiringly to strengthen the things that remained. Kor did he toil in vain. The work of the Lord prospered in his hands and pleasing additions were soon made to the church which now appeared like one coming up from the wilderness." Elder Nathaniel Chase was a man of great activity and energy. Through his instrumentality, a meeting-house was built, the first church edifice in town, which has always been known as Elder Chase's Church. It stood south from the village near the residence of the late Sylvester Murdock. It fell into disuse in after years and was moved to the village and occupied as a town house until a recent period. Elder Chase was pastor of this church society for fifteen years, after which he continued his church relations, occasionally preaching here for many years and representing the society at the association meetings and conventions nearly every year. He had ardent supporters and co-workers in Deacons Job Prince, Digitized by Microsoft® 136 HISTORY OF BUCKFIBXD Stephen Benson, Job Packard and William Berry. After his pastorate, no regular preachiiag was sustained but meetings with various preachers were held and the Sabbath School with Bible classes were continued. The decline of the church began in 1804 after which it sus- tained an annual net loss. In 1828 it reported a membership of thirty-two, but its report of 1839 states: "This church has scarcely a name to live." In 1841 only twelve members remained and the association dropped it from its rolls with a recommenda- tion for the members to unite with other churches. Elder Chase united with the church in Hebron and the mission of the First Church was ended but during its existence it exercised a broad and healthy influence in the community and town and left alast- mg impression for good. REV. NATHANIEL CHASE. Nathaniel Chase, the central figure of the first church in Buck- field, was a man of remarkable personality. Reared under the hardships of pioneer life, in youth a Revolutionary soldier, in 1 78 1, at the age of twenty years he came to the forest wilds of Buckfield, destitute in worldly goods, but rich in courage, untir- ing perseverance and vigorous manhood. An account of his in- coming is given in sketches of early settlers. He cleared ten acres of land on which he built a log cabin, to which he brought his father and mother from Windham in 1782, giving them the land and starting anew in the forest for himself. Legislative provisions enabled him to secure one hundred acres for himself to which he subsequently added more than two hundred acres by purchase. He was a diligent worker, and as the years went by his farm broadened in improved acreage, wrested from the forests till his landed possessions were among the largest and most valuable in the settlement and he was ac- counted a wealthy man as measured by the standard of those days. Here he successively built three houses^ first, a log cabin ; second, a small frame house, which in time was succeeded by the large square house still standing on the Chase farm in which he lived till his death in 1853, when he was almost ninety-two years of age. He was three times married and he reared a large family of sons and daughters. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 137 Under rigid religious influences of his youthful days he was converted and became possessed with a desire to preach the gospel. The associations of his youth afforded few educational oppor- tunities. He never attended school a day in his life, but through aptitude and perseverance he gathered knowledge from every- day life and such few books as were attainable until he became well informed. He was ordained to the ministry in the Baptist church in 1800 and he preached in Biickfield continuously fifteen years and occasionally during the remainder of his active life. He also preached many years in Harrison, Woodstock, Liver- more, Paris and other places, largely without compensation, re- viv.ng and building up churches. He always preached without notes, his Bible and hymn book being his only pulpit aids, but his sermons were characterized with earnestness, terseness and vigor- ous expression which always impressed his hearei's. He was a hard working man on his farm and his fields and the woods were his places of study and while toiling through the week his mind was engaged in preparing his sermons for the following Sabbath. It is amusingly related of him that he would frequently complete the hoeing of a row of corn and then hoe back on the same row, so absorbed was his mind with thoughts of some future discourse. He was a man of firm will, blunt speech, thoroughly honest and zealous in all his undertakings, and under his religious austerity were a kindly heart and a lurking sense of humor. Always an in- dustrious man, he had no sympathy for idlers. His house was a rendezvous for all visiting preachers of his faith, but if one of them showed a disposition to unreasonably loiter on his hospital- ity he was plainly told that "he should not eat the bread of idle- ness." Several of the Elder's sayings have passed into local proverbs, as : "The longer I live the more convinced I am that it takes a pretty good man to make a good Christian," and "If a man will steal sheep before he is converted he is quite likely to afterwards." Many anecdotes concerning him are also pre- served: He had a large family of boys who kept up the pro- verbial reputation of minister's sons for mischievous pranks, in which a nephew named Eleazer, took a conspicuous part. It was the custom of the Elder to select his hymns for the Sabbath and then carefully wrap his hymn book in his handkerchief and place it in the pocket of his Sunday coat, ready for use. On one occasion this mischievous loving nephew surreptitiously w.th- Digitized by Microsoft® 138 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD drew the book and substituted a pack of cards. When Sunday came the Elder opened the meeting, taking out the supposed hymn-book, and, as he unfolded the handkerchief, a shower of cards fell in all directions from the. high pulpit to fhe consterna- tion of preacher and congregation. Recovering from his amaze- ment, the Elder gave a tremendous hem and exclaimed : "That's some of Lezer's work." Uncle Nat, as he was familiarly called, was an extensive and prudent farmer and raised large crops of corn, always having a yearly surplus to lend or sell to- his neigh- bors. One cold winter night he had occasion to be out late and on returning, he heard a noise in his corn house as of some one shelling corn. He went in and found a poor man there, who had already shelled about a bushel which he intended to steal. Uncle Nat was greatly displeased and bluntly exclaimed : ' 'You pesti- lent fellow ! What in the name of the world are you doing here at this timie of night — stealing are you? Don't you know any better ? Take your bag and go home. Stop - -take half the corn. I suppose you are needy and 1 am willing to pay you for shell- ing; but you are a good-for-nothing fellow, and don't let me ever catch you stealing again." At another time, when breadstuff was scarce and could only be obtained for cash at high prices, a man came to Uncle Nat to buy corn. "How much do you want to buy?" the Elder asked. "Six bushels," replied the man. "Have you the money to pay for it?" "I have cash in my pocket." "Well, then, I can"t let you have any. If you have money in your pocket you can buy corn of those who won't sell for any- thing else. Some of my neighbors, with large families are very poor and can't get money and I must keep all the corn I can spare to lend to them till they can raise some or can pay me in some other way." SECOND BAPTIST CHURCPI. In the minutes of the Oxford Baptist Association, held in Sumner in 1850, appears the following historical sketch : THE BAPTIST CHURCH IN WEST BUCKFIELD. The West part of Buckfield was settled in 1790. It pleased God to send some praying souls to settle in the place, who estab- lished prayer meetings and continued them till 1802, when the Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 139 Lord appeared in answer to prayer, and poured out His Spirit, and sinners were converted to God. In July, 1802, He moved upon the minds of His people to be organized in church fellow- ship, to b€ called The Second Baptist Church in Buckfield. The numlber organized was thirteen — seven males and six females. After the church was embodied they made choice of Bro. Job Prince to fill the office of deacon, and Bro. John Simmons, as Baptist Parsonage, West Buckfield clerk. Twenty-five were added to this little band the same year. In November, 1803, one of their number, Brother George Ricker, Was ordained, and became their pastor. The church continued in a flourishing state till 1869 or 1810. About this time Elder Ricker was dismissed, and removed to Minot. This left us des- titute of preaching, which caused trials in the church, and many of the members were dismissed to the First Church in Buckfield and Hebron. But the church still held together, and in a good degree kept up the worship of God with but very little preaching till 1815, when God appeared in mercy pouring out his Spirit, and sinners were converted. Thirty-four were added to the church. A good interest continued, by the help of ministering brethren, and the gifts in the church, till 1825, when Bro. Ephraim Harlow was called to ordination, and in July he was set apart to the Gospel ministry. The church had to pass through many trials, until 1830, when God, in his mercy, appeared to build up Zion, and fifteen were added. Nothing of importance oc- Digitized by Microsoft® 140 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD curred in the church till 1839. This was a year of great interest. In this year, twenty-three were added, and a good degree of in- terest continued until i842, when we lost our house in which we met for worship, by fire. We were then dependent on other dis- tricts for a house to meet in, which caused some difficulty. The enemy crept in, and we were under the necessity of excluding some. Others were dismissed to churches in different places, while; others have died and gone to receive their reward, until our number is reduced at present to twenty-six. We are few in numiber, but are in peace among ourselves. The deacons who have served in this church, are Job Prince and Ichabod Waterman, from its organization to 181 1; Daniel Faunce has served from 181 1 to the present time; David Farrar, from 1819 to 1842; Warren Besse, from 1824 to 184^^; David Farrar, Jr., from 1841 to 1847. The clerks who have served the church are John Simmons, Ichabod Waterman, David Farrar, and William Pearson. E. Harlow, Pastor, William Pearson, Clerk. West Buckfield, September, 1850. For nearly half a century this church exercised a strong and centralizing religious influence in the west part of the town. In its seasons of weakness and depression it was frequently the recipient of the ministerial services and fatherly counsel of Elder Chase of the First Church, also of Elder Hooper of Paris. Its membership consisted of frugal, industrious farmers and their families whose interests and associations were largely confined to the quiet events and rigid simplicity of a rural neighborhood in the early days. Church conferences were of frequent occur- lences which were recorded as occasions of prayer and "travail of soul," at which members unburdened their minds, relating their trials and crosses, reporting the short-comings oi others and confessing their own. One member was reported for his failure to include his money at interest in his valuation return to the assessors of the town, and both informer and delinquent were admonished. The following entry in the church records appears under date of May 19, 1820: "Met in conference. Told our miinds with great coldness, after which there appeared a difficulty in the minds of some that Digitized by. Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELO 141 N. Harlow ought to be reported for driving home from Portland on the Lord's day." Thus personal differences, back-biting, in- temperance, neglect of neighborly visits and church attendance and various other short-comings were frequently the travail of mind at these meetings, which were gravely considered and brought under the corrective influence of the church. But the heaviest burden of this church and the greatest disturber of its peace was its intolerance of Free Masonry, the outgrowth of the historic Morgan crusade, which took deep root in this neighbor- hood in 1828, when Nathaniel Harlow was clerk of the church and his brother, Ephraim, its pastor. The latter in his historical sketch spoke of the many trials of the church previous to 1830, but he omitted to associate them with their origin which was in anti-Masonry. He also failed to include in his list of clerks the name of his brother, Nathaniel, who, under date of 1828, made the following record : "About this time a great excitement arose in the church about Masonry, and Nathaniel Harlow being one, was visited by Deacon Farrow, who was sent to visit me, and a request was made by the church for me, in order to have standing in the church, to renounce Masonry, which thing I have not agreed to do. not being anything immoral in said society." At a church meeting, Oct. 11, 1828, the following vote was passed : "Voted that we will not receive a Free Mason into this church nor hold any in fellowship who attend their meetings or in any way support them, they being a wicked and immoral society." The foregoing entry was the last one made by Nathaniel Har- low as clerk. He was soon superseded in office and at a church meeting, Feb. 7, 1829, following grave deliberations and much excitement over 'Free Masonry, church fellowship was withdrawn from him. Here began the decline of the church which led to its final dissolution; for its action in' the case of Mr. Harlow was strongly opposed- by several members, who also were later de- prived of church fellowship and who were subsequently received as members of Elder Chase's church. This action of the First church, in accepting dismissed members of another without let- ters, was contrary to church regulations and caused a breach of good feeling between the two churches which continued through much controversy and ineffectual attempts at reconcilation till 1835 when harmony was restored through the agency of the Bap- tist Association. But the society never recovered its former strength and prosperity, but it gradually declined till Hke the First church it "fell asleep." Digitized by Microsoft® 142 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD BUCKFIELD VILLAGE BAPTIST CHURCH. This church had its birth during a period of inactivity in the religious affairs of tlie village when its citizens were devoting their energies to business enterprises associated with the opening of the railroad. It was a time of material growth and prosperity, with increasing population and great activity in the erection of new buildings and but little interest was manifested in church matters. No Sabbath meetings were held in the village by any denomination. The Universalists were inactive, the First Baptist church had passed away and the lights of the Second church at West Buckiield had faded to a glimm.er. Nathaniel Chase and Ephraim Harlow, the aged, pastors of these two churches, still lived, but had passed their years of activity. But a leaven from those old churches still lingered in the comiTiunity from which a new church was to arise. In the year, 1850, Rev. Dr. Adam Wilson, then pastor of the Baptist church in Heborn, became interested in the religious con- dition of the village and during the sununer of the following year, he made arrangeinents for himself and Albion K. P. Small, the perceptor of Hebron Academy to preach occasionally in Buck- field. Their efforts were productive of considerable public in- terest and encouraging results and on the first day of September of that year Mr. Small severed his connectioiJS with the acadeniy and with his wife moved to Buckfiekl, hoping to be able to sustain preaching for one year. No church society existed, and no salary was provided. At first the attendance was small and few persons had confidence that meetings would be continued through the winter, 'but Mr. Small was a young man of energy and promising ability and under his preaching the interest of the people steadily increased till a congregation of respectable size was acquired and one hundred and forty dollars were raised for his support. The second year of Mr. Small's labors brought some additional sup- port, but it was one of many discouragements ; for, while there was a general desire to have his work sustained, yet none were found prepared to unite in church fellowship. This conditiofi was disheartening to the young preacher, wlio sometimes felt that his labors were in vain, but with aid from the Missionary Society and his salary as teacher of the winter terms of the village school, he was enabled to support himself and family. At length, the prospects grew somewhat brighter ; several persons manifested a Digitized by Microsoft® Buckfield Village Baptist Church Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 145 desire to make a public profession of their faitli and it was tliought desirable to have an ordained minister. In accordance with this desire the Baptist church at Paris called a council which met at Buckfield, Oct. 19, 1853, at which Mr. Small was ordained an evangelist, Rev. L. B. Allen of Yarmouth, preaching the ordination sermon. The occasion was one of great public in- terest which attracted a crowded audience. The first candidate for baptism was Ichabod Bonney to whom the ordinance was administered in December, 1853, when snow was on the ground and the river was frozen. The event is re- corded as an impressive one, and the first baptism in the village. On that day the few persons in Buckfield, desirous of church fel- lowship, accepted an invitation from the Paris brethren to become a branch of their church. Six were received that day and during the following year eight more were baptized and added to that church. Through mutual consent the meetings had been held in Union Chapel, but a revival of Universalist preaching required use of the house one-half of the time and it was made apparent to the Baptists that a regularly constituted church and a separate place of worship were essential to their future prosperity. Ac- cordingly on the 13th day of September, 1854, those who formed the branch of the Paris church were publicly recognized as the Buckfield Village Baptist Church with nineteen members as follows : Albion K. P. Small, Pastor, Ephraim RickeRj Deacon, Da\'id SwEiT, Deaocn. Ichabod Bonney, William. Pearson, Margaret Ricker, Almira Swett, Sarah Prince, Prudence S. Record, Hepsrbah C. Cole, Maria Lowe, Delphina Lowe, Lucy Atwood, Clarinda B. Spaulding, Susan J. Record, Eunice A. Atwood, Nancy Drake, Sylvia I. Warren John G. Thayer. During that year two more members were acquired, 'but a great loss was sustained through the death of Deacon David W. Swett, who was a zealous worker and liberal supporter of the church. The church organization greatly facilitated the building of a meeting-house, which had already been projected with consider- Digitized by Microsoft® 146 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD able progress made on its foundation. The society was weak and small in numbers, and the enterprise was entered upon with many misgivings ; but the influence of the pastor and zealous co- operation of his associates were rewarded with unexpected aid from various sources, that ena:bled them., daring the season of 185s to complete a neat and commodious church building which was dedicated Nov. 29, 1855. Subsequently, through the efforts of Zadoc Long, a bell was added to the tower which was the first church bell ever rung in Buckfield. During Mr. Small's pastorate of about seven years the church passed through discouraging seasons and the vicissitudes usual with a small country parish ; but it grew steadily in strength and influence till it reached a good degree of prosperity. Forty-five members were added, by letter and baptism, to the original num- ber but several were lost by death and dismissal. Regular serv- ices with Sabbath schools and prayer meetings were sustained and many people outside of the parish contributed liberally to the support of the church and its eloquent young pastor. In the autumn of 1858, Mr. Small severed his pastoral connections with the church to accept a call to a broader field of usefulness in Ban- gor. The church- was deeply depressed by its loss, but through his instrumentality it had acquired strength sufficient for self- reliance and permanency. After his departure the church was without a settled pastor until December 4, 1858, when Rev. Ed- ward W. Pray of Boston became its pastor, remaining until December, 1861. He was a scholarly man, of social disposition and highly esteemed in the community, but his pastoral usefulness was somewhat impaired by the frailty of his health. The next preacher, with prospects of a settlement was Joseph F. Elder of Portland, a graduate of Waterville College, who was licensed as a preacher by the Free Street church, Portland, in 1861. He was a young man of marked ability and great promise, which has since been amply fulfilled. He remained in Buckfield only a few months but long enough to prominently identify his name with its church history. He was subsequently ordained to the ministry in Orange, N. J., preaching there three years. He has since held long pastorates in New York City and Albany and is now recognized as one of the strongest preachers in his denom- ination. For several months the church was again without a pastor, but in September, 1862, a call to Rev. John A. Baskwell Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 147 was accepted. He remained only aibout a year and was subse- quently dismissed to the church in Amherst, N. H. During the autumn of 1862 the church was called upon to part with five of its young members who volunteered as soldiers in the defence of their country. They were Capt. Charles H. Prince, Sylvester E. Murdock, Eliphas Ripley, Alpheus A. Ricker and Charles M. Beadle. Two of them, Eliphas Ripley and Charles M. Beadle were never to return. The former died of disease in the hospital at Washington and the latter died in Phil- adelphia of wounds received at Gettysburg. Tlie next pastor was Rev. C. H. Carlton, who began his labors here in Feibruary, 1864, which were acceptably continued nearly four years with harmonious relations and fair prosperity in the church. His wife was a fine singer and greatly aided the mu- sical interests of the village. Rev. Alonzo F. Benson of Sumner succeeded Mr. Carlton, re- maining some over two years and then resigning to accept a call from Weston, Mass. He was an industrious, self-educated man, whose labors were successful. Nearly a year followed without a settled minister, when Harvey Linsley, a graduate of Crozier Theological Seminary was engaged, who was received into fellow- ship by letter from the church in Upland, Pa. He entered upon his pastoral duties Sept. 17, 1871 and was ordained in the follow- ing November, with a sermon by Rev. A. K. P. Small, the first pastor of the church. The following year a revision of the church rolls was made, which showed a membership of sixty-six. This pastorate covered an eventful period. The 27th day of October, 1872, was made memorable in the annals of the church and village by a mysterious fire in the still hours of the night, which destroyed the Baptist church building and the brick schoolhouse near it with all their contents. At dawn, nothing 'but ashes and blackened ruins remained of the two most utilized public buildings of the village. The origin of the fire has never heen learned but it was supposed to be of an in- cendiary nature. There was no insurance on the churcn ana' its loss was a severe blow which at first seemed almost overwhelm- ing- but temporary arrangements were made for religious meet- ings in the hall of the hotel, where the affairs of the church were conducted until another house of worship was provided. iHe loss of the only building in which regular preaching was mam- Digitized by Microsoft® 148 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD tained, aroused the sympathies of the people, who energetically united with the members of the church in the work of raising funds for the erection of another house. A desirable lot ot land was donated by Hon. Virgil D. Parris, plans for the edifice were prepared and the pastor spent most of the season in traveling, preaching and soliciting aid. He worked untiringly with great success, securing liberal pledges from individuals and church societies in various parts of the country. The largest society contributions were $300 from Free Street Baptist church, Port- land and $400 from Madison Avenue Baptist church. New York. Many others gave from twenty to one hundred dollars. The largest individual subscriptions were $300 from ex-Gov. Cobum and $100 each from Hon. William P. Frye of Lev/iston and Dea. Cyrus Ricker of Hartford. Among other gifts were a chandelier from Charles E. Jose of Portland, a weather vane from Lorenzo Atwood of Buckfield and a pul'pit Bible from Mrs. Persis Bartlett of Winchendon, Mass. The new house was built in 1873 and its vestry was occupied in November of that year. Its total cost was nearly $5000 and it was dedicated, free of debt, Jan. 13, 1874. Rev. Mr. Small preached the dedicatory sermon and the occasion was one of great interest to the people and thanksgiving in the church. Pastor Linsley soon after resigned, preaching his farewell sermon in September, after about three years of arduous laibor, marked with substantial growth of the church. He was suc- ceeded in the spring of 1875 by Rev. R. G. Farley in a pastorate of two years, followed by Leonard A. Freeman, a young graduate from Newton, who was ordained here Oct. 21, 1878. He preached about two years with credit to himself and profit to the church and moved to Brunswick. Rev. H. B. Marshall of Fox- croft succeeded him in a pastorate of less than a year, after which the church was destitute of a regular preacher about a year, but regular services were sustained by supplies till Rev. James M. Follett was engaged, who remained four years, winning the kind regards of all and enjoying pleasant church relations. He was somewhat advanced in years and resigned on account of failing health. He continued to supply the pulpit several months after his resignation, pending the settlement of another pastor. His successor was Rev. John H. Barrows of Warren, whose pastorate began Sept. 18, 1887 and continued about sixteen months. He Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 149 was a man of good ability and the society prospered under his pastoral care. Rev. S. D. Richardson of Hebron was engaged as a supply till another pastor could be settled. In 1890 a parish society, to be called the Buckfield Baptist Society, was organized for co-operation with the church. Rev. Benjamin F. Lawrence of Jefferson became pastor May 4, 1890 and in the following June he baptized thirteen persons, who with two others, admitted by letters, became members of the church. In the fall of 1.892 the old reed in.strument in the choir was replaced by a good pipe organ, which was procured by funds raised through the instrumentality of Horace A. Irish, Oscar H. Hersey and Charles H. Prince. ■ This year marked the thirty-eighth anniversary of the church organization which was publicly observed Sept. 26th with a re- union and appropriate exercises, including addresses by Rev. C. A. Towne of Auburn, State Secretary' Dr. Dunn, reminiscences by Dr. A. K. P. Small, church history by Dea. William H. At- wood and a roll call of the church which showed a present mem- bership of eighty-five, the oldest of whom was Dea. David Farrar, aged ninety years, who was present. Against the request of his parishioners and the regrets of the villagers. Pastor Lawrence resigned his charge and preached his farewell sermon Oct. 25, 1896, closing a faithful and prosperous pastorate of nearly six and one-half years, the longest one in the history of the church excepting that of Mr. Small. He was a man of pleasant, social nature, a good pastor and preacher and universally esteemed in the 'community. Since the retirement of Mr. Lawrence, the pastors have been as follows : Sumner Bangs of Norway, from Nov. 22, 1S96 to June i, 1898. Ordained here in January, 1897; John H. Whitson of Camden from Sept. 4, 1898 to April 15, 1900. Ordained here in June, 1899. He resigned to engage in literary pursuits, settling in Massachusetts and has since become prominent as an author. Benjamin F. Turner of Norridgewock, from Nov. 4, 1900 to Nov. I, 1903. He resigned and settled at Rumford Falls and is now preaching in Brunswick. During his pastorate a heavy loss was sustained in the death of Dea. William H. Atwood, who died Dec. 12, 1900. He had been a member of the church nearly forty- five vears and one of its strong pillars of support. Digitized by Microsoft® 160 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Rev. W. D. Athearn of Lisbon Falls began labors here Nov. 22, 1903 and is the present pastor of the church. Mr. Athearn has taken deep interest in the historic associations of the Baptists in Buckfield and has copied and compiled their complete record in an admirable manner. On the 13th of September, 1904, the church observed its semi- centennial, with a historic sketch, roll-call and the presence of the venerable Dr. Small, w<3'; - ^m.1 B" ^\«^^ A t^ ^^^piN^^jy^^B Iv '- ' i^/^^^mKM/Sk^ Charles Chase Digitized by Microsoft® George H. Chase Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 201 The following lines were written by Mrs. Abbie Chase Hol- brook. It was reported after the battle that her brother was among the missing. It was subsequently ascertained that he was killed : IN MEMORIAM Here on fair slopes the warriors lie Beneath their shades of green ; Earth clasps them close, the summer sky Doth o'er them brooding lean. These well beloved, these martyred dead. Who sleep each in his hard won bed. But winds that stir the blossoms fair Above each war-scarred breast, May fan no love-wreathed garland where My soldier takes his rest. His far lost grave fore'er shall miss Love's tender touch and longing kiss. No solemn dirge may reach the blue Of skies that arch his head; No tears the untrimmed turf bedew Above him rudely spread. There, only sound the wild bees' hum And songs of birds, that unscared, come To perch and trill above his feet, And winds that shrilly sweep ; And there, maybe, some wild flower sweet Will through the grasses creep, And softly lay its blushing face Against my soldier's burial place. For some, the pageantry of grief, The pomp of funeral trains ; For him, but rustling grass and leaf With nature's careless strains, While Love, that sought his place of rest. Turns, grieving, from its hopeless quest. ********* Nay, heart, where'er came death's surprise, He needs not dirge nor prayer; As sweet his sleep 'neath alien skies As though his own bent there. What matters to the pulseless clay, The tribute that the living pay? Digitized by Microsoft® 202 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD But take the lessons of his deeds Nor drown it in your tears; Nor fame, nor years, the true heart needs That God's great summons hears. High purpose in achievement wrouglit, Then his white soul to heaven upcaught. So lialoed, stands this brave young life Against war's background dread. Who gave his bosom to the strife Nor spared its tide of red. Had longest years brought sweeter death, More glorious hours for his last breath ! GEORGE H. CHASE George H. Chase, son of Hon. Thomas and Esther M. (Dag- gett) Chase, was born in Buc'kfield on the old Chase homestead, the settling lot of his grandfather, May 5, 1844. He married, Sept. 24, 1865, Miss Miranda M. Morton of South Paris. Three sons were born to them: Charles H., born at South Paris, Feb. 17, 1868, married June, 1891, Miss Alzada Chisholm of Maiden, Mass., and they have one son born in 1892 ; George Morton Chase born at Auburn, Me., Dec. 18, 1873, married Nov. 2, 1898, Miss Anna McKeon of Maiden, and they have one son, Richard, born in 1904; Harry Chase, the third son, born in Maiden, March 6, 1879, died unmarried in September, 1892. Mr. Chase after his marriage, spent two years in South Paris, then removed to Auburn and engaged in the nursery 'busi- ness with his brothers. In 1874 he settled in Maiden, Mass., where he has since resided. His wife died there Alarch 7, 1901 and in September, 1903, he married Mrs. Amelia Bradford Harding of Denver, Colorado. She died Sept. 8, 1913. Mr. Chase has been one of the most energetic, enterprising and successful of business men. The firm of Geo. H. Chase & Co., of which he is the principal member, is connected with R. G. Chase & Co., of Geneva, N. Y., dealers in nursery stock. HOWAED A. CHASE. Howard A. Chase, son of Hon. Thomas and Esther M. (Daggett) Chase, was born in Buckfield, Oct. 15, 1846. He fol- lowed his oldest brother to Geneva, New York and went into the Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKF[ELD 203 nursery business with him. He married, Nov. 23, 1871, Miss Mary E. Gibbs of Geneva. They removed to Philadelphia, Pa., where they now reside. They have had five children : Howard G., born April 7, 1873 ; Mary Esther, born Feb., 4, 1875 ; Charles Thomas, born Oct. 27, 1876; Alice E., born 1878 and Annie A., born 1880. The two first named were born in Geneva and the others in Philadelphia. WILLIAM D. CHASE. William D. Chase, son of Hon. Thomas and Esther M. (Dag- gett) Chase was born in Buckfield, Airg. 26, 1852. He married, Aug. 15, 1877, Miss Lizzie C. Withington of Lawrence, Mass. They have had one child, Ethel, born Augusta. Me., April 16, 1879. Mr. Chase is a man of literary ability and a writer of note for the press. He was one of the editors of Chase's Chronicle dur- ing the rise and fall of the greenback crusade. He settled in Auburn. HOMER N. CHASE. Homer N. Chase, the youngest son of Hon. Thomas and Esther M. (Daggett) Chase was born in Buckfield, Sept. 30, 1855. He settled in Auburn, Me., where he now resides. He married Miss Emma F., daughter of Col. Charles S. Emerson of the 29th Maine Regiment in the Civil War. They have two children: Emma F., who married Robert C. Chase of Chase, Alabama, and Thomas E. Chase, who resides in Auburn. Mr. Chase early became interested in the nursery business with his brothers and has built up a large and successful trade in Maine under the firm name of Homer N. Chase & Co. Its sup- plies of stock are obtained from the nurseries of R. G. Chase & Co., at Geneva, New York. I-ION. JOHN LEWLS CIIILDS. It is the dream, of the human race to find in the higher life a place lovely and beautiful beyond description and far exceed- ing anything the imagination has pictured of the locality from which the fabled Adam and Eve were driven. But it has been the rare good fortune of only a very few to live in a locality in Digitized by Microsoft® 204 HISTORY OF BUCKFTELD any way approaching what we conceive the earthly paradise to have been. John Lewis Childs, however, is one of that num- ber, and the floral paradise where he resides was the creation of his own genius. His parents were Stephen and Lydia A. (Chandler) Childs of Turner, where the father was born in 1807. He was the grandson of Dr. Daniel Childs who settled there in early times and was the first physician to practice his profession in the neighboring plantation of Bucktown. The family of Stephen Childs moved to a farm in Jay where the son, John Lewis, was born May 13, 1856. In 1^67 Stephen Childs removed to Buck- field which he made his home till his death in 1884. His wife survived him for a few years. They had raised a large family of children. The subject of this sketch principally acquired his education in the village schools, but having from early boyhood developed a passionate taste for flowers, instead of taking a college course and entering one of the learned professions, he determined to de- vote his life to their cultivation, and to dealing in them as a business. How well he chose is seen in his present circum- stances and surroundings. After he had fully determined what to do', with excellent judgment, he selected a tract on Long Isl- and, that he might be near to the New York City market and he purchased it. The land then was little more than a dreary waste, but the young man from way "Down East" in Buckfield saw in it great possibilities and went to work to carry out his plans and make the place, as it is in fact to-day, a veritable Garden of Eden. As might be supposed, there were periods of discouragements and threatened failures but he persevered and finally wrought upon the soil, the reality of the picture he had formed in his mind. His "Floral Park" of 300 acres or more, as it is named, is now one of the beauty spots of earth. Around the home of Mr. Childs has grown up a village of handsome buildings, neat, pretty, homelike cottages with well kept streets lighted with electricity, church, school and hotel and a system of water works constructed by Mr. Childs, who has been the author and promoter of it all. His private residence is in the center of a tract of ten acres dotted with beds of rare cacti, choice shrubbery and magnificent displays of all conceivable designs artistically formed with Digitized by Microsoft® John Lewis Childs Digitized by Microsoft® ^■^ ."4 t/'V..^/^^: Floral Park Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 207 foliage plants. The loveliness of the plots of flowers of every kind and color is surpassing description and must be seen to be appreciated. The business has grown to immense propor- tions. He employs an anny of laborers and runs his own print- ing plant w^here hundreds of thousands of advertising circulars and labels for flower and garden seeds are printed and a maga- zine called the Mayflower is published. The products of this tract with another of 900 acres named Flowerfield and the many acres of greenhouses under glass are sent to nearly every important country on earth — there being es- pecially a large trade with Australia and New Zealand. Individ- ual customers number over half a million yearly. Thousands of letters are received and sent out per day and it requires many stenographers and typewriters to attend to the correspondence, while some fifty or more young ladies are constantly booking and filling orders and a small army of boys and girls are needed to pack and prepare the seeds for shipment. Financially, Mr. Childs has succeeded far beyond the wildest fancies and desires of his boyhood. Twenty-five years ago he was said to have ac- cumulated a fortune of $1,500,000. Mr. Childs has been prominent in the politics of his adopted state and has always favored the interests of the people against corrupt boss rule. From being chairman of the republican coun- ty committee, he was chosen a member of the state committee and was twice elected to the senate of the New York Legislature from a democratic district, usually good for 2000 majority and was twice a candidate for Congress, running far ahead of his party ticket. He is known as an authority on ornithology and possesses the finest private library in the world on North Amer- ican Natural History and has the largest private collection in ex- istence of mounted North American birds, together with their nests and eggs, but the world in general knows him as "John Lewis Childs, the Florist." He was married in 1886 to Miss Caroline Goldsmith of New York and they have four children. She is a charming and accomplished lady, a writer of stories, sketches of travel abroad and a prominent and well-known club woman. Digitized by Microsoft® 208 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD ALFRED COLE. Alfred Cole, the youngest son of Lemuel, Jr., and Lydia (Lucas) Cole, was born in Hartford, Me., May i6, 1843. He passed his boyhood on the farm, attending the district school of his native town, the high school at Canton and other places. In 1861, he moved with his father's family to Buckfield village, where he resided till his death, March 13, 1913. 0\ving to ill health he was prevented from pursuing his studies at college but continued a course at home, acquiring an ardent taste for class- ical literature which he always cultivated. Mr. Cole was a writer of good prose and poetry. His productions have appeared in the Portland Transcript and various other papers and magazines and were widely read and admired. His rank is very high among the writers of his native state. He had long service as an official of the town, was five years on its board of selectmen, twenty-seven years town clerk and a member of its school board for many years. Notary Public and a Justice of the Peace. He was Postmaster for nearly a quarter of a century, holding through changes of administration without any efforts made to displace him which attests his efficiency and great popularity. Mr. Cole was long identified with Free Masonry, having been secretary of the local lodge, thirty-four years. Pie was a member of several historical societies, was much interested in local history and was one of the compilers of this work. He was especially instrumental in securing and pro- moting the Zadoc Long Free Library, the gift of Hon. John D. Long and was chairman of its board of trustees. He passed away after a long and wasting sickness, March 13, 1913, deeply lamented by all who knew him. The following is from Governor Long's tribute to his memory which appeared in the Oxford Dem- ocrat of March 18, 1913 : "The death of Alfred Cole, though anticipated in view of his long illness, is a shock to this community and to the large circle of his friends and admirers outside of Buckfield. He was one of its most prominent citizens, beloved and respected, and for many years its postmaster. His literary culture was broad and pure. He had great facility in prose and poetry. Many of his verses have appeared in public print, always breathing an ex- quisite refinement of spirit and full of those touches of nature, Digitized by Microsoft® Alfred Cole Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 2II of the idealization of rural scenery and of the tender affiliations of our old New England life, which appeal to the heart." After mention of the great labor of years in collecting ma- terial for a history of Buckfield and the literary ability Mr. Cole had brought to the work, Mr. Long well says : "But his best memorial will be in the hearts of his friends." DEA. WHITNEY CUMMINGS. Dea. Whitney Qtmmings came from Sumner to Buckfield with his family in 1863 and resided here till his death. His parents were Oliver and Phebe (Churchill) Cummings. The father was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, as was also his grandfather, Capt. Oliver Cummings of Dunstable. Phebe Churchill was the daugliter of Zachary Churchill of Sumner, who with several of his sons took part in the War for Independence. She was also a descendant of Mary Chilton, the first woman to land on Plymouth Rock from the Mayflower. The Cummings family is of Scotch descent and the name was anciently spelled in various ways but at the suggestion of Deacon Cummings, the present form has been generally adopted by all the Dunstable families. The American ancestor was Isaac who settled in Topsfield, Mass., in 1632. Oliver Cummings, Jr., born in Dunstable, Mass., July 12, 1756, was one of the proprietors of Butterfield, now Sumner and Hartford. His first wife was Betsey Bailey, who was brought up in his father's family. He settled in West Butterfield, now Sumner. While making his clearing and building his log house, his wife and children boarded at Abijah Buck's in Buckfield, where he passed his Sundays. He kept an account of the days by Cutting notches on a stick. Once he neglected to do so and worked all day Sunday, to the great disturbance of his con- science. He became a prosperous farmer. Fond of music, he played the bass viol and sang tenor in church. His wife dying, he married Feb. i, 1804, Phebe Churchill. By the first he had Sybil, who married Zadoc Bosworth and Oli- ver, who married Polly Churchill. By his second wife, he had three children, Betsey Bailey, who died young. Rev. Larnard, a Free Will Baptist preacher, noted for his droll, original and un- expected remarks, who married Nancy White, and Deacon Whit- Digitized by Microsoft® 212 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD ney, born Dec. i8, 1808. The latter, after attaining what educa- tion the schools of his town afforded, married Mary Hart Pren- tiss, daughter of Henry Prentiss of North Paris, and began life as a farmer on his father's place. She was a school teacher of note in the town, a great reader of good books and a writer of both prose and poetry for the newspapers. She took great in- terest in young people with ambition ; and her influence in the community was great and her memory will long be remembered and cherished. Dieacon Cummings became interested in mills and he owned and operated several at West Sumner. For many years, he was postmaster at Jackson Village and served several times on the board of selectmen. He was for so long a period deacon of the Baptist church, that during the latter part of his life he was called by all who knew him Deacon Cummings. He died past his three score years and ten, March 4, 1881, respected by all. His wife died Feb. 18, 1879 and they are buried in the cemetery at North Paris. They had three children, Isabella, born April 15, 1834, mar- ried Joseph S. Ingraham, an apothecary at Bangor. He was a son of Rev. John S. Ingraham of Augusta. He died, leaving two daughters, Pauline, who lives with her mother at Brookfield, Mass., and Mary, who married Albert E. Davis of Brooklyn, N. Y. They have one daughter. The second child was named Prentiss and the third Mellen. The latter died young. HON. PRENTISS CUMMINGS. Prentiss Cummings, son of Dea. Whitney and Mary Hart (Prentiss) Cummings was born at West Sumner village, Sept. 10, 1840. When he had attained the age of fourteen he began working in the ofilice of the Oxford Democrat on Paris Hill and here he remained for three years. He then began fitting for col- lege and attended the academy at Hebron and later he took a two years' course at Phillips Academy, Exeter, N. H. Then he en- tered Harvard University where he graduated with distinction in 1864. The following year he was principal of the high school at Portland and began the study of the law in the office of Nathan Webb afterwards Judge of the United States District Court. In the autumn of 1865 he entered the Law School at Harvard and while pursuing his studies was unexpectedly to him appointed Digitized by Microsoft® ■ — ' . ^^fj!^ M^y^J ^ ^^HR^^^-^ "^ HP ^HhI H^^ 1 ^^ ^^^1 ^^ '-'' '*^ - r \ 1 1 Dea. Whitney Cummings Digitized by Microsoft® Prentiss Cummings Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIF.LD 215 tutor in Latin and had charge of the Sophomore class in that de- partment till 1870. He had previously graduated from the Law School and in the autumn of that year having been admitted to the Suffolk County Bar, he opened a law office in Boston. In 1874 he was appointed First Assistant U. S. District Attor- ney and for six years had almost exclusive charge of the law busi- ness of the Government in that important district. For three years he represented the great business ward of the city in the common council. In i884 and 1885 he was a member of the General Court. In the latter year, he was chosen president of the Cambridge Railroad and held that position till the company was consolidated with the other Boston street railways under the name of the West End Company, of which he 'became vice-presi- dent. This office he held for ten years when the road was leased to the Boston Elevated Railway and he became advisory counsel for the company. In 1880 he married Annie D. Snow of Cambridge, Mass. They have no children. His home is. in Brookline, Mass. Mr. Cummings is trustee of the Public Library and Savings Bank there and of the Mt. Auburn Cemetery Association and for many years chairman of the school board and president of many soci- eties and clubs. Of the many offices Mr. Cummings has held, he has never sought even one. Mr. Cummings has a keen legal mind and would have made a good judge. He has a fine private library of choice books. Since retiring from active business after having attained eminent success at the bar, he has made a specialty of Homeric literature and his translation of the Iliad has given him great repute as a scholar. Mr. Cummings has a summer home on Paris Hill near that of his sister, Mrs. Ingraham. EEV. ELEANOR B. FOEBES. Rev. Eleanor Bicknell Fofbes, second daughter of Melvander and Julia (Bicknell) Forbes and great-granddaughter of Jonah Forbes, the Revolutionary soldier and "Minute Man," was born at East Buckfield, Nov. 11, i860. Her- mother was the daughter of William Bicknell, Esq., of Hartford, who was one of the noted school teachers of his time and a large contributor to the press under the nom de plume of "Hartford." Digitized by Microsoft® 216 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD The father of Miss Forbes died in 1873 and the mother wish- ing to give her two daughters a good education, took them to Hdbron, where they worked their way through the academy and graduated with honors in 1878. Miss Eleanor B. Forbes then entered Bates College where she also attained high rank in her studies. During her last year at that institution, her health and eye-sight failed. But she persevered. Her mother read all her lessons to her and 'by this means she was enabled to pass cred- itable examinations and kept her standing in her class. She graduated in 1882. For several years, she was in very poor health. Of this period of her life she thus writes ; "For several years after graduation I struggled with ill health, seeking relief at the Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston, also from the old school physicians, but all in vain. At last a friend sug- gested the metaphysical treatment. Accordingly, I went again to Boston and placing myself under the care and instruction of Mr. and Mrs. Julius A. Dresser, began the work of coming back to life through the understanding of 'divine law.' From that time I have been a student of the New Thought and it was this new revelation of the gospel of Jesus that awakened in my soul the desire to preach the glad tidings of universal hope. Improv- ing every opportunity for reading, attending lectures, studying in the school of experience, I thus prepared myself for my present work." She was ordained as a Universalist minister at Gray, Maine, Oct. 17, 1901, Tjrhere she has since resided. Rev. Miss Forbes is a rising preacher in the denomination. She is a pleasing and eloquent speaker and an earnest worker with full confidence in her mission. She is beloved by her people and has the respect of all classes. COLUMBIA GARDNER. Columbia Gardner was one of the most talented women ever born in the town of Buckfield. Her parents were Ira and Naomi (Gray) Gardner of that town. She was their oldest child, born September 28, 1820. Her grandfather was Jonathan Gardner, who served in the Revolution from Hingham, Mass., and after that contest settled in Buckfield. Digitized by Microsoft® Rev. Eleanor B. Forbes , Digitized by Microsoft® Columbia Gardner Gertrude Gardner Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 219 Miss Gardner inherited her father's great strength of will and energy and her mother's amiable and lovely character. For her mother she ever showed tlie deepest feeling and the tenderest at- tachment. Her education was oibtained in the grammar school in the village near where she was reared and at Kent's Hill (Me.) Seminary. She early developed a taste for study and literary culture. Soon after she was twenty years old she went to Baltimore, Maryland, where she was engaged in teaching for some two years. From there she went to Memphis, Tenn., going alone by stage to York, Penn., by canal boats and river steamers to Cin- cinnati, Ohio, and through Kentucky and Tennessee to her des- tination. This journey was more of an undertaking at that period than a trip around the world to-day. She kept a journal in which are recorded many delightful incidents, interestingly related. At Cincinnati where she stopped for a few days with friends sihe heard the venerable ex- President John Quincy Adams deliver the address at the dedication of the observatory there which had been recently built. At Lexington, Ky., she met Henry Clay, then the Whig candi- date for the Presidency, and was so impressed with his intellectu- ality and the charm of his manners that she determined to write her father to vote for him, but after sleeping over the matter and considering the intense partisanship of her parent for the oppos- ing party and its candidate she concluded it would do no good and her letter was not sent. Before Miss Gardner reached the Tennessee line she had an adventure in a stagecoach where a robbery of som,e of the passen- gers who had attended a horse race and won large sums of money, had been planned. It was a very dark and stormy night and the coach had to pass down a very steep hill and cross an unsafe bridge over a raging torrent. This was the time and place for the highwaymen, but they must needs get all the persons out of the vehicle to walk over the dangerous part of the road to accomplish their purpose. One of the confederates was a passenger. The rain was falling in torrents, the horses became almost unmanage- able and the coadh rocked and swayed back and forth in danger of being overturned. Miss Gardner strenuously refused to leave the carriage and the passengers liable to be robbed followed her example. Some, Digitized by Microsoft® 220 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD however, got out and went on foot. Lights were extinguished to prevent the roibbers from making out the exact locality of the team on its way down the hill. Shots were fired but in the intense darkness and the great downpour of the rain no one was hurt. And, strange to relate, the carriage with its occupants went safely down the hill and over the bridge. Miss Gardner showed the greatest nerve and self-possession of any of the pass- engers, and they were profuse in their praises. Her action un- doubtedly prevented the robbery. While at Nashville, Tenn., she visited the Hermitage, the home of Gen. Andrew Jackson. He was then in very poor health. When she told him' that she was going to Memphis to teach, that -her home was in Maine and that her father was one of his staunchest supporters, he praised her in the highest terms and w'hen she went away, placed his hands upon her. head and blessed her. Miss Gardner taught in Memphis with great success for sev- eral years and in 1847 she went to New Orleans, La., as assistant teacher in a French and English seminary of which she soon be- came the head. There she formed a wide circle of literary friends among the cultured people of that section of the South, and was a frequent and esteemed contributor in both prose and poetry, to the leading journals and literary publications of the time. In 1850 she came back to her Northern home, but soon re- turned to New Orleans. Some five years later her health began to fail and in spite of all efforts towards a restoration, she died on the i6th day of June, 1856, at Mt. Vernon, Alabama, while on a visit to a friend, and was buried there. Though greatly at- tached to the Southland and her many devoted friends and ac- quaintances there, she had expressed in one of her poems the wish to be buried in the land the Pilgrims founded. Her writings attracted wide attention and favorable comment among literary people. She was a lady of attractive bearing, charming manners, well-informed upon the topics of the day and widely read in the classics and general literature. She was thus a general favorite in whatever society she happened to be. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 221 GERTRUDE GARDNER. Miss Gertrude Gardner is the daughter of Oscar F. and Jen- nette (Thomes) Gardner and niece of the gifted Miss Columbia Gardner. Her mother was the daughter of a Universalist preacher and a very intelligent and most estimable lady. Her father was often in town office and was highly respected by all who knew him. She was born in Buckfield, May i8, 1875, nearly a month after her father's death. Till she was old enough to take care of her- self, she lived in the family of her uncle, Samuel Thomes, who had married her father's sister, Brittania Gardner. Miss Gardner obtained her education in the Buckfield village schools and began teaching at the age of sixteen. She soon se- cured a position in the Norway village schools which she has held to the present time (1915.) She has kept fully up-to-date in her methods of instruction, is a strict disciplinarian, and is one of the very best teachers in her grade in Maine. There is no higher or more honorable calling than that of a teacher of youth and from her long period of service, the hun- dreds of her pupils, the foundation of whose character and future usefulness has been so largely due to right principles inculcated and the proper instruction given by her, must ever remember her with gratitude. Miss Gardner comes of good Revolutionary and Puritan New England stock on both sides and both family lines are character- ized by deep moral conviction, great firmness of purpose, fine in- tellectuality and a very strong love of home and country, and she has inherited a full share of all these qualities. HON. J. PRESTON HUTCHINSON. James Preston Hutchinson, eldest child of John Colby and Emeline E. (Doe) Hutchinson was born in the southeastern part of Buckfield, Jan. 6, 1848. He was educated in the district schools and at Hebron Academy and at sixteen began teaching school, which he followed for several years with marked success. His parents having moved into Hebron, the year he attained his majority he was chosen a member of tfhe school board and later superintendent of schools and was re-elected. In 1872 he went to Auburn, remaining there four years, then to Portland where Digitized by Microsoft® 222 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD he engaged in the milk business, in which he was very successful and accumulated a handsome property. In 1887 he sold out and traveled for a year in the West, spending the winter in California. Returning to Auburn in 1888, where he resided till his death, he purchased in June of that year a part interest in the real estate business of Lewis O'Brion. After five years, Mr. O'Brion's health being poor, he sold his interest to D. W. Verrill, from which time the management of the business fell upon Mr. Hutchinson. It steadily increased till the firm of J. P. Hutchin- son & Co. became one of the largest and most reliable dealers in real estate in Maine. Mr. Hutchinson had no bad habits, was moral an'd upright, square in his dealings and was always interested and identified with all movements for the public good. Such a man is sure of public preferment. While in Portland he was a member of the city government. In 1892 he was elected as an alderman in Au- burn from his ward and in 1894 was chosen as representative to the Legislature and was re-elected. He. was a member of Gov. Wm. T. Haines' Council, at the time of his death, Nov. 24, 1914. He was president of the Mechanics Savings Bank, a director of the National Shoe & Leather Bank, of the Central Maine Gen- eral Hospital and also a director in several other corporations. For four years he was a member of the Public Works Commis- sion, a member of the Board of Trade, Secretary of the Auburn Loan Association and president of the Androscoggin Board of Underwriters. Mr. Hutchinson was prominent in sevei^al secret societies. In Masonic circles he held high position. He had been master of his lodge, commander of Lewiston Commandery, K. T., grand commander of the Grand Commandery of Maine, and Kora Temple representative to the Imperial Council in 1907 held at Los Angeles, California. In politics Mr. Hutchinson was a republican and firmly be- lieved in the cardinal principles of his party. In religion he was a Universalist. For many years he was a trustee of the Auburn Universalist church and superintendent of the Sunday School. He married, March 4, 1873, Miss Maria Loring. Their children were: Lucy Augusta, born April 30, 1874; Ruth, born Dec. 15, 1879, died June 8, 1880, and Mina Emeline, born Dec. 25, 1883. Mrs. Hutchinson died March 19, 1903 and Mr. Hutchinson married for his second wife, Mrs. Abbie Morse Southard of Digitized by Microsoft® J. Preston Hutchinson Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 225 Lewiston, Oct. 30, 1909. She was born May 6, 1854. By her first husband she had two children, Colly, who married Dr. A. M. Andrews of Gray and Frank Elwyn Southard, Esq., a prac- ticing attorney of Augusta. CAPT. JAMES JEWETT. James Jewett was the son of James, Jr., and Lucy (Farley) Jewett of Hollis, N. H., where he was born Sept. 13, 1789. He learned the trade of ca:binet maker in Boston and came to Port- land to settle in business; but at that time the business of the cities had been seriously disturt)ed by the war of 1812 and while prospecting for a more promising location, he was attracted to Buckfield, where he settled and built up one of the most im- portant industries of the town. His first shop stood on the riverside near the present home of Emily A. Shaw. This was destroyed by fire Jan. 2^, 1834, and he at once moved into the Farwell store, ever since known as the Capt. Jewett Cabinet Shop, in which h^ remained during the remainder of his business years. He was a skilled wood-worker, an energetic business man and probably employed moire workmen than any other per- son in the village. His furniture found its way into nearly every home in Buckfield and adjoining towns and now remains as heir- looms in the homes of the older families. He was prosperous and retired from business somewhat early in life, a man of wealth for his times, though he later, in common with many others, suffered heavy losses through investments in the railroad. He was a pop*- ular officer in the militia and highly respected as a citizen. He married. May 5, 1824, V^esta, daughter of John Loring, Esq. He died May 10, 1863. Children: John Loring, born May 28, 1825 ; married Eliza Jacobs of Camden. He was bred to mercan- tile life with his uncle, Lucius Loring, and, on attaining his ma- jority, he went into business in partnership with John S. Ricker of Turner in South Thomaston and later in Bangor, doing a large and prosperous business as wholesale and retail grocers ; but they lost their accumulations in the lumber business and the firm was dissolved. Mr. Jewett remained in business there and afterwards became a commission merchant in flour in New York and Milwau- kee. While on a visit to Buckfield he died of pneumonia. May 30, 1870. He had two daughters, who died young and one son, Ralph Digitized by Microsoft® 226 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD ■ Loring, now a resident of Cripple Creelc, Colorado. Ralph Cum- mings Jewett, born March ii, 1827; married Emma A., daughter of Dea. Benjamin Emery. Like his elder brother he was bred to trade with Lucius Loring, with whom he remained about ten years as clerk and partner. He then became associated with his brother, Loring, in Bangor and New York. He returned to^ Buckfield to reside with and care for his aged widowed mother, and engaged in the wholesale grain and flour business. He was also> a general broker in stocks and bonds. He afterwards went to Auburn and became a partner in the firm of Oscar Holway & Co. He died in that city and was buried in his native town. Mr. Jewett was a careful, methodical man of affairs, of sound business judgment and upright character. James Farley Jewett, born Dec. 4, 1837, was educated at Gould and He:bron Academies and at the age of sixteen years became a clerk in the large wholesale dry goods house of Wellington & Grose, later Wellington Brothers of Boston. He was salesnoan many years, making frequent and extended commercial trips for this firm of which he became a member. He formed a large ac- quaintance and was popular and successful in business. He mar- ried in 1862, Sarah W., daughter of Dea. Benjamin Emery, and resided in Maiden, Mass., where she died. He subsequently en- gaged in the wool business in Auburn, and many years retained his ancestral home in Buckfield as a stock farm and place of sum- mer visitation. He is now living in retirement in his native town. ALPHEUS AIJGUTUS KEEN. Alpheus Augustus Keen, the son of Simeon Keen and Sarah Adams (Elwell) Keen, was born in Buckfield on his father's farm on the line between Buckfield and Hartford on Sept. 26, 1824. He attended the "Line" District Scliool, then as now attended by scholars from both towns. When not at school he worked on his father's farm and was at once a studious and an industrious boy. Praise from some observer for a recitation in mathematics was the first impulse to ambition for a college education. He went to the High School in Buckfield in 1841, walking the three miles dis- tance daily back and forth. His mother encouraged his going to college and his father did not oppose it, but felt hardly able to meet the expense. The boy said that he would ask for only $100 Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 227 a year and would give his note for the amount and pay it as soon as possible after graduating. This he did, the amount paid back being $375. He earned money during his college course by teach- ing, as he had also by teaching and by manual labor earned money at the preparatory schools where he fitted for college, especially at Bridgton Academy and at North Yarmouth. He entered Harvard College in August, 1845, and graduated there in July, 1849. In June before graduating he had charge of the high school in Marblehead, Mass., where he remained till 1854 when he went West to take charge of Pomeroy Academy, Pomeroy, Ohio. While there, in August, 1857, he was chosen Professor of Latin and Greek in Tufts College and he re- turned to Massachusetts. In 1859, Mathematics was assigned to him in place of Greek. Later, he had the department of Latin Literature and Roman History. In 1862 he was made Librarian. It was a notable and honored life and career, made especially interesting and exemplary by his early struggles and his steady growth in usefulness and influence as a scholar and teacher. While still in the full tide of his educational activities at Tufts he died in the fall of 1864, deeply lamented. In the words of the resolutions on his death, adopted by the trustees of the college he was "an accomplished teacher and devoted friend, a consistent Christian believer and self-sacrificing laborer and in the cause of liberal learning an earnest and faithful servant." His denominational relations were with the Universalist church. His domestic life was a charm. No son of Buckfield merits more honored mention. He now lies in the little burying ground near his father's farm and only this last summer of 1914, his devoted wife was laid there by his side, by their son, Alpheus A., who is a resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico. ZADOC LONG. By John D. Long Zadoc Long was born in Middleboro, Mass., July 28, 1800. He was descended from the Pilgrim stock of 1620, though his sur- name came froaxi' a grandfather. Miles Long, who came from North Carolina to Plymouth, Massachusetts, and there mar- ried a descendant of Thomas Clark, who came to Plymouth in Digitized by Microsoft® 228 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD the Ann in 1623. On the maternal side, Zadoc was descended from three of the Mayflower Pilgrims, Bradford, Brewster, and Warren. Zadoc's father, Thomas Long, a native of Plymoitth, was often in summer time employed on board fishing vessels, then lived on a farm in Middleboro and also made shoes. In 1806 the family moved to Bqckfield, going by sloop to Salem and thence overland by team to Buckfield. Zadoc often described the arrival at the foot of North Hill, up which he and his brother Tom ran, stop- ping now and then to pick the thistles from their bare feet. At the top were the house and farm now owned by his son, John D. Long. Here Zadoc, until he was fourteen, helped his father on the farm. The hardships of that pioneer time were severe, the living of the large family poor and simple, the firewood often taken in the morning from the snow that had covered it over- night. At fourteen the boy broke down with a running sore on his leg, a part of the bone of which was removed. At fifteen he at- tempted to learn shoemaking and turned his leisure to study. He was .soon convinced of the importance, whatever a man's position in life, of an education. He went to a woman's school in the sum- mer and to Hebron Academy for a few weeks in the fall. His board there was paid in shoemaking. Afterwards, in 1850, he wrote a rhyming letter to his son John, then at that Academy, describing his own very different experience there : — "How I got up before 'twas light And snufifed my candle late at night, And toiled and studied to surpass The smartest scholar in my class; Wrote composition like a sage, And spoke my pieces on the stage ; Five hundred lines in Virgil read In one day on a wager laid. How I was poor and lame and lean, Wore homespun clothes of bottle green, Your grandpa's wedding trousers lined, Turned inside out and patched behind. My brother Tom's waistcoat of blue Three summers after it was new. And how I traveled to recite A mile at morning and at night, Because I could not then afford To pay the price of nearer board, Or people nearer did not choose Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFrELD 229 To_ take their pay in making shoes. This is not poetry, but better, The simple truth, John, every letter, Yet I was counted bright, you see, John, When I attended school at Hebron." In his diary he says : "Summer of 1816 attended Buckfield Grammar School under the tuition of Charles Mongride. Board- ed with Henry Farwell, whom I have reason to remember with gratitude for his assistance in my education. That winter taught school in the district where my father lived — a great undertaking for one in my circumstances, a mere boy obliged to walk on my lame leg. Succeeded however, and my school was commended by the committee as the best in town. Summer of 1817 unable to do anything. Attended school at Hdbron a few weeks. Kept a private school in the fall at Buckfield. Summer and fall of 1818 instructed a private school in Buckfield six months, and in the winter taught school in the west part of the town. Had now nearly fitted myself to enter college and was ambitious to go, but sickness and poverty were insurmountable obstacles. Spring of 1819 let myself clerk in Stephen Phelps' store at Buckfield till I should be twenty-one years old at something more than $100 a year. At)o'ut three months 'before the end of my term was at- tacked with another bone sore upon the leg which had till then been .sound. Was carried to my father's and confined five months before any hope was had of my recovery. Had several surgical operations. The pain was excruciating and I was reduced to a living skeleton. I expected I should die and prepared to take leave of the world. The evidence of its being well with me after death was not so clear and satisfactory as I desired it to be. I lacked faith in the immortality of the soul. 1 wanted to raise the curtain between time and eternity that I might see more clearly the things beyond this life. This sickness was a sore disappoint- ment to me. I had arrived at that age when life's prospects are brightest. By rigid economy had saved from my earnings about $200. I was dreaming of honors and pleasures to come when the hand of affliction waked me to the vanity of all earthly hopes. While in the store I devoted .some leisure time to study and recited lessons in Greek to Mr. Moses Emery, preceptor of Buckfield Academy. There I first saw and became acquainted with Julia T. D'avis, who attended school at Buckfield. She was then about thirteen vears old." Digitized by Microsoft® & 230 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD He was married to her August 31, 1824, at New Gloucester, which was her home. She was a direct descendant of Dolor Davis, who came from Kent, England, in 1634. He was the an- cestor of the numerous New England Davis family, among whom have been three governors of Massachusetts ; and his wife, Mar- garet, was a sister of Major Simon Willard, famous in colonial history. The correspondence of Zadoc with his sweetheart before marriage is copied in his journal and is marked by refined senti- ment, but is in the formal style of that time. Even then he had formed the habit of scholarly writing both in prose and poetry. Meantime, to quote again from his journal, "in the fall of 1821 recovered my health in some measure. It required all the prop- erty I possessed to defray the expenses of my sickness. Infirm and moneyless, my chance in the world was not very fortunate, but my ambition was good. Was able to take charge of a school in the winter. In the spring of 1822 taught the district school. April, 1822, went into S. F. Brown's office with a view of study- ing law. Read Blackstone and quit it. September, 1822, com- menced trading in Buckfield in company with Nathan Atwood on capital of my own of $58. Found it difficult to buy goods on Credit. The traders in the village would not recommend me on account of our inexperience. September 4, 1823, have dissolved partnership with Nathan Atwood, arranging to trade in company with Lucius Loring under the firm of Long & Loring. Our busi- ness has been more favorable than we expected. We have saved from it about $400 for each. February 6, 1825, dissolved part- nership with Lucius Loring, having taken the whole concern, store, potash, goods, debts and credits, upon my own shoulders." From this time till 1838 he was engaged in trade in Buckfield, and then retired from active business. He had acquired a prop- erty of some $16,000. He lived immediately after his marriage in a house, afterward Sydenham Brigham's tavern, which stood where Benjamin Spaulding's store now stands, then in the house next east on the Turner road, and in August, 1834, he bought and repaired the old Dominicus Record homestead, which is to-day oc- cupied as a tavern, called Hotel Long, and for which with nine or ten acres of land he paid $1000. He had four surviving children, two daughters and then two sons. He was devotedly attached to Buckfield, and never failed to sound its praises. He had a sincere love of nature and was Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 231 devotedto his garden, his books, his correspondence and especial- ly his diary which consists of twelve large folio volumes, written in his peculiarly fair, legible hand and which is a true and interest- ing transcript of the doings and life of a country village in Maine in the first two-thirds of the last century. He was deeply inter- ested in the maintenance of good schools, giving each of h's chil- dren the best education the time afforded. He helped support religious worship, being himself a liberal Unitarian. He was a zealous Whig in political convictions, although that party was in a great minority in the State and especially in the town. To the village Lyceum and to the Portland newspapers he contribiited articles on political and other subjects and many verses, some of which appear in the town history. He made speeches at Whig conventions and was nominated for Congress in 1838, but his competitor, Virgil D. Parris, a native of Buckfield and the democratic candidate, was elected. In 1840, when the whole State went with a rush for Harrison for President, Mr. Long was elected a presidential elector. He was for many years a justice of the peace, acting as a trial jus- tice, and showed judicial quality in that office. In person he was tall and spare with fine cut features and a gentle manner. Plis elevating influence attached to him those who met him and made a strong impression on many young men who in after years remembered him with sincere respect. Espe- pecially he impressed upon his children, by conversation and by his copious letters, the fruits of his own life experience and reading. He was recognized as one of the most cultivated men in the State, and though not accustomed to public speaking had rare facility in conversation and a, fine sense of humor, with great •aptness for anecdote. He was fond of literature, and accumu- lated the largest library in town, making special purchases for his children in order to give them a good range of reading. It is especially fitting that the free public library in Buckfield, erected by his son in 1890, should bear the name of Zadoc Long engraved on its front and stand as a monument to his memory. He was a conservative in literature as in politics. His favor- ite authors were Channing and Scott and Cooper, whose novels he read, but he never could join in the then rage for Dickens. He was a devoted follower of Webster and Clay, regarded the Digitized by Microsoft® 232 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Federal Constitution and Union as sacred, and had in his ad- vanced years become so imbued with the spirit of preserving their integrity that he did not accept, as he would have done if younger, the splendid uprising of the Civil War with its risk of bringing both Constitution and Union to dissolution. Hence he remained throughout that period not quite in step with the radical and more progressive political spirit of the day. His journal at the time of the defeat of Henry Clay for the presidency is a despairing lament over what then seemed to him and many others the ap- proaching downfall of our democratic .'system. Happily the world moves on its onward and upward course in spite of con- vulsions that now and then make the philo.5opher anxious but soon give place again to order and progress. Mr. Long's home in the center of the village, shaded by great elms and maples, most of which he had planted, and bordering on his garden and on the beautiful field which he loved and which, had not' yet been cut in twain by the unsightly railroad embank- ment, was the welcome resort of neighbors and friends. It was an idyllic home. Some can yet recall the great spice apple tree near it — now gone like himself — under which in summer days he sat with a son or a neighbor or guest keeping him company, and near which in winter lay twenty cords of hard wood waiting to be cut and fitted for the fire and then piled by his hand neatly in the neighboring shed, and the chips gathered for kindling. Ah, happy days ! His children, Julia Davis, Persis Seaver, Zadoc Junior, and John Davis, all left the paternal nest, the two daughters marr\nng and settling in Massachusetts, the two sons both seeking their for- tune in that State. His beloved wife died September 19, 1869. Then the fire on the old family hearth went out, and in his old age, his heart breaking with all its sad changes, he also went back to the State of hij nativity, living a year with his son John in Hingham, Mass., and then with his daughter, Mrs. Nelson D. White, in Winchendon, Mass., till he died on February 3, 1873. He lies with his wife and his son Zadoc in the family lot in the Buckfield village burying ground. Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® 601 a o o 1-5 d o o 3 Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 235 HON. JOHN DAVIS LONG By Mrs. Mary E. Robbins. John Davis Long, son of Zadoc Long and Julia Temple Davis, was born Oct. 27, 1838. He came of a line of Massachusetts ancestry which extends back to the "Mayiiower" and the "Ann." On his father's side, Mr. Long hails from Plymouth. His grandfather was a descendant of the Pilgrim Thomas Qark, who came over in the "Ann" in 1623, and his grandmother, Bathsheba Churchill's forbears were seven Mayflower passengers, the Brad- ford.?, Brewsters, Chiltons anjd Warrens. His mother's progeni- tor, Dolar Davis, came with the emigration of 1634 and settled first in Cambridge and died in Barnstable. His wife was Mar- gery Willard, the sister of Major Simon Willard of Concord, Mass. From the strong stock which first occupied Massachusetts went forth into the Province of Maine a class of especially vig- orous settlers, whose descendants still return from time to time to the parent state, to administer its affairs and lead in its councils, with the freshness and force characteristic of the sturdy men of the Pine Tree State. Among these pioneers went in 1806, sail- ing by packet from Plymouth to Salem and thence overland in a pioneer's wagon, Thomas Long, the grandfather of John D. Long. Zadoc Long, the latter's father, was then six years old, and often told him of the mile-long hill at their journey's end which they had to clim'b to reach the half-finished house and half- cleared farm which was to be their future home in Buckfield, Maine. The other men who settled Oxford county were a sturdy set, whose descendants are well-known to fame. They Avere poor, as everybody was poor in those parts, but shrewd, intelli- gent, thinking men, who read books and talked politics, kept alert minds, and gave their children the best education going. Among these sturdy people, in a hill country, which always develops individuality, and in an atmosphere of home cultivation ( for Zadoc Long was a reading man and a writer of verse) , little John grew up. In one of his speeches he feelingly alludes to the impression, never to be effaced, of snowy peaks, cool woods, and picturesque roads over hills and through valleys, upon his childish mind. Alluding to Oxford county he says : Digitized by Microsoft® 236 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD "Enlarging and educating as were its physical influences, 1 pay my tribute still more gratefully to the living influence of its people .... the solid democracy of a country such as Oxford county typifies — absolutely meeting the ideal of a free and equal people, and ignorant of such a thing as caste or class. Add to such a democracy the elements of the education of the common schools, the unfettered exercise of religious freedom, the popular political discussion of the street corner, the store, and the hay- field, the frequent vacancies of leisure, the common knowledge of men and things, the splendid ingrained inheritance of English common law ripeiied into the maxims, habits, converse and sys- tem of the people, the absence on the one hand of great accimiula- tions of wealth, and on the other of any consciousness of the deprivations of extreme poverty, and especially that unconscious unreserve and inartificiality of intercourse which made the hewer of stone the free and easy, if not superior disputant as well as companion of the owner of the field^ — add all these, and you have an atmosphere of education out of which nO' boy could emerge and not have a fitting future life such as the metropolis with its schools, the university with its colleges, could not give, a homely famliarity with the popular mind, an inbred sympathy with the masses, not artificial nor assume'cl, but a part of the character it- self, and a helpful agency in public service, and in useful .conduct in life. Its fruits you see to-day, and for years have seen, in the elements which from rural counties like Oxford have gone into the busy avenues of our national life, and given enterprise, growth, success to the business, the governnjent, the literature, and the progress of the country." This paragraph is quoted at length as the keynote of that pop- ularity, arising from his true humanity, which has made the career of the able ex-Secretary of the Navy a long progress from one honor to another. A life so wise, serene, and successful af- fords little light and shadow for writing a dramatic story full of sharp and interesting contrasts; but it is worth studying as a product of the truest Americanism, and we can see, though Buck- field was too small to long hold a man of his caliber, how his roots are there, how his heart ever fondly returns thither, while to it his happiest hours of leisure are still devoted on the old home farm. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 237 One of Mr. Long's classmates at Hebron Academy, where he prepared for college, alluding to his early proficiency in com- position and declamation, says: "We looked upon Johnny Long as if he were Daniel Webster himself." This must have been when he was quite a iboy, for he entered Harvard at fourteen. The youth was really too young to reap the advantages of colleige life, 'but he was a good student, with a fine memory and unusual abilities, so that though almost the youngest member in his class, being only eighteen when he was graduated in 1857, he stood second in it in the senior year and fourth for the whole course, and was assigned a commencement part. He narrates his experiences in a way which must find an echo in the heart of many a solitary country boy struggling far from home for an education. "I got no lift from college at all. Nobody noticed me. I had the knack of getting lessons easily. I was under age and out of sight." Again, in a speech, he tells how he walked from Boston to Cambridge, to take his entrance examinations, so that every inch of Main street is "blistered into his memory" and later, when his father left him there "sat crying for sheer homesickness on the western steps of Gore Hall," a record which may be a con- solation to some of the university's future LL. D.'s, now heart- sick from neglect and solitude in that cosmos. He did not live in the college except in his senior year, and so did not get the benefit of its social life, but trudged back and forth four miles a day to his lodgings, working hard no doubt, and learning at least the valuable lessons of self-reliance and fortitude. After leaving college he taught for two years at Westford Academy, which he alludes to as "an outburst into a larger life," and then settled down to the study of the law in the office of Mr. Sydney Bartlett, one of the famous lawyers of Boston. This contact he considered wasted, for his chief never spoke to him but once on any legal subject. "From him," he says, "I got nothing. I was in his office nearly a year, reading a book, and now and then copying a paper, but never talked with him five minutes. He took no interest in me and was otherwise occupied." Afterwards the youth attended the Harvard Law School for a while, taught for a few months in the Boston Latin School, and Digitized by Microsoft® 238 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD was finally admitted to the Suffolk bar, and began the practice of the law in 1862 in Buckfield, Maine. Fond as Mr. Long had ever been of the simple neighborhood in which his boyhood was spent, it was "a pent-up Utica" for mental powers like his, and very soon we find him drifting back to Boston, into the office of Mr. Stillman B. Allen, with whom he formed a partnership in 1867, in which they were afterwards joined by Mr. Alfred Hemenway, who had been a neighbor and warm friend of Mr. Long from the beginning of the latter's life in Boston. These years were not conscious periods of development for the young lawyer, but were undoubtedly spent in gaining knowl- edge of men and life and books, of which he was the eager and industrious reader, which was to be of service to him in his after career. Later, he looked upon them as drifting, purposeless years, when he was without ambition, or any particular object except that of getting some kind of foothold so as to earn a living. He worked at his profession when he got a chance, and in his leisure moments he wrote poetry by the cart load, and he even composed a play for Maggie Mitchell, then a popular actress, which was given several times at the Boston Theater. When he was afterwards speaker he published a well-known translation of Virgil's Aeneid in blank verse. By an accident he drifted to Hingham, one of the earhest set- tlements on the south shore of Massachusetts bay, where a pleas- ■ ant boarding place was offered for the summer. The quaint, picturesque old town suited him, and he chose it as his home. Born among mountains he had always dreamed of living by the blue waters, and as he walked to and from the steamboat land- ing, he often crossed the lot on which his dwelling now stands, and thought of it as one he would like to own, and oqcupy with his parents. His mother died before that dream came true, but when in 1870 he married Miss Mary. Woodward Glover, daughter of George S. and Helen M. (Paul) Glover, he 'bought it and built his house upon it, and there his two daughters, Margaret and Helen, passed their childhood. In 1882, Mrs. Long died in Boston. To his life in a country town Mr. Long owes his political preferment. Undoubtedly his ability would have won him a Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 239 position as a lawyer in Boston, had he settled there; but as a recognized force in a small community he came very soon to the top. His father was always an old-fashioned Whig, but the great tide of i860 swept the son into the republican party, and he cast his vote in that momentous election, for Isarel Washburn, its can- didate for governor of Maine, and spoke' for Lincoln on the stump. Before the November election he went to Boston, and there, having no vote, he lost the opportunity which he desired to vote for Abraham Lincoln for President. After that he seems to liave had for a time no special interest in politics, and when his abilities first brought him to the attention of the Hingham people as a possible candidate for the Legislature, he was nominated in 1871 without previous notice to him by a democratic caucus, but in his reply to this action he wrote his desire to be regarded as "An independent candidate, free to do my duty in the im- probable event of my election, according to the best of my own judgment and intelligence, unpledged and unbiased, and consid- ered as the representative, not of party issues, but of the general interests of this district and of the Commonwealth." This was not enough for Hingham, however, and he was de- feated. In 1872 he shared the dissatisfaction of Sumner and other republicans with Grant, and voted for Horace Greeley. In the fall of 1874 he was nominated and elected by the republicans , and represented them in the General Court for four years. In the Legislature his readiness in debate, his geniality, and his fairness of mind were promptly recognized. The Speaker often called hini to the chair, and in 1876 he was elected to occupy it, and remained for three years Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. In 1878 he was elected Lieutenant Governor of the State, and upon the retirement of Governor Talbot, the following year, he v/as given the first place on the ticket. He was Governor of Massachusetts in 1880, 1881 and 1882, and distinguished him- self as an administrator, and by the excellence of his appoint- ments. His ofificial public speeches were admirable for appro- priateness and eloquence. Many vacancies in the courts occurred during his terms of office, and so rapid were the changes on the supreme bench, that at one time every judge there held his commission from him, in- Digitized by Microsoft® 240 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD eluding such distinguished men as Qiief Justice Morton, Judges Devens, William and Charles Allen, Field, Holmes, Colburn, etc. Five of the eleven judges of the superior court also held their commissions from him. His choice of men for important positions has always been marked by the clear insight and sound judgment for which he is distinguished. Those who know him best say that his intuitive perception of character is never at fault. His decisions are swift and sure, and always justified by results. He made a steady and efficient chief magistrate, and one most jx>pular with the people. His clear, prompt habits of mind, his perfect coolness, and his absolute faithfulness in the performance of eyery function, made executive duty easy for him, and as an administrator he has always excelled. His dignified and cordial manners, his memory of names and faces, combined with the happy humor and eloquence which made his official speeches models of their kind, endeared him to every one, and then, as now, he was always warmly and eagerly .welcomed as a brilliant figure in any gathering. At the close of his third term, Mr. Long was elected to the Forty-Eighth and afterwards to the Forty-Ninth and Fiftieth Congresses of the United States, distinguishing himself in these ■ by attention to legislative business and by certain noticeable speeches: On the Whisky Tax (March 25, 1884), on Interstate Commerce (December 3, 1884), on Silver Coinage (March 27, , 1886), and on the French SpoHation Claims (August 4, 1888), all of which were logical, well-reasoned discourses of weight and interest. Legislative duty proved, however, not altogether to his taste. He chafed at being everybody's errand boy, and the issues of that time did not call especially for his gifts of oratory, while his ad- ministrative ability was largely thrown away. The necessity of looking after his private interests induced him to decline a re-nomination and he returned to his law practice in Boston at the close of third term in Congress. In 1886 he had made a second marriage with Miss Agnes Peirce, daughter of Rev. Joseph D. Peirce of North Attleboro, Mass., and his son, Peirce, was born in that town December 29, 1887. As a jury lawyer Mr. Long was called one of the foremost in the state. His knowledge of the law, founded on long, intelli- Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFTELD 241 gent study, became instinctive rather than the result of memory. He knew what the law ought to be, and announced it fearlessly, while the junior counsel looked up the authorities. His simple, direct statements, his genial humor, carried juries with him and insured a favorable verdict. In the law he was held in high esteem on accoimt of his apti- tude for business, his quick insight, and rapid methods, and also for an unusual ability to adjust cases by the fairness of mind which enabled him to see both sides, and bring opponents to an understanding. He was senior counsel for the defendant in the famous Trefethen murder case and after two long trials secured an acquittal. His elaborate argument was published with the proceedings by the Commonwealth. For some years he was a member of the State House Construction Committee, and was influential in obtaining the open space about the building so es- sential to its effect. It was in February, 1897, after he had taken s much-needed rest in 1896 from the arduous duties of his profession, that President-elect McKinley between whom and him existed a warm friendship that ripened till the former's tragic death into the closest relations, made him the unlooked-for offer of a seat in his cabinet, with a choice between several offices. The sug- gestion was such a suiprise to Mr. Long that there was some de- lay in his acceptance, but he finally selected the Navy, thinking that under its able chiefs of department its perfection of routine was such as to make the position of Secretary of the Navy com- paratively easy in a time of profound peace such as was then enjoyed. His nomination was sent to the Senate by the President and on March 5, 1897, it was promptly confirmed, but tO' his surprise, after a short time, the post of Secretary of the Navy became one of unexpected importance. After a few months of enjoyment of the otium cum dignitate of the position, during which he had an opportunity to become familiar with the duties of his office, and a chance to learn to know the qualities of his subordinates, the outbreak of the war with Spain made the ofSce of the Secretary of the Navy, contrary to all expectations, one of the most re- sponsible positions in the United States. To this surprising emergency Mr. Long brought the calm good judgment and ready perception which have never failed Digitized by Microsoft® 242 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD him in his administrative career. Recognizing the need of tech- nical counsel, he promptly called about him the most experienced naval men and organized them into a board of strategy. The purpose of this board was to devine and foTCStall the possible plans of the enemy, and to devise a plan of campaign to which the best skill in the profession should contribute advice ' and knowledge. The results of this well considered scheme promptly testified to its value. The success of Dewey in Manila Bay speedily brought about a respectful consideration from those nations of the old world which in the beginning were most hostile in their attitude towards the United States. The forethought of the Secretary of the Navy had insured proper preparation for the event long before war was declared. "Let me know," he said, "just how much money you need to put the ships in sailing order and you shall have it." Congress had made an ■emergency appropriation of fifty million dollars of which more than twenty millions were put by President McKin- ley at the entire discretion of Secretary Long, thus giving him the means of carrying out the promise, and when the 19th of April, 1898, came, the navy was ready, and its victory was the first thing to turn the scale among foreign governments, and to win for the United States the enthusiastic moral support of England, most important to it at this crisis. During the year of the war, the business of his department involved amounts aggregating $140^- 000,000, every cent of which was properly accounted for. The story of the astounding success of our fleets in the Phil- ippines and Cuba, without the loss of a vessel, is a tribute not only to the valor and ability of officers and men, but also to the foresight and wise supervision of the Secretary, owing to which the great increase in the laboring force at the navy yards, in the beginning of the war, was accomplished without undue rush, and under such regulations as resulted in obtaining only skilled men. Also the right commanders were sent to the right places. Though the Secretary modestly awarded the merit to the able department chiefs, no one can deny that mal-administration at the head might have brought about fatal delays or lack of proper equipment at the right time; and the country did noj; fail to rec- ognize that in the Secretary of the Navy, the right man was in the right place, and gave him its entire confidence. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 243 A little untimely neglect, a few appointments for some rea- son besides proved ability, a lack at headquarters of an intelli- gent plan, and the lack of a master hand at the helm, might have brought about disaster, a lagging campaign, disaffection at home, and the mockery of those outside spectators whose sympa- thy it was important to win. One of his considerations for the comfort and welfare of the sailors at the front was the provision of refrigerating supply ships, which are practically innovations in naval warfare, and never before were hospital ships so admirably equipped for service. After the war with Spain was over. Secretary Long gave his direct attention to increasing the material and personal efficiency of the naval service, and also to the reduction of the expendi- tures of his great department to the lowest limit consistent with efficiency. During his incumbency the entire personnel of the navy was re-organzed upon a new basis ; the naval militia organ- izations of our various states were fostered and encouraged, the upbuilding of the navy was carried on with a proper regard for our future necessities, and the beginning of the 20th century found him urging upon Congress a naval reserve force to act as an extension of the navy in time of war, and thus enable the regular establishment to be kept at the lowest limit consistent with due regard for the care of our vessels during peace times. He resigned early in 1902. A subordinate said of him during his term of office: "Sec- retarv Long's devotion to the business of the department is com- plete. Reaching his office before nine (the opening hour) every morning, he makes it a point to answer every communication addressed to him. When this is accomplished he gives the rest of the morning to the examination of and decision in matters of business of the various bureaus, and to receiving official and pri- vate visitors. Nor does he leave the department until all the let- ters are signed, and every item of the day's business has been completed." A gentleman, who was his guest for a few days during the war, was struck with an interview at which he was present, be- tween the Secretary and two Senators who came to advocate some plausible scheme. Mr. Long listened to them with his usual cor- dial deference, but, when the plan had been laid out before him. Digitized by Microsoft® 244 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD politely asked a question or two, which showed that he had laid his finger at once upon the weak point in the proposition, and aft- erwards could not be moved 'by any specious argument or per- sonal influence to give his consent to it. This honesty and keen perception of shams have been inval- uable to Mr. Long in his executive positions and he has that prac- tical sense and celerity in dispatching business characteristic of the able administrator, which always makes itself felt. Exciting the least possible friction by a courteous and conciliating bearing, he obtains what he wants without bluster or fuss. Behind his suavity of manner lie a resolute will, and a passionate, high spirit in excellent control, and his playful ease never detracts from a simple and manly dignity upon which no one dares to presume, while his acuteness prevents deception. Perfectly reasonable in listening to argument, deliberate in coming to an important decision, Mr. Long is entirely tenacious of a position once taken as the result of his mature judgment, and this clearness and moderation, combined with resolution, give his opinions great weight in cabinet councils. Sharing the anxiety with regard to the ambassadors in Pekin at the time of the massa- cres in the summer of 1900, the Secretary of the Navy alone firm- ly maintained the logical opinion that the foreign ministers must be alive, .since we knew for certain of the one death which had occurred and by the same token would probably through the same channel have information of other deaths. This shrewd judg- ment, though ridiculed at home and abroad, proved to be correct, and is another instance of that sagacity which has often stood the administration in good stead. Add to these qualities a great power of turning ofif work, with coolness, insight, and dispatch, apparent freedom from doubt or anxiety, a large serenity of temper, the capacity to change prompt- ly from one duty to another, combined with a fresh, gay humor which enlivens and makes palatable serious counsel — and we have an ideal administrator, whose steadiness and cheerfulness in emer- gencies were a great support to the Executive as well as to public confidence. Such briefly, is the sketch up to the beginning of the 20th cen- tury of the life of a typical American, who has performed his duty simply and effectively to his town, his state and his country. The story shows no dramatic events, no melancholy depths, no daz- Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 245 zling glory, but a career manly, efficient, distinguished, honorable alike to the individual and to the civilization of which he is a char- acteristic product. In estimating the causes of his success we must not fail to take into account, after his sincerity, and the kindliness of his nature, his exceptional mental ability and his remarkable gift of oratory, especially that which is best characterized as "occa- sional," the aptitude for speaking at a given moment words beau- tiful and appropriate which move every listener and touch the heart. In his speeches Mr. Long has the literary gift of grace and poetic feeling, but still better he has the power to comprehend and express the popular sentiment, not with effort, but from true understanding. He is by turns playful, tender, impassioned; he can strike the keynote of the moment, alwavs. Of dignified and appropriate eloquence, he .is a master. His published speeches give a clew to his character, and in them the frue, hearty, kindly simplicity of the man are clearly apparent, lighted up by that cheerful optimism, that boundless confidence in the future of the race, which distinguish him. One of his warmest friends, speaking of him, says : "He has no personal enthusiasms, and no vanity. He never thinks highly of anything he does himself, but only feels that anyone in his place would have done as well." And this feeling he brings to bear on historical characters whose greatness he feels to be the greatness of the hour, of the opportunity, rather than of remark- able heroism or ability. Whether one agrees with this or not, that he believes it, is a part of the unpretending nature of a man who thinks that doing one's duty is easy and natural to every one, and that its simple performance in high moments must lead to high results. Great men he considers myths, and when we search for his own best title to distinction, we find it in that large common sense — the common sense of Washington, of Lincoln, of Queen Victoria, which acts sincerely and acts wisely, because it feels with the people, and knows instinctively the larger human needs. In summing up his character, Mr. Long's great friendliness and sympathy must not be forgotten, a genei-ous helpfulness that all his townspeople recognize so fully, that every one of them turns instinctively to him in an emergency for aid and advice, sure Digitized by Microsoft® 246 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD of comprehension and service given without stint. That flower of courtesy which recognizes every individual as having equal rights distinguishes him from lesser men, and wins him a place in the popular heart, such as can only be gained by something genuine, cordial, and unpretending in the individual himself. In looking back over his career we find nothing adventitious in his success in life — no struggle for effect, no ambitious grasp- ing for power, no powerful backing, no great financial support. We have only the straightforward progress of a country lad of fine abilities and sound judgment, endowed with the gift of silver speech, who, by the sheer force of his intellect, and his honorable fulfillment of every duty which fell to him, rose in time to dis- tinction in his town, and in the capital of the state, to the highest place in the gift of the commonwealth, and to one of the most re- sponsible positions in the nation. We see him filling these offices with efficiency and dignity, with no shadow on his fair fame, respected by his fellow-men of all stations ; and we are anew proud of a country where such a character is sure of recognition, and in which we can truly claim he is na uncommon type of the public men who are the result of the splendid opportunities for development afforded by the United States of America. He has been President of the Alumni of H arvard College, and is now President of the Harvard Board of Overseers. He holds many other positions : President of the Unitarian Club, of the Massachusetts Total Abstinence Society, of the Trustees of Derby Academ.y in Hingham, of Westford Academy, Mass., and of Hebron Academy, Me., and of the Puritan Trust Co. He was Chairman of the Commissioners who remodeled the State House twenty years ago. In Hingham he has held the usual positions of Moderator for many years and of school committee man. He also published in two volumes a history of the New American Navy, as well as his volume of After-Dinner and other speeches and many occasional poems. Mr. Long, while on his annual visit with Mrs. Long to Buck- field, was taken ill. The following day they returned to their Hingham home. Later in the week he had a more serious attack from which he never rallied, and passed away on Saturday evening, August 28, 1915. John D. Long just missed the Presidency ; but was everywhere recognized, as the scholar in politics, the model pubHc man of his day, and the first citizen of Massachusetts; honors fairly won in a life time of honest endeavor, and greater far than any tempo- rary public position, often dependent upon anything but real merit, could ever bestow. Digitized by Microsoft® Washington Long Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 249 HON. WASHINGTON LONG. Washington Long, youngest son of Thomas Long, was born on the home farm on North Hill in Buckfield, April 6, 1811. He attended the district school and worked in his boyhood with his father. While still in early youth he went to live in the family of his brother, Zadoc Long, who had established himself in busi- ness in Buckfield Village and in whose home Washington had the education of instructive influences. It was at this time that he laid the foundation of the political interests to which he was de- voted all through his life. Later he went to Turner, and was in business there. In 1850 he went to Lyndon Plantation, now Car- ibou, in Aroostook County, and engaged in trade. From this time he was identified with Aroostook County and became one of its most prominent business and political leaders, known through- out the State. He lived in Lyndon five years, and then took up his permanent residence in Fort Fairfield in the same county, thenceforth regarding it at his home. He was in partnership there in trade with Jesse Drew, who, like himself was an emi- grant from Oxford County. This partnership continued until Mr. Long's appointment, under the first administration of Abra- ham Lincoln, as Collector of Customs at Eastport, that Custom district including Aroostook County. This office he held nearly nine years. At the expiration of his last term he retunred to Fort Fairfield. He was an earnest and active Republican from the beginning of that party, taking part in its conventions ; going as a delegate to the National Convention of i860, which nominated Lincoln. He sometimes spoke in public, but was especially forcible and effective in that arena of local argument at the fireside or on the street and in the village store, which in our rural politics often accomplishes more than a set speech on the stump. Buckfield people whom he knew, as they all knew him, remember his skill in this direction. He read the leading papers, was a disciple of Horace Greeley, kept up acquaintance with our leading men, fol- lowed the debates in Congress, and was an encyclopedia of per- sonal, national and local politics and public men. He talked easily, had a ready wit and knack of direct homely expressive speech, and was a welcome guest at any family circle or neigh- borly gathering. Henry D. Irish of Buckfield sometimes refers to the days, when a mere boy, he sat at his father's hearth on Digitized by Microsoft® 250 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD North Hill a near neighbor to Thomas Long and listened, with an interest that no late hours could repress, to Washington Long dis- coursing on the public news and characters of the day during an evening call. Mr. Long never lost his interest in Buckfield. He often re- turned to it as to his old home. He owned till his death a house in the village, where his twin sister, Mrs. Harriet Lovering and his sister, Mrs. Thankful C. Bacon lived. The people regarded him as one of their own. He was a member from Aroostook County on the Governor's Council during the gubernatorial ad- ministration of Lot M. Morrill and a member of the Legislature from Fort Fairfield in 1879. During his later years he passed a good deal of his time in Lawrence, Kansas, in which he became much interested socially and otherwise and made investments there. But it was to Fort Fairfield and Aroostook County that he was most devoted, contributing largely to the material and social interests of the community, and to the prosperity of that section of the State. His influence was always strongly on the side of public and private morals and reform. He erected a large and expensive building to provide a suitable hall for Fort Fairfield. He was a faithful member of its Congregational church, and died in that town Oct. 21, 1882, fearless of death and ready to go. He. is buried in Btickfield with liis father's family in the old burying ground at the foot of North Hill. [The following lines were read and sang- at a memorial service held in his new hall. Sabbath P.M., October 22. 1882:] Within these virgin walls, now scarce complete, Fit emblem of the spotless life he bore, 'Tis fitting here, in sadness thus to meet, To bid farewell to him we greet no more. With anxious care, and oft with weary feet, Early and late he watched the progress still Of this fair structure, deemed by him most mpet, To leave as his memento of good-will. We here behold a public need supplied By his last crowning deed of lengthened years ; Yet still we contemplate with higher pride His moral worth, though now recalled with tears. Those loved him most who long had known him best, Who knew his tender, sympathetic heart. That ever yearned for fellow-man distrest. And of each burden took a gen'rous part. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 251 We mourn his loss ; we fain would have him still ; 'Tis hard to part. We feel the chastening rod, But meekly yield to the Diviner Will, Trusting that now he rests at home with God. ZADOC LONG, TR. Zadoc Long, Jr., son of Zadoc Long, was born in Buckfield, April 26, 1834. He went to the village schools and to Hebron Academy. He was then employed for a few years in the village stores, being at one time in partnership with his cousin, Carroll Loring. It was not long before he went to Boston and became a salesman in the hardware business with one or two large firms. In this vocation he travelled much in Maine and later in the Western States, and his personal bearing and business dealings were such that he was successful and highly esteemed. It was on one of his trips that he died at Cleveland, Ohio, Sept. 14, 1866. Few young men brought up in Buckfield have been more uni- versally beloved. His manner was cordial, his heart was ' 'big as that of an- ox" and his presence was good cheer. He was full of music, singing, and playing the violin with that sympathy that goes to the heart. He was the merriest of story tellers, and he overran with wit, anecdote and humor. He attracted around him, wher- ever he went, hosts of friends, who still recall, especially in his native town, his abundant life and spirits, his generous and un- stinted helpfulness and his sympathy and humor. He married Ruth A. B. Strout of Portland, granddaughter of Rev. George Thomes, a preacher and long a resident of Buck- field. There were four children of this marriage : Zadoc Long, 3d, who lived much of his childhood with his grandfather and grandmother Long and was the delight of their old eyes, a sweet, loving generous boy, now dead ; Charles Strout Long, now with the Eastern Drug Company in Boston; Julia E. Long, now the wife of Edward C. Forbes of California, and Ruth Cardie Long, a professional singer in Portland and Boston, whose voice was of the most exquisite sympathy, now dead and lying with her father and mother in the Buckfield cemetery. All these children were much in the town in which were so many of their relatives on both the father's and mother's side, and are well remembered there. Digitized by Microsoft® 252 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD JOHN LORIISTG. The family to which the Buckfield Lorings belong is the same as that of nearly all of the name in New England. They are descended from Thomas Loring of Axminster, England, who, in 1635 left that place for the colony of Massachusetts Bay, with his wife, Jane Newton, and sons, Thomas, born in 1629 and John, born in 1630. He settled in Hingham, Mass., early in 1636 and in 1641 removed to Hull, an adjacent town, where he lived until his death. The fifth child of his oldest son, Thomas, was Caleb, who settled at Plymouth, Mass., and married Lydia Gray in 1696. , He was a physician and settled in Plympton, where he died on an es- tate, which his descendants have continued to occupy until within recent years. The ninth child of this Dr. Caleb Loring was Capt. John, born Nov. 15, 171 5 at Plympton. He was captain of the Bridgewater troops which marched to Crown Point and is supposed to have been killed in the attack on that fort or during that campaign. His son, James, born May i, 1739, was a sergeant in his father's company and also was a Revolutionary soldier. He married, Jan. I, 1770, Jane Kingman at East Bridgewater. Their children were John, the first of the name in Buckfield, Laban who settled in Hat- field, Mass., and James who lived and died in Bridgewater, where his descendants may now be found. From the foregoing account of the family for which we are indebted to Mr. John A. Loring of Springfield, Mass., it appears that John Loring of Buckfield, son of James, the Revolutionary soldier was a direct descendant in the sixth generation from Thomas, who settled in Hingham in 1636. He was born in Hat- field, Mass. It appears that in his youth he was ambitious for an education ; for he worked out for his board and an opportunity to attend school and after several years of study, he became a suc- cessful teacher in Bridgewater. He there married in 1794, Jennett, daughter of Joshua Barrelle, and moved to Turner, Me., where his father-in-law, the progenitor of all the people of his name in that town had also settled. While in Turner Mr. Loring engaged in trade and also in the manufacture of oil and card boards. He ap- pears of record there in 1804 as Justice of the Peace and trustee of the ministerial and grammar school fund. He removed to Buckfield in the spring of 1805. At that time the lower part of the present site of the village was all an alder swamp, with only Digitized by Microsoft® John Loring Digitized by Microsoft® Lucius Loring Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 255' two houses on the southerly side of the stream, the Capt. Parris house and a small one-story house near the present summer house in Kimball N. Prince's yard. He bought the latter house, cut away the alders and that year built a store, twenty-five feet square, just south from the store now owned by Randolph C. Thomes! This store, until the days of the railroad, w-as a notable center of country business. Here he engaged in trade and continued his former Turner business of making card boards. He remained in business many years, the store finally passing into the hands of his son, Lucius, with whom he resided until his death. During his later years he was in feeble health, sufifering greatly from asthma. He died in Buckfield, April i, 1851, aged 80 years, 9 months and 14 days. The marriage record of Mr. Loring in Bridgewater invests him with the title of esquire, which he continued to bear during his whole after life and he is now seldom recalled in memory except as '"old Squire Loring." He was a Justice of the Peace many years, and his court sittings were prominent features of by-gone village days. Saturdays were then field days in Buckfield, on which the people from all the surrounding community would flock to the village for trade or convivial gossip and the incidents of the day usually resulted in some litigious affairs to be aired the fol- lowing Monday before Squire Loring. These courts were first held in his house, but the crowd became so intrusive upon his domestic afifairs that he built an office for the better convenience of an eager public. Squire Loring was a man of conspicuous personality, of courtly manners and somewhat aristocratic bearing. He was deeply interested in educational afifairs, for which he always ad- vocated liberal public provisions. To his latest days he preserved a quaintness of dress, retaining the old continental style, with a three-cornered hat, ruffled shirt, knee breeches and low shoes with shining buckles, which rendered him a picturesque figure in the grouping of old-time village life. His children, all born in Turner, were : Lucius, born Dec. 27, 1797, married Sally Long; Jennette, lx>rn July 25, 1800, married Judge Stephen Emery; John Alfonso, born Aug. 18, 1802, died in 1803. Digitized by Microsoft® 256 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD LUCIUS LORING. Lucius Loring, son of John, was seven years of age when he came with his father to Buckfiel'd. Growing to manhood during the growth of the village from a wilderness to a business center, he became familiar with all the early associations of the town, pleasant pictures of which he gives in his "Reminiscences," else- where appearing in this volume. From the limited educational provsions of the times and the instructions of his well-informed father he acquired a good knowledge of the English branches. At an early age he became familiar with the ways of country trade in his father's store, where he formed an extensive acquaintance with the people. He was in trade several years with his father, later becoming sole proprietor, and having at different times part- nership associations with Zadoc Long, Washington Long and Ralph C. Jewett. While in business with the latter the second Loring store was built to which the large business of the firm was transferred. For many years he was the ,most prominent merchant in town, his heavy spring and fall stock of goods from Portland and Boston always attracting a throng of visiting pur- chasers from both near and distant towns, l^he continuity of his mercantile career, covering a period of forty-two years in active, prosperous trade is without a parallel in the history of the town. With a large circle of old-time friends and highly esteemed by the whole community he retired with a competence to the enjoyment of an ideal country life and a green old age. His residence, with its surrounding shade trees and large terraced flower garden was one of the most attractive country seats in the county. The first break in his family circle came in the death of his wife in 1861, after which he continued housekeeping with his daughter and son until the marriage of the former in 1867. He then sold his paternal estate and purchased the house on the opposite side of the street, in which he and his son resided until the death of the latter in 1868. He then resided with his widowed daughter-in-law, who faithfully cared for him in the house of her father until his life ended. Mr. Loring always kept in touch with the world's, events and though never controversial, had strong convictions respecting pub- lic questions, being in religion a liberal, in politics a republican. Though never seeking public preferment, he was appointed staff major in the militia and in 1861 was chosen to represent the Legis- Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 257 lative district, composed of Buckfield, Sumner and Woodstock, against the candidacy of his nephew, John D. Long. The cam- paign preceding the election was brisk and exciting and is now often humorously recalled as the one in which the future Massa- chusetts Governor and Secretary of the Navy was knocked out up in Maine by his mild-mannered old Uncle Lucius. But the younger man won a crumb of consolation from his flattering ma- jority in his own town, the vote standing 228 to 179 in his favor. Daring his whole Hfe Mr. Loring was a liberal patron of every good cause. He had a sunny, sympathetic nature, a face of cheer and a kindly greeting for all. Though old in years, his heart was always young. He was as companionable with the young as with those of riper years, and to his latest days was always performing some kindly act, using his income freely for the comfort and pleasure of others. During his last years he could walk only by aid of crutches, but this did not keep him indoors, and his frail figure, as he slowly worked his way along, was for many years a familiar one on the village streets. He died Sept. 29, 1889 at the advanced age of 92 years, honored by all and leaving on the mem- ory of the present generation a lasting impression of his lovable character. His children were: Jennette, born Sept. 16, 1825, who mar- ried William H. Atwood, June, 1867, died Jan. 6, 1903 ; Charles Carroll, born Nov. 23, 1832, married Emily, daughter of Ephraim Atwood, October, 1868. " He died Oct. 7, 1868. CHARI.es CARROLL LORING. Charles Carroll Loring from his youth to manhood was asso- ciated with business in his father's store, and was subsequently in trade several years with other village merchants ; but his nature was never fully in touch with matters of trade. Failing health caused his early retirement irom business, after which he rapidly declined until his death when but thirty-five years of age. An only son, his relations with his father were of the most confiding nature, not only tenderly filial, but having the nature of an unre- served and life-long companionship. He never attended school beyond the limits of the village, but he became liberally edu- cated through private instruction and years of diligent study. He was of thoughtful cast of mind, a poetic lover of nature and Digitized by Microsoft® 258 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD a devoted reader and student of literature. In the literary asso- ciations of the village he was an active member, excelling as a conversationalist and public debater. He v/as a frequent con- tributor to the periodicals of the day and a graceful writer in both prose and verse. The history of the Buckfield Loring family is notably re- flective of the pathos of human life. Beginning here in a wilder- ness, it was prominently associated with the best interests of the town from the dawn of the century until its going out, and then the last representative of the family name, Mrs. Jennette (Lor- ing) Atwood, passed away and the tale of its generations was fully told. APPLETON F. MASON. Appleton F. Mason, the son of Naphtali and Arvilla S. (Waterman) Mason, was born in Buckfield, Aug. 3, i84i. His grandfather, Mr. Philip C. Mason, an early settler in Paris, who followed the occupation of a blacksmith, passed the last years of his life in Buckfield and died here Feb. 7, 1856, aged about 65. He had two wives — Betsy Coburn, who died in 1826 and second, Lucy Coburn ; six children born of each union. The father of Appleton F. Mason was a prominent man and kept a livery stable at South Paris for many years and served for a time as a deputy sheriff. He died in Buckfield at an ad- vanced age. Mr. Appleton F. Mason acquired his education in the public schools of the town and fitted himself for a teacher, which occupation he followed for several years. He opened a store at North Buckfield in 1864 which he has successfully man- aged and has been frequently in town affairs. Since 1875 he has been the village postmaster. In 1868 he married Miss Em- ma Adelaide, daughter of Elias and Eliza Turner Monk. She was born Sept. 14, 1847. (He died in 1915.) NAHUM MOORE. ' Nahum Moore, son of John and Esther (Ryefson) Moore, was born in Sumner, Me., April 2, 1824. His grandfather, Thomas, came to America as a British soldier in Gen. Burgoyne's army. After the surrender at Saratoga, he was taken into the Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 259 service of the p9.triots and after the war settled permanently in the country. In 1845 the subject of this sketch went to Abington, Mass., and worked in a shoe shop. Two years after he entered a store as clerk and in October of that year married Miss Phebe C. Ste- phens of Sumner. In 1850 he opened a dry goods store in Dover, N. H. The next year he went into the wholesale dry goods and groceries business with Samuel Ellis, a native of Sum- ner. Two years after he sold out and went into trade at East Abington. In 1855 was elected to the Massachusetts Legisla- ture. In 1857 he moved to Buckfield and purchased the Nathan Morrill farm on the Turner road. He sold to Silas Mitchell in 1865 and removed to the village and went into trade with Isaac Morrill. His wife died in 1865 and he married second, Miss Ruth Snell, daughter of Mellen Snell of Turner. In 1870 he was elected to the Maine Legislature. Having received the ap- pointment as conductor on the passenger train of the Portland & Rumford Falls Railroad, he moved to Canton in 1881, and later to Rumford Falls. Mr. Moore served for 22 years as conductor and in 1902 he was appointed as special agent of the company, a position he held at the time of his death about 1912. Of engaging manners and pleasing address, he was well fitted for the positions he occupied and the business he followed and was thoroughly liked and respected by all who ever knew him. By his first wife, he had four children: Geo. Henry, born Dec. 26, 1848, is in Illinois ; John E., born Dover, N. H., Sept. 15, 1850, married Sarah E. Atwood, daughter of Charles B. Atwood. They have had five children, Charles Nahum, born May 6, 1872, died Jan. 16, 1889; Emily May, born Feb. 17, 1875, married Adelbert Parsons; Sarah Phebe, born Dec. 6, 1877; Bessie Louise, born May 16, 1882, married Fred Holland and, Othel Harold, born April 7, 1884. The third child and son of Nahum Moore,' Eugene Herbert, born Dec. 20, 1852, died Oct. 24, 1854 and Charles Summer, born Jan. 4, 1865, died Sept. 24, 1872. By his second wife he had two children: Wallace Ryerson, 'born Oct. 21, 1873, married August, 1897, Miss Lucy E. Park, daughter of Henry W. Park, Esq., of Mexico, Me., and Esther Louise, 'born March 10, 1879, married June, 1900, A. J. Bernis. They reside at Plymouth, Mass. Digitized by Microsoft® 260 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD CAPT. JOSIAH PAERIS. Josiah Parris, who settled in Buckfield a'bout the time the town was incorporated, was born in Pembroke, Mass., Aug. 30, 1760. He enlisted as a volunteer in the War for American In- dependence in September, 1776, when scarcely 16 years of age. From statement in his declaration for pension in 1832 it is cer- tain that he served thereafter a portion of every year during the war. He was in six campaigns and several battles and during some periods of his service was under Washington and La- Fayette. In after life he often spoke of the Father of our Country with affection and reverence and of his bearing and characteristics. During an engagement with the British near Newport, R. I., an order of Gen. LaFayette's on account of his imperfect use of English was not understood and some confusion for a time resulted. Capt. Parris long remembered the inci- dent and related it with much amusement. After the Declaration of Independence on every 4th of July he discharged the gun he carried during the conflict, a custom which has been followed by his son and grandsons to the present time. It is one of the very few firearms used by American sol- diers in that war, now in existence. This gun has on the whole a very interesting history. It was brought from England in 1683 by Thomas Parris, the American ancestor of the family and handed down from father to son and thus came into the posses- sion of this Patriot of the Revolution. Captain Parris came first to Hebron where he remained awhile with his brother, Samuel, who was appointed one of the judges of the court of common pleas when Oxford County was organized. He had married, July 23, 1788, Miss Experience Lowden of Bridgewater, Mass., born April 25, 1768. On coming to Buckfield in 1793 they settled on Loring's Hill in the village where they passed the remaining years of their lives. Mr. Parris engaged in trade for several years and at first brought his goods from Portland on horseback in saddle bags. Appointed ensign in the militia about the time of coming to Buckfield, he was promoted to lieutenant and to captain. He commanded the Buckfield company at the first regimental muster in this part of the District of Maine, held at Norway in 1802. His wife died Jan. 4, 1832. Capt. Josiah Parris lived to be the last surviving soldier of the War of the Revolution in Buckfield Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY- OF BUCKFIELD , 263 and "the last survivor of the battle of Rhode Island." He died March 24, 1856 and was buried in the family lot in the cemetery above the village. The following inscription is on his gravestone.: "Sacred to the Memory of Capt. Josiah Parris A Patriot of the Revolution, Born at Pembroke, Mass., Aug. 30, 1760. At the age of 16 with his father and two brothers, he joined the Army and served six campaigns in the War for American Independence. He afterwards became one of the pioneer settlers of Hebron and an early resident of Buckfield where he died March 24, 1856 aged 95 years." HON. EDWARD L. PARRIS Edward Lowden Parris, oldest child of Hon. Virgil D. and Columbia (Rawson) Parris, was born on Loring's Hill in Buck- field Village, Sept. 3, 1837, attended the school near his home in early boyhood, lived in Portland for six years prior to 1852 and after that on Paris Hill. Fitted for college at Norway Liberal Institute and at Hebron Academy and graduated at Union Col- lege, N. Y., in class of 1857 w^ith the degree of A. B. and after- wards the degree of A. M. was given him by the same institution. He was in the office of his father as United States storekeeper at Kittery, Maine, Navy Yard for several months and for about three years in the office of Fletcher Webster, son of the Great De- fender of the Constitution, Daniel Webster, who had received the appointment of United States Surveyor of the Port of Boston. . ■ Mr. Parris began his law studies in the office of Rufus Choate, one of the most famous lawyers of his time and remained there till the death of Mr. Choate — Mr. Parris being his last law stu- dent. He graduated at Harvard Law School with the degree of Digitized by Microsoft® 264 , HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Bachelor of Laws; in 1866 was in the office of Alvah Black, Esq., at Paris Hill for a time and was admitted to the Oxford Bar at Paris the same year and at once moved to New York City and be- gan the practice of his profession where he has remained to the present time. He was Assistant United States District Attorney from 1867 to 1870, was the founder of the Young Men's Demo- cratic Club in the city which was afterwards to play a prominent part in the overthrow of the Tweed Ring and was one of the coun- sel in the prosecution and conviction of Wm. M. Tweed. Attended as a delegate from the New England Society of New York, the Centennial Celebration of the Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1875 and was one of the counsel for Hon. Samuel J. Tilden in the contest following the Presidential election of 1876 and was of the counsel in Florida in the court proceedings there for the Tilden electors and before the United States Electoral Commission which decided the contest by a strict party vote of 8 to 7 on all vital questions raised. From 1884 to 1889 Mr. Parris was As- sistant District Attorney for the city of New York and Commis- sioner of Taxes and Assessments 1889-1893 by appointment of Mayor Abram S. Hewett. Appointed in 1900 by President Wm. McKinley a member of Board of Visitors to United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md. Mr. Parris is a member of many social and college clubs and associations and is highly esteemed and thoroughly liked by all who know him. He married in 1866, Miss Mary Ida DuBois of Fishkill, N. Y., born there June 22, 1850. She is an accomplished lady and as popular as her hus- hand. They have had three children: (i), Marion, born May 22, 1879, prepared for college at the Brearley School in the city and entered Bryn Mawr College, Pa., where she graduated in 190T, warden of Rockefeller Hall in same institution 1902-1905, Fellow in Economics there i905-'o6, awarded Bryn Mawr Euro- pean Fellowship 1906- '07 and spent thac year studying at the University of Vienna, Professor of Economics 1907 at Bryn Mawr, received the degrees of A. M. and Ph. D. from same insti- tution in 1908, chairman of 'board of directors of Bureau of Occu- pation for Trained Women in Philadelphia and a member of many other societies and associations. Miss Parris married June II, 1912, Wm. Roy Smith, Professor of American Plistory in Bryn Mawr College; (2), Edward Lowden, born Aug. 3, 1881, died Mar. 21, 1883; (3), Edward Lowden, born Jan. 20, Digitized by Microsoft® Rear Admiral Thos. S. Phelps Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFTELD 267 1887, after attaining his education went to Philadelphia, Pa., where he remained for two years when he returned to New York City where he has since been located in business. Young Parris has made a special study of mechanical engineering, is an in- ventor and manufacturer of electrical automobile equipment, gen- eral manager of the Ignition Specialty Co., of New York, mem- ber of the Society of Automobile Engineers, Sons of the Revo- lution and several other societies and clubs. REAR ADMIRAL THOMAS S. PHELPS. Thomas Stowell Phelps was born in Buckfield, Nov. 2, 1822. His parents were Stephen and Elizabeth N. (Stowell) Phelps. Stephen Phelps was born in Sutton, Mass., July 8, 1783 and his wife in South Paris, Oct. 5, 1785. They were married at South Paris, once called Sto well's Mills, Jan. 29, 1806. Tliey moved to Buckfield in 1816 where he went into business as a merchant or trader on the south side of the river. He died in Buckfield, Feb. 21, 1829. She died Oct. 7, 1832. The son, Thomas S. Phelps, having an inclination for a sea- faring life, obtained an 'appointment through Plon. Virgil D. Parris, then a member of Congress from the Oxford District in January, 1840, as midshipman in the United States Navy. His service was in all parts of the globe, a part of it on the famous old frigate "Constitution." He was promoted from one grade to another till he was commissioned as commander with rank of lieutenant of the steamer "Vixen" on special service, coast sur- rey, from August, '59 to September, '61 and was attached to the expedition for the relief of' Fort Sumter in Charleston, S. ,C., Harbor. Nov. 14, '61, his vessel had an engagement with the Rebel gunboat "Curlew" in Pamlico Sound, N. C, for which he received the compliments of the Secretary of the Navy. Earl}' in the year, 1862, he was assigned to the command of a division of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron off the Virginia coast, where he was in frequent engagements with the enemy, capturing five and destroying two vessels. At the bombardment of Fort Fisher, N. C, in January, 1865, he commanded the "Juniata." In August, 1865, he was commissioned commander, promoted to captain in the regular service in 1871, tO' Commodore Digitized by Microsoft® '268 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD in 1879 and Rear Admiral in 1884. Retired on account of age, Nov. 2, 1884. He died in New York City, Jan. 10, 1901. His wife is also deceased. Both are buried in the National Cemetery at Arling- ton, near Washington, D. C. His son, Thomas S. Phelps, Jr., also entered the Naval Service and is now (1913) a Rear Ad- miral and stationed at Mare Island, Cal. DEA. JOB PRINCE. Dea. Job Prince was a descendant in the fifth generation from Elder John Prince of Hull, Mass., who in 1633, being then a student at Oxford, England, and expecting to succeed his fa- ther. Rev. John Prince as rector of the East Shefford Church Society in Berkshire, was driven to America by the persecutions of Archbishop Laud. Rev. John Prince married Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. Dr. Tolderburg and had four sons and seven daughters. Elder John Prince born in 1610 at East Shefford, was their oldest child. He lived at different periods after com- ing to America at Watertown, Hingham, Nantasket and Hull, was Ruling Elder at the latter place in 1644 and died there. He was twice married, first to Alice HonouV and second, Anne . His death occurred in 1676. Nine children, all by first wife. Thomas, the youngest child born in 1658 at Scituate, married Ruth, daughter of John Turner, Sr., pf Scituate. He died at BaAadoes in i7o4. Five children, Job, the youngest, born in 1695, married Abigail Kimball, and had six children; Kimball, the third child born May 9, 1726, rnarried October 13, 1750, Deborah, daughter of Dea. John Fuller and had Christopher, born July 22, 1751; Kimball, born July 29, 1753; Sarah, born Jan. 15, 1756; Ruth, born May 7, 1758; Deborah, born July 13, 1760; Noah, born January 18, 1763; Job, born May 22, 1765; John, born Fdb. 23, 1768, and Hezekiah. Job Prince married in Turner, June 23, 1791, Hannah Bryant. Their children recorded on the Buckfield records were: Lydia, born June 21, 1792, married Dec. 18, 1817, Daniel Young of Norway, died Jan. 20, 1888; Rebekah, born May 2, 1793, married June 2, 1839, Daniel Pond of Paris, died Aug. 29, 1861 ; Hon. Job, born Mar. 17, 1795, married June 28, 1821, first, Zilpha Spaulding, second, Olive Leavitt, settled in Turner, died April Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 269 20, 1875; Hon. Noah, born April 13, 1797, married March 12, 1826, Sarah Farrar; Hannah, born Aug. 16, 1799, married first] Ezar Morton, May 2, 1852, second Eliphalet Sturtevant, August! 1835, died Mar. 20, 1837; Rufus, born Sept. 24, 1801, married 1820, Sophia Brewster, settled in Bangor: Olive, born Jan. 21, 1804, married May 15, 1834, Abel Stetson of Sumner, died Mar. 17, 1863; Louisa, born Feb. 15, 1806, married first, Peter G. Bailey of Bangor, Feb. 27, 1826, second, Rev. Geo. Bates of Turner, July, 1832, died Sept. i, 1888 and Ardelia, born Aug. 24, 1808, married June, 1833, Wm. R. Hersey of Lincoln, died June 21, 1873. Kimball Prince, the father of Job, was in the expedition against Louisburg in 1745, and was also a soldier of the Revo- lution. Kimball Prince and Deborah Fuller, his wife, were descendants of Elder Wm. Brewster. Job Prince ranoved from Kingston, Mass., to Bucktown, probably in the spring of 1788 as his deed of 100 acres, for which he paid ii5 in gold, is dated June 23, 1788. On this farm he lived and died. In 1802 the 2d Baptist church was organized, Job Prince and his wife, Hannah, being of the 13 who founded it. Mr. Prince was its first deacon and afterwards, the records say, was one of the leading members of the 1st church. In 1793 Hezekiah Prince of Thomaston, grandfather of Gen. Jona. Prince Cilley, visited all his brothers and sisters from Maine to Virginia in a 1200-mile horseback ride; an'd, in his diary says of Bucktown — "There are about 550 inhabitants. The soil seems fertile and the people are industrious and happy in their forest homes. I can but admire, in these new settle- ments, the kind, neighborly feeling that exists. They assist each other in all heavy work, settlers for miles around joining forces in house building, wood clearing, husking and quilting bees. When one farmer kills a cow the neighbors share and so butchering is timed to suit the community. Homespun clothing of flax or wool is principally worn. Farm hands are paid from $8 to $10 per month and female help $.50 per week. Spelling and singing schools, gunning, sleigh rides and coasting are the recreations. Letters are carried by private parties and delivered as opportunity offers." The Princes are long lived. Mr. Geo. Prince, in a magazine article, speaks of relatives living to the ages of 88, 96, 95, 92, 85, 89, 94, 91 and 96. Digitized by Microsoft® 270 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD HON. NOAH PRINCE. Noah Prince, second son of Dea. Jo'b and Hannah Bryant Prince, was 'born in Buckfield, April 13, 1797, on the original Prince farm on which he lived until 1855 when he removed to the village three miles away. He grew to manhood working on the farm and getting a little schooling in the winter by walking two miles after the "chores" were done. His integrity, sound judgment and forceful character made themselves felt early in life, and for many years he was prominent in town affairs. He held commissions as Justice of the Peace and as Trial Justice from 1839 until his death, and also a commission from President Taylor and two Internal Revenue licenses. In 1840, '41, '42, '43, Mr. Prince represented the town in the legislature and in 1850, '51, '52 was state senator from Oxford County. In 185 1 and '52 he was President of the Senate, during which time the "Maine Law" was passed which measure he sup- ported. In 1852 Mr. Prince presided at a convention in Norway, coffi- . posed of bolters from the democratic party, which convention it is claimed, gave birth to the republican party, and in 1853 as chair- man of the democratic state committee, he issued a call to the "Democratic Republicans of the State of Maine" for a "Mass Convention in Portland" of which meeting he was made chairman. Mr. Prince was one of the projectors and directors of the Buckfield Branch Railroad, now a part of the Portland & Rumford Falls road. In 1825 he married Miss Sarah Farrar and together they lived happy, prosperous and useful lives until his death, feb. 14, 1872. Both were members of the Baptist church to which they gave gen- erously. She died Aug. 2, 1881. They had seven children: S. Louise, born Aug. 28, 1826, married Francis C. Buck, Dec. 27, 1849 and died May 13, 1858; N. Kimball Prince, born May 8, 1828, married Mary J. Emery, Oct. 8, 1854; Augusta M., born Nov. 28, 1831, married Nov. 17, 1853, A. Hamilton Thayer, who died July 6, 1868 and she married second, April 5, 1872, Thomas E. Stevens; Ardelia H., born July 10, 1835, a school teacher of sufficient length of service to be pensioned and a writer of both prose and poetry; Charles H., born May 9, 1837, married Eunice A. Atwood, Jan. 30, 1859 and died April 3, 1912 and Mary R., born April 19, 1841, married Dec. 9, 1868, Dr. Orrin R. Hall. Digitized by Microsoft® Noah Prince Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 273 HON. CHARLES H. PRINCE. Charles Henry Prince, second son of Noah and Sarah (Far- rar) Prince, was born on the Prince farm in Buckfield, Maine, May 9, 1837. He was educated in the common and high schools of Buckfield where, in 1861, he was appointed postmaster, and in 1862 raised Co. C. of the 23d Regiment, Maine Volunteers, of which he was captain during its term of service. In 1866 Mr. Prince removed to Augusta, Ga., where he was cashier of the Freedmen's Savings and Trust Bank, and Superin- tendent of schools under the A. M. A. He was a member of the Georgia Constitutional Convention and also of the Forty-first Con- gress. He was a delegate to the national convention in Philadel- phia which nominated Grant for his second term; to Chicago where Hayes was nominatedj and to Cincinnati where Garfield re- ceived the nomination. Mr. Prince was Postmaster at Augusta for twelve years and of him Alex. H. Stephens wrote to President Grant: "Capt. Prince, though a very decided and strong Republican, is a per- sonal friend of mine and as he has made the best Postmaster that Augusta has had in twenty years, my suggestion is that he be re- tained. I think the people of Augusta would prefer him to any other man of his party." The Springfield Republican said of him; : " He is that anom- aly, a reputable carpet-bagger, who has illustrated the truth that an honest northerner can make a place for himself in any southern state." Augusta papers said on his retirement: "Capt. Prince has been an able and courteous officer and has the whole city for his friends." "Our people will regret to part with him." Mr. Prince returned to Buckfield in 1882 where he engaged in trade and was for some years superintendent of schools. He was a member of the Maine Senate of 1901 and, at the time of. his death, April 3, 1912, was a brush manufacturer. Mr. and Mrs. Prince were staunch members of the Baptist church. He married Jan. 30, 1859, Eunice A., daughter of Lorenzo and Lucy (Harris) Atwood, born Oct. 5, 1838 at Avon, Mass. Her parents moved to Buckfield in 1842. They had four chil- Digitized by Microsoft® 274 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD dren: First, Ellsworth, named for Col. E. E. Ellsworth of the New York Zouaves in the Civil War, whose tragic death occurred at Alexandria, V'a., while tearing down a Confederate flag, born March 30, 1861, died May .3, 1866; second, Henry Charles, born Feb. 26, 1866, married Mellie J. Keene; third, Josephine Louise, born Sept. 17, 1868, married Albert Foster Drummond of Water- ville, Sept. 25, 1889. Children : Louise, born Oct. 25, 1891 ; Prince A., born Jan. 23, 1893; Katherine S., born Sept. 26, 1894; Clark, born April 5, 1900; fourth, Lucy Atwood, born Aug. i, 1874, married at Waterville, Oct. 18, 1897, John E. Shearman of Portland, born at Keswich, England, April 18, 1871, children: Evan John, born April 2, 1900 and Josephine, born Mar. 12, 1903. Augusta Marion Prince, daughter of Noah and Sarah Farrar Prince, was born in Buckfield, Nov. 28, 1831. She attended the schools in Buckfield and afterward entered the Oxford Normal Institute at South Paris where she took high rank. After teach- ing in various places, she was married in 1852 to A. Hamilton Thayer of Paris, where they settled, where her only child, Charles H. Thayer was born and where her huisband died in 1868. In 1873 she married Thomas E. Stearns and moved to Snow's Falls in Paris. In 1 88 1 the family removed to Cambridge, Mass., where, zealously espousing the movement for no license, at that time the paramount issue in Cambridge, she at once became a co-worker with the temperance women of the city. In 1883 she was presi- dent of the Cambridge W. C. T. U. and in 1886 the Union pre- sented a petition to Mayor Russell urging her appointment as the first police matron of Cambridge, which position she accepted only after a personal appeal from the mayor. How satisfactorily she performed this service was effectively expressed by Capt. Murray of Station i in a conversation with the present mayor regarding the appointment of her successor. "Do the best you can, you cannot expect to find another Mrs. Stearns." Beloved and esteemed by all who ever knew her, Mrs. Stearns died suddenly at her home in Cambridge on March 15, 1904. Digitized by Microsoft® Capt. Charles H. Prince Digitized by Microsoft® Henry C. Prince Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 277 HENRY CHARLES PRINCE. Henry Charles Prince, son of Charles H. and Eunice Atwood Prince, was born in Bnckfield, February 26, 1866. He com- menced his education in the common schools of Buckfield and later attended Hebron Academy and Coburn Classical Institute and en- tered Colby College but .did not complete the course, returning to Buckfield after one year to enter into business with his father. In the early spring of 1887 he went west being located in Kansas and the Indian Territory for four years. In the spring of 1891 he re- turned to- Waterville and in company with E. T. Wyman bought the Waterville Mail. In 1896 the firm started the Waterville Eve- ning Mail, the first daily paper to be published in that city. A little later he bought out his partner and ran the paper success- fully until 1905 when he sold the 'business and purchased the Bul- letin plant in Madison, which he still continues to- run. In 1910 Mr. Prince was appointed State Librarian, serving until February, 1912, when he was removed to make room for one of the same political faith as the governor. In January, 1913, there coming another change of administration, Mr. Prince was re-appointed, serving until February, 1915. Mr. Prince has always taken active interest in city and town affairs, serving in the city government three years while in Water- ville, for two years being president of the Common Council. He also served on the Board of Registration and was a member of a committee which had charge of the construction of one of the large grammar school buildings there. In Madison he also served on a building committee for a new school building and has taken an active part in the meetings of the Board of Trade. Mr. Prince joined the order of Knights when in Kansas in 1889, being transferred to Havelock Lodge, Waterville, in 1892. He has held nearly all of the offices in the lodge and also in the Uniform Rank. He is also a member of the Sons of Veterans and the Modern Woodmen. He joined the society of the De- scendants of the Mayflower in 1913, tracing back the Prince ancestry to Elder William Brewster. In 1893 Mr. Prince married Miss Mellie J. Keene of West Poland, and they have two children, Ellsworth, born July 20, 1895, and Helen, born June 3, 1900. Digitized by Microsoft® 278 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD ALBION W. SMALL, PH.D., LL.P. Albion Woodbury Small, the son of Rev. Albion K. P. and Thankful (Woodbury) Small was born in Buckfield, Maine, May nth, 1854. When he was four years of age his parents moved to Bangor, Maine ; he was in the public schools of that city until he was fourteen, when his parents moved tO' Portland, and during the next four years he was in the high school of that city. The following years he was a student at Colby University, Waterville,. Maine. Then he completed the three years' course in Newton Theological Institution in 1879, and during the years 1879-81 he was a student in the Universities of Berlin and Leipzig, using the vacations for travel over large portions of Europe, and follow- ing his university study wiA a period of investigation in the Brit- ish Museum. In June of 1881 he was married in Berlin to Frau- lein Valeria Von Massow of an old Prussian land-owning family. Before returning from Germany, on the recommendation of Pres- ident Robbins, Mr. Small was elected Professor of History and Political Economy at Colby University, and began his work in September, 1881. In 18S8 he was granted leave of absence for one year, spending the time at Johns Hopkins University and re- ceiving the degere of Doctor of Philosophy in 1889. During the following summer, on the nomination of President Pepper, Mr. Small was elected as the latter's successor to the presidency of Colby University. In 1892 he was invited by President Harper to the headship of the department of Sociology in the University to be founded at Chicago. He accepted the position, beginning his work in the following October. Since that time he has been engaged as an instructor of graduate students, as a writer upon the subject of Sociology, and as editor of the American Journal of Sociology, which is now entering upon its twenty-first annual volume. His chief books are: "General Sociology," published m 1905; "Adam Smith and Modern Sociology," 1907; "The Cameralists," 1909; "The Meaning of Social Science," 1910, and "Between Eras," 1913. The degree of LL.D., was conferred upon him by Colby College in 1900. His only child is Mrs. Hayden B. Harris, whose husband is a member of the firm of Harris, Forbes & Company, New York City. Digitized by Microsoft® Albion W. Small, LL.D. Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIISLD 281 SEBA SMITH. Next to Governor Long, the most famous .son of Buckfield is Seba Smith, the younger, who was born here, according to the town records, Sept. 14, 1792. His father's family moved to Buckfield from Turner shortly after the first United States census was taken in 1790. The births of four, children are recorded here — the last in 1796. The family removed to Bridgton prdbably at the same time as did Samuel Andrews who was a connection by marriage. Tliat was in 1799. The census of 1800 shows that both families resided in Bridgton at that time. We have been thus particular as to the poet's birth, because it is said that his gravestone states that he was born in 1802. This may be an error in copying or a typographical error, but in any event is not cor- rect. Young Smith before he left Buckfield showed the bent of his mind toward literature. It is said that his uncle, Lieut. Jasiel Smith and his grandmother, Anna Grossman Smith, had great influence in determining his future literary eminence. He worked his way through the high and preparatory schools and also through college and graduated at Bowdoin in t8i8 and settled in Portland, where he went into journalism. In 1823 he married Miss Elizabeth Oakes Prince of Yarmouth, a lady of literary tastes and accomplishments, who became more famous as a writer of poetry, one would think from reading the encyclopedias than her husband. In 1829 Seba Smith began the publication of the Portland Gourier, the first daily newspaper in Maine. Into its columns one by one, almost unnoticed, at first, appeared many lit- tle gems of poetry, and some of these were considered of sufficient literary merit to be reproduced in the school readers of a later period. One was a scene the poet witnessed while a boy in his native town. The burying ground connected with it is situated on the Paris Hill road in the westerly part of the town. His poetical productions were overshadowed by the "Ad^ajor Jack Downing Letters" that began to appear in the Gourier, and which caught the popular fancy so that the author soon found himself famous. Mr. Smith was the originator of that class of literature, later so well represented by P. V Naseby, Josh Billings and Artemus Ward. The latter particularly took Smith as his model. Smith removed to New York where he thought to have a wider scope for his abilities. His "Way Down East" though widely read, did not equal the interest aroused by the Downing Letters. He wrote be- Digitized by Microsoft® 282 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD sides these, which appeared in book form, other works. His later career did not attract so much notice in the literary world as his earlier course had done. He died in 1868 and is buried near the little village of Patchogue, Long Island. A dozen years ago it was called by a New York newspaper reporter, "an abandoned graveyard of the long ago." On a storm-worn mafble slab, about four feet high and three feet wide, was the following inscription : "Sacred to the memory of Seba Smith, Poet and Scholar. Born in Maine, September 14th, 1802. Died in Patchogue, July 28th, 1868. He graduated at Bowdoin College in 18 18, and was the original "Major Jack Downing." Also author of "Way Down East," of "New Elements of Geometry," "Powhatan," and many other works. He was well beloved!" HON. FRANCIS O. J. SMITH. Francis Ormond Jonathan Smith was 'born at Brentwood, N. H., Nov. 23, 1806. He fitted for college at Exeter and was pre- pared to enter a junior class but instead of taking a college course he began the study of the law. His parents having removed to Portland, Me., he completed his legal studies in the office of Fes- senden & Deblois. The senior member of the firm was Gen. Samuel Fessenden, one of the very best lawyers in the state at that period. He afterwards became the leader of the " Liberty Party" and for several years was its candidate for governor. Smith was admitted to the Cumberland Bar in March, 1826, before he was twenty years old and at once took a leading position among the lawyers of the state and acquired an extensive practice. He became intensely interested in politics and espousing the cause of Gen. Andrew Jackson for President in 1828 he contrib- uted many pungent articles to the press under the nom de plume of "Leonidas." These writings attracted wide attention. As in Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 283 1824 Maine voted in 1828 for John Quincy Adams for President, but the State then voting by districts for electors, the Cumber- land district was carried for Jackson, principally through Smith's efforts. Besides his attacks upon the Adams administration through the newspapers, Smith had taken the stump, where he showed himself well adapted for such political work. General Jackson was elected, though John Quincy Adams' ad- ministration had been most successful financially and a large sur- plus was accumulated in the United States Treasury which was afterwards distributed to the different towns throughout the country. John Quincy Adams was our most learned President. In 1831 Smith was elected to the lower house of the Maine Legislature and the next year to the Senate. The Presidential election of 1832 aroused all Smith's energies. He assisted in the organization of Jackson clubs, addressed meetings and was a pro- lific writer for the "Eastern Argus" which was recognized as the leading Jackson organ in New England and was called by the national leaders of the party, "The Star in the East," which after the election when Maine had first been carried by the Jackson party was applied to the state. Smith was rewarded by an elec- tion to Congress, then in his 26th year. He was twice re-elected. Before he had attained such prominence in politics, he had pub- lished several works and a book against lotteries. This last pub- lication raised a storm of denunciation from the promoters of such schemes. While in Congress he was the Washington correspondent of the Argus and at dififerent times was connected with several newspapers, two of which he started. Smith was chairman of the commerce committee of the National Plouse and a resolve was submitted to it for an appropriation for a telegraph line be- tween the capital and the Northern cities — the first project of the kind . in the world. Unfortunately, Smith became interested financially in establishing such lines in the country which forced him to give up his political career and tied up his resources and involved him in litigation, thus preventing his carrying out other projects and particularly in regard to the Buckfield Branch Rail- road, elsewhere fully treated. The suit he had brought in the telegraph matter was not determined till after his death when a judgment was rendered for his estate for nearly half a million of dollars. With such a sum at his command when he took up his Digitized by Microsoft® 284 HISTORY OF BUCK-FIELD residence in the fifties in Buckfield, no such lamentable conse- quences, with the financial distress and ruin to so many of its citi- zens would have occurred. In 1840, Smith re-entered politics as an opponent of his party's policy and the astonishing result of Maine going that year "hell-bent" for Governor Edward Kent, and "Tippecanoe and Tyler, too" ha? been attributed largely to Smith's efforts and influence. The earl}- death of President Ha,r- rison and the defection of Tyler to the pa-ty's political enemies, prevented Smith being appointed to a high position. In 1848 Smith again came into public notice as a champion of Gen. Zachary Taylor for President who was elected but Maine did not as in 1840 follow Smith's lead — the Liberty party polling a suf- ficient number of votes to prevent it. For several years after this. Smith appears to have taken no part in politics, but when the country began to ring with the shouts of "Freemen, Fremont and Dayton" in 1856, he espoused the popular cause which was defeated by the vote of Pennsylvania being given (some said by unfair means) to James Buchanan. When the Rebellion broke out in 1861, Smith appears to have had little faith in the govern- ment being able to preserve the Union by force of arms and hav- ing been elected to the Legislature from Portland where he bad removed from Buckfield, he advocated in a speech of great elo- quence, that in the event of the Southern States succeeding, Maine should be annexed to Canada. He had purchased the Portland Advertiser and as its editor he took position against the vigorous prosecution of the war and in favor of settling the dif- ferences between the North and South by compromise. It was the great mistake of Smith's political life. The loyal business men of Portland resented his course and that of Hon. George Evans, a former Whig United States Senator often called the Daniel Webster of Maine, who entertained views similar to Smith's, and the Portland Press was established. Both these great men disappeared from public view and thousands of people to-day in our state scarcely know anything about them. As a lawyer in the conduct of cases in court. Smith had few equals and no superior. As a writer he was clear in expression, energetic and forcible and possessed just the style to catch and hold the popular interest, especially in a great crisis, when the passions of men are excited by real or fancied wrongs. As a speaker, he had a grace of manner, a charm of delivery, an easy Digitized by Microsoft® Benj. Spaulding, Jr. Digitized by Microsoft® Ben Spaulding Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 287 flow of language and a clear and melodious voice. He could move his hearers to denunciation or pity ; to laughter or to tears. Before prejudice had destroyed confidence in him, there was no man in Maine who could sway an assembly with equal force. His public career is an interesting study for old and young. In some respects he reminds one of Aaron Burr, but unlike Burr he would always lead in whatever matter he was engaged and could bear no rivalry. He was the truest of friends, but the sternest of mortal foes. Of charming manners and of extensive general information he was always a social favorite. Probaibly as an all-found man, writer, speaker, lawyer, business man and politician, he had not his equal in his day in New England. On his 2 1st birthday, Mr. Smith had married Miss Julia L. Bartlett of Kingston, N. H., an accomplished and beautiful lady of fine literary attainments. People of culture found in their "Forest Home'' in Deering, near Portland, an attractive resort. She died in 1853 and he afterwards married Miss Ellen Groton of Bath. He died Oct. i4, 1876 from heart disease and was buried in the Eastern cemetery, Portland. He had caused to be cut on a city missionary's monument the following which was undoubtedly his ideas of man's duty to man : "Peace on Earth to Men of Good Will." BENJAMIN SPAULDING, JR. Benjamin Spaulding, Jr., was born in Chelmsford, Mass., August 15, 1768. He moved with his father's family to Buck- fown when ten years old. His first wife was Myrtilla Robinson of Sumner, daughter of Increase and Rebecca Robinson. They were married Oct. 15, 1790 and settled in the. village on the road leading to Paris Hill. The house they lived in is said to be the first frame house in the place. He was much in public life. For many years he held the offices of treasurer and one of the board of selectmen and assessors of the town. He was unanimously elected representative to the General Court in 1812 and was re- elected in 1813, 1814, 1815 and 1816. He was also elected repre- sentative to the Legislature of Maine in 1821, 1823, 1824 and 1827. He served a term as county commissioner. His wife died Oct. I, 1816 and he married second, Mrs. Mary (Sturtevant) Bumpus, Nov. 6, 1817. He had nine children, seven by his first Digitized by Microsoft® 288 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD wife and two by his last. Three of his children were much in town office and two of them were town clerks. He died Feb. 18, 1858 in the 90th year of his age. The Gospel Banner printed an obituary notice from which the following is taken: "No man ever lived in the town more re- spected, venerated and beloved and none ever died more generally lamented than Father Spaulding. He was prudent and temperate in all his habits. He was honest in principle, pure in mind and motive and of strict integrity. He possessed a mild and amiable disposition and was always seeking to make those around him happy. His habitual uprightness, honesty, goodness and ability secured him the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens, who many times raised him to the highest honors and offices within their gift. These offices he filled with honor to himself and with credit and usefulness to his constituents." BENJAMIN SPAULDING. Benjamin Spaulding, oldest son of Sidney and Eliza G. (At- wood) Spaulding, was born in Buckfield, June 15, 1836. He married Mary Barrett of Sumner. Mr. Spaulding did not seek his fortune away from his native town. He early began business as a trader and has been very successful. For many years he was in company with Dea. Wm. H. Atwood and since the latter has deceased, the business has been carried on by Mr. Spaulding and his two promising sons, Benjamin, Jr., and Gilbert Barrett Spaulding. Mr. Spaulding has. held several town offices. HTs integrity is proverbial. No man now living in Buckfield is more highly respected and honored. WILLIAM C. SPAULDING. William Cole Spaulding, third son and fourth child of Sidney and Eliza G. (Atwood) Spaulding, was born in Buckfield, June 18, 1841. He was brought up on his father's farm, but on reach- ing his majority he went to Fort Fairfield in Aroostook County and engaged in the hardware business. In July, 1865, he mar- ried Lovina Jane, daughter of John Sterling, Esc|., of HaHfax, Nova Scotia and two years after they settled in Caribou where he has since resided. Mrs. Spaulding was born in HaHfax, April Digitized by Microsoft® William C. Spaulding Digitized by Microsoft® Cyrus C. Spaulding Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 291 14, 1842, and died, March 31, 1904. William C. Spaulding is one of the solid men of Eastern Maine. He has followed the same business in which he first started and has been eminently success- ful. Of high character and sterling worth, he is an honor to the town which gave him birth and the community in which he lives. He died quite suddenly at his home July 6, 1915, deeply lamented by all who knew him. No better man ever lived. He had two children, John Sterling, born July 21, 1869. He married Harriet Louise Burpee of Fort Fairfield. He died at Caribou, Dec. 15, 1896. His other son, Atwood W. Spaulding, was born in Caribou, Jan. 6, 1873. He graduated at Columbia Institute, N. Y., in 1892 and on his return home, engaged in the hardware business with his father. In 1898 during the Spanish war he was military secretary of Governor Powers, which posi- tion he filled in a very able manner. He is a member of all the principal secret societies of his section and is very popular with all classes. COL. ALBERT D. WHITE. - Albert D. White, son of Josiah and Rachel (Robbins) White of Dedham, Mass., was born in Freedom, Me., July 17, 1808. He came to Buckfield from Winthrop and engaged in the tanning business. He married April 2, 1837, Miss Lydia B. Harlow of this town. Mr. White was an energetic and a resolute man and being naturally fitted to command usually succeeded in accom- plishing whatever he undertook. He rose from private in the militia to the rank of colonel. As an officer of the law, he had scarcely his equal in the county. In politics, Col. White was a Whig and later a Republican and upon him, Zadoc Long, the leader of the Whigs in this section of the state in the thirties and forties largely depended to carry out the party projects and keep the party machinery in good working order. When the Whig overturn in Maine occurred in 1840 by the election of Hon. Ed- ward Kent for governor. Col. White was rewarded by the ap- pointment of sheriff of the county. His administration was vig- orus and effective, especially in the enforcement of the liquor laws. Fearless in the discharge of duty, he won a reputation for faithful service that lasted him through life. The defeat of Henry Clay for President in 1844 was a severe blow to Col. White and to Zadoc Long. Digitized by Microsoft® 292 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Col. Albert D.White After many years of successful business as a tanner he sold out to Mr. Josiah W. Whitten and bought the farm above the vil- lage where Abijah Buck, the founder' of the town had settled. Here Col. White passed the last years of his life. He died Dec. 13, 1887. His wife died July 17, 1891. They had three chil- dren: (i), Julia O., born Feb. 7, 1841, married Rev. S. L. B. Chase and had four children, Albert W., Harold L., William B., and Alice W., all deceased except Wm. B. Chase, who resides in Thompson, Conn. She died May 18, 1893. (2), Alice M., born July 31, 1845, died March 16, 1871. (3), E. Frances, born June 7, 1851, married June 30, 1880, Elmer B. Austin of Buckfield and has six children : Albert W., born Aug. 9, 1882 ; Harold C, born Oct. 10, 1883, died July 30, 1887; Grace J., born July 6, 1885; Edward J., born Dec. 11, 1887, died Oct. 10, 1888; L. Bessie, born May 4, 1889 and Melinda H., born Nov. 12, 1890. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD CHAPTER XXI. BucKFiELD Poets. ALFRED COLE. (See Sketch) Convalescence. How beautiful is the world! After the weeks in a dreary round, While I, a helpless prisoner bound, On my lonely bed have lain. With the weariness of day and night, And only glimpses of sun and light, Thru the blur of the window pane. Oh, the deep blue sky and the blessed air! Oh, the glorious sunshine everywhere, And the bird-songs in the trees ! Blossoming orchards and fields of green — Was ever before such freshness seen? Or such sweetness haunting the breeze? I see the flash of the oriole's wings In the leaves of the lofty elm, where he sings His joy to the sunlit hours; And idly I watch the swallows fly And list to the droning lullaby Of bees in the garden flowers. Passersby I note as one in a dream — How sprightly and full of vigor the}' seem, While I in weakness remain; And I sigh and wonder if ever, or when I may walk as of old with my fellowmen, And my tenure of life-work regain. Yet how beautiful is the world ! Throbbing with life and bright with cheer. Thrilling with promise and hopes of the year — There can be no fairer place Than Earth, when its springtide voices call And Heaven seems bending over all With a tender, smiling face. Children and Flowers. Flowers, gathered from fields and the valleys And borders of country ways. With ferns from the wildwood alleys Come to brighten my shut-in days ; For they bring the sweet breath from the days that are long, The murmur of bees and the bobolink's song. Digitized by Microsoft® 293 294 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Bright-eyed and with faces glowing, Little children before me stand, Each on me some flower-gift bestowing With a sun-browned, chubby hand; And my heart is touched with a tender thrill By these offerings sweet of their own free-will. Thus, while summer is weaving its story, Oft these little gleaners I see; Gifts, fairer than Solomon's glory. They are modestly bringing to me: Blessings upon you, my little friends. For the sweetness of life that your presence lends. MARY HART CUMMINGS. Mary Hart Cummings, wife of Dea. Whitney Cummings, was daughter of Henry Prentiss of North Paris and his wife,, Mary Hart and was born January 26, 1807. She died in Buckfield, February 18, 1878. While a mere girl she began to write for the County paper, then the Oxford Observer, and all through life was an acceptable contributor both in prose and verse to the Ox- ford Democrat, the Portland Transcript and Zion's Herald. She also wrote a number of successful stories which were published in the Philadelphia Courier. She had a facile pen, an excellent ear for rhythm and rhyme, much genuine poetic feeling, and great human sympathy. Unfortunately her work was not preserved with any care and even her descendants have little of it. She wrote sometimes under her own name but more commonly under the name of Oithona. The following is taken from the "Poets of Maine :" Reveries. My child will come no more, My ministries of love Are changed for those above — • The little journey of his life is o'er. My young and happy boy — I see his glad step springing, I hear his sweet voice singing. And yet these mem'ries bring no thrills of joy. I see his garments hang In many a spot — How can he be forgot, Tho' every mem'ry brings the heart a pang! Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 295 But why these restless, days? The promises are mine; I hear a voice divine Call on my soul a sovereign God to praise. 'Tis vain to change the scene — From each sequestered nook, His little treasures look; I cannot wander where he hasn"t been. Why spend my hours in gloom, Or weep for treasures gone. When I am hurrying on To join them in a world beyond the tomb? Spring's glorious sunbeams stream, And brightly do they fall, Alike on floor and wall ; But my lost boy looks out on every beam. My cherished one is there, He spends his glorious days. In songs of holy praise To Him who heard on earth his daily prayer. I turn my eyes above, But tears will force their way E'en when I strive to pray — Is there no place of rest for earthly love? Then let my heart arise To his bright home above, And to the God of love Look for a blessing on "Earth's broken tics." COLUMBIA GARDNER (See Sketch) The Old Cathedral Bell. How many mem'ries crowded fast, As on my ear it fell; Those melting tones to childhood dear. That old cathedral bell. Long years had passed and childhood, ton, But yoiith had thrown its spell; Around each chord that echoed back, That old cathedral bell. Digitized by Microsoft® 296 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 'Twas here a mother taught nie first, My simple prayer to tell; And here I bowed, whene'er it rang, That old cathedral bell. How oft — full oftj it sadly peals, The mourner's grief to tell; And yet it cheers the bridal band. That old cathedral bell. I hear it now, it speaks of home. Where dear and loved ones dwell ; And brings my happy childhood back, That old cathedral bell. It comes again, that deep-toned chime ! It breaks o'er hill and dell ; It calls the huntsman to his home, That old cathedral bell. O may it ring me to my home, And chant the parting knell; And sing the requiem, o'er my tomb, That old cathedral bell. For I could calmly, sweetly die. If on my ear it fell; And half I wish 'twas tolling now. That old cathedral bell. My Mother. My mother ! O how much I love To speak that cherished name ; My mother ! though thou canst not licar Its music is the same. A destiny, T know that's strange, Has from thee, bid me roam ; Yet I have but to speak thy name. And Fancy wafts me home. My mother ! 'twas the earliest soimd, My infancy could learn ; And ever as I hear it lisped, Tliose joyous hours return. And when in listening wonder stood, A prattler by thy knee ; I ever thought the world was where My mother chanced to be. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 297 My mother ! yes that very sound, Can make me quite forget; How much thy daughter's heart has felt, Since last thy smile she met. My mother! When my heart. is sad, And silent steals the tear; I'll softly breathe thy gentle name, And feel that thou art near. CLARA MARCELLE GREENE. Clara Marcelle Greene, the youngest child of the 3d Dea. David Farrar, was born in Buckfield, Me., April 17, 1840. She is the great-great-granddaughter of Anna Grossman Smith, the grandmother of Seba Smith, Jr., the author from whom he ap- pears to have inherited his literary tastes. Miss Farrar began writing under the nom de plume of "Kate Kendall." She opened an art studio in Portland in 1870. Some of her poems, particu- larly "Possession'' and "The Magdalen" have been highly prized for their dramatic quality. She married Mr. Wyer Greene of Portland, where they have resided many years. Clara Marcelle Greene In Bonds. Hedge a lion in his lair. Bind him fast with leash and thong; Muscles quiver, eyeballs glare. Nerves and thews wax iron strong; Mad with fury and despair. He will rage against his wrong. With his bonds and fiery heart, Spirit! This is what thou art. Digitized by Microsoft® 298 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Cage an eagle, maim his wings, Seek to tame his damitless eye; Teach him songs, the linnet sings. Tell him to forget the sky; Tell him flight brings arrow-stings. He must soar or he will die. Beating pinion, eye of flame Spirit ! This is thou, the same. Mark the everlasting sea, Watch its mighty heart uplift; O'er its bosom, broad and free, Fleets may ride and wrecks may drift. Aye, storms may rage ; — what recketh thee. Boundless freedom is thy gift, "Spirit, wait," it murmurs thee "Eternity — Eternity." DANA B. HARI.OW. Dana Bradbury Harlow, son of Christopher and Miriam (Far- rar) Harlow was born in Buckfield in 1854. His education was acquired in the town schools at Hebron Academy and at Hamil- Dana B. Harlow ton, N. Y., Theological Seminary. He early evinced a talent for composition, both in poetry and prose. Has written much for the press and is soon to issue a volume of his poems. Is an elocu- tionist of ability and for many years has been a successful teacher. Several years ago he moved to Paris where he now resides. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD iJ99 The Boys in Blue. Oh, green the robe that Nature wears. Bespangled o'er with flowers. And birds and brooks are sing- ing low Through amaranthine bowers. And soon the loved Memorial Day Will fresher call to view The never-dying names and deeds Of our loyal boys in blue. Full many a soldier sleeps to- day In Southern lands at rest: Where w^hite magnolia blossoms fall Above his faithful breast. And many others, all unknown. Their comrades brave and true. Been laid to rest at Arlington, Of the loyal boys in blue. Oh, dark the day that called them forth By Freedom's side to stand. For them to die, if need be so — For God and native land. Ye bands of happy children fair. This day was meant for you. Bring flowers from all the vir- gin bowers. For the loyal boys in blue. And scatter them upon the turf That gently wraps them round. For each known spot where they repose To us is hallowed ground. Oh, maidens twine the ever- green. Fresh with the morning's dew. And white, unfading immor- telles For the loyal boys in blue. AEBIE CHASE HOI-P-ROOK. Abbie (Chase) Holbrook is the daughter of Hon. Thomas and Esther M. (Daggett) Chase and was born in Buckfield, Oct. 23, 1839. She married Wm. C. Holbrook and resides at Maiden, Mass. The Old South Hill School House. Again I climb the old South Hill; Stands there the time-stained schoolhouse still; Unchanged, its windows blankly stare, The walls their mildewed clapboards wear; And rusting in its ancient grooves The noisy door-latch stiffly moves As when we pressed it, years ago, To crosiS the threshold, broad and low. In rows the vacant benches stand, And, frescoed o'er in school-boy hand. The plastered walls disfigured rise, As when they met my childish eyes ; And, fronting all, the master's throne In state majestic, stands alone; Less awful now than when we heard, Digitized by Microsoft® 300 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD For saucy prank, the threat'ning word From' him who tried, with rod and frown. To keep our bubbling spirits down. ***** Here sitteth one, a phantom fair, With tender eyes and nut-brown hair; With outstretched arms and longing cry To clasp her close I vainly try. Alas I she melteth in my grasp — My arms but empty air enclasp. Ah, me! I know she sleeping lies, And well I know from her dear eyes No tender glance ray own shall meet, Until her angel-self I greet. Good-bye, old house, — dear haunt of mine, Where young I drank of life's new wine,- May rains fall gently on thy roof, May harsh winds keep from thee aloof. May winter snow fall soft and light. And fold thee warm in mantle white. And Time deal gently with thee still. While thou dost stand on old South Hill. JOHN N. IRISH. John N. Irish was born on North Hill in Buckfield, January 23, 1838. He was christened Jonathan Nelson, but has always been called John. His education was obtained in the district school on South Hill and the high school in the village. He be- gan teaching at the age of eighteen — his first school being taught in the Lothrop school house. His sister, Emily, also taught her first school there. The writer of this sketch' attended as a pupil and has ever since held them both in grateful remembrance. In his 20th year Mr. Irish went to Kentucky to teach and was at- tacked with a serious illness which came near proving fatal. His father went there and brought him to his home in Rumford, he having in the meantime sold the old Buckfi.eld homestead and pur- chased another in that town — where his good mother nursed him back to health. After recovery he worked on the farm sum^mers, teaching winters, writing and occasionally lecturing. His father having died, Mr. Irish returned with his mother to his native town, where he settled down on a small place, a mile Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 301 below the village on the Turner road. He has always been an ardent lover of the drama and dramatic poetry and for many years has been a large contributor of wit and wisdom to the weekly county papers under the pseudonym of "John." For years these have held the interest of the general reader. Mr. Irish has al- ways been a sturdy advocate of Temperance, education and all moral reforms. His poems are characterized for their pathos and sentiment. He died at the home of his brother, Henry D. Irish, Nov. I, 1913. Evelyn. Fallen asleep, in the flush of the morning, On green sunny slope of life's mystical hill: Weariness came in her youth's early dawning, Her tired hands fell, and her young heart is still. Sweet in her rest 'neath the wide spreading willow, Undisturbed by the tread of the world passing by ; Death scattered poppy leaves under her pillow, Yet she can't awaken to smile or to sigh. Fairiest of maidens, all others excelling; She had dawned in my soul like a beautiful star; Light shone again in my long darkened dwelling, Faith and love entered which had lingered afar. Vanished from sight and now aimless, I wander, A grave in my heart and a grave by the sea ; Is there a land and a home over yonder, With the blessings of life for my darling and me ? HON. JOHN D. LONG. (See Sketch) Forefathers' Hymn sung at Plymouth Celebration, 1882. Thk Pilgrim. Almighty God, to thee we raise Our hymns of thankfulness and praise. Within the hollow of whose hand The Pilgrim sought his promised land:— Not the rich pastures of the vine Flowing with honey, milk and wine. But bleak shores swept by storm and sea, His rude sole welcome — thou art free! Digitized by Microsoft® 302 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD With com he wooed the sullen soil, But more with learning, home and toil, ' Till now no vineyard of the sun Blooms like the wilderness he won. Inspired by faith, in purpose great. He steadfast set his church and state; Made them to stand .'gainst flood and shock, For both he built upon the rock. One taught — to God and conscience true — More light to seek, the right to do : The other broadened to the span Of man's equality with. man. Children of fathers such as he, Be ours his true nobility! Lord of the realm, he served its growth; To serve — be still the freeman's oath ! The Mountains of Maine. I ne'er shall forget when returning one day To my home 'mid the mountains of Maine, When the summer was nigh and the fair hand of May Was bedecking the country again. What a thrill of dehght, inexpressibly sweet, I felt while extending my gaze O'er the scenes, unforgotten, where often my feet Had rambled in earlier days. What a welcoming look I imagined I found .In the old streaked mountains in view. In the quick-flowing streams, and meadows elm-crowned, And the fields clothed in summer's bright hue. Ho'w the full honest breeze I had tasted so oft. With health and with vigor o'erladen. Swept over my cheek with a touch that was soft As the smooth, velvet hand of a maiden. My soul swelled with joy, springing up to the skies With the view that was spread out before it; Then, deeper emotions beginning to rise, A feeling of sadness came o'er it: For I knew from these scenes of my boyhood around me, The lakes, and the woods and the plain, I must part and dissever the ties that had bound me So long to the mountains of Maine. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 303 Nezinscot. Returned from years of rack and toil, Escaped from fetter-locks of care, Again I walk my native soil, Again I breathe my native air. The snow is on the circling hills ; The crisp smoke curls its morning tress ; My heart with old-time freedom fills, I feel again its restfulness. Beside bright hearths with clustering friends, We live our memories back once more ; Too soon the winter evening ends ; — It can recall but not restore. At the Fireside. At nightfall by the firelight's cheer My little Margaret sits me near. And begs me tell of things that were When I was little, just like her. Ah, little lips ! you touch the spring Of sweetest sad remembering. And heart and hearth flash all aglow With ruddy tints of long ago. I at my father's fireside sit, Youngest of all who circle it. And beg him tell me what did he When he was little, just like me. The Flag. Like the grass swayed to and fro Over which the breezes go. Like long tresses tumbling down Rippling up from foot to crown. Like billows rolling on the ocean. Our glorious flag floats full and free. Its matchless hues now interfuse, And now swell wide against the tide That bloats its straining canopy; Like smoke it wreathes in rills, and breathes Its fainting blaze into the haze. And slowly palpitates until It lures the eye as if it still Went rippling further through the sky — The very poetry of motion! Digitized by Microsoft® 304 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Emblem thou of liberty! Banner of the brave and free ! Stars and stripes ! Red, white and blue ! Old Thirteen, new Thirty-two! Afloat aloft on land or ocean. There's not an eye with tears untraced That sees thy glory in the sky ; There's no true heart that would not die To keep thy scroll, no stripe erased. No star obscured, still floating high ; There's no man, worthy to be free. Who doth not look and cling to thee With all a patriot's devotion. ZADOC LONG. (See Sketch) My Old Violin. While evening's dim folds round me gather fast, And the chill breezes chant a low moan. My fancy is busy with scenes of the past. As I sit by my fireside alone. The group that once cheered me affection recalls; Beloved ones I ask, where are they? My own voice comes back from the echoing walls. And sadly repeats — Where are they? A sound like a serenade, plaintive and sweet. An almost inaudible strain. Now rises and swells into tones more complete. Now sinks away softly again. It seems like .the spirit of many a lay — A voice from the past that I hear. In lingering cadences dying away. On memory's faltering ear. Or the music of dreams in the stillness of night, By some spirit guardian sung; — 'Tis the air through the cracks, and the vibrations slight Of my old viohn, all unstrung. How many a cherished remembrance it brings Of dear friends and pastimes of yore; A sorrowful touch on the heart's shattered strings, That soon will respond never more. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 305 To THE Robin. Sing away, robin, thou gay little thing; Thy melody heralds the coming of spring; Bright verdure is spreading o'er meadow and tree. And buds leafing out where thy dwelling shall be. Where the air shall be vocal till summer shall fade, At morning, and eve, with thy sweet serenade. Then sing, robin, sing, sound thy notes loud and long; Our hearts fill with love as we list to thy song. The sun, all unclouded, is opening the day; O, sing, merry bird, while the dew melts away; The earth wears a smile at the charm of thy voice. The echoing groves and the valleys rejoice; The zephyrs breathe blandly, the light branches bend. Their delicate rustlings in harmony blend ; The tinkling of bells, and the brooks, lend a chime, And with thy sweet warbling all nature keeps time. Then sing away, robin, thou beautiful bird. With grateful emotions our hearts shall be stirred. And joy shall abouhd where thy music is heard. Horrors of Winter. (1841) Hoar winter rules with awful might The trembhng world below ; We have to wallow day and night Up to our knees in snow. The frosty atmosphere is rife With epidemics dire; W^e can't keep warm to save our life So many round the fire, When midnight darkness veils the world With shadows cold and drear, When puss lies in the corner curled, And bose is growling near. When in the yielding downy bed Our weary bodies sink. The rats so noisy overhead We cannot sleep a wink, What dismal fancies haunt our souls. And thrilling scenes of woe! How much those brutes that have no holes, Poor devils, undergo. Our dreams are filled with warnings dread; And when Aurora wakes. We find our hkeliest lambs are dead And frozen stiff as stakes. Digitized by Microsoft® 306 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Thick robes of ice and fetters chill The earth's broad surface bind; The naughty urchins slide down hill And tear their clothes behind. When rising storms the heavens begird And mortals stand aghast, When rattling window-blinds are heard Above the loudest blast; When furious winds the valleys sweep, And rend the mountain oak. When chimney currents downward leap And fill the house with smoke ; And men of dauntless spirit pause Their gushing tears to stay. And women scold like fiends because Their clothes are blown away, — Oh how we long in scenes like these For summer's milder reign, When striped squirrels leap the trees And thistles bloom again— ,- Once more to range the hills and glens, O'er verdant lawns to stray, And hear the cackling of the hens When they begin to lay; When radiant suns and lucid skies And myriad warblers greet us. And lightning bugs and butterflies And legions of musketoes; And divers i^owers abound, And turkeys gobble as we pass Their happy roosting ground. Come, gentle spring, the earth renew With showers and shadowing roses Before all flesh turn black and blue And thousands lose their noses. If winter's reign much longer time Continue thus to vex us One-half the folks will curse the clime And emigrate to Texas. CHARLES CARROLL LORING. (See Sketch) The Beating of the Rain. I lay the book aside, I try to pierce the gloom And turn my weary eyes That swallows half the plain, To the river's rolling tide, No sound invades the room And the overhanging skies. But the beating of the rain. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 307 Yes, the river murmurs low, I often think of thee, Like a spirit under pain, As the liours so slowly wane, In its ever onward flow Dost thou listen now like me To the waters of the main. To the beating of the rain? But for these a silence deep Though from me thou art gone. All the valley seems to fill. Thy pleasant looks remain ; Flowers of the garden sleep. Still I hear thy tender tone The singing birds are still. In the beating of the rain. I hear no echoing feet. The day will shortly end. Nor din of moving wain ; For the twilight shadows gain. No noise comes off the street Yet the river's murmurs blend But the beating of the rain. With the beating of the rain. I love the soothing sound, And the notes of yonder bell. And monotonous refrain. From the steeple of the fane, That come from roof and ground, For vespers lapse and swell At the beating of the rain. 'Midst the beating of the rain. WILIAM WALLACE MAXIM. The subject of this sketch is the 4th child of a remarkable fam- ily and was born in Buckfield, Sept. 19, 1844. He was educated in the common and high schools of his native town and vicinity and early began writing for the newspapers and periodicals. He has been a voluminous writer on agricultural topics and has pro- duced many fine poems which he designs to produce in book form. For many years he has been a resident of Paris. Nezinscot. Sweet flowing stream, couldst thou but bear the sorrow Of those whose shores are washed with foaming crest On thy pale brow, what joy would come to-morrow To cheer these troubled ones and hush to rest ! Ah, many a lad has followed down the meadows, . Close by thy side, and laughed and leaped with thee. When leaves were bursting from their winter garments. And all thy waves were hurrying to the sea. Maidens with flowing ringlets coming after, With rosy cheeks and merry laughing eyes. Have watched their faces mirrored in the water With waving branches and the bending skies. Digitized by Microsoft® 308 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Ceaselessly flowing, though the winter's reigning Shut all thy sparkling glory from our view, ' We hear the sobbing and the low complaining, And long to greet thy silvery waves anew. Sad is the cadence when the heart is weary And all thy moaning seems to mock its pain ; When loved ones part, and all the world is dreary. And winter binds us with its icy chain. Loved ones are laid to rest beside thy billows, And sobs and tears are mingled there with thine; And the same sun that shines among the willows. Glows on thy breast beneath the whispering pine. O, sobs and tears' O laughing, joyous river! The psalm of life can well be sung from thee. When the sun and breeze from all thy chains deliver. And set the smitten soul from sorrow free. My Retrospect. Once in my younger days I longed for fame. And swiftly ran, her form to catch and hold ; She shied my grasp, I ran and called her name She answered — "Sold." I came to grief but conquered all its ills, And learned to love the cruel chastening rod ; I had grown patient cured by bitter pills, Nor walked abroad. She knocked at length upon my hovel door And begged an entrance, bade me go with her. Out from' the smoky walls and dusty lore Where shadows were. I said, my solitude is better far Than all thy pomp and pageantry and "tone,'' I have no fancy for thy glittering car, Leave me alone. AMANDA MAXIM VINING. Amanda Maxim Vining is the 6th child of Capt. Benjamin and Sn.san (Harlow) Maxim and was born Nov. 3, 1848. Both her parents had the natural gift of writing poetry which this daughter with four others of the family, inherited. Her productions are Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 311 characterized by simplicity of style, richness of tone and sweetness of rhythm. She married Mr. Bernard E. Vining and now resides at Farmington, Me. Streaked Mountain. Where skies bend down with smiling glance O'er forest, hill and stream. O'er waters in the sunlight Flashing back an azure gleam, 'Tis there with visage calm, serene, Ne'er heeding wind or storm. In grave and silent majesty- Old Streaked rears his form. Ever the same ; Time's changes leave No furrows on his brow ; The grey old cliffs still beckon As in years long vanished now ; And through his dim and shady groves The wild deer loves to roam, Above, where sweep their loftiest boughs The eagle has his home. Full many a time in days gone by Our youthful feet have strayed Through winding paths, o'er ledges bare, Alternate sun and shade, Till high upon the rocky steeps We stood with bated breath And viewed the scene that stretched afar Our wondering gaze beneath. * ^ * 'H =i= And long we tarried on the mount. Reluctant to depart; The wind of heaven upon our cheeks Life's joy in each young heart; Till shades of evening, falling fast, Warned us, without delay To seek again the twilight path, Adown the homeward way. Dream on, old crags and towers sublime! Dream on without a fear ; Though strangers deem unworthy All thy children hold so dear. And though we dwell in lands apart. Or roam the distant sea, With thoughts of pride our loyal hearts Still fondly turn to thee. Digitized by Microsoft® 312 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Beautiful Evening Star. Musing alone in the silence After the close of day, My thoughts go out to the loved ones And friends who are far away. Faintly the twilight glimmers Over the dusky walls, And into' the gloom of my shadowy room The silvery starlight falls. Shine on, O beautiful star ! Shine o'er the dear ones afar. ■ Are they watching for thee, Are they thinking of me, O beautiful evening star? Sweet was the home-life together, Glad were the songs that we sung. There in the glow of the firelight When the day's labors were done. Some have gone out from its shelter. Life's sterner duties to share. And some are asleep where the low grasses creep, In a valley so sweet and fair. Softly, O beautiful star Shine on their rest from afar — Shall we meet where no word Of farewell e'er is heard, O beautiful evening star? ROSE MAXIM. Rose Maxim, daughter of Capt. Benjamin and Susan (Har- low) Maxim, was born in Buckfield, Aug. 30, 1850, the 7th of a family of ten children. Her oportunities for obtaining an educa- tion were only what the district school afforded, but the family though living on a farm was an intellectual one, and good books and newspapers constantly found their way into the home. She commenced writing poetry very young. That she came to write real poetry and not simply rhymes, her productions demonstrate. When her two youngest sisters went to reside at Cambridge, Mass., she went there with them. While there she published a book of her poems. There can be no question of her talcing rank with the very first of writers of poetry in Maine. She died Feb. 26, 1898, much lamented. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 313 Prayer for the Nation ! Ruler Supreme, our help and consolation, Our King and Sovereign grand, To Thee we cry. Oh save this blood-bought nation By thine all-powerful hand. From every form of slavery and oppression, From every act of treason and secession. From unwise rulers, tyranny, transgression, God save our native land. Grant that the blood poured out on fields of slaughter May not have been in vain ; Grant that so many tears, that flowed like water. May not be shed again; O patriots, heroes, martyrs, gone before us. We trust that still ye too are watching o'er us, Help us as when through strife ye bravely bore us, Our flag without a stain. May human hands be strengthened, hearts united, For good not partisan; For common interests, may these wrongs be righted By thine eternal plan. Crush out the wrong by one supreme endeavor; Break down our idols, from them let us sever; Teach us but this — ^to know and feel forever — The brotherhood of man. And so amid the dark clouds and the breakers. Firm as a rock we'll stand. If, -when the dangers threaten to o'ertake us, We feel thy guiding hand. Oh, by that peace foretold in ancient story. By that good will proclaimed by prophets hoary. By justice, love, and liberty's true glory, God bless our native land ! A Wish. I wish that I could feel once more. The strength and joy of youth; For hope which is delusion Is happier than truth. Give me a beauteous spot where I Can on the greensward lie, O'ershadowed by the greenest boughs. Beneath the bright blue sky. Digitized by Microsoft® 314 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Forgetting all life's tumult there In solitude and peace, For living would be weariness, If love of Nature cease; For human ills are many. And each must bear his sting, So would I be, where harmony Abounds in everything. MARY AND MARTHA MAXIM. Mary and Martha Maxim, the youngest children of Capt. Benjamin and Susan (Harlow) Maxim, were born in Buckfield, April i6, 1857. While attending the district school both began writing poetry and sliowed great aptitude for composition and drawing. They were easily first in their classes. Both were natural musicians and since leaving school took up music as a profession and have only occasionally written poetry. Several years after they moved to Cambridge, Mass., where they have since resided. Martha plays the violin with rare skill, as in fact any stringed instrument. Mary has devoted more time to drawing and painting, and is an artist of much talent. She is a teacher also of both vocal and instrumental music. Since re- siding in Massachusetts, they have studied with the best teachers in Boston and Martha with noted musicians in Paris, France. They are a credit to themselves and an honor to the good old town, where they were born and reared. In 1897 Martha visited Europe — going to England and France. The next year she went to Ireland and Scotland. She wrote of her experiences in for- eign lands which are very delightful reading. MARY MAXIM. A November Idyl. The fields in somber garb are .sleeping, 'Neath leaden skies that cheerless seem, The tall pines, faithful watch are keeping Over meadow, hill and stream. The maple's gold and crimson splendor Which but yesterday seemed complete — And song of wood-thrush low and tender Now, are only memories sweet. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 315 Down by the swiftly flowing river, In russet garments, rich and deep, Tall ferns in chilly breezes quiver And sigh, as they lie down to sleep. And yet, there's charm in this sweet sadness. Brooding o'er the dear, dead flowers, Tho' no bird-note of joy and gladness Echoes through the leafless bowers. Tho' lovely May brings scenes alluring, Glad songs of hope and promise sings, November, rich reward, enduring. To the toiling reaper brings. In the giant oak, dismantled, standing With outstretched arms against the sky. In sovereign majesty, commanding Reverence, none can e'er deny. Strength, beauty, grace, we see — undying Through winter's blust'ring storms and sleet — That tempers with content, our sighing For flowers that blossomed at his feet. And tho' the thrush's song at even — That for aye, we fain would keep — Brings the soul to the gates of Heaven, There is joy in Silence deep. That folds, with tender, fond caressing The brown earth, to its placid breast Breathing benediction, blessing. Whispering of peace and rest. And for this sweet calm that enfolds us For the peace that crowns our land. We, thankful, bow to Him who holds us In the hollow of His hand. Where I Would Rest. When for me, the unseen boatman Piles his silent oar. When to Nature's wondrous glories These eyes shall ope no more, When these weary hands no longer Seek their earthly task. Not for praise or worldly honor. Be the boon I ask. Digitized by Microsoft® 316 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Where sweet wild flowers bend o'er me, May I calmly rest. Where the tall and fragrant grasses Wave above my breast, Where a singing brook glides swiftly O'er mossy stones away, And song birds fill with melody Each long sweet summer day. Thro' winter's frost, and ' summer's sunshine- O'er my dreamless sleep May a pine tree, tall and stately. Faithful vigil keep. While a graceful birch, low bending My grassy bed above. Answers to the west wind, fondly Whisp'ring tales of love. There to sleep, 'neath Nature's bosom, Watched with loving care. By her children, softly breathing Hymns of praise and prayer Would sweeter be than commendation Phrased by pen or tongue. Sweeter far, than highest tribute E'er to mortal sung. MARTHA MAXIM. At Home Once More. My native hills! I stand once _ more Upon your sacred sod, And for this glorious heritage "l thank our father's God. M , ; I ' ' ' n ; The echoings of other lands But call to me in vain, "_For the longings of the heart "_ reach out " To the dear old hills of Maine. ■ I II Where'er my footsteps wandered By castle or palace gate, I seemed to see the hills and vales Of the grand old Pine Tree State. O pine trees, radiant pine trees! In your stately, fair array You are dearer yet, and nearer When I am far away. Sometimes you're crowned with _ snowflakes Sometimes thru branches free The song of woodthrush was wafted Over the ocean unto me. And I heard again the music With Its ceaseless sad refrain Of the "murmuring pines and hemlock" Of my dear old State of Maine. I've looked upon thrones of kings Whose fame has spanned the sea, But to sit beneath thy pine trees' shade Is throne enough for me. i i , P I've gazed on scepter and crown On gems that monarchs wear But the jewels from thy rugged glens Are far more rich and rare. glorious hills of Homeland! O beautiful woods of Maine Again I bow in thankfulness To be with you again. 1 ; And for this safe return to thee From lands of ancient lore But most of all, that I am here At home, at home once more! Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 317 ARDELTA H. PRINCE. Ardelia H. Prince, daughter of Noah Prmce, is today the most cultivated woman in town. A graduate of the old fitting school at South Paris, she became a teacher and followed that profession in Brooklyn, N. Y., for many years. Retiring therefrom, she has since resided in Buckfield, at one time teaching in its schools. She is trustee of the Zadoc Long Free Library. Her fine literary tastes, her interest in all that tends to the good 1 rs ^ K ifl 7* '>" '^ Ardelia H. Prince of the town, her refined home and her still youthful and vigorous seventy-seven years of useful life make her a distinguished figure in society. Miss Prince has always been an extensive reader of good, clean literature and the classics and is a fine writer of both prose and poetry. Her two little gems of verse here given will attract the attention and interest of all who read this history. In Summer-time. In summer-time white lilies blow, And in the sun red roses glow. Blue hazes cap the distant hills, And hum of bees the soft air fills Where tall the scarlet poppies grow. The shifting winds drive to and fro, Across blue skies, light clouds that go Like thistle-down on grassy rills, In summer-time. Digitized by Microsoft® 318 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD In these glad days, our footsteps slow Fall light by fair Nezinscot's flow : Sweet speech, or sweetest silence, fills The happy hours. The frost that kills,— The love that dies, — how can we know In summer-time ! In Winter-time. In winter-time fair trac'ries grow On window panes while smoke-wreaths go. In early morn, far overhead In billowy, amber clouds that shed Pale tints athwart the wastes of snow. In steely skies the star points glow; 'Neath ice is lost the river's flow; While creaks the passers hurried tread In winter-time. Thro' bitter days the fierce winds blow And drive the ever deepening snow Across bleak plains where lie the dead, In narrow house, on coldest bed, 'Neath marbles white, row after row. In winter-time. SEBA SMITH. (See Sketch) On an Event Occurring in the Green Mountains. The cold winds swept the mountain's height. And pathless was the dreary wild, And 'mid the cheerless hours of night, A mother wandered with her child. As through the drifted snow she pressed, The babe was sleeping on her breast. And colder still the winds did blow. And darker hours of night came on, And deeper grew the drifts of snow ; Her limbs were chilled, her strength was gone; O God, she cried, in accents wild. If I must perish, save my child ! She stripped her mantle from her 'breast. And bared her bosom to the storm. And round the child she wrapped the vest. Digitized by Microsoft® JJ — ^ ^ Seba Smith £/iiabeth Odes '$\ Smith Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 321 And smiled to think her babe was warm; With one cold kiss, one tear she shed, And sunk upon a snowy bed. At dawn a traveler passed by. She lay beneath a snowy veil. The frost of death was in her eye. Her cheek was cold, and hard, and pale; He moved the robe from off the child, The babe looked up and sweetly smiled. ELIZABETH OAKES SMITH. Elizabeth Oakes (Prince) Smith was born in North Yar- mouth in 1806. She was a remarkable child. Early acquiring a taste for literature she began writing essays and poetry when eight years old. She became acquainted with Seba Smith, who had taken up his residence in Portland and was connected as a contributor with the principal newspaper of the city of which he afterward became editor and in her seventeenth year she married him. It was the most fortunate event of the author's life. All his literary projects received from her hearty support and as- sistance. She assisted him in establishing the Portland Daily Courier and contributed to its columns both prose and poetry. She developed rapidly and seemed to grasp many subjects intui- tively and handle them in a masterly manner. Mrs. Smith could talk in public as well as use the pen in her sanctum. The anti- slavery cause and the rights of women found in her an able cham- pion. Hawthorne and Lowell highly complimented her for her literary productions while her oratory won the praises of Sumner and Phillips. She was the pioneer speaker among American women. In religious faith she was a Swedenborgian. After the family moved to New York she wrote and published her first novel. Their lovely home at Patchogue, L. I., was for many years a social center for people of literary culture and attain- ments. She was one of the most beautiful and charming of women. It has well been said of her that "she long stood before the public eye as essayist, poet, novelist, lecturer and preacher. In her poem of 'The Sinless Child,' which she called her best production, there are some of the most beautiful passages to be found in English literature." One who personally knew her has Digitized by Microsoft® •622 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD left this statement about her : "She outshone every other person in her grace, beauty and literary attainments." Her fame is more enduring than her distinguished husband's. She outlived him for many years and died at Long Island in 1893 at the age of 87. She left several children and grandchildren, several of whom as might be expected are poets. To Portland. O City of my heart ! in dreams, Sweet dreams, I see thee as of j'ore, And catch the light's first early beams Glint o'er White Head's roar; Old Ocean's Daughter ! beam with smiles. And wear thy royal crest. Three hundred sixty-five green isles Sleep on old Casco's breast. And each is fair and bright to see, With tuft of breezy pine, Where I have often longed to be In these long years of mine : Accept, fair daughter of the sea, A simple, loving rhyme. For thou hast always been to me A tender, solemn chime, Such as the marhier has heard Far out upon the sea, Where bell of church or song of bird Could never hope to be. But village bell and song of bird Had furnished memory's cell With many a whispered sound and word Remembered over-well. Farewell ! oh, daughter of the sea, Right royally thy throne O'erlooks the isles that wait on thee. Where White Head sits alone; Thy regal head bears not a scar From all the perils past ; Thine is the glory of the star, When skies are overcast! Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 323 ANNA GROSSMAN SMITH. Anna Grossman was born in Raynham, Alass., Oct. 30, 1734. She married Lieut. Jasiel Smith, an officer in the Revolutionary war. They moved to Turner, Me., late in life (1786) from Taunton, Mass. Their nine children married and settled in Tur- ner, Buckfield and adjoining towns. She died in Boothbay, Me., May 18, 1823 in her 89th year. She was a remarkably intellect- ual woman and much of her famous grandson's (Seba Smith, Jr.) talent is thought to have been inherited from her. The following poetical farewell to her relatives and friends was found in her clothing after her death and read at her funeral : My 88th Birthday. This day my years are eighty-eight, An unexpected age ; O may I now with patience wait My weary pilgrimage. O guide me down the steps of age, And keep my passions cool, To understand thy sacred page And practice every rule. May I with those in realms above, That here are my delight, Forever sing redeeming love In glory infinite. Upon a poor polluted worm, O make thy grace to shine ! O save me for thy mercy's sake, For I am doubly thine ! GILBERT TILTON. Gilbert Tilton was born in Livermore, Maine, Nov. 16, 1828. He was educated in the public and private schools of his native town and upon attaining his majority chose farming and the me- chanic's trade for an occupation. He went West in 1868, but came back the next year to Maine and settled in Buckfield village. He died Jan. 9, 1907. The School of Nature. When the apple is in bloom. We'll inhale the sweet perfume And revel in the beauties of the spring; When the spring is come and gone And the summer-time is on, Old Nature will her choicest blessings bring. Digitized by Microsoft® 324 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD When the autumn doth return, Nature's lessons we will learn, And garner up her treasures by the way; Then the journey of our life, With the closing of its strife, We'll compass in the doing? of a day. Then we'll wonder, wonder still Whether good or whether ill Shall be the lot of mortals here below; While the sage will oft declare There'll be trouble over there, But ne'er we'll heed his ruling thus and so. 'Tis with virtue we'll enshroud, Seek to have our claims allowed By Him who is vested with all power; All sufficient is the day. As we travel on our way, The Golden Rule to guide us evermore. We'll banish every thought By imagination wrought Of impending evils held in store, For the nations who were sent Without knowledge or consent To a cold and cheerless desert shore. FLORA E. WHITMA\-. Miss Flora E. Whitman is the daughter of Ellis and Cora (Record) Whitman and was born in Buckfield, April 30, 1889. She is a graduate of Buckfield High School and the State Nor- Flora E. Whitman mal School at Farmington. For several years she has been a suc- cessful school teacher. Only recently has she turned her atten- tion to writing poetry. Her productions show remarkable talent and give great promise of future prominence in this field of literature. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD A Teibute to Our Soldiers. 'Tis the month of buds and blossoms, Ushering summer on her way, 'Tis the time of tender memories. For it's now Memorial Day. Here and there the soldiers gather. Growing fewer with the years, Now their steps are slow and feeble. Now their eyes are dimmed with tears. Once they were so strong and vahant. Marching to the drum and fife. Pressing forward in the battle. Glorying in the soldier's life. O'er old memories now they ponder. Review the old scenes once again, Look upon their comrades' faces ; 'Tis the day of days to them. Now they are on the battlefield, Where they fought so long and well. Where the cannon roared their vengeance, And the whistling bullets fell. Now they're marching, sick and weary Through the country of their foe; What they suffered in those old days, Only God and they can know. Along the beautiful Potomac, Now the armies quiet lie ; Now they are at Chattanooga; Now at Lookout Mountain high. Then Gettysburg and the Wilderness With other battles known to fame. Then the siege at Petersburg, And at Richmond on the James. Then the war's great Southern leader. Taking counsel with the Lord, Near Virginia's fairest city. Surrendered unto Grant his sword. Five days later came the tidings. Which made sad the hearts of all; That Lincoln, their noble Chieftain, Had answered to the last great call. Digitized by Microsoft® 325 326 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD In memory the bells are tolling, As they tolled upon that day, When the Leader of the People Was laid from earthly cares away. Thus at last the war was ended. After suffering and pain; Thousands were among the wounded, More there were among the slain. Of the many thousand soldiers, Of that band so tried and true, Only a little group of veterans, Who wore the faded coat of blue. Let us honor them while living, With our flags and garlands gay; Honor them with songs and speeches, And thus keep Memorial Day. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 327 CHAPTER XXII. Lawyers. daniel howard, esq. Daniel Howard was the first lawyer of whom we have any account, to practice his profession in Buckfield. He came from Turner shortly after the county of Oxford was formed in 1805. Howard was no doubt the second lawyer who settled in Turner. He was employed in 1802 to defend that town which had been indicted " for neglecting to provide itself with a public teacher of piety, religion and morality" (minister). We find his name on the petition to the General Court of the Commonwealth in 1804, opposing the incorporation of a Universalist society in Turner. On coming to Buckfield he purchased lot No. 10 on North Hill of the heirs of Thomas Coburn. He represented the town in the first court of General Sessions in the county at Paris Hill in 1806. These courts were opened with great formality. A fifer and drummer, after playing awhile in front of the meeting- house in which the courts were held till a court house was built, marched to the tavern and escorted the justices to the court room. The magistrates having been ushered into their seats by the sheriff, the crier stepped to the door and in a loud voice, made the opening proclamations. The law practice of Daniel Howard appears to have been very large. No lawyer in the county had a larger number of cases in court. At the first term he tried two actions before the jury. One he lost but the other he won. Pie did not stay long in Buckfield and having sold his farm to Thomas Long and prob- ably his practice to Henry Farwell, he moved to New Gloucester. From New Gloucester, he went to Jay and from there to Vassal- borough, where he was a practicing attorney as late as 1841. GEN. HENRY FARWELL. Henry Farwell, who succeeded Daniel Ploward in the prac- tice of the law in Buckfield, was born in Chesterfield, N. H., April ID, 1777. He came to Waterford about the time the coun- ty of Oxford was incorporated but soon after went to Norway where he probably read law in the office of Luther Farrar, Esq. Digitized by Microsoft® 328 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD He was the first lawyer to 'be admitted, to the Oxford County Bar. This was at the June term, 1807, of the Court of Common Pleas and the same year he opened an office at Buckfield village on the southern' side of the river near where the post office now stands. January i, 1809, he married Sarah, daughter of Capt. Henry Rust, son of the proprietor of Rustfield, now the southern part of the town of Norway. She was born at Salem, Mass., Feb. 26, 1789 and died at Norway, March 6, 1852. While at Buck- field Farwell and his wife resided in the same building or in one adjoining in which he had his law off.ce. He seems to have prospered for a time, tried his own cases and was fairly successful. But Nathaniel Howe of Paris opened a law office in Buckfield about 1810 and in 1814 Samuel F. Brown came and began the practice of the law. For some rea- son Farwell appears to have lost the support of the leading busi- ness men. The court records show that he was often a litigant as defendant. Judge Reuel Washburn of livermore wrote in 1877 that "Farwell had the reputation of being slow to pay over money collected for his clients and was often .sued for neglect to do so." About 1820, he moved to Dixfield where he wa's post- ma.3ter for many years and prominent in the militia, rising to the rank of Brigadier General. Gen. Farwell while at Buckfield M'as one of the prime movers in the organization of the first ma- sonic lodge in the county at Paris Hill and of which he was the first master. He died at Dixfield, February 21, 1847. HON. NATHANIEL HOWK. Nathaniel Howe, called by his enemies "Gouge"' Howe, was born in Hillsboro, N. H., in 1776. He was the son of Otis and Lucy (Goodale) Flowe of Henniker, N. H., and settled in the practice of his profession at Paris Hill in 1808. For two or three years he had an office at Buckfield village on the northern side of the river on the Hartford road and owned two pieces of land there and on one of them was his office. He also kept open his office on Paris Hill. His commission as Ju.stice of the Peace in 181 1 gives his residence as Buckfield. He soon afterwards moved to Bridgton, where he resided for about ten years, then he removed to South Waterford village where he died January 19, 1829. At the time of his death, he was a mem'ber of the Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 329 Maine Senate and also postmaster at South Waterford, a position which he had held for several years. He was a man of much legal ability. Largely through his efforts special pleading in our courts was abolished. On three occasions he was the 4th of July orator in Paris, once in Buckfield and once in Bridgton. The extracts from his speeches printed in one of the leading journals of the time fully justify the high eulogiums paid him by the editor. SAMUEL F. BROWN, ESQ. Samuel F. Brown was one of the most popular and respected of the lawyers who have practiced their profession in Buckfield. He was born at Sterling, Mass., in April, 1784. For several years during his early youth he was a clerk in a Boston store. When he became of age he made a tour of many of the prominent cities of the United States and spent some time at Charleston, S. C, where an acquaintance advised him to study law. He acted upon that advice and soon began reading law in the office of Judge Mitchell at East Bridgewater, Mass. In 1814 he came to Buckfield and opened a law office in the store of John Loring, esq. He appears from the first to have had the support and influence of the leading men of the town and was elected to the offices of town clerk and selectman and appointed postmaster, a position which he held for about twenty years. In 1817 he married Jane, daughter of Dominicus and Jane (Warren) Record, and built an office for himself on the lot where the law office of Fred R. Dyer now stands. His wife was well educated for those times and was possessed of considerable prop- erty,' which she inherited from her father's estate. Mr. Brown was not a brilliant lawyer, but he was industrious and painstaking and in drawing conveyances, settling estates and disputes between neighbors, proved to be an ideal practitioner and magistrate. From the first, he took a prominent part in temperance movements and was generally selected as secretary of the organizations which he had assisted in forming. He was always an opponent of slavery and advocated its abolition — largely influenced by what he had seen of the institution in the South. Digitized by Microsoft® 330 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD The first Sabbath school in Buckfield was founded principally through his efforts, and he was fts superintendent for many years. He also organized a Sunday School in the DeCoster neighborhood in He'bron, then and for many years thereafter called "Sodom." For several years he was a contributor to the Oxford Observer. In 1850 he sold his real estate in Buckfield to America Farrar and moved to Bangor where he died March 7, 1861 in the 77th year of his age. Judge Washburn thus wrote 'of him : "He was an honest, fair and honorable practitioner, much respected and beloved by the Bar and his neighbors and clients." S.' C. An- drews, Esq., once said of him that he was one of the best men he ever knew. HON. VIEGIL D. PARRIS. Virgil D. Parris was born in Buckfield, Feb. 18, 1807. His parents were Capt. Josiah and Experience (Lowden) Parris. He came of a Revolutionary Patriot family, both his father and grand- father having served in the War for American Independence. He attended the home Grammar School, fitted for college at Hebron Academy and graduated at Union College, New York, in the class of 1827, being the first native of the town to receive a college education. He then began the study of the law first in of- fice of Samuel F. Brown and later with Judge Nicholas Emery of Portland. He attended a Law School in Massachusetts and was admitted to the Oxford Bar at the June term 1830 of the court an opened an office in his native village, being the first one born in Buckfield to practice law here. Mr. Parris early developed an aptitude for politics and soon became one of the most astute and able leaders of his party in Maine. He organized the first Jackson club in the State at Buck- field when he was but twenty years old and the next year he cast his first Presidential vote for "Old Hickory," as Gen. Andrew Jackson was called by his supporters, who was elected. Maine, however, excepting the Portland district, was carried for John Quincy Adams by a vote of 20,773 to 13,927 for Jackson. The town of Buckfield which had cast a unanimous vote for Adams for President in 1824 went for Jackson in 1828 by a vote of 188 to 69. This result indicates the popularity of Virgil D. Parris in his home town and his success in inducing the people to follow his Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 331 leadership. The whole Oxford district had gone for Adams, however, by a vote of 3265 to 2093 for Jackson. This political condition was soon to change. From this tim.e, Mr. Parris rap- idly rose to political prominence and influence. In 183 1 he was elected assistant secretary of the Maine Senate. The next year he was elected to represent the Buckfield district in the Legis- lature and for five years thereafter was annually re-elected. In 1838 he was elected to Congress to fill the vacancy in that body caused by the death of his brother-in-law, Hon. Tim.othy J. Carter of Paris and was re-elected. In 1842 and 1843 he was a Senator in the Maine Legislature and during part of the latter year served as president of that body and for a short period acted as Governor of the State. He might have been elected Governor of Maine in 1846 but having been appointed United States Marshal for the District of Maine in 1844 which position he held for four years, he gave his influence in favor of John W. Dana of Fryeburg and he was nominated and elected. In 1852 Mr. Parris was a delegate to the national convention of the democratic party which nominated Gen. Franklin Pierce of New Hampshire for President and much of the credit for his selection was due to Mr. Parris' efforts. About this time, he moved with his family to Paris Hill, which he made his home to his death. In 1853 he was appointed Special Mail Agent for New England and in 1856 store keeper at the Kittery, Me., Navy Yard which position he held when his party was thrown out of power in the nation in 1861. Mr. Parris was the originator of the Buck- lield Branch Railroad and was the first president of the company organized to build it. For many years he was the principal leader of his party in county and state. He was an honest, bold and straightforward man of great energy of character and of imimpeachable integrity and was always free to state his convictions and fearless in declar- ing them and he regarded with scorn and contempt those who were politically as unstable as water, or who would be all things to all men for office. He was a born leader of men and the aged always had in him a defender. The old- Revolutionary Soldiers of Buckfield regarded him as their special champion and he held all who took part in the War for Independence in the greatest esteem and veneration. For the young, too, he ever had a pleasant word of cheer and encouragement. Digitized by Microsoft® 332 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD The writer recalls when a mere lad that he and an older brother once accosted Mr. Parris while he was at work in his garden near the roadside to inquire the way to North Paris where we were going on some errand. It will never be forgotten how kindly he spoke to ns and the directions he gave. Everything about our trip has been forgotten except our seeing and talking with Mr. Parris. The secret of his influence and power over men has never been difficult tO' understand. In 1833 he married Miss Columbia, daughter of Capt. Samuel and PoUa (Freeland) Raw- son of Paris Hill. When Captain Rawson died his estate was the largest up to that time which had ever been settled in the Oxford County Probate Court. His wife was one of the remarkable women of Paris. She lived to be nearly 97 years old. It was a noted family. Four of the daughters married men of prominence, two being Congressmen and one a General in the Civil War. Mr. Parris died at his home on Paris Hill, June 13, 1874. His widow survives him (1915) in the I02d year of her age, with all her mental faculties unimpaired — a very intelligent and a most re- markable lady. WILLIAM B. BENNETT, ESQ. William Bridgham Bennett, son of John and Lucy (Bridg- ham) Bennett and grandson of Nathaniel and Hannah (Babson) Bennett, was born at South Paris, Aug. 28, 1810. His mother was a sister of Dr. Wm. Bridgham. William's father having died, the widow with her children consisting of three small boys, in 1813 moved to Buckfield where she supported her family with what assistance she received from her brother, by teaching school. At the age of ten, William went to live in the family of Judge Samuel Parris of Hebron and afterwards with his uncle, Dr. Thomas Bridgham of Leeds. In 1824 he began an apprenticeship to learn the cabinet maker's trade with Capt. James Jewett in Buckfield village and was with him three years. He finally went to Waterville where he attended the college fitting school and taught school winters. In the Autumn of 1838 he began reading law in the office of Hon. V. D. Parris at Buckfield. Two years later having passed the examination by the Bar Committee consist- ing of Levi Whitman, Reuel Washburn and Samuel F. Brown, he was admitted to practice. Digitized by Microsoft® Col. Jacob W. Browne Digitized by Microsoft® Sullivan C. Andrews Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD . 335 Mr. Bennett purchased the law library of Mr. Parris and opened an office at Buckfield. He was appointed postmaster that year but the next year the administration having changed he was succeeded in this office by Samuel F. Brown. In 1841 he was ad- mitted to practice law in the United States District Court at Port- land and was appointed commissioner in bankruptcy. In 1848 he removed to Mechanic Falls and later to Avon. He finally settled in Durham where he died Jan. 19, 1887. Mr. Bennett married Mary Hawkes and had two children, Charles, lives in Portland, unmarried. He is a dealer in patent medicines. Ada married a Marriner, for many years a letter carrier and resides also in Portland. COL. JACOB W. BROWNE. Jacob Wardwell Browne was born in Albany, Dec. 2, 1822. In 1846 he entered Bowdoin College and the next year with E. P. Hinds as principal he helped establish the Norway Liberal Insti- tute of which institution he was assistant teacher. For two years he taught mathematics and the languages at Westbrook Sem- inary. Mr. Browne read law in the office of Hon. Elbridge Gerry at Waterford, teaching for several terms in the meantime in the high school at Windham. In 1851 he was admitted to the Bar in this county and the following year opened an office at Buckfield where he lived for several years, taking a prominent part in local and political affairs. For two years he was the village postmas- ter. In 1859 he married Mrs. Margaret Bisbee, daughter of Capt. James Spaulding. Before the breaking out of the war in 1 86 1 he moved to Earlsville, Illinois, where he resided to his death in October, 1892. In whatever he became interested, Mr. Browne was always a leader. He was a large contributor of both prose and poetry to the press. His son, O'Neil Browne, Esq., has inherited many of the prominent characteristics of his father and is one of the ablest and most influential leaders of his party in Illinois. HON. SULLIVAN C. ANDREWS. The Andrews families of New England are descendants of Bishop Lancelot Andrews, D.D., an eminent English divine, son of Thomas of the Suffolk Andrews branch, who came to America in 1630 and settled at Taunton. Bishop' Andrews was born in Digitized by Microsoft® 336 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD London in 1555. He became an author of note, one of the trans- lators of the Bible, a preacher of wonderful power and eloquence and one of the most distinguished scholars of his age. He died Sept. 25, 1626. David, a grandson of Thomas, born in Taunton, Mass., May 23, 1736, married Naoma Briggs. Their oldest child, Edward, was born Dec. 20, 1767. He married Elizabeth, daugh- ter of John Nevens of Poland and settled in Paris. Hon. Charles Andrews, their youngest child, was Clerk of the Courts and Member of Congress; Alfred, their fifth child, born March 9, 1800, married Eliza Cushman. They were the parents of Honor- able Sullivan C. Andrews who was born on Paris Hill, June 18, 1825. He received an academic education and began reading law in the office of Benj. C. Cummings, Esq., in Paris in 1843. He graduated from the Harvard Law School in 1846 and was admitted the same year to the Bar in Cumberland County. The next year was spent in the office of his uncle, Charles Andrews, then Clerk of the Courts. In May, 1847, he opened a law office in Buckfield where he practiced his profession and engaged in various kinds of business for 26 years. In January, 1855, he married Brittania C. Coolidge of Port- land. While at Buckfield, he was repeatedly elected to town office and served a term as attorney for the county and as a member of the Legislature. For many years he was a director in the Buck- field Railroad Company. In 1864, he ran as a candidate for Con- gress, but was defeated as his party was then in a large minority. He moved to Portland in 1873 and several years later to Cam- bridge, Mass., where he died Nov. 10, 1889 from Bright's dis- ease, while holding the office of special examiner of the Pension Department. Mr. Andrews was a business lawyer and he took great pride in being so called. He was a man of courtly manners and digni- fied bearing, a true friend and a generous enemy. Though aris- tocratic in his tastes, he was thoroughly democratic in his inter-' course with men. Children: Thirza, an accomplished lady, married Rev. H. B. Smith, residence Mechanic Falls. ; Alfred Coolidge Andrews born in Buckfield, July 11, 1873. He graduated at Boston Uni- versity Law School. Admitted to the Oxford Bar in 1897 and practiced law for a time at Mechanic Falls. Digitized by Microsoft® George D. Bisbee Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 339 THOMAS J. BRIDGHAMj ESQ. Thomas Jefferson Bridgham, son of Thomas of Hebron was Dom there June 20, 1833. His early education was such as could be acquired at the district school on Brighton Hill in that town. At fifteen years of age he began attending Hebron Academy where he fitted for Waterville College which institution he en- tered in 1853. After his college course he began reading law in the ofiice of S. C. Andrews at Buckfield and was admitted to the Oxford County Bar in 1857. He opened an office in the village where he remained four years in the practice of his profession. In 1859 he married Miss Susan Hayford of Canton. In 1861 Mr. Bridgham moved to Waterford, Where he resided for four years. On account of failing health he returned to Buckfield, dying here May 20, 1866. HON. GEORGE D. BISEEE. One of the most astute and able lawyers and politicians who have ever resided in Buckfield is George Dana Bisbee. His par- ents were George Washington and Mary B. (Howe) Bisbee. He comes of Revolutionary and Puritan stock and was born in Hart- ford, Maine, July 9, 1841. He received his education in the com- mon and high schools of the vicinity where he lived and began reading law in the office of Randall & Winter at Dixfield. The breaking out of the Civil War in 1861 found him still a law student and less than 20 years old. The next year he as- sisted in organizing a company of volunteers which became Co. C. of the i6th Regiment, Maine Infantry, and he was appointed to the very responsible position of orderly sergeant. His first battle was at Fredericksburg, Va., on the 13th of December, 1862, where the regiment was hotly engaged and lost heavily. Sergeant Bisbee received such a severe wound in the left arm that the surgeons insisted on its amputation but he would on no account permit it and the arm was saved though it has never healed. He was promoted to second lieutenant and with his wounded arm in a sling rejoined his company in time to par- ticipate in the disastrous battle of Chancellorsville, Va., May t-3, 1863, the regiment making a forced march of 25 miles to reach the position assigned it and was one of the organizations selected to cover the retreat of the army across the Rappahannock. His Digitized by Microsoft® 340 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD third battle was at Gettysburg, Pa., July i, 1863, where the gal- lant men of the i6th Maine were ordered to advance northwest of the town and hold their position at all hazards to enable the surviving heroes of the First Corps to take a new position on , Cemetery Ridge. Like Leonidas and his immortal 300 Spartans at Thermopyle they knew the order meant death or capture, but they executed the movement quickly and occupied the position designated. Lieut. Bisbee's company carried the colors as the Regiment went forward "into the jaws of death and the mouth of hell." They stopped the enemy for a brief period — precious moments for what was left of the First Corps, the most of whom got away, but cut down by shot and shell and surrounded by an enemy flushed with victory, there was nothing for Bisbee and his com- patriots but to surrender. Here took place an act for which their praises will long be sung. They would not give up their flag and as it went tO' the earth at Lieut. Bisbee's suggestion it was stripped from its standard and hastily torn into pieces of which each man preserved one to keep as a precious relic of his service. Lieut. Bisbee was confined in several Southern prisons for eighteen months when he was paroled and exchanged. He joined his regiment in time tO' participate in the engagement which resulted in the Surrender of Lee's Army at Appomattox. On returning home he took up his law studies and was admitted to the Oxford bar in December, 1865, his mind having gained in his war college course a grasp of principles of ju.stice and equity that no law school could possibly instill. He opened a law office in Buckfield, in January, 1866, and continued there in practice to 1892, when he removed to Rumford Falls, where he is now (1915) senior member of the law firm of Bisbee & Parker. He is a member of the bar of the supreme court of the United States. Mr. Bisbee is recognized as one of the foremost business lawyers in the state. No man in the county has ever so long retained his hold upon the management of affairs and this is due not merely to his ability, sagacity and shrewdness but also- to his integrity and of his faithfully keeping his engagements. In the manage- ment of causes in court he is especially effective. His knowledge of everyday men and things, his thoroughly democratic bearing and his plain, hard common sense make him very successful with Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 341 juries and particularly good as adviser — as counsel before legis- lative bodies and in getting results in everything he undertakes. Hon. Charles W. Walton, one of the most eminent justices of the supreme court of this state, once during the trial of a case where he was presiding, said to the members of the bar present that Mr. Bisbee's twenty minutes argument for his client was a model. His best piece of legislative work was the law he was instru- mental in getting passed to rescue the Buckfield Railroad from the unfortunate condition in which it was left by the Smith man- agement which greatly surprised the old stagers in legislative pro- ceedings. For this Mr. Bisbee was highly complimented by Hon. James W. Bradbury, a former United States Senator. Mr. Bisbee has served as State's Attorney for Oxford County ; been both Representative and Senator in the Legislature, United States Marshal for the District of Maine ; State Bank Examiner and as a member of Gov. Wm. T. Cobb's Council in 1905-07. In politics he is a Republican. He is a strong advocate of temper- ance and a member of the Baptist Church at Rumford Falls. His business interests, independent of his professional and polit- ical conn'ections, include the presidency of the Rumford Falls Trust 'Company, in the organization of which he took a promi- nent part and is also a director and attorney for the Portland and Rumford Falls Railroad Co. and connected with several other local and business enterprises. Mr. Bisbee v/as made chairman of the Board of Trustees of Hebron Academy in 1907 and is now president of that institution, having served as vice-president for several years. He married, July 8, 1866, Anna Louise, daughter of Hon. Isaac N. Stanley of Dixfield and their children are: Stanley and Mary Louise, wife of Mr. Everett R. Josselyn of the firm of Brown & Josselyn of Portland, wholesale flour dealers. CHARLES F. WHITMAN, ESQ. Charles F. Whitman was the third native of Buckfield to open a law office in the village. He was born Feb. 6, 1848 in the southern part of the town on the farm where his great-grand- father, Jacob Whitman, settled after his service in the Con- tinental Army. On his mother's side he is descended from Abi- jah Buck for whom the town was named and from Micah Foster of Pembroke, a Massachusetts Minute man in the War for Inde- pendence. On both sides, he is descended from seven of that im- Digitized by Microsoft® 342 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD mortal band who signed the "Compact of Government" in the cabin of the Mayflower. Eleven of his ancestors of both sexes, among whom were Elder Wm. Brewster, "Chief of the Pilgrims," William Mullens, Francis Cooke, John Alden and John Howland came in the Mayflower; two, one of whom was the courtly Gov. Thomas Prince in the Fortune and ten, among whom were George Morton and his son, Nathaniel, afterwards the Secretary. of the Colony for many years and author of the New England Memorial came in the Ann and Little James. And it is a remarkable fact that the three romantic courtships, among the Pilgrims in these voyages over sea — all resulting in marriages — were of his ancestors. Mr. Whitman fitted for college at Hebron Academy and the Bates Latin School, but instead of taking a college course, as at first intended, he entered the office of Hon. S. C. Andrews and began the study of the law, and while pursuing these studies, taught the high school in the village for several terms. In Sep- tember, 1868, when not quite twenty-one, he was admitted to the Bar in this county and having married Miss Mary A. Dinsmore of Norway, daughter of Ansel and Judith C. (Morse) Dinsmore, moved to Mechanic Falls the next year and opened a law office. He met with excellent success but in 1871 he returned to Buck- field and had his office in the one formerly occupied by Hon. John D. Long. In February, 1873, he moved to Norway, where he has since resided. For many years he was connected with the schools in various positions and has never lost his interest in them. He was the originator of the Norway Public Library and solicited the first subscriptions for buying books. Mr. Whitman has from boy- hood been interested in the cause of Temperance and all moral reforms. He delights to take part in the political speaking cam- paigns and the exercises of Memorial Day. Through his efforts the Norway Municipal Court was established in 1885 and he wab appointed its first judge and served ten years, then resigned to become Clerk of the Courts, which position he held for twenty years. Mr. Whitman has been a large contributor to the press, written many sketches and short stories, devoted much time to genealogical and historical research, is a member of the Whit- man, Packard and Alden Associations and one of the authors of this history. Digitized by Microsoft® Oscar H. Hersey Digitized by Microsoft® Capt. Thomas S. Bridgham Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIEI.D 345 HON. OSCAR H. HEESEY. A successful practitioner of ttie law here was Oscar Henry Hersey born at Freeport, Me., April 9, 1852. His father was Rev. Levi Hersey, a Free Will Baptist clergjaiian. Mr. Hersey is a graduate of Litchfield Academy in this state. In his nine- teenth year he moved with his father to Buckfield and, in 1875, began reading law in the office of Hon. Geo. D. Bisbee. He was admitted to practice in March, 1877, and opened an office here. He acquired a great reputation and was successful in building up a good business in the courts of Oxford, Androscoggin and Cum- berland Counties. Mr. Hersey was elected attorney for this county in 1886 and served two terms. He was later elected Representative and Sen- ator to the Legislature. For some years, while at Buckfield, he was a partner of Hon. Geo. D. Bisbee, under the firm name of Bisbee & Hersey. When Mr. Bisbee moved to Rumford in 1894, the partnership was dissolved. In 1899 Mr. Hersey moved to Portland and with Judge Enoch Foster, one of the brightest of legal minds, opened an office under the firm name of Foster & Hersey. Mr. Hersey was admitted to practice in the District and Circuit courts of the United States. He is a sharp and efficient business man as well as a lawyer. When Charles Forster, who had been a large manufacturer of toothpicks in Buckfield and other places died, Mr. Hersey was appointed according to the terms of his will Trustee to carry on the extensive business Mr. Forster had built up. He now resides in Phillips. In 1879 he married Ida A., daughter of Charles H. and Cynthia (Harris) Berry. She is a descendant of Dea. William Berry, one of the early settlers in Buckfield. They have three children : Augustus M., born Oct. 30, 1881 ; Caroline B., born April 16, 1883 ; Arvilla M., born May 12, 1892. CAPT. THOMAS S. BRIDGHAM. Thomas S. Bridgham, son of Sydenham Bridgham, the fourth native of the town to practice law here, was born Nov. 25, 1836. He was a school boy with John D. Long, Edward L. Parris and others of later note in the old village schoolhouse on Loring's Hill. He fitted for college in the academies of Hebron, West- brook and Bethel and entered Tufts College in 1855, remaining Digitized by Microsoft® 346 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD about a year. He then continued his studies in Bethel, went West for a short time and returning to Buckficld, began the study of law with Sullivan C. Andrews, Esq., with whom he remained about a year. He finished his legal studies with Judge Howard and Sewell C. Strout, Esq., in Portland, where he was admitted to the Cumberland Bar in 1859. He then opened an office at Bryant's Pond, where he married Martha H., daughter of Hon. James H. Farnum. He subsequently followed his profes- sion in Windham and Mechanic Falls and on the breaking out of the Civil War became a recruiting officer. He enlisted in 1863 as a private in a Maine regiment, but was soon appointed by Gov. Andrew, a second lieutenant in the 54th Massachusetts Regiment in which he served until his discharge, Aug. 16, 1865. Return- ing from the war he engaged some years in business pursuits in Buckfield and Portland, after which he resumed the practice of law in his native town. In politics Mr. Bridgham has been a life-long democrat and prominent in the councils of his party, having served several years as state committeeman and in state and national conven- tions. He was elected representative to the Legislature from Buckfield in 1880 and under President Cleveland's first adminis- tration, he received an appointment in the Portland Custom House, where he remained over four years, holding the office of weigher and gauger and inspector. Pie returned in 1891 to Buckfield, where he has since remained in the practice of his pro- fession and the pursuits of other business. For several years he has been a large owner in the brush factory. He has been prom- inent in local public affairs, serving the town many years as one of its selectmen. Pie owns and occupies the law office formerly built and occupied by Hon. George D. Bisbee, and till its recent sale, resided in the old family mansion built by his grandfather. Dr. William Bridgham. He belongs to the orders of Masonry and the G. A. R. and is a member of the Episcopal church. In 1815 he was appointed by the President one of the Board of Man- agers of the Soldiers' Homes. FREDERICK R. DYER, ESQ. Frederick R. Dyer was born in Oldtown, Me., Oct. 3, 1873 and is the only child of William H. and Catherine (Noonan) Dyer. He is ninth in descent from Deacon Thomas Dyer, the Digitized by Microsoft® Frederick R. Dyer Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 349 iiTUiiigrant ancestor who came to America in 1632 and settled at Weymouth, Mass. The name is of EngHsh origin, derived from occupation. The family coat of arms is a plain shield sur- mounted by a wolf's head. A reproduction appears on a tomb- stone in the Copp's Hill burying ground, Boston. Thomas Dyer was admitted to the rights of a freeman in 1644 and was an innkeeper in Weymouth and one of the leading citizens of his day. He was deacon of the church there and closely connected with Dea. John Whitman, the first deacon of the church and the first military officer and magistrate in that town. He was a representative to the General Court in 1646. Dea. Dyer married (i) Agnes Reed, who died Dec. 4, 1667 and (2) Elizabeth (Adams) Harding. He had ten children, all by first wife. He died Nov. 3, 1676 and his estate was valued at over 2000 pounds — a property greater in purchasing power then than thirty to forty thousand dollars would be now. The line of descent from Dea. Thomas Dyer is as follows : William, ninth child born about 1658, married Joanna Chard; Christopher, second child born about 1701, married Hannah Nash and settled in Abington; Lieut. Christopher, third child born about 173s, married Ruth Hunt; Asa, youngest of six children, born July, 1773, married in 1801 Mehitable Chamberlain and set- tled in Skowhegan, Me. ; Joseph, the youngest of eight children, married Dorcas and had one child, Frederick, born in Hollis, Dec. 22, 1805, married Sarah K. Darrah and settled in Oldtown ; William H., a mechanic and millwright, the oldest of three chil- dren, born June 9, 1846, married Catherine Noonan of St. George, New Brunswick. She was born June 30, 1846 and died Feb. 8, 1896. The subject of this sketch was educated in the Canton, Me., schools and graduated at Hebron Academy in 1894. He entered Colby College where he remained two years, then began reading law in the office of Hon. O. H. Hersey at Buckfield and was admitted to the Oxford Bar in 1897. Two years later he com- m_enced active practice at Buckfield village and at once took high rank in his profession. He represented the town in the Legisla- ture of the State in 1907 and was elected State's Attorney for Oxford County in 1912. Mr. Dyer has the too rare gift of orderliness and promptness — is a close student of the law, a safe counselor and gives great promise of future distinction. He married in 1900, Mis? Lena H., daughter of Edwin and Lola (Record) Maxim of Buckfield. Digitized by Microsoft® 350 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD CHAPTER XXIII. Physicians. For several years after the settlement of Buckfield it was without a resident physician, and the people were obliged to send to other towns for medical attendance. Probably the first physi- cian to practice here was Dr. Daniel Childs, who was bom in Woodstock, Conn., Oct. 8, 1747. He received his medical educa- tion in France, was married in 1777 and moved to Turner, Me., in 1781, settling on Lower Street. He was moderator of the first town meeting and was a prominent citizen of that town until his death in 1802. He was a skilful physician, having a great repu- tation for success in treatment of bilious colic. His field of prac- tice embraced the settlements in Buckfield which he often visited. DR. SAMUEL FRINK. Dr. Samuel Frink was probably the first resident physician in Buckfield. He was a native of Rutland, Mass., and the son of Dr. John Frink, a man of prominence, who practiced medicine and held many offices in that town, and was a member of the con- vention to frame the Constitution of Massachusetts. The son, Samuel, came to Buckfield about 1797, but we are led to infer that notwithstanding the prestige of his father and the desirability of a local physician, his settlement here was not warmly welcomed; for it appears from what is related in the annals that he had come into town without the consent of the town authorities and with others was served with notice to leave town, after the custom of excluding new comers who might become town charges. He seems, however, to have satisfied the authorities in this respect and settled on land purchased for him by his father of Rutland, on which he resided during his stay in town. This land was the homestead lot occupied by the late Dir. O'. R. Hall. The tax lists show the name of Samuel Frink till 181 1, when it is presumed that he returned to Massachusetts. He settled in Paxton in that state, where he died March 31, 1846, aged eighty-two years. DR. EBENEZER TAYLOR. Dr. Ebenezer Taylor was in practice in Buckfield from 1801 to 1804, when he moved to Farmington, where he was regarded as a good physician and was well patronized. Digitized by Microsoft® Dr. William Bridgham Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 353 DR. WILLIAM BRIDGHAM, JR. With clatter of hoofs and their echoes replying, Rides the sturdy old doctor, his figure erect. Whatever the season, no summons denying. With cheer for the living and ease for the dying. His hope-giving presence time long will reflect. Dr. William Bridgham, Jr., was the next physician to settle here. A man of positive character and great energy, he wrought a notaJble record of usefulness which is prominently interwoven with the annals of the town. He was born in Plymouth, Mass., Nov. 26, 1780, and was the son of Dr. William arid Anna (Ham- mond) Bridgham, who early moved from Massachusetts to New Gloucester, Me. He became familiar with medicine under his father's instruction and subsequently continued his studies with an apothecary in Portland and a physician in Dover, N. H. He was an apt student and after concluding his studies, he com- menced practice in Sumner, Me., boarding with Squire John Briggs. But after remaining there a few months he became dis- satisfied with his prospects and settled in Buckfield in the year 1803, where he passed the remainder of his life. That year he married Hannah Bradbury of New Gloucester, by whom he had four daughters and three sons. When he came to Buckfield he was more than penniless, as he had a borrowed horse and bridle and was five hundred dollars in debt, which was a large sum for those days. There soon came a time when creditors took measures to arrest him for debts which he could not then satisfy. Arrest then meant imprisonment, and while evading the officers of the law they suddenly withdrew their importunities, and he was left unmolested. It appears that he had an unknown patron and warm friend in Benjamin Spaulding, the second, who, discerning the sterling qualities of the young physician, quietly assumed his liabilities and gave him his own time for payment. This confidence was not misplaced, for the doctor was soon able to discharge all his financial obligations, and his life-long gratitude and veneration was bestowed on kind- hearted "Uncle Ben," who had befriended him in his time of need. The doctor's career was one of prosperity. He soon dis- tanced all his competitors and acquired large property and emi- nence in his profession. He was an industrious man, often Digitized by Microsoft® 354 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD spending the day with his hired men clearing land and attending to his professional labors at night. For many years he lived as befitted his means in the humble home to which he first brought his bride, but after acquiring in- dependence, he erected in 1817, on the commanding site between the two roads diverging northward from the village, the large square house, known as the old Dr. Brldgham house, which be- came a home of comfort and a mansion of hospitality. His pro- fessional and business interests increased till he became one of the most wealthy citizens of the community, but later he suffered heavy losses through investments in the Buckfield Branch Rail- road and expensive litigation associated therewith, which serious- ly reduced his property and weighed heavily upon his declining years. The mission of the old-time country doctor was one of mani- fold dependencies and in notable contrast with that of his suc- cessor of modern times. He had no convenient drug stores stocked with anesthetics and prepared specifics, no trained as- sistants or hospitals to which he could take patients in critical cases; but he was the sole rel'ance, not only the faithful family doctor, but the compounder and dispenser of medicine, the sym- pathetic friend, often the tender nurse and not infrequently the spiritual comforter in seasons of death and affliction. Dr. Bridg- ham was a conspicuous type of this' class. When he commenced practice in Buckfield the country was comparatively new and sparsely settled with few roads which in many places were noth- ing but paths. H's professional visits were performed on foot and horseback with his supply of medicines in h's saddle-bags. He was an expert rider and his erect figure moving along the rougli ways was a familiar one to all the country round. From far and near, in sunshine and storm, he answered all summonses, his presence an inspiration in every household. For m.ore than sixty years he was a prominent citizen of the town and a physi- cian of wide renown. He was always active in municipal affairs, served as postmaster and in 1828 represented the town in the Legislature. He was a great lover of rural life, owned extensive tracts of land and cultivated a large farm. PTe was a man of san- guine temperament and impressive individuality, quick of temper, but kindly of heart ; in religion, a strong Universalist, in pol'tics, a life-long Jefferson democrat. Fie was an ardent Freemason, Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 355 having received his degrees at Topsham in 1806. He died Nov. 13, 1864, at the age of eighty-four years and was buried with masonic honors by Nezinscot Lodge of Turner. DR. SAMUEL FEYE. Dr. Samuel Frye was in practice here in 1810, but probably was not long a resident here as his name only appears on the town records of that year. He acquired some reputation as a specialist, but little is now known of his personal history and the preservation of his record in town is due less to his personality as a physician than to his litigation with Dr. William Bridgham which has come down to us as a famous lawsuit. This legal controversy was one of absorbing interest to the whole community and became notorious through the whole county. When Dr. Bridgham, young, zealous and ambitious, settled in the village he was received as a politic move, into partnership by Dr. Frink, but their total incompatibilty of temperament rendered this union of short duration and the growing popularity of the younger man and the corresponding decline in the practice of the elder bred a state of ill feeling between them.. This feeling was intensified as time went on and was evidently communicated to Dr. Frye on his settlement in town some years later. At any rate the two were united in implacable opposition to Dr. Bridgham, hoping, no doubt, to displace him in popular estimation, but they found in him an antagonist all ready and eager to accept the gauge of battle. Dr. Frye, it appears, acquired for a time quite a reputation for breaking up fevers. Finally one of his patients, a promising young girl in the Lowell neighborhood, died from the effects, it was said, of his giving her mercury and a reaction followed. Dr. Frye claimed that Dr. Bridgham started this talk and sued him for slander, claiming damages at one thousand dollars. He em- ployed a noted lawyer, Gen. Samuel Fessenden, and Dr. Bridg- ham's lawyers were Albion K. Parris and Judge Stephen Emery. The declaration in the writ was carefully drawn and in part as follows : "Whereas the said Frye is a good, true, honest and just citizen of this Commonwealth, and is a physician of regular standing Digitized by Microsoft® 356 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD and qualified to do business as a physician in said town of Buck- field, and has the reputation of a good physician as aforesaid, yet the said Bridgham, well knowing the premises, tut maliciously contriving to defame the plaintiff, and to bring him into disgrace in his said professon of a physician and wholly to destroy his business did on the 5th day of September, 1810, in a certain dis- course of and concerning the plaintifiF as a physician, with certain good citizens of the town of Buckfield and in their presence and hearing, and otherwise falsely and maliciously say, speak and publish the following false, scandalous and defamatory words, that is to say: '' ' She (meaning one Miriam Gammon, who was a patient un- der the care of the said plaintiff, who was her physician) was poisoned to death by mercury,' meaning that the said plaintiff had poisoned her, or words to that effect." The declaration continues with two other counts in the usual legal phraseology, setting forth similar language attributed to Dr. Bridgham, relative to the poisoning of patients through the use of mercury by Dr. Frye. The action was tried at the May term, 181 1, of the Court of Common Pleas. The plea of the defendant was the general issue, not guilty, "reserving liberty to introduce any special matter of defence." Numerous witnesses were sum- moned on either side, and the case was thoroughly tried. The verdict was for the defendant, Dr. Bridgham, who recovered judgment for his costs, taxed at $22.15. The case was appealed to the Supreme Judicial Court then held at Portland. It was probably never entered there, as no record of the action appears in that court. Dr. Bridgham's victory was complete. His rivals. Doctors Frink and Frye, both soon after disappeared from Buck- field and we hear no more of them-. DR. JACOB H. CiMPBELI,. Dr. Jacob H. Campbell was in active practice in Buckfield in 1829. It does not appear of record that he was long a resident of the town, and little can be obtained of his history. He was prominent for his knowledge of anatomy. DE. SP.\ULDING. A Dr. Spaulding was in Buckfield in 1830. Pie boarded with Dr. William Bridgham, with whom he formed some sort of a temporary partnership. He was favorably regarded by the peo- ple, but after remaining about a year he changed to another locality. Digitized by Microsoft® H [STORY OF BUCKFIELD 357 DR. WILLIAM COMSTOCK. Dr. William Comstock was of Smithfield, R. I., in June, 1829. He bought a farm on Sumner Hill, Me., in January, 1832, and practiced medicine some years in Sumner. He sold his farm to James S. Barrett and in 1835 purchased of John Taylor the Will- iam Pidgin homestead farm in Buckfield, now the home of Cyrus M. Irish, where he remained in practice till August, 1841, when he went to Massachusetts and established himself in practice. He was a man of refined manners, scholarly attainments and par- ticular in matters of dress and habits. He was popular with the people and enjoyed a large professional business. DR. CYRUS H. COOLIDGE. Dr. Cyrus H. CooHdge was born in Canton, May 11, 1800. He was inclined to study and entered Bowdoin College from which he graduated in 1825 in the class with Henry Wardsworth Longfellow. He studied medicine with his uncle. Dr. Cornelius Holland of Canton and after taking his medical degree com- menced practice at Canton Point. He came to Buckfield in 1841, succeeding Dr. William Comstock, whose homestead farm he purchased in 1842. He remained here in active practice about ten years, acquiring a large professional business. He was a man of blunt speech and many peculiarities of character, but was regarded as a very good physician. In 1852 he left Buckfield and went to California, stopping in various places in that state un- til i860, when he finally located in Nevada. He again removed to California where he died in 1871. DR. JOHN S. DRAKE. Dr. John S. Drake, son of John Drake, was born in Buck- field, Nov. 14, 1809. When he was young the family moved to Piscataquis County. He graduated from Bowdoin College, studied medicine and became a practitioner of the Thompsonian School. He returned to Buckfield about 1843 and resided in the house now occupied by Gilbert Tilton. He devoted some of his time to school teaching and while here married his second wife, Amanda Wood, then of Hartford. He remained here in practice till November, 1847, when he moved to Turner and from there Digitized by Microsoft® 368 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD to Paris in 1852. In 1855 he went West and passed most of his remaining years in the practice of his profession in Illinois and Iowa. Owing to failing health, he finally removed to Santa Bar- bara, Cal., where he died June 3, 1887. He was a man of pleas- ing manners and attractive personal appearance. DR. WILLIAM PINKNEY BRIDGHAM. Dr. William Pinkney Bridgham, son of Dr. William Bridg- ham, was born in Brickfield, Sept., 13, 1816. His early education was obtained in the town schools, the Buckfield High School, taught by Cyril Pearl, and Westbrook Seminary. At an early age he chose the practice of medicine for his life work and in fit- ting himself for this profession he was highly favored in the asso- ciations of his youth with so^ skillful a physician as his father. AVhen but a mere lad he was a frequent companion of his father oh his visits to patients and was present at many consultations of doctors over critical cases, which made a strong impression upon his youthful mind. He made himself familiar with the books in his father's library, making considerable progress in the study of anatomy by himself without the knowledge of any one in the family. He followed his home studies with a course in the rned- ical department at Bowdoin, from which he meritoriously grad- uated in 1844. He settled in Canton where he married Miss Del- phina Hayford of that town and practiced his profession about a year. He then returned to his native town, where he soon gained a large professional business, which was largely augmented dur- ing the declining years of his father by calls from families which had so long patronized the elder, which naturally went to the son. With the exception of a five years' settlement in Auburn from 1878 to 1883, he has resided in Buckfield from the date of his settlement till the present time and his active professional Hfe covers about half a century. Modest of demeanor, unpretentious of skill, seeking no honors or emoluments from his fellow men. Dr. Bridgham has devoted all these busy years solely to his profession, never prominently engaging in any other affairs. He has always enjoyed the fullest confidence of the people and has earned a most excellent reputa- tion as a safe fam.ily physician. Physically strong and of an obliging nature, he has always faithfully attended upon the sick Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 359 over a wide field of practice, readily exposing himself to the rains of summer and snows of winter. Though of late years he has had some attacks of illness, yet he is well preserved for a man of his years, and is now rounding out a life of usefulness and honor in the retirement of his old home, enjoying the universal esteem and respect of the whole community. DR. GEORGE WASHINGTON TURNER. Dr. George Washington Turner was the son of George and Betsey Turner of Leeds and the eldest of a family of eleven chil- dren, who lived to reach m.anhcod and womanhood. He was born in that town in March, 1809. He was educated in the town schools and academies of neighboring towns, attended medical lectures in Philadelphia, and graduated from Bowdoin Medical School in 1841. He began the practice of his profession that year in Dixfield. He married Luna Smith of Readfield, who died during his residence in Dixfield. From that town he came to Buckfield where he married in 1855 for his second wife, Angerone Howe of Sumner and resided in the house now occu- pied by Dr. Arthur E. Cole. After several years of successful practice here he moved to West Sumner, where he followed his profession till h'!s death which occurred Nov. 4, 1859. He had good qualifi.cations for his profession anil was a physician of ability and large practice. DR. CHARLES lANA BRADBURY. Dr. Charles Dana Bradfovtry was born in Canton, Me., Jan. 16, 1828. When twent3'-one years of age he entered Waterville College and remained twO' years when he left that institution to take up a course of medical studies which he completed in Ver- mont. He came to Buckfield, taught school extensively and in •1854 married Malona R., daughter of Hon. Thomas Chase, and established himself in the practice of his profession. In his ed- ucational work here he accjuired a reputation as an excellent in- structor. He continued in practice here many years, and became considerably interested in local and poHtical affairs, holding sev- eral town offices. He had scholarly inclinations and was a man of extensive reading and wide information. After his marriage Digitized by Microsoft® 360 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD he resided in Btickfield with the exception of a few years in Woodstock, until his death which occurred Dec. 15, 1892. Ow- ing to poor health in his later years he gave up practice and re- sided on a farm near the village which is the present home of his widow. DR. CHARLES A. PARSONS. Dr. Charles A. Parsons, son of Col. Aaron Parsons was born in Buckfield, Jan. 18, 1824. He attended the schools of his na- tive town and received his medical education in Vermont. After his graduation he settled in St. Albans, Me. He subsequently practiced for a time in Wisconsin, but returned to St. Albans. He was in practice in Buckfield in 1860, remaining about a year, after which he had settlements in Hartland and Caribou and lastly in Friendship where he died in August, 1886. DR. CHARLES BURR ERIDGHAM. Dr. Charles Burr Bridgh.am, grandson of Dr. William Bridg- ham, was born in Buckfield, May i, 1841. He commenced the study of medicine at the age of eighteen with his uncle, Dr. Will- iam P. Bridgham and subsequently graduated from the medical school at Brunswick. On the commencement of the war of the Rebellion in 1861 he enlisted as hospital steward in the Second Regiment, United States Sharpshooters and was taken prisoner at the second battle of Manassas in 1862. He remained in the Confederate lines two weeks and was released on parole, but re- mained a prisoner six months. During this time he came home and continued his medical studies at Bowdoin and Harvard. He was released from parole by exchange and appointed assistant surgeon and later surgeon of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry He remained with the regiment till the summer of 1864, when he resigned on account of physical disability. He returned' to Buckfield and established himself in practice, having married, March 22, 1864, Miss Addie M. Williams of this town. At the end of two years he sold his business to Dr. Atwood Crosby and settled in Cape Elizabeth, where he remained two years in com- pany with Dr. John Buzzell. The salt water proving deleterious to his wife's health, he settled in Livermore, where he remained ten years. He then returned to Buckfield, purchased a residence Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OB- BUCKFIELD 301 and remained in practice till April 18, 1887, when he removed to Cohasset, Mass., where he now resides, having a large and lucra- tive practice. He is a member of the Masons and Odd Fellows, having joined the former when a student at Bowdoin. Dr. Bridgham enjoys the prestige of a remarkable ancestral record in his profession, he being the fifth physician of the name in direct lineage from Dr. Joseph Bridgham, who graduated from Harvard College in 1719 and was a physician in Boston and the continuity of this professional line is to be continued in Dr. Bridgham's son, Paul, who has recently completed his med- ical studies and is now associated with his father in practice. DR. ATWOOD CROSBY. Dr. Atwood Crosby was born in Albion, Me., Nov. i, 1838. He entered Waterville College in i860, but on the breaking out of the war in 1861, he enlisted as a private in the Third Maine Infantry, was taken prisoner at Bull Run and remained eleven months in prisons at Richmond, Va., and Salisbury, N. C, com- ing home on parole in June, 1862. As his parole prevented his return to the service, he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. N. R. Boutelle in Waterville, and graduated from Bowdoin Medical School in 1864. Having in the meantime been ex- •changed, he at once returned to the service under a commission as assistant surgeon in the navy, but after a service of about a year a serious attack of chills obliged him to return home. His first settlement as a physician was in China,' from which town he came to Buckfield in 1866, succeeding Dr. Charles B. Bridgham. He remained here nearly two years, receiving liberal patronage and then in 1868, accepted an offer of partnership with Dr. N. R. Boutelle at Waterville and at once removed to that place, where he enjoyed the esteem of the public and an unusually large practice during the remainder of his life. In 1882 he took a trip to Las Vegas, N. M., and died at that place, Jan. 25, 1883. Dr. Crosby was twice married, first in 1865 to Mary E. Hanson of Benton, by whom he had one child, now the wife of A. K. Butler of Skowhegan, second, while in Waterville, to Mrs. Wilson, now of Dexter, by whom he had four children, only one of whom, Mrs. John E. Wilson of Waterville is now living. Digitized by Microsoft® 362 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD DR. OREAN RENSSELAER HALL. Dr. Orran Rensselaer Hall was born in Naples.. Me., April 23, 1838. He graduated at Bridgton Academy in 1859, giv.'ng the prize oration and valedictory. He entered Bowdoin College that year, but remained at Bridgton during the two succeeding terms as instructor in the academy, keeping up his college studies there. He was chosen class orator in 1861, but near the end oi spring of that year he had an attack of iritis, which through mal- treatment, gradually destroyed the sight of one eye and greatly impaired the other. This ended his college course abruptly, changed the current of his whole after life, made law his chosen profess-on impossible, barred him from army life in the Civil War and wrecked all his future plans and ambitions. For fourteen years thereafter he was unable to read except for a few moments at rare intervals,- but during this period he taught several terms of high school, conducting the recitations from memory, as he was unable to use text-books. He studied medicine by being read to and listening to lectures and graduated from Bowdoin Medical College in 1867. In November of that year he bought out Dr. Atwood Crosby at Buckfield and began practice, receiv- ing an appointment as pension examiner the following year. In December, 1868, he married Mary R., youngest daughter of Hon. Noah Prince of Buckfield. In spite of his partial blind- ness his practice was large and successful for about fifteen years in his various settlements. In the summer of 1872 he sold out in Buclcfield to Dr. John C. Irish and moved tO' Weston, Mass., where he was in practice till the end of 1878, when a growing throat and lung trouble compelled him to leave the damp climate there and return to the interior of Maine, locating at South Paris. A carriage accident, followed with nearly fatal pneu- monia, incapacitated him for active practice, and he was ap- pointed to a position in the War Department at Washington, but after two months' stay he had tO' abandon it and was given a place in the pension office soon after, but was unable to do the work. Returning to South Paris he hastily closed out his prac- tice there and came back to Buckfield completely broken down. He went to Boston for treatment in the Spring of 1887 and on leaving the hospital in July he made a sea voyage to the Azores and Madeira, returning in December with health restored. In the summer of 1888 he became the representative of Reed Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 363 & Carnrick, pharmaceutists of New York, travelling extensively in New England and the West, and finally settling down in Bos- ton as their resident representative there. But his many misfor- tunes of life were not ended. In May, 1894, some bits of glass penetrated the cornea of his remaining eye, gradually destroying the sight, an attack of lead poisoning came about the same time and after two years of suffering he was left blind, with health hopelessly impaired. He then bought the Deacon David Farrar farm on the outskirts of the village, -which he named "Saint's Rest" and built a plant for the breeding of thoroughbred poultry stock. During the succeeding years of darkness he found mental occupation in literary work and delivering public ad- dresses as .strength permitted, but in his last years he suffered great depression from his bodily ailments which resulted in death, Nov. 24, 1903. Notwithstanding his early partial and subsequent total blindness, Dr. flail had few 'superiors in schol- arly acquirements and literary versatility, having followed his early studies with a life-long familiarity with historic associa- tions and kept in close touch with the world's best literature. He was a book-lover in the truest sense of the term. Books were his daily companions during the years of his professional and business activity and his solace in the days of his retirement. When a young man, contributions from his pen frequently ap- peared in the periodicals of the day which, with "those of later years, are characterized with thoughtfulness and graceful ex- pression. In the lecture field he delivered many admirable ad- dresses, especially on the various phases of the Civil War. DE. JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN CALDWELL. Dr. Joseph Chamberlain Caldwell, now an active practitioner in Buckfield, was born in Topsham, Vt., Dec. 3, 1842. He passed his youth on a farm, attending the district school and teaching. Resolving to study medicine he entered the medical department of Bowdoin College from which he graduated in 1870, having in the meanwhile taken special courses in geology and chemistry. He was wholly dependent on his own efforts and paid the expenses of his medical course by teaching school in winter and working in the hay field or at other manual labor in summer. In the autumn following his graduation he came to Digitized by Microsoft® 364 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Buckfield through the recommendation of Fred H. Wilson, now a prominent pharmacist of Brunswick, who then had a brother, Albion D. Wilson, conducting a drug store here. On the day of Dr. Caldwell's arrival here he met Dr. William P. Bridgham, then having an invalid wife and an overburdening practice, who cordially welcomed the young student, took him to his home and greatly assisted him in securing an independent practice. In December of that year Dr. Caldwell married Elizabeth P. Stanwood of Brunswick and settled in a home of his own. At first his professional calls were few, but they soon increased till he wa.s fully occupied and durmg the past twenty years the ex- tent of his parctice has rarely been equalled in the history of country physicians. Beyond the limits of Buckfield and sur- rounding towns his professional calls take him along the whole line of the railroad and he is a frequent visitor with patients to the hospitals of Lewiston and Portland. He has always been re- sponsive to calls in all hours and seasons, often toiling through drifting, wintry storms by aid of snow shovels. During his earlier years in town he was frequently a member of the school board and in 1897 he was appointed a member of the board of United States Pension Examiners for Oxford County of which he is now president. DR. JOHN CARROLL IRISH. Dr. John Carroll Irish, who has risen to eminence in the med- ical profession of the country, was the son of Cyrus and Cath- erine (Davis) Irish of East Buckfield, where he was born Sept. 30, 1843. When a lad on his father's farm he became an aspir- ing student and improved every opportunity with his limited en- vironments for study and self improvement, attending the vil- lage high school and teaching as a means of advancement. He spent three years in Waterville College and received his degree of A. B. from Dartmouth in 1868. He then entered upon the study of medicine, receiving his degree of M. D. from Bellevue Hospital Medical College in 1872. His later educational ac- quirements included post graduate work in the hospitals of Lon- don and Paris. Previous to his settlement in practice he was a successful teacher in schools and academies. In 1872 he mar- ried Miss Anna M. Frye, daughter of Hon. William R. Frye of Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 365 Lewiston and settled in Buckfield where he remained in success- ful practice till 1874, when he took advantage of an opportunity for a more desirable practice and settled in Lowell, Mass., in which city he has since resided. He soon acquired a large prac- tice and rose rapidly in his profession. He made a special study of abdominal surgery and was one of. the first physicians in America to advocate early operations for ovarian tumors. His work in this specialty and contributions to its literature received prominent recognition from the profession both at home and abroad. He has been consulting surgeon at the Massachusetts State Almshouse since 1890, at St. John's Hospital since 1886, medical examiner for the Fifth District, Middlesex County since the institution of that office in 1886. He is a member of the fol- lowing societies : Massachusetts Medical and Surgical Society, American Academy, American Medical Association, Gynecologi- cal Society of Boston of which he was long president; North District Medical Society, president in 1895, and honorary mem- ber of Vermont State Medical Society. Dr. Irish has high rank as a surgeon and is an authority on medical subjects. DR. ALDEN CHASE WHITMAN. Dr. Alden Chase Whitman was born in Buckfield, Nov. 15, 1846. He was the second son of Joshua E. and Phebe (Foster) Whitman. While very young he entered the academy at Hebron where he was fitted for college at the age of fourteen. The Civil War having broken out he enlisted in Captain Charles H. Prince's Company C, 23d Regiment, Maine Volunteers, but was taken sick at Portland before being mustered in and was obliged to return home. After several years' severe sickness he recov- ered and went West, where he taught in high schools and academies with much success. He began the study of medicine at Ann Arbor University, Michigan, and completed the course at Dartmouth, N. H., where he graduated in 187 1. The same year he married' Iza Gertrude, youngest daughter of James and Sarah (Hanson) Waldron and settled in his native town. A few years ago he removed to Hebron where he has since continued to prac- tice his profession. Dr. Whitman has always been interested m educational matters and has been a frequent contributor to the newspapers, chiefly of an historical character. Through his ef- forts much of the traditional history of the town has been saved from perishing. Digitized by Microsoft® 366 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD DR. JOHN FRANKLIN DECOSTER. Dr. John Franklin DeCoster was a native of Hebron. He was born Sept. 9, 1857 and his early life was passed in his native town and Buckfield. He was studiously inclined and he directed all his energies to ohtain an education. After many difficulties and with great perseverance he graduated at Hebron Academy, Colby University and the medical school of Bowdoin College. He passed several years in teaching, after which he settled in Buckfield as a physician. During his residence here he became a mem'ber of the Methodist Church and was superintendent of schools several years. He was married here in 1887 to Mrs. Ellen (Abbott) Record, formerly of Rumford. In the spring of 1895 he moved to Rumford Falls where ,he soon acquired a high social standing and a large professional practice. But he was not long to enjoy the fruits of his success. His constitution had become seirously impaired by several rheumatic fevers and after three years of flattering success in Rumford, his health failed and he died of Bright's disease, June 3, 1898. His body was brought to Buckfield for burial on the Sunday following his death. He was a member of several fraternal orders, all of which were represented at his funeral by large delegations, which numbered about four hundred persons, the largest fra- ternal gathering ever seen in Buckfield. He was buried with Masonic honors by Evening Star Lodge of which he was a member. DR. WALTER I. BLANCHARD. Dr. Walter I. Blanchard, a native of Concord, N. H., came to Buckfield from New York, Aug. 18, 1895, succeeding Dr. John F. DeCoster, on the removal of the latter to Rumford Falls. He was educated in the public schools of his native city, Dart- mouth College and the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York. In 1884 he married Miss Lena D., daughter of Gen. Charles E. Devens of New York. Most of his professional life has been passed in connection with hospitals in New York, Bos- ton and Nashua, N. H., and his success in the ligation of the femoral artery won commendatory notice from high medical au- thorities. While a resident of Nashua he became interested in the military affairs of the state and rose from the rank of private Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFJELD 367 to the office of senior major in the New Hampshire National Guards, receiving the compliments of Gen. O. O. Howard, U. S. A., for commanding the best battalion in the state. Dr. Blanch- ard remained in Buckfield until December 15, 1898, enjoying a good practice. He then moved to Mt. Vernon, N. H., and sub- sequently to Boston, where he now resides. He is a member of several medical societies and a Fellow of the United States Gynecological Society. DR. HARRY MARSHALL HEALD. Dr. Harry Marshall Heald, son of Joshua C. Heald of North Buckfield, was born in Buckfield, Dec. 14, 1870. He attended the schools of his native village, graduated from the academy at Hebron, became a student at Bowdoin College, after which he entered the medical department of that college, from which he graduated in the class of 1897. After receiving his degree he passed about eighteen months at Rumford Falls in association with Dr. John F. DeCoster, theii returnecl to Buckfield, where he has since remained in practice. He was married Dec. 10, 1898 to Alice Gertrude (Cary) Heald of Salem, Mass, Digitized by Microsoft® 3B8 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD CHAPTER XXIV. Annals Continued. 1825. At the annual meeting, it was "voted to allow Henry H. Hutchinson eight dollars which he lost bj- fire." While tax collector the year before, his house took fire and his'buildings were consumed together with his tax books. He made out from memory a new list of those whO' hadn't paid their taxes, it is related, which not only satisfied the town, but also the people who might have avoided payment, but did not. He was always held in the highest esteem by all those who ever knew him. The $8 was doubtless the town's money which he had on hand and had not turned over to the treasurer. — The jury box was revised this year as follows : Caleb Cushman, Eliphalet Packard, Benjamin Spaulding, John Loring, Leonard Spaulding, Thomas Long, Joshua Whitman, Noah Prince, Jonas Spaulding, James Bonney, Jr., Aaron Parsons, Nathaniel Harlow, James Jewett, Daniel Chase, Samuel DeCoster, David Farrar, Isaac Turner, Josiah Bailey, Henry H. Hutchinson, Ephraim Ricker, America Thayer, Richard Waldron, Elijah Jordan, Jr., Noah Hall, Larnard Swallow, Jonathan Buck, James Perry, Silas Austin, Isaac Ellis, Obadiah Berry. — Jonathan Buck was licensed as an innholder and Spaulding Robinson, Zadoc Long and Lucius Loring were among those licensed as ''retailers." 1826. At a town meeting, it was decided that the town meetings in future "be warned" by having the notices posted in Zadoc Long's store. — At a meeting in April, a vote passed to prohibit cattle going at large in the highways both summer and winter, but it stirred up such opposition that, in June, it was voted to let cattle run on the "highways and commons" till Nov. 1st of that year. — The town consented to receive "a strip of land off the southern part of Hartford with its inhabitants." In December, this action was reconsidered and it was then voted to remonstrate against "the petition of "David Warren and others" to be set on to Buckfield. — The contest for representative to the legislature this year was very close. The ballot stood thus : Aaron Parsons, S3 ; Samuel F. Brown, 48 ; Ben- jamin Spaulding, 3; Larnard Swallow, i. — This year there died in the town of Hartford where he had resided for 22 years, Thomas Allen, one of the very first settlers in Buckfield at the age of 74. His will probated in January, 1827, bequeathed his homestead to his wife, Dolly Ricker, dur- ing her life, then to George, their son. The will states that his other sons (by first wife) had received what he considered their share in the estate. James Ricker was the executor. The whole estate was appraised at less than $600. 1827. Henry H. Hutchinson was chosen collector of taxes..^The sum of ?30 was voted for soldiers' rations. — Larnard Swallow was chosen to renion- Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 369 strate in behalf of the town at the court of sessions against the laying out of two roads. These roads were near the East Branch. One was petitioned for by James Morrill and others, and the other, by James Jewett and others. — At the adjourned annual meeting in April, it was "voted that the assessors procure a proper book for the records of their doings and to employ some suitably qualified person to make such rec- ords." It was also voted "to instruct the selectmen to inquire into the subject of John Buck's affairs and take such measures in regard thereto as they may think advisable without implicating the town in^ a lazv suit." — The contest for representative this year was quite as exciting as that of the previous year, the successful candidate winning by only two major- ity. Benjamin Spaulding had 39 votes. Aaron Parsons had 22 votes. Daniel Chase had 13 votes. Samuel F. Brown had 2 votes. 1828. At the annual meeting in March, a vote passed for the town "to stand trial with the town of Hebron,'' on an action brought by the latter against the former "for the support of Thankful Hodgdon, pauper." Also "to in- struct the assessors to go around the town to each man's house and take a new valuation of property." — The siim of $1 13 was raised to pay the fine imposed for the defective highway leading by Samuel DeCoster's to Hart- ford line. — ^The following were licensed to sell liquors this year "agree- ably to the laws of the State of Maine:" Enoch Crocker, Nathan At- wood, Smith Thompson and "Bray & Spaulding in Co." — It was "voted to instruct the overseers of the poor to provide such shelter for Webb's cow and corn fodder as they may think proper." — The election for repre- sentative to the legislature was, as had been the case for several years, hotly contested. Dr. William Bridgham was the leading candidate, and when he was interested, there was "music in the air." He won out by the following vote, though his principal contestant was one of the most popular men in town, as shown by his election to town office year after year: Dr. William Bridgham, 117; Enoch Hall, 67; Aaron Parsons, 10; Daniel Chase, 9; Henry H. Hutchinson, 13.— The "Oxford District Elector," Dr. Cornelius Holland; Dem.-Rep., received 188 votes ; Gen. Levi Hubbard, Nat.-Rep., received 69 votes.— By an act of the legislature, ap- proved Feb. 19, Benj. Woodbury, Caleb Cushman, Jr., Bela Farrar, Asa Thayer, Ziba Thayer and America Thayer and their estates were set off from Buckfield to Paris. The part set off included five lots of land in the first and second ranges, west division, and all the road leading from America Thayer's dwelling house northerly to the line of the town of Sumner. It was provided that they should take with them one-thirtieth part of the paupers of the town and that six ratable polls and $2700 be taken from the state valuation of Buckfield and added to Paris. The parties set off were to pay all taxes assessed upon them in Buckfield and their proportion (1-30) of the debt of the town. Provision was made, in case of disagreement in the settlement between Buckfield and Pans, that the matter be referred to three disinterested persons to be selected by the towns whose decision should be final. Samuel F. Brown was chosen Digitized by Microsoft® 370 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD agent for the town to settle the matter with Paris. — Mrs. Mary Buck, widow of Nathaniel Buck, died on the 14th day of November, at the age of 73, "leaving 6 children, 69 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren." Hers was the third family to settle in the township. "She cheerfully met all hardships, nor did fatigue ever prevent her from waiting on the weary traveller." — ^March 4 of this year, John Buck, one of the early settlers in Buckfield, died in Hamlin's Grant, now a part of Woodstock; at the home of his son, Simeon, at the age of 74. He had been an officer in the Con- tinental Army, having entered the service from Haverhill. He at one time was a large land owner in Buckfield. Later in life, he became sub- ject to periods of insanity. At one time he startled the people at church by loud cries at the door, warning them to beware of the wrath to come. At another time, he cut down the Liberty Pole near Dr. Wm. Bridg- ham's, which had been standing for many years and was an object of great veneration. None was ever erected in its place. 1829. Virgil D. Parris was chosen moderator, also chairman of the supt. school committee. It was the beginning of a brilliant and notable public career in the state and nation, a career which terminated only when his party was thrown out of power. — Nathan Atwood was elected town clerk and Dr. William Bridgham was chosen town agent. — A town meeting was called in May to elect "two persons to serve as delegates in a democratic- republican convention to be held at Augusta on the loth day of June next, to agree upon and to nominate some suitable person as a candidate for governor of this State, at the next election." Dr. William Bridgham and Daniel Chase were selected as delegates. — The road as laid out "from Buckfield Village by Luther Turner's to Hebron" was accepted. — ^The selectmen were authorized to purchase or lease a piece of land "to settle the town's poor buildings upon, now occupied by Mr. Samuel Webb." — The following men were chosen for their respective school districts "to examine the boundary lines in each district" and report : Aaron Parsons, Larnard Swallow, Caleb Cushman, Nathaniel Harlow, Daniel Chase, Sheppard Churchill, Henry H. Hutchinson, Isaac Young, John Brock, Joshua Whitman, Noah Prince, Tobias Ricker, Jr. — The overseers of the poor were instructed "to inquire what have been the causes of our ex- cessive pauper taxes for years past" and what measures could be taken to prevent the increase of pauperism in the future. — The line between Na- tional and democratic republicans was sharply drawn this year. Gen. An- drew Jackson had been inaugurated President of the United States on the 4th of March and his supporters, everywhere, were stalwart partisans. Samuel E. Smith, the democratic-republican candidate for governor, had 180 votes and Jonathan G. Hunton, national-republican, had 112. — The representative contest was a three-cornered one. Henry H. Hutchinson had 116 votes, Virgil D. Pafris had 51 and William Bridgham had 34 votes. — Jonathan Buck was licensed as inn-holder, as he had been every year from the first time he was so licensed. Africa Spaulding, Nathaniel Harlow, Luther and Enoch Crocker "in Co.," Isaac Parsons, Nathan At- Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 371 wood, William Bridgham and Lucius Loring were licensed as retailers and Daniel Young, as "Victualler, Innholder and Retailer."— The town lines were perambulated this year. The town decided to build a new bridge, a "little up stream from the old one, on the road near the Parris Pond farm so called." — It was voted that notices for future town meet- ings should be posted in Nathan Atwood's store, till the town should de- cide otherwise. — In this or some time in the preceding year, it is uncer- tain which, died Abijah Buck, the foremost man of the early settlers, at the age of 87. Early in 1828, he had given a deposition when he was too feeble to write his name. The wife of his youth had died in 1816. To the property he had brought into the township, and that acquired from Jonathan Tyler, his father-in-law, he added large possessions from which he provided well for his children. His estate was settled before his death, a thing quite common in those days. He neglected to provide grave stones for himself and wife and though we know they were buried in the cemetery, north of the village on the Paris Hill road, the exact spot is uncertain. The town, Abijah Buck did so much to found, and which bears his name, is, however, a lasting monument to his memory and worth. 1830. Noah Prince was elected one of the selectmen this year. It was the beginning of a long career of usefulness to his town and honor to him- self and family. — The town appeared to be much troubled over the pauper expenses. — The democratic-republicans this year attained a sweeping ma- jority over the national-republicans. The vote on governor stood 234 to 54. — Samuel F. Brown was appointed to petition the legislature for au- thority to dispose of the ministerial and school funds. — Virgil D. Parris was chosen to draft a petition to the legislature to change the time of holding its 'sessions. — When the census of this town was taken this year, there were 78 persons between the ages of sixty and seventy; 30 between seventy and eighty; 4 (all males) between eighty and ninety and i man between ninety and one hundred. There were four negroes, three of whom were females. — On the asth of April, while on a trip to Portland with a two-horse team, Lewis Morrill, aged about 22, was fatally injured. As he was passing down a hill in Falmouth, his horses became frightened from the breaking of a breeching strap. He was thrown to the ground and the loaded team passed over his body. He survived but a few days. — Caleb Young, one of the original 47 settlers, died Feb. 2, at the age of 82. Nathaniel Gammon, another one of the ori,ginal settlers, died on the 13th of September, at the age of yj. He had occupied his settling lot for some so years. 1831. The sum of $525 was raised for the support of schools ; $3000 to be expended in labor on the highways and bridges. Voted to repair "Shaw's bridge to answer to pass over the present year." — Voted to accept of a road "beginning at the middle of the road near Nathaniel Shaw's bark house, then a straight hne striking the road on the hill near Axel Spauld- Digitized by Microsoft® 372 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD ing's dwelling house." — At a town meeting in September, it was voted to build a new bridge over the East Branch near Nathaniel Shaw's. — ^Voted "that the Selectmen may deal out the powder now remaining in the mag- azine, for the use of the highway'' and "to raise $i8 and lay out the same for a cow for Mr. Samuel Webb." — The following persons and firms weije licensed to sell liquors this year : Nathaniel Harlow, Samuel W. Ingalls, William Bridgham, Morrill & Atwood and Enoch and Luther Crocker. Jonathan Buck was licensed as inn holder. — The vote for governor this year was as follows : Samuel E. Smith, Dem.-Rep., i88 ; Daniel Good- now, Nat.-Rep., 40. — For representative to the legislature, Henry H. Hutchinson had 130; Virgil D. Parris, 86; James Bonney, Jr., 4; Daniel Chase, i. — On the 25th of September of this year, passed away Dea. Job Prince at the age of 66. He had settled in Buckfield about 1790 and raised a family of children, several of whom became noted. Two of his sons were presidents of the Maine Senate. One grandson served one term in Congress and another, but for his untimely death, would probably have been governor of this state. 1832. Virgil D. Parris was elected town clerk, Larnard Swallow, trustee of the ministerial and school fund. — William Bridgham, William Cole, Benj. Spaulding, James Jewett and Lucius Loring were appointed "Fire Wards." — The following persons and firms were licensed to sell ardent spirits this year: Ephraim Atwood & Co., Samuel W. Ingalls & Co., Melzer Buck & Co., Nathan Atwood, Luther Crocker, Hiram Hall, Amos B. Morrill, Jonathan Buck and Nathan Harlow. — At a meeting in October, called to hear the report of the committee and observations of Squire Hall and others who may see and think proper to speak concerning the case between the town and Squire Hall in the matter of the pauper, Abigail Furbush, it was voted to discontinue the action of the town against Enoch Hall. — ^Virgil D. Parris was elected representative to the legislature by the following decisive vote: Virgil D. Parris, 158; 'Daniel Chase, 94; Henry H. Hutchinson, 18; Noah Prince, 4; James Bonney, Jr., 2. — At the presidential election in November, the "Jackson Ticket" received 229 votes, the "Clay Ticket" 45 and the "Wirt Ticket" 2 votes. — The "limits" of the militia companies, as required by an act of the legislature, were established this year by the selectmen. That of Capt. David Farrar's company of infantry was "the West part of the town from the Hebron road and county road leading to Sumner by James Bonney's." — Capt. George Bridgham's company, "the northeast part of Buckfield to Twenty Mile River, thence by Mark Lowell's to Bog Brook, the Whitman Pond and Hebron Line." — The southeastern part of the town was in the limits of Capt. Robert Martin's company, composed of men from Hebron, Buck- field, Turner and Minot. 1833. At the annual meeting, Ephraim Atwood was elected town clerk and Virgil D. Parris, town agent. — James Bowker, Joseph Gilkey, Bennett Pompilly, Obadiah Berry and Ira Gardner, "Saxons." Voted "to author- Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 373 ize the constable to sell at auction to "the highest bidder, Williamson's History of Maine after giving suitable notice."— "George and Orville Bridgham in Co., Cole, Taylor & Co., Ephraim Atwood & Co., and John and George Brock" were licensed this year. — Virgil D. Parris was re- elected representative to the legislature by the following vote : Virgil D. Parris, 128; Daniel Chase, 72,; Henry H. Hutchinson, 15; Benj. Spauld- ing, 8; Zadoc Long, i; Noah Prince, i. 1834. Axel Spaulding was elected tythingman. None had been elected -for Iwp years. — It was decided to prohibit neat cattle from running at large; also, that warrants for future town meetings be posted in Ephraim At- wood's store. — H. H. Hutchinson, Noah Hall and Daniel Chase, a com- mittee chosen to settle with James Bonney, "ex-treasurer," reported that they had performed the duty assigned them, and were "of opinion that the said , Bonney has performed the duty that was entrusted to him by the town with honesty and faithfulness according to the best of his ability, but that they were informed by him that there was $29.38 due from Mar- shall Andrews, collector for the year 1830, which, he said, Andrews re- fused to pay, alleging that the same had already been paid." Voted to discharge James Bonney from all liability as town treasurer and to collect the amount due of Andrews. — Artemas Cole entered into partnership with Ephraim Atwood. They did a large business for many years. — A vote passed to allow the selectmen and other town officers 75 cents a day for the time they were employed in the service of the town. — There were several candidates for representative to the legislature. Virgil D. Parris was again elected. He had 162 votes, a large majority over all. 1835- George Bridgham, Jr., was elected town clerk and Sydenham Bridg- ham was chosen collector of taxes. — The vote for representative to the legislature was as follows : Virgil D. Parris, 109 ; Henry H. Hutchinson, 13; James Bonney, Jr., 11; Daniel Chase, 9; 2adoc Long, 6; Noah Prince, 7; Ezekiel Dammon, I. — Enoch Hall died Dec. loth. He was born Nov. 10, 1763. His wife died a few years after at her daughter's, Mrs. Abigail Doble's in Livermore. — Nathan Hall died July 22. He was a remarkably fleshy man and for some years before his death was nearly helpless from this cause. 1836. Samuel Chesley was chosen collector of taxes. He was voted $22.50 for his services. James Bowker, Boardman Faunce and Joseph Turner were accepted as his bondsmen. — Ira Gardner, Mark Lowell, Noah Hall and Obadiah Berry were selected as sextons. — The "limits" of the militia companies were again defined and established. The dividing line between the east and west companies was as follows : "The county road from the Sumner fine near Col. James Bonney's to Dr. William Bridgham's and the river bridge in the village and the highway from said bridge by Rolan Digitized by Microsoft® 374 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Foster's and Jesse Packard's to Hebron line. The territory south and east of the following line to be the limits in Buckfield of the company made up from parts of the towns of Buckfield, Hebron, Turner and Minot: Following the Twenty Mile River from Turner line to the Lowell Brook, up said brook to the Whitman Pond, then from said pond on Bog Brook to the Hebron line." The rest of the town to be the limits of the east company.^The town chose Samuel F. Brown, Doctor Com- stock, Virgil D. Parris, Joseph Turner and Aaron Parsons a committee "to ascertain a better course for the support of the poor than that which we have heretofore pursued, if possible." — The Van Buren democratic electors at the presidential election had 146 votes. The whig electors had 15. — The vote on representative to the legislature this year was not quite so one-sided. Virgil D. Parris had 153; Noah Prince had 48; Thomas Irish had 6 ; Daniel Chase had 2. — There died in Woodstock, at the home of his son, Stephen, Feb. 27, 1836, in the 87tli year of his age, Daniel Packard, one of the early settlers of Buckfield. His remains were buried in a ground or yard near where he died. His wife had died several years before and is said to have been buried in. the cemetery above the village. I'heir earlier lives had been one of stirring incidents, adventure and in- terest. She had been a pretty Irish lass, who liked to play around the wharves in her native cove of Cork and talk with the sailors. An un- scrupulous captain enticed her aboard his vessel and brought her to Bos- ton where she was abandoned. Daniel Packard was of one of the first families in Bridgewater, Mass., and is said to have been engaged to be married to a daughter of high standing in t'ne town. Where or how he met the bright-eyed Irish girl is uncertain but once seeing her, he had no heart for any other to the day of his death. He was straight as an ar- row, had a swarthy complexion, piercing black eyes and a stentorian voice. The admiration for each other was mutual and thay were married. Their first child was born in 1774. On the outbreak of the Revolution, he enlisted and went into the army, serving on the Hudson. His wife followed him and in a small way carried on the business of a sutler. Packard was at the Storming of Stony Point, one of the most brilliant feat of arms of the whole war and the battles of Saratoga. They must have attained considerable notoriety, for the stories about their exploits and lives in the ai-my in after years came to the ears of J. Fenimore Cooper, the novelist, who made them the principal characters, "Sergt. Hollister" and "Betty Flanigan" in his story, "The Spy." Any one who has heard the traditions which have come down to us about them when living in Buckfield will at once recognize how true to life Cooper repre- sented them in The Spy. But we have further evidence. Stephen D. Hutchinson, formerly town clerk of Buckfield and afterwards register of deeds for Oxford County, on a certain trip from Portland to Boston by boat was introduced to a Captain Coyle, who on learning that Hutchinson was from Buckfield said : "Ah from a famous town where Daniel Pack- ard and his wife lived. They were made the principal characters by. Fen- imore Cooper in his novel, 'The Spy.' I passed a day with him recently and he told me this himself." Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 375 1837- Virgil D. Parris was chosen as agent of the town to receive its pro- portion of "Surplus Revenue" from the general government. This money v.-as given by the government to the states. By an act of the legislature of Maine, this state's part was distributed to the towns. Tt was a source of much contention in Buckfield what to do with this money. .It was at first decided to buy a town farm for the poor with it. $2000 was voted and a farm was purchased. After a number of meetings, it was voted to distribute the money received from the surplus revenue to the people, each person to have his equal share. Several paupers, as the records show, received their portion. — Zadoc Long, Larnard Swallow, S. F. Brown, Doctor Comstock and Virgil D. Parris were chosen a committee "to draft a set of by-laws to govern the poor house." The report of this committee at a future meeting was accepted. — This was the year that Maine first "went hell-bent for Governor Kent," but Buckfield did not go that way. There was almost 200 majority for Gorham Parks, tha demo- cratic candidate. — As for several years past, there was a number of can- didates for representative to the legislature. Virgil D. Parris had 136; Noah Prince had 66; Henry H. Hutchinson had 22; Zadoc Long, had 18. The Foster farm on the Hebron road was purchased for the town's poor. — There was an epidemic of scarlet fever among the children this year. The disease was unusually fatal. Five chiklreti died with it out of the family of Henry DeCoster. 1838. The third Monday of May was set for the selectmen to d aw orders for the people, for each one's share of the "Surplus Revenue." The scenes around their place of business, when it was transacted, can better be imagined than described. It is worthy of an artist's pencil. — The town farm having been put in order, the paupers were taken to it and an over- seer engaged to run it. — The special election for a Representative to Con- gress, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Hon. Timothy J. Carter of Paris, resulted in the choice of Hon. Virgil P. Parris. The vote in Buckfield stood thus: Virgil D. Parris, 211; Zadoc Long, 50; Nath'l S. Littlefield, 7 ; Joseph G. Cole, 10 ; scattering, 6. At the regular election, for the full term, the ballot was as follows : Virgil D. Parris, 245 ; Zadoc Long, 57; Judah Dana, 3; Harrison Blake, 2; Jesse Packard, i. — This year occurred one of the most exciting contents for representative to the legislature that Buckfield ever experienced. The principal contestants, at first, were Noah Prince and William Irish. The former on the first ballot had 105 votes, the latter 88. Henry H. Hutchinson had 29, Daniel Chase and Axel Spaulding, 11 each. These men were all of the same party, the democratic. James Jewett, the whig candidate, started in with 41 votes. Two ballots were taken when the meeting was adjourned. On' the second ballot, the vote stood: Noah Prince, 126; WilUam Irish, 109; James Jewett, 24; scattering, 8. On the adjourned day. two ballots were taken — the second one showing William Irish out of the contest and Daniel Chase in the lead as Mr. Prince's chief opponent, though lacking Digitized by Microsoft® 376 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 42 A'otes of the number Mr. Prince received on that ballot. Again the meeting was adjourned to a subsequent day, when Mr. Prince's vote rose to 130 and Daniel Chase's highest, to 113. James Jewett's highest vote was 28. The meeting adjourned for the third time and^jDn that day, two ballots were taken before the contest was decided. The first one was as follows: Noah Prince, 133; Daniel Chase, 141; James Jewett, 11; Will- iam Irish, I. Apparently, the bulk of Jewett's men, who had stuck by him up to this time, went over to Chase. The final vote stood: Daniel Chase, 153; Noah Prince, 141; James Jewett, 7; H. H. Hutchinson, i; Henry DeCoster, i. 1839. Capt. Noah Prince was chosen chairman of the board of selectmen, which showed that his hold on the voters of the town was still strong, notwithstanding his defeat for representative the year before. It fore- shadowed a renewal of the contest in September. — Jesse Packard, Abra- ham Lothrop and Albert Record were elected supt. school committee. This was done for sport. They qualified, but, at an adjourned meeting, others were chosen in addition. There were some fun-loving people in Buckfield in those days. — For some reason, questions growing out of the distribution of the "Surplus Revenue" came up several times this year in the town meetings. The action of the town, the year before, in distrib- uting it per capita was sustained. — It took three ballots to decide the elec- tion for representative to the legislature. On the third, Capt. Noah Prince was elected. The following are the fir.st and third ballots : First, Noah Prince, 116; Daniel Chase, 88; William Irish, 29; James Jewett, 20; Stephen Hutchinson, 10. Third, Noah Prince, 121; Daniel Chase, 92 ; James Jewett, 14 ; William Irish, 8. The people of Buclcfield voted twice this year for a representative to Congress. At the first ballot, Virgil D. Parris had 228, Zadoc Long, 71 ; N. S. Littlefield, 36; scattering, 6. At the special election, the vote was as follows : Joseph Tobin, 120 ; Zadoc Long, 62 ; Joseph G. Cole, 40 ; N. S. Littlefield, 57; scattering, 9. — It took two ballots to decide the election of a representative to the legislature, the balloting being on two dif- ferent days. The following is the record of the votes : First, Noah Prince, Dem., 118; Nathan'l Leonard, Whig, 63; Daniel Chase, Dem., 60; Joseph Turner, Dem., 50; scattering, 5. Second, Noah Prince, 119; Nathan'l Leonard, 43; Daniel Chase, 41; George Bridgham, Jr., 16; Joseph Turner, 4.— At the presidential election, the Van Buren electors had 274 votes, while the Harrison electors had only 76. — Maine had again gone "hell-bent for Governor Kent" and also for Gen. Harrison for pres- ident, but Buckfield ^showed no indications of the great political over- turn. One of the electors on the democratic ticket was Hon. Job Prince of Turner, a native of Buckfield. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 377 1841. On the i8th of January, a special election was called "for the people to give in their votes to the selectmen for a representative, that is, an in- habitant of Oxford Congressional district to represent the inhabitants of their State in the Congress of the United States." David Hammohs had 68; Zadoc Long, 66; Joseph G. Cole, 60; Nathan'l Littlefield, 58; Joseph Tobin, s; Jesse Drew, 3; A. D. White, 2. — Stephen D. Hutchinson was elected town clerk. This was a "Hutchinson year," several of that name being elected for the principal officers. Voted "when Alvah Gilbert satis- fies the surveyor of his district that he has worked out his tax on his own road, the surveyor cross his tax." — The act of the legislature appor- tioning the representatives and senators caused a great deal of feeling in Buckfield, and a committee consisting of Hon. Virgil D. Parris, Col. Aaron Parsons, H. H. Hutchinson, William B. Bennett and James Bon- ney, Esqs., was chosen to draft resolutions to present to the town for its action. At a meeting called in May, the resolutions were presented and adopted. The town clerk, .S. D. Hutchinson, recorded the resolutions in full. They directed the selectmen "to call a meeting to choose a repre- sentative to the legislature notwithstanding the act of apportionment." — At the governor election, the people of the town accordingly voted for a representative to the legislature as follows : Noah Prince, 165 ; Win- chester Spaulding, 9; William B. Bennett, 2; scattering, 3. Capt. Prince held his seat. — ^Virgil D. Parris, for one of the senators voted for by his party, had 267 votes. The highest on the whig ticket was 59. — By an act of the legislature approved April i6th, David W. Swett and Chas. F. Davis were authorized to erect a gunpowder manufactory on "Basin Falls." 1842. At the annual town meeting, Cyrus H. Coolidge, Virgil D. Parris and Thomas Irish, Jr., were elected superintending school committee. Capt. Joseph Turner was elected town agent.^It was voted "to raise $37 to help build a school house in Rolan Foster's district." — Voted "that the Overseers of the poor pay to Polly Hodgdon her proportion of the sur- plus money" Also that "the Selectmen be instructed to make out an order to Miss Fobes for her part of the surplus money.'' Another vote passed to the same effect in the interest of Lucian Philbrick. — Voted for the selectmen to make an annual report of their doings. — Virgil D. Parris was again elected as one of the State senators. — The selectmen were in- structed to have guide boards put up in necessary locations. — Voted to receive the inhabitants of Hartford who had petitioned to be annexed to Buckfield.— Voted to have the town books kept in "Mr. Brown's office, if he will permit it free of expense."— At a meeting of delegates from Buckfield, Sumner and "Plantation No. 2," held at Jackson village July 6th, to determine what years each town should send a representative to the legislature, Capt. Noah Prince of Buckfield was elected chairman and Luther Crocker of Sumner, secretary. The Buckfield delegates were: Noah Prince, Daniel Fletcher, Joseph Turner, Ximenes Philbrick, Jonas Digitized by Microsoft® 378 HISTORY OF BUCKFIKLIJ Spaulding and James Hussey. It was voted that Buckfield select the can- didtes for the years i842-'44-'46-'48-'so ; Sumner for i843-'45-'49 ; PI- No. 2 for 1847. — The vote in Buckfield this year for representative resulted as follows: Noah Prince, 211; Nathaniel Leonard, 32; Tobias Ricker, Jr., 13. — In December of this year, at the age of 89, Jacob Whitman, a soldier of the Revolution and one of the first 47 settlers who were given 100 acres of land by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, passed to the higher life. His wife, Abigail, died in 1837, aged 81. All of their children, except one, who died in infancy, lived to be over 70. One, Jacob, Jr., was 94 when he died. 1843. The guide boards were set up at the following corners : Near Henry DeCoster's, James Bicknell's, Hall's bridge (2), Ezekiel Record's, Capt. Parris' house, Samuel F. Brown's office (2), Doctor Bridgham's (2), Capt. Jonathan Buck's (2), Mark Lowell's barn (2), Mark Lowell's house, William Morrill's (2), and Artemas F. Cole's store, "directing to Hebron." — The treasurer was instructed to burn a $3 bill of "uncurrent money." — It was voted "to allow Virgil D. Parris his account as Supt. School Committee, $1.00." Also, to allow Daniel Chase's acc't. of $0.76 and Noah Prince's of $0.38 "for town services." — Sumner sent the represen- tative to the legislature this year. It appears from the records that Buck- field voted twice, once in September and once in November. Alexander Ryerson and Capt. Lewis Bisbee were the principal candidates. The for- mer was elected. — A Buckfield correspondent of a county newspaper sent the following list of Revolutionary soldiers and pensioners living there on the 4th day of July of that year: Jonathan Record, Josiah Par- ris, Eleazer Parsons, Jabez Churchill, Thaddeus Pratt, Benjamin Wood- bury, Josiah Parsons, Tobias Ricker, David Lowe, 'Sial Smith, Thomas Bradbury and Job Packard. — It was stated that the first was 95 years old and the youngest, 81, and that they represented nearly every important battle of the Revolution. Jonathan Record was but 93 at that time. Rev. Nathaniel Chase's name is missing from this list. — ^Jabez Churchill died August 16. He was born at North Bridgewater, Mass., in 1759. He served four years and nine days in the war. In 1782 he first settled in Hebron, Me., and removed his family to Buckfield in 1798. His wife was Maria Benson. They had 9 children, 24 grandchildren and 92 great- grandchildren. 1844. Ezekiel Record was chosen agent to take care of the town house. It was voted to move the town house to some place that the town can pur- chase nearer the village. Ira Gardner, David B. Record and Noah Prince were selected to purchase a lot of "Mr. Parris or some other person." — The following persons were licensed to sell at retail strong liquors "to travellers to be drank in his shop and to town's people to be carried away:" Ephraim Atwood, Lorenzo Atwood and Levi Cushman "in Co.," George Bennett and James Murdock and Ambrose Buck "in Co." Syden- Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 379 ham Bridgham as innholder was "forbidden to sell to anyone who is known to use liquors to excess," and N. Harlow was licensed to sell liquors of all kinds for one year, but was forbidden to "sell to any but steady, sober people for medicinal and mechanical purposes." — ^Washington Long was one of the Whig candidates for state senator this year. He polled the full strength of his party in town, 53 votes.— The vote for rep- resentative stood as follows : Daniel Chase, 145 ; James Bonney, 120 ; Jacob Leonard, 49 ; scattering, 4. — At the presidential election, the "Polk Ticket" had 252 votes, the "Clay Ticket" 46, and the "Birney Ticket," 8. ! 1845. Ephraim Lowe was chosen collector of taxes. He was voted $17.50 for his services, as he had agreed to take that sum. He was also elected constable in accordance with his agreement "to do the town's business free of expense." — The assessors were instructed to take a valuation of per- sonal property. — It was voted to offer "Mr. Allen" $75 for the land on which the town house stood. — Sumner sent the sepresentative to the leg- islature this year. Alexander Libby was chosen. 1846. It was voted at the annual town meeting that Capt. Noah Prince, who had been elected chairman of the board of overseers of the poor, "attend to the business himself, unless he thinks best to consult the others.'" — The building of the Hall and Morrill bridges, "lately washed away" was authorized. Ezekiel Record and Martin Drake were selected to super- intend the erection of the Hall bridge and Henry H. Hutchinson and William Irish, the Morrill bridge. — Stephen D. Hutchinson was elected this year register of deeds for the eastern district of the county. On entering upon the duties of his office in 1847, he went to reside at Paris Hill, which he made his home until his death, about 1898. — Buckfield sent the representative to the legislature. The vote in town was as follows : Ximenes Philbrick, 179; Albert D. White, 34; David B. Record, 24; scat- tering, 3. 1847. No. 2, or Franklin Plantation, sent the representative to the legislature this year. Albert D. White was one of the whig candidates for state senator. — Appropriations for schools, $655 ; for support of poor, $300 ; for roads and bridges, $3500; for town accounts, $41.17.— At a county con- vention of the "Liberty Party," held at Waterford, July Sth, Tobias Ricker of Buckfield was nominated for county commissioner.— "Hon." Samuel Parris of Hebron, a native of Plymouth County, died at Washington, D. C, Sept. 10, aged 93. He was next to the last of the two surviving males of the first settlers in Hebron."— He was a brother of Capt. Josiah Parris of Buckfield and the father of Hon. A. K. Parris. Digitized by Microsoft® 380 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 1848. The road "beginning near the school house between Rolan and Joel Foster's and terminating at or near Alexander Cushman's house" was dis- continued by a vote of the town. — The vote for representative to the leg- islature was as follows : Ximenes Philbrick, 168 ; Thomas Irish, 39 ; Robert Hayes, 15 ; Jacob Decoster, 3. — For representative to Congress, Rufus K. Goodenow, whig candidate, had 39 votes. His opponent had 131. Mr. Goodenow had a majority in the district and was elected. He had been clerk of the courts for 16 years beginning with the admission of of Maine as a State. The town cleark for that year has recorded the result of the presidential election in town as follows : "Cass Ticket," 190 ; "Taylor Ticket," 27 ; "Abolition Ticket," 60. — ^John J. Perry was one of the Van Buren electors, dubbed "abolition" by the town clerk. — The Buck- field Branch Railroad Company was organized with the following officers : Virgil D. Parris, president; Zadoc Long, clerk and treasurer. The con- tract for the grading, bridging and masonry having been let to Benson & Porter, the ceremony of breaking ground on the line of the road took place at the village, on the 31st of October, in the presence of 3,000 people. A national salute was fired by the artillery company commanded by Maj. R. B. Jennings. At ten o'clock a.m., a long procession was formed, which was escorted by the militia and the band from the square near the bridge to the spot where the station now stands. In carriages were the oldest living settlers, including five Revolutionary soldiers. Their average age was ninety years. The chief marshal was Col. Albert D. White. — Hon. Virgil D. Parris, president of the railroad com- pany, made the principal address of the day. Among other things he said : "With what veneration and gratitude do we welcome the presence, this day, of a few remaining soldiers of the Revolution. They are the remnant of that immortal band of Patriots who imperilled their lives on the battle field to sustain the country in that bold and astounding Declar- ation that proclaimed us free. In the Providence of God, their lives have been preserved beyond the common age of man to witness the unrivalled prosperity of a Government they freely contributed to establish by years of perilous strife. And now, in the decline of life devoted to their country, how happily does the pleasing scene of peace and joy and hope on every side contrast with the condition of the country in the dismal times of the Revolution." Mr. Parris was followed by Rev. Nathaniel Chase with an interesting address and earnest prayer. He was one of the five Revolutionary soldiers present and one of the first 47 original settlers who were given 100 acres by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He was 87 years old. The oldest of these Revolutionary soldiers, however, was Jonathan Record, who was 98. "He helped bush out the first road ever cut through the town." The honor of first breaking ground was conceded to him for the foregoing reason. — He was followed by the pres- ident of the company, the Revolutionary soldiers and old settlers in fill- ing the wheelbarrow with earth. Then Capt. Josiah Parris, himself a soldier of the Revolution, aged 88, wheeled it off. One hundred guns were Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 381 fired by the artillery, the band struck up "Yankee Doodle" and the people enthusiastically cheered. The procession reformed and proceeded to the "Nezinscot House," where about a hundred persons with the old settlers and soldiers as guests partook of a banquet. — The following Revolution- ary soldiers and pensioners died this year: Tobias Ricker, Deacon Job Packard and Jasiel Smith. The first two died before April nth. The latter passed away May 15th. Their ages respectively were 80, 86 and 85. — Dea. Job Packard was born in Bridgewater, Mass., in 1761, and was the youngest of a family of seven children. He settled in the southern part of Buckfield on the lot which he purchased of his oldest brother, Daniel. He bought other land adjoining and reared a large family of children. He was a deacon of the church for many years. 1849. Dastine Spaulding was elected town clerk. — Thomas Chase, Frederick Foster and H. H. Hutchinson, Jr., were chosen superintending school com- mittee. — The sum of $60 was raised "to finish the new road leading from the county road near Rolan Foster's to Jacob Leonard's." — The town lines were perambulated this year and "former marks renewed and stone mon- uments erected." — Sumner had the selection of a representative to the leg- islature. Abel W. Bisbee was elected. — Benjamin Woodbury, a Revolu- tionary soldier, died March 3d, at the age of 89. 1850. It was voted at a town meeting to discontinue the old road from Tim- othy Records' to the new road near Alexander Cushman's, and to take measures to open the road from Buckfield village to Hartford line. — The sum of $200 was appropriated to rebuild the bridge in the village. — Capt. Noah Prince was a candidate this year for state senator and was elected. He was chosen president of that body and served two terms. — The con- test in Buckfield for representative to the legislature was as follows: Joshua Irish, 201 ; Sydenham Bridgham, 169.— On the 22d day of March, Rev. Adam Wilson of Hebron, preached a discourse at the Free Baptist church at East Buckfield on the looth anniversary of the birth of Jonathan Record. Text : Psalms, 48: 12-13. Theme— The influence of one genera- tion on another. Mr. Record was present and apparently was enjoying good health and received with much satisfaction the congratulations of both old and young. There were also present four aged men, whose ages with that of Mr. Record aggregated 427 years. Digitized by Microsoft® 382 HISTORY OF BUCKFTELD CHAPTER XXV. Temperance Movements. The evil effects flowing from the habitual use of New Eng- land rum and other ardent spirits as a beverage, which kept scores of families in extreme poverty, sent other scores to drunk- ards' graves and increased the ranks of the disreputable classes, early called the attention of the best people in Maine towards providing a remedy. This evil practice in the early days was so prevalent among all that it was quite generally believed that the use of ardent spirits was necessary. In most families at one time it was deemed to be as essential as sugar, salt or molasses and the account books kept by the traders during the early settle- ment of the town and for a long period afterwards, show that liquors formed no small part of the merchandise sold. Some families, tracing their ancestry to the Pilgrims who were driven from their native land by the tyranny of King James I and settled in the Old Colony and in other parts of the Common- wealth, were entirely run out by the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage. At first, the agitation against rum-drinking produced little effect. Some preachers upheld the practice and the efforts to check the vice met with strenuous opposition. A society for the suppression of intemperance was organized at Boston as early as 1812. It bore fruit and gave fresh impetus tO' the temperance agitation. Some dozen }'ears afterwards, the American Tem- perance Society was organized.. The proceedings of its second meeting, held in Boston, in January, 1829, were printed and this may be taken as the period when Temperance Reform be- gan with a well grounded hope of success. There were then some 225 of these societies in existence — thirteen of them being in the Sta,te of Maine. By this time, clergymen, lawyers and physicians and not a few of the influen- tial men of nearly every town and hamlet took hold of the move- ment. The societies in Maine were at East Machias, which claimed to be the first one organized in the state, Prospect, Buck- field, Norway, Livermore, Portland, Go-rham, Gardiner, Saco, Brewer, Brunswick, New Sharon and Windsor. It will be noted that three of these societies were in the countv of Oxford. Tem- Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 383 perance thus early took a deep root in old Oxford and has grown steadily since. Dr. Cyrus Hamlin, the first clerk of the courts and the father of Vice-President Hannibal Hamlin, drew up the first Temperance Pledge in the town of Paris. It was presented to Elder James Hooper for his signature. He refused to sign it. At that time, the great majority followed Mr. Hooper's example rather than Dr. Hamlin's. A Temper- ance cyclone struck the town later however and the elder's in- fluence was utterly broken. The Oxford County Moral Society had been organized on Paris Hill in September, 1825. Under the auspices of the Moral Society of Norway, in July, 1829, a large meeting was held at that village. Levi Whitman, Esq., of jNorway, presided and Samuel F. Brown, Esq., of Buckfield was selected to record the proceedings. The Oxford County Temperance Society was organized the same year. Hop. Luther Cary of Turner was chosen president and Samuel F. Brown, Esq., secretary. Thirteen local societies were formed in the county, one of which was at Buckfield. From the reports given by the officers of these societies, it ap- pears that they met with great opposition. The members of the Oxford County Bar perfected a temperance organization about this time, which took in the court officials and others. The articles of faith were signed by the following members: R. K. Goodnow Cyrus Thompson Levi Whitman Wm. Warren Timothy J. Carter James V. Poor Henry FarweU George Turner Samuel F. Brown Erastus P. Poor Peter C. Virgin Abram Andrews, Jr. Levi Stowell Josiah Blalie Virgil D. Parris Robert Goodnow Charles Whitman Isaiah P. Moody Hannibal Hamlin Reuel Washburn Ira Bartlett Timothy Carter Blisha Morse Solomon Hall Ephraim Bass James Starr Stephen Chase Augustine Hayes John S. Barrows Albert G. Thornton Stephen Emery S. Strickland William Goodnow Bben Poor Daniel Goodnow Thomas Gammon James Walker David Gerry Joshua Randall Ebenezer Jewett Thomas Clark Daniel Chaplin John Woodbury Simeon Walton John Jameson Digitized by Microsoft® 384 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD It was decided at a meeting of this society in 1833 that one or more persons in each town' be selected to get signers thereto and Seth Stetson, Zadoc Long and Lucius Loring were ap- pointed to procure subscribers in Buckfield, Henry Farwell in Dixfield, Deacon Earrows and Dr. Carr in Hebron, Samuel Sewell in Sumner and Elder Daniel Hutchinson and Joseph Tobin in Hartford. By 1S34, there were 27 Temperance societies in the county with about 3000 members. The Buckfield members of the State Society were Samuel F. Brown, Virgil D. Parris and Albert D. White. The report from Paris that year was that "in 1833, 4963 gal- lons of ardent spirits were sold as against 7221 the year before. Expense for support of the poor from $300 to $350, one-third caused by intemperance. Three dram-selling public houses and five other retailers. Six intemperate heads of families who were so poor that $50 expended in sickness would throw them on the town." About 1841, the Washinglonian Movement sprang up. Il began among some reformed drunkards in Baltimore, Md., and swept over the Eastern States like a prairie fire. The first lec- ture during this period at Buckfield was given by "Father Hayes" in November, 1841. People from far and near went to hear him. Many signed the pledge for the first time and among them was Capt. Lewis Bisbee who kept it inviolate ever after- ward. An organization was formed of which Hon. Virgil D. Parris was president and Wm. B. Bennett, secretary. A Martha Washington society was formed at the same time among the ladies to aid the other organization. In the early part of the year, 1843, the sale of intoxicating liquors by the gill or glass having become such an intolerable nuisance the best people of the town signed a petition to Artemas Cole, Ephraim Atwood, Lorenzo Atwood and George Bennett to sell no ardent spirits to be drunk in their stores. It was signed by 174 of the citizens and among the petitioners were the ven- erable John Loring, Josiah Parris, Benjamin Spaukling, Lucius Loring, Col. Aaron Parsons, Rev. Geo. Thomes, S. D. Hutchin- son, Washington Heald and Nathaniel Leonard. Ephraim and Lorenzo Atwood's names were also on the petition. Before Capt. Prince's name was the following : "It was the intention to include all the retailers in town in the above request." A large Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 335 petition for the same purpose was also presented by citizens of Sumner. When the act which has since been known as the Maine Law was passed it created great opposition in some parts of the state and particularly in the town of Buckfield and for several years after its passage, there was a very bitter feeling on the part of some of those who opposed the suppression of the sale of intox- icating liquors by statute. Seth Sampson of Turner entered with the greatest vigor into the matter of prosecuting those in Buckfield and vicinity, who were suspected of violating the law and for a period he was the best hated man in this region. In cases of importance he usually retained as his associate, Charles W. Walton, Esq., of Dixfield, afterwards Judge of the Supreme Court of Maine and Hon. Nathan Clifford, afterwards an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States appeared sometimes as counsel for the defendants. In the enforcement of the law, a singular, yet somewhat amusing affair occurred in which the three Farrar brothers then living in the village were principals. Aratus Farrar, a constable, was active in seizing liquors. Probably some packages or ves- sels containing them were taken, which were not intended for sale and if claimed must have resulted in a return to the owners. America Farrar favored the prohibitory law and heartily sus- tained Aratus in his seizures. Ethic Farrar on the other hand, did not sanction the law. We never heard that he sold any liquors, though he like many others of that period did believe in their moderate use as being beneficial. He sent away for some liquors and when they arrived Aratus seized them. In a con- troversy in America's tavern over the seizure. Ethic claimed that Aratus pushed him on to a stove and injured him severely. He went home and took to his bed and called a physician to attend him. Ethic threatened to bring suit against Aratus and may ac- tually have done so. Heavy damages were claimed. The physician kept making his daily calls upon Ethic. The affair became the talk of the village and town. Finally America suc- ceeded in effecting a settlement between Ethic and Aratus by the payment by Aratus it was said of some forty or fifty dollars. As soon as this settlement was made and the money paid over, the physician's visits were discontinued and Ethic appeared again Digitized by Microsoft® 386 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD on the streets. The supporters of the law loudly, claimed the affair a cheat while the other side said it served the constable just right as he should have let his brother's liquor alone. A more serious case which aroused great interest was the suit of James Murdock, 3d, against Valentine Ripley. It was an action of trespass alleged to have taken place January 15, 1851, when Cyrus Wormell, a deputy sheriff, undertook to arrest a party for being a common seller of intoxicating liquors. The warrant was sworn out by Col. Aaron Parsons and Samuel Jen- kins, EscL, was the magilstrate whO' issued it. Miirdock got mixed up in the affair and as the defense alleged, "resisted and ob- structed" the officer while in the discharge of his duty. There- upon Wormell called on Ripley for assistance and he rendered it in such a vigorous manner, as Murdock claimed, that he had sus- tained severe injuries and laid his damages at $1000. William B. Bennett was the original counsel for Murdock but when the case came to be tried at the October term, 1851, he had Mr. Clif- ford to assist him. Walton and Seth May, afterwards Judges of the Maine Supreme Court, were the defendant's counsel. The verdict was for the defendant and the plaintiff filed exceptions to some of the rulings of the presiding judge and carried the action to the Law Court which sustained the exceptions and or- dered a new trial. The action was again tried at the August term, 1854, and was hotly contested from beginning to end. The jury a second time returned a verdict for the defendant which settled the matter finally. There was another case of scarcely less interest. A suit was brought 'by William Creasy against Aratus Farrar for a barrel of vinegar which he claimed Farrar had taken and converted to his own use. The suit was brought before Joseph Dearborn,, Esq., of Hartford, a Justice of the Peace, who gave judgment for the plaintiff for $7.31 with costs taxed at $14.15. Farrar appealed with Col. Aaron Parsons and Joseph C. Shaw as sure- ties. Whein the action came to be heard in the Appellate Court, it was found that no papers in the case had been filed and Farrar thereupon began a suit for a review of the judgment. The declaration in Farrar's petition explains the whole matter which from its inception was a very ludicrous performance. It is as follows: "That your Petitioner was an officer of the law and with a legal precept was searching for spirituous and intoxicat- Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 387 ing liquors, but did not take the vinegar or barrel as alleged or in any manner convert the same to his own use, but the same was taken in charge by the depot master who has the same safe at the present time in keeping for the said William Creasy, the plaintiff in said action of trespass. That the said Farrar, acting then and there as an officer of the law with a legal precept en- tered the place designated by said precept and carefully and with- out injury, examined the barrel of vinegar, doing no damage thereto and leaving the same in the place there found. That he can prove by Aaron Parsons, Esq., that a warrant was duly is- sued and further by said Shaw and Jairus Harlow, the keeper of the place searched, that he made no other than an open and legal search in the due and proper execution of his office. Can also prove 'by the said Shaw that the barrel was marked ' 'Rum," which induced the said Farrar to believe that it contained spir- ituous and intoxicating liquors. That he did search in good faith, examined the said barrel and found it to contain a different article and left the same by request of the said Harlow. That the justice who tried the case has been repeatedly called on for the recognizance and other papers in the case, but has ever re- fused to produce them, I.udden, Sampson & Walton for Farrar, Andrews for' Creasy. The review was granted. Farrar then brought a suit against Creasy and, at the August term, 1857, the defendant was defaulted by agreement of counsel for $15 dam- ages with costs taxed at $60 and thus this matter ended. From this time, there were no more attempts to put the officers in a hole or to obstruct the administration of the law. Some doubt- less, violated the statutes but they were careful, if possible, not to be found out. When the Reform Movement commenced in the seventies, among those having experienced the evil effects of the habitual use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage, it bade fair to rival in the excitement and good effects produced the old Washingtonian movement. Nearly every one of the principal places in Maine had its club and ladies' aid society. Buckfield had one of the largest and best in this section. It did a great deal of good and many signed the pledge who have sacredly kept it. It flourished for several years. Other organizations, notably the Sons of Temperance which had at one time a strong organisation in Buck- field and the Good Templars for many years have been doing Digitized by Microsoft® 388 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD much good in the state and county and lodges of these orders have existed for a season at Buckfield. One of the later organ- izations worthy of mention is the Woman's Christian Temper- ance Union which is doing a good work to-day. We trust there will never be a time in our good old town when its people will not heartily support any movement which promises to better the condition of the community and keep up the stand- ard of sobrietv and morality. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFLELD 389 CHAPTER XXVI. BUCKFIELD VILLx^GE IN THE FiFTIES. A sketch of Buckfield village and its business in 1853 by a correspondent of that time to one of the local newspapers is worthy of reproduction here : "Being at this pleasant village soon after the powerful rain storm of last week (latter part of May) I could not fail to note the unexampled freshet on Twenty Mile River, the beautiful stream which meanders through that place and affords one of the best water powers in this part of the county. The water overflowed its banks and covered the low intervale lands from Spaulding's M'ills (North Buckfield) to the village, presenting the appearance of an extensive lake, dotted with mounds, islands and beautiful elms. Buckfield village is a thriving and enter- prising place. It contains a large number of fine country dwell- ings, some eight stores, two public houses, several large me- chanics' shops and one large flouring mill owned by Messrs. Bis- bee & Co. The new public house owned by that noble specimen of Yankee energy, Mr. America Farrar, presents a line external appearance and adds very much to the architectural beauty of the place." Farrar's ad in the same newspaper, under the heading of "Farrar's Hotel," contained the following: "It is the residence of Mec Farrar, Widely Known as the Largest Dealer in N. E. Cattle, Sheep and Fast Horses." "The flouring mill is well located. It has the advantage of a good water power. It has four runs of stones — two of which are for wheat. This mill is noted for manufacturing nice flour and it possesses every facility for such a business. Connected with it, is an apparatus for cooling the flour as it is ground and bolted, so as to admit of barrelling at once. It has a large and well arranged store house by its side, situated in close proximity to the railroad. This company has at times had in store as many as 5000 bushels of wheat. The Buckfield flour has a good repu- tation in the market. Digitized by Microsoft® 390 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD The continuation of the Buckfield Branch Railroad is now a fixed purpose and some 120 men, scattered over a:bout eight miles of the road are levelling the hills and elevating the valleys, preparatory to the passage of the locomotive. John Holmes has got hold of the business and it must go. The Iron Horse is des- tined to greet Canton next fall. The railroad instead of killing Buckfield as has been predicted, is just developing her resources and stimulating her enterprise." The Buckfield Insurance Company was advertised that year. The following were the officers : President, J. W. Browne ; secretary and treasurer, H. H. Hutchinson; directors, J. W. Browne, John Skillings, Samuel Jenkins, Jesse Turner, Leonard Russell. F. O. J. Smith, who had his headquarters at Buckfield, was engaged in the project of extending the Buckfield Branch Rail- road to Canton and having a steamer built tO' ply between that place and Rumford Falls. The headquarters of the Artillery Company were changed that year to Paris Hill. The captain of the company was R. B. Jennings. James R. McDonald advertised the Buckfield Brass Band. In i860, the village contained nine stores as follows : Hiram Hines's, Allen & Thomes's, DeCoster & Prince's, M. B. Thomes's, Caleb Cushman's, Ephraim Atwood & Son's, Atwood & Morrill's, Charles B. Atwood's and George Bennett's. Hiram Hines came from Hartford Center a few years before, where he had been in successful trade for several years. The firm of Allen & Themes had existed for several years. Amory H. Allen, the senior member, also did a small business as a shoe manufacturer in a little shop across the street. It was located opposite their store where he employed several cutters and let out the work to be fitted and bottomed in the little shoe shops which were numerous in town and paid for it largely from the store of the firm. Mr. Allen afterwards went West and settled in Illinois. Samuel Thom.es was a tailor. He first began busi- ness in Buckfield at Spaulding's Mills or North Buckfield, but soon afterwards moved to the village where he lived to his death. He is said to have been the first tailor in Buckfield. James H. DeCoster and Charles H. Prince went into the hardware business a few years before the war under the firm Digitized by Microsoft® / [ — BBBBp W-^ 1^ '^^^Ml'^i-% it" ■ HH ;' "■^n iB^^Ha^SM || iW 1 1 * ^(ILj . "^i pi^^ )6- . wm^-i , fe-? PTJM ■ j' ' i v"'' 1 ^^^^^H^^^^^^Hki-c ^^ '_W^ ^^1 o (r^r-^p.,-^ (S\^,. o e o Digitized by Microsoft® m^mmm ^KKmz Ij ■j ^MRHil^^^'^ i{i;-n ;. ^ .,-^Ai-i^;/ ■ Whxi .,n„ ^n,'..«-, /.W /it, ■><.'.■/. '/<■.., r 1> - m . - ^ ■ ' ^■■- ■■' ■■■■- -^ W, Z«^<»/'?i^«?.,»rt,. kUi vt/.. r^-^^j ^M• ^7. IRISH, age 26. Sergeant, Co. B, 28th Me. Infantry. Mus- tered in Oct. 10, 1862. Mustered out Aug. 31, 1863. Served on quota of Farmington. DANVILLE R. JACK, age 20. Private, Co. D, Coast Guards Infantry. Mustered in Jan. 6, 1865. Served eight months. SIMON L. JOHNSON, age 21. Corporal, Co. K, Bth Me. Infantry. Mus- tered in June 24, 1861. Promoted sergeant 1S63. Served two years and re-enlisted Dec. 24, 1863. Wounded and transferred to Co. B, 1st Me. Infantry, Veteran Volunteers. Discharged for disability May 14, 1865. SAMUEL T. JOHNSON, age 24. Private, 5th Battery Mounted Artillery. Mustered in Sept. 19, 1864. Served nine months. AMIAL JONES, age 31. Private, 5th Me. Battery, Mounted Artillery. Mustered in Sept. 22, 1864. Discharged by order June 17, 1865. ARTHUR B. LATHAM, age ID. Private, Co. C, 20th Me. Infantry. Mustered in Aug. 29, 1862. Promoted corporal 1S63. Wounded at Wilderness, Va. Promoted sergeant. Served one year, ten months. HENRY C. LONG, age 23. Musician, 11th Me. Regimental Band. Mus- tered in Oct. 29, 1861. Died in New York, July 7, 1862. OZIAS M. LOWE, age 22. Private, 3d Mass. Cavalry. Mustered in Nov. 23, 1861. Orderly to Gen. Banks. Died at New Orleans, Aug. 23, ]863. WILLIAM W. MARSTON, age 25. Wagoner, Co. I, 16th Me. Infantry. Mustered in Aug. 14, 1862. Died at Buckfleld, Aug. 22, 1864. Served two years. GEORGE D. MARSTON, age 28. Corporal, Co. I, 16th Me. Infantry. Mustered in Aug. 14, 1862. Promoted sergeant. Served two years, ten months. Taken prisoner at Gettysburg. Reported missing. Supposed dead. Grave in National Cemetery marked with his name. ARRINGTON MASON, age 19. Private, Co. C, 23d Me. Infantry. Mus- tered in Sept. 29, 1862. Served over nine months. Re-enlisted in Co. B, 29th Me. Infantry, Jan. 12, 1864, serving one year, seven months. HENRY H. MAXIM, age 20. Private, Co. G, 12th Me. Infantry. Mus- tered in Nov. 15, 1861. Promoted corporal 1863. Re-enlisted Feb. 1, 1864. Wounded at Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1864. Discharged Feb. 25, 1865. Served three years, three months. OLBAN A. MAXIM, age 19. Private, Co. G, 12th Me. Infantry. Mus- tered in Nov. 15, 1861. Promoted corporal 1862. Discharged Jan. 31, 1863, for disability. FRANKLIN MAXIM, age 18. Private, 5th Battery, Mounted Artillery. Mustered in Sept. 21, 1864. Mustered out July 6, 1865. AMERICA' F. MAYHEW, age 19. Private, 5th Battery, Mounted Artil- lery. Mustered in Sept. 29, 1864. Mustered out July 6, 1866. ISAAC H. McDonald, age 37. First Lieutenant, Co. C, Sth Me. In- fantry. Mustered in Sept. 7, 1861. Resigned, Apr. 25, 1862. Com- missioned Captain, Co. C, 20th Me. Infantry, Aug. 29, 1862. Resigned Deo. 10, 1862. THOMAS MERRILL, age 30. Private, Co. D, 2d Regt., U. S. Sharp- shooters. Mustered in Nov. 6, 1861. Transferred to Co. E, 17th Me. Infantry, Dec. 24, 1863. Re-enlisted. Served three years, seven months. MOSES MERRILL, age 38. Corporal, Co. D, Coast Guard Infantry. Mustered in Jan. 6, 1865. Served to July 31, 1865. R. G. MITCHELL, age 25. Private, Co. F, 7th Me. Infantry. Mustered in Aug. 21, 1861. Promoted corporal. Served one year, four months. DECATUR MONK, age 30. Private, Co. C, 20th Me. Infantry. Mustered in Aug. 29, 1862. Discharged in '64. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 413 CARROLL, MORRILL, age 24. Private, Co. C, 20th Me. Infantry. Mus- tered in Aug. 29, 1S62. Died Nov. 2, 1862. JAMBS MURDOCK, age 43. Private, Co. G, 14tli Me. Infantry. Mus- tered in Feb. 25, 1S62. Discharged for disability 1S63. Re-enlisted April, 1864, in Vet. Infantry. Wounded at Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864. Lost a leg. CHARLES A. MURDOCK, age 18. Private, Co. G, 14th Me. Infantry. Mustered in Dec. 12, 1861. Re-enlisted Jan. 1, 1864. Served three years, eight months. SYLVESTE;R B. MURDOCK, age 34. Private, Co. C, 20th Me. Infantry. Mustered in Aug. 29, 1862. Served two years, nine months. ADDISON G. OSBORN, age 21. Private, Co. C, 8th Me. Infantry. Mus- tered in Aug. 7, 1861. Promoted corporal 1862, and to 1st lieutenant, 4th South Carolina Vols., 1863. JAMBS P. PACKARD, age 26. Private, Co. H, 14th Me. Regt. Mus- tered in March 22, 1865. Discharged Aug. 28, 1865. CHARLES H. PRINCE, age 25. Captain, Co. C, 23d Me. Infantry. Mus- tered in Sept. 29, 1S62. Served over nine months. MADISON O. PROCTOR, age 31. Private, 5th Me. Battery, Mounted Artillery. Mustered in Sept. 29, 1864. Discharged May 17, 1865. ' SAMUEL W. PROCTOR, age 18. Private, Co. D, Coast Guards Infantry. • Served eight months. LEWIS RECORD, age 34. Private, Co. K, 13th Me. Infantry. Mustered In Dec. 13, 1861. Served three years. GEORGE B. RECORD, age 23. Private, 5th Me. Battery, Mounted Artillery. Mustered in Sept. 21, 1864. Served nine months. JULIUS A. RECORD, age 18. Private, Co. C, 23d Me. Infantry. Mus- tered in Sept. 29, 1862. Served over nine months. EDGAR T. RECORD ,age 18. Private. Co. C, 23d Me. Infantry. Mus- tered in Sept. 29, 1862. Served over nine months. ALPHEUS A. RICKER, age 25. Private, Co. C, 23d Me. Infantry. Mustered in Sept. 29, 1862. Served over nine months. BLIPHAZ RIPLET, age 29. Private, Co. I, 17th Me. Infantry. Mus- tered in Aug. 18, 1862. Died of disease at Washington, Dec. 17, 1863. Served one year, four months. CLINTON RIPLBT, age 27. Private, 5th Me. Battery, Mounted Artillery. Mustered in Sept. 22, 1864. Wounded Feb. 12, 1865. Mustered out July 6, 1865. Died in Dixfleld, Me. ALBERT A. ROBERTS, age 29. Private, Co. C, 23d Me. Infantry. Mustered in Sept. 29, 1862. Served over nine months. Died in Tur- ner, Me.i Mar. 12, 1901. JAMES A. RUSSELL, age 23. Private, Co. H, 14th Me. Infantry. Mus- tered in Mar. 22, 1865. Mustered out May 22, 1865. ALVARADO RUSSELL, age 18. Private, Co. K, 1st Me. Cavalry. Mus- tered in Feb. 24, 1863. Deserted Feb. 20, 1864. FRANK J. SHAW, age 20. Private, Co. K, 5th Me. Infantry. Mustered in June 24, 1861. Discharged for disability June 14, 1862. Enlisted Co. D, Coast Guards Infantry, Jan. 6, 1865, serving eight months. BURTON SHAW, age 19. Private. Co. C, 23d Me. Infantry. Mustered in Sept. 29, 1862. Served over nine months. Enlisted 5th Me. Battery, Mounted Artillery, Sept. 23, 1864, serving nine months. Died May 9, 1876. MILFORD N. SHAW, age 18. Private, Co. H, 29th Me. Infantry. Mustered in Dec. 29, 1863. Died May 6, 1864, in hospital at Ne-w- Orleans. ALFRED SHAW, age 34. Private, 6th California Infantry. Mustered in Sept. 28, 1863. Served two years, one month. JAMES T. SKILLINGS, age 18. Private, Co. C, 23d Me. Infantry. Mustered in Sept. 29, 1862. Served over nine months. Re-enlisted In 5th Me. Battery. Served over eight months. Digitized by Microsoft® 414 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD JAMBS G. SPAULDING, age 26. Private, Co. A, 5th Me. Infantry. Mustered in June 26, 1861. Postmaster of reg-iment in 1862, and of brigade in 1863. Served three years, one month. CYRUS C. SPAULDING, age 24. Corporal, Co. C, 20th Me. Infantry. Mustered in Aug, 29, 1862. Served five months. CTRIL P. SWALLOW, age 22. Private, Co. I, 7th California Infantry. Enlisted Oct. 24, 1864. Served one year, five months. Died in Canada, Apr. 3, 1900. VINTON F. SWALLOW, age 21. Private, Co. I, 12th Mass. Infantry. Mustered in June 26, 1861. Assigned to 2d U. S. Cavalry. Killed at Manassas Gap, Va., July 27, 1862. GARDNER THOMES, age 18. Private, 5th Me. Battery, Mounted Artillery. Mustered in Sept. 22, 1864. Served ten months. ORVILLE P. TUCKKR, age 27. Private, Co. C, 20th Me. Infantry. Mustered in Aug. 29, 1862. Served one year. LUTHER TURNER, age 18. Private, Co. C, 23d Me. Infantry. Mustered in Sept. 29, 1862. Served over nine months. WINSLOW TURNER, age 37. Private, Co. C, 20th Me. Infantry: Mus- tered in Aug. 29, 1S62. Served two years, nine months. MOSES F. VERRILL, age 24. Private, Co. C, 20th Me. Infantry. Mus- tered in Aug. 29, 1862. Served two years, nine months. HOLMAN W. WALDRON. age 32. Sergeant, Co. C, 23d Me. Infantry. Mustered in Sept. 29, 1S62. Served over nine months. Re-enlisted corporal, Co. B, 32d Me. Infantry, Apr. 2, 1864, serving eight months. JAMES A. WARREN, age 20. Private, Co. C, 23d Me. Infantry. Mus- tered in Sept. 29, 1862. Served over nine months. ALPHONZO P. WARREN, age IS. Musician, Co. C, 23d Me. Infantry. Served over nine months. CYPRIAN WHITMAN, age 43. Private, Co. G, 12th Me. Infantry. Mustered in Nov. 15, 1861. Served nine months. Discharged for dis- ability. MAURICE WOODBURY, age 21. Private, Co. C, 8th Me. Infantry. Mustered in Aug. 7, 1861. Re-enlisted and promoted corporal. Served four years, Ave months. HORACE M. YOUNG, age 18. Private, Co. B, 20th Me. Infantry. Mus- tered in Jan. 14, 1864. Promoted corporal. Served two years, Ave months. ROSCOE G. BUCK, age 26. Musician, 11th Regt. Band. Mustered in Oct. 29, 1861. Discharged Aug. 22, 1862. RUFUS A. W. BUNKER, age 19. Private, 5th Me. Battery. Mustered Feb. 29, 1864. Discharged July 6, 1865. JOHN D. DeCOSTER, age 20. Private, Co. A, 12th Me. Regt. Mustered Dec. 1, 1863. Discharged April 18, 1866. GREBNLEAF FARRAR. Served in Mass. Regt. DAVID K. GREEN, age 19. Private, Co. C, 8th Me. Regt. Mustered Sept. 7, 1861. Re-enlisted Jan. 1, 1864. Killed in battle near Fair Oaks, Va., Oct. 27, 1864. WILLIAM R. HASEY, age 27. Private, 5th Me. Battery. Mustered Sept. 23, 1864. Discharged July 6, 1865. SAMUEL JOHNSON. Served in Mass. Regt. JAMES W. McDonald, age 29. Leader, 11th Regt. Band. Mustered Oct. 29, 1861. Discharged Aug. 22, 1862. MOSES F. PACKARD, age 18. Private, Co. K, 5th Me. Regt. Mustered Nov. 9, 1861. Discharged in 1861. BENJAMIN PACKARD. Captain in Ohio Regt. ALEXANDER C. RECORD, age 23. Private, Co. C, 12th Me. Regt. Mustered Jan. 2, 1864. Discharged Apr. 18, 1866. ELLIS RUSSELL. Served in Mass. Regt. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 415 JBKRY RUSSELL, age 22. Private, 2d Me. Battery. Mustered Jan. 4, 1864. Discharged June 16, 1865. LINTON WALDRON, age 27. Served in Mass. Regt. Died in Buckfleld. MILTON WALDRON, age 24. Served in Regular Army. Died in Texas. JOSEPH H. YOUNG, age 20. Private, 5th Me. Battery. Mustered Sept. 21, 1864. Discharged July 6, 1865. Many persons born in Bnckfield enlisted from other towns and places. Of these whose names we have been able to trace are: H. Miltemore Jordan, who enlisted from Poland in the 9th Me. Regt. as a private, and for meritorious service attained the rank of Captain in the 4th S. C. Colored Troops. He died in Minot after the war. Thomas M. Packard enlisted from Oxford in Co. C, 17th Me. Regt. Ezra F. Churchill was in the 23d Me. Regt. from the same town. Sampson A. Thomas from Turner was a corporal in- Co. E, i6th Me. Regt. and a member of the color guard at Gettysburg, where he was taken prisoner. Isaac J. Monk was in the same company from the same town. Alvin Monk enlisted from Paris in the 12th Me. Regt., and Sidney S. Monk was in Co. C, 23d Regt. from Sumner. Florian Jordan and William F. Jordan from Flartford served in Co. C, 20th Me, Regt. The boyhood days of all these men were passed in the vicinity of Streaked Mountain. With the number already men- tioned as enlisting on the quota of Buckfield, there were over twenty in all — a most creditable record for that section of the town, but not more so than other sections. The four substitutes credited on the town's quota were Joseph F. Hartling, Joseph R. McDonough, Robert Watson and James Libby. They went into the U. S. Navy. We do not know what became of them. A large number of men were obtained outside the town as recruits to fill Buckfield's quota on different calls after 1862. We have, after much effort, procured nearly a correct list. Robert H. Doughty and Samuel Thorne of Woodstock and Orville A. Sessions of Milton Plantation served in Co. A, 30th Me. Regt. All died in the service. In the same regiment were Ichabod Goodrich, John Malone}^ Arza B. Webber, Levi H. Webber, all of Lewiston. Gosselyn McGloire, probably an assumed name, Baptiste Marcho, Edward Veland from the same city were in the 6th Me. Regiment. McGloire was killed in battle. John H. Quimby, Philo Winslow, Benj. F. Peterson, John J. Bragdon, Eli Clark, Thomas Chick, David Jones and A. J. Lufkin Digitized by Microsoft® 416 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD from the same place or vicinity, served in different organizations. Bragdon died in the service. Clark was wounded in battle and discharged 'before term of service expired. Of the last quota of 13 in 1865, nine went into the Maine Coast Guard's, two were assigned to the .T4th Me. Regt., and one to the 27th unassigned company. The other volunteer, we have been unaible to trace. The following are the names of those drafted in July, 1863, as they were given in the local papers of the time. Those un- marked were exempted for various reasons : David Record John B. Record Stephen O. Irish Wm. Wallace Atwoodt Hiram H. Gammon Edward G. Cole Richard S. Dormant John A. Shaw John Cress ey, Jr. Albion A. Maxim James P. Packard Nehemiah E. Marston Jotham W. Shaw Albert Mason Calvin SnelU Jason Gammon Edmund DeCoster Laurin A. Bumpus Samuel B. Irish Ephraim R. BisbeeJ Philo Record Josiah H. Keen Horatio G. Davie Edwin Russell Edmund F. Bradbury Eleazer Snell, Jr.J Wm. W. Abbott Rufus W. Hines Ozias DeCoster, Jr.{ Jonathan M. Shedd James M. Chesley* Samuel P. Irish Edwin DeCoster Josiah Churchill Eben I. Russell Joshua C. Heald Levi Monk James H. Hodgrdon Geo. B. Record Chas. H. Young Marquis D. L. Poster Lewis M. Chase Orrington R. DavieU Total 43 tPaid $300 for exemption. tNot accounted for. "Entered the service. HHeld to service. Obtained discharge. Buckfield had 193 credits at the adjutant general's office at Augusta for men it furnished during the war. How these were made up may be summarized thus : Total enlistments, 139 Re-enlistments, 23 Recruits from other towns or places, 19 Substitutes, 4 Drafted (served, paid, discharged or un- accounted for), 8 193 Of the enlisted men seven were killed or mortally wounded in battle and eleven died from disease. Of the recruits from other towns one was killed in battle and four died from disease. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 417 CHAPTER XXIX. Annals Continued. 1851. At the annual town meeting, Frederick Foster, S. C. Andrews and H. H. Hutchinson, Jr., were chosen superintending school committee. ' The first was elected to serve one year, Andrews for two years and Hutchin- son for three years.— A resolution passed to oppose the location of a new county road from Buckfield to South Paris as petitioned for by Amos Winslow and others. — The building of a school house in the village dis- trict (No. 4) was commenced this year. The sum of $300 was loaned by Nathan Morrill, $100 by Daniel Hutchinson, $100 by Capt. Josiah Parris, ?S00 by Amory H. Allen. $151.20 by Charles Daggett, $550 by Zadoc Long and $226.80 by Lydia E. Willis, for which the school agents for 1851 -'52 gave notes. — The town house was moved on to land of William Allen's, "he agreeing that it may remain on his land free of expense as long as it is occupied as a town house or any other purpose by the town." — No elections this year for governor, senators and representatives occurred. By a change in the constitution, they held over to 1853. — John Loring, Esq., died April ist, aged 80 years, 9 months and 14 days. — A correspond- ent of the Oxford Democrat from Buckfield in July stated that there were living then in town 77 persons who were seventy years of age and upwards. Their names and ages, the last three being Revolutionary soldiers, were given as follows : Hannah Tucker, 70 ; William Bridgham, 70 ; John De- Coster, 70 ; Andrew Cushman, 71 ; Louisa Holmes, 71 ; Caleb Cushman, 72 ; Barzilla Latham, 73 ; Sally Morton, 74 ; Mary Reed, 75 ; Polly Cox, 75 ; Margaret Spaulding, yj ; James Lewis, 77 ; Jenette Loring, 77 ; Mary Elwell, 77 ; Joseph Hammond, 79 ; Lewis Moody, 80 ; Sarah Shaw, 81 ; Susan Hall, 81 ; Nancy Gilbert, 81 ; James Morrill, 82 ; Polly Latham, 70 ; Nathaniel Harlow, 70 ; Arza Fobes, 70 ; Nancy Chaffin, 71 ; Ranah Foster, 71 ; Silvena Fobes, 72 ; Lydia Hammond, 73 ; Dorcas Bailey, 74 ; John ChafEn, 75; Shuah Bicknell, 76; Ann Tucker, 77; Anna Irish, 77; Han- nah Dammon, 77; Mary Rice, 78; Betsy Lewis, 80'; Leonard Spaulding, 81 ; John Darling, 81 ; Betsey Whiting, 81 ; Sarah Brock, 81 ; Thankful Jenkins, 82; Sylvanus Irish, 70; Joanna Chase, 70; Noah Hall, 71; Han- nah Bridgham, 71 ; Mary Faunce, 72 ; Mary Dammon, 73 ; Anna Morrill, 73; Sarah Philbrick, 70; Bathsheba Long, 75; Sally Bonney, 76; Ansel Bisbee, 77; Dorcas Taylor, 77; Rebecca Faunce, 77; Isaac Tucker, 78; Thomas Long, 80; Keziah Waterman, 81; Ehzabeth Irish, 81; Thomas Faunce, 81; Benjamin Spaulding, 82; Mehitable Austin, 83; Sarah Ches- ley, 84; Jonathan Dammon, 84; Phebe Foster, 84; Bethiah T. Perry, 84; Daniel Faunce, 85; Jabez Taylor, 8s; Abigail Record, 85; Mariah Churchill, 85; James Waterman, 86; Josiah Keen, 86; Dolly Drake, 86; Ebenezer Irish, 88; Judith Parsons, 89; Polly Webb, 92; Capt. Josiah Parris, 91; Rev. Nathaniel Chase, 90; Jonathan Record, loi. Digitized by Microsoft® 418 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Seeing this list Miss Columbia Gardner, then a resident of New Or- leans, La., composed the following poem : Survivors of another age! Bright beacons on life's rug- ged strand, "iour barque has crossed the billowy sea; Unharmed by wreck or storm ye stand. One foot upon the precipice That shuts the unknown from the known — Ye calmly wait the hastening hour That bids you cross the fatal bourne. "We gaze upon you and we think Of all, that ye have thought and felt; And trace with ye again those scenes, Where memory's hopes have fondly dwelt. "We see the wilderness again Supplant our smiling village homes. And hear the red man's savage whoop. As thru the forest glades he roams. "We know v^^hose stout right arm it was That swept those forest wilds away — That taught the desert waste to smile, And turned the darkest night to day — There's many » name upon this list That we will ever cherish dear And teach our children's chil- dren still To bless the daring pioneer. We've seen the flower of youth cut down. The proud, the beautiful, the strong. Your own companions pass away. Ye to another time belong. We see ye not at feast and hall, We hear no more your coun- sel sage — The loud young century forgets The lessons it might learn from age. The ardent flre of youth is gone And gone is life's meridian heat — The laggard pulse now slowly counts Its ebbing throb — its meas- ured beat. The morning star of early life. That led ye forth with prom- ise, on. Has told its , long and brilliant course. And sunk in evening's deep- 'ning storm. And ye — ye too — ye veteran ones. Your lengthened course is nearly run. And ye shall sink as calmly too. As sinks the glorious evening sun. And brighter far ye shall arise, A happier journey to pursue. And in an endless paradise The broken ties of earth re- new. 1852. Rev. George Thomes was elected town clerk. — This year the super- intending school committee at the annual election made a report to the town, which report was accepted. — A convention of delegates from the classed towns of Buckfiield, Sumner and Woodstock met at Jackson vil- lage June 26, to arrange the matter of sending representatives to the leg- islature for the decade. Col. James Bonney was chosen chairman, Reuben Chandler and Alden Chase, secretaries. The following were the Buck- Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 419 field members : James Bonney, Geo. Thomes, Daniel Chase, James Hussey, Thomas Bridgham and Joseph Turner. The following was agreed to : Buckfield was to send representatives in i853-'s6-'S9 and '62 ; Sumner, in i854-'S7-'6o ; Woodstock, in i8ss-'s8 and '61.— Ximenes Philbrick, Buckfield, Nathaniel O. Ryerson, Sumner, and Sidney Perham, Woodstock, were elected as a committee to call meetings. — It was "voted that town committee of the town which sends the Representatives notify the town committees of the other two towns who the nominee is." — The democratic congressional convention to nominate a candidate for Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Hon. Charles Andrews was held at Buckfield. William K. Kimball was nominated over Lyman Rawson. Hon. Virgil D. Parris was chosen delegate to the national dem. convention. At the election in June, Kimball had 203 votes, Isaac Reed, Whig, had 100. Reed had about 20a more in the whole district and was elected. A large minority of the democratic party of the state was dissatisfied with Gov- ernor Hubbard on account of his signing of the "Maine Liquor Law," as it was called. They bolted and put up another candidate for governor, who polled over 20,000 votes in the state. This threw the election into the leg- islature, and Crosby, the whig candidate, was elected. The vote in Buck- field was as follows: John Hubbard, Reg. Dem., 156; Anson G. Chand- ler, Bolt. Dem., 192; William G. Crosby, Whig, 31; Ezekiel Holmes, Free Soil, 10. Rep. to legislature, H. H. Hutchinson, Jr., 204; Ephraim At- wood, 178; scattering, 2. Sumner vote, Hutchinson, 124; Atwood, 120. Woodstock vote, Hutchinson, 67 ; Atwood, 121 ; scattering, 5. Atwood was elected. — The result of the election in Buckrield for President, as recorded by the town clerk, was: "Pierce Ticket," 206; "Scott Ticket," 4°; "Hale Ticket," 60. — Daniel Hutchinson died April 27th of this year in the 61 St year of his age. 1853. The vote for governor this year was as follows : Albert Pillsbury, Dem., 216; Anson P. Morrill, Maine Law Dem., 89; Ezekiel Holmes, Free Soil, 62; William G. Crosby, Whig, 22; representative, F. O. J. Smith, 221, Capt. Lewis Bisbee, 154. The latter had more votes in the district and was elected. — The town authorized a deed to be given Moses Packard of land "the town bought of the Dea. Job Packard estate."— In July of this year, Capt. Noah Prince bought out the Oxford Democrat. It was run, until the republican party was formed, as the organ of the "Morrill Dem- ocrats," in the county. Mr. Prince severed his connection with the paper in the early part of 1855.— The Buckfield brass band, one evening the last of June, gave a musical entertainment and serenade to the citizens of Paris Hill. Among the selections given was "The Virgil D. Parris Quickstep." The account in the local paper says that there was one re- markable musician in the band. "The evening was clear and calm and the beautiful tones fell sweetly upon the ear. We learned afterward that Mr. McDonald was the author. Both the McDonalds, one of which was the leader, are admirable musicians." (James R. McDonald was the leader.) The band was served with refreshments at the house of Hon. V. D. Par- Digitized by Microsoft® 420 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD ' ris and at the Union House, kept by Horace Cummings. — The America Farrar hotel was advertised with John Taylor as landlord. Mr. Farrar himself advertised as proprietor the next year. It is claimed that he was the first "drover" in this part of the state who dealt directly with the farmers and paid them cash for their stock. — The delegates to the "Mor- rill" democratic county convention, held this year at South Paris, were Nathan O. Storer, Noah Prince, America Farrar, R. B. Waite, Amory H. Allen and James Bicknell. — The Belfast Journal in July, had the fol- lowing "squib :" "Admittance to Noah Prince's new party, $1.50." — In the issue of the Oxford Democrat of October 21st, an item stated that the headquarters of the artillery company was to be changed from Buckfield to Paris Hill. — Mr. Daniel Bailey, formerly of Buckfield, died Aug. 21st, in New Orleans of yellow fever, aged 37 years. — Col. Albert D. White was appointed sheriff of the county by Governor William G. Crosby. He appointed J. W. Whitten as one of his deputies. — John D. Long entered Harvard College this year at the age of 14. — Rev. Nathaniel Chase, a Revolutionary soldier and patriot and one of the pioneer settlers, passed to the higher life, April 20, 1853, aged 91. l8S4. James Murdock was elected town clerk; R. B. Jennings, town agent; A. K. P. Small and Thomas Chase, supt. school committee; Aratus Farrar, collector of taxes. — School districts No. 2, 4, 6, 7 and 9 were al- lowed- to elect their own agents. — The town voted to open the new county road from Buckfield to South Paris. — The "Buckfield House," kept by Mr. George Battles, was destroyed by fire Sunday, May 14th. Besides the hotel with two stables connected therewith, nearly all the fur- niture and a horse and carriage were burned. Loss $3,000, insured for $2,400. Several other buildings were on fire while the hotel and stable were burning, but by the exertion of the citizens, they were saved. — The vote in Buckfield for governor this year was as follows : Albion K. Parris, Dem., 194; Anson P. Morrill, Maine Law, 179; Isaac Reed, Whig, 11; Shep. Cary, Old Line Dem., 7. I8SS. Carlton Gardner was first chosen one of the selectmen this year. It was the beginning of a long town service creditable to himself and profit- able to Buckfield. — The selectmen were instructed to open the Winslow road and the sum of $500 was appropriated for the purpose. The sum of $1,000 was raised for schools. — The vote for governor this year was as follows: Samuel Wells, Dem., 232; Anson P. Morrill, Rep., 170; Isaac Reed, Whig, 5 ; for representative to the legislature, Washington Heald, Dem., had 233 ; Thomas Chase, Rep., 170. Woodstock voted by a large majority for Chase and he was elected. — Daniel Chase died July 8th, i8S5, aged 70 years and 9 months. His wife, Abigail, had died March 30th, 1844, aged 61 years and 9 months. This year Johnathan Record passed away in the losth year of his age, on the 17th of January. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 421 Jonathan Record at 100 1856. T. J. Bridgham, Esq., was elected supt. school committee, — Nathaniel G. Bumpus, Erastus K. Cummings and Joseph Turner were set off from school district No. 12 to No. 14. Also, Solomon Doble from No. 8 to No. 14. — Voted that the town treasurer "call up the collectors for the years i85i-'52-'53 and and '54, and have an immediate settlement." — The sum of $1000 was raised for schools. — Carlton Gardner served as deputy sheriff and jailor this year and Naphtali Mason, as a deputy sheriff. — The foUow- Digitized by Microsoft® 422 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD ing is the jury list as revised this year: Jesse Turner, William Ham- mond, Arad Jordan, Jeremiah P. Packard, Oscar F. Gardner, Elijah Tur- ner, Joseph H. Hall, Russell Pratt, Lucius Young, James Hussey, Philip Mason, Richard Fobes, Leander Hodgdon, Artemas F. Cole, Edward H. Shaw, Benj. Jenkins, Benj. Jordan, Jr., Alexander Cushman, Geo. W. Battles, Daniel Mason, Orville Bridgham, Sydenham Bridgham, Henry P. Cox, Freeman Hollis. Leonard Russell, Daniel Fletcher, Winchester Spaulding, Erastus K. Cummings, Daniel Chase, Washington Heald, Icabod Allen, H. H. Hutchinson, Jr., and Levi Turner. — These names in- dicate that political feeling entered into the revision. Never before had this been the case. It shows the intense political feeling which existed at that period. — ^The vote for governor this year was : Hannibal Hamlin, Rep., 221 ; Samuel Wells, Dem., 206 ; Geo. F. Patten, Whig, 2. — Sumner sent the representative this year. — At the presidential election, the Fre- mont electors had 221 and the Buchanan electors, 174 votes. — ^An act was passed by the legislature to set off from Hartford and annex to Buck- field the following persons and their estates : Herman Wood, Addison G. Wood, Chandler DeCoster, Chandler DeCoster, Jr., David Kneeland, , Eleazer Chase, Elbridge Irish and Charles B. Irish. Their farms were situated in the southeast part of the town in what was called the "Gore." $4,000 was deducted from Hartford's valuation and that amount was added to Buckfield's. — A notable dealth this year was that of Miss Colum- bia Gardner, on the i6th of June, at Mt. Vernon, Ala., from pulmonary consumption, where she had gone from her home in New Orleans, La., then at the head of the Young Ladies' Seminary in that city, to visit a lady friend. She was one of the most talented young ladies in the country and was fast attaining fame as a writer. She was buried where she died. The following is taken from a poem written by her mother on the event : "Upon her lone and distant grave. Oft the stranger's eye will rest ; While Alabama's oaken leaves Fall lightly o'er her breast. She sleeps — the daughter of the North, Far from her childhood's sphere ; Peace to the people of the South, Who kindly laid her here." Miss Gardner, while a resident of the South, had written the follow- ing lines : "Thou art my home, New England ! No other boon I'll crave. Save that thy gentlest breezes May whisper o'er my grave. O, lay me where the Pilgrim Has laid him down to rest ; And let the soil he hallowed Be heaped upon my breast." Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 423 i8S7. Dastine Spaulding was elected town clerk and C. D. Bradbury, supt. school committeee. — Albion P. Bonney was elected one of the selectmen. It was the beginning of a long and useful public service.— This year the vote for governor was: Lot M. Morrill, Rep., 2:2; Manasseh H. Smith, Dem., 197. For register of deeds: Alden Chase, 212; Stephen D. Hutch- inson, 197.— Alden Chase was elected. Mr. Hutchinson went into trade on Paris Hill, where he had resided since his first election as register of deeds. He never lost his interest in politics, however, nor ever tired of hear- ing them discussed around his store. 1858. Thomas J. Bridgham was elected supervisior of schools. — Ximenes Philbrick was elected to take charge of the town poor farm.— School dis- trict No. II was allowed to choose its own agent. — The town voted in May on the new liquor law passed by the legislature, for prohibition, 134; for license, o. — Vote for governor. Lot M. Morrill, 203; Manasseh H. Smith, 201. Representative to the legislature, Leonard P. Smith, Rep., 183; Ximenes Philbrick, Dem., 208. Smith had a majority in the district and was elected. 1859. Varanes DeCoster was selected to take charge of the poor farm. Noah Prince was chosen agent to defend the suit of Capt. Joseph Turner against the town. — It was voted to set off all the territory formerly be- longing to the town of Hartford, together with its inhabitants, for the purpose of forming a school district with a section of Hartford. — The town lines were perambulated this year. — Mrs. Maria Churchill, widow of Jabez Churchill, a Revolutionary soldier, died Oct. 24, aged 94 years. She was born in Wareham, Mass., Aug. 10, 1765, and was the daughter of Elnathan and Sarah Benson. i860. The report of the supt. school committee was published this year and 500 copies were authorized for circulation. — Geo. W. Battles was ap- pointed census enumerator this year for Buckfield and Hebron. — The selectmen were instructed to make a financial statement of the town's affairs and have it printed. — Noah Prince was authorized to take charge of the poor farm. — S. C. Andrews, Ephraim Atwood and Hiram Hines were chosen a committee to petition the legislature to pass an act for the town to loan its credit to the amount of $15,000 in aid of the construction of the Portland & Oxford Central Railroad. — Voted at a special meeting to instruct the town agent to have the suit of the town against James Murdock, late town liquor agent, and his bondsmen entered "Neither Party." — The "Lincoln Ticket" at the Presidential election had 215 votfes; "Douglass Ticket," 141; "Breckenridge Ticket," 16. Digitized by Microsoft® 424 HISTORY OF BQCKFfELD 1861. The Civil War having begun with the bombardment of Fort Sumter by the. Confederates, President Lincoln called for 7S,ooo volunteers to put down the Rebellion. Buckfield was not behind her sister towns in sending men to the front. The names of the men who went to the war are given elsewhere. — At the September election, the vote for governor was as fol- lows: Israel Washburn, Jr., Rep., 202; John W. Dana, Peace Dem., 126; Charles D. Jameson, War Dem., 102. — Mrs. Jennette, widow of John Lor- ing, Esq., died Dec. 25, aged 87 years and 6 months. — Varanes DeCoster was chosen chairman of the overseers of the poor, and instructed to take charge of the town farm. 1862. John D. Long was elected supt. school committee and Carlton Gardner, collector of taxes. — At the adjourned annual meeting, John D. Long was chosen moderator. — It was also voted not to release A. G. Cole as bonds- man for William Sawyer as collector of taxes for the year 1859, and to release all persons who will take their oath that they have paid their taxes in William Sawyer's bills for 1859. — Noah Prince was instructed to take charge of the town farm. — The selectmen defined the limits of the two enrolled militia companies. The dividing line between the east and west companies was the county road from Sumner by Albion P. Bonney's to the village, and the highway from the village bridge to Hebron through the Foster and Lothrop neighborhoods. — First company : James H. Ke- you, Capt. ; John D. Long, 1st Lieut.; Andrew J. Hall, 2d Lieut.; David L. Farrar, 3d Lieut. ; Moses Merrill, 4th Lieut. ; Josiah Hutchinson, Ord. Sergt. ; ist enrollment, 92; 2d enrollment, 128; entered the service, 55. Second company: Nahum Moore, Capt; Wm. F. Robinson, 1st Lieut.; Clinton Ripley, 2d Lieut.; Silas Mitchell, 3d Lieut.; N. T. Shaw, 4th Lieut.; F. H. Thompson, Ord. Sergt.; ist enrollment, 106; 2d enrollment, 128; entered the service, 49. — It was voted to raise $175 to aid destitute soldiers' families in accordance with state law, passed March l8th, 1862. — Jesse Turner was appointed to sell liquors for medicinal, mechanical and manufacturing purposes. Noah Prince and' Merritt Farrar were his bondsmen. — At a special meeting, held in July, $1900 were raised as a town bounty for 19 volunteers who were required to fill Buckfield's quota. — At another meeting, in August, it was voted to pay $20 to each volun- teer on being mustered into the service, and $9 a month for every month he served until discharged. In case the soldier was disabled from per- forming further service, or was killed, he and his family were to be paid for whole nine months. Capt. Charles H. Prince and others were form- ing, at that time, a company to serve nine months in Col. William Wirt Virgin's 23d Regt. of Inf'y. — The vote for governor this year stood thus : Abner Coburn, Rep,, 183; Bion Bradbury, Dem., 155; Chas. D. Jameson, 6. — John D. Long removed this year to Boston, Mass. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 425 Phebe Buck Foster at 95 1863. Transactions at annual town meeting : Ozias Whitman and S. C. An- drews were chosen supt. school committee. — Dastine Spaulding was au- thorized to take charge of the town farm. Wm. H. Atwood, A. H. Allen and A. D. White, the committee appointed to investigate the liquor agency, reported that $581.68 was due the town. It was voted to accept the re- port. — Voted $450 in aid of soldiers' families. — The governor vote this year was as follows : Samuel Coney, Rep., 209 ; Bion Bradbury, Dem., 168. — At a meeting in November, it was voted to pay each volunteer $300 to fill the quota of the town. The selectmen were chosen to take measures to fill the town's quota and $2000 were raised and put into their hands for the purpose. — On the I2tli day of November of this year, Phebe Fos- ter, widow of Joel Foster, senior, and a daughter of Abijah Buck, for whom the town was named, passed to the other world at the ripe old age of 97. She was about 11 years old when her father with his family moved into their forest home on the banks of the beautiful Nezinscot, April 1st, 1777. She had lived to see what no one else had, the first set- tlement, the beginning of the village and their growth to the time of their greatest prosperity, and to know that the town, in which so many of the Revolutionary Patriots had made their home, sustained to its fullest extent the Government in its efforts to preserve the Union. Digitized by Microsoft® 426 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELU 1864. At the annual town meeting Thomas Chase and Albion P. Bonney were chosen supt. school committee for three yeai-s and C. H. Carlton, for two years. — Voted to pay $300 to each drafted man "who is mustered into the U. S. Service." — Voted that the assessors, when taking the valua- tion, be instructed to put every man under oath. — Voted to raise $1,000 in aid of the soldiers' families. — Voted that the selectmen furnish assistance to those families where State aid is insufficient to make them comforta- ble. — ^A citizens' meeting was held and a committee chosen to go to Lew- iston and Augusta for the purpose of obtaining recruits to fill the quota of the town. — Vottd to pay $400 to each volunteer to fill the quota and $25 for each man on recruiting service. — At a town meeting in October, it was voted to raise $1400 to reimburse the men who subscribed to raise that amount to procure the last seven men needed to fill "the last call of the President for 500,000 men." — Voted not to raise $600 to pay R. S. Dorman and William W. Atwood for money paid out by them "to clear them from the draft of July, 1863." — At a town meeting in December, John E. Bryant was selected to consult with the Governor and Assistant Provost Marshal in relation to the last call of President Lincoln for vol- unteers. — $5,000 was raised to be placed in the hands of a "competent com- mittee to procure volunteers to fill the quota of the town under the last call. Thomas Chase, A. D. White and Merritt Farrar were selected. $500 was to be paid each volunteer. — The town passed resolutions against the discontinuance of the running of trains on the Buckfleld railroad. — The vote for governor at the September election was as follows : Samuel Coney, Rep., 190; Joseph Howard, Dem., 169. — For Representative to Con- gress, Sidney Perham, Rep., 185 ; S. C. Andrews, Dem., 171 ; Samuel Thomes, Dem., i. — For representative to the legislature, Thomas W. Bow- man, Rep., 190; H. H. Hutchinson, Jr., Dem., 165; scattering, 3. — The town clerk has recorded the vote at the presidential election thus : "Rep. Ticket, 192; Dem. Ticket, 171." — William Bridgham, M.D., died this year at the age of 83. — Col. James Bonney died Feb. 18th, aged 60.— America Farrar died Dec. 23d. — The quota of the town in March of this year un- der the last call of President Lincoln for volunteers to put down the Re- bellion was 22. Under the call in May, the quota was 41. The town had four to its credit. — Buckfield had credit at the Adjutant General's office, Augusta, with furnishing 193 men during the war. This included men serving in other than Maine organizations, and those drafted, furnishing substitutes, or paying commutation. The town paid $32,435.45 in bounties. 1865. At a town meeting held in January, $5,000 was raised to pay bounties for volunteers to fill the town's quota. This action was taken in antici- pation of another call for troops. At a meeting in February, this sum was increased to $7,500, the call of the President for troops having been made. John E. Bryant, Capt. Chas. H. Prince and Doctor C. D. Bradbury were chosen a committee to expend the money in the best manner possible Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFEELD 427 in procuring volunteers. It was voted to pay drafted men under this call, if there should be a draft, the sum of $500 each. Thirteen men were necessary to fill the quota. The war ended by the surrender of Lee at Appomattox, April 9th.— Carlton Gardner was elected town clerk.— Appro- priations: $7,000 for debt and interest; $1,275 for support of schools; $500 for support of poor; $600 for roads and bridges; $2,000 to be expended in labor on highways. — A. D. White, Hiram Hines and Varanes DeCoster were chosen a committee to sell the town farm. — Rev. Frederick Foster, formerly pastor of the Baptist church society in Buckfield, died in Ware, N. H., aged about 50.— Mrs. Ellen T., wife of Hon. Albion P. Bonney, died March 26th, aged 36. — By act of the legislature this year, Stephen Spaulding of Sumner, together with his real estate, was set off from that town and annexed to Buckfield. — On the 14th day of September occurred a family gathering at the old homestead of the late Rev. Nathaniel Chase, owned and occupied by his son, Hon. Thomas Chase. Eighty persons con- sisting of the children and grandchildren of Elder Chase, with their fami- lies, were present. Among other exercises was a foot-race, participated in by five of the sons — Nathaniel of Sidney, Job of Livermore, Isaac of Peru, and Thomas and William of Buckfield. — Isaac carried off the honors. — The town farm was sold at public auction in October. The sale was made in several lots and brought $4,150. Another farm in another part of the town better adapted for the purpose, was purchased for $2,300. 1866. The vote for governor this year stood : Gen. J. L. Chamberlain, Rep., 204; Eben F. Pillsbury, Dem., 195. — Hon. Thomas Chase, a member of the state senate, died in March, from the effects of a tumor in the leg. He was a son of Rev. Nathaniel Chase. — Edward L. Parris, Esq., began the practice of the law iri New York city this year. — Nathaniel Shaw died in August, aged 80. — The engine house at the village burned Nov. 2d. Three locomotives which were in it at the time it caught fire, weie saved. The engine house was never rebuilt. One was built at East Sumner, where the supt. of railroad moved his office in Dec— Jason Farrar was appointed station agent here. N. T. Shaw was appointed a deputy sherifE this year. — The following persons and firms paid a tax this year in town of $75 and upwards : W. H. Atwood, $80.10 L. E. Keen, 75.06 S. C. Andrews, 78.90 Ephraim Lowe, 92.04 C. B. Atwood, 99-75 Lucius Loring, 105.00 A. H. Allen, 106.50 Hubbard Lowell, 80.76 E. Atwood, 136.02 Zadoc Long, 117.00 A. P. Bonney, 86,70 Nahum Moore, 103.08 0. Bridgham, 75-74 Silas Mitchell, 84.00 C. H. Berry, 87-48 Horace Morrill, 78.18 J. Bicknell, 95-46 L. Mason, 88.92 T. G. Bicknell, 78.84 Nathan Morrill, 387.00 A. F. Cole, 119.97 Noah Prince, 101.46 Digitized by Microsoft® 428 HISTORY OF BtJCKFJFXD T. Chase & Son, 140.88 William Record, 80.58 Varanes DeCoster, 131-28 G. W. Shaw, 82.14 J. Fobes, 75-54 Dastine Spaulding, 91-56 D. L. Farrar, 81.12 N. T. Shaw, 1 1 1.78 J. Fields, 109.92 W. F. Spaulding, 174.84 Ira Gardner, 75.00 J. H. Skillings, 90.00 Hiram Hines, 287.88 A. L. Thomas, 132.00 A. K. Hall, 95.64 A. Thompson, ■ 79-92 F. Hollis, 79.20 A. G. Wood, 96.60 J. W. Whitten, 79-08 A. D. White, 195.18 R. B. Waite, 84.84 T. Warren, 96.78 V. D. Parris, 82.50 F. A. Warren, 89.52 1867. Doings at annual town meeting: Jason Farrar was elected town clerk; J. C. Irish was chosen supt. school committee. — Voted to form a union school district of No. 8 in Buckfield with No. i in Hebron. Adalbert S. Jordan, Nathan Maxim, Moses Jordan and Rachel Turner were set off from No. 2 to the new district. — It was voted to exempt town bonds from taxation until maturity, and that the selectmen be instructed to petition the legislature to legalize this act of the town. — Timothy Hutchinson was 93 years old this year, and his wife, Nizaula (Rawson), was 90 years of age. They had moved to Albany in 1819. — On the morning of March 9th, the wife of Hiram Hines, Esq., fell down a flight of stairs from a cham- ber at Dr. Atwood Crosby's and was injured so badly that she died in about an hour, at the age of 55. — Dr. Crosby, formerly of China, came to Buckfield in 1866. He purchased the practice of Dr. Chas. Bridgham. — Dastine Spaulding sold his farm and stand in April and moved to Cape Elizabeth, — Albion Wilson from Topsham opened a drug store in the building formerly occupied by William Atwood. — The vote for repre- sentative to the legislature this year stood as follows : S. C. Andrews, Dem., 228; Hiram Hines, Rep., 114; C. D. Bradbury, Rep., 55; L. B. Ham- lin, I. 1868. Josiah Hutchinson was elected town clerk; A. C. Whitman was chosen supt. school committee for three years and C. D. Bradbury for two years. — $3,000 was raised to pay town debts and interest. — At a town meeting held in August, to act on the proposition for the town to take preferred stock in the Portland and Oxford Central Railroad Co., to the amount of $15,000 by issuing bonds, it was voted to pass over the article. At another meeting called during the same month, to see if the town would issue bonds to the amount of $10,000, it was also voted to pass over the article. — It was Sumner's turn to send a representative this year. The vote in Buckfield stood as follows : C. D. Bradbury, Dem., 263 ; Chas. Y. Tuell, Rep., 149; Isaac Heath, Dem., 10; scattering, i.— The vote in town for President was as follows ; Grant electors, 183 ; Seymour electors, 171. — Phebe C, wife of Nahum Moore, Esq., died Jan. loth, at the age of Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 429 41.— The Line school district comprising 14 farms in Hartford and 9 in Buckfield, had at the winter term of the school, 28 pupils.— Capt. Chas. H. Prince was elected to Congress this year from Georgia, where he had made his home since the war closed.— Stephen Spaulding died April 8th, aged 80.— The Loring house at the village was purchased this year by Kimball Prince of New York.— Jotham Shaw died June 2Sth, aged 66.— Five houses in the village recall to mind the words of the poet, "Com- panions of my father's. We have marked the generations as they pass." The five houses referred to were the Dr. Wm. Bridgham, the James Jewett, the Dominicus Record, the Capt. Josiah Parris and the John Lor- ing stands.— Charles Carroll Loring died Oct. 8th, aged 36. He was the only son of Lucius and Sarah Loring. He had a taste for literature and had been a frequent contributor to the Portland Transcript and other papers under the signature of "Nezinscot." 1869. Transactions at annual town meeting: A. J. Merrill was elected supt. school committee for two years, and A. F. Mason for three years. — M. A. Allen was chosen collector of taxes and was to be paid $90 for his ser- vices. — Burnham Bros, of Pprtland were exempted from taxation for a term of ten years. — Voted that each school district choose its own agent. — Voted to raise $1 per head on every inhabitant of the town for school money. — ^Lemuel Cole was instructed to repair the townhouse. — Stephen Childs was set off from school district No. 7 to No. 4. — The selectmen were instructed to sell the remainder of the poor farm at public auction before haying time. — ^Josiah W. Whitten was appointed deputy sheriff this year, which gave great satisfaction in town and vicinty to the friends of temperance. — Nine feet and six inches of snow fell during the winter. Forty-nine inches fell in February. — Daniel Austin died January 29th, aged 68. He had lived all his days upon the same farm and was buried on the anniversary of his birthday. — Mrs. Nizaula (Rawson), widow of the late Timothy Hutchinson, formerly a citizen of Buckfield, died at Albany, Feb. 25, in her 92d year. They had lived together about 70 year's. — The railroad bridge at the village fell April 27th, as the engine of the down train ran on to the first span. The engine tender and the first car, loaded with wood, went into the stream. The conductor, Ed. S. Burroughs ; the engineer, O. P. Tucker; and a Frenchman, who was acting as fireman, went down with the locomotive. They escaped, however, without serious injury. — Simon Barrett, Esq., a former citizen of Sumner, where he had held all the important town offices and also that of the first postmaster, died there May 23d, aged 86.— Elkanah Irish died June 27, aged 77.— Mrs Margaret, wife of Elias Taylor, died Aug. 6th, at Hebron, aged 74 years.— A farmer's club was organized this year in Buckfield with the following officers : Co. A. D. White, Pres. ; Varanes DeCoster, Vice-Pres.; M. A. Allen, Sec— In September, William H. Atwood and Benjamin Spaulding began the building of their new store in which they afterwards traded for many years. It was built on the site of the old Foster, afterwards Digitized by Microsoft® 430 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Bridgham, tavern. — The amount allowed the town of Buckfield under the act passed by the legislature, equalizing bounties paid by the towns for volunteers in the Civil War, was $7,266.66.— Ebenezer Snell died Dec. 28, aged 63. 1870. Silas Mitchell was elected to take charge of the town farm. — The of- fice of treasurer was put up at auction. It was bid off by O. F. Gardner for $20, but S. C. Andrews was chosen treasurer. — A. D. White was chosen to manage the law cases of the town. — This year the vote for representative to the legislature was : S. C. Andrews, Dem., 189 ; Nahum Moore, Rep., 155; scattering, i. Mr. Moore had a majority of the votes in the whole district and was elected. The town lines were perambulated this year. — Capt. Joseph Turner died May 23, aged 70. — Dr. Zachariah J. Gammon, dentist, formerly a resident of Mechanic Falls, died June ig, aged S3.— Ira Gardner, Esq., died Sept. 3, aged 75.— The census taken this year showed a population of 1495. It was 1705 in i860. 1871. At the annual town meeting Jason Farrar was elected town clerk; Nahum Moore, town agent ; S. C. Andrews, supt. school committee, "short term;" Alfred Cole, "long term.'' It was decided to pay Dr. O. R. Hall $32.75 on condition that he withdraw his suit against the town and pay his own costs. — The selectmen were instructed to use the money appro- priated for the objects only for which they were raised. — Albion P. Bon- ney and Whitney Cummings were chosen as a committee to investigate the liquor agency, "as far back as the agency of M. B. Thomes," and re- port in two weeks. — The selectmen were directed to close the liquor agency, and for the town agent to prosecute all illegal sales of liquor. — S. C. Andrews, Dem., had 185 votes for representative to the legislature, John J. Perry, Rep., had 142. Perry was chosen, he having a majority in the district. — At a town meeting held in November, Chas. Forster was ex- empted from taxation for a term of S years, "on any mills, machinery and stock he may put upon the mill privilege at Shaw's bridge." — Candlemas Day, Feb. 2, was warm and cloudy. There was much bare ground and both sleighs and wagons were used. During the first part of March, the weather was the most pleasant which had been known for many years. — Jonah Hall died Feb. 24, aged 80. — Andrew Hall, formerly of East Buck- field, died at Peru, March 30. He served awhile in the army, in 1814. — Mrs. Dolly Taylor died at East Buckfield, April 2Sth. She was over 70 years of age. — Grin Farrar died May 3d, in his 64th year. — J. C. Fuller of Hebron opened a store here this year in the building once known as the Loring store. — Rev. George Thomes died in April at an advanced age. He had resided here since 1840, at which time he came to take charge, as pastor, of the Universalist society. He had been postmaster at the vil- lage for several years. — ^A portion of the flag that was taken by Com- modore O. H. Perry from the Lawrence to the Niagara, during the battle of Lake Erie, was in the possession, this year, of Zenas Shaw of East Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 431 Buckfield.— In October, Charles Forster bought the water privilege of E. H. Shaw near "Shaw's bridge" for the purpose of erecting a building and putting in machinery to manufacture toothpicks. — Rev. H. Linsley was ordained as pastor of the Baptist society Nov. ist.— Rev. Levi Hersey, a Freewill Baptist preacher of Richmond, purchased the Frank Bard farm and moved into town, the latter part of the year.— There were in the vil- lage this year 3 physicians, 2 dentists, 6 justices of the peace, I lawyer and 2 ministers. There were three secret society lodges. 1872. Transactions at the annual town meeting: Josiah C. Caldwell was elected school committee. — It was voted to exempt property from taxation for a period of ten years on any buildings, stock or machinery used for manufacturing purposes.— $4,000 was raised to erect a building for munici- pal purposes "with but one dissenting vote." — Voted to lease said building to any responsible person or persons for manufacturing purposes, for a term of ten years, "free of rent, they to keep it in repair, the town to keep it insured." — The vote for representative in town this year was : Alfred Cole, 219; G. D. Bisbee, 157. Mr. Bisbee had a majority in the district and was elected. — For presidential electors, "Grant Ticket," 130; Greely Ticket," 180. — The Baptist church and village schoolliouse were burned in the latter part of the year. Loss over $S,ooo. Fire caught in the church, origin unknown. The Baptist Society occupied the Univer- salist church until a new church was built the next year. — C. M. Dacey of Auburn started a shoe factory here this year. He employed from 20 to 30 persons of both sexes. — Hon. Noah Prince died Feb. 14, aged 74. He had been a worthy member of the Baptist church for many years prior to his death. — The train on the railroad was 19 days in getting from Canton to Mechanic Falls, in February. — The hay crop the year before had been short and the price of hay during the winter went up to between $20 and $30 per ton. The quantity of corn and meal fed to stock had never been so large before. — Nahum Moore, R. C. Jewett, S. C. Andrews and G. D. Bisbee were chosen a commmittee at a citizens' meeting in April to nego- tiate with parties at Stoneham, Mass., for the establishment of a shoe factory at the village. — ^At a town meeting held on the 20th of April, a vote passed to exempt from taxation any property used for manufac- turing purposes, for a term of ten years, to the amount of $50,000. M. A. Hanson & Co. was secured and a factory was built which employed from 30 to so operatives. 1873. At the annual town meeting O. F. Gardner was elected town clerk; S. C. Andrews, supt. school committee; N. T. Shaw, collector of taxes.— Voted that the selectmen meet the last Saturday of every month to draw town orders. — The following was the vote in town for county attorney: George D. Bisbee, Rep., 119; Samuel F. Gibson, Dem., 125; Henry Upton, Lib. Rep., 27. Mr. Bisbee had a majority in the whole county.— A new Digitized by Microsoft® 432 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Baptist church and schoolhouse were built this year. — From a record of the weather, kept at East Buckfield during the winter of i872-'73, it ap- pears that 39 snow storms had occurred, with a total fall of snow of 12 ft. and 2 in. — On May 31st, Timothy Record died at the age of 88, the old- est man in town at that time. He was a son of Jonathan Record, the old Revolutionary soldier.' — Hon. Zadoc Long died at the residence of his dau., Mrs. Persis S. White, in Mass., Feb. 3, aged 72 years. His remains were interred in the cemetery above the village. Funeral services were held in Buckfield, Feb. 7, Mr. Long had begun active life as a clerk in the store of Stephen Phelps. 1874. Alfred Cole was elected supt. school committee for 3 years and J. C. Irish for 2 years. — At the September election, the vote for sheriff stood : Josiah W. Whitten, Rep., 153; Seth T. Holbrook, Dem., 105; Albert D. White, Lib. Rep., 4. — Alfred Cole was drawn as a traverse juror for the S. J. Court. — D. C. Chase established a tri-weekly stage line this year be- tween Buckfield and Auburn. — Hon. Virgil D. Parris died June l6th, at his home on Paris Hill from the effects of a paralytic shock about two years before. He was 67 years of age at the time of his death. In 1851, ^^ persons in Buckfield were over 70 years old. These had all passed away before this year. — On Sept. 24, Martin Drake fell out of his chair and died at the age of 82. He had been in his usual health. He was living with his daughter, Mrs. John Damon, on the farm where he was born. "He never had his peer in strength and activity." — Mrs. Hannah Chase, daughter of Dr. Wm. Bridgham, and widow of Isaac Chase of Turner, died at Buckfield, Oct. 28, aged about 70. — James Murdock died on the 15th of January of this year, aged 56. He was a native of Hebron and a tailor by trade. He was for many years in the employ of Atwood, Spaulding & Co. For several years he was town clerk. Mr. Murdock was a soldier in the Civil War and lost a leg in Sheridan's campaign against Early in the Shenandoah Valley. — The number of resident tax- payers this year were 380. Those who paid $50 or more numbered 143. Seventy-three had paid $76 or more, 35 $100, and S jpaid $200 or more. — The mortality for the year was 19, — 7 males and 12 females — against 26 the previous year; 8 were in the village. — Alfred Cole, G. D. Bisbee and Dr. J. C. Irish were chosen at a school district meeting in the village to take measures to establish a permanent high school. — ^John D. Long was elected this year from Hingham, Mass., which he had made his permanent home, as a representative to the General Court, by the Republicans. This was his real start in political life. He was three times re-elected. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 433 CHAPTER XXX. Secret Societies. freemasonry. Freemasonry existed in Biickfield among its earliest settlers, when there was no lodge nearer than Portland. United Lodge, now at Brunswick, chartered at Topsham in 1801, later became a Masonic home to which those worthy pioneers of this town fre- quently journeyed in company. A few years later a more con- venient place of meeting was found in Oxford Lodge, chartered at Paris Hill in 1807. This lodge was composed of Masons from Buckfield, Paris and Norway, and in its organization the follow- ing residents of Buckfield appear as charter members : Henry Farwell, prominent as a lawyer, Abijah Buck, the first permanent settler of the town, Oren Record, a large land owner, William Bridgham, Jr., the most eminent physician in this vicinity, and Larned Swallow and Barnabas Perry, both blacksmiths and leading men of affairs. These men appear to have been prominent in the early history of this lodge, for at its first meeting, held in Hubbard's Hall, Henry Farwell was elected W. M., Larned Swallow, S. D., and Barnabas Perry, Tyler. Farwell was continued master two years. The subsequent records of the lodge show that the following citizens of Buckfield were made masons at Paris Hill : Moses Buck in 181 5, James Bowker in 1816, Nathaniel Harlow in 1817, and John Bicknell in 1824, and the following early resi- dents appear of record as visiting brethren: Richard Waldron, Thomas Joselyn and Stephen Phelps. Several other old-time residents of the town were known to be masons, among whom were Abraham Waldron, Nathan Atwood, Amos Winslow, Stephen Spaulding, and Rev. George Thomes. But the lodge associations of these men, at length, were rudely interrupted by the blighting storm of anti-masonry, known as the Morgan excitement, which cast a gloom over the fraternity of the whole country and closed the doors of Oxford Lodge in 1830 for a period of twenty-three years, during which time the brethren could only meet in obscure conference. One of their number, Nathaniel Harlow, was subjected to bitter persecution and church discipline for his ofifense of being a mason, reference Digitized by Microsoft® 434 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD to which is more fully made in the church history in this vokime. Masonry continued to flourish in Buckfield, in a quiet way, with a few worthy representatives, till the formation of Nezinscot Lodge at Turner in i860, which afforded a more convenient meet- ing place than had hitherto been enjoyed, and a revival of masonic interest followed in this community. In 1865 about twenty masons were residing in Buckfield, roost of whom had been made in Nezinscot Lodge, and, as their num- bers increased they advanced the proposition for a lodge of their own; but this met with strong opposition from the Turner brethren, and for two years the proposal was a subject of consid- erable controversy and vexation in the lodge. The matter was twice brought before the Grand Lodge and sharply contested, but after a protracted hearing a dispensation was granted in May, 1868, under which the first regular meeting was held June 1st, of that year, with the following officers : Thomas W. Bowman, W. M., Holman W. Waldron, S. W., and James H. Keyou, J. W. During the period of the dispensation ten master masons were made, the first being Nahum Moore. After this prosperous year the organization received its charter as Evening Star Lodge, No. 147, under date of May 5, 1869, with the following names of charter members : Thomas "W. Bowman George T>. Bisbee Josiah W. Whitten Holman W. Waldron Sullivan C. Andrews William F. Bard Newell M. Varney Charles B. Atwood Albion J. Buck Nahum Moore Silas Shaw William Chase Asa Atwood James H. DeCoster James H. Keyou Benjamin F. Cary William P. Bridgham Jason Farrar Benjamin Spaulding William A. Gerrish Simon L. Johnson William P. Robinson Henry C. Rioker Lorenzo Cushman At a Special meeting on the afternoon of July 13, 1869, the first election of officers under the charter was held, and the lodge was duly constituted by Past Master M. T. Ludden of Nezinscot Lodge, agreeably to a commission from Grand Master Lynde. The occasion is recalled as one of great interest and enjoyment. Before the dispensation had been granted the brethren, in anticipation of a lodge, had leased and fini.shed a hall over the village drug store, then conducted by Mr. A. D. Wilson, and the lodge continued to occupy this room till 1895, when it moved to Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 435 more convenient and commodious quarters on the second floor of the brick building, known as the Allen & Thomes store, where a new hall had been finished and newly furnished. The largest masonic gathering ever in Buckfield was in attend- ance on the funeral of Dr. John F. DeCoster, June 5, 1898. The first three officers of the lodge have been as follows : w. M. 1868 Thomas W. Bowman 1869 Thomas W. Bowman 1S70 Holman W. Waldron 1871 Sullivan C. Andrews 1872 Jason Farrar 1S73 Holman W. Waldron 1874 Josiah W. Whitten 1875 Henry C. Bicker 1876 George D. Bisbee 1877 Charles R. Whitten 1878 Charles R. Whitten 1879 Henry C. Ricker 1880 Jason Farrar 1881 Josiah W. Whitten 1882 J. Ward Maxim 1883 Richard S. Dorman 1884 Henry C. Ricker 1885 Henry C. Ricker 1S86 Henry C. Ricker 1887 Lewis B. Spaulding 1888 Lewis B. Spaulding 1889 Josiah W. Whitten 1890 Josiah W. Whitten 1891 Lewis B. Spaulding 1892 Josiah W. Whitten 1893 Fred L. Chesley 1894 Olpha L. Varney 1895 Olpha L. Varney 1896 Henry C. Ricker 1897 Henry C. Ricker 1898 Washington Heald 1899 Augustus F. Cloutier 1900 John E. Moore 1901 Arthur E. Cole 1902 Frederick R. Dyer 1903 Horace A. Murch S. W. Holman W. Waldron Holman W. Waldron Sullivan C. Andrews Jason Farrar Josiah W. Whitten Henry C. Ricker Henry C. Ricker James H. DeCoster James H. DeCoster Augustus C. Tubbs Preston S. Lowe Jennet A. Rawson Jennet A. Rawson J. Ward Maxim Augustus C. Tubbs Rinaldo Monk Isaac W. Shaw Isaac W. Shaw Josiah W. Whitten Josiah W. Whitten Josiah W. Whitten Charles A. Marshall Jennet A. Rawson Fred L. Chesley Fred L. Chesley Gipha L. Varney Augustus P. Cloutier Augustus F. Cloutier W^ashington Heald Washington Heald Horace A. Murch Horace A. Murch Arthur B. Cole Frederick R. Dyer Wilson H. Conant ■ Harry M. Heald J. W. James H. Keyou James H. Keyou George D. Bisbee Henry C. Ricker Henry C. Ricker Silas Shaw James H. DeCoster Augustus C. Tubbs Augustus C. Tubbs, Benjamin F. Cary Appleton F. Mason Richard S. Dorman Richard S. Dorman Augustus C. Tubbs Rinaldo Monk Frank P. Withington Herbert F. Irish Herbert F. Irish Ezra Marshall Charles A. Marshall Charles A. Marshall Charles H. Dunham Harry L. Bonney Olpha L. Varney Olpha L. Varney Augustus F. Cloutier Fred B. Heald Willie E. Bowker Charles F. Berry Charles P. Berry Arthur E. Cole Arthur B. Cole Frederick R. Dyer W^ilson H. Conant Gilbert B. Spaulding William C. Allen The Treasurers 'have been SuUivan C. Andrews, James H. DeCoster, Nahum Moore, George D. Bisbee, Josiah W. Whitten, Richard S. Dorman, Isaac W. Shaw, Benjamin Spaulding, Thomas S. Bridgham and Henry H. Nulty. The Secretaries have been James H. DeCoster, three years ; Salathiel Tilton, two years ; Cyrus C. Spaulding, one year ; Charles R. Whitten, five years ; Jason Farrar, one year, and Alfred Cole, twenty-four years. Digitized by Microsoft® 436 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD During its organization of thirty-six years Evening Star Lodge has been a well established institution, extending its kindly aid to its members in need and exercising a broad influ- ence for good in the community. It has had no rapid growth, but has maintained harmonious associations and quietly advanced in stability. Its total membership has been one hundred and sixty-six from which seventy-seven have been lost by death, dimit and other causes. JUNIOR ORDER OF UNITED AMERICAN MECHANICS Eagle Council, No. 40, of this order was organized in the village, Nov. 16, 1899, with the following charter members: Preston C. Heald Wrilliam A. Mitchell Wilson H. Conant Carl M. Heald Ernest M. Atwood Frank Washburn William C. Bisbee Arlington Damon John D. Gerrish Harry M. Heald Stephen J. Spaulding Charles B. Damon Honorary members: Joseph B. Damon and James F. Packard. The first officers were: Ernest M. Atwood, Councilor. Frank Washburn Vice Councilor. Harry M. Heald, Recording SRcretary. James F. Packard, Treasurer. The election of officers occurs semi-annually in January and July. This order occupies the old Masonic Hall over J. A. Rawson's drug store. It has won a good degree of prosperity. woman's. SOCIETIES. The women of Buckfield have always been active in the pro- m.otion of the social interests of the community. From the earliest days of the town, all its progressive and reformatory movements have been largely indebted to their efforts for suc- cess and permanence, e.specially in temperance and church affairs. Formerly their labors were mostly auxiliary to established organizations, but of late years, while continuing their co-opera- tive work, they have also kept pace with the tendency of the times through organizations for independent action in the fields of mutual improvement and public reform. The Buckfield Literary Club was organized April i, 1895, and at first was limited to twenty-five members ; but this restric- tion was subsequently removed, and the club is now open to all. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 437 The club entered upon a course of reading and study, holding fortnightly meetings for discussion and presentation of original essays and papers on literary topics. It was a success from the start and now numbers thirty-eight members. The Nezinscot History Club was organized March 9, 1897, with thirteen members. This club was in no sense a rival of the former one, but the outgrowth of increasing interest in literary matters, which sought membershii) beyond the limit of the earlier organization. As indicated by its name the scope of its work is largely on historic lines. It has been steadily prosperous and acquired thirty-two members. These two clubs have worked in harmony, with elevating results, and taken a permanent place in the community in which they have exercised broad educational influence. A branch of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union was organized here Aug. 25, 1899, and has received large patronage. It has held several large and interesting public meetings and has been active in works of charity and reform. PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY. Mountain Grange, No. 164, was organized under a dispensa- tion dated May 15, 1875, and its charter is dated July 9th of that year. It was organized in West Buckfield, with Alvin S. Bessey as its first master. Its original membership was drawn largely from that part of the town, but it acquired several mem- bers from the vicinity of the village and a few from Paris. Meetings were held several years in the schoolhouses and farm- houses and later at the village in the hall of Hotel Long The members acted in co-operation, for a time, in the purchase and distribution of household supplies, but this arrangement con- tinued but a short time. Although the organization had no rapid growth, yet for several years it had well attended and interesting meetings, and its field of advancement was promising-; but unfortunately controversies crept into the ranks, which disturbed its harmonious associations until its meetings were discontinued, and its functions as a society wholly ceased. With no live organization of their own in town, many Buckfield farmers united with granges in other towns, and no further activity in the interest of the home grange was manifested until the summer Digitized by Microsoft® 438 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD of 1 901, when a revival of interest occurred, which resulted in its organization June 17, 1901, in Grand Army Hall, under the old name and charter, with Henry Parsons, Master. Soon after Nezinscot Hall was leased in which the meetings have since been held. The organization at once enlisted the interest of farmers and soon grew into favor with the general public, acquiring in less than two years' time a membership of more than one hundred. With its largely attended meetings, its public lectures and entertainments this grange has acquired an important place in the social interests of the community. ODD FKLLOW.S. This fraternal order, as an organization in Buckfield, is of comparatively recent date. Previous to 1883 its only representa- tives here were a few members of distant lodges, having no lodge privileges of convenient access. Early in that year five citizens of the village were initiated intO' the order in Abou Ben Adhem Lodge at Auburn. These five brothers, with three resident representatives of other distant lodges, united in a petition to the Grand Lodge for an organization of their own, and a charter, under date of Aug. 14, 1883, designating the organization as Nezinscot Lodge, No. 104, which was readily granted, naming the following charter members : Fremont L.. Irish Thomas S. Bridgham Charles C. Withington Granville A. Harlow Jennet A. Rawson Converse S. Childs Albion P. Bonney Zenas C. Holmes Previous to the date of the charter a dispensation was granted under authority of which the lodge was instituted May 11, 1883, by Grand Master Silas W. Cook, with the following officers: Albion P. Bonney, Noble Grand, Fremont L, Irish, Vice-Grand, and Thomas S. Bridgham, Secretary. The lodge was organized in Masonic Hall, which was occupied for meetings till suitable rooms were provided in the hall of the Long house, where meet- ings were held about seven years. Though starting with few members and with slight resources, the new lodge soon grew into favor and prosperity. Meetings were held every Saturday evening with increasing work and interest, and a good member- ship was soon acquired from Buckfield and neighboring towns. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKKiKLD 439 As the lodge continued to increase in numbers and financial strength, a more commodious place of meeting appeared neces- sary, and after considerable investigation and debate, it was decided to erect a new building. The site on which the Hanson shoe factory formerly stood was secured, plans were accepted for a two-story building, thirty by seventy- L wo feet, which was erected in the season of 1890, at a cost of about twenty-five hundred dollars for foundation, building and furnishings. This building was named Nezinscot Hall. The upper floor is used for lodge purposes and the lower part as a public hall, in which large public meetings, concerts and social entertainments are usually held. It was used as a Town Hall five years, dating from March, i8gi. The first lodge meeting in the new hall was held Nov. 29, 1890, and the dedicatory exercises occurred Feb. 12, 1891, with the presence of the Grand Master and a large attendance. Since that time many improvements have been made and several acquisitions added to the property, including stable rooms, furniture and a degree staff outfit, purchased in 1899, at a cost of four hundred dollars. From its sm.all beginnings to the present time the lodge has been generally prosperous. It has lost eight members by death, and, in 1885, ten members withdrew to institute a lodge at Tur- ner. Membership, one hundred and twenty-six. The lodge has acquired valuable and finely equipped lodge property, is free from debt, and has funds in the treasury. Its associative interests have been broad, including several installations and other meet- ings in its public functions. Its calls for fraternal aid have been frequent, which have always been met with promptness and liberality. Previous to 1893 the election of officers occurred every six months, but at that date the official term was extended to one year, with annual meetings regulated to the last Saturday in December and installations to the first Saturday in January. The officers of the lodge have been as follows : N. G. : Albion P. Bonney, Fremont L. Irish, Zenas C. Holmes, Homer N. Chase, Thomas S. Bridgbam, Jerome B. Irish, E. Herbert Cole, Walter H. Purkis, Converse S. Childs, Winslow H. Allen, John F. DeCoster, Fred H. Atwood, Arthur E. Cole, Daniel J. Russell, Charles C. Withington, Cyrus M. Digitized by Microsoft® 440 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Irish, Rozalvo Crockett, Horace A. Irish, Henry A. Bicknell, Alfred S. Holland, George A. Holmes, Eugene L. Gardner, Alfred T. Cole, Lewis C. Mason, Benjamin E. Gerrish, Roscoe G. Stephens, Bethuel Gary, Edwin Maxim, Ezra Keene and Adel'bert Parsons. Secretaries : Thomas S. Bridgham, Fred A. Robinson, James M. xMlen, Oscar H. Hersey, Winslow H. Allen, Charles C. Vv^ithington, Albion P. Bonney, Fred H. Atwood, Arthur E. Cole and James E. Warren. Treasurers : Granville A. Harlow, Converse S. Childs, Wilson Shaw, George D. Bisbee, timothy H. Lunt, Cyrus M. Irish, John F. DeCoster, Daniel J. Russell, Albion P. Bonney, W. H. Purkis, Alphonso F. Warren, Charles T. , Bowen, Benjamin Spaulding, Jr., C. S. Childs and Alphonso F. Warren. DAUGHTERS OF REBEK.\H Good Faith Rebekah Lodge, No. 40, was instituted Jan. 6, 1892, with regular meetings assigned to the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. It has been a popular and successful institution, and a valuable adjunct to Nezinscot Lodge. PUBLIC LIBRARY. The Zadoc Long Free Library was a gift of love to Buckfield from her most distinguished son, John Davis Long, and a fitting memorial to his father and mother, Zadoc Long and Julia Temple Davis. Its history reflects a happy unity of public senti- ment with the kindly motives of its donor and is of deep and lasting interest to the town's people, who had long been desirous, though hardly expectant, of such an institution. For several years Mr. Long had cherished tlioughts of pro- viding a Public Library for the people of his native town. He is a man of strong local attachments and love for old friends and associations, and, dur'ng his years as Secretary of the Navy, his annual sojourns here at his midsummer home, with its charm- ing prospects of stately hills and green valleys, were sweetened with the charming quietude of country life and the haunt.ng memories of boyhood days. Under the inspiration of these associations his first thought was to utilize the mechanics shop of Gilbert Tilton, formerly the old schoolhouse on Loring's Hill, Digitized by Microsoft® 3 Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 443 in which he took his first educational steps as a barefooted boy. His plan was to move this old building to a suitable lot and transform it into a library, preserving, as far as possible, its original features, but this project was found to be impracticable, and plans for a new building by Architect John Calvin Stevens of Portland were adopted. A desirable building lot was given by Mrs. Josephine Thomes, and the town voted an appropriation of five hundred dollars for the foundation, which was laid in the fall of 1900 by A. W. Libby, and in the spring following work was commenced on the building, which was completed in mid- summer and dedicated at Union Chapel on Buckfield's Old Home Week day, Aug. 17, 1901. The occasion was largely attended by citizens and home-comers, and was one of rare social enjoyment and a,biding interest. The library was presented to the town by Secretary Long through a deed of trust, naming the follow- ing trustees : Alfred Cole, Charles H. Prince, Thomas S. Bridgham, Benja- min Spaulding and Ardelia H. Prince. As measured with millionaire libraries this building is neither spacious nor expensive, but it is of ample dimensions for this community. It is characterized with painstaking neatness and architectural simplicity in accord with the donor's tastes. It is a one-story wood building, 40x25 feet, with porch, the whole resting on a massive foundation of native granite and under- pinning of rubble stones, selected from the fields and streams. The building occupies an ideal site for a village library. It stands on an elevated, terraced green, fronting the village sciuare, and is shaded with beautiful elms, a guardian tree, near the porch standing on either side of the entrance walk. This plot of ground is known as the old Parris lot and holds a historic place in the associations of the town. On it was erected one of the first houses in Buckfield, in which bur earliest trader, Mark Andrews, kept a store, supply- ing the early settlers with corn and other necessities. Here lived and died Oapt. Josiah Parris of Revolutionary fame, and here was born Hon. Virgil D. Parris, long prominently associated with local and public affairs. The older residents of the town often recall the old house, with its primrose enclosure, as it stood for many years in desertion and decay, with an old weather- worn gLiideboard on its walls dimly pointing the way to .\ugusta. Digitized by Microsoft® 444 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD The interior of the library, with its soft, harmonizing tints, its pictures and tablets, its open fireplace and bright, cheery outlook, is pleasing in its neat simplicity and homelike atmos- phere, and is admirably arranged for convenience and cosiness. The furnititre of the library was provided by Mr. Long, as were also its liberal suppty of books, with his children, Margaret, Helen and Peirce, and his nephews, Joseph Nelson White, Zadoc Long White, Charles Davis White, Stephen Long Bartlett and Charles Strout Long, as associate donors. The cost of the library above the foundation, with its books and furniture, was five thousand dollars, and the value of its lot, foundation and other accessories would increase the amount to more than six thousand dollars. This noble tribute of the heart was bestowed upon the people of the town as a free gift without any exacting pledges. Other donors, whose gifts have been honored with com- memorative tablets, are as follows : Mrs. Josephine Thomes, the lot of land on which the build- ing stands. Mrs. John Calvin Stevens, the pictures in the reading room in memorial of her parents, Howard Douglass W'aldron and Caroline Howard Baker. The sons of Thomas Chase, a fine Magee heating apparatus. Other gifts have been a full supply of library lamps from the Buckfield Ladies' Dramatic Club, fireplace equipments from William C. Spaulding, reference bookcase from the Nezinscot History Club, many valuable books- from Mrs. Stephen L. Bartlett and many other books and useful articles from various sources. A fine oil portrait of Mr. Long has also been added to the reading room, filling a wall space specially reserved for it. The library is now well supplied with all needed useful and ornamental appurtenances, and contains about four thousand volumes of well-selected books, in excellent editions, and well balanced in the various departments of literature. The library was opened for the distribution of books Sept. 7, 1901, with Miss Lizzie L. Allen as librarian. It at once came into public favor and appreciation and became the town's center of literary interest to which all visitors and home-oomers are attracted. It is an enduring monument of honor to its donor and blessing to the community, through its broadening educa- tional beneficence and elevating social influences. Digitized by Microsoft® PilSTORY OF BUCKFIRLD 445 CHAPTER XXXI. Railroads. The coiistruclion of the Buckfield Branch Railroad, the original of the present railroad system, through the eastern part of O'xford County, was a great undertaking for a small country town, and a striking indication of the energy and enter- prise of its citizens at a date when the building of railroads was in its infancy. When the project of connecting Montreal, Canada, by rail with Portland, Maine, was first agitated, the business men of Buckfield and other towns in the Androscoggin Valley held a meeting at Buckfield, July 10, 1835, for the pur- pose of securing the location through that section of the county. An organization was effected by the choice of John Briggs, Esq., of Sumner, as President, and Samuel F. Brown, Esq., of Buck- field, Secretary. Appropriate resolutions were passed and a committee consisting of William Lowell, A/'irgil D. Parris, with the president and secretary, was selected to represent the Oxford County towns through which the railroad might be built, before any incorporated body was authorized tO' construct it. A com- mittee composed of Col. Aaron Parsons, Luther Bridgham and Adam Knight was. chosen to make a survey for the road from Dixfield Village to Gray Corner. Nothing, however, came from these proceedings, but in March, 1845, the year in which the Atlantic & St. Lawrence R. R. Company was incorporated, a meeting was held at Buclcfield Village and the effort was renewed to obtain its construction through the towns in eastern Oxford County, and a committee was chosen to survey a route from Mechanic Palls to Rumford Point. ' When it had finally been determined to construct the road through Oxford, Paris and Woodstock in the Little Androscoggin Valley, instead of through Hebron and Buckfield, it was determined by the business men of Buckfield and others interested with them, to build a road from the village to Mechanic Falls to connect with the Atlantic & St. Lawrence railroad, and northward from Backfield to Canton and Rumford as soon as circumstances would permit. Hon. A^irgil D. Parris took the lead in this enterprise, and on the 22d day of July, 1847, he, with 36 others, nearly all citizens of Buckfield, obtained a charter to construct the "Buck- Digitized by Microsoft® 446 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD field Branch Railroad." Mr. Parris was chosen President and Washington Long, Treasurer, of the company. Sufficient stock having been subscribed, ground was broken for the road at Buckfield Village, with appropriate exercises on the 31st day of October, 1848, amid a great concourse of people, from Buckfield and adjoining towns. The address was made by Hon. Virgil D. Parris. Rev. Nathaniel Chase, the first settled minister and a soldier of the Revolution, then 87 years old, invoked the divine blessing, and Jonathan Record, 93 years old, also a soldier in the War for Independence, who had assisted in bushing out a path for the first settlers as they came into town, threw the first shoverful of earth into a wheelbarrow and Capt. Josiah Parris, still another Revolutionary War soldier, wheeled it away. In the procession were five other Revolutionary veterans. Work was begun at once and before February of the follow- ing year, one-fourth of the distance to Mechanic Falls had been graded, and contracts for the rails placed. The year 1849 was one of great activity among the business men of the village. A large station or depot as it was then called, was built and an engine house erected, and before the year ended, the rails were laid to Mechanic Falls. The Atlantic & St. Lawrence road was opened to South Paris and on the nth day of January, 1850, the first train hauled by the little locomotive named the "Path- finder," arrived at the village amid the booming of cannon. Ozen Spaulding, the former stage driver, who had elsewhere been in railroad service, was the first conductor on the train. He continued in this service till the autumn of 1856. The first depot master was Kimball N. Prince. He was succeeded by Simeon Hussey and George H. Bailey, — Dr. Bailey, the well- known veterinary surgeon of Portland. He boarded at the Bridgham Hotel on the present site of the Spaulding store, which was burned on the night of May 13, 1854, and he barely escaped with only the clothing he wore. He was succeeded that year by Jairus Harlow, who remained till after train service was sus- pended and was entrusted with many interests by the company. Moses B. Thomes was one of the early engineers on the train, and took great pride in his engine. He ran the first three, the "Pathfinder," "V. D. Parris" and the "Buckfield." The last was the first good machine on the road. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 447 In 1850 there were 122 Buckfield stockholders of the com- pany, with holdings from one to 21 shares each — 320 in all at $100 per share. Dr. William Bridgham owned 21 shares, and Addison G. Cole, Ira Gardner and Capt. James Jewett, 20 shares each. The railroad centralized a large amount of business in the village, stimulating all branches of trade and industry, and greatly increasing its material growth and population, but the building and equipment of the road had proved an expensive affair, and its constant maintenance soon gave rise to many financial embarrassments. In October, 1849, the road had been mortgaged to Hon. Francis O. J. Smith for $35,000. The earn- ings of the road for a short time were sufficient to meet its run- ning expenses, but not enough to pay any of this mortgage. But ere long it began to run behind in its running expenses, and when Smith's mortgage had grown to some $40,000 from accu- mulated interest, an additional debt of an equally large sum had accumulated, and Smith took possession of the road in 1851 under his mortgage. Under the law, the stockholders could be assessed to double the original amount of their stock, and Smith tried to realize money by this method, on those who had property. Some paid in full, some effected settlements through compromise, some conveyed their property away to evade payment, and others resisted in the courts, only to be beaten in the end and subjected to additional costs and expense. Thus, in a few years the orig- inal stock of the road became worthless, and this great loss was a shattering blow to many individual fortunes, the effects of which are felt to this day. The people of Buckfield sunk over $50,000 in the road. In October, 1852, Smith rendered a statement of the business of the road for the year, showing receipts of $10,674 and expen- ditures of $10,890! The mortgage indebtedness then amounted to a sum over $51,000. Meantime, Smith had started the project to extend the road to Canton Point, with the ultimate idea of a further extension to Farmington, and the towns through which the road was to be built were asked to aid the enterprise to the amount of $50,000. The work of grading the road bed was begun and Smith, in March, 1853, brought his family to Buck- field and became a resident of the town. Among his schemes was the Utopian plan of running a steamboat up the Androscog- gin river from Canton Point to Rumford Falls, and the same Digitized by Microsoft® 448 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD month he moved to Buckfield tlie Androscoggin Navigation Com- pany was incorporated, of which Hon. Cornelius Holland of Canton was president. In 1854 a steamboat was built at Canton Point by William Robinson of Buckfield with a crew of men and launched, but the numerous shoals of the river rendered its navigation impossible, and the boat was left to decay where it was built. In 1855 the first railroad bridge across the river at Buckfield Village was built. Smith had a visionary side to his nature which sometimes led him into projects that failed through prac- tical foresight, or lack of financial resources. , The Buckfield railroad proved to be one of his ventures of misfortune. He failed to meet the wages of the men he had employed to con- struct the Canton extension, and after a time they quit work. Many vexatious law suits resulted from his failure to pay them. The question of land damages on the extension proved to be a troublesome one. In some cases the land had been given, and where it hadn't, settlement was rightfully demanded, but rarely obtained in accordance with agreements. The claims of Hon. Zadoc Long- and others, at Smith's suggestion, were referred to the county commissioners, but before the awards were made known he declined to be bound by them for the alleged reason that the proceedings were not in legal form. Mr. Addison. G. Cole, one of the men having such claim, who had lost $4,000 in the original stock, took matters into his own hands, and barricaded the road with large boulders which prevented the passage of .trains. Mr. Isaiah Perkins, on his farm near Mechanic Falls on the old portion oi the road, his claim not being adjusted, toTe up the track, as did also Josiah Perkins of Minot, thus stopping the trains, and the mail and passengers were conveyed by hand cars on either side of the break, till the Post Office Department interfered and terminated its contract with Smith. Then a stage was run from Mechanic Falls to Buckfield. In August, 1856, Smith issued a circular to "All Persons Interested," in which he stated that in his five years' management of the road he had sunk upwards of $12,000 per annum in addition to loss of time and effort and impairment of his health, and gave notice that he should suspend running the road "from and after the loth day of October next," and until the whole Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 449 road to Canton Point was completed. And if the land damages claimed between "Corliss Mills and Canton Mills" were satisfied and $4S,ooo of the "donation notes" were made cash or payment within six months guaranteed, he would obligate himself to complete and run the road to Canton Mills Village within the year. This appeal met with no response,, and Smith housed the rolling stock at Buckfield, closed the stations and retired from all management of the affairs of the road. Smith having become sole owner of the road by the foreclosure of his mortgage, its original name of "The Buckfield Branch" was dropped and a new corporation was formed in April, 1857, under the name of The Portland & Oxford Central Railroad Company, whose charter gave it the right to construct a road from Portland through Westbrook, Falmouth, Cumherland, Gray, New Glouces- ter, Poland and over the road bed of the old road to Canton Point. The destinies of the new road still remained in Smith's hands, and nothing was done towards putting in operation the old part of the route or building any portion of the new. In i860 Smith submitted to the people plans for putting the road in operation and asked for a renewal of the pledges from the interested towns of $50,000, and the citizens of Buckfield wanted the road run so m.uch that at a town meeting held in May of that year, a loan of $15,000 was voted, conditioned on the com- pletion of the road to Canton Point within the year, with safe- guards for its permanent operation. The conditions were never complied with, and the appropriation was not used. The road remained unused until the spring of 1862, when it was put in operation by Mr. A. R. Morrill, who was probably the agent of Smith. It was sufficiently repaired for train service at a low rate of speed, first to Buckfield and later to East Sumner village, where there was stage connection with Canton. Some improvements continued to be made and the public soon began to have considerable confidence in its permanent operation, believing that Smith's influence in the management of its affairs had in some way been gotten rid of. F. W. Felton, Esq., became the company's president and a Mr. Adams its superintendent, and for a few years during the war period, the road did- a pros- perous business and trains were run quite regularly. But after a time the administration of affairs changed, and the old con- trolling influences reappeared. Notice was given in 1864 that Digitized by Microsoft® 450 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD an amendment to its charter would be petitioned the Legislature for, to alter the location in some sections and discontinue it in others, as determined by consent of the stock and bond holders. The people believed that this project was a covert design to remove the rolling stock and rails under the inflation of war prices, and so much opposition was made to the propo- sition, that nothing was done about it. In 1867 Francis B. Smith, son of the owner of the road, became president of the company and its affairs were largely managed by officials from New York, with Mr. D. A. Vanvalkenburg as superintendent. Young Smith came to Buckfield to reside and later went to Canton. The free and easy management of affairs that followed soon produced its inevitable results. The earnings of the road were insufficient to meet running expenses, and its officials were constantly handicapped for lack of funds, and matters went from bad to worse. The old expedient of obtaining funds from the towns along the line of the road was tried, but did not suc- ceed. The management determined to force matters, and punish the people by depriving them of the benefits of the road, and the running of trains, and at a meeting of stockholders at Port- land in June of that year, the president was empowered to sell and remove the rolling stock and rails, arid in September he with Van Valkenburg and a crew of men at Hartford Center began tearing up the track on the farm of Mr. Lucius Robinson, who resisted this action and through Hon. George D. Bisbee, then a practicing lawyer at Buckfield, brought trespass suits against them, and after a second attempt to tear up the rails had in like manner been defeated, no further effort was made to destroy the road. Mr. Bisbee's prompt action, though of doubtful legality, saved the road from irretrievable despoliation. The road having been fully completed to Hartford in December of that year, the towns were asked to loan their credit for $50,000 to extend it to Canton by January i, 1870. Canton voted some $30,000, Hartford $6,500, but Buckfield at two town meetings refused to make any appropriation, though offered a lien on the rails as security in case of failure of the company's obliga- tions. Individuals, however, pledged considerable aid. The company went forward with the work of construction without the help of Buckfield, and by laying ties on frozen ground and ice a train was run into Canton at the specified time, but when Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 451 the frosts of spring had disappeared, trains could not be run over this improvised track. Canton had issued its bonds to the elder Smith to the amount of $32,200, but the selectmen of Hartford claiming a failure of conditions, refused to sign the bonds and Smith brought suit to compel their issue, but was defeated. Canton subsequently brought an action against Smith for the recovery of the amount of the bonds issued, and recovered judgment for the whole sum and costs, and accepted land in Westbrook in satisfaction of the judgment. The whole history of the road under the name of the Port- land & Oxford Cential R. R. Co. would fill a large volume of interesting details. With the exception of the first few years, it presents a record of mismanagement, incompetency, disregard of pledges and reckless indift'erence to private and public rights, almost without parallel in such enterprises. Under this system of management no undertaking could long survive, and the people along the line of the road finally became so tired of it that the Railroad Commissioners of the State were impelled to peti- tion the Supreme Court to issue an injunction against the run- ning of trains till further order of the court, and this was done in November, 1873. The ofiticials removed the rolling stock and the road was dead, but its passing was without mourners, and the people of Buckfield drew a breath of relief. Through the efforts of the business men of Buckfield and others, a charter was obtained from the Legislature in March, T874, for a railroad from the city of Auburn to Mechanic Falls and thence over the road bed of the Portland & Oxford Central Railroad Company to Canton, and up the Androscoggm river valley to Rumford Falls. This was the skillful work of Hon. George D. Bisbee, and the charter was granted for the manifest abuses of the rights and duties of that company toward the public and its neglect to operate the road and keep it in repair. Some of the old stagers in legislative proceedings, doubted the right of the State to deprive another company of its property in that manner, and they declared that they had never seen or heard of such summary action. Mr. Bisbee insisted that by its flagrant abuses, continued through many years, the old company had forfeited all its rights in the road and the people along its route were entitled to relief by this drastic remedy. He was right, as subsequent events finally demonstrated, and the chief Digitized by Microsoft® 452 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD credit for this action of the Legislature should be given to him. It was some time, however, before the capital necessary to repair the road, bridges and stations and procure rolling stock, -had been provided for. Finally, in 1877, former Governor Israel Washburn and other capitalists, having become financially interested in the road, efforts were made to put it into operation. Canton donated its real estate in Westbrook which it obtained on its judgment against .Smith. Buckfield voted $1,000 in aid of the enterprise, and its citizens $2,000 more. New rolling stock was ordered and early the next spring work commenced and was vigorously pushed along the whole line. A new station, also, was built that year at the village. On Saturday, the 13th of July, 1878, the first train under the new management was run over the road, carrying the company officials and visiting gentle- men. They received a joyful reception from the people at every station. The train was in charge of Mr. Ozen Spanlding, who was the first conductor on the old Buckfield Branch. On the following Monday, regular passenger and freight service was begun, which has since uninterruptedly continued. The new officials of the road were Israel Washburn, president, George D. Bisbee, clerk, Sullivan C. Andrews, treasurer, and S. F. Courser, superintendent. For the first ten years, the earnings of the road about met running expenses, but with the extension to Rumford Falls where a place has sprung up great enough for a city, when its citizens shall desire it, and large manufacturing interests have been developed, and further extensions made from the latter village to Oquossoc in the lake region ; from Canton to Chis- holm's Mills in Livermore; and from Mechanic Falls to Lewis- ton, the business of the road has largely expanded, and is now a source of profit to the management of the road. It is now under lease to the Maine Central Railroad Company, and through that connection, is a part of the Boston & Maine railroad system. Thus, from the present satisfactory outlook of affairs, the early sacrifices, and long continued burdens of the people of Buckfield, in the interests of a railroad were not wholly in vain. Their efforts and sacrifices were as bread cast upon the waters, which, after many years, has in part returned to bless the town and its people. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 453 CHAPTER XXX n. Annals Continued. 1875- O. F. Gardner was re-elected town clerk, but died a very few days afterward, and Cyrus C. Spaulding was elected to fill the vacancy.— For representative to the legislature: Nathan Morrill, Dem., had 199; Jason Farrar, Rep., 141 ; Merritt Farrar, Lib. Rep., 4. Jason Farrar carried the district and was elected. — The Buckfield Reform Club was organized May 2ist with a large membership.— There was a big hail storm July 21st which did great damage to the fruit trees and crops. In some places, the hail stones were in sufficient quantity to be gathered the next day after the storm. Two bushels were taken from the stairs between the Hines and the Thomes stores. 1876. At the annual town meeting, A. F. Mason was elected supt. school committee and S. Bridgham, collector of taxes, at a salary of $93. — The selectmen were instructed to sell the poor farm, "if they can get a fair price." Also for them to use all 'legal means to collect the execution against Seth Sampson. And to sell the shoe factory to M. A. Hanson for $1500, $200 down and $300 a year with interest until paid. — The vote for governor this year was as follows : John C. Talbot, Dem., 157 ; Selden Connor, Rep., 121 ; Almon Gage, Green., 107. — For Presidential electors : "Tilden Ticket," 121 ; "Hayes Ticket," no; "Cooper Ticket," 93. — The amount of capital employed in manufacturing industries in the village this year was $75,000; males em- ployed, 78; females, 17. The industries mentioned were: The brush fac- tory of Charles Withington & Sons, the boot and shoe factories of M. A. Hanson, C. M. Dacey, and Record & Foster, shovel handle factory of Andrews & Waldron. E. G. Cole manufactured boxes, Jason Farrar, snow shovels, and G. A. Harlow, die blocks. — Nov. 23d, King Buck's buildings were burned with most of their contents. — Dec. 1st, the saw mill of Record & Lunt was totally consumed by fire with a large quantity of lumber. There was no insurance. — Hon. F. O. J. Smith died at his home in Deering, in October, in the 70th year of his age. — John D. Long was this year chosen Speaker of the Mass. House of Representatives, and was twice re-elected. 1877. The sum of $2,200 was raised to pay town debt, the money to be used for that purpose and no other. — Merrit Farrar was selected to take charge of the town farm. — The vote for governor this year stood : H. C. Mun- son. Green., 175; Joseph H. Williams, Dem., 76; Selden Connor, Rep., 74. — At a town meeting held in December, to act on the proposition to raise money to aid in the construction of the Portland and Oxford Central Digitized by Microsoft® 454 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD R. R., a vote was passed to raise $10,000 and Geo. D. Bisbee, Thomas S. Bridgham and Alfred Cole were chosen a committee to make contracts with the managers of the road. — Tlie buildings of Mrs. Hannah Monk at North Buckfield were burned Feb. 11. One cow and nearly all the furni- ture were also burned. Loss, $1000. There was no insurance. — $3,500 was paid this year on the town debt. The interest bearing debt in 1874 was $32,731. Paid that year, $3,iS9- In i87S, $S.ooo. In 1876, $3,S5o. Funded debt, Feb. 15, 1877, $21,019. — Geo. Robinson, son of Mr. William F. Robinson, died in February, from the kick of a horse. — Among the deaths this year were those of Joel Foster who passed away on the 14th of July at the age of 79, and Lemuel Cole Oct. 6th, aged 73 years 8 mos. 1878. E. B. Austin was elected school committee ; Ephraim Lowe, collector of taxes at a salary of $ioo. — $2,000 was raised towards paying the town debt. — At the September election, the vote for representative to the legis- lature was : R. C. Thomes, Dem., 38 ; Henry D. Irish, Green., 203 ; Albion P. Bonney, Rep., 92; scattering, 2. Mr. Henry D. Irish had a majority' in the district and was elected. — Buckfield raised $3,000 to put the railroad in operation again. Under the new management, — Israel Washburn, Jr., was president, S. C. Andrews, treasurer, and Geo. D. Bisbee, secretary — the road promised to be of benefit to the people. New railroad passenger station built this year. — Varanes DeCoster and 42 others signed a peti- tion to the legislature to move the county buildings to Norway and make it the shire town. William H. Atwood and 53 others signed a remon- strance against the same. — The Hanson shoe factory was burned during the night of Feb. 15. Loss about $10,000. Insured for $8,000. — There was a great freshet in December. By the bursting of G. A. Harlow's flume, the stable of Mr. W. A. Burt with his horse, wagons, hay, etc., were car- ried over two dams. The horse was rescued a half mile below. Gilbert Barrett's sled factory was carried away. Most of the machinery was saved. The roads were badly gullied and the bridges much damaged. The railroad company run no regular trains for about two weeks. The water was higher than in the great freshet of 1869. — The railroad was opened this year. — A. G. Atkinson fell dead from heart disease while working in his field in August. 1879. At the annual town meeting, $2500 was raised toward paying the town debt and $4000 to be expended in labor on the highways.' — Levi Gammon died at East Buckfield, Nov. 26, aged 92. His father was David Gammon, who moved into the town from Gorham, Maine, when Levi was three years old. Levi lived over 80 years on the farm where he died. For more than 60 years prior to his death, he had been a member of the Bap- tist church. — In April, Artemas F. Gregg, a member of the Sophomore class in Bowdoin College, was found one morning dead in his bed from the effects of chloroform, taken to relieve pain. — Hon. John D. Long was this year elected Lieut. Governor of Mass. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 455 1880. $3,000 was raised towards extinguishing the town debt. — For repre- sentative to the legislature, James H. DeCoster, Rep., had 147 ; Thomas S. Bridgham, Dem., 245. Bridgham had a majority in the whole district and was elected. — On the amendment to the constitution to elect governor by plurality, the vote was: Yes, 94; no, 246.— For presidential electors: "Hancock Ticket," 31; "Garfield Ticket," 126; "Greenback Ticket," 31; "Fusion Ticket," 251. — The town lines were perambulated this year. — Lewis Mason died at East Buckfield, March 19, aged 71 years and 4 months. "His wife was one of the 93 grandchildren of Dea. William Berry, who had lived and died on the same farm." — The Buckfield House was thoroughly repaired in April and opened to the pubUc in May with N. T. Shaw as landlord. — Oscar H. Hersey, Esq., was appointed census enumerator for Buckfield this year. The population of the town was 1379- — A Methodist Society having been organized, funds were raised this year to erect a church. A lot was purchased near where the Capt. Josiah Parris house once stood, on Loring's Hill. — Mrs. Julia A,, wife of El- bridge D. Whitman, died Aug. 20, aged 61. — Hon. John D. Long was elected Governor of Mass. He was twice re-elected. 1881. E. B. Austin was elected supt. school committee ; Carlton Gardner, col- lector of taxes. — $2500 was raised toward extinguishing the town debt. — ■ There was a severe rain storm on the isth, l6th, 17th and 18th days of May. — A corn factory was established in the village by J, Winslow Jones & Co. of Portland, and the farmers planted 300 acres with sweet corn and beans. — Mrs. Sarah, widow of Hon. Noah Prince, died Aug. 2. — Ezekiel Record, son of David Record, one of the first 47 settlers, died on the 19th of Maj', in the 96th year of his age. He was the oldest person in town at the time of his death. "He could remember the time when there were no open roads, no ministers, doctors or lawyers in town, and when the principal business street was fenced to keep the cattle out of the muddy bog." — William Morse, an aged citizen, committed suicide by hang- ing himself in his barn. — The Methodist church was completed this year and dedicated with appropriate exercises. 1882. Alfred Cole was elected supt. school committee. — ^$2500 was raised towards paying the town debt. — The failure of J. Winslow Jones of Port- land involved several citizens of the town, who had assisted in establish- ing the corn canning industry. 1883. Alfred Cole was elected town clerk. John F. DeCoster was chosen supt. school committee. — $1600 was raised towards paying the town debt. — O. H. Hersey was chosen to audit the road bills. — This year Nezinscot Lodge, L O. O. F., was instituted with seven charter memoers. — "The Digitized by Microsoft® 456 HISTORY OF BUCKFTELD year 1883 was a year of health for Buckfield. The list of those who died this year contains but 18 names, having an average of over 60 years. The youngest was a, babe of three months, the oldest, a man of 86. One-third of the whole number were over 80, while one-half had passed their three- score years and ten." — Hon. John D. Long was this year elected as a Member of Congress from Mass! He was twice re-elected. Doings at the annual town meeting : $1,600 was raised towards extin- guishing the town debt. — Voted that the selectmen be overseers of the poor, fence viewers and tythingmen. — On constitutional amendment pro- hibiting the manufacture and' sale of intoxicating liquors; the vote was: yes, 173; no, 82. — For presidential electors: "Dem. Ticket," 152; Rep. Ticket," 106; "Temp. Ticket," 29; "Peo. Ticket," 22. — Mark Lowell, Esq., died in October, aged 91. Until a year prior to his death, he had been accustomed frequently to walk from his home to the village and back, a distance of six miles. — Mrs. Joseph DeCoster of Mechanic Falls, a former resident of Buckfield, was run over by a train on the Buckfield Branch railroad and instantly killed. Her remains were taken to Buckfield for burial. — The brush factory of C. Withington & Sons was turned on the night of July i8th. Loss, $S,ooo, insured for only $1,600. The firm pur- chased the Nahum Moore mill and soon resumed business. — The following graves of Civil War soldiers were decorated on Memorial Day : Village cemetery, A. F. Barrows, Cyrus Bryant, Austin C. Buck, James Canwell, Lorenzo Cushman, Kinsman Holmes, Henry C. Long, W. Wallace Marston, James Murdock, Eliphaz Ripley, Burton Shaw. East Buckfield cemetery: James B. Bryant, William B. DeCoster, Clinton Forbes, William Irish, Stephen O. Irish, Elmore Young. Hall cemetery : Augustus G. Buck Lowell cemetery : Charles Chase. Cemetery near J. M. Chesley's : Claren- don Benson. — The Winslow Packing Co. this year put up 375,000 cans of sweet corn and succotash at the corn factory; 200 hands were employed in the business ; 300 acres of sweet corn had been planted by the farmers. — Stephen Childs died Dec. 27 at the age of 76, while visiting his son, John Lewis Childs, at Floral Park, Long Island, N. Y. 1885. At annual town meeting : $1400 was raised toward the extinguishment of the town debt. — It was voted to abolish the school districts and adopt the town system. — 18 inches of snow fell on the night of Feb. i6th. — — Eleazer Chase, an aged citizen of East Buckfield, died on the loth of February. In his younger days, he was addicted to the use of alcohoUc drinks. He afterwards signed the pledge, which he kept sacredly until his death. Rev. Levi Hersey died Mar. 12 in the 82d year of his age. Remains interred in New Gloucester. — C. B. Atwood began trade again in Buckfield this year in the Morrill store. He had resided elsewhere for many years. — Mrs. Emily Crooker died March 22d, aged 80. — Joan M. Berry died May 7th, at the age of 66. — Mrs. G. Washington Bisbee died Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 457 at the residence of her son, Hon. George D. Bisbee, May 25, aged 68. — William Creasy, formerly postmaster at Buckfield, was injured so severely July 20 by a fall from a staging, at Minneapolis, Minn., that he died within half an hour after his fall. He was 66 years old. He left Buckfield about 1855 to settle in the West.— Four brothers, Elias, Asa, William L., and Thomas Taylor met at Asa's in November. They were sons of Jabez and Dorcas (Irish) Taylor. Their average age was 80. — The Ira Ames shop was moved across the street and remodeled inside for a post office. 1886. At annual town meeting : Voted to reconsider the vote of last year, whereby the town voted to abolish the school districts. — Voted to return to the district system and to instruct the agents to hire the teachers, pro- vide wood, etc. — The vote for representative to the legislature in Septem- ber was as follows : James S. Wright, 125 ; Dr. Chas. B. Bridgham, 53 ; Henry D. Irish, 3. — The celebration at the village July 4th was marred by a serious accident. Isaac D. Fuller, who was in charge of the artillery, in firing the sunrise salute, had both arms so badly shattered that amputa- tion was necessary. — Jesse Shaw, Buckfield's oldest citizen, died Sept. 12, aged 96 years and 10 months. — Chas. Withington died Jan. 10, aged 71. — Jeremiah Packard died in Hebron May 4th, "aged 63." — Mrs. Lydia, widow of Lemuel Cole, died Aug, 17, in her 83d year. — Rodney Chaffin, a native of Buckfield, died in Portland in May. — Abijah Buck, grandson of the pioneer of that name, died Oct. 30, at Mechanic Falls, at the age of 74. His remains were brought to Buckfield for burial. — The remains of James Spaulding, Esq., who died the same month at Earlville, 111., aged 89, at the residence of his son-in-law, Jacob W. Browne, Esq., were taken to Buck- field for interment. 1887. At the annual town meeting $150 was raised to establish a free high school at Buckfield. — George H. Bridgham was elected collector of taxes. — Voted that the selectmen be road commissioners. — R. B. Waite was chosen superintendent of the town farm. — There was a great freshet in April. The river rose five feet in as many hours. — Butter factory built this year. — Several prominent citizens died this year. Nathan Morrill, Esq., the wealthiest citizen of the town, died Jan. 29th, aged 84. Hon. Gilbert Barrett died the same day at the age of 69. H. H. Hutchinson, Jr., died June 2, aged 73; Silas Mitchell, Nov. 26, aged 69.— Col. A. D. White, Dec. 13, in his 8oth year. He was b. in Freedom July 17, 1808. He m. in 1837, Miss Lydia, dau. of Rev. Ephraim Harlow. For many years he was one of the foremost citizens of the town. —Mrs. Dominicus Record, Jr., a daughter of Larnard Swallow, died in Turner, in December, in her 91st year. Her remains were brought to Buckfield for burial. Her husband had died in 1862. James Hussey, a soldier in the Civil War, died Oct. 13, aged 83. Clinton Ripley found dead in his stable in Dixfield Oct. 29. — There were in all thirty deaths in town this year.— William Digitized by Microsoft® 458 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Bicknell of Hartford, fori many years the East Buckfield cor- respondent of the Oxford Democrat, died February 19, in the 83d year of his age. — Mrs. Lydia Childs, widow of Stephen Childs, died at Floral Park, N. Y., aged 77. .At the annual town meeting this year, $1800 was raised towards the extinguishment of the town debt and $15 for Memorial Day. — Voted that the supervisor of schools take all necessary measures "to place the school system of the town on a legal basis." — Dr. John F. DeCoster was chosen supervisor. — Voted that the town immediately take possession of all the school property and return to the district system. — For presidential electors: "Dem. Ticket," 131; "Rep. Ticket," 144; "Pro. Ticket," 18; "Labor Ticket," 4. — There were five persons living in town this year over 90 years of age. — Varanes DeCoster, Esq., died Jan, 12, of heart disease, aged 77. — Mrs. J. G. Spaulding, dau. of Hiram Hines, died Dec. 3, aged so. — The wife of Dr. J. C. Caldwell died June 7th, aged 36 ; Samuel B. Churchill, Sept. 27, in his 8oth year; Miss Lydia Bridgham, Dec. 9, aged 83. — Mrs. James Roberts, April 15, aged 70; Leander Hodgdon, Aug. 24, aged 75 ; Mrs. Eliza Ripley, widow Valentine Ripley, aged 69. — There were in all 19 deaths in town this year. — Mr. Nathaniel Merrill, a former resi- dent and a brother of Ex-Gov. Samuel Merrill of Iowa, died at East Hebron, Jan. 7, aged 77. — Holman W. Waldron died Nov. 6, at New Castle, Ind., aged 59. 1889. Toothpick and block factory below R. R. Station built this year by Granville A. Harlow. — Mrs. Julia Temple Long, widow of Hon. Zadoc Long, died Sept. 19, aged 82. — Maj. Lucius Loring died Sept. 23, in his 92d year. — Sullivan C.Andrews, Esq., died at Cambridge, Mass., Nov., 10, of Bright's disease, aged 64. — J. C. Burroughs died at Somerville, Mass., Aug. 12, at the age of 87. His remains were taken to Buckfield for burial. — Elias Taylor died Nov. 30, in his 9Sth year. — Hiram Hines, Esq., died in Lewiston, Dec. 27. His remains were brought to Buckfield for burial. — Mrs. Nathan Maxim died at the age of 80; Mrs. Melzer Buck, in her 79th year. — There were 25 deaths in all in town this year. Alfred Cole was elected a member of the school committee for 3 years. Miss A. H. Prince, 2 years, and L. C. Waterman, i year. — ^For representa- tive to the legislature, O. H. Hersey, Rep., had 136; C. C. Spaulding, Dem., 75 ; R. B. Waite, Pop., 17 — The Buckfield House was burned on the night of April 4 Loss, $3,500. Partially insured. The town lines were per- ambulated this year. — The following old people above 75 years old, were living at N. Buckfield this year : Mrs. Stephen Spaulding, aged 96, oldest person in town ; Winchester Spaulding, aged 86 ; Mrs. William Bisbee, aged 76; Mrs. Washington Heald, aged 87; Mrs. Samuel Buck, aged 80; Mrs. Cyrus Record, aged 86; Jane Spaulding, aged 76; Mrs. Tristram Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 459 Warren, aged 83; Mrs. Larnard Swallow, aged ^T, Mrs. A. D. White, aged 75 ; Africa Farrar, aged 80.— The Buckfield village corporation went into effect this year. The Shaw bridge over the East Branch was rebuilt.— Tristram G. Bicknell died Feb. 8, aged 79.— William E. Wood, a Civil War soldier, died Feb. 22, aged 52.— Mrs. Almira Murdock died, aged 69; Courtney Record, May 13, aged 74 ; Alden Bessey, June 4, aged 83 ; Deering Mayhew, Sept. 25, aged 77.— Odd Fellows Hall erected on site of former shoe factories. 1891. Dogs were taxed. — The school districts were abolished and the town system adopted. — The war debt, originally about $40,000, was extinguished this year. — The following aged persons died this year: January, Lucius Young, in his 74th year ; Feb. 3, Mrs. Sophia Spaulding, in her 97th year, the oldest person in town; Feb. 6, HoUis Hall, aged 67; March, Dea. Henry Bangs, aged 79. He had resided in Buckfield 13 years. The re- mains were taken to Randolph, Mass., for burial. March 24, Lorenzo Atwood, Esq., aged 78 ; Mar. 24, Mrs. America Farrar, aged 81 ; April 4, Ephraim Atwood, Esq., aged 82; May 15, Winchester Spaulding, in his 87th year; June 29, Mrs. Lucy B. Hammond, aged 79; July 17, Mrs. Lydia, widow of Col. A. D. White. 1892. At the annual town meeting Appleton F. Mason and V. P. DeCoster were appointed sub-registrars of vital statistics, — The following was th-; valuation of the school district property as appraised by the selectmen and school committee: Federal school house, $300; Hartford line school house, $200 ; Whiting school house, $75 ; Chase school house, $50 ; South Hill school house, $100 ; Packard school house, $25 ; Hebron line school house, $50; Waldron school house, $25; Leonard school house, $50; Buck school house, $50; Prince school house, $150; M. Farrar school house, $50; Brock school house, $100; N. Buckfield school house, $300; village school house, $2500; total, $4025. — Voted to raise $1350 for the equalization of school property. — $500 was raised for repairing school houses. — Voted to consoli- date the Packard school with the Hebron line school and to build a new school house near the spot formerly occupied by the old Lothrop school house. — Frank P. Withington, A. W. Libby, Fred H. Atwood and Chas. P. Hatch were appointed ballot clerks. — For presidential electors : "Rep. Ticket," 133; "Dem. Ticket," 123; "Pro. Ticket," 10; "Peo. Ticket," 9.— A genuine cyclone struck the northwestern part of the town July 3d and swept down everything in a path from S to 25 rods in width and about 4 or s miles in length. The bams of A. S. Bessey, Herman Morse, Virgil D. Bicknell and Sidney Swallow were completely destroyed. Several houses were badly damaged. The dwelling house of Herman Morse was lifted from its foundations and moved about 15 feet. Five persons were in the house at the time. Shade and other trees were torn from their roots in great numbers. After the storm had passed, the path of the cy- clone presented a perfect scene of ruin and desolation. Mr. Morse suf- Digitized by Microsoft® 460 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD fered the greatest damage, his loss being about $2000. — Trains began run- ning regularly to Rumford Falls August ist. Col. Jacob W. Browne, who in the fifties practiced law at Buckfield, died at his home in Earlville, 111., Nov. 1st. The following is from his poem, "Age :'' "Trees are in the yellow leaf — Corn is in the yellow sheaf — I question why I should weave the woof of life, Through the tangled web of strife. And then should die !" 1893- The Chase and South Hill schools were consolidated. — On the propo- sition to move the county seat from Paris Hill to South Paris and build a new court house at the latter place, the vote stood: Yes, 37; no, 224. The yes vote in the county was 150 more than the no vote. The new court house was built in 1895. The records were moved to it the latter part of that year. — The following old people died this year : Feb. 8, Howard D. Waldron, aged 67; March 3, Hanson Brown, aged 81 ; May 2, Mrs. James M. Johnson at Mechanic Falls, aged 87. Her remains were brought here for burial. June 23, Silas Shaw, aged 80; July 6, Mrs. Washington Heald, in the 90th year of her age; August 11, Mrs. F. A. War- ren, aged 77 ; August, Isaac Bearce, Esq., of Perry, Maine, aged 83. His remains were taken to Buckfield and interred in the cem- etery in the southeastern part of the town. Sept. 12, Dea. David Far- rar in the 92d year of his age, oldest person in town; Oct., Mrs. William Lewis by suicide, at the age of 75 ; Nov. 16, Ruel Gray, in his 70th year. 1894. It was decided to consolidate the Buck school with the village school; also, the Leonard and Waldron schools. — The total appropriations this year amounted to $7,101.24. — O. H. Hersey, T. S. Bridgham, Horace A. Irish and Elmer B. Austin were appointed ballot clerks. — The vote for repre- sentative to the legislature was as follows : A. C. T. King, Rep., 97 ; J. A. Rawson, Dem, 80; A. C. Whitman, Pop., 28. — For clerk of courts, Chas. F. Whitman, Rep., had 124; William M. Brooks, Pro., 6; T. J. Whitehead, Pop., 14; George Hazen, Dem., 67. — At a town meeting, it was voted that the selectmen be instructed to purchase the old "Church on the Hill" for a town house at a price not exceeding $100. F. P. Withington, C. P. Hatch and Alfred Cole were appointed a committee to make the pur- chase. — In February, the Rumford Falls and Buckfield railroad made a junction with the Maine Central at Auburn. — This year Buckfield became connected by telephone line with South Paris by way of Paris Hill.— Hon. Geo. D. Bisbee moved in the autumn to Rumford Falls. He had made his residence in Buckfield almost 30 years. — The following deaths of old people are noted: April 8, Isaac Shaw, aged 88; June 30, Mary J. Hersey, aged Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 461 IT, Aug. 26, Rasselas Cole, aged 84; Sept. 22, Samuel P. Harlow aged 62- Novels, Almeda DeCoster. aged 78; Nov. 25, Mrs. Matilda Wood aged 8s ; Dec. 4, Mrs. Mana Irish, aged 79.— Machine shop built on Depot street by Arlington Damon.-Gov. John D. Long purchased this year the old homestead of his grandfather, Thomas Long, on North Hill, for a summer residence. It is situated in one of the most beautiful regions in town. 1895. Josiah W. Whitten, Esq., died Jan. 18, from heart disease.' He was 73 and had lived in Buckfield nearly 60 years.— Several hundred dollars were raised by subscription this year to repair and preserve the old "Church on the Hill."— A. F. Warren, the drummer boy of Co. C, 23d Maine Infantry, was appointed deputy sheriff as the successor of J. W. Whitten, Esq.— April 26, Mrs. Benjamin Murch died in her 80th year and Mrs. Wm. F. Spaulding, aged 62.— Ira Ames died at South Paris, May 22, aged 72.— At the annual meeting of the Buckfield Cemetery Association^ the following officers were chosen : William H. Atwood, Pres. ; A. F. War- ren, Vice-Pres.; C. H. Prince, Sec. and Treas. ; Asa Atwood, Benj. Spauld- ing, C. S. Childs, Ex. Com,— Mrs. CaroHne Buck died ai Bethel, June 6, aged 99 years and 8 months. Her remains were taken to Buckfield for burial. — The Evening Star lodge of freemasons participated in the exer- cises at South Paris when the corner stone of the new court house was laid in July.— Mrs. H. H. Hutchinson died in Lynn, Mass., in August, aged 84. Her remains were taken to Buckfield for burial. — Mrs. William Monk died December 12, aged ^^. — A new railroad bridge was constructed this year at the village.— The "Church on the Hill" was dedicated as a town hall, Nov. 3d. — Two car loads of Christmas trees were shipped to New York this year. 1896. At the annual town meeting, $1,350 was raised towards the extinguish- ment of the town debt; $1,000 for schools; $1,200 for support of the poor; $1,200 for the repair of the roads and bridges; $500 for town accounts; $25 for the observance of Memorial Day; and $175 for a free high school. — A term of free high school was established at the Russell school house and, also, one at the Buck school house. — The vote for presidential electors : "Rep. Ticket," 137; "Dem. Ticket," 77; "Gold Dem. Ticket," 8; "Pro. Ticket,'' 6; "Peo. Ticket," IS- — The greatest freshet known for years occurred in February. The water rose about two feet higher than it was ever known to rise before. The low lands were over-flowed and many families left their homes for higher grounds, and stocks of goods were removed for safety. Stores were flooded and the main business street be- came a channel for the raging waters. Much damage was done. Several bridges were either swept away or destroyed. — The following deaths of aged people are noticed : Jan. 2, Mrs. Cynthia Farrar, aged 91 years, the oldest person in town. Feb., Capt. I. H. McDonald at his home in Port- land, aged TJ. May, Mrs. Luther W. Mason, in Boston, aged 80. Re- mains were brought here for burial June, Addison G. Cole of Auburn, Digitized by Microsoft® 462 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD formerly of Buckfield, aged 84. The remains were taken to Buckfield for interment. June 14, Mrs. Sidney Spaulding, aged 86; August, Mrs. Ar- villa Record at Mechanic Falls, aged 93. Interment at Buckfield. Sept. S, Zenas Shaw, aged 76; Sept. 4, Mrs. Elizabeth P. Beers of Newton High- lands, Mass., aged 96. 1897. A new iron bridge was built across the West Branch in the village this year. — ^Alfred Cole delivered the Memorial address this year before Fes- senden Post, G. A. R. — Carlton Gardner, Esq., moved to South Paris in October. He returned to Buckfield in 1902, Hon. Albion P. Bonney sold his farm this year and moved to Auburn. It had been in the family name for more than a hundred years. His grandfather, James Bonney, first set- tled on it in 1789. — ^A young men's literary club was organized here about the beginning of the year. The first public debate took place at Nezinscot Hall on the evening of January 1st. A ladies' literary society had been organized in 1895. — The remains of Mrs. Melissa Irish Wells of Weymouth, Mass., who died in January, at the age of 72, were brought to Buckfield for burial. — Hepsibah Atwood Cole, widow of Artemas F. Cole, died Feb. 17, aged gi years. — Mrs. Silas Mitchell died Mar. 20, aged 68. — Mrs. Phebe Whitman died April 5, in her 7Sth year. — David L. Farrar,' Esq., died in Mass. at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. King Buck, June 7. His re- mains were brought here for burial. — Mrs. Thomas Lincoln of East Buck- field, died June 23, in her 88th year. — Cyrus C. Spaulding, Esq., died July 3, aged 59. He was in trade in the 'village for many years, held the posi- tions of town clerk and selectman and had been a soldier in the 20th Maine where he contracted the disease which caused his death. Stephen D. Huntchinson, Esq., a former town clerk of Buckfield, died at Paris Hill, in his 8sth year. — Dea. S. Edson Murdock died Nov. 7, after a short illness, in his 70th year. He was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion and was at Gettysburg as a member of Co. C, 20th Me. Reg't. — Died at West Minot Dec. 2, Mrs. Caroline Crooker Bridgham, at the age of 91. Her remains were brought to Buckfield for interment. — This year Hon. John D. Long was appointed by President William McKinley as Secretary of the Navy. He served with great distinction through his four years' term. The Spanish War broke out in 1898, but through the efficiency of the Navy, an astonishing success was achieved, without the loss of a vessel, and the fewest lives ever known in a war of this magnitude. During the year of this war, the business of the Department of the Navy, under Mr. Long's supervision, aggregated over a hundred millions of dollars, and every dollar was properly accounted for. His townsmen are proud of the fact that there has never been anything in his political life or otherwise that requires apology. 1898. The Irish Brothers' die block mill was destroyed by fire Feb. 27. The burning of this mill removed an old landmark. It was built as a starch mill in the forties by Ephraim and Lorenzo Atwood and Levi Cushman. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 4tj3 After the opening of the Buckfield Branch railroad, it was converted into a shovel handle factory by Andrews, Waldron & Maxim.— Henry Parsons was elected road commissioner this year and Converse S. Childs, collector of taxes. Rev. H. A. Rich was chosen supt. of schools. Having moved out of town in the summer, he resigned. Block factory of C. M. & H. A. Irish built on site of starch factory burned this year. — Post Otifice en- larged. — One of the war tugs of the U. S. Navy was named Nezinscot. — A. D. Wilson of So. Portland brought suit against the town for raising the highway in front of his store, which was rendered necessary by build- ing the new iron bridge the previous year. — There was a reunion of the members of the 23d Maine infantry at So. Paris this year. The follow- ing Buckfield men of Co. C were present : Capt. C. H. Prince, Abel Irish, A. F. Warren, J. H. Young, J. A. Warren and Gideon Fletcher. The vote in Sept. for representative to the legislature was as follows : Virgil P. DeCostei', Rep., 75 ; Augustus Kenney, Deni., 20 ; scattering, 3. In the district, Mr. DeCoster had nearly 400 plurality. — Stephen Winslow died Feb. 21, aged 70. He was never married. — Mrs. Varanes DeCoster died Feb. 24, aged 84. — Demeric Swan died May 6th in his 87th year. — Dr. John F. DeCoster died at Rumford Falls, June 3d, aged 39. His remains were brought to Buckfield for burial. — Lysander Lowe died July 17, in his 86th year. — Nov. 22, Calvin B. Keen died, aged 88. — Dec. 19, Nathan Maxim died, aged 87. During Secretary Long's summer visit to Buckfield this year an amus- ing incident occurred which Mr. George H. Bridgham, grandson of Dr. William Bridgham, related in verse thus : "My mother has a mania, but it's not for making pies, 'Tis simplj- spreading tanglefoot, to bother all the flies ; But I think ray mother must have been a little in the wrong, When she spread her sheets of tanglefoot for Secretary Long. And all she'll say about it, now the summer's gone, is that She didn't catch the Secretary, but only 'twas his hat; But I guess the Secretary will open wide his eyes When again the house he enters, when mother's catching flies." 1899. The town meeting this year was very exciting. Several of the candi- dates were not selected until a number of ballots had been taken. — Henry Parsons and O. Greenleaf Turner were chosen road commissioners. — It was voted not to elect a superintendent of schools. This action left it for the school committee to select the superintendent. It was voted to build one new school house.— Hon. O. H. Hersey entered into a law partnership with Judge Enoch Foster and moved to Portland.— Fred R. Dyer of Can- ton opened a law office here this year.— Died Jan. 8, John Buck, grandson of Nathaniel, one of the pioneer settlers of the town, aged 82 years, 7 months.— The prevailing disease, called "the grip," raged quite extensively this year.— Deacon Alfred Shaw died May 17, aged 70 years.— Hiram Digitized by Microsoft® 464 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Staples died July 25, aged 85 years. — Mrs. Louisa Benson, the oldest per- son in town, died Aug. 15, aged 93 years and 7 months. — Aratus Farrar died in October, at the age of 87. — George R. Coyle, landlord of the Hotel Long, died suddenly from apoplexy Nov. 12, aged 59. He was a veteran of the War of the Rebellion. He was a native of Aroostook and had lived in Buckfield 20 years. His remains were taken to Auburn for burial. — A new brush factory was built by C. Withington & Sons this year. — Dr. F. J. Bonney, formerly of Buckfield, the only son of Hon. Albion P. Bonney, died at Auburn, Dec. 10, aged 49 years. 1900. The year came in with a snow storm as it did in 1899. The water m the streams was so low in the month of January as to seriously affect the nmning of the mills and factories. In April there was quite a freshet and intervales were overflowed. — The Oxford county teachers' association held its annual meeting at Buckfield on the l8th and 19th of May. There were about 60 teachers in attendance. — On Memorial Day, John N. Irish, Esq., was the orator. Alfred Cole, Esq., gave a detailed history of those who went to the war from Buckfield. — The farm buildings of Cyrus Briggs at East Buckfield were destroyed by fire Sunday, July 29. Loss, $1,200 — no insurance. — The first observance of "Old Home Week" in Buckfield, took place in August. The services were held in the "Chirch on the HiU." Thos. S. Bridgham, Esq., presided. Hon. John D. Long, Sec. of the Navy, gave an address. Mrs. Flora E. Barry sang a solo — an original poem by Mrs. Rebecca Hussey Merrifield of Franklin, Mass. There were also short addresses given by Edward L. Parris of New York City, Geo. D. Bisbee of Rumford Falls, C. F. Whitman of Norway, Geo, M. Atwood of Paris, Dr. O. R. Hall, Ardelia Prince, Mr. WilUam C. Spaulding of Caribou and Hon. Solon Chase. — The post office contained the portraits of many of the oldest citizens of the town and several of the old pioneers, which Postmaster Alfred Cole had industriously collected. It was one of the most interesting features of the occasion. Among the portraits were those of Jonathan Record, Benj. Spaulding, son of Benj., one of the first 47 settlers, Josiah Parris and John Loring. — Among the deaths this year, were those of Mrs. Mary J. Record, widow of William Record, Feb. 23, at the age of 80. — Arabella, wife of Merritt Farrar, Esq., died in Feb. irl her 75th year. — Reuben L. Farrar died March 27, aged 81. — Col. John E. Bryant died in March at his home in Mount Vernon, N. Y. — R. B. Waite died May 23, aged 81. — Joshua E. Whitman died June 7, in his 82d year. — George Long died in June, aged 68. — Robinson Dean died Nov. 18, aged 69. — William H. Atwood died Dec. 12, aged 73 years, II months and 17 days. — Rev. Henry B. Smith, husband of Thirza (Andrews) Smith of Lockport, N. Y., died, aged 52 years 6 mos. — Capt. Chas, H. Prince was nominated and elected one of the senators from this county. — For president this year the vote was : "Rep. Ticket," 127 ; "Dem. Ticket," 103 ; "Pro. Ticket," 7 ; "Soc. Ticket," i. — The Atwoods of Buckfield and Livermore and their connections held a reunion at the Canton fair in September. — At a special Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 465 town meeting held Oct. 3d, the sum of $500 was voted for laying the foundation for a new library building which Hon. John D. Long proposed to erect on the site of the old Capt. Josiah Parris house, and donate to the town, to be known as the Zadoc and Julia T. Long Free Librarj', in honor of his father and mother. The building, an artistic structure, was erected during the year and fully completeti and opened to the public the following year. Digitized by Microsoft® 466 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD CHAPTER XXXIII. North Buckfield. The village of North Buckfield is pleasantly situated on the West Branch of the Twenty Mile or Nezinscot river, about a mile from the Sumner town line. It has a very good water power, sufficient at all seasons to run the mills there wtiich have existed since the early settlement of the town. Probably one or more stores has been kept in the place from very early times. The village today has besides the mills, store and post office, some twenty or . more dwelling houses, including those situated in the close vicipity and naturally connected with the place.. The people are thrifty, industrious and moral and worthy citizens of f)he town in which they live. The first settler in the vicinity was John Warren, son of Tristram Warren, who came here from Berwick in 1779 or 1780, and obtained a settling lot. He was a young, unmarried man at that time, but in 1781 he married Eliza'betlh, daughter of Abijah Buck — the first marriage in the township, as elsewhere related. His father, some years after, settled in the vicinity, but not before Jan. i, 1784, as he obtained no settling lot. It is said by John Warren's descendants that he built the first mill at what is now the little village of North Buckfield. In 1782, came to the township Dominicus Record from Easton, Mass., a millman and foundryman. He selected first a lot near John Warren's, which included a part, at least, of the falls on the river, and no doubt with the view of utilizing the water power, but considering it better in a business point of view, to form a partnership or business connection with Edmund Chandler, who had already built a mill two miles farther down the river at what is now Buckfield village, he exchanged his lot with Benjamin Spaulding and located there. Record's connec- tion with the Warrens was very close, for he afterwards married for his second wife Jane Warren, a sister of John. Benjamin Spaulding, besides the water privilege acquired from Dominicus Record, obtained John Warren's interest if he had any, enlarged or built new, and so much business was done in after years there that the place came to be known as "Spaulding's Mills." This included not only a saw and grist mill, biit a store, Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKKIELU 457 blacksmith shop, etc.,— in fact a place of some considerable business. It is doubtful whether Benjamin Spaulding himself ever ran the mills or engaged personally in trade. There is no mention or indication of it, in the account given by Parson Coffin in his journal of his missionary visits to the town about 1800. Mr. Spaulding died in 181 1. Who carried on the milling business after his death does not appear, but the little village continued to be called "Spaulding's Mills" for over 40 years afterwards. For a period, however, it was known quite gen- erally as "'Hale's Mills," but in later times, this was changed to North Buckfield, a name it is likely to permanently retain. A'ery early in the last century Larnard Swallow, a blacksmith by trade, settled in the little village. He was an active and capable man of much 'business ability, and for many years was interested in politics and was the most prominent citizen of that part of the town, and the local leader there of his party. In 1864 Mr. Appleton F. Mason engaged in trade there, a business he conducted for over fifty years. He has been post- master since 1875, and for many years he has been the most prominent citizen of that locality. Mr. Mason has recently (1915) deceased, respected by all who knew him. In 1841 William Swett and Charles F. Davis by act of the Legislature, obtained authority to erect powder mills on "Basin Falls." Soon afterwards a gunpowder factory was built there. In 1845, according to the Paris town history, Jarvis C. Marble of Paris Hill purchased this factory of Lorenzo Swett. It appears from the same authority that Mr. JMarble "about 1847" bought of Amory H. Allen the powder mills at North Buckfield. Whether Mr. Allen built them or acquired this property by pur- chase does not appear, but Mr. Marble having come into pos- session, the plant at "Basin Falls" went into decay and the busi- ness was all transacted at North Buckfield. Mr. Marble later formed a partnership with Mr. A. P. Waterhouse and an exten- sive business for several years was transacted by the firm, and other mills were later obtained or buih elsewhere — notably at Windsor, Canada, where employees from Buckfield went. The powder mills here blew up several times and in one explosion Charles Bicknell, son of Otis, was killed. Mr. Marble sold out his interest in powder mills in 1878, and the business Digitized by Microsoft® 468 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD at North Buckfield having been transferred to the 'Windsor plant, the factory went into decay. The little village of North Buckfield has from the beginning been a place of considerable business for a small country village. It accommodates the people of that section of the town and a part of Sumner. Here, besides its mills, store, post office, black- smith shop and schoolhouse, is located a flourishing grange, where the farmers and their wives and children regularly meet in a comfortable and spacious hall, and in addition to the social gatherings so beneficial to all, religious services and other gath- erings are frequently held. In no part of the town are the pleasures and benefits of life more to be enjoyed. One who has ever dwelt in this little village or vicinity and gone away to other scenes, may well recall with pleasure the events of other days and say with Goldsmith : "Dear lovely bowers of innocence and ease. Seats of my youth, when every sport could please ; Ho'w often have I loitered o'er thy green. Where humble happiness endeared each scene ! How often have I paused on every charm; The sheltered cot, the cultivated farm ; The never-failing brook, the busy mill. The old white church that topped the distant hill." Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 469 Part II. ZADOG LONG'S JOURNAL. Hon. Zadoc Long Extracts from Diary of Zadoc Long which he kept for 50 years. These extracts are but a very small part, but enough to give an impression of the local village life : I was born on the 28th day of July, 1800, at Middleboro, Plymouth County, Mass. The earliest thing I can remember was my father's return from a militarv muster in the costume of a commissioned officer with Digitized by Microsoft® 470 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD cocked hat and coat faced with white. The next I recall was the birth of my brother Miles in 1804. My father moved from Middleboro to Buck- field in 1806, and bought the Daniel Howard farm on North Hill. The first time I came to the village there were but two two-story houses here — Mr. Benjamin Spaulding's and the one in which I now live. There was no church here. I worked on a farm till I was 14 years old. My father carried on his farm and his trade of a shoemaker at the same time. In 181S I commenced the study of English and Latin grammar. In the autum.n of 1816 I attended the academy at Hebron and boarded a mile away at Mr. Barney Myrick's, where I could pay in shoemaking at $1.00 per week. This I think was the last bill my father ever 'paid for me. 1823. April 13 — Bought a stand for trade jointly with Capt. James Jewett — the new store on the north side of the river and east of the bridge — 3 stories high on the water side — the largest and most convenient store for business in village — together with a building and apparatus for mak- ing potash. 1824. Sept. I — I was married to Julia T. Davis of New Gloucester and com- menced keeping house. Lucius Loring, who has married my sister Sally, and I, hired a house called the "Foster House.'' He will occupy one part and I the other. Oct. 24 — A pleasant young gentleman by the name of Henry White is boarding with us. He has lately commenced preaching the gospel and is engaged for a short time in the village. 1826. I July 30 — The first meeting of the members of the Bible class in Buck- field holden at Mr. Chase's Meeting House so called. The question writ- ten upon was : "How extensive is the knowledge of God." The undersigned feeling persuaded that Capt. is injuring his health, his reputation, his property and the peace of his family, by an increasing habit of intemperance, and believing that, as he is not accustomed to the use of ardent spirits in his own house, it might prove a preventive of this evil for him to be denied it at the stores, by the glass, and feeling very solicitous to save a man from destruction, who but for this, would be one of our most respectable and useful citizens, hereby engage ourselves to let him have no more rum to be drank in our stores. Buckfield, Dec. 2, 18-26. Zadoc Long Lucius Loeing Enoch Crocker Nathan Atwood Spaulding Robinson The above accompanied by a letter to Mr. P. expressing the kindest wishes for his welfare. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 471 1827. Apr.25 — The greatest freshet remembered here. It was caused by 24 hours only of rain. May 24— Purchased a chaise of Mr. Babcock, Portland, for which I gave him $185. June 21— This day was appointed a Justice of the Peace for the County of Oxford. July 24— Purchased a black horse of Hosea Benson, Canton, for $135 cash. 1829.. Mar. 9 — Snow 4 feet deep on a level. Sam H, Blake teaching the school and boarding at my house. Aug. 17 — Drouth continues. Corn is so much injured that it is thought there will be but half ' crop. Potatoes nearly ruined.. Business dull in consequence of the extreme scarcity of money. No sale for stock' yet which is all that can be relied upon for a general circulation of cash here and wc have no prospect of better times this season. Oct. — Started from Buckfield Sat. morning and the Mon. following was in old Plymouth, Mass., a distance of 215 miles. Went to see Bro. Thomas, who had been for 40 mos. on the U. S. Frigate Brandywine on the Pacific coast of So. America. Had not seen him for 6 years. He had a roving disposition. His life on a man of war has improved him. Autumn — The portraits of myself and wife painted by G. U. Apple- ton. My age 29, my wife's 22. Dec. — It is nearly 2 years since I sold any spiritous liquors in my store, and though the profits of my business have been consequently less my satisfaction has been much greater. Did not feel justified in selling that to my neighbors which I knew to be for their injury. About the time a Temperance Association was formed in this vicinity I quit retail- ing ardent spirits.. (These are words that deserve to shine in letters of gold. Authors. ) 1830. Jan. 17 — The weather has been remarkably moderate this winter so far. There has been but little snow. We have had one week of sleighing. 1831. Feb. I — There has been no sleighing yet this winter. To-day it snows. Feb. 6 — Snow enough and the sleigh-bells begin to be heard on the streets. Mar. 15 — Sold my goods and rented my store to Samuel W. Ingalls and E. Taylor for 2 years at $24 per year. Apr. I — There has been a big freshet here the past week. Damage $2500 at least, Lucius Loring's share is not less than $1000, Buck's & Gray's $1000. The east part of the upper dam was broken away by the ice and the main current of the river let into the road at the east of Buck's wagon shops, surrounding them. Gray's blacksmith shop and Digitized by Microsoft® 472 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Loring's potash being in water in such a manner that no one could get to them to remove anything. The buildings were undermined and what- ever was in or about them washed away, leaving but a wreck behind. Notes and accounts to the amount of about $1500 belonging to Buck and Gray were lost. A shoe shop and a part of a shed attached to Crocker's store went down stream and were destroyed. It will be $lco damage to the roads. Nov. 27 — We have just returned from Sunday School. My wife and I have a class. The interest of the school is enlivened by our infant Library. There are some favorable symptoms for Buckfield — wicked, God-forsaken place as it has been called — our new meeting-house with its heaven pointing spire for one. We intend to have a bell if the pur- chase money can be raised by subscription. 1832. Jan. 2 — Winter set in the last of Nov. with sufficient snow for sleigh- ing and it has been the most severe and steady cold weather for the time of year that the oldest men among us can remember. Commenced business in the store of Lucius Loring, Aug. ist last, and have made a greater amount of sales than ever before in the same length of time. Business of every kind has been better during the past year than I ever knew it to be. Mar. 28 — There have now been 125 days of sleighing. It has been the longest and coldest winter ever known in this country. Mar. — Rev. Seth Stetson made some remarks a few days since upon the subject of intemperance and especially about retailers, which have kindled a war against him, that promises not soon to subside in particular has taken it in high dudgeon and swears that he will no longer hear him preach or assist in his support and all this for what? Why be- cause our minister had conscience and independence enough to admonish the people of the evils resulting from the practice of ardent spirits — for preaching morality. What a queer thing it would be I am thinking if the people of Buckfield drive away a Universalist minister for preaching temperance. Smith, the hatter from Portland, died last night at Young's Tavern. His death was no doubt occasioned by intemperance. It is sickly in this vicinity. Influenza prevalent. There have been S deaths in this village this winter — 2 infants, Mrs, Cole, wife of Sampson Cole, Mrs. Parris, wife of Josiah Parris and Rev. Seth Stetson's daughter, Emily. Apr. 18 — There are now 5 stores with large stocks of goods for the country in operation here. Long & Loring, Luther Crocker, Ephraim At- wood & Co., Nathan Atwood, Samuel Ingalls & Co. The latter firm oc- cupy the store belonging to me where I formerly traded. June 6 — Meeting house in this village ("church on the hill") dedicated. Dedication sermon by Rev. Seth Stetson. June 10 — It has been cold and cloudy nearly 4 weeks. Farmers are almost discouraged. Much of the corn and potatoes have rotted. There Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 473 is very little prospect of a corn crop this year. It has been so damp and cold that I have kept a fire in the store every day for a month. June 17 — Attended Sabbath School this morning. There are now about 40 attendants. Have raised a sufficient sum by subscription to double the number of books in the 'school library. Much good may be expected from it, though far from popular with the majority of the town's people. June 28 — The Universalists have their annual convention here today July 20 — The season is several weeks later than usual. Sept. 12 — The corn on low lands killed by frost. Oct. 22 — It has been a very cold and unfavorable season for vegeta- tion. So little corn has not been raised for many years. It is now sell- ing for 6 shillings per bushel. Dec. 16 — Mr. Bates, a Universalist minister, preached at Union Chapel. A great majority of the owners of the meeting house are pro- fessed Universalists. Rev. Seth Stetson who has preached in this place once or twice a month for the past 2 years was formerly an Orthodox preacher. He is now a believer in universal restoration. I am not acquainted with a more exemplary man. Dec. 25 — Christmas. Six years ago to-day was the first meeting of the Temperance Association in this village at which an address was deliv- ered by Stephen Emery, Esq. Since that time I have not trafficked in ardent spirits. Sunday, Dec. 29 — Rev. Mr. Bryant, a Methodist, preached at the school house to-day. 1833- Jan. 24 — About one o'clock we awoke and found the whole village in an uproar. It was dark and misty — not a breath of wind. A broad red glare lit up the sky. Thought at first it was Atwood's store on fire. Soon ascertained that it was the grist mill. If any wind had been blow- ing nothing could have prevented the saw mill and probably Atwood's store from burning. The flames kindled in 20 places and burned the outside next to the grist mill to a coal.. Mr. Heald's loss is probably $1500. Nathan Atwood's whose carding machinery was burned, $600. A. B. Morrill's blacksmith shop was in that part of the building, where the fire commenced. Many persons had admonished Mr. Heald of the im- prudence of having this shop in the building. Mar. S — Since March came in, we have had some of the worst freez- ing and blustering weather of the winter. Mar. 12— I expected to sell my store to-day to Mr. Cole of Livermore, but he seems inclined not to take it. I have offered him my house, store and whole concern for $1600, He talks of buying Dr. Bridgham's house and store at $1350. The term for which Ingalls & Taylor hired the store expired to-day. Just sold my store for $400 to Nathan Morrill and Arte- mas F. Cole. Mar. 13— The rain which continued nearly all night is changed into a snowstorm and the wind is piping louder and louder from the north. Digitized by Microsoft® 474 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Hurrah for another blockade. Bkie devils are flapping their dull wings about. This weather's propitious for hatching 'em out. Continual snowing and blowing and blasting and vapors and darkness and storms everlasting. Mar. 17, Sunday — Mr. Stetson preached to-day at Union Chapel. He talks about moving away in the spring and we are in the way of having no preaching of any kind in this town. For vindicating the cause of Temperance, he lost the friendship and support of those who were most instrumental in procuring him to preach here for which reason mainly he will remove. Mar. 19 — Have nearly sold my house from over my head to-day to V. D. Parris, Esq., who is about being married to Miss Columbia Rawson of Paris possessing $8000 in addition to her other attractions. He has the refusal of it at $1200. Apr. g — Mr. Samuel Hutchinson, a very amiable young man, in at- tempting to pass a bridge without any railing on horseback, over what is called the "Roundabout," while the water was running over it, was washed off by the current and drowned. His body was found after lying in the water 8 or 9 hours. Left an affectionate wife, who mourned him bitterly. Apr. 14 — Mr. Chase, the first man I ever heard preach in Buckfield, holds forth to-day at Union Chapel. (This was Elder Nath'l Chase). Apr. 22 — Rev. Mr. Bates, a Universalist preacher, lectured this even- ing at Union Chapel on the subject of Temperance. Apr. 25 — Dr. Comstock dined with us to-day. May 5 — Rev. Mr. Stoddard, Universalist, preached at Union Chapel. Buckfield Sabbath School Society held its annual meeting at 5 o'clock. May 26 — The season forward. Trees have been several days in bloom. Grass knee high in my front yard. Lilacs blossomed for the first time since I planted them. Sunday, July 14 — Just returned from Sabbath School. Have charge of a class. Mr. Chase preached to-day. Oct. 6 — Sunday School closed to-day for the season. Mr. Brown and myself have been the only teachers. Have been absent but 2 Sabbaths during the summer. 1834- Jan. 23 — About 8 o'clock this morning Mr. Jewett's cabinet shop was discovered to be on fire. It burned to the ground in a few minutes. Other buildings in great danger were saved. Feb. 26 — We had a temperance meeting here to-day and an address. Apr. 26 — At 8 o'clock evening mj' wife presented us her first boy. May IS — To-day it snows fast. The ground is covered and sleighs are out. June 23 — Our store was broken into last night and about $200 worth of silk goods stolen. Aug. 26 — One William Dyer had his trial this week at Topsham for breaking a store. We attended and found about $15 worth of our goods which were taken from our store June 23d. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 475 1835. Jan. 7— We sent five tons of dried apples to Portland to-day. They sold for 45/^ cts. per lb. Aug. 26— Bought what is called the old Record homestead in Buck- field Village with 9 acres of good land for $1000.. Sept. &— Sold the situation where I have lived for 9 years to Albert D White for $1000. Nov. 19— The sound of the explosion at the Gorham Powder Mills, 50 miles away, was heard and the smoke seen in this town. One man killed. Never knew money so plenteous and business of every kind so good as during the last six months. There has been a high price paid for every- thing the farmer has had to sell. 50 cts. for wool, average quality. 20 cts. per lb. for butter, $1.00 for corn, 8 s. for wheat, 67 cts. for oats, $2 for beans, $10 for hay. Goods have been sold at advanced prices and the demand for them was never greater. The prices of labor of every kind has been very high. Fine times. Sold the orchard near the school house to John Taylor for $150. Nov. 23— Cold snow storm. Up to this it has been one of the most delightful autumns ever known. Nov. 29, Sunday— Preaching in the Village by Elder Starr of New Gloucester. Dec. 2— Obtained $200 by subscription for a bell for Union Chapel. Dec. 6, Sunday — Elder Starr preached in the village again to-day. Dec. 19 — Hay very scarce. Stock almost to be given away in con- sequence. 1836. Jan. 6 — Erysipelas prevails in this vicinity. Three out of one family have died within a few days. Have just heard of the death of Jonathan Buck's wife. Jan. 13 — Bought meadow hay of James Jewett at $10 per ton. Wood at iJ4 dollars per cord, not so plenteous as usual. Jan. 18 — Widow Jane Record the oldest person in the village is sick and not expected to live many days. Jan. 19 — Money circulates less freely. Hay sold in the village to-day for $15 per ton. Best flour $9 per bbl. in Portland. Jan. 24, Sunday — Rev. Mr. Pennell preached here to a large audience. Jan. 25 — Mr. Pennell plays psalmody sweetly on a flute. With that and a violin we have been whiling away the time pleasantly during the storm. Jan. 27 — ^Session of the court was to have commenced at Paris yes- terday but the Judge had not arrived this morning by reason of the storm. Feb. I — Mr. Pennell held a meeting in the evening at Squire Brown's to discourse about missionary objects according to the custom on the 1st Mon. in Feb. Feb. 8 — ^Another tremendous snow storm. The snow is up to the win- dow stools on a level. Digitized by Microsoft® 476 HISTORY OF BUCKFJFXD Feb. 13 — No regularity to the mails is expected. Mrs. Jenkins, aged 83, died in the village to-day. Feb. 16 — Hay $20 a ton and scarce at that. Ephraim Hathaway, a pensioner, died yesterday. Feb. 20 — Lewis Record nearly killed yesterday by the falling of a tree. Feb. 29 — Mr. Pennell left, having preached in the village 6 Sabbaths. Mar. 2 — Said to be the coldest winter ever known. It has been very sickly and the largest number of people have died that ever did in the same length of time since the town was settled. Mar. 19 — Very cold. Snow nearly 4 feet deep. The stage-driver is this moment passing by with ear locks and whiskers as white by the frost as a powdered wig. Mar. 25 — Marshall and Hiram Andrews have been on trial before me two days on complaint for passing counterfeit money. Court at the town house. Mr. Brown and Carter, counsel for the state. Mr. Emery for defendants. 500 people present. They were bound over to the Supreme Court May Term in the sum of $500. The counterfeit was on Kendus- keag Bank, Bangor. Mar. 27, Sunday — Mr. Libby, a blind man, preaches here to-day. He never could see or read, yet knows much of books. Repeats hymns for singing his text and the context with perfect accuiracy. Uses very chaste language grammatically and is a very tolerable sermonizer. Apr. IS — Two citizens are quarreling within a few rods of the house about a land line. One threatens to brain the other with an ax and strikes a slight blow upon his leg. The ax is taken from him. He then strikes with his iists. The other returns the blow and knocks him down. A sickening spectacle. The one knocked down is nearly 60 years old and is a sworn Justice of the Quorum and bound to keep the peace and maintain the laws. Apr. 24, Sunday — Rev. Mr. Caldwell, Methodist, preaches in the vil- lage. June 5 — Sunday School commenced. June 27 — Circus here. Very warm. Corn backward. June 29 — Refreshing shower about sunrise attended by sharp light- ning and thunder. July 3 — Preparations making for celebrating tfie anniversary of our National Independence to-morrow. V. D. Parris delivers an oration at Union Chapel. Aug. 2 — Warm, dry weather, fields parched, grass withered, corn on low grounds killed by frost. The streams almost dried up. A good crop of hay, rye, wheat and oats. Very little sound corn will be raised. Po- tatoes small by reason of the drouth. Sept. 8 — Every vegetable kind killed by the frost. Business dull. Money scarce. Corn is sold for 8 s. 6 d. per bushel. The poor suffer, the rich groan and hug their treasures closer. Sept. II — Elder Houghton preached to-day. Sept. 25 — No preaching in the village. Gave 9 shillings last week for a bushel of corn. Flour $10 per bbl. Wheat 11 shillings per bushel. Butter 20 cts. per lb. and scarce at that. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 477 Nov. 3— Sold the Potash and appurtenances which I owned with Lucius Loring to Daniel Young and Stephen D. Hutchinson for $212. Nov. 6, Sunday— No meeting. People in the place getting to be very indiflEerent about preaching. Nov. 13— Rev. Mr. Johnson, Baptist, preached at Union Chapel. Nov. 19— Mr. Jewett very sick. News from Penn. All is lost for the Whigs. Dec. 13— Moved into our new house (now Hotel Long). Dec. 21— Violent rain storm. Snow all carried away. Dec. 23 — Hard times for men in business. Money in our cities worth 24 per cent, per annum — best security — Provisions high. Dec. 25— Christmas— snow storm — no meeting. Dull— dull out and in — neither wheeling nor sleighing. 1837. Jan. 3 — Storm over, one of coldest ever known — having continued 48 hours. Snow 2j/^ feet deep on a level. Very cold. No living creature seen out. People tremble that have no wood. Jan. 12— First arrival of the stage froni Portland since the storm. Jan. IS, Sunday — No meeting as usual. Jan. 24 — Shoveling snow between our house and Brown's. The snow is higher than our heads on each side of the path. Jan. 25 — In the evening was a wonderful appearance in the heavens — a blood red light in form of an arch extending from east to west — most brilliant directly overhead, making objects far and near as distinctly vis- ible as by full moonlight and giving the snow a crimson hue, as if it had been showered with blood. Continued an hour or more unabated. Commenced soon after sunset. Brightest about 7 o'clock Jan. 29, Sunday — Rev. Mr. Jordan preached at the school house. A full meeting. A prayer meeting in the evening at Rodney Chaffln's. Feb. I — Singing school commenced. Mar. 22 — Henry H. Hutchinson, Jr., tried before me for flogging El- bridge Bridgham and acquitted. Apr. 25 — Hard times. Merchants in our cities, failing. May 7 — Sunday. No meeting. Everybody stupid about preaching. May 8 — Cold, cold, cold. Ground froze last night. It is a time of unexampled distress among merchants and will be among farmers if such weather continues. Monstrous scarcity of money in proportion to the business throughout the country. An immense and inevitable fall in prices of merchandize, stocks, lands and labor. Thousands thrown out of employment. The general distress produced by derangement of the cur- rency through unwise intermeddling of Government by overdoing busi- ness on a system of credit by extravagant importations as well as home manufactures by land speculation and a variety of causes. The depres- sion has come upon us suddenly and severely and a vast many who thought themselves rich a few months ago are ruined. May 10 — Canker rash prevailing in the village. Have just heard of the death of Mr. Bean's child by this disease. Digitized by Microsoft® 478 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD May 14, Sunday — Pleasant. Rev. Mr. Houghton preached at Union Chapel. May 27 — Bread stuff scarce and high. Wheat, $2 rye and corn 9 shillings per bushel, potatoes 2 shillings, beans 15 shillings. June I — Fine growing weather. My corn and cucumbers peeping out of the ground. June 25, Sunday — Meeting at the Poor House. July 9, Sunday — Rev. Mr. Millner preached at the Chapel. Aug. 2 — People generally just begun hajdng. Wheat everywhere well grown, forward and abundant. There is an enormous extent of ground in this state. It is said that a destructive little insect called the weevil is doing great damage to the crop. Some fields nearly ruined. Aug. II — Clear and cold. Fears of a frost. The few last years, win- ter and summer, have been colder than formerly owing as is thought to spots on the sun which are seen at this time of large size. 1838. Jan. 7 — Pleasant and sunny weather. No snow. More agreeable weather never known at this season of the year. Jan. 14 — Mr. Chase preached at the school house. Jan. IS — Summer weather. No snow on the ground. Such a mild, broken winter never known in this country. Feb. 3 — Paschal Barrelle, the singing master, boarding with us two days. Mar. 8 — A tremendous excitement is produced all over the country by Jonathan Cilley's death in a duel. Mar. 14 — Warm — snow running off. The winter has been short and pleasant. Mar. 18 — Mr. Stetson has appointed a meeting at Union Chapel. There seems to be a religious awakening in several places among Uni- versalists. Mar. 23 — People in the State are excited over the northeastern bound- ary matter. Mar. 28 — Zadoc Long unanimously nominated (by the Whigs) as candidate for Representative in Congress to fill the vacancy, occasioned by the death of Hon. Timothy J. Carter. Apr. 12 — AppoUos Osgood and daughter, Eliza, called on us this afternoon. Eliza is a fine singer and delighted us with several selections. Apr. 18 — Virgil D. Parris nominated for Congress by the Jackson con- vention to-day. 60 delegates present. Buckfield has the honor of fur- nishing the candidates for both parties. May 6 — Freshet. Part of upper dam undermined and the water run- ning down the road east of the buildings on the river. May 22 — Elder Houghton, Baptist minister of Turner, died. V. D. Parris started for Congress. May 30 — Mrs. V. D. Parris supposed to have the small pox. The vil- lage somewhat alarmed. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 479 June 4 — Some of the stores shut up on account of the small pox and several families have moved out of the village. The citizens held a meet- ing and adopted measures to prevent the spread of the disease. It was resolved that the selectment remove V. D. Parris' family to a house out- side the village, as soon as in the opinion of a competent physician it could be done without endangering life. The family removed in the aft- ernoon. The alarm in and out of the village is very great. Very few people dare to come here for business. The disease was brought into the place by Mr. Parris on his return from Augusta where he had been con- fined for a time from contact with other people. June 30 — Cut down the old apple tree which has stood near the piazza for 40 years. July 4 — Just heard of a distressing accident that happened yesterday to an old acquaintance, Andrew Cushman. He was thrown from his wagon by reason of a break in the harness and his leg broken so badly that his life is in danger. July 6 — Caravan here. Hannah, daughter of Dominicus Record, died of inflamation of the bowels. July 8, Sunday — ^Fine weather. Rode to Hebron Academy. Attended meeting all day. Elder Tripp, 77 years old, preached. He said : "40 years ago to-day I preached my first sermon here as your minister." A fine band of singers from Paris Cape there. July 12 — Mr. Parris arrived from Washington amid the roar of a little swivel called "Jackson's Pocket Piece.'' July 16 — It has been the warmest season thus far, known for many years. Grass abundant. July 26 — Judge Samuel Parris, 83 years old, from Washington called to see us. He travelled 500 miles in 40 hours. Ddniel Young we hear was robbed while crossing a bridge near Portland 2 nights ago. He was knocked on the head, rifled of $600 and thrown into the water. Many suspect he robbed himself. July 28 — Mr. Butler, a young minister of the gospel, called this after- noon, proposing to preach in this place a few Sabbaths. July 29, Sunday— Mr. Butler preached at Union Chapel. Aug. 3— Best of weather. Picked off ears of corn, full in the milk to-day. Pohtics runs .high. Aug. S, Sunday— Mr. Seth Stetson preached 2 fine sermons at Union Chapel. Sabbath School at 5 pm. Aug. II— S. F. Brown removed from the Post Office and William Bridgham appointed in his stead. Aug. 12, Sunday— Mr. Butler preached 3 sermons. Aug. 19, Sunday— Mr. Chase preached here to-day. Aug. 23— People reaping wheat which is abundant. More ground sown than ever before. The bounty given by the State $2 for every 20 bushels raised has stimulated people to cultivate wheat. Corn generally out of the way of the frost. Growers receive by law $2 for every 30 bushels of ears. Digitized by Microsoft® 480 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Aug. 26, Sunday — Mr. Chase preaches at Union Chapel. Sept. 2, Sunday — Mr. Thomes, a Universalist, preached at Union Chapel. Sept. 4 — Frost last night for first time this season. Sept. 12 — Mr. Ripley's blacksmith shop and Mr. Robinson's wagon shop burned this morning about 4 o'clock. Loss about $600,, no insur- ance. Gathering my corn. I shall have not less than 60 bushels on a little more than 54 acre of ground. Sept. 13 — Powerful rain which was much needed. The mail brings news of the defeat of the Whigs in the late election. Largest vote that was ever thrown in any state according to its population. Sept. 14 — The Jackson-Van Buren party had a celebration this after- noon of their late victory in the election. They had intended to fire lOO guns, but before they had half done the swivel became so hot that the powder took fire while it was being loaded. Mr. Washington Heald's arm was torn in a shocking manner, so that he will probably lose it. An- other man's thumb was broken and the eyes of still another badly injured. Sept. 16, Sunday — Mr. Thomes from Otisfield preaches at Union Chapel. Sept. 18 — Eclipse of the sun in the afternoon. Sept. 19 — ^Muster of the Regiment in Ximenes Philbrick's field J4 ™ile from here. Sept. 22 — The Van Buren party have elected the Governor in this State by about 2500 majority. I have received (for Representative to Congress) some over 5000 votes in this Congressional District, 1400 more than last spring. Mr. Parris is elected. Sept. 29 — Finished digging potatoes — about 300 bushels on a yl of a" acre of ground. Benjamin Merrill and Eben Hodge have dug to-day and put into the cellar 100 bushels — a great day's work. Oct. I — At the 2nd ballot to-day the 4th day of trial Daniel Chase was elected Representative to the Legislature from Buckfield by one majority in 303 votes. The choice was decided by the Whigs withdrawing from their candidate and supporting Chase. This election decides that there are a majority in town in favor of appropriating the surplus only for a farm for the poor. The other candidate being supported by the party that opposed the appropriation a year ago last spring. Oct. 2 — ^About midnight we were waked by the report of a building on fire at my father's. It turned out to be his barn burnt together with a shed, about 20 tons of hay ,his cpw, and a valuable young horse. Loss not much short of $500. It is not known how the fire took. Oct. 3 — Money continues scarce. It is worth 12 per cent, with the best security. Cattle of every description very high. Oxen 6^4 feet girth $100, middling milch cows $30, best lambs $2. Scarcely any beef in the country. Oct. 9 — Heavy frost. Oct. IS — 2 meetings of Debating Society at Bridgham's Hall. Oct. 27- — At 2 o'clock this beautiful starlight morning we were blest with the birth of a second son (John D. Long). Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 451 Nov. IS— The Whigs have triumphed in the N, Y. election by 10,000 majority. Dec. I— Warm and most delightful weather— no sleighing.. Prices at Buckfield : Beef from $6 to $8 per cwt. Mutton same. Shoats $8 to $10 per cwt. Fresh Hams i2i/$ cts. per bl. Salt Pork 14 cts. per lb. Hogs dressed 10 cts. per lb. Hay from $5 to $6 per ton. Wheat $.1.50 per bushel. Rye 6 shillings, corn 6 shillings, beans 7 shillings 6 pence, peas S shillings, oats 2 shillings per bushel, potatoes i shilling, butter 20 cts., cheese 10 cts., dried apples 4 cts., chickens 8 to 10, board in village 9 shill- ings to 12 shillings, girls' help from 4 shillings to 6 shillings, labor on a farm from $11 to $13 per mo., molasses 2 shillings 6 pence, tea 2 shilUngs, sheeting 9 cts.., flannel 3 shillings, full cloth 6 shillings cash. Dec. 3 — 3 trials before me this afternoon against persons for non- appearance at militia trainings. School commenced. Dec. 4 — A little after sunrise was startled by a cry of fire. A store near the bridge and joining Artemas Cole's store took fire in a roof by the funnel. The fire subdued by the activity of the citizens before the building was destroyed. Damages $75 perhaps. The citizens after fre- quent and repeated warnings are striving to procure an engine. Dec. 8 — Reed the President's message 5 days from Washington. 1839. Jan. 27 — We have had one of the greatest freshets known for many years. The blowing of the' wind and the beating of the gale last night were fearful. The water is roaring majestically over the dams and sur- rounding many of the buildings near the river. The blocks of ice have knocked away the underpinning ' from one store and the posts from one end of the' saw mill. The ground is nearly bare. Feb. I — Very fine weather. No sleighing. Feb. 20 — Prospect of a war on the disputed territory. Our land agent has been taken by a British armed force, while performing his duty in arresting trespassers on our timber lands on Aroostook River. Feb. 25 — Wars and rumors of war creating a great excitement. Some are sober, some are jolly, some frightened, some going out of the country to get clear of doing military duty and all classes making anxious inquiry of the progress of affairs on the frontier. Feb. 2"] — Snow storm. The village crowded with people. A part of the Regiment met here to-day for a draft. — About 1-3 of the militia ordered to be in readiness. Mar. I — Sunny and warm. Sleighing destroyed. Mar. 3 — A deep snow came upon us like a thief in the nigh.t A win- ter day. Two-thirds of the militia lately drafted from the Regiment or- dered to march next Wednesday. Mar. 4— The militia meet here this morning for another draft. Mar. S— Four soldiers from Lovell staid with us last night. Drafted men coming to the village this morning on their way to Headquarters. Have sent my horse and sleigh as far as Augusta to help them on their Digitized by Microsoft® 482 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD way. About 3000 militia on the ground and on the march. Mr. Isaac Ellis takes another's place. Mar. 6 — The General Government has advised the State authorities to disband the militia. Our border trouble the all engrossing subject of conversation. The President's message too pacific and tame to suit the excited feeling in Maine. There is some doubt whether the Government of this State v^ill comply with the recommendations of the President. Mar. 8 — While I was posting books this morning I heard an outcry and looking out saw a shabby looking man on the bridge with a team and such a team. It was a curiosity. A sled loaded with boys drawn by a yoke of cows and a hog harnessed on forward which appeared as well broken to the business as a truck horse. The man halted on the bridge and began to preach in a loud voice, gesticulating with his goad stick in no slovenly style. Though his voice could be heard very far, I could not understand the thread of his discourse. A bull and calf followed the team. A multitude gathered round, intoxicated with the fun. He delivered a Temperance lecture for one cent a minute. Apr. 9 — The High School house raised on Dr. Comstock's land.. Apr. 22 — Mr. Jewett entered into co-partnership with Long & Loring Sat. Increase Spaulding died this morning at his father's of consump- tion. Apr. 24 — Beautiful weather, martins arrived to-day — a week earlier than last year. Trees beginning to leave out and grass starting finely. May 2 — Transplanted 6 young rock maples into my yard at south end of the house. May II — Mr. Woodman arrived to commence the high school next Monday. The new building nearly completed. June S — Cyrus, son of Nathaniel Shaw, died. June 23 — Went with Julia and Janet Loring to the Federal School house. Heard Mr. Hersey preach. June 30 — Mr. Woodman, an old-fashioned, fine hearted old Christian from New Gloucester preaches at Union Chapel. He is a believer in the unity of God and the final salvation of all men.. July 4 — Powerful showers last night with lightning and thunder. No celebration in this place. Mr. V. D. Parris hurt by a ball while playing nine pins. Showers in the afternoon. July 7 — Bates, Universalist preacher, at Union Chapel, full house. July IS — Cloudy, wet and mudd.y The oldest man never knew so much wet. My clover field rotting. We have not had a day of hay weather yet. July 16 — Daniel Young died this afternoon of consumption. July 17 — Beautiful weather. Begun haying. July 20 — Circus here. Great numbers attend. July 28— Mr. Pearl preaches at Union Chapel. Mr. P. is a teacher and lecturer in Gorham Institute. A man of small stature but very enter- prising and energetic. He is engaged to deliver a course of 4 lectures here beginning this evening on education. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD • 433 Aug. 25— A laymen's meeting at Union Chapel. Sept. I, Sunday — Beautiful morning after the storm. Mr. Thomes preached at Union Chapel. Sept. 4— The Universalists have an association meeting here to-day and to-morrow. Sept. 20— There will be very few apples this year. I shall not have more than 50 bushels on 300 trees. Potatoes small and but half a crop. Oct. 20, Sunday — Mr. Stockman from South Paris preaches at Union Chapel. And the choir of singers are here from that place to show their skill in music. There has been preaching of some kind a majority of Sabbaths this summer. Oct. 21— Another money pressure coming upon the country. Phila- delphia, Baltimore and Providence banks suspend specie payments. Prices of all kinds of property falling. Nov. 18 — Mr. Bartlett, phrenologist, dined with us and delivered a lecture in the evening at the High School house. Nov. 22 — Charles Atwood began service at ten dollars per month. Dec. I — Funeral at Union Chapel of Abijah Buck, the first male child bom in the town. Dec. 3 — Business of all kinds very dull. The singing school is in a fine way. Dec. 28 — ^A violent snow storm. Mr. Thorpe, the singing mastei, here. He gives my daughter, Julia Davis, lessons on piano. 1840. Jan. 17 — More symptoms of war on our N. E. border. Jan. 19 — Attended funeral of Mrs. Addison Cole's child at the Fed- eral school house. The third child they have lost in infancy. They have none left. Jan. 25 — The mail has been delayed 2 days. Feb. 6 — Drafter a formal constitution for Buckfield Village choir. Mar. "4 — Warm as summer. Mar. 5 — Rain, snow and mud in abundance. Apr. 2 — Fine weather but bad travelling. The last day of Mr. Thorpe's singing school. Lewis Drew died last evening. Apr. 9 — Fast Day. Temperance meeting at Union Chapel and a lec- ture by Rev. Mr. Curtis of Turner. Apr. 10 — Roads nearly settled. Apr. 20 — Spring forward. The fields already green. Apr. 21 — The martins have arrived. Business dull. Prices low. Men who received from $12 to $15 last year can be hired this spring for $10 and $12. Hay plenteous at $5 and $6 per ton. Butter 9 cts., veal 3 and 4 cts. per lb., wheat 7 shillings and 6 pence, corn 5 shillings and falling. Apr. 26 — Mr. Curtis preaches at Union Chapel. A violent tempest in the afternoon. Thunder and lightning — rain and wind. It turned over and tore in pieces several sheds in the village and did considerable dam- Digitized by Microsoft® 484 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD age. A two-story building was moved several hundred feet from its foundation and the roofs of some others were blown off. May 17 — Mr. Thorpe commenced giving instruction to our choir in sacred music. May 24 — Mr. Curtis delivered his first lecture on the evidence of nat- ural and revealed religion at Union Chapel. May 27 — Fruit trees never so fully blossomed. June 2 — Clear and cool. The frost killed my corn, beans and pumpkins. June 8 — Fine growing weather. The children have brought in ripe strawberries — the earliest I ever knew. Everything in the vegetable king- dom uncommonly advanced. June 12 — Meeting of the Uiversalists at East meeting house. June 25 — Had the honor of a unanimous nomination as a candidate for Congress. July 26 — Mr. Tripp from Hebron preached at Union Chapel. He is over 80 years old. Mr. Curtis gave his last lecture at J o'clock. July 31 — Warm and dry. Fields and pastures dry and j'ellow and abounding in grasshoppers. Cattle half starved. Aug. 3 — Fine showers last night — The earth refreshed. Wool sell- ing at 30 and 32 cts., hay $7, flour at Portland $S per bbl., wheat here $1.25, corn .75, butter .10. Cash can this mo. be had here at 6 per cent, upon the best security. Sept. 30 — Muster at Hebron, My son, Zadoc, and I attended. 33 years ago or one year less when I was about the age of Zadoc I attended muster for the first time on the same ground. I well remember how much I was charmed with military sights and sounds, with red coats, cocked hats and feathers, guns and swords, with the marching of men and the prancing of horses, the music of the fifes and drums, the rattle of musketry and the many other things, so exciting to childish fancy. I had no shoes and traveled 3 miles barefoot early in the morning while the frost was on the ground with only 3 cts. in my pocket which I paid for a small cake of molasses gingerbread. I returned home at night hungrj' and tired. Oct. I — Last mo. was remarkably pleasant and the whole summer has been one of the warmest, most delightful and fruitful in my remem- brance. Oct. 2 — Daniel Thompson lost an arm yesterday in a threshing ma- chine. I gave away 200 bushels of apples this year — a surplus I can't use or sell for much. Oct. II — Mr. Chandler preached at Union Chapel. Mr. Thorpe led the singing. Mr. Curtis gives us a farewell lecture at 5 o'clock. Oct. 18 — Mr. Woodman of New Gloucester, a good old-fashioned man, preached at Union Chapel. Oct. 22 — Returns from Ohio State election. Harrison and Reform is the order of the day — sweeping the whole country from Maine to Arkansas. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 435 Oct. 30— Mr. Dumont delivered a political lecture at the town house at 3 o'clock. Nov. 2— Vote for President. Harrison 76, Van Buren 274, one vote gain for the Locos. Both parties waiting with almost breathless anx- iety, the result through the State, as it was never more doubtful. Nov. 5— More favorable tidings for the Whigs. The State of Penn. with its 30 electors, has gone for Harrison and Reform. Nov. 8 — Loring Jewett very sick with fever. Nov. 13 — Our dear sister, Bathsheba Bearce, died at my father's last evening. Nov. 15, Sunday — Our esteemed friend, Mr. Pearl, came here last evening and preaches to-day in the village. Nov. 16 — We are about forming an association in the village for the purpose of furnishing ourselves for one year with such periodicals, re- views and journals as will promote our knowledge of the arts and sciences. Nov. 26 — Thanksgiving. Pleasant weather and good sleighing. Dec. 6, Sunday — Very cold. Attended 2 meetings at Union Chapel. Mr. Bates of Turner preached. Dec. 14 — A society formed in this village denominated Buckfield Society of Literature and Science consisting of 10 members who ad- vanced 3 dollars each to be expended for the following periodicals to fur- nish a library for the first year : North American Review S> Edinborough and London Quarterlies 6, Blackwood's Magazine S> The American Eclectic 5, Boston Medical and Surgical Journal 3, The Cultivator i, A Law Journal 3, and 2 others. The undersigned wishing to raise $200 for the purpose of employing Mr. Cyril Pearl to instruct the High School and to preach every other Sabbath in Buckfield Village for one year, com- mencing the first of April next and $50 and furnish the school with apparatus for scientific illustrations will pay sums set against their names to carry these purposes into effect. Buckfield, Dec. 19, 1840. Zadoc Long , $25.00 William Comstock $25.00 James Jewett $25.00 William Cole $25.00 Lucius Loring $25.00 Samuel F. Brown $20.00 Persis Nelson $20.00 Washington Long $15.00 Isaac Cushman $10.00 Albert D. White $10.00 Dec. 22 — Snow storm the 6th — a genuine northeaster. 1841. Jan. 7 — An old-fashioned January thaw. Jan. 9— Exhibition of Buckfield Village choir at Union Chapel. Digitized by Microsoft® 486 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Jan. l8 — A sudden change in the weather from warm to cold and the roads are frozen into one solid sheet of glare ice. Jan. 26 — Met last evening with several persons of the village for con- ference with Mr. Cyril Pearl upon his request to discuss the subject of putting in operation the High School. Feb. S — Total eclipse of the moon. Feb. 17 — Mr. Barnabas Perry, 76 years old, died last evening. Feb. 19 — There has not been a day since about the middle of Nov. when the roads have been impassable with sleighs. The best winter for travelling and business since my remembrance. Feb. 25 — Went into the school in the afternoon which is under the in- struction of Thomas Chase. He attended school under my tuition when he was a boy and is one of the best teachers in town. Mar. I — Our High School commences under charge of Mr. Cyril Pearl with about 50 pupils — a majority of which are from other towns. Mar. 7 — Severe northeast snow storm. Funeral of Mr. Sam. Buck's oldest son appointed at Union Chapel but the storm has made it next to impossible to attend. Mar. 14 — People breaking track. Went in the afternoon to hear a funeral sermon by Mr. Pearl for Sam. Buck's son. Mar. 23 — Violent rain. 75 pupils attend the village High School and Lyceum — chiefly from other towns. We have a private school besides in the village, so there are now more than 100 attending school in this place. Apr. 7 — Heard the robins for the first time this season. Apr. 8 — We have just received the melancholy news of President Har- rison's death. Apr. 21 — Snow storm in the morning. Rain in the afternoon. Mr. Butterfield murdered his wife and 2 children in Sumner. Apr. 25 — Mr. Pearl preaches at Union Chapel. Sabbath School com- menced. Apr. 28 — Mr. Brown set out 2 little roots of trees called Trees of Heaven — one on each side of the path in my front yard. Apr. 29 — Martin birds singing bravely. May 3 — Ground in the morning covered with snow, followed by cold rain and wind. Nothing done towards my spring's work. The season behind about a fortnight. May 14 — ^^National Fast Day. Mr. Jordan after close of the examina- tion gave an address appropriate to the day. At 6 o'clock the pupils had an exhibition at Union Chapel. Some 25 or 30 young men displayed their talents in speaking and did honor to themselves. May 30 — Pleasant weather. William Cole very sick with lung fever. Funeral sermon in the afternoon at Union Chapel by Mr. Thomes for Nathan Atwood. May 31 — Second term of High School commenced this morning. Ap- ple trees blossoming. Never did vegetation progress more rapidly. June I — House raised for Mr. Pearl on land I bought of Samuel F. Brown. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 437 June 2— Violent gale in the afternoon. The frame of Mr. Pearl's house partly boarded, blown down. June 6 — Another house frame raised for Mr. Pearl. July 4— Bright and beautiful morning. The vegetable world in a most flourishing state. July 5— William Cole died about noon. He was the wealthiest man m town — a good citizen. July 31— Very warm and dry. One of the sharpest drouths ever known here. Corn and potatoes suffering much. Aug. 7 — The drouth continues. People look sober. Aug. 9— Dr. Comstock started for Mass. to practice his profession in Wentham.. Aug. n — Col. Charles Andrews delivered an address before the Lyce- um. Dr. Coolidge moved into the village this week. Aug. 14— The drouth continues. The 2d term of the High School closed to-day with some over 40 pupils. Aug. 16 — The deep water springs failing. Aug. 28 — The drouth continues. Aug. 30 — Rain, rain, rain. It has been 63 days since the drouth com- menced. During that time we have had only 2 or 3 slight showers. Sept. I — Appraised William Cole's estate — the largest ever appraised in this town — amount $27,520.91. Sept. 6 — Fall term of the High School commences.. Sept. 29 — Regimental muster at Hebron. Oct. 2 — Cool. The first frost of the season. Oct. 26 — Bro. Thomas died to-day. Nov. 2 — Uncommonly fine weather, no frost. One of the female pupils of the High School absconded. The people in no little excitement about it. Nov. 6 — Warm and rainy. The girl found in Gilead, 50 miles from here, where Mr. Albert D. White overtook her. She went to the Andro- scoggin river and jumped in and he plunged in after her at great hazard of his own life, for she was in water 40 feet deep. He succeeeded in bringing her to the shore and she is now at home. It is a singular case of love sick derangement. She is only 16 years old, very well educated and a member of a respectable Congregationalist Church. Nov. 7 — The Washingtonian Temperance Society organized with 106 members. The cause of Temperance never looked so well in this town. The young men of leading influence are engaged in it and some of the hardest cases of confirmed drunkenness reformed, at least have pledged themselves to abstain from drinking. Nov. 10 — Contributed towards making up a sum for Mr. A. D. White in testimony of his late prompt persevering and hazardous services in rescuing the girl from suicide and restoring her to her parents. Nov. 29 — The Washingtonian Temperance Society meet at the Upper village this stormy evening. They are adding to their numbers daily. Glorious work. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Dec. 12 — Very fine and sunny. Ground bare and open. Attended meeting. Mr. Thomas preached a good sermon. 1842. Feb. 22 — Anniversary o,f the birth of General Washington celebrated here by the Washingtonian Temperance Society in a manner highly grat- ifying to the friends of true liberty, sobriety and good order, notwith- standing the bad state of the traveling more than 1000 people were as- sembled before 11 a.m. A procession under an elegant flag with the portrait of Washington painted on each side, while a martial band played a spirited air, marched from the village to Union Chapel, which was filled to overflowing aisles, entry and gallery- with double rows in each pew. The banner was placed in a conspicuous part of the house and the exercises proceeded as follows: Song of jubilee bj' Buckfield Village Choir ; prayer by Rev. George Thomes ; voluntary by the choir ; oration by Rev. C. C. Burr of Portland; Temperance Hymn by the choir; poem by Benj. Murray. The exercises concluded with appropriate music. Mar. I — Pleasant and sunny. Very little snow but abundant rain this winter. The stage to Portland has run on wheels almost all the time. Mar. 20 — Very pleasant and spring-like. The robins singing. Mar. 27 — Snow fell 9 or 10 inches yesterday so that it is good sleigh- ing. Apr. 7 — Fast Day. Some snow on the hills. The times throughout the country were never so hard. The Bankrupt Law is in operation and people everywhere are taking advantage of it. Debts are uncertain. We cannot have much confidence in people who have done and are still doing business on credit. One thing is certain people en masse must be more industrious and economical or they will not soon see an end of this pres- ent wicked state of things. Apr. 22 — The fields in many places look green. People plowing and sowing. To-day the weather is warm as June. At night was the warmest I ever experienced at this time of year. The thermometer stood at 92 degs. above zero. May 9 — Bro. Washington dissolved his connection with the store. Mr. Loring and Jewett continue in partnership. May 29 — The apple trees in blossom. July 4 — Very warm. A party celebration in this village. July 13 — Warm and clear. Thermometer 104 degrees. Aug. 18 — Rode for the first time in the steam cars from Portland to Kennebunk, 25 miles in one hour— among the first passengers that have passed over the railway from Saco to Kennebunk. Dined at Dover, N. H. Arrived at Boston half past 6 p.m. in the cars, zyi hours going 65 miles. Stopped at the American House, Hanover St. Sept. 22 — Frost last night and night before — the first we have had. Dr. Comstock here. Sold his farm to Dr. Coolidge. Sept. 23 — Mr. Pearl has resigned the superintendency of the High School. Mr. Atkinson takes his place. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 439 Oct. 5H-C00I. Cattle Show at Norway. Hard Times. Good crops of corn. Nov. 14— People preparing for Thanksgiving. Money very scarce. Provisions of all kinds very low— plenteous. Flour, $4.50; corn, 67c; wheat, $1,00 ; rye, 67c; oats, 30c; beef, 2^ to 3 cts. ; chickens, 4c; butter, 10 to 13 cts.; cows from $10 to $15; oxen from $50 to $60; wool, 25c; molasses, 25c ; sheeting, 8c. Dec. 2— People breaking roads. I should judge there have been 50 yoke of oxen in the village to-day. Dec. 3— Winter, winter— storm after storm. Snow upon snow. D;c. 17 — Fine weather and very good sleighing. 1843. Mar. ig— A meeting was appointed at the High School house for Elder Hayes, a Free Will Baptist preacher. Apr. 3— The snow is so deep that the top of the fence in my front yard is entirely covered. We never saw so much snow on the ground at any time nor so badly drifted. Apr. 26 — Warm and wet. The snow disappearing. May I — A freshet. The water is roaring sublimely over the dams. It flows in one broad sheet over the entire upper stone dam and runs a river down the road in front of Mr. Ripley's smith shop. May 7 — Funeral this forenoon at Union Chapel of H. Hathaway's daughter. Have been to see Squire Swallow who seems near his end. May 21 — Attended 2 meetings and heard 2 good sermons by Mr. Davis. June 21 — Old Mrs. Jane Record, the oldest person in the place and one of the early settlers buried to-day. July 4 — Very cold. Slight frost this morning. We have kept a fire in the sitting room two days to make us comfortable — a sudden and very great change in the weather. . July 27 — Ozen Spaulding very sick. Sept. II — Frost this morning. Killed everything in my garden that was not ripe. Farewell squashes, cucumbers, musk melons, sweet corn, etc. 1844. Jan. I — A delightful morning. The weather has been pleasant through Dec. Money plenteous. Prices low. Jan. 5 — The proceedings of Congress are interesting now. John Quincy Adams, 76 years old, the best informed and most independent and persevering statesman in our country has triumphed in his long and arduous struggle with the Slave Power upon the Right of Petition. Jan. 8 — John C. Calhoun of S. C, Van Buren of N. Y., Buchanan of Penn., and Col. Johnson of Ky. are the men talked of as candidates of the Democratic party for our next President. Henry Clay is the man for the Whigs. Jan. 13 — It was a very blustering night and the sad news comes to us to-day that a drunken man perished in the road on his way home from Digitized by Microsoft® 490 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD the grog shop. He was found this morning with his extremities frozen — quite dead. Jan. 21 — The late death in this place by rum is having a good effect upon the cause of Temperance. The two retailers, who have hitherto sold ardent spirits to be drunk in their stores have promised to sell no more. Jan. 22 — I have been consulted about the propriety of apprehending a man who is suspected of passing counterfeit Mexican dollars. Five new well stamped dollars were exhibited to me, which I should without hesi- tation have taken for good money. The community is everywhere in- fested with Spurious bank bills on all the banks of long standing. Such bills are extensively in circulation, so well made that even the banks in some instances have been imposed upon by them. And a bold rogue, a short time ago, passed 8o Mexican dollars, all counterfeit silver, to one of the Portland banks. It was, however, soon enough discovered to secure the villain who is now in state's prison. Jan. 28 — Extremely cold. It seems as if every living thing would perish. Jan. 31 — It has been altogether the coldest January I ever experi- enced. It is so cold it seems that we all must perish in spite of roaring fires in 2 rooms and a red hot cook stove in the kitchen. Feb. 8 — Dull times. An old drunkard is going home sober. He can't buy a glass of rum in this village. Our rum shops have discontinued the sale of ardent spirits to drunkards. Mar 3 — Spring weather. The snow is running off. Mar. 10 — Delightful weather. Mr. Carlton froin Oxford preaches at the school house. Apr. I — A clear cool winter day. Rode to Lewiston in a sleigh. Apr. 21 — Luther Crocker died at Dr. Bridgham's last night. Apr. 22 — Clinton Ripley, a bit of a lad 7 years old, has brought me a trout, which he just now caught out of the river with hook and Une, weighing 2 lbs. and 6 ozs. — a beauty. The largest ever caught before in this stream it is said. I paid him 20 cts. for it. May 3 — Best of weather. People sowing and planting. May 12 — Mr. Chase, 83 years old, preached at Union Chapel. May 14 — ^A meeting this p.m. in the village of the County Singing Society. May 16 — Apple trees in full bloom. May 20 — Mr. Ballard commences a High School in this place. June 13 — I have just walked down stream to see the preparations making for a starch factory. Atwood & Co. are erecting a dam, digging a canal and making brick for the building that is to be 75 ft. long and 3 stories high. June 20 — Prices: Hay, $6; corn, 67 cts.; rye, 67 cts.; oats, 25; flour, 4.67 ; butter, 9 cts. ; molasses, .30. Money plenteous at 6 per cent, for good security. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 491 July 4— So cold that we have a fire in the sitting room to make us comfortable. The American Flag hoisted on Bridgham's store is waving in a good stiff breeze. Boys are firing the swivel. This is all Buck- field does in commendation of the birthday of our Independence. Aug. 9— Attended a mass meeting of the Whigs at Paris and heard able speeches by Mr. Evans and Mr. Morse upon the subject of protection, tariff and the annexation of Texas. Aug. 23^Cold rain storm. My father here 74 years old says it is the coldest summer but one that he can remember. We have had a fire in the sitting room all day which is needed for comfort as much as in winter. Aug. 31 — Mr. Morse delivers a Whig political address in the village. Sept. 4 — County Washingtonian Temperance Society met in this vil- lage and were addressed by Neal Dow of Portland. Sept. S — Attended the Free Will Baptist Quarterly meeting at the East meeting house. Sept. 7 — Attended Whig mass meeting at Lewiston. 2000 people as- sembled with banners, music and roar of guns. Sept. 18 — This is believed to be the most fruitful season that has ever been in this country. Large crops of every kind of produce. Nothing fails this year, yet it has been an unusually cold season. Sept. 23 — ^A change in the weatehr. Frost this morning. The first to injure anything this season. Oct. 22 — This is the day the Millerites looked for the coming of Christ and the end of the world. Dec. IS — Pleasant. No meeting in this village for religious worship on the Sabbath. We are a stupid people. Dec. 28 — A man stopped in the way and wrote on a post by the spring : "A Temperance fountain, good as can be Better far than Rum or Brandy And if this truth excite your fury, Then let my horse be judge and jury.'' 1845. Jan. 19 — Clear, cold weather. Good sleighing. We have had no re- ligious meeting in the village of late. The Universalists ran themselves out last summer, by dividing into two parties — the Thomes party and the Canfield party and by contentions for the ascendency till it might be said they were consumed in their own fiery conflicts. Heaven grant us a bet- ter state of things. Jan. 22— A dancing school is kept in the village under charge of Elisha Buck. Jan. 28 — Summer-like weather. Feb. 2— The coledst weather we have had. For 48 hours it has been almost insufferable. Feb. 3— The cold continues and increases. Digitized by Microsoft® 492 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Feb. 27 — Warm. Snow running. A Temperance dinner party at Paris Hill. Mar. I — Mr. Geo. F. Emery addresses the people here upon the sub- ject of Temperance. The Temperance folks are divided into two par- ties — the moral suasionists and the legal suasionists. Mar. 3 — Annual town meeting. All the nominations are made with reference to Temperance and Anti-Tempelrance. Mar. 30 — A meeting was held in the village yesterday to choose a committee to survey a route from Mechanic Falls through this village to Rumford Point for the great Railway in contemplation from Portland to Montreal. Charters have been granted from our State Legislature and Canada. The books are opened for taking up the stock. The expense of the railway is estimated at $5,000,000. Apr. 13 — My son, Zadoc, takes great interest in his Latin lesson^. Carroll Loring recites to me in English Grammar and James Jewett in reading and spelling. June 22, Sunday — Mr. Tenney from Ellsworth — a talented sermonizer, preaches at Union Chapel. July I — A severe drouth, cloudy and cold. We have a fi.re in the sit- ting room and the stores in the village keep fires as in January. July 4 — Delightful morning. The boys firing the swivel. July 22 — Drouth severe. Blueberries ripe. Aug. 2 — Sold a strip of my field on the north side 6 rods long to Wm. Cresey containing about ij/^ acres for $226. Sept. I — Mr. Foster commenced a High School in the village. Sept. 27 — Have just finished digging potatoes. Carried about 100 bushels to the Starch Factory and received l2y2C per bushel. The crop this fall bad everywhere in this quarter. Not a quarter crop of sound potatoes will be saved. Nov. 6 — Very pleasant — no frost. The grass springing up anew since the rain and gives the ground a spring-like appearance. Nov. 17 — Very fine weather. Mr. Brown gone to Boston to get the of- fice of Supt. of Mass. Gen'l Hospital. Dec. 7, Sunday — Attended meeting at Union Chapel. Heard John Allen called "Camp Meeting John." Dec. 15 — Miss Mary Ann Brown married and moved to Bangor. Dec. 18 — Albert D. White has sold his tannery and land to Josiah W. Whitten and Alexander Robinson for $2000 — the same property I sold him for $1800. 1846. Jan. I — Clear, cool weather. Fine sleighing. Jan. 22 — Extremely cold and blustering. My son, John Davis, had both his ears frozen when coming home from school. Mar. 27 — We have had a great rain. Hall's bridge carried away by the freshet. Apr. 10 — We are all topsy turvy, making arrangements to move to Portland. I have let my house and garden to Mr. Ferdinand Warren for Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 493 $75 a year. He to pay one-half the taxes. I have let my field adjoining my house to E. Atwood & Co. Apr. 22— Mr. Benjamin Bean buried. Funeral at Union Chapel. Apr. 27— Started with my family for Portland. Aug. 26— We have concluded to move back to our old place in B. Sept. 10— Arrived in Buckfield. Sept. 21— Commenced keeping house again in Buckfield. Oct. II— That oft mentioned character, "the oldest inhabitant," does not remember so pleasant and so productive a season as this Nov. II— The Fall elections everywhere turn out favorable to the Whigs. New Hampshire sets the example by a thorough change. Maine next has given almost a death blow to Locofocoism— the Whigs having prevented the election of Governor by the people. Dec. I — Thanksgiving. Fine winter weather. 1847. Jan I — A thaw. Jan. 31 — 50 yoke of oxen from different sections of the town have been in the village breaking out roads. Feb. 12 — Pleasant. Good sleighing. My son, John Davis, playing dominoes with his grandmother Nelson — She is 80 and he 8 years old. Feb. 16 — Very cold. Money plenteous. Provisions rising very much in price on account of the demand in Europe. The repeal of duties in England, the destruction of the potato crop, the chief dependence of the Irish people, have opened a market for provisions from the U. S. to such an extent, that merchants are unable to procure carrying vessels enough for our exports. Mar. 31 — The last day of as cold a March as was ever experienced in this climate. To-day a cold snow storm. There is a mass meeting in the village to-day for the purpose of explaining and having generally under- stood the object, probable expense and advantage of a railway from this village to Mechanic Falls, 12 miles to meet the Portland and Montreal road. .The people of this village have already pledged themselves to take about $17,000 stock in the contemplated road. Apr. 8 — Fast Day. People travel in sleighs, Feb. and March have been the coldest for 30 years. Contributed 9 shillings for the relief of the suffering Irish and Julia and Persis have also articles of wearing apparel priced at 15 shillings. Apr. 13 — The martins appear this morning. They must have made a miscalculation. It is two weeks earlier than they usually come. Apr. IS — Persis begging old clothes to send to Ireland. With one hand we are sending our ships laden with food and clothing to Ireland, with the other our ships laden with implements of war and blood shed to Mexico. Apr. 22— Warm and damp. The birds singing. A warm shower with thunder and lightning. The ice is coming over the dam. Men and boys are assembled on the bridge to witness it. Digitized by Microsoft® 494 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD May I — Very cold. The trees are as naked and budless as in Jan- uary. A meeting in the village to see about the R. R. to Bog Falls. Many attend — some from Portland. May 2 — V. D. Parris, Marshal of Maine, called. May 3 — Have sold a house lot to Virgil D. Parris out of my pasture land — about H of an acre for $75. Snow storm. Dr. Bridgham calls on me and says that he has visited patients 5 miles distant in a sleigh. He says the snow in some places is very deep. May 17 — Beautiful weather. Trees leaving out. May 18 — My Father has walked up here in the rain to bring me a piece of veal. He was 77 years old last week. My mother, 71 years old, walked up to see me 2 miles and back. June 6 — A goodly number of children attend the opening of the Sab- bath School. Mr. James, Congregationalist minister, preaches at Union Chapel at 5 o'clock. June IS — Mother Nelson died without a struggle at 9 o'clock a.m. She died a Christian, universally beloved and respected, in the 82d year of her age. June 22 — Business of the village, No. of stores, mechanics, etc. : Five stores in operation, Loring & Jewett, Ephraim Atwood & Co., Geo. Ben- nett, James Murdock, Sam Thomes. Two wagon shops, Amory H. Allen and Aaron Parsons. 2 blacksmith shops, l starch factory that makes 30 tons of starch yearly, i hoe factory that makes 200 doz. hoes yearly, one tin factory — Mr. Douglass, i boot and shoe factory — ^John Taylor. I tannery, Alexander Robinson and Josiah W. Whitten, 2 saw mills, i grist mill with 4 run of stones, Artemas F. Cole, i cabinet shop, Lloyd Cole, I tailor, Samuel Thomes ; i slop shop, James Murdock ; i public house for travellers, Sydenham Bridgham; i clothing and carding mill, Addison G. Cole. 36 dwelling houses, 3 lawyers doing business in sep- arate offices, 4 physicians, William Bridgham & Son (Wm. P.), Cyrus Coolidge and John S. Drake; i harness maker, Ferdinand A. Warren. Business of the village increasing. People are industrious and temperate and though not rich, are generally independent as to property. 223 in- habitants in the village. • July S — The Pres. of the U. S. was at Augusta last week and at Port- land yesterday. July 20 — The charter for a Branch R. R. to Mechanic Falls received from the Legislature. July 26 — Went with Zadoc, John Davis and Carroll Loring to Streaked Mountain blueberrying. Hay is abundant this season. Aug. I, Sunday — Warm. No meeting in the village to-day. Aug. 13 — There are 2 factories in Buckfield where great quantities of powder are made. Aug. IS, Sunday — Went to East meeting house where we were much edified by a sermon by Elder Phinney, a very fluent Free Baptist preacher. Aug. 18 — People talking about the Buckfield Branch Ry. It is now nearly certain that the enterprise will go into effect. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 495 Aug. 21— Books opened for subscription for stock in the Buckfield Branch Railroad. Aug. 27— $32,000 of stock in the railroad is subscribed for. Aug. 31 — The Universalists have an association meeting in this village to-morrow. Sept. 6— It is sickly. People are trovibled with fevers and colds. Nov. 25 — Thanksgiving. We have had a powerful rain. The weather is now warm as summer. Dec. I — Extremely cold. No snow on the ground. School has com- menced under charge of Lucy Robinson. Dec. 15 — Julia Davis was married to. her half cousin. Nelson D. White by Mr, Butler. 1848. Tan. I — Warm as summer. Ground entirely bare. The grass looks green around my buildings. Jan. 13 — Extremely cold. Good sleighing. The month of Dec. aver- aged s degrees colder than for 30 years. Jan. 24 — I am summoned to attend the trial of Valorus Coolidge for murder at Augusta to-morrow. « Jan. 26 — Started to go to Augusta. Went 20 miles and heard of the adjournment of the trial to March. Feb. 3 — Mild — little snow. It has thus far been the mildest winter known in this climate. Mar. 13 — Rode in a double sleigh with Squire Brown, Mr. Loring, Elder Thomes and Josiah W. Whitten to Augusta. Mar. 14 — Trial of Coolidge commenced in the largest church in the place which was filled with people. - Mar. IS — Very cold. Trial continues. The prisoner appears well. House crowded — galleries with ladies. Mar. 25 — We hear that Valorus Coolidge was convicted of murder and sentenced to be hung after one year's solitary confinement at hard labor in the State's Prison. Apr. 22 — Martin birds arrived to-day. Road nearly settled. People plowing. May 7 — Delightful. Earth and heavens full of beauty, music and gladness. May 29 — Mr. Walker from Indiana gave us a ranting specimen of Western stump oratory yesterday p. m. which did no great credit to him or his state. Aug. 23 — I have bonded to Levi Cushman ^ acre of land opposite Mr. Jewett's for a house lot, price $250. Land for building lots is high in this village. "Sir. Loring sold a piece 40 ft. square near his store on the Hebron road for $125. Sept. 20 — Rented my house, stable and garden to Seth B. Horton for S years at $225 per year to be kept for public entertainment. Oct. 18— Cattle show at the village. Rain. Digitized by Microsoft® 496 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Oct. 31 — Summer-like weather. This is a proud flay for Buckfield. We celebrate the breaking- gromid for the Railroad. Elder Chase was appointed to invoke the blessing of Heaven upon the work. We procured a large carriage and 3 horses to carry oldest citizens to the ground at the head of a long procession with martial music and the firing of cannon, 13 old men whose average age was 84 years, 5 of them Rev. soldiers whose average age is go years. After a short and appropriate speech by Mr. Parris, President of the Company, Mr. Chase, 87 years old, who has been a minister of the Gospel one-half a century, made a prayer. Mr. Jona- than Record, 98 years old, who helped make the first road in Buckfield, struck the first blow on the railway. After the ceremonies on the ground, the old men were escorted to the Nezinscot House kept by Seth B. Hor- ton and a dinner was given them. 113 guns. Nov. 16 — Thanksgiving Day. Beautiful weather. Nov. 17 — Old Zack Taylor, so-called Whig, is elected President of the U. S. Nov. 25 — Capt. Horton put up his sign for the Nezinscot House. Dec. 14 — Tlie addition to my house for hall and dressing room nearly completed. 1849. Jan. I — Very pleasant. Jan. 25 — BVickneld B. R. R. goes ahead rapidly, '4 of distance is graded and a contract is made and $5000 advanced for the iron rails, 1000 tons at $34, exclusive of duties, to be delivered at Portland next June. Capt. Horton has the California gold fever. Feb. 6 — Capt. Horton gone to Bath to procure a vessel in which to go to California for gold. He has sold his furniture in this house to Mr. Nathan Morrill, who has agreed to take a lease of the house. May 7 — Zadoc and John commenced study at Hebron Academy. Board with Mr. Fairbanks, the preceptor at 6 shillings each per week. May 14 — A high freshet. July 4 — A Temperance celebration here. Very honorable to the place. 4000 people judged to be present. Aug. 13 — Began to-day to lay the rails for the Buckfield Branch R. R. at Mechanic Falls. Aug. 18— Sold a house lot to Ira .Ames, 25 rods' square for $50. Land in east corner of the pasture lately conveyed to me opposite Allen's, Par- ris' and Thomes's land by Sam. B. Perry. Aug. 23 — Railroad nearly graded. It will be in operation this fall if the company can raise a loan of $3S,ooo which they are in pursuit of. Aug. 26 — Meeting at Union Chapel. 4 ministers present, 2 Baptists and 2 Universalists whose united ages were 314 years, average 78"^ years. Aug. 27— Annual meeting of the Railroad Company last Sat. Old Board of Directors elected with one exception. Aug. 28— Sold my shares in the B. B. R. R. to V. D. Parris for 52i/4 per cent.; 20 shares, $2000 for $1050. Loss $950. I have paid into the Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 497 treasury $900. Mr. P. is to pay the remaining assessment that will be made on me by my paying $50 and then he receives certificates of stoclt. Dec. I— The B. B. R. R. not yet in operation. The rails laid to within 3 miles of the village. The cost when the road is completed will npf be less I think than $150,000— $50,000 more than the estimates. /;/, ^, , Dec. 2— Very cold. The ground shut up effectually last night.jl.'.Many of the boarders of the Nezinscot House have left. Mr. ArrowsitiKan'ff' wife are in N. Y. Parsel and Benson at Portland, Barrett and Stevenson on the line of the Atlantic & St. Lawrence road, Mr. Gregg at Mr. A. F. Cole's and about to be married to Miss Helen Cole. All the foregoing have been connected with the construction of the railroad. Mr. Sullivan Andrews has left because he is not satisfied with his treatment. I am again to take the house the first of May. / Dec. 21 — ^I have bought of Ephraim Atw;ood an orchard— about 54 acre, on which there are some 82 apple trfees for $100. 1850. Jan. I — Good weather. Good sleighing. Jan. 8 — A great multitude assembled at the village to see the first train come in. A dinner prepared at this house for 100 invited guests from other towns. Owing to the snow drifting upon the track, the en- gine could not get through to the great mortification and disappointment of the people of the place. Jan. II — The cars with passengers came into the village for the first time. Jan. 13 — Olive Record buried to-day. Jan. 20 — Jonathan Buck buried to-day. Jan. 26 — Mr. Brown has sold his house and farm to America Farrar. Jan. 29 — Mrs. Ephraim Atwood, our near neighbor, is dying with con- sumption. Feb. 6 — We are having the coldest weather for the winter. Snow's very deep and travelling difficult. The Railroad is in operation, but meets with much delay and trouble on account of blocking snows. Apr. 3 — Mr. Brown moved from his house and Mrs. B. and Charlotte left the place to reside in Bangor. Apr. 13 — I have let the Sons of Temperance have the use of the hall for the meetings of their Society at $8 per quarter. Apr. 17 — Mr. Morrill moved his goods and family away from our house. Apr. 27 — Mr. America Farrar raising an addition to his house. His business large. 'May 6 — Mr. America Farrar is building a spacious addition to his house on the side of my garden. Considerable improvement has been made in the buildings and business of the village since the commence- ment of the R. R. Rents and real estate have advanced very much. July 3 — The town is widening and repairing the bridge in the village. July 25 — Howard, the violinist, here. Digitized by Microsoft® 498 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Aug. 3 — The Biickfield Brass Band meet this evening. The B. B. R. R. is doing business enough to pay running expense.5, but not enough to pay the interest of. the company's debt which would be about $20 a day. Oct. 20 — Mr. Small, Preceptor of Hebron Academy, preached at Union Chapel. The Sons of Temperance left my hall and now meet at Farrar's. Dec. 5 — The business of the village has very much increased since the R. R. commenced. Loring, Jewett & Co. are beginning the manufacture of shoes. Atwood & Cresey are also preparing for it. Charles Davis & Co. are doing a considerable business in their flour mill. They have ground with what they now have on hand 8000 bushels of wheat, which they brought from the State of N. Y. last year. 20 dwelKng houses have been erected, 3 stores and ver3r many other buildings within two years. The population of the village has been increased by many coming in. The R. R. here is in a bad way. It is believed that it will be an entire loss to stockholders, to the amount they signed fo'r. There seems not to be company funds enough to pay creditors. Dec. II — The stockholders much discouraged about our R. R. The Company has not the means to pay its debts. The engine ran off the track to-day at Mechanic Falls, so that piassengers were obliged to take sleighs. Mr. White from Bangor is here and talks of buying the farm of the late Jonathan Buck. Dec. 13 — My son, Zadoc, is in the store of William A. Child & Co. Dec. 15 — Our R. R. spending more than it earns. 185 1. Jan. 7 — The snows have so blocked up the R. R. that the cars have not passed over it for some 10 days. .Tan. 10 — The R. R. Co. desperately embarrassed. The stock is worth- less and holders cannot give it away to responsible parties. The road is mortgaged for about $40,000 and the floating liabilities are nearly as much besides. Subscribers to stock were not aware that they made themselves liable to creditors of the company to the amount of their stock. Many are disposing of their property to avoid it. Jan. 14 — A rumor is out that the Canal Bank has failed. If so the loss among the people will be severe as the money on that bank is largely in circulation here and elsewhere. I have some $45. Jan. 25 — Stockholders of the R. R. met at the depot to see what can be done for the road. It is not now in operation, owing to some injury done to the engine. F'eb. 4 — Zadoc takes charge of the store of Wm. A. Child & Co. John Davis in the Post Office. Feb. 13— Bought the entire stock of Wm. A. Child & Co., appraised at $1680.12. I have done this for Zadoc. Mar. 26 — Funeral of my brother, Miles's wife. She died of consump- tion and has left 7 children. Apr. 3— Funeral of Mr. John Loring, one of oldest citizens of the place, aged 81. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 499 Apr. 12— Meeting of the B. B. R. R. stockholders at which about $14- 000 were subscribed in part to satisfy their liabilities. Apr. 15— The prospect for business and for social improvement in this place, dim and small. People embarrassed and discouraged on account of the R. R. The whole effect on the community is bad. Apr. 26 — The town has voted to petition the Legislature to grant power to loan its credit to the amount of 15 per cent of the cash valua- tion of property for the purpose of aiding the R. R. Oct. II— John Davis recites his first lessons in Greek' to Mr. Small, preacher in this village. Oct. 13 — We are building a new school house in the village with brick walls. It is on the ground had of V. D. Parris, on the road nearly op- posite the town house on a place embracing improvements recommended by the State Board of Education. Cost estimated $1400 all told. Oct. 20 — Bought the store in which my son,, Zadoc, trades this day deeded to nie by N. O. Douglass and paid $1000 for it to Artemas F. Cole, who exchanged a dwelling house for it with Mr. Dou.glass. Mr. A. F. Cole has this day bought one-half of my stock in trade and enters into co-partnership. He pays me $1100 for half the stock. Nov. 27 — Thanksgiving Day. Delightful weather. Good sleighing. Winter is about 30 days earlier than usual. Nov. 30 — I last week gkve up to the R. R. Co. claims against it for $2072.00 and took a certificate from the Treasurer. That clears me from all further liabilities to the Co. and to its creditors according to the laws of the State. This matter has occasioned me much anxiety and I have been fortunate to get fully discharged so cheaply. I subscribed for ab shares. My whole liability was $4000. I have managed to get dis- charged for less than $1400 by buying claims against the company. i8S2. Apr. II — JMr. Small has commenced a sort of an F.ducational Institute in the village — ^that is to meet with as many of the scholars in this dis- trict as please to attend twice a week for the purpose of improvement, etc. Mr. Hiram Hall has opened a store in this village with a new and large stock of common country merchandize. Apr. IS — Fast Day. Farmers out of hay. It is a very discouraging time for them. Old Mr. Wm. Brock, a poor pauper, buried in a howling snow storm, without mourners and without funeral services. Old Mrs. Chaflfin was buried yesterday. Apr. 16— Snow fell yesterday 16 inches deep. Apr. 28 — Mr. Small preached. He has fuller meetings than any min- ister we have had this long time. Apr. 29 — Martins came yesterday. June 28— Sold to Artemas F. Cole my part of the stock in trade and dissolved the co-partnership of Cole & Long. Aug. 30 — Zadoc went this morning at half past S on the cars to com- mence as clerk with J. N. Dennison & Co., Boston. Digitized by Microsoft® 500 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Sept. S — Mr. Small preaches at Union Chapel. We miss Zadoc's flute in the choir. Oct. 25 — The telegraph this morning brings us the news of the death of Daniel Webster at his home in Marshfield, Mass. — A great light is ex- tinguished — a star of the first magnitude has fallen. i8S3- Feb. 9 — We never knew so warm and broken a winter. Feb. 23 — There have been brought into the village this winter 125 tons of dried apples. Feb. 25 — F. O. J. Smith is here making contracts to grade the exten- sion of the R. R. to Canton. Feb. 28 — Last day of the shortest and mildest winter I ever experi- enced. ' I have this day written for counsel touching my R. R. liabilities. The R. R. has cost the people here much money and trouble. Mar. 3 — Buckfield Sewing Circle held its annual fair this eve at Cresey's Hall. A Mr. Nicholson, an itinerant phrenologist, has been in the village a week humbugging old and young. He has 50 cts. for chart of head. I believe there has been no necessity this winter for breaking roads — an imheard of instance in this climate. Mar. 7 — Annual town meeting. The people divided into two parties upon the Maine Liciuor Law — denominated Ramrods and Rummies. The Rummies carry the day and elect all their candidates by a majority of 30 or 40. Mar. g — Free Soil people hold a meeting to-day and to-morrow at Union Chapel. Mar. 18-— America Farrar raising up his house for a tavern. Mar. 27, Sunday — No meeting. Mr. Small absent and talks of leaving the place. Apr. 3 — Grandfather Long, 83 years old, walked up 2 miles to see us — as spry and smart as a lad of 12. Apr. 9 — My field broken into this week for the extension of the R. R. Men are making a culvert in the swale. A gentleman named Woodbury, overseeing the work, lost his pocketbook a few days ago, containing in cash $400 and as much more in drafts and notes. Yesterdas' ^ set out a snow-ball tree on the north side of my front yard path — also a small elm and 2 peonies, I high cranberry bush, all taken from Mr. Farrar's front garden, which Mr. Samuel F. Brown planted there, when he owned the place. It is sad to see the shrubbery Mr. Brown took so much pains with, rooted up. May I — Mr. Small preaches. We have a seraphine in the church, hired of the Baptist Society of Norway. May 3 — F. O. J. Smith moved with his family into the village Sat. last. Boards at Mr. Cresey's tavern. May 5 — Mr. Small who attended the examination at Hebron Academy tells me that John Davis is the best Greek scholar there. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 501 May 30— A j^oiing Irishman who worked on the R. R. was drowned here last evening. He went into the river on horseback— fell off his horse and was drowned befoTe he could get help. June 24— America Farrar furnishing- his tavern to be opened next week under care of John Taylor as landlord. July S — Mr. Farrar's new hotel opened to-day. July 21— John Davis returned from Cambridge with -his certificate of admission at Harvard. July 27 — A day to be remembered as the day of my own mother's death — '/^ years of age. Aug. 4— Ball at Farrar's hotel last night. Cost of music $5o— costly supper. Mr. Clifford of Portland, Ro'binson of Hartford, Ruel Washburn of Livermore, Seth May of Winthrop, Belcher of Farmington and Lud- den of Turner, referees and counsel in a law case of A. G. Cole vs. Wm. Bridgham staid at our house last night. Zadoc went into trade with Carroll Loring at his father's store. I let Zadoc have $1500 in cash and Carroll has $i.'500. Carroll's father works all the time for them and has 1-3 of the profits. The firm name is Loring & Long. Dec. I — No snow on the ground. Cattle feeding in the field. The weather is delightful. Dec. II, Sunday — Mr. Small baptized Col. Ichabod Bonney, D. Swett and wife, E. Ricker and wife and Mr. Noah Prince yesterday in the river near A. G. Cole's dam and gave them the right hand of fellowship and welcomed them into the Paris Church of which he is a member. i8S4. Jan. 24 — The Buckfield Sewing Circle has its annual levee at Taylor's Hall to-day. Jan. 25 — Josiah Whitten leaves my house to-day and moves on to tiie Capt. Record place. This is one of the old-fashioned winters, weather cold, snow deep. Feb. 5 — ^Very cold. Thermometer 24 degrees below zero. Funeral of Elizabeth Rice, a pauper at Union Chapel. She and her widowed mother, who is about 80 years old, lately went to the poor house after years and years of strugghng against poverty with heroic courage, suffering and severe destitution, rather than become a public charge. Feb. 12 — Mrs. Valentine Ripley buried to-day. Feb. IS — The Whigs by a split in the Democratic party in this state have a Governor, Speaker of the House, etc. Prices of provisions : Best flour, $12; hay, $15 and other things io proportion. Feb. 23 — Snow storm. The earth is buried deep. The people are un- easy. Many talk of finding a warmer latitude. Some have already started for California. The traders and merchants suffer most. Their business in a great measure is stopped. Apr. 7—9 bbls. of liquor destroyed here this afternoon. A great crowd around the sheriff as he knocked open the barrels and spilled "the critter." — Ramrods and Rummies — some cross, some making sport — ^some ready to fight, some catching the liquor in their caps from under the Digitized by Microsoft® 502 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD sheriff's ax and drinking freely of it and then passing it to others, some pushing, some pushed, some laughing, some swearing, one man pounded in the face and searching furiously with doubled fists for him who did it. Rummies seized a barrel of liquor and rolled it away were chased by Ramrods who retook it and guarded it as they would a condemned mur- derer till he undergoes the sentence of the law. A, disgraceful row de row. May 14 — Last night we had a fearful fire in the village. Mr. Battles' public house and all the stables and sheds connected together with Bridgham's store were entirely consumed. The fire broke out about mid- night. Loss estimated at $4000. Insurance, $2400. June 16 — Ezra Bisbee buried. July 4 — No celebration here. The American Flag is waving from the sign pole of Farrar's hotel. July 26 — Mr. Leonard from Boston has fixed our old clock so that it strikes the hours correctly. It has been running for half a century and was bequeathed by grandmother Nelson to Zadoc. It was valued highly by her. Its original cost was $80. She kept it in her sleeping room and its ticking and striking was company for her especially when at the late hours of the night she could not sleep. For several years the striking part has been out of order. It is pleasant to hear it again, though it awakens sad memories. It seems like the knell of departed friend's and departed enjoyments. Aug. I — Persis Seaver is married to Percival W. Bartlett of Boston and takes leave of us. Ceremony performed by Rev. A. K. P. Small. Aug. 4 — Political secret associations are being formed all over the country whose members are called Know Nothings. Aug. 7 — ^News of cholera in the city of Portland. Aug. 8 — Business in the village very dull. Nothing being done on the extension of the R. R. Sept. II — The drouth has caused a panic throughout the country that operates unfavorably to buyers of produce. Arrangements are being made to build a Calvanist Baptist church in Buckfield village. Two- thirds of the pews already sold. The house is being erected by Mr. Small who started the enterprise and is doing much towards its completion Sept. 13 — New Baptist church organized to-day under the pastorate of Mr. .Small — c'hiefly of ladies. Oct. 27 — This morning at 4^/2 o'clock there was an unusual appearance in the heavens. First broke into my room a flash of soft and beautiful light with the suddenness of lightning. I beheld southeastward from my window a line of meteoric light like a long string of brilliant stars— first dazzling to the sight, then changing — the lower end turning up so as to form the resemblance to a horse shoe. In 15 minutes it had disappeared. Nov. 2 — Mr. David Swett, one of our most valuable citizens and neigh- bors, died to-day about noon, typhoid fever. Nov. 9 — Singing school commenced under the instruction of Mr. Cush- man of Hebron. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 503 I8SS. Mar. s— Annual town meeting. All the voters out. Two strong liarties, Ramrods and Rummies. The latter are victorious and sweep ev- erything before them. Mar. 17— F. O. J. Smith is erecting a bridge over the river above the grist mill dam for the R. R. extension. Apr. I, Sunday — A powerful rain— travelling bad. No meeting for public worship. June 4— Refreshing rain. The apple trees in full blossom. It is a hard time for poor people on account of the scarcity and high prices of provisions. Wheat, $3; com, $1.50; best flour, $15; beef per cwt., $10. June 25— Funeral of Sam'l Thomes's wife. July 3 — The 2 principal political divisions— Fusionists and Liberals, marshalling their forces for celebrating to-morrow at So. Paris and Paris Hill. O what a war of words there'll be Twixt tweedledum and tweedledee. How demagogues will vant and strain And vulgar masses shout amain. How dandy orators will blow About the country's weal or woe. Tell what to do in such a crisis To check advance of public vices Achievements mighty will be done In declamation : yet the sun Will rise in spite of all they say And set as usual every day. Aug. 17 — Yesterday the County Commissioners were here to appraise the damage for locating the extension of the R. R. over my land. Oct. I — Pleasant autumn weather. The R. R. extension is being for- warded. The rails are laid as far as Mr. Artemas F. Cole's hoiise. 1856. Jan. 12 — Ordered of N. Hooper & Co., a bell for the Baptist church, 800 lbs. at 31 cts. and the fixtures for hanging $27. The whole complete for $275 put on board of steamer. Jan. 20, Sunday — Attended worship in the new church for the first time. It is a very pleasant house. Mr. Small is entitled to much credit for what he has done to improve society here. Jan. 24 — I have collected over $350 in contributions for the new Bap- tist Church. Bell came on the cars this afternoon. Will cost when ready to be rung $300. The remainder of what 1 have collected, I shall give to Rev. A. K. P. Small to relieve him from debts assitmed in building the ■house. This is the first church bell ever seen in Buckfield and it has cost me some effort. Feb. 10, Sunday — Church bell ringing for meeting. The first Sabbath on which a church bell has been rung in Buckfield. Digitized by Microsoft® 504 HISTORY OF. BUCKFlJiLD Apr. 2 — The corporators of the Nezinscot Bank met at the tavern and voted to accept the charter and chose a committee to procure subscribers for the stock. The Bank is chartered for the village with a capital of $50,000. Robins singing. July 13 — Funeral this afternoon of Mr. Murdock's child. Aug. 27 — Last night we were alarmed at midnight by the ringing of the church bell and the cry of fire. Elder Small's house and stable with much of his furniture were entirely consumed. It is supposed the fire was set by an incendiary. Mr. Smalll and his wife were at Yarmouth at- tending an association meeting. Aug. 28 — Moses Tbomes moves into our chambers at a rent of $9 per quarter. Mr, Small, wife and child returned home to .find their house in ashes and they put up with us. The people met last eve and subscribed $445 towards rebuilding them a house. Sept. 18 — The condition of this village at present is not so promising as it has appeared at some earlier periods. There is no considerable money invested in useful manufacturing. The business of the place is limited to a few retail stores and com.mon mechanic shops. The R. R. has passed into the hands of creditors. It has cost the people here over $50,000. It is now beyond redemption and the rails may be taken up which would leave us in a worse condition than before the road was built. Sept. 29 — We are preparing to start on a visit to E. Boston to stay for the fall and winter with our children. 1857- July 15 — Commencement day at Cambridge. John Davis graduated the 4t)h in his class for the whole course — the 2nd for the Senior year. Aug. 17 — John Davis starts for Westford, Mass., where he will com- mence his engagement as principal of the academy there. May 28 — Virgil D. Parris appointed Naval Store Keeper ait Ports- mouth, N. H. June 7 — Home from Mass. Rode from Mc Falls in a wagon 2y% miles, then on a hand car to the village. June 9 — Some of our old acquaintances have died during our aibsence. Old Mr. Benj. Spaulding, one of the fathers of the town and first settlers, 90 years old, whom I have known from my childhood, a most excellent old man, died last winter. Don D. Daggett and old Mrs. Caleb Cushman, old acquaintances, died in onr absence. June 13, Sunday — No meeting for religious worship. Mr. Small is ab- sent. Mrs. Haskell, a Spiritual medium, preaches at Union Cbapel. Many go to hear the deluding and deluded creature. Reed, a letter yes- terday from Samuel F. Brown, Esq., of Bangor, one of the oldest and most cherished friends I have. We lived near neighbors in uninterrupted friendship and harmony for more than 30 years. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 505 June 17— Went to see my father who is now ahnost 88 years old. I called on my aunt, Miles Holmes's widow, who is nearly 79 years old and very feeble. Yesterday I met James Waterman, one of the oldest in- habitants of the town, fie lived 4 miles from the village. He was walk- ing spryly along with a cane. He talked in a lively and intelligent man- ner. I asked him how old he was. He said he was 94 this year. "Al- most as old as my mother,'' said Mr. Churchill who was standing near lis and who lives under Streaked Mt. Many person.^ in this town live to a great age. June 19— :Mr. Small called in the evening. He has a call to preach in Bangor. June 2y — Very warm. Attended church. Mr. Sipall preached elo- quently. At noon 4 or 5 persons were baptized, among whom were Will- iam Atwood and wife. July S — No notice of the Anniversary here. Mr. Andrews, the lawyer, has given me one of the pleasantest chaise rides I ever had. His estab- lishment for riding is most elegant and comfortable and I feel grateful to him for the enjoyment it has ailorded me. 11 years ago Mr. Andrews came here, poor and almost a stranger, and commenced the practice of the law, under very discouraging circumstances. He counted me a friend. He is now one of the largest practitioners in the county. He is County Attorney and with a good wife is living in better style than any other man in the village. July 8 — The prospect is that the B. B. R. R. will not run any more. The rails on some parts have been taken up — the bridges and sleepers are rotting. July 21 — There goes by in an old wagon, with a poor old lame horse, a poor old lame man with a wooden leg — 78 years old — who comes once a week to the village to peddle herrings which he brings from Harpswell, 40 miles away. He sits up erect, chirrups to his old nag — looks smiling — as he asks this one or that one to purchase his fish as he turns their broad, fat sides to the best advantage. Now this poor man is of the same age as the celebrated Humbolt, who is remarkable for the retention of his faculties and his cheerful application of them to scientific research. He is now completing a great work entitled Cosmos. Why is not this poor old herring peddler who is winding up his long life of obscurity, penury, misfortune and toil, working patiently and cheerfully for his bread to the last, in a humble but honest calling as worthy of miention as Humbolt? Aug. 9 — Zadoc, John Davis and Percival started with a merry com- pany — Artemas Cole, Captain, for the Lakes, some 80 miles away on a fishing trip. Aug. 23 — Mr. Small leaves Buckfield to-day to settle in Bangor as pastor of a Baptist church there. Aug. 25 — School children have a picnic in Atwood's Grove — a very in- teresting occasion. John Davis begins his 2nd year at Westford. Art. Cole called to-day to have a letter from some Rochester, N. H., gentle- men, inquiring about the Lakes answered. They wanted him to take Digitized by Microsoft® 500 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD charge of party who are going there. He is a sort of a Leather Stocking of the woods and lakes — a noted character and another Izaak Waltoii in his skill, experience and fondness for angling. Mr. Cole, Uncle Art., Capt. Cole, Art. Cole as he is variously called, is a man who by great industry and rigid economy acquired $15,000. He belongs to no Society, attends no church, reads ancient history, is thoroughly acquainted with Bible history and is a gpod mathematician. He has fished every year more or less at the Lakes for more than 20 years. Some seasons he has caught and sent to the Boston market many hundred fine fat trout weigh- ing from I to 10 lbs. Sept. IS — A new comet has made its appearance in the heavens. It looks like a kite in the far northwest. Sept. 36, Sunday — ^No preaching. The Biaptist Society small. Mem- bers meet, read and sing. Isaac Bearce and daughter, JNIrs. Emily Gleason, visited us. She is my deceased sister, Bathsheba's daughter, who lives in the town of Perry. She is a very smart young woman. She was awarded the highest prize, $40, at the State Fair at Augusta last week in the exhibition of horsemanship or horsewomanship. This equestrian exhibition was the most interesting feature of the fair, 10,- 000 people present. Oct. 3, Sunday — No preaching. A sermon will be read. Few attend. Our little church bell rings mournfully and calls up the memory of sor- rowful changes which have happened to us — the removal of our minister and many a dear friend. Oct. 8 — Clear and pleasant after the rain. Picked up one large spice apple that has remained some time alone upon the trf-e. after all the rest had fallen and been gathered. The tree is much respected on account of its age — its early and excellent fruit. It is probably the oldest apple tree in Buckfield. Its trunk girts 654 ft. and its branches are of correspond- ing size and spread. It bears some years 30 bushels of apples. It has probably produced since it began to 'bear not less than 1000 bushels. Nov. I — The Baptist Church Society has given Mr. Pray a call to sup- ply Mr. Small's place in the pulpit. Mr. P. appears to be a very pious and amiable man — a graduate of Harvard — 36 years old, of infirm health. He has a wife and 3 children and will preach for a salary of $.400. Bap- tist people here generally poor. Nov. 7 — Nathan Morrill and Carroll Loring spend the evening with us. Danville Bisbee died this afternoon. Nov. 17 and iS — Universalist convention to-day at Union Chapel. Nov. 21, Sunday — Pleasant as summer. Ground bare. No preaching in the village. A sermon is read at the Baptist church and the Universa- li'sts meet at Union Chapel to see about reviving religious worship in that house. Perhaps it would be well that this should be done. A' very large proportion of the people will not attend the Baptist meetings, pre- judiced against the exclusiveness of regulations and the doctrines they preach. If more liberal worship be not' established here, they will follow after spiritualists or stay at home on the Sabbath. 1 think it would be honorable and profitable to this community to substitute enlightened Uni- Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 507 versalist preaching for that of trance mediums, who have been here and have had large attendance the year past. While Mr. Small was here and before this delusion appeared, I felt it to be my duty to give my un- divided support to the Baptist Society, I having been somewhat instru- mental in getting Mr. Small here and believing tliough far from being a Baptist, that it was the best thing I could do for the general religious interests of Buclcfield. Mr. Small has taken himself away, giving us liberal Christians — outsiders as we are called — to understand by his fare- well sermon that the church and society, which he had' established here can stand and be supported without our help, thus releasing us from any obligations to give them our continued and exclusive aid. Dec. s — John Davis attended Baptist Church a. m. and went in the afternoon to hear Rev. Mr. French, UniversaHst,, at Union Chapel. Dec. 12— Church bell tolling for Mr. Richard Fobes. Mr. F. was buried at East meeting house. Dec. 24 — Joseph Tuttle died this a. m. i8S9. Feb. 14 — Jacob W. Browne, Esq., married to Widow Bisbee. Mar. 5 — Percival and his daughter, Margaret, start for Boston at half past 8 o'clock in an old lumber wagon, drawn by an old feeble, worn- out horse — the meanest stage team that ever went out of the village. What a reduction in our accommodations for travel in 2 years from the time we were carried to and fro in a handsome passenger car propelled by a $10,000 engine. Mar. 6 — Mr. Pray preached a funeral sermon for Ephraim Ricker, Jr. Mar. 7 — Annual town meeting. The Democrats elect their candidates by large majorities. Mar. 16 — A child of Ephraim Atwood's died last night of canker rash. Mar. 20 — Funeral in the afternoon of Orville Bridgham's child at Union Chapel. It died of canker rash. This disease appears to assume a more malignant form as its prevalence continues. Mar. 29 — A powerful rain. Grist mill dam carried away. Apr. 10 — Funeral of Orville Bridgham's child. Apr. 22— Elder Seth Stetson is with us. He is 82 years old and is as spry as a boy — walks 6 miles at a stretch — preaches at different places. Apr. 24 — Father Stetson preaches at Union Chapel. June 6— We had a destructive frost last night. Ground in my garden froze Yz inch deep. June 12 — Another frost last night. June 19— Funeral of Mr. Waldron. July I — Our mail by order of Government will come but 3 times a week. July 4— Mr. V. D. Parris called to see me. He brought a flag that belonged to the U. S. Frigate Constitution in time of the last war. It is now flying in the strong N. W. breeze between E. Atwood's and Mr. Loring's stores. Digitized by Microsoft® 508 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD July 29 — We have a daily mail again by private contribution for pay for extra carrying. I pay $4 per year. Aug. 4 — The people here are interested in the matter of enlarging and fencing and putting into respectable condition our burying ground. A corporation is being formed denominated the Buclifield Cemetery Cor- poration, in order to proceed legally in this contemplated project. Aug. 13 — ^John Davis returned from the White Mts. last eve and ar- rived on foot about 9 o'clock. He was gone from home but 2 days. He made a quick trip of 90 miles and back in 36 hours and a night spent on Mt. Washington, walking 15 miles on his way home. Aug. 22 — Started with my wife and John Davis for Winchendon. Nov. IS — Mr. America Farrar is confined at Buckfield by paralysis. Dec. 3 — The church bells are tolling for the martyrdom of John Brown. Henry Ward Beeoher says that a man who would not help a fellow creature flying for his liberty is either a villain or a politician. i860. Apr. 25 — Mr, Noah Hall called to see his brother. He is 80 years old and his wife 75. They have a farm, keep 2 good cows and make butter and cheese to sell. Mr. Hall is vigorous and spry and works every day. He tells me he had a party of neighbors at his house, a few days ago, consisting of 6 including himself and wife whose united ages were 497. Noah Hall, 80 ; wife, 75 ; James Waterman, 95 ; Mrs. Lewis, 89 ; Mr. Gammon, 79; wife, 79. May 5 — The town has a meeting this p.m. to see if the people will vote to loan the credit of the town to the amount of $15,000 to put the B. B. R. R. in running order. May 16 — I look out of my window and see a man on the bridge who is 93 — Mr. James Morrill who says he works in the field every day. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 509 ABIJAH BUCK'S DIARY. Abijah Buck, His Book 1760 God give him grace therein to Look. New Gloster, November the 25, 1760, my mother died. December the 10, 1760, I came home from Crown Point. January the 3, 1761, my father died and left us both motherless and fatherless. New Gloster, Sept. the 25, 1762, we were married (wife Phebe Tyler). Elizabeth was born July the i, 1763. Ellen was born January the 8, 1765. Phebe was born the 17 day of December, 1766. John was born the 22 day of December, 1768. Rebecca was born the 15 day of December, 1772. Bucktown, April the i, 1776,* Abijah was born the i day of March, I777-* Jonathan was born the 5 day of February, 17S2. Buckfield, August 17, 1816, Phebe Buck my wife departed this life. Orders that I had from the Captain: Lake George June f s. the 9 1760. d. To 1 order 3 To 1 order 6 To 1 order 1 5 10 To 1 order U 18 To 1 order 6 October the 22 To 1 order 9 Nov. the 3 To Lawful money 12 Lake Georgre July the 27 1760 £ s. d. Due to Captain Nathaniel IngersoU, the sum of 3 8 11 Lawful money To 1 lb. Chocolate 3 B To 2 lb. Sugar 2 6 To 1 lb. Sugar 19 New Gloster June the 10 day 1765 Work for Mr. Foxcraft: — To % day's work digging cellar To work upon the Flume, £ s. d. To 1 days work 15 New Gloster June the 17 day 1765 To 1 day's work upon\the roads To work with the surveyor To 10 day's work ' , , ,„„„ Bucktown March the 4 1777. Beginning this town at that time. Credit for Benjamin Spaulding for work done upon the roads and money pay'd for charges. *Evidently errors. Should be year later. Digitized by Microsoft® 510 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD To 10 days, work at4spd 200 To money paid for charges 7 4 To money & work " 13 To Running out "nls Lot 6 Credit for Abljah Buck Bucktown March the 4 yr 1777 £ s. d. To 18 day's works at the roads 3 12 To Money for the first charges — the Petition 7 4 To 7 day's work on the roads 18 To Money for charges B To Money tor charges 3 To 11 days work at the roads 2 4 To Running out his lot 6 Similar entries for Nathaniel Buck, Thomas Allen, John Brown, Jonathan Tyler, Moses Buck, Jonas Coburn, William Doble and John Buck. Sharon ("West Butterfield) May the 17 yr 1778 Credit for David Reckard To 35% days work at 8 Dollars per month Bucktown November the 8 yr 1779 "We held a meeting and voted 20 paper dollars to a right — 1 — 4 lawful money, which was paid to Mr. But- terfield 280 Dollars paper money which is 18 8 The next I went to Falmouth to Esq. Freeman's to get the Petition wrote and to sign it. Was four days upon the journey. Time and ex- pense I — 3 — 0. Bucktown, April the 6, 1780. The first time that I went to Boston to get our Petition granted, was gone from home 28 days. The Proprietors voted me 4 shillings or a bushel of rye a day, and 3 shillings a day for expense — which was 9—16—0. Then I settled with Col. Bancraft and Mr. Butterfield at Bos- ton and pay'd them i — 16 — in hard' cash, which was the balance at that time. Bucktown Septemher the 16-1781 Debtor to Dr. Child To 1 visit to my wife To 1 visit to Father Tyler To 1 portion of physic To charge for Father Tyler To coming for John Bucktown, September the 8, 1785. To work with the surveyor, running Bucktown lines, 7 days works, and to running Butterfield town lines 7 days with the surveyor. To charges by the surveyor and his hand for keeping two horses. 16 days, and to stores to the value of 6 shillings and to 2>4 gallons of Rum. This is for the two towns to pay between them. Bucktown, October the 4, 1785. I went with Mr. Jordan surveying the town. I was 7 days at S s. per day I — IS — o. To keeping the acct. for the Proprietary from time to time — 6 — 0. 12 8 14 4 1 4 3 4 1 11 8 14 3 Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 511 Bucktown, November the 7, 1785. My second journey to Boston. We were gone 16 days. Was voted 4 shillings a day for expns. and 3 shillings a day for our time, which was 3—12—0. Our passage was 6 shillings apiece. Our horses were 10 days upon the journey. Their expense was 3 shillings a day i — 6 — 0. Bucktown, January the 24, 1786. I went to Wells to see Esqr. Wells, as to how to proceed about the purchase (of the township). Was gone 5 days. Time and expense Bucktown, February the 27 yr. 1786. The third time I went to Boston, upon the Proprietors' business, I was gone 27 days, for which my expenses and time amounted to ACCOUNT OF HIS JOURNEY. The first day I traveled to New Gloster. The next day I went to North Yarmouth. The first day of March, I went to Falmouth, and there agreed for my passage to Boston. The second day of March was stormy, which was bad for ray journey. The third day was also stormy, which left me waiting for my passage. The 4 day, the wind was against us, but we are in hopes of sailing tonight. The sth day, not gone yet. Most out of patience. The wind seems to promise fair, so I am in hopes we shall sail tonight. The 6 day, we are making preparations for sailing tonight. The 7 day, we are still waiting for the moving of the wind and the weather. The 8 day, we keep looking out for a favorable wind, but we are very weary. The 9 day we have a fair wind at last. This the 10 day, we had a fine passage to Boston — a good run of it. This the II day, we went to see Esqr. Wells, but being full of business, I could do nothing. This the 12 day is Sunday. This the 13 day the General Court agreed that the Settlers should have 100 acres apiece. This the 14 day, very dull; nothing done. The committee has so much work on their hands, they can't do anything for us yet. This the 16 day, i agreed with the committee to have the papers drawn. This the 17 day, I got the papers wrote and signed. This the j8 day, I got ready to go home, and sailed about midnight, with a fair wind. This the 19 day, we are at sea with a dull wind which obliged us to put into Marble- head. This the 20 day, it looked so much like a storm, that we hove up an'd went to Salem for a harbor. This the 21 day, we jayd in Salem harbor. This the 22 day, we hove up and stood over to Cape Ann, and there we raised a breeze and at night came to sail with a good wind. This the 23 day, we are at sea, with a fine breeze which brought us to Falmouth. This the 24 day, I came from Falmouth to New Gloster. This the 25 day, I came from New Gloster home most tired out. Digitized by Microsoft® 512 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD NOTES ABOUT THE WEATHER, ETC. Bucktown, October the 23 yr 1785. More than a common freshet, that swept away mills and bridges, to a great damning. (Damage). Bucktown, January the 2 yr. 1786. An Earthquake was heard this morning before Sun-rise. Bucktown, April the 2 yr. 1786. A smart Snow Storm for this time of year. The 7 day a Smart Rain Storm that made a large freshet. The i8th day November, 1786. From that time to the 14 day of December one continual frost. The 9 of April, 1787. A Smart Thunder Shower. Bucktown, March the 19, 1789. The committee being on the proprietors business ruling the Settlers names on the plan of the town. Bucktown June the 8 1790 Went to New Gloster to acknowledge deed £ 12 "Went to York to see Bsq'r Wells To my horse Went to Boston 22 days at 3 s. Horse for the journey Money pay'd to acknowledge deed >Money pay'd for one quire of paper 7 4 6 Bucktown December the 15 1790 This day Settled with John Clay and finding his due f 8 Boston January 27 1792. Pay'd to the States Com. £ 120 6 B Bucktown March the 12 1792 Five pounds seven shillings and nine pence was left after paying- for the town, £5 7 9 Received of Mr. Hubbard 3 8 Received of Thomas Lowell 12 Received of Simon Record 6 15 12 3 6 1 16 7 1 10 n 1 ,4 9 13 9 Bben'r Bancraft's account against Buck's Proprietary is £ 11 12 For value Received I promise to pay unto Abijah Buck, or his order, the sum of Eighteen Shillings, to be paid in Cash or Corn, at the market price, at or before December next ensuing the date hereof, as witness my hand. October the 12th 1785 Joel Foster In 1789 and 17130, there were items entered in the book, showing that Abijah Buck sold hay and corn in considerable quantities to the settlers. Also other articles, from which it might be inferred, that he was at that period, a trader in a small way. Mr. Spaulding's work upon Col. Bancraft's opening: //// 'III III 'llllllllllll 'I I III '11 1 III II nil nil II 1 1 'iiiiiii '1 1 1 nil 'iiiiiiiiini Abijah Buck's work: /////// 'inn 'iiiiiiiii 'nil 'iiiiiiiii ' II 'II II 'III 1 1 inn 'inn 'iiiiiiii v Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFiELD 513 REMINISCENCES OF MA J. LUCIUS LORING. In November, 1887, ?\'Iajor Lucius Loring was interviewed liy a rep- resentative of the Oxford Democrat and aslced to give his reminiscences of men and affairs in Buckfield in early times, which he did as follows: "1 shall be go years old if I live until the 27th day of December. I have seen 90 Independence Days. I remember things that occurred 60, 70 or 80 years ago, better than I do things which have happened within a year. Sometimes I forget these more recent dates and so, for the past IS years I have kept a journal or memorandum. 1 have lived in Buck- field 83 years, last March. My father, 'Old Squire Loring' as he was called for many years, was born upon the Connecticut river, in the town of Hatfield, Mass. When he was 12 years old he went to Bridgewater. His father died when he was but four years old and he went to live with an uncle. My father found friends in Bridgewater and was enabled to go to school and get an education, and afterwards he taught school himself. He married my mother there. She was a Barrelle. The late Pascal Barrelle of Hartford was her father. Father came from Bridge- water to Turner about 93 years ago. I fix the date, by the age of my oldest sister, the late Mrs. James Jewett, who would have been 92 last September, had she lived. She> was Ijorn the year after father moved to Turner. I was born in Turner, and came to Buckfield when I was about 7 years old. My father helped settle the fi.rst minister in Turner, old Parson Strickland. I remember him well for I was old enough to go to meeting considerably, before we moved away from there. He wore a great white wig, and a three cornered hat. ****** When my father came to Buckfield, he built a httle store just above where the Randolph Thomes store stands now. P'ather cut away the alders and put up a store 25x25 feet, and that was the only building at that time on that side of the bridge, except the old Capt. Parris stand. Where the streets on that side are now, was all an alder swamp. Logs were laid in thick in the mud to make a road from the end of the bridge near where Rawson's drug store now is, to the foot of what has since been called Loring's Hill. I suppose it took its name from my father, as it had no name to my knowledge, when we came here. The business was all on the other side of the river then, and people laughed at father for building a store where he did and said he never would have a cus- tomer over there. Old Squire Record owned about all the land around Buckfield village at that time and the saw and grist mills. He was one of the proprietors of the town. The first grist mill ever built in Buck- field was erected by a man by the name of Chandler, and it stood down where the saw mill is now. "My father used to run a mill here for the manufacture of cards. In those days every woman had to have cotton cards, wool cards and tow cards. Father made the wooden backs and they were sent to Bos- ton and teeth put into them by hand. I have packed up thousands of Digitized by Microsoft® 514 HISTORY OF BUCKFTELD them, when a boy. We used to haul them to North Yarmouth and put them aboard the packet for Boston. Prices were low in those times. Then and for a long time after, the very best of help could be hired for $.50 a day and dinner. It cost us $1.00 a hundred to get goods from Portland, and it was a hard business for the teamsters at that price. One could buy a good team horse for $50.00. ***** j\j- ^j^g time father came to Buckfield all the business was on the north side of the river. Uncle Ben Spaulding had a store on that side, and the house John Russell now lives in opposite Mr. Whitten's is the identical build- ing which was Uncle Ben's store. It was afterwards moved across the river and converted into a dwelling house. It sat near where the Artemas F. Cole stand does now. "Old Major Mark Andrews was the first trader here. He married Capt. Josiah Parris's sister. He used to bring his dry goods up from Portland on a horse in saddle bags. He moved to Winthrop and finally to Albany, New York, where he had a married daughter and I think died there. He made $30,000 in Buckfield. He said he never sold a thing unless he got twice at least what he paid for it. He kept no ledger. The people were poor, and would sell their corn in winter to him at $.42 a bushel, and exchange it for goods at his high prices, and in the sum- mer he would sell this corn for $1.00 a bushel to people coming in from the West to take up new lands. ***** "That looking glass (pointing to a very handsome and well pre- served gilt frame glass of the olden style) was my mother's. It came from Boston. She used to keep it in the spare room — and a spare room wasn't used except on very rare occasions. People now-a-days have changed in that respect very much. When I was a boy, a parlor wasn't considered well furnished unless it had a bed in it, with a handsome quilt, and the few who could afford such a luxury had a bureau. The people didn't go into luxuries much in those days. Why, the north room in the Prince house where I lived, was the first room that was ever painted in Buckfield. We had to send to Waterford for a painter. His name was Robie. It cost $30. to paint that room. The first wall paper ever used in Buckfield was put on to two front rooms in the old tavern where the Atwood & Spaulding store now stands, which Zadoc Long and myself hired and fitted up when we were married. Those rooms were considered wonders then. ***** "My father, Capt. William Lowell, and Uncle Thomas Long were about all the Federals there were in Buckfield when I was a young man. Rouse Bisbee, who moved from Buckfield to Woodstock, was the only Federalist in that town for many years and the people would 'hoot' him when he went to town meeting. He once at Portland was given a suit of clothes by some of the people there for standing by his colors. Rouse was an uncle of Capt. Lewis Bisbee of Sumner, whom all Buck- field people knew. Dr. Hamlin, the first clerk of the courts in the county, at whose place I boarded one winter when attending school, was also a Federalist, but some people called him a 'tory.' The Federalists you know were opposed to the War of 1812. ***** Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 516 "When I was nine years old, I rode horseback to Portland. Father had a two wheeled chaise and he and mother were going to Bridge- water on a visit. As they had the old horse I was given the four-year-old colt. I remember the journey well. Father came out as far as the Deer- ing bridge and pointed me towards home, with directions to stop at Gray Corner over night. I got there about three o'clock and had my horse unsaddled and put up, and went into the tavern and sat down. Soon I began to feel homesick. My grandfather Barrelle lived in Turner, and I made up my mind to go there instead of staying where I was over night. 1 ordered my horse saddled and put along quite lively. At ii o'clock that night I reached grandfather's. ***** i -^^as a student at Hebron Academy four years. I boarded with old Deacon Barrows, and paid $1.25 per week for board and washing. I had always lived in a village and had rather a hard time of it. Elijah Hamlin and Dr. Bethuel Gary, who died in Sumner, were in my class. Young men used to go there in the fall and fit themselves to teach school. We had larger schools in those days and always had a big exhibition at the close of the term. ***** "Old Judge Parris, Gapt. Parris's brother and father of Gov. Albion K. Parris, was quite a man in those days. He lived in Hebron and was judge of the Gourt of Gommon Pleas. He was very much of a gentleman in his appearance and a man much respected. ***** When my father came to Buckfield they had no schoolhouse in the village, and only had a school a little while in the summer. It was taught in a chamber in Uncle Ben Spaulding's house. The teacher had no educa- tion. She could read a little, but couldn't write a word. She came from Massachusetts though, and that was all the qualification needed as most of the people thought. She used to get us boys to write her letters to her friends in Massachusetts. ***** My father was in trade in Buckfield about 20 years and I traded. here about 40 years. Father was a very enterprising man, ambitious to go ahead and do a large business. He never saved much money though, but he got a good living and educated his children. He was a very dressy man, and wore knee breeches and silk stockings, russet top boots, blue broadcloth clothes with brass buttons. I've heard him say that the last time he was in Portland he saw the boys pointing at his boots from across the street. "When I went into trade, we took little or no money. We took oats, beans, peas, butter, tow cloth, flannel cloth, ^etc. Why I have taken three and a half tons of butter in a single summer and autumn at ten cents a pound. It was hard getting anything out of it at that price. We used to get a big profit on our goods and that helped out. For two or three years after Ralph Jewett and I went into trade together, we sold $20,000 a year of dry goods. We had customers from up as far as Jay and from over to Paris Gape. We built what is called the Loring store the year that the railroad was built, and it cost us $1600. The first year we paid for the store, supported two families, and in addition to this a net profit of $2,600. That's the best business I ever did in a single year. We bought prints in Boston at ten cents a yard and sold for a shilling. Yes, the Digitized by Microsoft® 516 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD farmers sold their produce cheap and paid high prices for goods, but they got rich then faster than now. There was Ira Gardner, who made $12,000 on the farm where Cy Dean lives now. Interest was higher then; we got twelve per cent. The farmers worked and that wasn't all they calculated. My mother used to say, 'There's a good deal in calculation,' and I've found it so in my experience and observation. The people then had no expensive habits. They didn't go into luxuries, and were frugal and saving. Their dress and living was plain. Lewis Sampson aqd Ephraim Lowe used to work for my father at $8 per month, and both left good farms and money at interest. ***** When Ralph and I went into trade Ara Cushman had a little cobbler's shop at West Minot where he used to take sole work to be made up. Now he employs some 6oo hands at his factory in Auburn and is very wealthy. Ralph and I used to put out such sole work to these little door yard cobble shops, which were quite plenty in those days. But the bvtsiness didn't pay any- thing to speak of then, and we went out of it. It was just the wrong time, and we made a great mistake, for the business came up right off, and those who stuck to it made money. I see that E. F. Packard of Auburn has recently died. He was born in this village, in the Parsons house." Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 517 OREN RECORD'S DEPOSITION. On the 3d clay of March, 1827, Oren Record, oldest son of Dominicus Record, Esq., then of Sangerville, Maine, gave a deposition to be used in a suit brought by Dr. William Bridgham against Richard Waldron. The south boundary line of lot No. 12, 7 Range, in the vicinity of the river near the village being in controversy and the occasion for the suit. What he stated, which gives us a pen picture of the vicinity around the village in the early days, is as follows : I Oren Record, being 53 years of age testify and say that I have lived in the town of Buckfleld from the time I was 10 years old till the year 1822, at which time I moved to the town of Sangerville, and during that period I was well acquainted with the situation of the lot lines, within a mile or more, in any direction from Buckfleld Village. That I have been more particularly acquainted with my father Dominicus Record's, Isaac Foster's and Edmund Chandler's settling lots, and the mill priv- ilege and the public lands near to. I have known the line between the minister lot and State lots about 30 years. The first information I received respecting this line was from 'Squire Abijah Buck. The next from my father 'Squire Record, who showed it to me. Afterwards it was shown me by Joel Foster, who then lived on the lot west of the State lot. I have been on this line many times. The line ran easterly with Joel Foster's northerly line, and about 20 rods south of where John Irish's house now stands. I have seen this line since the Great Fire of 1816 ran over it. * * • * • Joel Foster marked a line for a road from his house on his lot to the mills. I followed this line in company, with him at one time, which he told me he marked for his own convenience in going to the mills. I saw Foster with his axe at said mills, the day he marked the line. The reason I recollect it more particularly is, that I had so much shorter distance to go to Foster's, who was a. shoemaker, to get shoes mended and made. The line began at Foster's opening, and crossed the South Pond brook, on the beaver dam, a little south of where the bridge now stands. Then after passing the beaver dam it turned to the north several rods, varying so as to keep on high or dry ground, and running a. little south of where the Drake house stood, and where the John Irish now stands, and crossing the swamp brook a little south of where the bridge now stands, thence running south of the Chaftln house, thence crossing the Isaac Foster lot at the northwest corner of the mill privilege, thence by the river to the mill. » « » • • One Thomas Frazier lived with father, from the age of five or six years till he was 21. He was bound to father by the Selectmen of Baston. He used to drive my father's cattle to pasture. They were never driven to the land in the vicinity of the beaver dam. The land near said beaver dam was so covered with windfalls and thick growth that I should think it would be impossible that cattle could go through it. So far as I was acquainted with him, there was no reliance to be put in him as a man of truth and veracity. My father repeatedly whipt him for lying. The pen was drawn through the last two sentences. Digitized by Microsoft® 518 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD ARVILLA (SPAULDING) RECORD'S LETTER. Aunt Arvilla (Spaulding) Record's letter written when she was 85 to her relative, Mrs. Lydia E. Cole Douglass : Buckfield, Me., Sept. 10, ISSS. My Dear Lydia: It is but little that I know about the Spauldings but I am very glad to tell what I do know. Old Grandfather Benjamin Spaulding moved his family from Chelms- ford, Mass., here in the year 1778 or 1779. He was out in the French and Indian "War; His family consisted at that time of six children, Patty, Rebecca, Benjamin (your grandfather), Leonard, Elizabeth and Esther. The next child he had after he came from the war was Abel, who was my father. I have been told that Grandfather Spaulding got in d^bt by be- ing a surety on another man's bond and left his family in Massachusetts , and came here, then nothing but all woods and no human beings but In- dians. He came to hunt, as furs at that time, brought a great price. There were some inhabitants in a few places in this part of the country but not within many miles of where he built his camp, which was down by the river, on what is now called Capt. Record's intervale. He hunted here two years. In the room of his being afraid of the Indians, they were afraid of him. One of them stole one of his traps. He gave out word among them that if the thief did not bring it back, he would kill him. A few days after the Indian returned the trap, saying: "Here your trap Pauldin." I do not know where grandfather sold his furs but when he went back he paid all he owed anybody. Then he moved his family down here. My father was then two and one-half years old. His older sister told me they lived in the camp on the intervale where one child, Stephen, was born. Then he took up land and moved up where I was born. He owned land from Sumner town line to the river at North Buckfleld — all woods. In time he built a saw mill. I remember that mill. He built him a log house down near where the road is now. His youngest child. Thankful (Cushman)— Mrs. Cummings, who lives on Paris Hill, is her daughter— was born in that log house. When grandfather had arrived with his family, old Squire Buck had taken up land where Col. White lived and moved his family there. Old Nathaniel Buck had come too and had taken up land where Elisha, his youngest son, lived. Then there was some kind of a grist mill at New Gloucester, so the people here had to do down there to mill and carry their grists on their backs, going and coming by spotted trees. If one settler got out of meal, the others supplied him till their own was gone. Moose were plenty and they were rarely out of this kind of meat. One time, grandfather had been to New Gloucester to mill and on coming home, found the other families nearly starved. He said: "Why did you not kill a, moose?" Then he took his gun and went hunt- ing for one. He soon came back with one he had killed a little back of what we call Elisha Buck's orchard, which furnished many meals for the hungry ones. He wanted to see people have some ambition and never lacked himself that quality. He was a small man in stature, but he had a big heart and was good to the poor. He gained in property fast, cleared up his farm and raised wonderful crops and a large number of cows. If a poor man come along who had a large family, he would give him half a cheese or a bushel of corn. I remember seeing such people take such things away on their backs. He would often let them have Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 519 meal when they had no money, but if they had, he wanted them, to get what they wanted somewhere else. He knew what it was to be poor. He would not take medicine. He lived to be seventy-four and died o( a fever. Grandmother Spaulding was one of the best women that ever lived. I lived with her from the time I was born until I was married and until she died, aged 77 years. 1 must say I never saw her appear the least bit impatient in my life. It Is said that she once rode from Buckfleld to Boston on horseback. * * * Grandfather Spaulding and all his sons were lirm Universalists and they lived it. They realized that Christ was the true vine and we the branches. From Your Aunt, ARVILLA SPAULDING RECORD. Digitized by Microsoft® 520 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Part III. GENEALOGIES. In Explanation. A town history without family statistics would not be accounted of much worth in these days, when there is so much interest in tracing lines of ancestry, and in the endeavor to find out to whom one is related. It is said by skilled genealogists that on an average, one in ten of our Americans of English stock might trace his ancestry to kings, yet what true American would not rather be able to follow his family lines to the Pilgrim and Puritan fathers and mothers whO' founded this government and the Patriots of the Revolution by whose sacrifices American Independence was secured? There mu,st be very few indeed of Buckfield families, espe- cially of the olden time, that cannot or could not. do this, and yet there are some at least who can even go back to kings. The lack of interest of many — some quite prominent per- sons — to furnish family statistics, has been a source of great regret and much surprise, and in consequence of this, and that this part of the work had to be largely made up away from the town and town records, giving no opportunity for additions and correction, it is not so full and complete and free from errors as might be desired. The endeavor has been as a special feature, to trace the family lines as far back as possible, and it is believed that those who are or may hereafter be interested to connect their own families with those here given, or in trac- ing different or more ancient lines of their ancestry, will find in these statistics great encouragement and some assistance. Allen. Thomas Allen (see sketch) was one of the first two settlers in the township. Pie was born in England about I752- He married, ist, Abigail Brown. She died Sept. 27, 1803; m. 2d, Dolly Ricker. He died in Hartford in the latter part of the year 1826. Children all but last by first wife: Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 521 John, b. N. G., Aug. 8, 1775 ; ra. Polly Clifford, s. in Hartford. Mary, b. Buckfield. Sept. 30, 1777; m. Abiah Leach. Abigail, b. Buckfield, Sept. 1.5, 1779; m. John Millett, Canton. Edmund, b. Buckfield, July 29, 1781 ; m. Ruth Bryant, s. in Hartford. Anna, b. Buckfield, Feb. 11, 1783; m. Daniel Shaw, s. in Hartford. Esther, b. Buckfield, Apr. 2, 1785 ; m. Edmund Dean, s. in Paris. Thomas, Jr., h. Buckfield, Dec. 13, 1786; m. Nancy Cole. Sophia, b. Buckfield, Dec. 4, 1788; m. Nathaniel Tubbs. Ellen, b. Buckfield, Oct. 17, 1790; m. Job Perry, s. in Paris. Nathaniel, b. Buckfield, Jan. 27, 1793; m. Polly Tinkham, s. in Liver- more. George, h. Hartford, went to Ohio. Served in Mexican War. John Allen, son of the preceding, b. Aug. 8, 1775 ; m. Polly Clifford. They settled in Hartford. Children recorded on the Buckfield records : Benjamin, b. Nov. 28, 1799; Thomas, b. Dec. 11, 1801 ; Polly, b. Nov. 22, 1804; Dolly, b. May 6, 1807. Edmund, brother of the preceding, b. July 29, 1781 ; m. Ruth Bryant. They settled in Paris in 1804, where two of the'r chil- dren were born. Removed to Hartford where six of their children were born. Late in life returned to Paris where he died, "beloved and respected for his many sterling virtues." Child recorded on Buckfield records : Jonathan. Tyler, b. Apr. 21, 1803; d. Feb. 1843. Samuel Allen with wife Ann — from Bridgewater, Eng- land, emigrated to Mass. perhaps with Gov. John Winthrop's colony in 1630 and settled at Braintree. The line from the American ancestor to the race of Aliens who settled in Hebron and afterwards moved into Buckfield is as follows : Dea. Samuel, b. 1632; m. Sarah Partridge. Josiah, b. 1677; m. Mary Reed. William, b. 1726; m. Susanna Packard. Ahel, b. 1760; m. Mary Dillingham. Jacob, born about 1786, Libbeus, b. July 4, 1793, and Alpheus, b. about 1796, were early settlers in Hebron. The two latter were brothers, and sons of Abel. The children of Libbeus and Joanna B. (Nash) Allen born in Hebron were: Amory H., May 16, 1816; m. Zilpha Cushman. Mary D., April 11, 1818. Libbeus T., April 26, 1820; m. Pauline Murdock. William N., Oct. i, 1822 ; m. Almena Swett, s. in Illinois. John Harrison, April 26, 1826; m. Augusta Hilborn. Hannah, Sept. 13, 1828. Charles A., Sept. 13, 1828; m. Melissa S. Cole. Digitized by Microsoft® 522 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Bernard B., Mar. 26, 1831 ; m. Mary DeCoster. Melvin A., April 26, 183S ; m. Martha A. Thompson. The father died Sept. 9, 1872. His wife died Nov. 2, 1843. Amory H. Allen, son of the preceding, b. May 16, 1816, at Auburn; m. Zilpha Cushman, dau. of Caleb and Mary (Buck) Cushman, in 1839. He was in trade in the village for many years. In 1866 he removed to Illinois. His wife having died Nov. 17, 1865, he m. 2d, Feb. 8, 1870, Abigail Sampson of Tur- ner, Me. He died Jan. 3, 1903, at Belvidere, 111. Children re- corded here: William Wallace, b. May 21, 1841 ; m. Mary Bonney. Joanna B., h. Oct. 21, 1844; m. Morris. Walter F., b. July 18, 1849 ! rn. DeCoster. Amory H. Jr., b. July 28, 1853 ; m. Sarah R. Swail. He died Apr. 14, 1872. No children. Frances, b. Oct. 13, 1855; d. Sept. 18, 1862. Augusta, b. ; m. L. Ashton. Charles A. Allen, bro. of the preceding, b. Sept. 13, 1828; ra. Melissa S. Cole. He was in business in Buckfield village for many years. He died Mar. 19, 1878. Children: Lizzie L., b. May 27, 1861. Frank B., b. July 15, 1863. Charles V., b. Mar. 29, 1867; m. Edna L. Holland. Nellie V ., b. June 21, 1869; m. Geo. F. Alden. William C. L., b. July 4, 1874. Melvin A. Allen, bro. of the preceding, b. April 26, 1835; m. Martha A. Thompson. He d. Nov. 27, 1879. Children: Edgar Leon, b. Feb. 12, 1864; m. Lizzie Briggs. Robert Thompson, b. Apr. 2, 1867. Atwood. The Atwood families of Buckfield are among the very first in town. They have been a race of merchants and have won both success and respect by years of honorable deal. They trace their descent from Henry Atwood, the English emigrant, who was at Plymouth about 1640. He married April 25, 1644, Abigail, daughter of John and Abigail (Carey) Jenney. She came with her parents in the Little James, of which her father was the principal owner, and was therefore one of the Pilgrims. Henry Atwood and his wife settled in Middleboro. He died in 1670. The line of descent to Capt. Samuel Atwood, a Revo- Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 523 lutionary soldier who, after the war, settled in Livermore, Me., in 1795, and was the father of the first Atwoods who came to Buckfield, is as follows: Henry, Abial, Abial, Lieut. Abial, and Samuel. The latter was born in Berkley, Mass., 1769. He married Hannah Boyden. His death occurred at Livermore in 1816, aged 47. His wife died in 1854, aged 84. After his death she had married Mr. James Norton. Capt. Samuel Atwood and his wife had a family of thirteen children : I. Joanna, d. 1868 ae. 79; m. Thomas Rich. II. Hannah, m. Elias Morse. III. William Boyden. rV. Samuel, m. Sally Pierce. V. Hesekiah, m. Nancy Coffin. VI. Rhoda. VII. Nathan, h. 1800; m. Ruth H. Rogers. VIII. Henry S., m. Sarah Coffin. IX. Hepsibah, b. 1806; m. Artemas F. Cole. X. Ephraim, b. 1808; m. i, Eliza Morrill, 2d, Adaline Whiting. XI. Eliza, b. 1810; m. Sidtiey Spaulding. XII. Brittania, d. in infancy. XIII. Lorenzo, b. 1814; m. Lucy Harris. Nathan Atwood, born in Livermore in 1800, was the first of the name to settle in Buckfield and engage in trade. He married Ruth H. Rogers, a descendant of Rev. John Rogers, the Martyr of Smithfield. She was born in Berwick, Maine, in May, 1797, and lived to be 87 years old. At the time the census of 1850 was taken, she was in the family of Dea. William H. Atwood, who had married her daughter, Helen M. Atwood, then 23 years old. Her. brother, Charles B. Atwood, was two years older. Nathan Atwood, their father, died in 1841, having earned a wide reputation as an able and upiight business man. There were five Atwood families living in town in 1850. The heads of these families were Ephraim, Lorenzo, William H., Charles B., and Hezekiah, Jr. The four first were denom- inated traders by the census enumerator, and the last a miller. Lorenzo, born in 1814, and who married Lucy Harris of the same age, had two children, Harriet Josephine aged 13 and Eunice A. Atwood aged 11. The daughter, Eunice A. Atwood, became the wife of Capt. Charles H. Prince. H. Josephine died Feb. 7, 1863. Digitized by Microsoft® 524 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Epheaim Atwood, b. Oct. 2, 1808, m. i, Eliza A. Morrill; 2, Adaline Whiting. First wife died Jan. 29, 1850; 2d died May 4, 1872. He died April 4, 1891. Children by 1st wife: Asa, b. May 26, 1834; m. Augusta Dearborn. Emily, b. Dec. 7, 1835 ; d. Jan. 28, 1836. Emily, b. Dec. 17, 1836; m. C. Carroll Loring; d. Feb. 11, 1909. Frances, b. Jan. 11, 1839; d. May 23, 1842. Wm. Wallace, b. Aug. 20, 1841 ; d. Oct. 7, 1882. Mary Ann, b. Oct. 2, 1S43; d. Apr. 21, 1850. Florence A., b. Aug. 15, 1847; d. Mar. 26, 185a. Children by 2d wife : Charles B., b. July 10, 1851; m. Clara Goodrich of Mich., resides in California. Clarence, h. Jan. 26, 1854; in. J, Fannie Libby, 3 Anna (Storer) Buck, resides in Auburn. Arthur C, b. Mar. 27, 1856; m. Cora B. Cummings, of Paris, resides in Auburn. Eugene, b. July 10, 1858; d. Mar. 16, 1859. Carrie A., b. May 3, i86o; m. Edmund' Fogg, resides in Lewiston. Bennett. George Bennett, son of John and Lucy (Bridgham) Ben- nett and grandson of Nathaniel and Hannah (Babson) Bennett of New Gloucester, was born in 1807. He married Augusta P. Cole in 1842 and opened a store in Buckfield near the bridge (now called the Rawson store), where he traded till 1859. He then bought a farm in the western part of the town on which he lived to his death. His wife d'ed about 1851 and he married 2d, Lepha M. Pillsbury. He died in Feb., 1892, in his 84th year. Children by 1st wife: Emma L., b. Sept. 22, 1844; ™. George R. Hammond of Paris. George 0., b. Nov. 13, 1846; m. Jennie R. Morse. Children by 2d wife : Frank, b. Aug. i, 1854 ; m. Mrs. Ellen Ripley. Lizzie A., b. Oct. 28, 1856; m. Everett F. Bicknell. Dr. Annette, b. Mar. 17, 1858, s. in Norway. Fred, b. Aug. 17, 1859 ; m. Lunetta Mason. Dr. Herbert, b. Dec. .30, 1862; d. in Chicago in 1894. Carrie, b. July 27, 1862 ; m. J. H. Hamlin. Lena L., b. June 8, 1870. Effie M., b. Mar. 28, 1873. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 525 Fred Bennett, son of the preceding, b. Aug. 17, 1859; m. Lunetta Mason. He resides on the homestead of his father. Children : Paul M., b. May 20, 1887. Eugene H., h. Dec. 2, 1888. Ralph H., b. Aug. 2, 1891. Dr. Annette Bennett, daughter of George and Lepha M. (Pillsbury) Bennett, was born in Buckfield, Mar. 17, 1858. After attaining a common school and academic education, she entered a homeopathic medical school in Qiicago, where she graduated with honors. She settled in Norway, where she prac- ticed her profession with much success for many years. She took great interest in temperance matters and was one of the leaders of the W. C. T. U. organization. She was also one of the prime movers for the establishment of an Old Ladies Home in Norway, which existed for a few years and was then given up. She died about 1912. Beery. William Berry, the American ancestor of the Berrys of Buckfield, Paris and Woodstock, was one of a colony of fifty sent over from England by Capt. John Mason to settle N. H. They landed at the mouth of the Piscataqua river in 163 1. He is said to have been the first settler in Rye. His wife's name was Jane. Whether he was m. prior to his coming to America is not known. They lived at a place called Sandy Beach. He was one of the grantees of Newbury, Mass., where he probably removed about 1643. Having died, Jane, his widow, was ap- pointed administratrix of the estate. She m. 2d, Nathaniel Drake. Elizabeth, supposed to be one of their children, m. John Locke of Newcastle. He was ambushed and killed by the Indians in 1696 while reaping grain in his field. Capt. George Berry of Kittery, born about 1676, probably a grandson of the first William, m. Deliverance Haley. His son, George, Jr., b. in Kittery in 1706, m. in 1727 Eliza;beth F'rink. He was a ship-wright and had a ship yard at Back Cove, Fal- mouth, now Portland. He was appointed Captain in the militia and given a roving commission to scour the country with a body of Indian fighters from the sea to Canada. He was promoted to major. "He died in 1776, aged 70." Children: Digitized by Microsoft® 526 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD George, b. abt. 1730; m. 1752, Sarah Stickney. Josiah, h. abt. 1734; m. Thankful Butler. Obadiah, b. Oct. 14, 1738 ; m. Lucy Torrey. Elisabeth, b. abt. 1741; m. Jeremiah Bote, a wealthy merchant and ship owner. He was a Tory and fled to the Provinces on the breaking out of the Revolutionary War, and never returned. His property was confiscated. The oldest son of George Berry and; wife Sarah Stickney was Dea. William Berry, born in Falmouth, Mar. 6, 1753. His wife was Joanna Doane of Cape Elizabeth. He was an early settler in Buckfield. Dr. Wm. B. Lapham, a descendant in the genealogy of the family, states: "Mr. Berry was a resident in Bucktown prior to 1780." William Bicknell, a voluminous writer for the local papers, who probably heard it from the children of Deacon Berry, claimed that he settled here "13 years prior to the incorporation of the town." Tradition, therefore, fixes the event at about the same time, — 1780. It is also stated that the fifth child, William, Jr., b. Apr. 17, 1783, was born in Buckfield. William Berry's name is not on any of the early petitions for the purchase of the township. He did not obtain a settling lot, which he would have done had he been a permanent settler here Jan. i, 1784. A William^ Berry of Cape Elizabeth, Feb. i, 1791, conveyed land on Long Creek to Edward Doane. Nov. 25, 1783, John Rowe conveyed land in Bakerstown (Poland) to a William Berry et al. of Bakerstown. In 1802 Deacon Berry purchased at two different times land of the heirs of James Thurlo on North Hill. This was his home- stead for many years. There are no other conveyances tO' him of land in Buckfield that we have any record of. The Thurlo heirs appear to have had an interest in the Bakerstown land above spoken of. They conveyed it to one Samuel Jordan of Portland in 1803. That Deacon Berry was in Buckfield prior to his puchase of the North Hill property is unquestioned, for his name appears on the census lists of 1790 and 1800. He probably lived there long before he obtained his deeds. He was one of the prominent citizens of the town and noted )for his upright and sterling qualities. He was one of the prime movers in establishing the first Baptist church in town of which he was appointed one of its deacons. For several years he held the position of a member of the board of selectmen and assessors. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 527 He died about 1824 at the age of 71. They raised a family of II children, all of whom grew up and had families oi their own: May, b. Falmouth, Feb. 22, 1775; m. Luther Whitman, s. in Wood- stock. Levi, b. Falmouth, Apr. 28, 1777; m. Lusannah Bryant, s. in Paris. Dorcas, b. Falmouth, June 16, 1779; m. Jacob Whitman, Jr., s. in Woodstock. Joanna, b. Falmouth, Mar. 11, 1781 ; m. i, Sam'l Briggs; 2d, Rev. Nath'l Chase. William, Jr., b. Apr. 17, 1783; m. Deborah Drake, s. in Paris. Elizabeth, b, Buckfield, June i, 1785; ni. James Ricker, s. in Hartford. George, b. Buckfield, July 30, 1787; m. Sally Swan, s. in Paris. Obadiah, b. Buckfield, July 30, 1790; m. Abigail Ricker. Sally, b. Buckfield, June 9, 1792; m. Tobias Ricker, Jr. Remember, b. Buckfield, Dec. 22, 1794; m. John Swett, Jr., s. in Turner. Dea. Zeri, b. Buckfield, Nov. i, 1797 m. Abigail Turner, s. in Canton; d. Apr. 19, 1885. Obadiah Berry, son of Dea. William, b. July 30, 1790; m. Abigail Ricker. His wife died Feb. 17, 1875. He died March 2, 1875. Children: Lysander, b. March 19, 1815 ; m. Nancy Stannard. Harriet N., b. Apr. 2, 1817; m. Lewis Mason. Joan M., b. March 15, 1819; d. May 7, 1885. Charles H., b. March 20, 1824; m. Cynthia S. Harris. Frederick, b. April 30, 1826; m. Sarah Corliss. John A., b. Jan. 28, 1830; m. Sarah Ricker. Charles H. Berry, son of the preceding, b. Mar. 20, 1824; m. Cynthia S. Harris. He was prominent in town afEairs and a member of the board of selectmen, etc. He lived and died on the old homestead, respected by all who knew him. Children: Frederick, b. Auburn, Nov. 6, 1850; d. in infancy. Charles F., b. Auburn, Feb. 24, 1854 ; m. Sadie H. Dearborn. Ida A., b. Auburn, Aug. 19, 1858; m. Oscar H. Hersey, Esq. Charles F. Berry, son of the preceding, b. Feb. 24, 1854; m. Sadie H. Dearborn of Hartford. He lives on the homestead of his father. Child: Frank D., b. Feb. 7, 1886. Bessey. Capt. Alden Bessey, b. in 1807, came here from Paris in 1866 and settled in the western part of the town. His wife was Laodicia Benson. His father was Joseph Bessey of Middleboro, Digitized by Microsoft® 528 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Everett M. Bessey Mass., who m. Lydia, dau. of John and Hannah (Cushman) Bessey. Captain Bessey acquired a large property at farming. He was prominent in the section of the town where he lived and served as a member of the board of selectmen, as did also his son Alvin and grandson Norman — a noteworthy occurrence, lie died June 4, 1890. His wife died July, 1891. Children: Marion Alden, b. July 21, 1828; m. Josephine Waldron, s. in Paris. Florinda, b. Nov. 7, 1830 ; m. Aaron Cobb, s. in Hebron. Lydia, b. Mar. 14, 1833 ; m. Shiibal A. Baker. Mary H., b. Dec. 16, 1835 ; m. Augustus Pear.?on. Fairfield, b. June, 1843 ; d. unm. Alvin S., b. Feb. 15, 1846 ; m. Alfaretta Turner. Annie, b. May, 1850; ra. Frank Merrill. Alvjn Sturtevant Bessey, son of the preceding, b. Feb. 15, 1846; m. Alfaretta Turner. He is one of Buckfield's most prosperous farmers. Children: Lora p., b. Aug. 19, 1870 ; m. Herbert Millett. Ella M., b. Sept. 12, 1872; m. Washington Heald. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 529 Norman E., b. Nov. ii, 1874; m. Maud Heald. Alice, b. Aug. 24, 1878; m. Charles A. Bonney. Everett M., b. Mar. 11, 1880; m. Ina Hanson. Lillie L., b. July 19, 1882; m. Harry E. Pulsifer. Norman E. Bessey, .son of the preceding, b. Nov. 11, 1874; m. Maud Heald. He resides on the homestead of his father. Children : Gerald H., b. Jan. 22, 1899. Ralph, b. Jan. 11, 1502. Everett M. Bessey^ brother of the preceding; m. Ina Hanson and several children were born to them. She died and he m. Miss Verna Howe of So. Paris. He resides at Rumford Falls and is a Deputy Sheriff there — a faithful and very efficient officer. Bicknell. The Bicknells of Buckfield and Hebron trace their descent from Zachary and his wife Agnes, who came from England in 1635 and settled at Weymouth. John Bicknell, a soldier of the Revolution, with his wife Rebecca, were early settlers in Hebron. She d. May 15, 1802, and he m. 2d in 1804, Mrs. Susanna (Packard) Sturtevant. He was probably the son of David Bicknell, who d. in H. in Dec, 1825, aged 82. They had several children, among whom were : John, b. 1772. Noah, b. 1773; ra. Rebecca Carman. Simeon, b. .1775 ; m. Rebekah Irish. •' David, b. Apr. 22, 1781 ; m. Abigail Irish. Deborah, b. Oct. 7, 1785 ; m. George Bryant. Abigail, b. ; m. James Bowker. John Bicknell, oldest .sou of John, b. 1772; m. . Children : John, b. April 6, 1796; m. Marcena Churchill. James, b. May 9, 1802 ; m. Judith Bowker. Thirza, b. Aug. 8, 1804; m. Daniel Tracy. George, b. Apr. 22, 1808; m. Eleanor Rowe. Elbridge G., b. Nov. 28, 1810; m. Emeline Briggs. Samuel, b. Oct. 28, 1814; m. Fear DeCoster. Shuah, b. June 13, 1817; m. Hiram Andrews. John, oldest son of the preceding, b. April 6, 1796; m. Marcena Churchill. Children; John, b. April 15, 1821 ; m. Eveline Cushman. Digitized by Microsoft® 530 HISTORY OF BUCKFTELD Joseph B., b. Sept., 1823 ; m. i, Adaline Woodman, 2d, Rosetta Hall. Emily, b. May, 1826; m. Benj. C. Lurvey. William S., b. Mar., 1830; m. Mary Whitman. James Bicknell, bro. of the preceding, b. Mar. 9, 1802; m. Judith Bowker. He died Oct. 27, 1869. She died Nov. 16, 1885. Children : Arabella R., b. Oct. 2, 1825; m. Merritt Farrar. James F., b. May 7, 1828 ; m. Rebecca S. Fletcher. Rosetta J., b. Sept. 10, 1829; m. Charles B. Hall, 2, Joseph Bicknell. Virgil D. P., b. Mar. 24. 1833 ; m. Frances M. Warren. Columbia P., b. May 30, 1835 ; in. Levi Turner. Levi P., b. Aug. 24, 1837; m. Fanny Jordan. Georgianna H., b. Feb. 15, 1843; m. James A. Warren. Isabel R., b. Feb. 24, 1845 ; m. Cyrus DeCoster. Juliette, b. Feb. 27, 1847; m. Edwin Mayhew. James F. Bicknell, son of the preceding, b. May 7, 1828, m. Rebecca S. Fletcher. He Hves at No. Buckfield. Children: Everett F., b. Apr. 4, 1854; m. Lizzie A. Bennett; a successful mer- chant at Norway. They have one child, Grace, a talented yovmg lady. She is a teacher, and has made several trips abroad. Isabel, b. June 7, 1859; d. Jan. 7, 1884. Virgil D. P. Bicknell, bro. of the preceding, b. Nov. 24, 1833; m. Frances M. Warren. Children: Eudora P., b. April 20, 1859; m. Emerson Ames. James E., h. Apr. 27, iSfio. Florence W., b. Feb. i, 1862 ; d. unmarried. Nellie, b. Feb. 18, 1864; m. George Record. Minnie, b. July 17, i8f8; m. Selden Barrett. Levi P. Bicknell, son of James ante, b. Aug. 24, 1837; m. Fanny Jordan. She d. and he moved to California, where he m. and was killed by mine caving about 1889. Child : Fannie S., b. Apr. I, 1864 ; ra. Warren Lothrop. Noah Bicknell, son of first John, m. Dec, 1794, Rebecca Carman. Children : Cyrtis, b. May 28, 1796; m. Rebecca Bicknell. Hannah, b. Jan. 4, 1798; d. Sept. 28, 1829. Otis, b. Oct. 4, I7f;9: m. Martha Dudley. Azor, b. Sept. 19, 1801 ; d. Aug. to, 1816. Hosea, b. May 8, 1803 ; m. Zilpha . Sally, b. Feb. 24, 1805 ; d. Mar. 1.6, 1839. Luhe, b. Dec. 17, i&)6; m. Orris DeCoster. Timothy Pickering, b. Feb. 13, 1809; d. unm. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 531 Tristram Gilman, b. June 24, 181 1; m. Polly Jordan. He d. Feb. 15, 1890. Mary D., b. Oct. 23, 1813; d. unm. Cyrus Bickneix, oldest son of Noah, m. Rebecca Bicknell and had : Azor, b. Dec. 20, 1820: Calista, b. Aug. 24, 1822; Noah, b. Feb. 23, 1824, d. in infancy; Zilpha, b. Feb. 25, 1826; Columbus, b. Mar. 11, 1821; and Americas, b. Aug. 26, 1831, d. Jan. i, 1863. Otis Bicknell, son of Noah, b. Oct. 4, 1799; m. Martha Dudley. He died Sept. 2, 1877. She died July 22, 1873. Children : Charles, b. Sept. 20, 1824; m. Lucy Loring. Jennette G., b. Nov. 30, 1828; m. Moses Thomes. Citoyenna, b. Apr. 9, 1835 ; m. Francis Buck. Mary, b. Jan. 28, 1838; m. Samuel Thomes. Ellen, b- July T3, 1840; m. Albion Taylor. Martha W., b. Aug. 20, 1847; m. Fred DeCoster. Luke Bicknell, son of Noah, b. Dec. 17, 1806; m. in 1830 Orris DfeCoster. They settled in Hebron. He died Dec. 13, 1837. His widow survived hira many years. Children: Noah, b. May 18, 1831, a successful teacher. Efc«, b. Feb. 16, 1832; m. Russell S. Whitman. Alhinus, b. 1834; m. Mary DeGrenier. Justin, b. 1836; d. unm. Simeon Bicknell, son of first John, with wife Rebekah Irish, settled in Buckfield about 1797. They probably were the first of the name here. Their deaths are not recorded on our records. Children : Sally, b. Apr. 23, 1796. David, b. Sept. 21, 1797. Samuel, b. June 6, 1799. Sofihronia, b. abt. 1803 ; m. George Davie. Harriet, b. June 19, 1805 ; m. George DeCoster. Almira, b. Sept. 24, 1807; m. Orrin Irish. Lucius, b. Oct. 24, 1808. BiSBEE. Thomas Biseee — name variously spelt — the American ances- tor, came to Scituate, Mass., early in 1634 with wife Anne (Banden), six children and three servants, in the Hercules. He was b. about Mar. 3, 1589 (date christened), and was m. Jan. 14, 1618. His parents were John and Dorothy Foster Bisbee Digitized by Microsoft® 532 HISTORY OF BUCKFEELD of Biddenden, England. Thomas became one of the members of Rev. John Lothrop's church there and was one of its first deacons. This church was organized from members of the first Puritan church of London. Its ruHng elder here was Nathaniel Tilden, who also came in the ship Hercules. About four years after Thomas Bisbee removed to Duxbury, where he held posi- tions of trust and served as representative to the General Court. He afterwards lived at Marshfield and finally made his home at Sudbury, where he died March 9, 1674. By his will, dated Nov. 25, 1672, he 'bequeathed houses and lands in England to his grandson, Thomas Brown, child of his daughter Mary. Only three children are mentioned on the Plymouth, Mass., records, and Elisha, as the only son. The date of Elisha Bis'bee's birth is not known. He married Joanna , and lived near what in later years, was called Union Bridge. Here he kept a ferry, and was licensed' to run a public house. Six children are given in the Scituate town records. John Bisbee was the 2d son and child, and was born in 1647. He married Sept. 13, 1687 Joanna Brooks, at Marshfield, where he resided for several years, finally removing to Pembroke where he died Sept. 24, 1726. His wife had died the month before. Eight children are given in the records : Moses was the 3d son and Sth child, and was born Oct. 20, 1695. He moved to East Bridgewater, where, by wife Mary, six children were born. Charles was the ist son and! 3d child, and was born in 1726. He married Beulah Howland, a descendant of John and Eliza- beth (Tilley) Howland, both Mayflower Pilgrims. They had nine children, all born before they settled in West Butterfield, now Sumner, in June, 1784. He had made a clearing and erected a log house for occupancy the year before. Charles Bisbee had served in the War for American Inde- pendence. He selected his land with good judgment, and with the help of his seven sons soon cleared up a good farm. He lived to see his children comfortably settled around him and enjoying the fruits of their toil. He died June 5, 1807, on the 23d anniversary of the family's arrival in town. His widow died Sept. I, 1816. Children: Lieut. Elisha, b. Mar. 4, 1757; m. Molly Pettengill. Charles, b. 1758; m. Desire Dingley. Digitized by Microsoft® Elisha Bisbee, Jr. Digitized by Microsoft® o Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BbXKFIELD 537 Mary, b. Apr. 28, 1760; m. Charles Ford. Moses, b. Feb. 21, 1765; m. Ellen Buck. John, b. 1767; m. Sarah Philbrick. Solomon, b. Sept. 3, 1769; m. Ruth Barrett. Calvin, b. Oct. 14, 1771 ; m. Bethiah Glover. Rouse, b. Oct. 17, 1772; m. Hannah Carrell (or Gary). Cclia, h. May 7, 1774; m. Joshua Ford. Lieut. Elisha Bisbee, oldest son of Charles the 7th, settler in Sumner, h. Mar. 4, 1757, was an officer in the Revolution, where he performed valiant service. He m. in 1779 at Duxt>ury, Mass., Molly Pettengill b. Jan. 9, 1760; d. Aug. 20, 181 1. He built a house in S. in 1796, which is in a good state of preserva- tion. He died Dec. i, 1826. Children: Susan, b. Mar. 28, 1780 ; m. Nathaniel Bartlett of Hartford. Sally, b. 1782; m. Gad Hayford of Hartford. Anna, h. 1784; ni. Stephen Drew of Turner. Elisha, Jr., b. May 8, 1786; m. ist, Joanna Sturtevant, 2nd, Fanny Bryant. Daniel, h. May 7, 1791 ; m. Sylvia Stevens. Molly B., b. Jan. 4, 1794; m. Nehemiah Bryant, 2d, Lemuel Dunham. Capt. Hopestill, h. Nov. 24, 1796; ra. Martha Sturtevant. Theresa, h. ; m. Barney Howard of Hartford. Huldah, b. ; m. Sampson Reed of Hartford. Horatio, b. Aug. i.i, 1800; m. Eunice White. Elisha Bisbee, Jr., oldest son of the preceding, b. May 8, 1786; m. Joanna Sturtevant Apr. 15, 1810. He lived for a short time in Buckfield village, then exchanged his stand here with Zebediah Austin for his farm in Sumner, which is still owned by his descendants. Children: Elbridge G., b. in B., Feb. 8, 181 1; d. Oct. 2, 1812. George Washington, b. in B., July 6, 1812 ; m. Mary B. Howe. Thomas Jefferson, b. in B., July 6, 1812; m. Sylvia Stetson, s. in Rum- ford. Mary P., b. June 6, 181S ; m. Freeman Reed. Hartford. Elisha S., b. Apr., 1822; d. Sept. 24, 1823. His wife died Jan. 30, 1825, and he ra. 2nd, Fanny Bryant. Children : Sabra W., b. Feb. 21, 1826; m. Orville Robinson. Sophia G., b. Apr. 7, 1827. Capt. Levi B., b. July 16, 1828 ; m. Eliza A. Heald. Elisha S., b. Apr. 15, 1830; ni. Jane Parsons. Asia H., b. Jan. 6, 1832, s. in Oregon. Daniel H., b. Oct. 9, 1833, s. in Nevada; d. in 1892 in Auburn. Jane Y., b. July i, 1835 ; m. James McDonald. Hopestill R., b. June 21, 1837 ; m- Ella Byram, s. in Nevada. Digitized by Microsoft® 538 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Sergt. Hiram B., b. Dec. ii, 1839; k. at Bermuda Hundred, May 20, 1864. George Washington Biseee, son of Elisha, Jr., b. in B. July 6, 1812; m. Jan. i, 1836, Mary B. Howe of Rumford. He was a blacksmith by trade, and had an aptitude for politics, and was an ardent supporter of Hannibal Hamlin. He settled 1st in Hartford, but in 1857 moved to Peru, where he died, Jan. 27, 1872. His wife d. in B. at her son's June 25, 1885. The remains of both were buried in Buckfield. Child : George D., b. Hartford, July 9, 1841 ; in. Anna Louise Stanley. Hon. George D. Bisbee (see lawyers), son of the preceding, b. July 9, 1841 ; m. July 8, 1866, Anna Louise Stanley, a dau. of Isaac N. Stanley, Esq., of Dixfield. Children : Stanley, b. April 25, 1867; m. Nellie B. Spaulding. Seth Wilmot, b. May 6, 1869; d. Aug. 27, 1859. Wirt, b .June 7, 1871 ; d. Nov. i, 1871. Mary Louise, b. Aug. 6, 1873 ; m. Everett R. Josselyn of Portland. Stanley Bisbee, son of George Dana and Anna Louise (Stanley) Bisbee, was born in Buckfield, Maine, April 25, 1867. He attended He^bron Academy and Coburn Classical Institute and commenced business as a clerk in a general store in Buck- field, of which he soon became proprietor, remaining in that business up to 1893, when he sold out and liecame agent for the American Express Company, opening an office in Rumford Falls just as the place became an important railroad center. In 1895 he engaged in the hardware business and still conducts the busi- ness. He was elected selectman of the town of Buckfield, and was a member of the school board of Rumfordi for six years. He was initiated in the Masonic fraternity through membership in the Blazing Star Lodge of Rumford, was advanced to the Rumford Royal Arch Chapter, Strathglass Commandery, Knights Templar, of Rumford', Maine. He is also a member of Penacook Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Rumford Falls; of the Knights of Pythias, Metalluc Lodge, Rumford Falls, and a companion of the Loyal Legion of the United States. In 1909 he represented the town of Rumford in the Seventy-fourth Legislature. He was re-elected the following year. He married, March 12, 1889, Nellie B., daughter of Cyrus C. and Ellen Young Spaulding, of Buckfield, Maine, and their children are: Digitized by Microsoft® Stanley Bisbee Digitized by Microsoft® Spaulding Bisbee Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 541 Spaitlding, b. in Buckfiekl, Jan. 6. i8;o. Louise, b. in Rumford, July 23, i8g6, was educated at Rumford High School and Hebron Academy. She graduated at latter institution in 1915- Spaulding, son of Stanley and Nellie B. (Spaulding) Bisbee, and of the eleventh generation from Thomas Bisbee, the immi- grant, of 163s, born in Buckfield Jan. 6, 1890, was educated in the schools of Rumford Falls, Hebron Academy, Colby College and graduated from the Boston University of Law in June, 1914, and is now a member of the law firm of Bisbee & Parker. He is a promising young man of much ability, and will unques- tionably take high rank in his profession. BoNNEY. The Bonneys of Buckfield and Turner claim to be of English descent. They are of an old Plymouth family. First and last it has furnished many men of prominence. James Bonney, the first of the name to settle in Bucktown, came from Pembroke, Mass., where he was b. Apr. 22, 1764, and purchased land of the proprietors, adjoining the Sumner town line Nov. 17th, 1789. His father and direct ancestors as far back as known were named James. He cleared the land and erected his haibitation and other buildings, and having married Miss Sally Glover b. in Pembroke May 30, 1776, they moved to Buck- field in 1799. The removal was made on horseback and it took some two weeks or more to make the journey. The farm has since been known as the Bonney place. Three generations of. Bonneys have been born there. He died Aiarch 13, 1836. She died Jan. 16, 1859. Children : Col. James, b. Buclcfield, Nov. 25, 1799; m. Bethany Keene. Sally, b, Buckfield, Sept. 3, 1805; d. unm., Oct. 28, 1838. Col. James Bonney, son of the preceding, born Nov. 25, 1799, married Bethany Keene of Sumner, born January 15, 1802. He had the homestead of his father, where he lived to his death. Col. Bonney was prominent in town affairs, and served a num- ber of years as member of the board of selectmen, 'four years of which he was chairman. He was several times a candidate for representative to the Legislature, and came near an election in 1844. He was popular with the militia in which he rose as Digitized by Microsoft® 542 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Albion P. Bonney an officer to the rank of Colonel. For many years Col. Bonney held a commission as a Justice of the Peace. He died Feb. i8, 1864. His wife died Aug. 3, 1867. Children: Betsey B., b. Aug. 30, 1823 ; m. George G. ChafBn. She d. Dec. 22, 1850. Hon. Albion P., b. May 22, 1826; m. i, Mary A. Irish, 2, Ellen T. Shaw, 3, Abbie Tuell. Josiah Keenc, b. July 21, 1828; d, Sept. 10, 18148. Andrezv Jackson, b. Nov. 24, 1833 ; m. Ellen L. Hobart, s. in Mass. He d. May 17, 1863. Sarah E., h. Apr. ig, 1836; m. Daniel B. Bonney, s. in Hartford; 2 c. Harry L. and James T. Bonney. Hon. Albion P. Bonney, son of the preceding, acquired his education in the schools of his town and vicinity, and fitted him- self for a teacher, and for many years he taught in the winter seasons with great success. He early took an interest in public affairs .and was one of the organizers of the republican party. He has always been a strict temperance man. In 1857 Mr. Bonney was elected one of the selectmen, and he served in that Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 543 capacity in all for 13 years. Jie was also several years town treasurer, and a member of the school committee. The people elected him again and again to town office and they never lost their faith in his integrity and worth as a citizen and an official. In 1884 he was elected senator to the State Legislature. Mr. Bonney was a charter memher of Nezinscot Lodge of Odd Fel- lows. In 1897 he sold his farm and moved to Auburn, Me., where he now resides. Mr. Bonney has been three times married. Children by 1st wife: Dr. Frank J., b. Mar. 8, 1850; m. Nancy Penley. Ella F., b. Mar. 24, 1852; m. Wm. S. Thorne. She d. Aug. 17, 1875. Emma F., b. Aug. 19, 1857; m. Herbert E. Bonney, s. in Hartford. 3 c, Mary A., b. Aug. 30, 1881, a teacher in Quincy, Mass., schools. Albion P., b. Jan. 21, 1889, and Mildred L., b. June 12, 1894. His first wife died July 14, 1862, and he married 2d Ellen T. Shaw. Child by 2d wife : Nellie L., b. Mar. ig, 1865 ; m. Fred W. Keene, s. in Auburn, i c, Hazel Bonney, b. Oct., 1890. flis second wife died Mar. 22, 1865, and he married 3d Abbie Tuell. She died Jan. 20, 1901. (He has recently deceased.) Dr. Feank J. Bonney, the only son of the preceding, was born in Buckfield March 8, 1850. He married Miss Nancy Penley. After acquiring his education, he entered the dental office of Dr. Nathaniel Gammon. He opened an office in Quincy, Mass., where he resided for several years and carried on a large and lucrative business. He became one of the most expert and skillful of practitioners in the "profession, and acquired a very large property. He finally purchased a large estate near the city of Auburn, where he resided to his death. He opened a dental office in Lewiston and did a very large and lucrative business. Doctor Bonney was a prominent member of several secret socie- ties and was very popular in social circles. He died Dec. 10, 1899, lamented by all who knew him. He left one child, a daughter, Ella May. She m. J. Ham Brooks, a druggist at South Paris. They have a little daughter born July 31, 1903, and named Methyl Bonney. The wife died suddenly at Auburn, Sept. 25, 1903- BOWKER. C.APT. James Bowker, an early resident here, was descended from James Bowker, a Swede, and wife Mary, who settled in Digitized by Microsoft® 544 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Scituate, Mass., before 1680. Capt. James m. Judith Chase and settled in Paris. He died in P.uckfield, June i, 1827. Children: James, Jr., b. May 10, 1788; m. Abigail Bicknell, s. in Buckfield. Tryphosa, b. Aug. 18, 1789; m. Simeon Howard, s. in Woodstock. Anson, b. June 7, 1792; d. in War of 1812." Cyprian, b. Dec. I, 1793; m. 1st, Rachel Mayhew, and, Mary (May- hew) Cole. Sally, b. Jan. 22, 1796; d. in Buckfield, Sept. 25, 1880. Edmund, b. Oct. 3, 1798 ; m. Mary A. Chase, s. in Woodstock. Judith, b. July 13, 1800; d. Nov. 30, 1801. Judith, b. May 18, 1802: m. James Bicknell, s. in B. Harvey, b. May 4, 1804; m. ist, Phebe Proctor, 2nd, Diana Curtis. Alonzo, b. Apr. 16, 1806; m. Phebe Andrews. Elvira, b. Apr. 16, 1806; m. WiUiam Crockett. I.aura, h. Mar. 29, 1&59. Capt. James Bowicer, Jr., b. May 10, 1788; m. Abigail- Bick- nell. He was a man of prominence, and was for a time a deputy sheriff. He moved to Paris in 1834, and died there in 1847. His wife died in Nov., 1879. Children: Whitman W., b. Nov. 18, 1817; m. Mrs. Mary Cummings. Abigail B., b. Mar. 12, 1819. Caroline A^., b. Dec. i, 1820; m. Horatio Downer, Norway. Mary T., b. Sept. 29, 1822 ; m. Thomas Hilboru. Odessa M., b. Feb. 13, 1828; m. Mary Jordan, s, in Paris. Aravesta D., b. Feb. 23, 1831 ; m. Prentiss M. Colburn. Delphinus P., b. Paris, Oct. 7, 1835; d. Apr. 28, 1841. Beidgham. The Bridghams of Buckfield trace the'r descent from Dr. Joseph Bridgham, who graduated at Harvard College in 1719- He married Abigail Willard, a granddaughter of Capt. John Alden, and great-granddaugliter of John Alden and Priscilla Mullens, who came over in the Mayflower. Dr. Joseph Beidgham was a physician and apothecary in Boston for many years. .Late in life he m.oved to Plympton, where he died in 1754. His son, Capt. John, served in the War for Independence. He was selectman in Plympton and repre- sentative in the General Court from that town. He married Joanna Carver and raised a large family of children, among whom was Dr. William, born in Plympton about 1756- With wife Lydia he settled first in Plymouth and afterwards moved Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 545 to New Gloucester, where he practiced his profession for many years with marked success. He died there Aug. 4, 1837, "aged 81." She died Oct. 18, 1846, "aged yj." Dr. William Bridgham, Jr. (see physicians), son of Dr. William of New Gloucester, was born Nov. 26, 1780. He mar- ried Hannah Bradbury. He died Nov. 13, 1864, "aged 84." She died Nov. 27, 1859, "aged 80." Children : Hannah, b. Jan. 13, 1805 ; m. Isaac Chase. Caroline, b. Sept. 3, 1806; ni. I, Luther Crocker, 2, Cyrus Bridgham. Sydenham, b. Sept. 15, 1808; m. Lucretia Shepard. Orviile, b. April 3, 181 1 ; m. Mary H. Atwood. Aurelia, b. July g, 1814; never married. Dr. Wm. Pinkney, b. Sept. 3, 1816; m. i, Delphina Hayford, 2, Lucy (Hayford) Farrar. Mary Ann, b. June 13, 1825 ; d. unm., Nov. 14, 1863. Sydenham Bridgham, sou of the preceding, b. Sept. 15, 1808 ; m. Lucretia Shepard. He was a prominent man in town affairs, and kept a public house for many years. He died May ID, 1882. She died Apr. 8, 1882. Children: Sarah L., b. Sept. 8, 1834; m. Joseph Brown. Thomas Sydenham, b. Nov. 25, 1836; m. Martha H. Farnum. Henry Warren, b. Aug. 16, 1838; d. July 29, 1842. Dr. Charles Burr, b. May I, 1841 ; m. Addie Williams. Ada Byron, b. Sept. 20, 1843 ; d. July, 1844. William Henry, b. Dec. 28, 1846; m. Georgiette Radcliffe. Thomas S. Bridgham, Esq. (see lawyers), son of the pre- ceding, b. Nov. 25, 1836; m. Martha H. Farnum. She died sev- eral years ago. Children : Ada, b. Sept. 19, 1859; d. Apr. 6, 1863. Harold, b. June 19, 1861 ; a condoictor on Santa Fe R. R. Lucretia Belle, b. May 13, 1866; m. Henry H. Nulty. Dr. Charles B. Bridgham (see physicians) hro. of the pre- ceding, b. May i, 1841 ; m. Addie M. Williams. They reside in Cohassett, Mass. Children: Mary Frances, b. Jan. 4, 1865 ;.m. Henry T. P. Bates, resides in Wol- laston, Mass. Addie Ellen, b. Apr. 23, 1869; m. Herbert H. Withington, resides in Cohassett, Mass. Charles Burr, b. Nov. IS, 187S ; d- July 23, 1880. Hattie Belle, h. Nov. iS, 187S 1 d- July 20, 1880. Henry Sydenham, b. May 14, 1878; d. July IS, 1880. Paul Chester, b. July 29, 1882. Digitized by Microsoft® 646 HISTORY OF BUCKPIELD William Henry Bridgham, bro. of the preceding, b. Dec. 28, 1846; m. Georgiette Radcliffe. Qiildren: Lee, 'b. Apr. i, 1871 ; m. Cassie Slattery. Alice Maud, b. Apr. 9, 1873. Dexter William, b. June 30, 1878. Rebecca Lticretia, b. May 20, 1881. Graver Cleveland, b. Oct. 25, 1884. Francis Marble, b. Mar. 14, 1888; d. Sept. 22, 1S90. RadcUffe Sydenham, b. Aug. 15, 1894. OviLLE Bridgham, son of Dr. William, b. April 3, 181 1; m. Mary H. Atwood. He died Dec. 25, 1875. Children: George Harris, b. Feb. 7, 1849. Louisa Caroline, b. Jan. 8, 1853; d. Apr. 7, 1859. Helen A., b. May ; d. Mar. 18, 1859. Dr. William P. Bridgham (see physicians), youngest son of Dr. William, 'b. Sept. 13, 1816; m. Delphina Hayford. She d. Sept. 8, 1870, and he m. 2d Lucy (Hayford) Farrar. Chil- dren by 1st wife: Ella Hannah, b. Oct. 26, 1846 ; m. Roscoe Wood, s. in Auburn. Florence' May, b. Oct. 8, 1849. Nellie Delphina, b. Nov. 15, 1858. George Bridgh,\m, son of Dr. WilHam of New Gloucester, m. in 1806, Anna Nichols. Both were b. Feb. 13, 1788. They were both of B. When m. went to Norway, but before 1810 came back to Buckfield, where he was in trade and kept a public house for several years. In 1841 he moved to South Paris, where he also kept a public 'house. His wife d. Nov. 4, 1854. He d. Sept. 24, 1873. Children, all but first, in Buckfield : George, Jr., b. Aug. 16, 1808; m. Myrtilla Cole. Anna, b. Sept. 16, 1810; m. Miles Long. Everline, b. Nov. 15, 181 1; m. Caleb Cushman, Jr. Arvilla S., b. May 15, 1815 ; m. Ransom R. Bonney, Turner. Elbridge G., b. Dec. 14, 1817; m. Apphia R. Bonney, s. at S. Paris. Lucretia A., b. Mar. 29, 1819; m. James Curtis, Paris. Corrydon P., b. Jan. 31, 1823; m. Lucy Foster. Flavilla R., b. Nov. 11, 1825; m. Rufus Brainerd, Hallowell. Brock;. John Brock among first of the name to settle in Bucktown. He was from Pembroke or vicinity. He m. Susannah Crandle. Children ; Leonard, b. Sept. 12, 1793 ; m. Polly . Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 547 John, Jr., b. Sept. 30, 1794; m. Tamar Farrar. She d. Apr. 16, 1867. He d. Mar. 8, 1877. Daniel, b. June 26, 1796; m. Louisa Spencer. Samuel, h. Mar. 17, 1798; m. Harriet Spencer. Susanna, h. Feb. lo, 1800 ; m. Nathan Farrar. Polly, b. Oct. 28, 1801 ; m. John Farrar. David, h. Sept. 9, 1804; m. Judith Farrar. Otis, b. Mar. 22, i8n6. Betsey, b. Oct. 19, 1807; m. Cyrus Buck. Brown. Two Browns, John and Amos, were settlers in the township before Jan. i, 1784. The former was from New Gloucester, Amos from Windham. John had no family when coming here. So far as known, he was not related to Amos. His wife had died and one of his daughters had married Thomas Allen and another Nathaniel Buck. He died about 1800. Amos Brown (see sketch), b. Mar. 13, 1752, Windham; m. Sarah Cilley. They settled in the Qiase neighborhood. She died and he m. 2d, in 1814, Hannah Proctor. He died in 1825. Children by first wife : Mary, b. Oct. 20, 1780; m. George Roberts. William, h. May 11, 1782; m. Betsey Young. He d. before 1823. John, b. May s, 1784.; m. Polly Cole. Amos, Jr., b. Dec. 9, 1786; m. prob. to Tryphosia Bowker. Anna, b. Aug. 27, 1788; m. Isaac Young. Lydia, b. Dec. 3, 1790; m. John Cole. Benjamin, b. July 27, 1792; m. Phebe Buck. He d. before 1823. William Brown, son of the preceding, b. May 11. 1782; m. Betsey Young. He died before 1823. She died Jan. 29, 1875. Children : John, b. Mar. I, 1805 ; m. Lucy Hunton (?). Edward, b. Apr. 10, 1807; m. Lydia Richardson. Morris, b. Apr. 10, 1809; m, Fanny Moses, b. Aug. 4, 1811; m. Susannah Brown. William, b. Nov. 4, 1813; m. Rebecca Jenkins, .'^. in Livermore (?) John Brown, son of Amos, the Revolutionary soldier, b. May 5, 1784; m. Polly Cole. Children: Hannah, b. Nov. 9. 1806. John, b. May 14, 1808; m. Ursula Digitized by Microsoft® 548 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Hanson, b. Aug. 23, i8io; ra. Sarah D. Churchill. Susannah, b. June 24, 1814; m. Moses Brown. Polly, b. Nov. 12, 1815. Benjamin, b. Jan. 23, 1817. Eliza, b. Aug. i, 1818. Buck. The Buck.s of Buckfield are descended from William Buck, "plowwright," the American ancestor, who emigrated from England to Salem, Mass., in the ship Increase in 1635. He was born in England in 1585. There is a family tradition that the Bucks are of Scottish origin, and were connected with the royal family of King James the First and Queen Elizabeth. One of the race now living remembers seeing in the family of one of the daughters of Capt. Jonathan Buck a pin cushion made from one of the silk dresses of Queen Elizabeth, which was cherished as an heirloom. The English ancestor may have come from Scot- land with King James, who ascended the throne after the death of Queen Elizabeth. Sir Hugh Buck was Master of the Rolls under this monarch and licensed some theatrical plays. The name is supposed to have been taken from armorial devices, and first given for distinction won on the field of battle. With the American ancestor William, came four sons : Isaac, James, John and Roger. The father with Roger settled in Cambridge, where he died Jan. 24, 1658, aged 73. Roger, who was 18 years old, according to tradition, when he came to America, married and had three sons, Samuel, John and Ephraim, and several daughters. Ephraim was the youngest son. He married Sarah, daughter of John Brooks, and settled in Woburn. One account says that Ihey had five sons and three daughters. Another mentions only four sons : Ephraim, John, Samuel and Ebenezer. John, born Feb. 7, 1680, married Priscilla . He died Nov. 24, 1752. Of their children, was John, born Nov. 28, 1716. He was a soldier in the French and Indian War and at one time was a captive by the savages and came near being mas- sacred, but managed to escape. He died in New Gloucester about the beginning of the year 1761. According to tradition his wife was Sarah Clements. She died a very short time before he did, and both were buried in the same grave. There is no Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 549 doubt that they were the parents of Abijah Buck and his brothers who settled in Buckfield. Dr. Wm. B. Lapham in a communica- tion before his death said : "I have followed out every line of this Buck family down to this John, and later, and I find that he is the only one who could possibly have been the father of A-bijah and his brothers of Buckfield." We have ascertained from the records of Abijah's service in the French and Indian War, that he stated in his enlistment his father's name was John, which settles the matter. Children of John and Sarah (Clements) Buck : Abijah, b. about i'74-2; m. Phebe Tyler. Natlianiel, b. ; m. Mary Brown. John. b. about 1754; m. Abigail Irish. Sally, b. Esther, b. ; m. John Akers; s. in Erroll, N. H. Moses, b. N. G. about 1759 ; m. Hannah Chubb ; pub. Mar. 16, 1781 ; s. in Sumner; d. in 1825. Abijah Buck (see sketch) was the first settler of this name in Buckfield. He m. Phebe, daughter of Jonathan and Rebecca Tyler. His wife died Aug. 17, 1816, and he m. 2d in 1817, Mrs. Rebecca Bisbee. He died about 1829, in the 87th year of his age. Children^only last two b. in Buckfield : Elisabeth, b. July I, 1763; m. John Warren. Ellen, b. Jan. 8, 1765 ; m. Moses Bisbee. Phebe, b. Dec. 17, 1766; m. Joel Foster. John, b. Dec. 22, 1768; m. Mary Warren. Rebecca, b. Dec. 15, 1772; m. John Clay. Abijah, Jr., b. Mar. i, 1778; m. Abigail Tucker. Jonathan, b. Feb. S, 1782; m. 1st Betsey Tyler; 2d, Henrietta De Albra Chaffin. John Buck, 2d oldest son of Abijah Buck, the pioneer, was born in New Gloucester Dec. 22, 1768. He married Oct. 14, 1789, Mary Warren, daughter of Tristram and Mary (Neal) Warren. At the same time his sister Ellen m. Moses Bisbee. He settled west of his father's residence on the hill since known as John Buck Hill. He was called " Honest John Buck." About 1814 he sold out and went East with his family and finally settled in Enfield, Me., on the Penobscot river. For many years he was deacon of the Baptist church there. His wife died in 1830. He died May 11, 1831, respected by all who knew him. All but the youngest child John, are recorded on the Buckfield records : Digitized by Microsoft® 550 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Lovina, b. Aug. i6, 1790; m. Nathaniel Webster; d. in Enfield, May 2, 185s ; 4 c, Franklin, Eunice, Nathaniel and William. James, b. Nov. 9, 1791 ; m. Olive Gerry; d. Bradford, Me., June 12, 1863; 6 c, Harrison, Ebenezer, Atwood.Lucena, Sarah and Olive. Abijah, b. July 9, 1793; m. Deborah Frost; d. Lowell, Me., Nov. 16, 1868; S c, Sarah, Adeline, Augustus, Cyrus and Charles. Phebe, b. Sept. 7, 1796; m. John M. Perkins; d. Lincoln, Me., May 12, 1842; 5 c, William, Josiah, Phebe, Mary Ann and Cyrena. Lydia, h. Sept. 8, 1799; m. Ansel Perkins; d. Enfield, Feb. 9, 1851; 2c., Daniel and Andrew. Mary, h. July 7, 1801 ; m. Samuel Brown ; d. Lowell, Me., Sept. 10, 1837; 8 c, Frederick, John, Catherine, Lois, Lydia, Mary, Anson and Samuel. Lois, b. Apr. 22, 1803; m. Harback Hathaway: d. Enfield, May 15, 1843 ; 1 c, Malinda. Lena, b. Mar. 6, 1804 ; d. in infancy. Betsy, b. Aug. 6, 1805 ; m. James Page ; d. Burlington, Me., Sept. 18, 1887, no issue. Jefferson, b. July 22, 1807; m. Drusilla Shorey ; d. Lowell, Apr. 21, 1853; 10 c, Joseph, James, Luther, Jefferson, John, Lovina, Eliza, Elvira, Annie and Isabella. John, h. 18—; m. Sally Frost; d. Medford, Me., Sept. 22, 1848; 3 c, Martha, Delphina and Vesta. Abijah Buck, Jr., bro. of the preceding, b. Mar. i, 1778; m. Albigail Tucker. They settled on a part of his father's estate. He d. Nov. 25, 1840. She d. Apr. 28, 1855, in her 85th year. Children : Ruth, b. Aug. 26, 1799; d. Jan. 30, 1886; m. Amasa Tucker, Sumner. Ellen, b. Oct. 20, i8oo; m. Brainerd Towle. Christopher C, b. June 15, 1802; m. ; s. in Lincoln. Cyi-us, b. Oct. 30, 1805 ; m. Betsey Brock ; s. in Lincoln. Timothy, b. Oct. 14, 1807; d. Nov. I, 1808. Abijah, 3d, b. Feb. 14, 1814; m. Arvilla Keen. Abijah 3d, son of the preceding, b. Feb. 14, 1814; m. Arvilla Keen. He d. at Mechanic Falls, Oct. 30, 1886. Children: Flonlla, b. Apr. 19, 1837; m. Otis H. Young. Rebecca J., b. Feb. 23, 18,39; ni. Bradley V. Mason. Martha 0., b. July 12, 1842; m. Samuel Jordan. Zadoc Alonzo, h. June 25, 1845; m. Julia Record. ■Capt. Jonathan Buck, the youngest son of Abijah, the first settler, m. 1st Betsey Tyler and settled on and had the home- stead of his fatjher. For many years he kept a public house in Buckfield. Children : Belinda, b. Apr. 8, 1801 ; m. Dr. Campbell. Edwin, b. Apr. 26, 1803 ; s. in California. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 551 James Sullivan, b. Oct. 26, 1805; m- Lvdia Austin. Henry E., b. Oct. 3, 1807 ; m. Mahala Bisbee. Betsey J., b. Feb. 26, 1810 ; m. Calvin Keen. Jonathan, Jr., b. Mar. 26, 1812; m. Aurelia PoUand. Samuel T., h. Mar. 10, 1815 ; m. Miriam B. Towle. His wife died Jan. 5, 1836, aged 59. He m. 2d Henrietta DeAJbra Chaffin. Children : Henrietta DeAlbra, b. Oct. 3, 1838; m. Daniel Fletcher of Peru. Josephine, h. Sept. 6, 1841 ; d. Apr. 27, 1844. Louisa A., b. May 17, 1845; m. Gilman Buck. He died Feb. 19, 1850. She m. 2d William Ghilds. She died July 7, 1885, in her 85th year. James Sullivan Buck, son of Capt. Jonathan, b. Oct. 26, 1805 ; m. Lydia Austin. He died Sept. 6, 1889. She died Dec. 21, 1861. Children: James L., b. Oct. 2, 1828; m. Octavia Gilmore; ,s. in Turner. Wm. A., b. Sept. 30, 183 1 ; m. Mary Hall; s. in Maine. Roscoe G., b. Oct. 27, 1833; m. Melvina H. Mason. Mary J., b. Feb. 27, 1837; m. Hezekiah Stetson Sumner. Henry Id., b. Sept. 4, 1839 ; m. Rosetta J. Doble. Hannah C, b. July S, 1842; m. Julius A. Record. Charles A., b. Mar. 20, 184S ; m. Edith BickneU. Henry M. Buck, son of the preceding, b. Sept. 4, 1839; m. Rosetta J. Doble. Children : Delma, h. Mar. 8, 1863 ; m. Fairfield Farrar. Lorenzo A., b. Dec. 18, 1866; died young. Lulie A., b. Oct. ii, 1868; m. ist, Frank Damon; 2d, Emulus Benson. Charles A., b. Oct. 22, 1869; m. Hattie Churchill. Emma M., b. Mar. 2, 1871 ; died young. Percy A., b. Mar. 16, 1874; died young. Lorenzo, b. Jan. i, 1876; d. Jan. 13, 1880. Imogene, b. about 1886. Henry E. Buck, son of Capt. Jonathan, Senior, b. Oct. 3, 1807; m. Mahala Eisbee. Children: Charles C, b. Oct. g, 1831. Octavia, b. Jan. 9, 1834; m. Horatio Flagg. He died Aug. 4, 1836, and his widow m. 2d Samuel Buck. Capt. Jonathan Buck, Jr., b. Mar. 26, 1812; m. in 1836, Aurelia Polland. He died Aug. 18, 1845. Children: Clarence C, b. Apr. 17, 1837; m. Sarah Titcomb; s. in Boston. Lucy A., b. Mar. 13, 1839; died unmarried. Edwin T., b. Feb. 8, 1842; m. Jennie — — ; s. first in Boston and later in Cleveland, Ohio. Digitized by Microsoft® 552 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Emily J., b. Feb. i5, 1844; m. Dec. 20, 1877, Geo. O. Lapham; she d. Jan. I, 1886. One child, Anna Story, b. Oct. 28, i88d, lives with her father. S.-VMUEL T. Buck, son of Capt. Jonathan, Senior, b. March 10, 1815; m. Miriam B. Towle. He died Nov. 28, 1850. Children: Julia C, b. Mar. 26, 1840 ; lives in Gorham, Me. Charlotte A., b. June 27, 1S43; ra. and lives in Boston. Clarence C. Buck, b. in Buckfield, Apr. 17, 1837; m. Sarah Titcomb. He died in Mass. several years ago! She lives with her daughter Jidia in Dorchester, Mass. Children : I Julia, b. ; unmarried. II Lucy Ann, b. Mar. 12, 1839; "i- Ji-i"2 20, 1867 at Portland, Me., Wm. Kimball Sawyer, b. June IS, 1840. He was the son of Frederick Sawyer of Gorham, Me., and Harriet Eastman A'lerrill of N. Conway, N. H., and was a Civil War soldier. Shortly after his marriage moved to Boston, Mass., where he has s'nce made his home. The death of his wife, April 7, 1910, was a great blow to him. He died Fdb. xi, IQ13. Both are biiried in Pine Grove Cemetery, Portland, Me. Children : I Harris Eastman, b. Apr. 3, 1868; d. July 5, jpii. He graduated at Harvard University in 1891. The degrees of A.B., A.M. and Ph.D. have been conferred upon him. Went abroad and while pLirsuing studies in chemistry under traveling scholarship from the college, at Copenhagen, Denmark, he met the girl w'hom he subsequently made his wife. She descended from the German royal family. Dr. Sawyer in 1908 entered the government service as an expert on the subject of fermentation, under Dr. H. W. Wiley. He contracted a disease of the throat, in some of his experiments, which resulted in his death at East Andover, N. H. PI is widow with her daughter, Helen Margaret, b. Jan. 16, 1890, returned to her people in Denmark, where they now reside. n. Helen Amelia, b. Boston, Oct. 22, 1873, resided with her parents till her mother's death. She is well educated and a highly accomplished lady. She 's employed in the Social Service De- partment of the Mass. General Plospital, Boston. Residence, Cambridge, Mass. III. Clarence Buck, b. Mar. 5, 1879, Boston; m. June 15, 1904, Bertha May, dau. of Geo. Henry and Susan Ann (Hinkley) Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 553 NLssHe/ei> yf Sctwi/er - .Watson, b. Feb. 23, 1879. He graduated from Boston Latin School in 1896. Served in U. S. Navy during the war with Spain, and saw active service m the West Indies in Cuban and Porto Rican waters and holds for braverv in action, a Congres- sional battle medal. Now mechanical engineer with Dodge M'fg Co. Two children: Richard Merrill Sawyer, b. Dorchester, Mass., July 3, 1907. Arthur Gilman Sawyer, b. Aug. 22, 1912. Nath.\n[el Buck (see sketch) was the third settler in the town. He marr'.ed prior to coming here, Mary, dau. of John Brown. His death is not recorded on the town records, but he is said to have died in 1817. His widow died in 1826, of which mention is made in the annals. Children, all but first three, born in Bu'ckfield : John , b. Nov. 15, 1770; m. Susannah Packard. Ellen, b. July 18, 1773 ; m. Levi Cnshman. Nathaniel, Jr., b. Sept. 19, 1773! m- Sarah Moses, b. Mar. 31, 1778; va. Sally Lander. Mary, b. Aug. 10, 1781 ; m. Caleb Cushman. Edna, b. Oct. 2, 1783; m. Capt. Je.sse Turner. Digitized by Microsoft® 554 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD William, b. Feb. 26, 1785 ; m. . Martha Carsley. Daniel, b. May 2, 1788; m. Rebecca Sawyer. Samuel, b. Sept. 25, 1790; m. Betsy Cushman. Elisha, b. April 17, 1794; m. Caroline Bridghani. Francis, b. imin, b. : s. in Foxcroft. John Buck, 3d, oldest son of Nathaniel Buck, b. 'Nov. 15, 1770; m. Susannah Packard. He lived in the western part of the town on what has been called for a hundred years or more John Buck hill. His cousin, John Buck 2d, lived on the same hill on the opposite side of the road till he moved East about 1814. He died . She died . Children: Sally, b. Mar. 14, 1798; m. Mr. Cothrell. Sylvenia, b. Dec. 2, 1799; d. un. 1883. Ellen, b. Aug. 14, 1801 ; m. Eliab Buck. Melzer, b. Aug. 7, 1803; m. Almeda Farrar. Zclotes, b. Mar. 19, 1805 ; m. Sarah H. Crockett. George Washington, b. ; m. Eliza Tuell. John, b. June 9, 1816; m. Abby M. Morse. Melzer Buck, son of John Buck 3d, b. Aug. 7, 1803 ; m. Almedia Farrar. He died May 16, 1869. She died Sept. 20, 1889. Children : Francis E., b. Oct. 16, 1831 ; d. Oct. 6, 1876. Vesta M., b. Mar. 3, 1833 ; d. Sept. 16, 1859. Josiah M., b. Mar. 28, 183S ; d. Apr. 13, 1836. Hannah L., b. Mar. 31, 1837; resides in Boston; unm. Addison, b. Dec. 21; 1839. Augustus G., b. Apr. 9, 1842. Arabine A., b. May 14, 1844; d. Mar. 3, 1864. King R., b. Nov. 13, 1847; m. Isabella Miller J., b. Nov. 26, 1849. Sarah P., h. Nov. 9, iS.?: ; d. Apr. 3, 1852. John Buck, son of Jdhn Buck 3rd, b. June 9, 1816; m. Abby M. Morse. He was born and lived all his days on "John Buck Hill." He died Jan. 8, 1899, aged 82 years, 7 mos. Children: Leroy L., b. June 28, 1849; d. Aug. 6, 1872. Orlando J., b. Dec. 30, 1852; m. Lillian B. Brewer; s. in Chicago. Ada C, b. July 31, 1855; m- (i) Charles Tebbetts; (2) Walter Mer- rifield. Walter J., b. Dec. 24, 1858; m. and s. in Texas. Susan M., h. May 9, 1861 ; m. Morris Hambro ; 2d ; s. in New York. Harry H., b. Dec. 19, 1864; m. Katie Warren. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 555 Orlando J. Buck Orlando J. Buck, son of the preceding, born in Buckfield, Dec. 30, 1852, was educated in the schools of the town and at the Oxford Normal Institute at South Paris. Before he was 21 he taught several schools with marked success, and in his 20th year 'he went to Boston, Mass., and obtained a position in the Quincy Market with Aldrich & Co., where he remained for some five years with a yearly increase of wages. He was then offered a partnership, but having a flattering offer from the management of the Rubber Paint Company of Cleveland, Ohio, he accepted it and soon was given charge of the manufacturing department of the company's N. Y. factory. Tn 1881, the company having built a large new factory in Chicago, Mr. Buck went there to take charge as superintendent, a position he has since held. He is one of the principal owners of the plant and general manager. Mr. Buck married Jan. 21, 1880, Miss Lillian B. Brewer, born Cleveland, Ohio, Dec. 26, 1856. They have three children: I Lillian Hazel, b. Cleveland, Ohio, Dec. 25, 1880, graduated at the University of Chicago in 1902 with the degree of Ph. B. Digitized by Microsoft® 556 H [STORY OF BUCKFiliLD II Nelson Leroy, b. Chicago, 111., Dec. 2, 1S82, graduated at the Uni- versity of Chicago in 1904 with the degree of S. B. III Ellsworth B ewer, b. Chicago, 111., July 3, 1892. Samuel Buck, son of Nathaniel, Sen., b. Sept. 25, 1790; m. Betsey Cushman, b. Oct. 24, 1794. He married 2d in April, 1844, Mrs. Mahala Buck. He died Jan. 2, 1863. First wife died June 11, 1843. Children: •line, b. July 12, 1814; d. Sept. 13, 1846; unm. Susan, b. Jan. 10, 1816; m. Joseph Barrows, Hebron. Rosina, b. Mar. 31, 1818; m. Joseph Packard Blanchard. Isaac Morrill, b. July 15, 1820; d. Mar. S, 1841 ; unm. Francis C, b. Oct. 19, TS22 ; m. S. Louise Prince. Cephas C, b. June 8, 1825 ; m. Annette B. Dutton. Elisabeth, b. July 31, 1827; m. Cyrenius King, res. Minneapolis, Minn. Cynthia S., b. Apr. 17, 1830; m. Caleb S. Richardson, Minot. Diantha, h. May 21, 1833 ; m. bro. of Joseph Packard Blanchard. Child by second wife : Cclia B., b. July 14, 1845; m. Charles H. DLmham. Elisi-ia Buck, brother of the preceding, b. April 17, 1794; ni. Caroline Bridgham. He died Mar. 24, 1854. She died at Bethel June 6, 1895, aged 99 years and 8 mos. Children ; Clarissa A., b. April 23, 1817; m. Chandler Hutchinson. Caroline, b. Nov. 9, 1818; m. Cyrus Dean. Jennette, b. Sept. 3, 1820. Ambrose, b. Aug. 3, 1822; m. Mary J. Heald. Amanda P., b. Sept., 1824. Lloyd, b, July 22, 1826; d. in 1857. Orville, b. Aug. 7, 1828; m. Helen M. Heald. Arminta, b. May 14, 1830; d. Jan. 31, 1897; m. Geo. W. Battles. Lnrcna J., b. May 24, 1833. Lucrctia, b. Aug. 31, 1836; d. Dec. 16, 1890. Albion J., b. Aug. 13, 1838; m. Hattie Horton. Llewellyn A., b. Aug. 17, 1840. Rosa Belle, b. May S, 1847. Ambrose Buck, son of Elisha, b. Aug. 3, 1822; m. Mary, J. Heald. Settled first in Buckfield, where he kept a public house. Afterwards moved to Auburn, where he d. Dec. 6, 1889. Chil- dren recorded on Buckfield records : Standish. b. Jan. 28, 1848; Carro, b. Jan. 6, 1850; Willie G. B., b. Aug. 24, 1858; d. July s, 1859; Ezra IV.. b. Feb. 9, t86i ; Alden K., b. May 7. 1864. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 557 Orville Buck, brother of the preceding, b. Aue 7 1828- m. Helen M. Heald. Qiild : ' ' Alice J., b. Jan. 14, 1855. Albion J. Buck, brother of the preceding, b. Aug. 13, 1838; m. Hattie Horton. She died Sept. 17, 1870. Children : Seth Norman, b. July 27, 1865 ; m. Nettie Kimball. Blanche, b. Nov. 17, 1867; d. June 10, 1886. George Washington Buck, son of John Buck 3d, b. in Buckfield; m. Eliza Tuell and settled in Sumner near Jackson Village. His wife died within a week after he did. Children: Polly, b. about 1837; m. Frederick Farrar. Charles T., b. June 20, 1839; m. Elizabeth (Dunham) Stinchfield. Clinton H., h. about 1843 ; m. Marcena Irish. Henrietta, b. about 1846; m. Freeman Farrar. Boy d. very young. Louville, b. ; m. Irish. Orville, b. ; m. . Charles T., b. June 20, 1839; m. Elizabeth St'nchfield and settled in Paris on the Capt. Eleazer Dunham place near Snows' Falls. He was a soldier from Sumner in Co. C, 20th Maine, and served three years, and was at Round Top, Gettysburg. Children : Dr. Charles L., b. July 28, 1868; m. Edith R. Davis. George E., b. Nov. 15, 1873; resides in Boston. Dr. Charles L. Buck, b. in Paris, July 28, 1868; m. Edith R., dau. of Dr. James W. and Ada J. (Dow) Davis. He acquired his education in the common schools of the town, Paris Hill, Soutih Paris and Hebron academies, and for several years was a successful school teacher. At the age of 21 he began the study of dentistry in the office of Dr. James W. Davis at South Paris, whose daughter he subsequently married. After being in Dr. Davis' office for four years, he purchased the business and has since carried it on there. Dr. Buck has been very successful and is a very skillful dentist. He has always taken great interest in church and temperance matters and in all movements looking toward the improvement of social conditions and the advance- ment of the best interests of the community. He has been a member of the Methodist church for many years and for seven years has been the superintendent of the Sabbath school. He is one of the leaders of the Prohibitory party in t!he county. He is Digitized by Microsoft® 568 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Dr. C. L, Buck also a prominent Odd Fellow and has held all the principal offices in the lodge. Childreii : Myrtle Elisabeth, h. Nov. i, 1891. Hasel Ada, b. May, 1896; d. Oct. 10, 1900. Iva Rivers, b. Mar., iSgS; d. in infancy. Olive May, b. Mar., 1900. John Buck (see sketch) married Abigail Irish, dau. of John Irish of Gorham. He d. in Woodstock, March 4, 1828, aged 74. She died July 20, 1824, aged 73. Children, all but two first, born in Buckfield: Sarah, b. Aug. 12, 1777: m. Enoch Philbrick. Abigail, b. Feb. S, 17791 ni- Abijah Lapham. Simeon, b. Nov. 16, 17B0; ra. Lois Drew; s. in Woodstock. Esther, b. Oct. 25, 1782 ; m. John Warren, Jr. Elizabeth, b. Nov. 20, 1784; m. Tilden Bartlett; s. in Bethel. Annis, b. Nov. 15, 1786; m. Levi Turner. Mary, b. Feb. 12, 1789; m. Luther Turner. Phehe, b. Dec. 3, 1792; m. 1st, Benj. Brown, and, Wm. R. Hemming- way of Rumford. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 559 Simeon Buck, only son of a.bove, b. Nov. i6, 1780; m. Lois, dau. of Stephen Drew, the Revolutionary soldier. They settled in Woodstock. Three of their children are recorded on the Buckfield records : Stephen, b. Jan. i, 1803; m. Ruth Cummings. John, h. Dec. 22, 1804; m. Hannah Cummings. Elisa, b. Dec. 21, i8o6; m. Samuel Matthews of Sumner. Harrison, b. ; went to Aroostook County. Jerusha, b. •; m. Benj. Brooks. Bathsheba, h. ; m. Nathaniel J. Farnham. Elbridge, b. ; m. Lucretia Parlin. Melissa, b. ; m. George Berry. Chase. The Chase family is an ancient one of great respectability, and supposed to be of Norman origin. There were families of that name living in Suffolk County, England, as early as 1326. There are numerous branches in this country. The Bucldield Chases trace their descent from Aquila Chase, mariner, supposed to have been born in Chesham, England, in 1618, and who came to America about 1639 with his brother Thomas. Another brother William came with Governor John Winthrop's colony in 1630. Aquila Chase married Anne, daughter of John Wheeler of Hampton, N. H., about 1646, and settled in Newbury, Mass., where he died Dec. 27, 1670. His wife survived him and remar- ried. Ensign Moses, the nth and youngest child of Aquila Chase, b. Dec. 24, 1663, m. i Nov. 10, 1684, Ann Follansbee; 2d in Dec, 1713, Sarah Jacobs. He had nine children, all by first wife. His third child, Moses, b. Jan. 20, 1688, m. Oct., 1709, EHzabeth Wells of Amesbury. Their 6th child, Eleazer, b. July 25, 1722, m. Jeannette Elder of Windham, Me., where Ihe had come as a soldier with others to defend the settlement against the hostile attacks of the Indians. There were four children by this mar- riage, only two of whom survived, Isaac and Mary. Isaac m. Lois Smith and settled in Standish. His son Isaac m. his cousin Eunice, dau. of Rev. Nathaniel, and settled in that part of Tur- ner afterwards known as Chase's Mills. They were the parents of Hon. Solon Chase, famous in his day as the editor of "Chase's Chronicle" and founder of the Greenback party. The wife of Eleazer Chase died and he married Mrs. Mary Brown, formerly of Marblehead, whose first husband had been Digitized by Microsoft® 560 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD killed by the Indians, as elsewhere related. Mr. Chase was not only an Indian scout and hunter but also a soldier in the French and Indian War and served a long period in the contest for Inde- pendence, though past the age when such service could be re- quired of him. By the last marriage he had four children, Betsey, who married Eben Cotton of Gorham, Rev. Nathaniel, b. 1 76 1, Joseph, h. 1769, and one other child who died young. Eleazer Chase came to Bucktown in 1782 with wife and son Joseph, who had his settling lot, not being old enough to obtain one for himself, and died here in 1808, aged 86. Rev. Nathaniel (see sketch in church history) was three times married: First to Rhoda Elliott of Windham in 1783. They had five children, three of whom died in infancy. Daniel, b. Mar. 18, 1785; m. Abigail Record. Dolly, b. Mar. 12, 1787; m. William Tuttle. The mother d. Apr. 22, 1789, and Mr. Chase m. 2d, Sept. 3, 1791, Jemima Haskell, and they had eleven children: Mercy, b. Sept. 4, 1792; m. William Walker of Peru. Betsey, h. Jan. 2, 1794; ra. Adam Knight of Peru. Eunice, b. Mar. 30, 1796; m. Isaac Chase, Esq., of Turner. Priscilla, b. May 4 ,1798; m. John Ellis of Can- ton. Nathaniel, b. June 29, 1800; m. ist Eunice Wescott, 2d, Abby Gould, s. in Turner and Readfiekl. Salome, b. Apr. 13, 1802; d. Jan. 15, 1806. Miriam, b. Apr. i, 1804; m. Nathan Morrill. Job, b. June 29, 1806; m. Rebecca D. Latham; s. in Turner and Livermore. Thomas, b. June 6, 1808; ra. Esther M. Daggett. William, b. Jan. 25, ]8ii ; m. Vesta Fernald of Buckfield. Isaac, b. Apr. 6, 1815; m. ist, Philena F. Swett; 2d, Angelia Shackley, s. in Peru. The second wife of Rev. Nathaniel Chase d. Dec. 14, 1831, "aged 61," and he m. 3d, Mrs. Joanna Briggs, dau. of Dea. Wm. Berry, Feb. 20, 1833. He died in Buckfield of typhoid fever Apr. 20, 1853, aged nearly 92." His widow survived him many years. Daniel Chase, Esq., oldest son of Rev. Nathaniel Chase, b. Mar. 18, 1785 ; m. Abigail Record. For many years he was prominent in town affairs and was twice chosen a representative to the Legislature. He d. July 8, 1855. vShe d. Mar. 30, 1844. Children : Daniel, Jr., b. Apr. 13, 1807; m. Betsey Allen. David R., b. Dec. 26, 1808; d. unra. in So. Boston, July, 1852. Jacob E., b. May 8, iBii; d. in B., Feb., 1853. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 56I Charles G., b. Sept. 5, 1813 ; m. Margaret Lamb ; s. in New York. Stephen D., b. Aug. i, 1817; m. Olive Briggs; s. in Hebron. Cyrus G., b. Sept. i, 1819; m. Lucy Record; one child, Abby, d. in in- fancy. Rhoda A., h. Mar. 12, 1822 ; d. July, 1824. Daniel Chase, son of the preceding, b. April 13, 1807; m. Betsey Allen. Settled in Boston; returned to Buckfield. Chil- dren : Jairus A., b. Aug. 18, 1841. Chas. A., b. Mar. 18, 1847; m. Sarah J. Mitchell. G. Allen, b. Aug. 27, 1852; d. in B., Sept. 30, 1854. Hon. Thomas Chase (see biog. sketch) m. Esther M. Dag- gett. He died Mar. 13, 1866. She died Jnly 13, 1887. Children: Malona R., b. July 17, 183s ; ni. Dr. Chas. D. Bradbury. Roscoe G., b. Nov. 3, 1837; m. Ellen E. Gerrish; s. in Geneva, N. Y. Ahhie P., b. Oct. 23, 1839; m. M. Dana Holbrook of Maiden, Mass. Charles, b. July 18, 1841, k. in battle of Cold Harbor, Va., June 3, 1864. George H., b. May 5, 1844; m. Maranda Morton of Paris; s. in Maiden, Mass. HouKird A., b. Oct. 15, 1846; m. Mary E. Gibbs; s. in Philadelphia, Pa. Lucy A., b. May '20, 1849; d. Nov. 22, i860. Wm. D., b. Aug. 26, 1852; m. Lizzie C. Withington; s. in Auburn. Homer N., b. Sept. 30, 1855 ; m. Emma F. Emerson. Children of Malona R. Chase and Dr. Chas. Dana Bradbury (marriage Apr. 26, 1854) : Thomas, h. April 16, i8ss; Charles D., b. July g, 1858; Rolfe, b. Mar. 12, 1861 and Abbie L., b. Jan. 7, 1864. Children of Abbie F. Chase and M. Dana Holbrook (mar- riage Dec. 13, 1865, at So. Braintree, Afass.) : William Chase, b. Apr. 30, 1868; Annie L., b. June 27, 1870; Antoinette Kimball, h .Aug. 17, 1873 and Roscoe G., Dec. 27, 1877. Hon. William Chase, son of Rev. Nathaniel, b. Jan. 20, 181 1, ■ m. Vesta Fernald in 1835. He was prominent in town affairs for several years, and served on the board of county com- missioners. He died after 1900. His wife died Feb. 14, 1899. Children : Persis M., b. Apr. 26, 1837; m. Thos. W. Bowman. Wm. W., b. Dec. 15, 1840; d. Feb. IS, 1841. Mary p., b. Apr. 29, 1842 ; m. Nathan D. Harlow ; had one child, Gertrude, b. 1867; d. Aug. 15, 1868. Alice A., b. Mar. 16, 1851. Another child died in infancy. Children of Persis M. Chase and Thomas W. Bowman (mar- riage Dec. 28, 1857) : Pred Earle, b. Jan. i, 1864. Another child d. in infancy. The mother died Sept. 17, 1869. Digitized by Microsoft® 562 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Joseph Chase (see sketch), son of Eleazer, b. 1769; m. ist Hannah Elliott, 2d Anna Legrow. He died in 1814, "aged 45." First wife died, 1795. Qiildren by first wife: Rhoda, b. Nov. 8, 1790; m. Bernard Pompilly. Hannah, b. Mar. 20, 179S; ra. Daniel Tuttle, Jr. Children by second wife : Joseph, Jr., b. Mar. 30, 1797; m. Almira Shaw. Eleaser, b. Aug. 12, 1798; m. Ann Kneeland; d. Feb. 10, 1885. Mary, b. Aug. 11, 1801 ; m. Amos Shaw. Nancy, b. Sept. 20, 1802; m. Alvah Gilbert. Joseph Chase, son of the' preceding, b. Mar. 30, 1797; m. Almira Sihaw. Children: Ehnira Jane, b. Mar, 23, 1816; m. Rasselas Cole. Miriam, b. Nov. 5, 1818; m. Lucian Philbrick. Sarah Ann, b. Feb. $, 1825 ; d. Apr. i, 1848. Levuis M., b. June 23, 1830 ; m. Eunice Cole. Lewis M. Chase, son of the preceding, b. June 23, 1830; m. 1st Eunice Cole, 2d Eva Bisbee. Children recorded on town records : Julia Ella, b. Feb. 23, 1849; Sa> ah Jane, b. Aug. 17, 1850; Amanda Josephine, h. June 16, 1852; Ellen Shaw, b. Dec. 14, 1853; Mary Anna; Ellsworth; Harrison; Eunice. Chesley. Samuel Chesley purchased the Taylor farm in the southern part of the town and moved there with his family before the census was taken in 1850. His age at that time as given the enumerator was 50. The age of his wife Sarah was 49. In his family at that time was his mother, Sarah Chesley Pratt, aged 83. Shortly after she had married Thaddeus Pratt, the Revo- lutionary soldier, for her second husband, he had died and she obtained a pension. Samuel Chesley lived in the Waldron neigh- borhood in the western part of the town for many years. He exdhanged farms with Jabez Taylor or his son, William L. Taylor. Nicholas Qiesley from New Gloucester, who had mar- ried Sarah Hammond, was an early settler in the vicinity of Mt. Mica in Paris. He was born, according to the Paris History, at Dover, N. H., in Nov., 1750. They had seven children, one of whom was Samuel, b. Oct. 31, 1788. He married Patty Perry, Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 563 and finally settled in Lincoln, Me. At one time he run a distillery in Paris. The Buckfield Samuel was no doubt connected with the family of Nicholas. He had a brother Moses, b. in 1807, who married Mrs. Ruth (Brown) Dean. He settled in Oxford. At one time he was a deputy sheriflf, and a terror to violators of the prohibitory law. Samuel Chesley and his wife lived to be past 80 and died in Hebron. She was over 90 years old when she passed away. Children : Mariette, b. 1822; d. 1844. Betsey, b. June 6, 1824; m. Moses Jordan. She is living in Hebron (1915) at 91 years of age. Her husband d. in Jan., 1887. Adaline, b. Dec. ii, 1826; d. April, 1911. Caroline, b. Dec. 11, 1826; d. April, 1905. /. Madison, b. Aug. 30, 1828; m. Narcissa Jordan, res. Auburn. Sarah L., b. Oct. 30, 1838; ni. A. Judson Merrill. She died Oct. 10, 1896. Churchill. Jabez Churchill, one of the first settlers of that name and a Revolutionary soldier, came from Plymouth county, Mass., with his family about 1798 and settled in the mountain district. He lived to be quite aged and received a pension. He was probably a descendant of John Churchill, who came from Eng- land to Plymouth in 1643, and settled there. He m. in 1644, Hannah, daughter of Wm. Pontus. The line of descent is as fol- lows : Eleazer, b. 1652, m. Mary Winslow, a descendant of Mary Chilton of the Mayflower colony. Elkanah m. Susanna Man- chester. Elkanali m. Susanna Bartlett. They had Susanna, 1749; Meriah, 1751; Elkanah, 1754; Jabez, 1756; Abigail, 1760; Andrew, 1763, and perhaps others. From an affidavit made by Jabez Churchill in 1820, it appears that he was bom in 1756, and hence we conclude that the Jabez named above born the same year, was the Jabez who settled in Buckfield. His children are not recorded on our records, but he had : Shepard, b. about 1785 ; m. Polly Dudley. Josiah, b. May 13, 1787; m- Rachel Curtis. Mathew, b. ; m. Dolly Hall. He settled near Portland, was a Whig, the only one in the family and was elected representative to the legislature. Bela, b. about 1789 ; m. Sarah Dudley. Ruhama, b. about I79S I m. Amos Winslow. Digitized by Microsoft® 564 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Shepard Churchill, son of the preceding, b. about 1785 ; m. Polly Dudley. He died after the census was taken in i860. Children : Samuel, b. Apr. i, 1809; m. Lavinia Packard. Martin, b. Apr. 12, 181 1; m. Betsey Churchill. Mary Ann, b. ; m. Lebbeus Robbins. Sarah, b. ; m. Hanson Brown. Nathan, b., about 1820; m. Harriet Thomas. Josiah, h. Dec. 4, 1825; m. Tryphenia Holt. Shepard, b. May 15, 1830; never married. Lucy Ann, b. ; m. Augustus V. Washburn. Samuel Churchill, son of the preceding, b. Apr. i, 1809; m. Lavinia Packard. Children : Coredlia S., b. Aug. 31, 1833; m. Paine. Ezra P., b. Mar. 23, 1839 ; m. Rich. Charles C, b. Dec. 23,- 1840 ; m. Rich. Elizabeth E., b. Jan, 7, 1846; m. Nelson. Julia A., b. Sept. 13, 1849; m, Henry Hodgdon. Martin Churchill, bro. of the preceding, b. Apr. 12, 1811; m. Betsey Churchill. He died Jan. 27, 1876. Children: Nathaniel, b. Apr. 6, 1834; m. Harriet . Hannah, b. Jan. 4, 1836 ; m. Washburn. Emily, b. Dec. IS, 1837; m. Briggs. Amanda, b. Aug. 15, 1839; m. Burns. Clarinda, b. Mar. 21, 1845 ; m. Jonathan M. Shedd. Asaph, b. Mar. 4, 1848; m. Fanny M. Murch. Rosamond, b. Apr. 16, 1850 ; m. Harris. Flora J., b. Dec. 28, 1851 ; m. Charles Hannaford. Bela Churchill, son of Jabez, b. about 1789; m. Sarah Dudley. He was a mechanic, gunsmith and miller, and had a small grist mill and machine shop on the small brook which flows between Owls Head and Streaked Mt., then often called Owl's Head Village. They died after i860. Children : Jane, b. Jan. 8, 1814; Maria, b. May 9, 1817, m. Demeric Swan and had Ambrose, Lorinda M., m, Adelbert S. Jordan and Ophelia who m. Otis G. Turner, Jr. Cilley. William Cilley (anciently spelled in various ways but more commonly Silley — now Cilley), b. in N. H., was a soldier in the French and Indian war. Served in 1758 in the Crown Point expedition. Settled in Gorham, Me., and m. Anna Clark, b. Sept. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 566 I, 1733. Moved to Buckfield and late in life to Brooks, where he died in 1818. The Gorham history and Cilley genealogy relating to this family are both imperfect and do not agree, and we cannot be certain as to names and dates. Children : John, b. ; m. 1786, Molly Murch. Mary, b. 1756; m. Enoch Leathers; s. in Sangerville. Benj., b. 1758; m. ist, Patty Parsons; and, Sally Newt. Sarah, b. ; m. in 1777, Amos Brown. Abigail, b. ; m. Richard Knight. Elizabeth, b. ; m. in 17S4, Benj. Skillings. Anna, b. Apr. 9, 1768; m. Zachariah Weston. Fanny, b. Apr. g, 1768; m. Joseph Lombard, 1788. William, Jr., b. Mar. 27, 1770; m. 1793, Sarah Bonney, 2nd, Mary Waterhouse. Hannah, b. Apr. 19, 1772; m. 1793, Caleb Lombard. Peter, b. Apr. 19, 1772; m. Patty Teague. Simon, b. June 13, 1774; m. Polly Teague. CoBURN. Thomas Coburn (see sketch) was of Dracut, Mass., prior to his settlement in Bucktown. He m. Ruth . They settled on North Hill. He died Sept. 27, 1804. The heirs sold the real estate to Daniel Howard, Esq., and moved away. The widow proibably died about 1806. Children recorded on town records : Ruth, b. Jan. 12, 1763. Thomas, Jr., b. May 16, 1766. Dolly, b. Mar. 6, 1769. Sarah, b. Feb. 25, 1773 ; m. Valentine Matthews or John W. Elliott. Sybil, b. Sept. 29, 1777; m. Simeon Wescott. Jonas Coburn (see sketch) supposed brother of the preced- ing, was a settler in Bucktown before Jan. i, 1784. He settled on a lot adjoining Thomas's. He married Lucy Varnum. They moved away soon after 1800. Children recorded here : 50^/31, b. Sept. 5, 1771 ; m. John W. Elliott or Valentine Matthews. Jonas, Jr., b. Jan. 11, 1774; m. Hannah Matthews. Asa Varnum, b. Jan. 19, 1777. Lucy, b. Apr. 8, 1779. Betsey, b. Feb. 13, 1781. Silas, b. Jan. 24, 1783. Hannah, b. Apr. 14, 1785; m. Seth Harris. Mercy, b. Oct. 22, 1787; m. Josiah Drew. Peter, b. Sept. 3, 1791. Digitized by Microsoft® 566 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Cole. The present Coles of Buckfield are descended from an ancient Plymouth County, Mass., family. Lemuel Cole of this line, son of John, born, in 1766, married Elizabeth Dunham, born in 1769, and resided in Carver, adjoining Plymouth. He emigrated with his family to Maine in 1805, coming from Plymouth to Hallowell in a sloop, thence journeying with an ox team to Hebron, where he settled at the foot of Numiber 4 Hill. The following year he removed to Hartford, settling in the Bear Mountain district and becoming a permanent resident. He was a sweet singer and a well-known composer of sacred music, many of his compositions appearing in the singing books of his day. With rude facilities he made a bass viol, which was a wonder in the settlement. He died March 8, 1849, ^g^d 83. She died Aug. 22, 1850, aged 81. Children all born in Massachusetts : Betsey, m. Allen Sturtevant. John, d. aged 21. Nancy, m. Thomas Allen. Sally, m. Willard Lucas, Ebenezer, ra. Betsey Parsons. Lemuel, Jr., m. Lydia Lucas. Lemuel Cole, Jr., son of preceding, was born in Carver, Mass., Jan. 4, 1804. He came to Hartford, Me., with his father's family when about two years of age. He m. Lydia, dau. of Dea. Isaac Lucas. She was born, also, in Carver, Nov. 6, 1803, and came with her parents from that town to Hartford when four years of age, riding the whole distance in an ox cart. Like most of the settlers, the Cole family had no abundant means, and Lemuel, at an early age, was thrown upon his own resources. After his marriage and settlement on a small farm, he learned the carpenter's trade of Dea. Ira Bartlett, working for four shillings per day. He grew prosperous, acquired a large farm and became the most prominent building contractor in the vicin- ity, employing many workmen and erecting buildings in all parts of his own and surrounding towns. In the spring of 1861 he moved to Buckfield, where he passed his remaining years. He was a man of great industry, energy and business ability. He had slight educational advantages, but became well-informed and kept in close touch with public affairs. He died Oct. 6, 1877. His wife died Aug. 17, 1886. Children all born in Hartford: Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 567 Edward Gisby, b. Sept. 27, 1827; d. j"o«ng. Sarah Bennett, h. Sept 27, 1830; m. Peter D. Holbrook; s. in Brain- tree, Mass. Edward Gisby, b. Aug. 23, 1832; m. ist Martha E. Holbrook of Ran- dolph, Mass., 2nd, Abbie C. Ellis of Sumner. Virgil, b. Nov. 10, 1834; m. ist, Elizabeth Hodgdon, 2nd, Emma Gur- ney, resides in Canton. Ma tha N., b. Nov. 13, 1837. Adelia F., b. Feb. 18, 1840; d. Dec. 22, 1856. Alfred, b. May 16, 1843. Edward G. Cole, son of the preceding, lias had settlements in various towns, but during most oi his married life has resided in Sumner and Buckfleld. He is a carpenter by trade, having been prominently identified, during the past forty years with the building and mechanical work of the village, and was many years in business as an undertaker. Children by his second wife, Abbie (Eirs) : Edimrd H., b. in Hartford, July 26, 1861 ; m. Dora Knight ; s. m Turner. Arthur E., b. Sept. 22, 1863, studie.i dentistry at which he worked several years in Boston and other places, and then re- turned to his native town where he has since remained in the practice of his profession. He has served on the board of select- men, and is prominent in fraternal orders, and has held the office of District Deputy Grand Master of both Masons and Odd Fel- lows. He married Myrtie M., dau. of Cyrus C. Spaulding, and has: Ellen S., b. in Cambridge, Mass., Apr. 3, r8q4; Arthur H., b. Mar. 9, 1901 and Cyrus E., b. Sept. 22, 1902. Alfred T. Cole, b. in Hartford, Sept. 4, 1867; m. Sept. 30, 1896, Josephine E., dau. of Dr. Joseph C. Caldwell. He was a clerk several years in the store of Isaac W. Shaw, and since Nov., 1899, has been in trade in the Ephraim Atwood store in partner- ship with Nathan E. Morrill. Alfred Cole, youngest son of Lemuel, Jr., came in the spring of. 1861 with his father's family to Buckfield, where he resided to his death, March 13, 1913. He was one of the com- p'lers of this volume. (See sketch). He married, July 7, 1878, Mary E. Storer, dau. of Nathan O. Storer. Children : Mary S., b. Feb. 19, 1886. Alfred S., b. Oct. 9, 1893. Digitized by Microsoft® 568 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD William Cole, then a young man, came, here about 1810. The next year he m. Lapira Spaulding. He purchased the clotli- ing works of William Campbell, and carried on the business for many years. He was the wealthiest man in Buckfield of his time. He d. July 5, 1841. She d. Aug. 14, 1852. Children: Addison C, b. Feb. 8, 1812 ; m. Sarah A. DeCoster. Cyrus, b. Feb. 26, 1814. Myrtilla, b. July 16, 1816; m. Geo. Bridghara, Jr. V/illiam L., b. Jan. 2g, l8ig; m. Cordelia Allen. Lydia E., b. July 21, 1821 ; m. Joseph J. Willi,s. Maria L., b. June 3, 1824. Aurelius V ., b. Mar. 30, 1827; m. Lucy A. Hall. Rotheus M., b. Sept. 8, 1830. Melissa S., b. Jan. 5, 1834; m. Charles A. Allen. Mary L., b. Jan. 9, 1838. Addison G. Cole, oldest son of the preceding, b. Feb. 8, 1812; m. Sarah A. DeCoster. He carried on the wool carding business in Buckfield for many years. He died in Auburn, Jan. 2, 1896. His wife d. Mar. 10, 1898. Children : Sarah B., b. Aug. 6, 1836 ; d. Aug. 21, 1836. James A., b. Sept. 17, 1837; d. Feb. 17, 1838. Adrianna, b. Dec. 2, 1838; d. Jan. 18, 1840. Julia A., b. July 17, 1840; d. Nov. 10, 1843. William A., b. Mar. 19, 1843; Sarah A., b. July 6, 1845; Cyrus W., b. Dec. IS, 1848; Prank L., b. Nov. 10, 1852; Lizzie D., b. Jan. 14, 1856; d. Jan. 24, 1861 ; Harry G., b. Dec. 6, 1858. Artemas F. Cole^ perhaps bro. of first William, m. Hepsibah Atwood. For many years he was in business as a merchant at Buckfield village. Fie d. May i, 1877. She d. Feb. 17, 1897, "aged 91 years." Children: Helen M., b. Oct. 10, 18.30 ; m. George Gregg. Josephine, b. Mar. 31, 1836. Rasselas Cole, son of Gershom and Polly (Bessey) of Paris, b. Feb. 15, 1810; m. Almira Jane Chase and settled on North Hill. He died Aug. 26, 1894. She died July 5, 1895. Child: Mary Shaw, h. Nov. 20, 1844; m. Horatio G. Davie. Cushman. The Cushmans who settled in this part of Maine claim descent from Robert Cushman, an agent and promoter of the Plymouth colony. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 669 Gideon Cushman, son of Caleb, b. Nov. 20, 1750, was an early settler in Shepardsfield. He m. in 1772, Ruth, dau. of Capt. Nathaniel Shaw of Plympton, and had 12 children. He had been a sailor and also a soldier in the War for Independence. His wife d. Dec. 19, 1836. He d. May 7, 1845, in his 95th year. Levi Cushman, son of the preceding, b. Aug. 14, 1773 ; m. in 1796, Ellen Buck, and settled in Buckfield. She d. Apr. 8, 1802, and he m. 2d, Rhoda French. She d. in Oxford, Feb. 7, 1852, in her 83d year. Children : Polly, b. June 10, 1797; m. Isaac Bolster, Ji". ; s. in Harrison. Eleanor Ruth, b. June 10, 1759; m. Henry Blake; s. in Patten. Elisa, b. 1804; m. Chandler Record. Sullivan, b. Mar. 13, 1805 : m. Clarissa J. Tribou. Solomon, b. Mar. 7, 1807; d. June 25, 1827. Rhoda P., b. Sept. 23, 181 1 ; ni. John W. Fog-g; s. in Harrison. Calep, Cushman. bro. of the preceding, h. Feb. 28, 1779; m. Polly Buck. He settled in Buckfield. He d. Jan. 23, 1859. She d. Mar. 14, 1858. Qiildren: Cephas, b. Oct. i, 1802 ; d. Oct. 26, 1825. Sophronia, b. June 20, 1804 ; m. Stephen Robinson, Paris. Mary (Polly), b. May 22, i8d6; m. Rolan Foster. Caleb, Jr., b. May 20, 1808 ; m. Everline Bridgham. Ruth, b. Aug. 4, 1810; m. H. H. Hutchinson, Jr. Alexander, b. Nov. 17, 1812 ; m. Ruth J. Bolster. Gideon, b. Dec. 24, 1815; m. Eveline Bicknell. Zilpha, b. July 27, 1818 ; m. Amory H. Allen. Levi, b. July 3, 1820; m. Cordelia Hall. , Caleb Cushman, Jr., son of the preceding, b. May 20, 1808 ; m. Everline Bridgham. He d. May 10, 1885. She d. Feb. 6, 1861, in Auburn, buried in Buckfield. Children: Lucy Ann, b. Jan. II, 1837; m. Bennett B. Record. Charles P., b. July 26, 1S38; s.'in Boston. Everline B., b. May 28, 1840; m. John Bicknell. Rosctta b. Oct. 18, 1843; m. Charles lllsley. Florence, b. June 14, 1853; m- Dr- Rotheus W. Taylor; s. in Portland. Alexander Cushman, bro. of the preceding, b. Nov. 17, 1812; m. Ruth J. Bolster. Children: Lorenzo, b. Sept. 2, 1844; Mary, b. Nov. 5, 1847; Cynthia B., b. Aug. 7, 1848; Frances, b. Nov. 6, 1852; Herman, b. June i, 1863. Gideon Cushman, bro. of the preceding, b. Dec. 24, 1815; m. Eveline Bicknell. She d. May 4, 1868. Children : Digitized by Microsoft® 570 HISTORY OF BUckFIELD Amanda F., b. Apr. 8, 1840; Samuel B., b. Dec. 27, 1841 ; Julia F., b. Dec. 2S, 1843; Cordelia R., b. June 14, 1847. N.\THANiEi, CuSHMAN, bro. of Levi anie, b. Jan. 26, 1782; m. Lucy Murdock. Children : Nathaniel, Jr., b. Apr. 4, 1808; Lewis, b. Sept. 21, 1810; Sally, b. Mar. 27, 1812. Daggett. The family name was formerly called D'oggett, and is of great antiquity. Those of this name in New England, trace their descent from John Daggett, who emigrated from England in Gov. John Winthrop's company of 1630, and they claim that he is a lineal descendant of John Daggett, who lived in London about 1275 and was of royal descent. John^ Daggett, the Ameri- can ancestor, settled in Watertown, Mass., in 1642. He after- wards removed to Martha's Vineyard. One of his sons was Dea. John^ Daggett, who was prominent in town affairs at Attleboro, Mass., where he lived. Of the children of Ebenezer^ Daggett of the third generation was Samuel* Daggett, b. Jan. 3, 1731. Another son graduated' at Yale College in 1744. He became a Doctor of Divinity and for many years officiated at head of the institution. Samuel's* son John^ Daggett was b. in Lebanon, Conn., in 1753, and seryed as a soldier in the Revolution nearly through the whole war. Li 1780 he moved to \^ermont and from thence in 1802 to Greenfield, Pa. Don Delance" Daggett, one of his sons, b. in Hebron, Conn., in 1780, did not, however, emigrate to Pennsylvania, but having married Susan Root, removed to Buckfield where he began on the north side of the river, the manufacture of hats, as elsewhere related. His children were: Horace, s. in Auburn and d. there. Henry, murdered in La. Nelson, went to Florida and d. there. Florilla, m. William Irish of Hartford. Esther, m. Hon. Thomas Chase of Buckfield. Eveline, m. Thomas Irish, Jr., of Buckfield. Isaac, s. in Mass., drowned in Neponset river. William, s. in San Francisco, California, and d. there. Charles, s. in Portland and d. there. The last seven were all born in Buckfield village, Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 571 Davis. Gershom Davis (see sketch), a Revolutionary soldier, was from Gorham prior to coming to Bucktown. He m. Elizabeth McAllister. He d. Jan. 30, 1842, "aet. 83 years." She d. May 5, 1820, "aet. 65 years." Children: Stephen, b. 'Sept., 18, 1780. Abigail, b. May 30, 1782. Joseph H., b. Nov. 26, 1784, m. Rebecca McCorrison. Deliverance, b. Dec. s, 1786; m. Damon. Polly, b. Feb. 26, 1789. Betsey, b. Feb. 11, 1792; m. Robert Pierce. Margery, b. June 15, 1794; m. Thomas Damon Mercy, b. Aug. 26, 1799; m. Joel Foster. Joshua Davis, sup. bro. of the preceding, also from Gorham and a Revolutionary soldier, m. Elizabeth Cole. Children: Samuel, b. Feb. 24, 1793. Sally, b. Oct. 7, 1795 ; m. John N. Hodge. Abigail, b. Feb. 25, 1797; m. Thomas Gammon. Betsey, b. May 11, 1805. Herman, b. May 9, 1811. Davie. Simeon Davie^ a descendant of Sir John Davie of Creedy, Devonshire, England, in the 6th generation, m. Susanna Pratt of Bridgewater. They came from the old colony and settled in Hebron about a mile from the Buckfield line. The mother of Susanna Davie was Isabel (Downie) Pratt, who came from Scotland with her father and a brother, William. The son died and the father went back to Scotland. She married Barnabas Pratt. Her son, Thaddeus, was in the battle of Bunker Hill and she hearing the roar of the guns at her home in Bridgewater, be- came so excited that she was burnt severely by a coal of fire fall- ing on her arm before she noticed it. After her husband's death she came to live with her daughter in Hebron. She was nearty 103 years old at the time of her death, Dec. 24, 1831. The daughter, Susanna Davie, d. Dec 14, 1847. The line of descent to Simeon is: (i) Humphrey, Boston, 1666, man of note; (2) William; (3) Robert, m. Deborah Howes, descendant of Elder Wilham Brewster, and Gov. Thomas Prence; (4) Thomas, m. (2d w.) Hannah Rogers, a descendant of the martyr. Rev. John Rogers. Children : Digitized by Microsoft® 572 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Sarah, h. Nov. 28, 1789 ; m. Jabez Barrows. Catherine, b. Apr. 15, 1 791 ; in. Joshua Whitman, Buckfield. Simeon, b. Apr. 14, 1794; m. Mehitable Stir.chneld. Solomon, b. June 5, 1796; m. Rachel Mason; s. in Leeds. Susanna, b. May 3, 1799; m. John Packard, Buckfield. Deborah, b. Nov. 6, 1800; ni. Samuel Packard, Buckfield. George, b. Oct 22, 1802 ;,m. Sophronia Bicknell. Barnabas, b. Jan. i, 1805 ; m. and s. in Leeds. Polly, b. Majr 5, 1807; m. Elias Perkins, Minor. Virgil M., b. Mar. 22, i8oq. Harrison C, b. Sept. 22, 181 1; m. Content Lothrop. Wealthy, b. Nov. 4, 1818; m. William Monk. Dean. The Deans of Buckfield and Paris are descended from Walter Dean, who came from Chard near Taunton, England, in 1637 and settled on the Taunton river in the old colony. He was a prominent man in his section. From him the line of descent is traced as follows: Walter, Joseph, Benjamin, Israel, Josiah, Asa and Asa, Jr. The latter m. Clarissa Holland and settled on the homestead in Paris. Children : Betsey, b. Mar. 23, 1814; m. Ploward Mosier. The mother d. in 1821, and the father m. 2d Mrs. Hannah Barbour. Benj. W., b. Apr. 21, 1824; m. Matilda ; 2d Martha Pottle. Horatio, b. Sept. 23, 1826; d. young. William H., b. Sept. 12, 1828; d. young. J. Robinson, b. Aug. 7, 1831 ; m. Laura Taylor. J. Robinson Dean, son of the preceding, b. Aug. 7, 1831, m. Laura Taylor. He d. Nov. 18, 1900. She d. Mar. 3, 1899. Children: William Taylor b. Dec. 31, 1S69; d. Dec. 29, 1890. Georgie E., b. Sept. 8, 1871 ; Laura Z., b. June 20, 1876. DeCoster. The tradition in the DeCoster families is that two brothers of that name came from France and settled in the old colony. They were descendants of a French marquis, who was a Hugue- not refugee on account of the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes. They agreed that one should spell his name DeCoster and the other DeCosta, that their progeny might the better be identified. Anthony DeCoster bought land in Plymouth in 1723. His wife's name was Joanna. Their children were Robert, Jacob, Mar- Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 573 garet and perhaps others. Jacob married Ehzabeth, dau. of John Cole in 1745. An Ebenezer DeCoster was a drummer boy in the War for Independence. He settled in N. H. and married the youngest dau. of Col. John Goffe, who took him home sick and half starved at Valley Forge. Whether he was related to the familj' who settled in Hebron is not positively known. Jacob DeCoster and his wife, Priscilla Rogers, a descendant of the martyr of Smithfield, came from Bridgewater, Mass., in 1786 and settled in that part of Hebron, known fifty years ago as "Sodom" and died there on the farm since called the DeCoster place. He was a sailor on a vessel engaged in the coasting trade and was at Charleston, S. C, when the news of the battles of Concord and Lexington and the closing of the Port of Boston was received there. The agent in Charleston would not let the vessel depart for fear of its being captured. Jacob DeCoster made the journey home to Bridgewater on foot. Tradition says he was nearly two months on the way. He d. Aug. 4, 1830, "aged 84." His wife d. May 7, 1830, "aged 79." Qiildren: Jacob, Jr., b. May 27, 1774; m. Susan Alorse. Samuel, b. Aug. 15, 1776; m. Sarah Bacon. Chandler, b. Dec. 12, 177S; ni. Polly Ann Jordan. John, b. Mar. 19, 1780; m. Cyrene Harris. Rogers, b. Feb. 24, 1782; m. Elizabeth Rowe. Hannah, b. Oct. 7, 1784; m. Benjamin Rowe. George, b. Feb. 6, 1786; d. in 1804. Thomas, b. Ang. 10, 1788; m. Chloe Turner; no issue. Sarah, b. May 27, 1790; d. unm. Polly, b. May 29, 1792; m. Elkanah Irish. Samuel DeCoster, son of the preceding b. Aug. 15, 1776, m. Sarah Bacon and settled in Buckfield on the farm owned by his grandson, Virgil P. DeCoster, Esq. He d. Sept. 14, 1830. Children : Henry, h. Dec. 18, 1798; ni. Abigail E. Irish. Samuel, b. Feb. 24, 1801 ; m. Caroline — . Joanna, h. June 16, 1803; m. Joshua Irish. James B., b. Oct. 10, 1806; ni. Lucy Thompson. Ozias, b. Feb. 7, 1809: m. Elizabeth DeCoster. Varanes, b. June 16, 1S14; m. Louisa Thompson. Sarah Ann, b. June 18, 1817; m. Addison G. Cole. Henry DeCoster, oldest son of the preceding b. Dec. 18, 1798, m. Abigail E. Iri.sh. He settled on a farm adjoining that of Digitized by Microsoft® 574 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD his father. He was a man of influence and standing in the town, and for many years served on the board of selectmen. He d. Sept. 26, 1866. His wife d. Feb. 17, 1889, "aged 90 yrs., 9 mos., 10 days." Children : William Henry, b. Aug. 15, 1828; d. Aug. 24, 1837. Elisha IV., b. Feb. i, 1830; d. Aug. 26, 1837. Edmund, b. Jan. 14, 1831 ; ni. Marianna Stowe. Samuel, h. Sept. I, 1832; d. Aug. 29, 1837. Charles, b. Sept. 18, 1834; d. Aug. 23, 1837. Eliza A., b. Jan. 26, 1836; d. Sept. 2, 1837. James H., b. Oct. 12, 1837; m, Angelia Shaw. Mary A., b. Sept. 23, 1839; d. June 30, 1867. Bethiah Ellen, b. Nov. ,24, 1841 ; m. Hodpdon. Joseph F., b. Nov. 7, 1843; m. Emma H. Morrill. James H. DbCoster, Esq., son of the preceding b. Oct. 12, 1837, m. Angelia, daughter of Isaac and Joanna (Teague) Shaw. He was educated in the district and high schools of the town and for several years taught school during the winter. In 1857 he began mercantile life as a clerk in the store of Hiram Hines at' Buckfield village. After his marriage in 1859 he moved to Hart- ford where he was in trade for about a year. In the spring of 1861 with Charles H. Prince, he purchased the hardware stock of Lorenzo Atwood in what was then known as the Douglass store, where he remained in business for many years. President Abra- ham Lincoln appointed Mr. Prince, postmaster and Mr. DeCoster became assistant. The post office was in one corner of the store. The firm did a good business for both members were popular with all classes. At the outbreak of the Rebellion, a Buckfield company was raised and organized of which James H. DeCoster was orderly sergeant. For some reason the company was disbanded. In 1865 Mr. DeCoster was appointed postmaster, a position he held to the entire satisfaction of the patrons of the office till 1877, when having sold his interest in the store, he resigned. In 1880 he was nominated as the republican candidate for representative to the legislature and in ordinary times would have been elected. He ran about 20 votes in town ahead of the Governor. Soon after he moved to Mechanic Falls and engaged in various busi- ness pursuits, where he has since resided. He has been promi- nent in the affairs of that village, served for 14 years as Trial Justice and for a long period was secretary of the Masonic Mu- Digitized by Microsoft® James H. DeCoster Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIKLD 577 tual Relief Association. He is a leading member of the Masonic and other secret organizations. In 1899 he was appointed post- master at Mechanic Falls, a position he held for many years. Children : Bertha Lee, b. May 16, 1861 ; m. E, Adron Gammon ; resides at Me- chanic Falls. Harry Wilson, b. Oct. 26, 1866; m, Idora M. Perry; resides in Boston. James Carroll, b. Sept, 30, 1868; ra. Marion E. Bray; resides in Boston. Percy Shalt; h. Mar. 6, 1871 ; m. Edith '\. Blanrhard ; resides in Lynn, Mass. Varanes DeCoster, youngest son of Samuel was born on the same place where he lived all his life. He was one of the rtiost prosperous farmers in town of his time and accumulated a hand- some property. He married Louisa Thompson. He died Jan. 12, 1888. His wife died Feb. 24, 1898. Children: Varanes Francisco, h. Nov. 19, 1838; m. ist Ellen Torrey; 2d Emerette Campbell; -s. in the West. IVilliam B.. b. Sept. 27, 1840, soldier in Civil War; d. at Edwards Ferry, Md., Jan. 27, 1863. Louisa v.. b. Dec. 16, 1842 ; d. Feb. .28, 1849. Georgianna, b. Sept. 21, 18^14; m. Stephen Morrill of Auburn. Virgil P., b. Apr. 12, 1848; m. Edith B. Hooper. Virginia, b, Apr. 12, 1848; n\. Barnum Jones C'i Auburn. Cleora H., b. Sept. 2, 1856; m. David M. Hildreth of Washington, D. C. Virgil P. DeCoster, son of the preceding b. Apr. 12, 1848, m. Edith B. Hooper of Turner. Mr. DeCoster lives on the old homestead and like his father is one of Buckfield's most pros- perous farmers. He has served as a member of the board of se- lectmen and as representative in the legislature of the state, also as a member of the State Board of Agriculture. His wife is a woman of intellectual ability and has contributed much to the press. Both are very prominent members of the grange and also of the State Pomological Society. Children : Cleora M., b. July 8, 1891. Edith H., b. Sept. 16, 1893. Helen P., b. Nov. ig, 1895. Rogers DbCoster, son of Jacob, sen., b. Feb. 24, 1782, m. Elizabeth Rowe. He resided on the old homestead and was the leading citizen in his part of the town. He served one term in the Legislature. He died about 1862. His wife died June 20, 1877. Children : Digitized by Microsoft® 578 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Orris, b. Mar. 7, 1806; m. Luke Bicknell; 4 c. (see Bicknell). John. b. Apr. 6, 1809; m. Cyrenia Harris. Elbridge G. h. Feb. 12, 1811 ; m. Susanna Shirtevant; i c, Kiraiball. Cyrus, b. Nov. 2. 1812; m. Mary Prescott; 4 c, Sarah, James, Ellen and Verrin. Hannah, b. Apr. 29, 1814 ; m. John Cusbman ; 2 c, Henrietta and John. Thomas, b. June 13, 1817; m. Almeda Packard; 6 c, Charles, George, Cyrena, Justin, Cora and Dr. John. Jtilia Ann, b. May 6, 1821 ; m. Elbridge D. Whitman. Cyrena, h. Dec. 29, 1823; m. William Randall; no issue. William, b. Jan. 30, 1826; m. Martha Fuller; 3 c, Willis, Ella and Eddie. Jacob DeCostee, Jr., b. May 27, 1774, m. Diec. 20, 1801, S.usan Morse. They settled in Hebron on what was later called the Page place. She died in Jan., 1841. He died in July, 1842. Children : Parnelle, b. Nov. 14, 1802 ; m. David Bicknell ; 2d Orin Irish ; 3 c, 2 by 1st, I by 2d, Simeon, William and Samuel. George, b. Oct. 28, 1804; m. Harriet Bicknell; S c, Elmira, Parnelle, Rebecca, Flora and William K. Solomon, b. Jan. 17, 1806; m. Cynthia Dunham. Howard C, b. Oct. 19, 1808; m. Mary Ann Buck; 9 c, Harriet A., Columbia H., Mary A., Jared M., Jacob C, William P., Frederick H., Sarah B. and Lillian E. Jacob, b. July 6, 1811 ; m. Salina Record; 6 c, Mary, Sylvira, Susan, William H., Azulea and Malzema. Asa, b. Aug. 13, 1813; m. Martha Fullerton; s. in N. Y. ; 2 c, Horace and George. Fear, b. Sept. 9, 1818; ra. .Samuel S. Bicknell, 2d Charles Goss; i c, by 1st husband, Adelbert. Fearing, b. Oct. 18, 1820 ; m. Lyla Packard ; 2d Joanna Connor ; 7 c, Harriet, Minnie, Frank, Ellis, Charles, Ellen and Emma. Ephraim, b. Nov. 20, 1822; m. Lydia Heath. Solomon, son of the preceding b. Jan. 17, 1806, m. Cynthia Dunham. He finally settled at West Minot, where he died about 1889. His wife died within a year afterwards. Children: Solomon Thurston, b. May 17, 1830, m. Lucy B. Chase. He resided in Buckfield village awhile during the sixties. Is an ornamental and carriage painter. The genealogy of the DeCoster families was principally contributed by him and he has taken great interest in this history. His wife died at Turner where he now resides, June 12, 1901. 4 c. Clarence L., m. Belle Teague (2 daughters, Addie and Carrie B.). Charlotte, m. Fred W. Bonney (2 c. Carrie and Willie). Alice S., m. Frank E. Bray Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 579 (i c, Paul D.), and Lillian M., m. Albion B. Jones (i c, Myra B.). Aharado P., b. Jan. 1832; m. Emma Bearce; S c, Orland, Imo- gene, Emma, Eva and Lorinda. Marcena, b. May 18, 1834; m. Edward Bomiey; 7 c, Frank, Rose, Ed- ward, Grace, George, Sherman and Edith. Rose S., b. 1840; m. Darius F. Pike; 3 c, Henrjf, Lizzie F. and Elsie G. Cynthia P., b. 1849; d. unm. James L., b. 1851; m. Emma Mitchell; 2 c, Gertrude and Harlan. DoBLE. William Doble (see sketch) settled on the Twenty Mile river. He married Sarah . He lived and died on his settling lot. He died after 181 1. Children all but first four b. in Buckfield : William, Jr., b. Aug. 14, 1775. Phineas, b. July 4, 1777; m. Mary . Rebecca, b. Aug. 16, 1779. Abraham, b. Dec. 22, 1781 ; m. Lucinda Woodbury. Sarah, b. Apr. 6, 1784; m. Daniel Pond. Lydia, b. July 27, 1786. Aaron, h. Dec. 8, 1788; m. Abigail Hall Lucy, b. Mar. 31, 1792. Elijah, b. Nov. 3, 1793 ; m. Hannah Drake. Betsey, b. Nov. 3, 1793. Solomon, b. May 3, 1796; m- Louisa Rowe. Phineas Doble, son of the preceding b. July 4, 1777, m. Mary . Children : Willard, b. Jan. 11, 1801. Anna, b. Sept. 3, 1802. Aer.'^ham Doble, brother of the preceding b. Dec. 22, 1781, ra. Lucinda Woodbury. Children : Elvira, b. Oct. 12, 1807. Orin, b. Apr. 14, 1810. Alden, b. Jan. 26, i8i3- Harriet, b. Aug. 11, 1814. Aaron Doble, brother of the preceding b. Dec. 8, 1788, m. Abigail Hall. Children: Miriam Hall, b. Aug. 27, 181 0. Sally, b. July 2, 1812. John, b. Aug. 24, 1814. Mary, b. Dec. 11, 1816. Heriry Parsons, b. Jan. 25, 1819. Digitized by Microsoft® 580 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Drake. John D'rake of Bridgewater, Mass., b. Aug. 12, 1757, was one of the early settlers in the western part of the town. He served in the Revolutionary War. He m. Molly Cole, 1782. Lived in B., Hebron and Sumner. He d.ied Feb. 18, 1834. She died Feb. 6, 1840. Children recorded on Buckfield records : John, Jr., b. Oct. 8, 1783 ; ra. Martha Packard. Deborah, b. Jan. 30, 1786; m. Wm. Berry, Jr. Afary, b. Oct. I, 1788. Hannah, h. Aug. 8, 1791 ; d. Nov. 2, 1791. Ephraim Cole, b. Sept. 17, 1792; m. Nancy Heisey. Stephen, h. Apr. 29, 179s ; m. Martha Hix. Hannah, b. Nov. 24, 1797; m. Elijah Doble. M^m. Harlow, b. Aug. 22, 1801 ; m. Desire D. Bi.sbee. John Drake, Jr., b. Oct. 8, 1783, m. Martha Packard. Children : John S., b. Nov. ig, 1809; m. Amanda M. Wood. Diana, b. Feb. 18, 181 1. Polly, b. Sept. 13, 1812. Martha, b. Nov. 15, 1814 ; d. Apr. 19, 1826. H. G. O., b. Nov. 12, 1816. Geraldine, b. June 17, i8ig. Melissa, b. July 4, 1821. Alexander P., b. Feb. 8, 1824. Hannah, b. Mar. 14, 1826. Abial Drake of another family moved into the township soon after the census was taken in 1790. He purchased a large tract of land of the proprietors (about 300 acres), east of the East Branch on which he lived to his death. He married Dolly, daughter of Jonathan Philbrick. Children: Martin, b. Feb. 19, 1794; m. Celia Bisbee. Anna, b. Mar. 3, 1796; m. Jonah Hall. Dorcas, b. July 26, 1798; m. Amos Atkinson. Enoch, b. Aug. 17, 1800; m. Rhoda Hussey. Abial, Jr., b. Jan. 14, 1804; m. Nancy Swett. Martin Drake, oldest son of Abial, b. Feb. 19, 1794, m. Celia Bisbee in 1823. He lived to a good old age. All of his life had been spent on the place where he was born. He was a good cit- izen and noted for his great strength. He died Sept. 24, 1874. His wife died June 2, 1874. Children : Dorcas Ann, b. Aug. 15, 1824. Sarah Jane, b. July 18, 1826; m. Charles Dunn. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 581 Achsa Maria, h. _Aug. 19, 1828; m. John M. Damon. Celia v., b. Apr. 20, 1831 ; m. Geo. W. Long. Esther M. J., b. Jan. 27, 1839. Enoch Drake^ brother of the precedmg, b. Aug. 17, 1800, m. Rhoda Hussey. Children: Merritt Sncll, b. Nov. 22, 1827; Nancy, b. June, 1829; Sabrina, b. Feb. 1831. Farrar. The Farrars of Buckfield are descendants of John Farrar, then commonly written Farrow who with wife, Frances, and dau. Alary from Hingham, England, settled in Hingham, Mass., about 1635. He died July 7, 1687. She died Jan. 28, 1689. They had 5 children and two sons, John, baptized June 6, 1639, m. Aug. 14, 1664; Mary, dau. of William Hilliard. She died Sept. 14, 1689. He d. Jan. 27, 1716, aged 76. He was a "carpenter." Nathan, m. Dec. 5, 1683, Mary, dau. of John and Mary Gardner. She died Feb. 27, 1710, aged 55. He died Oct. 18, 1715, aged 61. They had 5 children, Jonathan, the third, b. June 10, 1689, m. Oct. 27, 1714, Joanna, dau. of Thomas and Joanna (May) Whiton. She died Apr. 11, 1737, aged 46, and he m. 2d Mrs. Judith (Whiton) White. He died Apr. 14, 175 1, aged 62. Six children all by first wife, three of whom were sons, Jonathan, b. Aug. 26, 1717; David, b. May 19, 1722 and John baptized May 24, 1724. This David had a son, David, b. in 1750. The name of the latter's wife as given in the History of Hingham was De- sire Tower. David Farrar, fifth in descent from John Farrar, had seen service in the Revolutionary war and settled in Bucktown in 1788. He was born about 1750. He m. Judith Stoddard of Scituate. He d. in 1810. Qiildren only last four b. in B. : Judith, b. July i, 1773; m. Thomas Lowell. David, Jr., b. May 20, 1775; m. ist Sarah Chesley; 2d Mary Gammon. Samuel, b. Aug. 8, 1779; m. Rebekah Philip, b. Jan. 14, 1781 ; m. Tamar, b. Oct. 31, 1784; m. John Brock, Jr. Mehitable, h. Jan. 30, 1787; m. Nathaniel Mayhew. Nathan, b. Sept. 16, 1789; m. Susannah Brock. Bela, b. Dec. 26, 1791 ; m. Lydia Thayer ; s. in Paris. Desire, b. Oct. 3, 1796; m. Martin Crockett. John, b. July 10, 1800; m. 1st Polly Brock, 2d Rebecca Coburn (?). Digitized by Microsoft® 582 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Dea. David Faerar^ son of the preceding^ b. May 20, 1775, m. 1st Sarah Chesley, and Mary Gammon. He was a very worthy man and a deacon of the church for many years. He died Nov. 8, 1842. His 2d wife died Apr. 24, 1865 in the 77th year of her age. Children by ist wife: David 3d, b. Jan. 24, 1802 ; m. Cynthia Waterman. Sarah, b. Jan. 23, 1804; m. Hon. Noah Prince. Judith, b. ; m. David Brock. Orin, b. Aug. 16, 1807; d. May 3, 1871. Miriam, b. Apr. 13, 1812; m. C. C. Harlow. Children by 2d wife : Merritt, b. July 27, 1817; m. Arabella Bicknell. Reuben L., b. Dec. 20, 1819; m. Hananh L. Cresey. Sophronia, b. Mar. 14, 1822; m. Winslow Evans. Byron, b. Jnly 27, 1824; s. and m. in Arkansas City, Kansas. Julia Ann, b. June 16, 1827; m. Joseph Cary. Milton, b. May S, 1829; s. in Westfield, Alass. Job P., b. Nov. 25, 1831 ; s. in Abington, Mass., and afterwards moved to Arkansas City, Kan. David Farrar, oldest son of the preceding, b. Jan. 24, 1802, m. Cynthia Waterman. He died Sept. 12, 1893. She died Jan. 2, 1896, aged 91. Children: Lavornia, b. Sept. 25, 1825 ; m. Edson Murdock, 2d Dea. Henry Bangs. Angeline 0., b. May 8, 1829. Sarah Chesley, b. July 30, 1832; m. Fisk. Cynthia E., b. June 4, 1836. Jason, b. Oct. 30, 1838 ; m. Clara E. Ricker. Clara M., b. Apr. 17, 1840; m. Wyer Greene, Portland. Jason Farrar, son of the preceding, b. Oct. 30, 1838, m. Clara E. Ricker. He represented his town and district in the Legislature. Held many positions of trust in town and was town clerk for many years. He went West and settled in In- diana. Children recorded here : Jason Montelle, b. Dec. 26, 1870. Marion, b. Aug. 26, 1872. Merritt Farrar, son of Dea. David, b. July 27, 1817, m. Ara- bella Bicknell. He settled in the western part of the town near the old homestead. He has served as town treasurer and select- man and took a prominent part in county politics when the Re- publican party was organized. His wife d. in Feb., 1900, in her 75th year. Children: Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 583 j\[ary A., h. Jtine i, 1841, Clara L., b. May — , 1861 ; m. Scott Briggs. Hattie M., h. Nov. 14, 1868; m. Isaac Turner. Reuben L. Farrar, bro. of the preceding, b. Dec. 20, 1819, m. Hannah L. Cresey. He d. Mar. 27, 1900. Children: Julia C, b. Aug. i, 1851 ; d. Sept. 6, 1852. Cynthia R., b. Sept. 20, 1853; m. Edsil Smith. Samuel Farrar, son of David, Sr., b. Aug. 8, 1779, m. Rebekah . He d. Aug. 15, 1865. She d. Mar. 27, 1865. Child: Samuel, b. Mar. 3, iSoi. Philip, bro. of the preceding, b. Jan. 7, 1781, m. . He was the first drover of cattle to the Brighton, Mass., market. He d. Sept. 24, 1846. Children : Judith, b. Nov. 28, 1804; d. Nov. 2, 1825. America, b. Feb. 22, 1807; ni. Araminta Dean. Ethic, b. Jan. 28, 1811; m. Betsey O. Bessey. Aratus, b. Jan. 15, 1813 ; m. Diantha Spaulding. Althea I-i., b. Jan. 27, 1815; m. Elbridge R, Ricker of Hartford. Liiten, b. July 30, 1824; m. I.ucy Hayford, Julia A. C, b. Apr. 23, 1828. America Farrar, son of Philip ante, b. Feib. 22, 1807, m. Araminta Dean. He was famous in his day as a dealer in fast horses, kept a public house for many years and was widely known as "Mec" Farrar and delighted to be so called. He d. Dec. 24, 1864. She d. Mar. 24, 1891. Children: Lucixis I^oring, b. Dec. 9, 1830 ; m. Mary . Atzvood, h. May 13, 1833; m. Clarissa Morrill. James Jewett, b. Dec. 13, 1834; d. Apr., 1836. Melissa, b. Feb. 7, 1837: m. Hiram Dunham. Larkin W., b. Jan. 7, 1848; m. Dean. Esther A., b. Sept. 20, 1850; m. Rosalvo Crockett. Lucius L., son of the preceding, b. Dec. 9, 1830, m. Mary . Children : Minot W.. b. Dec. 10, 1859; Araminta I.., b. June 26, 1866. Atwood Farr.\r, bro. of the preceding, b. May 13, 1833, m. Qarissa Morrill. Qiildren: Atwood America, b. May S, 1859; Horace L., b. Oct. 29, i860; Ligzie B., b. July 25, 1864; Shirley, b. May 15, 1874; Charles L., h. Dec. 11, 1877. Ethic Farrar, son of Philip, ante, b., Jan. 28, 181 1, m. Betsey O. Bessey. Children: Hannibal Ethic, b. Mar. 11, 1835; m. Martha Oilman. Digitized by Microsoft® 684 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Miranda, b. Aug. 26, 183S ; m. Charles Foster. Roana, b. Aug. 6, 1838; m. Simeon Hussey. D. Webster, b. Aug. 22, 18.^0; killed at Bull Run. Charles, b. Aug. 5, 1842. Ar,\tus Farr.^e, bro. of the preceding, b.' Jan. 5, 1813, m. Diantha Spaulding. He d. Nov. 2, 1899. Children: Emily R., b. May 6, 1835 ; m. Horace Morrill ; James Madison, b. Mar. 28, 1837; Diantha Jane, b. Mar. g, 1839; Amanda Maria, b. 1840; Ma>-y M., b. June 28, 1843, d. Oct. 2, i86t ; Wm. W ., b. June 17, 1847; Eva I., b. Aug. 21, 1851 ; Jda /., b. Sept. 8, 1853. Nathan Farrar, son of David, Sen., b. Sept. 16, 1789, m. Susannah Brock. Children : Caroline, b. Jan. 2, 1822; Orison, b. Mar. 6, 1S23, d. Oct. 22, 1823; Orissa, b. July 23, 1824. Forbes. Jonah Forbes (see sketch) was a native of Easton, where he was born about 1741. He was a Revolutionary soldier and was enrolled at the beginning of that contest as one of the Minute Men. After the war he settled in the eastern part of Bucktown. There is no mention of his family on the Buckfield records. He was living in 1820 at the age of 79. Probably d. soon after. Children : Zadoc, b. — ; m. Judith . Arza. b. about 1782; m. Rebecca Roberts. Miriam, b. m. Seth Roberts. Susannah, b. m. Nathan Hall. Arza Forbe.s, son of the preceding, b. about 1782, m. Rebecca Roberts. She died Aug. 14, 1854. He died Nov. 24, 1862. Children : Bethiah, b. June 12, 181 1 ; m. Josiah Keen, Jr. Jonah, b. Mar. 21, 1813 ; m. Sylvira Hall. Eliab, b. Feb. 3, 1815 ; m. Ann G. Seavey. Judith, b. May 6, 1817. Richard, h. May 28, 1820 ; m. Brittania Turner. Silas, b. June 23, 1822 ; d. Dec. 2, 1852. Delphina P., b. Apr. 27, 1824; m. Charles T. Hall. Nathan, b. Sept. 3, 1826; d. Feb. 11, 1853. Melvander G., b. Nov. I, 1829; m. Julia C. Ricknell. Jonah Forbes, son of the preceding, b. Mar. 21, 1813, m. Sylvira Hall. He d. Dec. 24, 1896. She d. Apr. 4, 1852. Children : Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKF.IELD 585 Clinton, b. Dec. 3, 183S; d. in Washington, D. C, Oct. 28, 1862., Elisabeth, b. Feb. 28, 1841 ; m. Orlando Irish, Henry B., b. July 31, 1845; m. Addie T. Abbott. 5. Ella, b. Oct., 1849; m. William C. Bartlett. Richard Forbes, son of Arza, b. May 28, 1820, m. Brittania Turner. He d. Dec. 9, 1858. aiildren: Frank M., b. Feb. 3, 1853; Frederick I.., b. Nov. 20, 1857, d. May 12, i8s8, Henry B. Forbes, son of Jonah, b. July 31, 1845, i""- Addie T. Abbott. He lives on the homestead of his father. Children : Mattie A., b. Oct. 23, 1879; m. Claude E. Holmes. Harry C, b. July 3, 18S2; Clinton F., h. Nov. 2.". 1884; Ida B., b. Aug., 1891. Melvander G. Forbes, son of Arza, b. Nov. i, 1829, m. Julia C. Bicknell. He died March 27, 1873. Children : Azorlinc R., b. A.ug. 24, 1855; m. Walter H. Purkis. Rev. Eleanor B., b. Nov. it, i860; a Universalist minister; s. at Gray, Maine. Foster. The Fosters of England and America are descended from Baldwin I of Flanders, called the "Iron Arm," on account of his great strength, or as some say on account of his being constantly in armor. He married the Princess Judith, daughter of Charles the Bold of France, a grandson of Charlemagne. Baldwin H. m. Aethelfryth, dau. of King Alfred the Great. Sir Richard Forester was 5th in descent from King Baldwin. While a young men he came over to England from Normandy with William the Conqueror, who had married his sister, Matilda. He was then called Forestarius from his occupation as Keeper of the Forest. His spurs were won at the battle of Hastings and he was knighted at the age of 16. The Fosters who settled in Bucktown were of the Dorchester branch as it is called. The line is as follows : Rev. Thomas Fos- ter and wife, Elizabeth Wimes of Ipswich, England, had three .-^ons and three daughters. The latter married and settled in Eng- land. The sons were Richard, Thomas^ and William. Richard died and the other two brothers and Richard's widow and chil- dren came to Mass. Sergt. Thomas^ born about 1600, with wife, Elizabeth, settled at Dorchester, afterwards removed to Boston Digitized by Microsoft® 586 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD where he was "gunner of the castle" and was in King Philip's In- dian war. He died in Billerica, April 20, 1682. Of their six chil- dren was Dea. John^ Foster, the 2d child, b. Oct. 7, 1642, who married Mary ChilHngworth. He died June 13, 1732, at the age of 90. She died Sept. 25, 1702. Her father was a man of prom- inence and representative to the General Court from Marshfield. Dea. John Foster left 7 living children, 45 grandchildren and 83 great-grandchildren and had 26 grandchildren die before himself. They had 10 children. The 3d -was Josiah^ Foster, b, June 7, 1669, who married Sarah, daughter Samuel Sherman of Marsh- field and settled in Pembroke. He was a farmer but his father and grandfather were blacksmiths. He lived to be 88 years old, dying in 1757. His wife had died July 30, 1713, and he. married four years later Ursula Rand of Scituate but left no children by her. Josiah Foster had eight children — four boys and four girls. Isaac,* the 5th child, b. Aug. 5, 1705, married in 1732 Frances Josselyn of Hanover, a descendant of Sir Thomas Josselyn, Knight, of London, the father of Henry Josselyn of Black Point, now Scarboro, one of the foremost and ablest men in the early government of Sir Ferdinando Gorges of his Province of Maine. Isaac Foster was the administrator of his father's estate. They had 8 children, Micah^, b. Sept. 22, 1742, ra. Hezediah Crocker, a descendant of John Howland and several others of the Pilgrims. He was a Revolutionary soldier and Minute Man. He died June 22, 1827, aged 85. She died Aug. 8, 1788, aged 45. JoeP, b. May 31, 1766, was the oldest child of a large family. He came here after Jan. i, 1784, and before 1788. July loth of the latter year he married Phebe Buck, daughter of Abijah Buck for whoin the township was named. She was born Dec. 17, 1766. He was the first tanner and innkeeper in the village. He died Feb. 6, 1816. She d. Nov. 12, 1863. Children: Ellen, b. Feb. 4, 1790 ; d. young. Hezediah Crocker, b. Apr. 18, 1791 ; never married; d. Sept. 23, 1863. Rebecca, b. Mar. 9, 1793. Micah, b. May 15, 1795 ; m. ; s. in eatitern part of the state. Abijah, b. May 15, 179S; d. Aug. 7, 1831. Joel, b. Apr. 29, 1798; ni. ist Martha Lothrop, 2d Mercy Davis. Rolan, b. Aug. 29, 1804 ; m. Polly Cushman. Phebe, b. Sept. 22, 1806; d. Nov. i.^, 1806. Jermalier, b. Aug. 27, 1807; m. Tristram Warren. Granville Augustine, h. July 4, 1812. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 537 Joel Foster, Jr., m. Martha Lothrop and settled in Buckfield. She died Nov. 27, 1845, "aet. 54 years." He died July 14, 1877. Children : Phebe, b. July 21, 1822; m. Joshua P.. Whitman. Joel, b. July 21, 1822; m. Armina Whitman; s. in Hebron. Charles, b. May 17, 1829; m. Miranda Farrar; s. in Mo. Margaret Ann, h. Aug. 28, 1831 ; m. J. J. Fuller; s. in Hebron. Abijah, b. Aug. 28, 1831; m. Rozana C. Whitman. Hesediah, b., May 20, 1835; ™- Henry Cushman. Warren Augustitie Clark, b. Feb. 6, 1837; m. Sarah Bicknell; s. in Hebron. AJ3IJAH Foster married Rozana C. Whitman and settled in Buckfield. She died Oct. 8, 1872. Children : Frank Forest Foster^ b. Nov. 25, 1857; m. Laura A. Place; s. in Woodstock. Fred Penton Foster, b. May 10, 1867; m. Lola Leigh Brann; s. in Milton PL RoLAN Foster, son of Joel, married Polly Cushman and set- tled in Buckfield. He d. Mar. 2, 1869. She d. in Sept., 1887. Children : Ellen, h. Mar. 28, 1830; d. Feb. ]i, f834. Marquis De Lafayette, b. Nov. 15, 1832; s. in Mass. Virgil P., b. July 26, 1835 ; s. in Mass. ; k. on railroad, Dec. 21, 1897. Mary Ann, b. Nov. 16, 1837; never married. Rolan Augustine, b. Apr. 11, 1842; s. in Mass. Clarence E. Foster, born in East Machias, Feb. 12, 1849, is a direct descendant of Reginald^ Foster, a native of Brunton, England, who was one of those leaving his native land during the reign of King Charles I tO' escape the tyranny of that mon- arch. With wife, Judith, five sons and two daughters, he settled at Ipswich, Mass., about 1638. His family was anciently connected with those of the same name in the north of England, which had won fame in their contests with their Scottish foes and are mentioned by Sir Waiter Scott in "Marmion" and the "Lay of the Last Minstrel." The line of descent from Reginald is as follows : Isaac, b. in England, 1630, m. 1658, Mary Jackson. He had 14 children by two wives, none by 3d who survived him. Benjamin, b. June, 1665. Benjamin, b. about 1699. Wooden, b. in Maine, m. Frances Scott, was a blacksmith by trade at Scarboro, when he was engaged to go to Machias and Digitized by Microsoft® 588 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD assist in building a saw mill. He settled there. He was a brother of Col. Benj. Foster who was the commander of the forces that seized the first British vessel on the outbreak of hos- tilities with the mother country.. This affair took place in the harbor of Machias. Moses, m. Drusilla West. Aaron Moses, m. Elizabeth Comstock. Clarence E., married Lelia, daughter of Amos K. and Melis- sa (Jordan) Winslow. He is one of Buckfield's best farmers and business men. For several years, he has been in the wood and lumber business and has acquired a large property — probably the wealthiest man in town. (He died in 1914.) Children: Maud A., b. Mar. 6, 1881 ; Mary E., b. May i, 1882; Amos C, b. Aug. 9, 1883, m. Hazel Warren ; Leora, b. June IS, 1886 ; Stanley E., b. Sept. 16, 1887, m. Elsie Cushman; Agnes B., b. June 15, 1889; Florence, b. May 20, 1891. Gammon. Philip and Joseph Gammon, who were brothers, came from England to America about 1750 and settled in the vicinity of Portland. They lived at different periods at Cape Elizabeth, Scarboro and Gorham. Philip's wife was Joanna . Children: (Imperfect list). Philip, m. Sarah Crockett, a Rev. soldier ; living in Windham in 1790. Nathaniel, b. abt. 1753; m. Mary Lowell; s. in Bucktown. Joseph, b. in Aug., I7SS; a Rev. soldier; m. Drusilla Reed; s. in Nor- way. Ruth, m. in 1781, Thomas Clay. Jonathan, m, Lydia Millett. Benjamin, m. Betty Crockett. Betsy, m. Benj. Bodge; s. in Windham. Philip and wife, Joanna, deeded land in Gorham in 1801 to their daughter, Ruth Clay. Afterwards lived in 'Windham, said to have gone to Raymond with son, Nathaniel. Nath.-\niel Gammon from Falmouth or vicinity, b. about 1753, m. Mary Lowell of Falmouth. She was b. in 1758. He served 3 years in the War for Independence on the quota of Windham. He was one of the original 47 permanent settlers and took up his lot in what was known in after years as the Lowell neighborhood. He d. in Sept., 1830. Children : Anna, b. Feb. 26, 1778. Nathaniel, Jr., b. May 29, 1782; m. Clarissa Bryant. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 589 William, b. Feb. 13, 1785; m. Sophia. Bryant. Mary, b. Nov. 29, 1787; m. Dea. David Farrar, Jr. Stephen, b. July 19, 1790; s. in Peru. Margery, b. July 19, 1794; m. Warren Bessey. Jonathan, b. Apr. 22, 1797; m. Margaret Thompson. Jonathan Gammon, son of the preceding, b. Apr. 22, 1797, m. Margaret Thompson, b. 1798. He had the homestead on which they lived to their death. It was a very respectable and worthy family — none more so in town. He died May 2, 1879. She died in 1875. 'Children: James E., b. Sept., 1828 ; m. Denison ; s. in Dodge City, Kansas. Mary p., b. Oct., 1832 ; m. Carlton Gardner. Margaret J., b. Aug., 1841 ; ra. S. F. Balcom; s. in Cal. Before mar- riage she was a successful school teacher. Joseph Gammon, brother of the first Philip, was constable and tax collector in Gorham for several years. Children : Samuel, m. in 1776, Susanna Perkins; s. in Hartford; Rev. soldier. David, m. in 1777, Mary Doane; s. in Buckfield; a Rev. soldier. Daniel, m. in 1781, Mary Blanchard, 2d Polly Elder. Joshua, m. in 1787, Elizabeth Millett. Joseph, m. in 1795; Polly Patrick. Christiana, m. in 1796, Robert Knight, Otislic^ld. Willaim, m. in 1798, Molly Hasty: s. in Stoneham. John, m. in 1797, Sarah Cook; s. in Casco. Mary, m. in 1801, John Brov/n ; s. in Turner. Abigail, d. in Buckfield. David Gammon, 3d' son of above, m. Mary Doane. Children : Eunice, b. July 15, 1780; Joseph, b. Jan. 3, 1784; Thomas, b. Jan. 27, 1786 ; Polly, b. June 22, 1788 ; Levi, b. Aug. i, 1791 : Robinson, b. Feb. 10, 1794; Deborah, b. Apr. 10, 1797; Charity, h. Apr. 10, 1800. Gardner. The Gardners of Buckfield are descendants of John^ Gardner, who came unmarried from England to Boston, Mass., about 1650 and finally settled at Hingham. He married his wife, Mary at Boston, Apr. 10, 1651. He died Nov. 24, 1668, and she re- married. They had 10 children. John, the oldest, baptized July 17, 1652, m. Feb., 1683, Mary, dau. of Samuel and Mary (Farrar) Stowell. She died Oct. 22, 1714, aged 61. He died Dec. 16, 1700, aged 48. They had 6 children, John^ the oldest, b. Jan. 4, 1684, m. Rebecca . He died Apr. 20, 1742, aged 58. She survived him and m. 2d, Nov. 11, 1743, Samuel Whiton. Digitized by Microsoft® 590 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD They had 9 children. The first son and fourth child, John*, b. Feb. 5, 1720, m. Dec. 8, 1742, Joanna, dau. of Jonathan and Joanna (Whiten) Farrar. She was baptized June 19, 1720. He resided at "Liberty Plains," South Hingham, where his ancestors had lived. He died Apr. 19, 1802, aged 82. The date of her death is not given. They had 8 children. Their first son and Sth child was John, b. Nov. 30, 1751. Luther, the 6th child, b. Sept. 29, 1754, m. Apr. 2, 1788, Jane Mayo of Scitu.ate. Jona- than' was the 8th child and was born in Hingham, Jan. 29, 1764. He was a Revolutionary soldier and with his brother, Luther, also a Patriot of the War for Independence, settled in Buckfield before 1800. When the census for that year was taken the former had a family of eight persons and the latter two. It is said that Luther had no children and none are recorded on our records. Jonathan^, m. Sarah Gardner, b. Aug. 26, 1767. Her line of descent frpm John^ was Stephen 2-3-4. He died in 1836, She survived him some ten years. 'Children: Jonathan, Jr., b. Feb. 27, 1790; d. about 1810. Ansel, b. Sept. s, 1791 ; s. in Dixmont, Me.; lived to be over 90. Sarah, b. June 7, 1703; m. Allen; s. in Eastern Maine. Ira, b. Feb. ig, 1795 ; m. Naomi Gray. Joanna, h. Dec. 28, 1797; m. and s. in Eastern Maine. Huldah, b. ; m. John Brown of Canton. Jane, b. ; m. Lnnt; s. in Eastern Maine. John, b. t8i2; m. and s. in Eastern Maine.; d. about go years old. Ira Gardner^ b. Feb. 19, 1795, m. Naomi Gray of Paris, b. Oct. 21, 1798. He settled on a farm west of the village, which was the settling lot of Thomas Allen. He d. Sept. 3, 1870. Children : Columbia, h. Sept. 28, 1820; d. June t6, 1856. Hannibal, b. Apr. 26, 1822; d. Mar. 10, 1826. Britiania^ b. Nov. 2, 1823 ; m. Samuel Thomes. Oscar Fits-Allan, b. Sept. 14, 1825 ; m. Jennr.tte T. Thomes. Carlton, b. Mar. 3, 1828; m. Mary F. Gammon. Julius Melville, b. Sept. 7, 1831 ; d. in i86g. His wife d. Aug. 25, 1865 and he m. 2d Mrs. Julia Ripley. O.SCAR F. Gardner, son of the preceding, b. Sept. 14, 1825, m. Jennette T. Thomes. He served in the navy during the Mex- ican War, was a prominent man in town affairs and held the prin- cipal town offices for several years, was town clerk at the time of his death, Apr. 24, 1875. His widow died in Norway Oct. 16, 1902. Children : Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 59I Eugene Lee, b. June 25, 1856; m. Lizzie Jones. Jennie Columbia, Apr. 25, 1858; m. ist William Gregg, 2d Charles Young. Children: By 1st husband, Horiense Gardner, h. Jan. s, 1879; by 2d husband, Charlotte J., b. July 27, 1887. Gertrude O., b. May 18, 1875. Eugene L. Gardner^ son of the preceding, b. June 25, 1856, m. Lizzie Jones. Children: Guy, b. ; Iva May, b. ; Annie, h. Feb. 27, 1888; Mary C, b. Nov. 17, 1899. Carlton Gardner, Esq., son of Ira, b. Mar. 3, 1828, m. Mary F. Gammon. He was prominent in town and county affairs and a member of the board of selectmen and assessors for many years, also collector of taxes, town treasurer and member of the school board. The town affairs were always ably and judiciously man- aged while in his hands. Mr. Gardner served as deputy sheriff and jailer. He was a man of ability, sound judgment and of strict integrity and was respected by all who knew him. He died after 1900. Children by adoption : Mary, b. Jan., 1870; m. Dr. A. W. Hobart of Chicago. John C, b. July, 1873; d. Aug., 1880. Hall. Dea. John Hall, b. in 1617, m. Elizabeth Layton of Dover, N. H. Of their children was Hatevil, who m. Mercy Cromwell. One of their sons was Hatevil, Jr., b. in Dover, N. H., in 1709. He m. Sarah Furbish of Kittery, Apr. i, 1733. He was a chair maker or turner and settled in Dover. About 1753 they removed to Falmouth, Me., where he became a large land holder there and in Windham adjoining, some of which was purchased "in the 15th year of his majesty's reign." A member of the Society of Friends or Quakers, he was accustomed to speak at their meet- ings. He was of medium size and both he and his worthy wife were open-hearted, generous and hospitable. He died Nov. 28, 1797, leaving 475 descendants, but not till he had visited on horseback his relatives in N. H., to bid them a final farewell, after recovering from what his friends and relatives feared would be a fatal illness which he said he should live to do. His wife died Mar. 2, 1790. Children: Dorothy, b. Aug. 23, 1733; m- George Leighton. Daniel, b. Mar. 24, 173.5; »■ Lorana Winslow. Digitized by Microsoft® 592 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Hatevil, h. Mar. 24, 1736; m. ist Ruth Winslow, 2d Ann Jenkins. Mercy, b. Oct. 6, 1738; m. Joseph Leighton. Abigail, b. Feb. 12, 1740; m. Isaac Allen. B.henezer, h. July 20, 1741 ; m. Hannah Anderson. William, b. Dec. 6, 1742; m. ist Betsey Cox, 2d Elizabeth Wilson. John, b. June 19, 1744; m. Grace Sprague. Jedediah, b. Jan. 21, 1748; m. 1st Hannah Hussey, ad Elizabeth Clough. Andrew, b. Sept. 15, 17S0; ni. Jane Merrill. Nicholas, b. Mar. 8, 1753; ni. ist Experience Stone, 2d Emma Sawyer. Paul, b. Dec. 15 ,1755; m. 1st Sarah Neal, 2d Keziah Neal. Silas, b. , 1758; m. ist Hannah Gould, 2d Hannah Neal. Daniel Hall, oldest son of the preceding, b. Mar. 24, 1735, m. Lorana Winslow. At the age of 21 with his ax and snow- shoes, he left his father's home in Dover, N. H., and went by spotted trees to Falmouth to take up a settler's lot. Having selected it and built a log house he returned to Dover. He gave such a favorable account of the place where he proposed to make his future home, that his father and mother and the whole family moved into the wilderness and selected some of the best land in the three townships of Falmouth, Gorham and Windham. They had five sons and four daughters. All but one son lived to grow up and have families. Hatevil Hall, 'bro. of the preceding, b. Mar. 24, 1736, m. Ruth Winslow. They s. in Windham, afterwards in Buckfield and thence to Brooks, Me., where he died May 10, 1804. His wife d. June 11, 1798 and he m. 2d .\nn Jenkins. He could eas- ily jump on a rope held as high as two men could raise it. He served 7 years in the Revolutionary War and did duty every day of service. Children : Job, b. about 1754; m. 1st Mary Tripp, 2d Nanc> Murray. Ruth, b. about 1756; m. ist John Briggs, 2d Nath'I Smith. Sarah, h. Aug. 24, 1758; m. Robert Gatchel!. Hezekiah, b. about 1760; ra. and had a large family; s. in Kentucky. Enoch, b. Nov. 10, 1763 ; m. Miriam Furbish. Submit, b. Oct. 15, 1766; m. Daniel P. Elliott. John, b. about 1768; d. young. Hatevil, b. about 1770; m. in Turner in 1792, Judith Morgan. Abigail, b. Mar. 27, 1772 ; m. Daniel Campbell. Nathan, b. in 1774 ; m. Susanna Forbes'; s. in Buckfield. Dorcas, b. June 23, 1776; m. Israel Herrick. Children by the second wife: Margaret, b. ; m. Joseph Roberts. Shadrack, b. Feb. 4, 1779; m. Sarah Roberts; s. in Brooks, Me. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 593 Enoch Hall (see sketch), b. Nov. 10, 1763, m. Miriam Fur- bish. He died Dec. 10, 1835. She died a few years later than her husband in Livermore, Me., at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Abigail Doble. Children: Dolly, b. Feb. 15, 1786; d. in 1798. Ruth, b. Feb. 17, 1788; m. HoUingsworth Hines; s. in Hartford. Abigail, b. Dec. 3, 1790; m. Aaron Doble, Andrew, b. Jan. 9, 1792; m. ist Betsey Packard, 2d Martha Bicknell. John, b. Nov. 14, 1795; m. Harriet Gurney. Winshm, b. June 19, 1708; m. Ruth Howland; s. in Hartford. Dolly, b. Aug. 24, 1801 ; m. Daniel Brown. Zilpha, h. June 8, 1804; m. Simon Brown. Hiram, b. Sept. 29, 1806; m. Mary A. Thomp.son. WiNSLOw Hall, Esq., son of the preceding, b. June 19, 1798, m. in 1824, Ruth Howland. He settled in Hartford where he en- gaged in trade. He also owned mills and a farm. He held all of the principal town offices, was postmaster and representative to the legislature. In 1843 he moved to Presque Isle, Aroostook County. Children : Joseph Blake, 0. Sept. 3, 1825 ; m. ist Frances K. Newhall, 2d Lucinda E. Todd. Michael H., b. Mar. 12, 1827. Marcella M., b. Dec. 3, 1828; m. Joseph W. Hines. Julia A., b. Sept. 25, 1831. Edward W., b. Mar. 7, 1833. Crinfill C, b. June 12, 1835 ; m. Martha E. Pratt ; s. in Aroostook Co. Ruth A., b. July 30, 1837; m. Nathaniel Bartlett; s. in Aroostook Co. Sarah H., b. Mar. 24, 1840; m. Wm. H. Racklifif; s. in Aroostook Co. Mary J., b. June 4, 1842 ; in. Sam'l W. Straiten ; s. in Aroostook Co. Hon. Joseph Blake Hall, son of the preceding, • b. Sept. 3, 1825, m. in 1847 at Sangerville, Me., Frances K. Newhall. He settled first in Aroostook County but finally moved to Portland where for many years he was editor of the Portland Monitor. He was secertary of the Maine Senate and Secretary of State. His wife dying shortly after they were married, in 1850, he mar- ried Lucinda E. Todd by whom he had six children. The oldest, Alfred Winslow, b. Aug. 6, 1851, m. Eva I. Gould. He is a printer and resides at Portland. Nathan Hall, brother of Enoch Hall; ante, b. in Windham, Me., in J774, m. Susan Forbes. He settled in the eastern part of Buckfield on a farm adjoining that of Enoch. He was a re- markably fleshy man and for some years before his death, July Digitized by Microsoft® 594 HISTORY OF BUCKFIFXD 22, 1835, was nearly helpless from this cause. His wife d. Nov. 5, 1857. Children: Submit, b. Dec. i/.. 1795; ra. William Irish. Jonah, b. abt. 1797; m. Ann Drake. Nicholas, b. Feb. 22, 1799; m. Huldah Taylor. Cyrus, b. Dec. 26, i8oo; m. Anna Dorr. Miriam, b. ; m. George Roberts. Jane, h. Feb. 15, 1807; m. Levi M. Dorr. Elvira, b. Feb. 15, 1807; m. John M. Gallison. Leonard, b. ; vn. Laura Keene. Tryphenia, b. ; m. Chandler DeCoster. Charles, h. ; m. Delphina Forbes. Shadrack HalLj brother of the preceding, b. Feb. 4, 1779, m. Sarah Roberts, b. Jan. 17, 1781. They settled first in Buck- field but removed to Brooks, Me., in 1802, where he died Feb. 4, 1832. She died Dec. 26, i860. Children; Hatez'il, b. 1804 ; m. Charity Lanphis. Ann S., b. .Sept. 12, 1806; m. Francis Allen. Mary C, b. June 19, 1809; ra. Paul H. Hall. William P., b. i8ii'; m. Olive Whitnej'. Elisa, b. Feb. 15, 1812; m. Robert Mitchell. Arthur, b. 1813; m. Martha Cilley. Ruth, h. July 10, 1814; d. Sept. 14, 1816. Nathan, b. Apr. 14, 1816; d. Dec. 14, 1868. Abigail, b. June 17, 1819; m. Samuel L. Hobbs. Enoch, b. Jan. 4, 1824; d. June 10, 1824. Miriam, b. 1828; m. Humphrey Small. Andrew Hall, oldest son of Enoch, b.. Tune 9, 1792, m. Betsey Packard of Livermore. He died in Peru, Mar. 30, 1871. Children : Sylvia, h. June 3, 1820 ; m. Jonah Fobos. Miriam, h. Aug. II, 1822; m. Daniel W. Fobes. Andrew Hobson, b. Nov. 13, 1824; m. Martha P. Bicknell (?). Lucy A., b. May 10, 1827; m. Aurelius V. Cole, John Hall, brother of the preceding, b. Nov. 14, 179S, m. Harriet Gurney. Children : Bainbridge, b. Aug. 6, 1823, d. Oct. 6, 182I4; Bainbridge, b. Dec. 14, 1824. Hiram Hall, brother of the preceding, b. Sept. 29, 1806, m. Mary A. Thompson. He lived on the farm where he was born till his death. Children: Cleora Elmore, b. July 22, 1832, m. George A. Nourse, Cambridge, Mass.; Prancilla Valencia, b. Sept. 17, 1834; Charlotte Thompson, K Nov. 29, 1836; William. Henry, b. July 8, 1841. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 595 Noah Hall, "mariner" with his wife, Mary Hall, settled in the western part of the town in Januar)f, 1813. He was born in Falmouth, Me., Apr. 14, 1780 and was the son of Nicholas and Experience (Stone) Hall. When he became of age, he went to sea and made several voyages to the West Indies and various 'ports of the United States. On one of these voyages he was im- pressed into the British navy. His certificate of citizenship, is- sued by our custom house officials by authority of the govern- ment, to protect him, he concealed in his wig till he should have the opportunity to reach any of the United States officials, in foreign ports. He knew if he showed his certificate it would be disregarded or destroyed. Such acts as this led to the war of 1812 with Great Britain. For the three years and a half that he was in the British service, though his war vessel had entered many European ports and had often been engaged with the forces of the Spanish, French and Dutch, he and others similarly situ- ated were not allowed to go ashore. Finally an English mess mate at Liverpool, who was in the habit of rowing the captain ashore, took his certificate to the American consul who procured his discharge in December, 1806. The documents in the case are still preserved by his descendants as precious heirlooms. He made his way back home, where he was joyfully received, having long been given tip as dead. After this he made many voyages as first mate to the West Indies and Europe. When the war of 1812 broke out he was on a voyage to Rotterdam, Holland, but his vessel reached home in safety. He decided to quit a sea- faring life and settled down on a farm and came to Buckfield where he made his home to his death, Jan. 24, 1871, in the 91st year of his age. His wife died January 9, 1864. Children: Eunice, b. Nov. S, 1813; d. unm. < Jane M., h. May 17, 1815; m. Nehemiah Douglass. Polly, h. Mar. I, 1817; m. Joel Hall; s. in Peru. Experience, b. July 25, 1818 ; m. Reuben Gurney. Cordelia, b. Dec. 30, 1819; m. Levi Cushman. Andrezv J., b. Sept. S, 1825 ; m. Mary Hooper. Andrew J. Hall, son of the preceding, m. Mary Hooper. They lived on the old homestead. Children: Mary A., b. Jan. 13, 1852; m. William L. Harlow. Georgianna, b. lilar. 17, 1854; m. Allison H. EUwood. Arthur S., b. May 26, 1864; m. Alice King. Mattie G., b. Oct. 27, 1866; m. Fred Hardy. Harry L., b. Aug. 23, 1868; m. Edith Stearns. Digitized by Microsoft® 596 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Hammond. Capt. Benjamin Hammond was the 13th settler in New Gloucester. He and his wife, Sarah (Cragie) with other settlers made the "Block House" their home during a part of the Indian hostilities. When they were nearly over, he built a log house on the top of Harris Hill in which the family lived for several years. In the War of the Revolution, he rose to the rank of Captain. He died at Ticonderoga from disease contracted in the service. Captain Hammond had been a famous Indian scout and a mighty hunter. The widow died in her 97th year. Children: Benjamin, Jr., b. July 13, 1760; m. Rebecca Smith; s. in Paris. Sarah, b. ■ 1763; m. Nicholas Chesley; s. in Paris. Susan, b. 1765; ro. Lemuel Jackson, Jr.: s. in Pari?. Hannah, b. 1767; m. Jacob Parsons; s. in Norway." Bela, b. 1769; s. in Foxcroft. Joseph, b. Nov. 27, 1771 ; m. Lydia Parsons; s.. in Paris. Polly, b. 1773; m. Cotton; s. in New Gloucester. Joseph Hammond, son of the preceding, b. Nov. 27, 1771, m. Lydia Parsons of Norway, b. Oct. 28, 1777. She was the dau. of William and Sarah (l?-ust) Parsons. In their old age they came to live with their son, William P. HanAiiond. They had 16 chil- dren, none of whom are recorded on our records. Joseph, the ist son and 4th child, b. Sept. 29, 1802; m. Lydia Cush- man and s. in Lincoln. Peleg Benson, 2d son, b. Jan. 6, 1808; m. Emerline Irish; s, in Hebron and Paris. William Parsons, 3d son, b. Sept. 27, 1809; m. Lucy Whittemore; s. in Buckfield. Henry Rust, 4th son, b. Sept. 17, 1813 ; d. Feb, 3, 1816. - John Rust, Sth son, b. May 18, [822; m. Jennette A. Cushman; s. in Patten. George W., 6th and youngest son, b. Nov. 14, 1826; m. Emily C. Thayer; s. in Paris. The 7th daughter, Lydia J., b. July 5, 1815 ; m. Bradford Morse ; s. in Buckfield. William P. Hammond, son of Joseph, b. Sept. 27, 1809, m. Lucy Whittemore of Paris. They settled in Buckfield where he died Dec. 9, 1890. Children : ' Roxana, b. Apr. i, 183:3; m. Alfred Mylod.; s. in Dedham, Mass. Arabella, b. 1834; m. Gilbert Evans. Eliza Ann, b. 1838; m. Harrison Farrar. Edith P., b. 1841 ; m. Homer Record ; s. in Turner. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 597 Old Harlow House at Plymouth Gideon W., b. 1844 ; m. Ellen M. Thayer. Mary E., b. July 13, 1854; d. in infancy. Gideon W. Hammond, son of the preceding, b. in 1844, m. Ellen M. Thayer. Children: Angie P., b. Dec. 15, 1864; Arabella, h. May S, 1871. Harlow. William Harlow (see traditional history) was the sixth in descent from William\ who came to this country and settled in the old Colony at Plymouth where he m. in 1649, Rebecca Bart- lett. His house was constructed from the timbers of the old Fort on Burial Hill. The line of descent is William, William, Robert, Isaac, William, William. The latter, our first settler by that name, m. Susanna, dau. of Thomas Harlow. He was a man of worth and greatly respected for his sterling qualities. He died in 1800 by the fall of a tree. She died in SangerviUe in 183 1. Children : • Nathaniel, b. Apr. 20, 1781 ; m. Polly Thayer. William, b. 1782 ; killed by a falling tree. Ivory b. Apr. 28, 17B4; m. Rebecca Manwell; s. in Brewer. Digitized by Microsoft® 598 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Jerusha, b. June 22, 1786; m. Fuller Dyke; s. in Canton. Rev. Ephraim, b. Nov. 21, 1788; m. Laodicia Bessey. Susanna, b. Mar. 19, 1791 ; m. Abiatha Austin; s. in Byron. William, h. Mar. 19, 1793; m. S.wah Billing's; s. in Bridgton. Isaac, b. Apr. 10, 1795 ; m. Gray ; d. in Phillips. Elizabeth, b. Apr. 23, 1797; m. Levi Gray; s. in Sangerville. Drusilla, b. Mar. 31, 1800; d. young. Nathaniel Harlow, oldest son of the preceding, 'b. Apr. 20, 1781, m. ist Polly Thayer of Randolph, Mass. He was a man of note in his part of the town, was a trader, postmaster and Jus- tice of the Peace. 1st wife d. Jan. i, 1842 and he m. 2d Mrs. Lucy (Witt) Turner. He died in Buckfield past 75 years of age. Children : Elvira, b. Sept. 26, 1804; d. Dec. 15, 1810. Irene, b. Oct. 30, 1808; m. Sylvanus B. Faunce. Isaacj b. Mar. 31, 1812; m. Elizabeth Maxim; s. in Boston. Hannah, b. Oct. 2, 1814; m. Josiah Bailey. Susanna, b. Jan. 7, 1818; m. Benj. Maxim. Polly, b. Sept. 2S, 1831 ; m. Deering Mayhew. Louisa, b. Aug. 26, 1824; d. June 30, 1847. Nathaniel, Ir., b. Aug. 31, 1827; m. Harriet E. Bonney. lairus, h. Feb. 13, 1830; m. Julia L. Turner; s. in Boston. Nathaniel Harlow, Jr., son of the preceding, b. Aug. 31, 1827, m. Harriet E. Bonney. He was a soldier in the Civil War. He d. Nov. 14, 1884. Children: Charles A., b. Apr. 7, 1852; d. young. Frederick A., b. July 31, 1855. Rev. Ephraim Harlow (see church history), son of William, b. Nov. 21, 1788, m. Laodicia Bessey of Paris. He died Apr. 8, 1862. She died Dec. 2, 1874. Children: C. Columbus, b. ; m. Miriam Farrar; d. June 9, 1887. Lydia, b. ; m. Col. A. D. White. Marcelle, b. ; m. Orin Farrar. Laodicia, b. ; d. unm. Apr. s, 1880. Sarah, b. ; m. Gilbert Barrett. Samuel, b. ; m. ist Boadicia Farrar, 2d Wheeler, 3d Elvira Damon. Belinda, b. ; m. Holmes Austin. William L. Harlow, son of Isaac, ante, b. in Boston, Mar. 5, 1849, m. 1873, Mary A. Hall. Children : Flora A., b. Sept. S, 187S; m. ist Alphonzo Whitman, 2d Otis F. Rawson. Daisy M., b. Nov. 4, 1876; m. Edson G. Merrill. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 599 Maud E., b. Apr. 8, 1878; m. Edwin L. Phiiuiey. Percy W., b. Aug. 28, 1880. Fannie G., b. May 9, 1883. Harry A., b. Aug. 29, 188.4. Leon L, b. Jan. 6, 1886. Earle A., b. Apr. 6, 1887; d. young. Alice B., h. Feb. 14, 1889. H.\THAW.\Y. Ephraim Hathaway, son of Capt. Ephraim of Dighton, Mass., was the first settler of this name in the township. Both father and son were soldiers in the War for American Inde- pendence. The son saved in his father's company, 2nd Bristol County Regiment. The son was of the guards which had in charge many of the soldiers of Gen. Burgoyne after the sur- render at Saratoga. He m. Jemima — . He died Feb. 15, 1836, and is buried on the Capt. Benj. Maxim farm. Children: Richard, h. Sept. 29, 1784; m. Olive Faunce. Sabra, b. Jan. 25, 1786; m. John Farris. Ephraim, h. Mar. 2X, 1788; m. Hannah Morey. Hiram, h. Nov. !•(, 1789; m. .ITannah Huzzey. Freeman, h. Mar. 27, 1794; m. Dorcas Philhrick; s. in Minot. RiCHAED Hathaway, son of the preceding, b. Sept. 29, 1784, m. Olive Faunce. Children: Hannah, h. Apr. .3, 1815; Freeman, b. July .30, 1817, m. Philbrick; Granville Chandler, h. May 10, 1819; Ephraim, h. May 23, 1827; Phebe Leavitt, h. Sept. 20, 1829; Addison, h. Sept. 17, 1831. Hieam, brother of the preceding, b. Nov. 14, 1789, m. Han- nah Hussey. She died Sept. .12, 1844. Children : Hiram, Jr., b. Nov. 8, 1818; Sylvanus, b. Sept. 8, 1822, s. in Gardiner; Sarah Jemima, b. Sept. 25, 1824; Chloe A., b. Jan. 9, 1827; Calvin Morey, b. Oct. 27, 1828; Eliza Bennett, b. May 2, 1832, d. May S, 1843; William T., b. Feb. 20, 1834; James, b. June 28, 1836, d. Aug. 26, 1838. Heald. Benjamin Heald^ the first of the name in this section was a Revolutionary soldier. He came from Carlisle, Mass., to Sum- ner, then Butterfield PL, prob. in 1783. He was one of those who settled there before Jan. i, 1784 and was given 100 acres of land by the Commonwealth. He was also one of the proprietors. Digitized by Microsoft® 600 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD He was born June 25, 1764. He ra. Rebekah Spaulding- of B. He died Oct. 12, 1841. She died June 10, 1858 in her 93d year. Children : Benjamm, Jr., b. Sept. 13, 1786; m. Achsah Hall. Susannah, b. Jan. 29, 1788; m. Joshua Carpenter. Israel, b. Jan. 22, 1793; m. Jane Standish. Charlotte, b. Mar. 10, 1795; d. Maj- 8, 180T. Hiram, b. July 19, 1797; m. Sophronia Hersey. Harriet, b. Jan. 14, 1800; m. Reuben Carpenter. Washington, b. July 23, 1802; m. Eliza A. Allen. Joseph W., b. Sept. 28, 1804; d. young. Jefferson, b. Nov. 16, 1805 ; m. Jane Hersey. Charlotte, b. Feb. 23, 1808; m. Charles A. Buck. Columbus, b. July 21, 1810; m. Nancy W. Buck. Col. WASHiNcroN Heald, son of the preceding, b. in Sum- ner, July 23, 1802, m. Eliza A. Allen, b. Oct. 19, 1803. His fa- ther having purchased of Domin'.cus Record and his mother the water privilege and mills above the bridge in Buckfield village in April, 1826, he bought the same six years after and enlarged and rebuilt. In Sept., 1836, he sold to Addison G. Cole, and shortly after settled at North Biickfield where he owned the mills there and did business for many years. The place in our boyhood days was called "Heald's Mills." For many years he was the leading citizen of his section of the town and he rose in the militia to the rank of Lieut. Colonel. He died Mar. 22, 1876. His wife died July 6, 1893. Children: Betsey W., b. Aug. 28, 1825 ; m. Deplura H. Bisbee. Rebekah Spaulding, h. July 23, 1827; m. Charles H. Pond. Geo. Washington, b. Nov. 20, 1829; m. Eveline Hemenway. Joshua C, b. Mar. 24, 1831; m. Olynthia Swallow. Caroline D., b. May 18, 1834; m. Erastus N. Pendleton. Eliza Jane, b. Nov. 13, 1837; m. Clinton Howe. William, b. Jan. 31, 1841 ; m. Elvn E. Lovett. Benj. Franklin, b. Sept. 13, 1843; m. Rosilla Monk. Enos D., b. July 7, 1845; m. 1st Ella Mitchell, 2d Jane Swallow. Joshua C. Heald, son of the preceding, b. Mar. 24, 1831, m. Olynthia Swallow. They reside at North Buckfield. Children: Fred E., b. July 25, i8ss ; m. Florence 'Monk. Clinton Szvaltoit', b. June 10, 1858; d. Nov. 19, 1862. Anna R., b. May 18, 1861 ; m. Corey Bonney. Preston C, b. Dec. 19, 1864. Harry M., b. Dec. 14, 1870 ; m. Alice G. Cary. /. Maud, b. July s, 1873; m. Norman Bessey. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 601 Benjamin F. Heald, son of Col. Washington, b. Sept. 13, 1843, m- Rosilla Monk. They reside at North Buckfield where he has been in business for many years. Children: Washington, b. July 23, 1867; m. Ella Bessey. Addie Belle, b. Mar. 4, 1870; m. Rollin Stetson; d. in 1901. Elva E., b. July i, 1873. Maggie P., h. Dec. 6, 1880. Washington Heald, son of the preceding, b. July 23, 1867, _m. 1st Ella Bessey, 2d Lydia J. Varney. Mr. Heald is engaged with his father in the lumber business at Xorth Buckfield. No issue. Enos D. Heald, youngest son of Col. Washington, b. July 7, 1845, m- I St, Ella A. Mitchell, 2d, Jane Swallow. Children by 1st wife: Carl Mitchell, h. Apr. 27, 1873; m. ZiOa Tobin. Harold Allen, b. Sept. 25, 1875; d. young. HoDGDON. Jeremiah Hodgdon, a carpenter, moved from Falmouth to Gorham, Me., and was in the fort or block house there with his family during the Indian War. His wife, Mary (probably Cot- ton) administered on his estate in October, 1749. She deeded land at West Gorham to Jeremiah Hodgdon (no doubt her son) in 1777- How many children, Jeremiah, senior, and his wife had is ' not known but there is a record of the baptism by Parson Smith of Falmouth of seven: James, baptized Aug. 20, 1732. Benjamin, Aug. 20, 1732. Elizabeth, Aug. 20, 1732; m. in 1755, Benj. Donnell, Buxton. Seth, Sept; 17, 1732. John, 1734; m. 1770, Susannah Brown. Jeremiah, 1737; m. 1st about 1760, Abigail , 2d Thankful Keen. Polly, 1740, living in Josiah Davis' family, unm. in 1780. William Cotton of Falmouth was guardian to minor children, Jeremiah, John and Mary Hodgdon. Jeremiah Hodgdon, Jr., was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and was a corporal in the Penobscot Expedition. His chil- dren by his wife, Abigail, were : Mary, b. Aug, 2. 1762; James, b. Jan. 17, 1763; Joseph, b. Jan. 20, 1768, m. Mary Snow, s. in Orrington, Me.; Mehitahle, b. July 22, 1770; Sarah, b. Sept. 19, 1772; Elisabeth, b. Aug. i, 1774; Jeremiah, b. Sept. 9, 1776; Digitized by Microsoft® 602 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Ehenezer, b. May 17, 1771. He moved to Buckfield and late in life to Hebron where he died Aug. 24, 1823. ?7is wife died and he ni. 2d Thankful Keen. Children recorded on Buckfield records by 2d wife: Ehenezer, b. May 27, 1781; Tirrel, b. Oct. 26, 1780; Abigail, b. May 12, 1788; John, b. June 23, 1791; Lydia, b, Feb. 7, 1794. HuTCHIN.SON. The Hutchinsons of Buckfield and Hebron are descendants of Richard Hutchinson, the American ancestor, who was b: in Eng- land in 1602 and with his wife, Alice and four children came to this country in 1634. A Hutchinson was Speaker of the House of Commons and several of that name were prominent during the reign of the first King Charles. Timothy Hutchinson was the first of the name to settle in Buckfield. His father was Bartholomew of Sutton, Mass., wlio, m. Ruth Haven in 1763. The line of descent from Richard is Joseph, Benjamin, Nathaniel, Bartholomew. The latter had 10 children. Timothy was the 6th child, b. July 31, 1774. He m. Nizaula Rawson of Sutton. They came to B. before i8oo and settled in that part of the town afterwards set off into Paris. He was a man of ability and a noted school teacher. They had 14 children — only the 3d and 4th being recorded on Buckfield rec- ords, Nizaula, b. Feb. 13, 1801, m. Herman Towne and Marma- duke Rawson, b. Feb. 12, 1802, m. Sophia Cumniings. The family finally removed to Albany where he d. Mar. I4, 1867, in the 94th year of his age. The mother d. Feb. 25, 1869, past go years old. Elder Daniel Hutchinson of Windham of another branch of the same family was an early settler in Hartford and preached there and in Buckfield for many years. He also taught school in both towns with great success. He taught one at Enoch Hall's that Mr. Hall attended with his children and from Elder Hutch- inson, Hall acquired the first rudiments of what education he possessed. Elder Dahiel Hutchinson was sent as a representative^ from Hartford to the legislature and was also elected state sen- ator. He died at an advanced age. The birth of two of his children are recorded here : Richard, b. June 8, 1806 and Jesse, b. Dec. 29, 1807. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 603 Stephen Hutchinson, Jr., and his son, Joseph, were sol- diers from Windham in the War of the Revokition. The latter settled in Hebron. He married Rebecca Legrow of Windham and died Feb. 24, 1801. Children: Rev. Joseph, b. Nov. 3, 1779 ; m. Deborah Fuller. Samuel, b. Aug. 9, 1781 ; m. Mary Randall. Lydia, b. J-uly 13, 1785; m. Nathaniel Keen. Stephen, b. Aug. 6, 1787; m. Asenath Gilbert. Henry H., h. Aug. 9, 1789; m. Caroline Lander. Daniel, b. Aug. 13, 1791 ; m. Charlotte Ricker. Rebecca, h. Aug. 10, 1793. Elizabeth, b. July 10, 1795. Benjamin R., b. Nov. 17, 1799; d. July 7, 1802, Stephen Hutchinson, son of Joseph, b. Aug. 6, 1787, m. Asenath Gilbert. He purchased the settling lot of Lemuel Crooker on South Hill in Nov., 1812. Some years afterwards he moved to Buckfield village. His wife died and he m. 2d Jen- nette Alden of Greene. He died at an advanced age. Children by 1st wife: Stephen Drew, b. Sept. 25, 1812; m. Mary Atkinson. Chandler, b. Oct. 10, 1814; m. Clarissa A. Buck. Horace, b. Mar. 23, 1817; m. Gustava Alden. Mark, b. Feb. 14, 1820; m. Eliza Alden. Betsey, b. about 1823; d. young. , Albion P., b. Aug. 29, 1825. Children by 2d wife : Jennette Alden, b. Apr. 23, 1828; m. Samuel O. Record. Augusta Hayford, b. May 29, 1829. Asenath, b. May 28, 1832; m. Lewis O'Brion. Vesta, b. Mar. 24, 1834; d. young. Stephen D. Hutchinson, Esq., oldest son of Stephen, b. Sept. 25, 1812, m. Mary Atkinson. He was town clerk in Buck- field for several years and was twice elected register of deeds. He moved to Paris Hill where after serving as register of deeds he was in trade to his death in 1897. Children recorded in Buckfield : Mary Annette, b. July 29, 1838 ; m. Sumner E. Newell ; Joh/i% Ran- dolph, b. Apr. II, 1840; Winfield Scott, h. May 27, 2845- Henry H. Hutchinson, son of Joseph, b. Aug. 9, 1789, m. Caroline Lander. They settled on the John Irish, Jr., settling lot on South Hill. He was much in town office and served as a Rep- resentative, to the Legislature and was highly respected by all who Digitized by Microsoft® 604 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD knew him. He was one of the leading men of his section and in the town ; was a Justice of the Peace and executed deeds, wills, etc. He died June 13, 1874. Children: Benjamin R., h. Nov. 21, 1812:; d. Jan. 9, 1834. Henry H., Jr., b. June 30, 1814; m. Ruth S. Cushman. Hannah, b. Mar. 23, 1816; d. Nov. 20, 1820. Edmund, h. Oct. 19, 1819. Henry H. Hutchinson, Jk., son of the preceding, b. June 30, 1814, m. Ruth S. Cushman. He followed in the footsteps of his father and was very prominent in town affairs. With one exception (Enoch Hall, who served an equal number of years as one of the selectmen) he was a selectman, the longest period of any in town. He died June 2, 1887. She died in Lynn, Mass., Aug. 27, 1895, aged 84. Children: Caroline, b. July 13, 1838; m. William H. Mitchell. Sophronia, b. July 4, 1840. George Dallas, b. Nov. 24, 1843; resides in Lynn, Mass. John Hutchinson m. Hannah Lander in 1823. He died 1846.^ She died Jan. 16, 1875. Children: John Colby, b. Dec. 30, 1824; m. Emeline E. Doe. Josiah, b. June 29, 1827; m. Martha B. Gilbert. James F., b. Oct. 10, 1829; d. May 25, 1832. JosiAH Hutchinson, son of John ante, h. June 29, 1827, m. Martha B. Gilbert. They settled in the village where he was in trade for many years. She died Mar. 18, 1885. Children: Persis M., h. Sept. s, 1852; Carro A., h. Dec. 25, 1855. Irish. James Irish, the American ancestor of the Buckfield Irishes, came from Oxfordshire, England, to Falmouth, now Portland, Me., about 1710. About 1740 he settled in Gorham, Me. He married Elizabeth . They lived in Gorham where their youngest child, William, was probably born, till the Indian War broke out, when they removed to a place of greater safety until the danger was over. Then' they returned to their farm. He died when about 55 years of age. His widow survived him many years and died at the age of 84. Children : John, b. Apr. 13, 1724; m. about 1745, Sarah ; s. in Bucktown. Miriam, h. Sept. 13, 1725; rn. about 1743, Gamaliel Pote; s. in Fal- mouth. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BtjCKFIELD 605 Joseph, b. Apr. 12, 1728;' m. about 1753, Hannah Doane; s. in Buck- town. Elisabeth, b. Apr. 19, 1730. Thomas, b. Feb. 27, 1732; d. young. Gen. James, b. Jan. 21, 1736; m. 1756 Mary G. Phinney; s. in Gorham. Thomas, b. Jan. 29, 1737; m. 1759, Deliverance Skillings; s. in Gorham. William, b. 1741 ; m. Mary McAllister ; s. in Bucktowii. John Irish "(see sketch), son of the precedhig, b. Apr. 13, 1724, m. Sarah . Children: Abigail, b, Dec. 24, 1746; m. John Buck. Child baptized in 1749. John, Jr., b. Aug. 12, 1751; m. in 177S, Eleanor Moffit. Molly, b. June iS: T-7SZ- James, b. Feb. 18, 17SS ; m- in 1777, Mary Jenkins. Sarah, b. July 8, T7S7; m- in 1779, Joshua Young. Elisabeth, b. June 11, 1760. John Irish, Jr. (see sketch) with wife, Eleanor Moffit from Gorham, Me., settled in Bucktown about 1783. He died in 1805. Children recorded here : Rebekah, h. July 8, 1776; m- Simeon Bicknell. Jacob, b. May 10, 1778. Abigail, b. Oct. 14, i779; m- David Bicknell. >, John, b. Nov. 14, 1782; m. Huldah Washburn. Abijah, b. May 30, 1786. Eleanor, b. Aug. 30, 1788; m. Joseph Rowe. Relief, b. Apr. 13, I79i ; ni.- Alfred Monk. Simeon, b. Mar. 2, 1793 ; m. Abigail Ricker. John Irish, son of the preceding, b. Nov. 14, 1782, m. Huldah Washburn. Children recorded on B. records: Desire b. Dec. 2, 1807 ; Emerline, b. Oct. 14, 1808 ; Eleanor, b. Feb. 20, 1811; Reiibcn, b. Sept.. 25, 1814; Jennette, b. May i, 1817; Oliver Wash- burn, h. Jan. 16, 1820; Cynthia, b. Nov. 28, 1823. Joseph Irish (see sketch) settled in the south east part of the town before Jan. i, 1784- He married Hannah Doane in I7.S3- He died in 1808. There is no mention of his children on our town records. Ebenezer Irish, son of the preceding, m. Bathsheba McFar- land. Children : Samuel, b. Mar. 23, I790- Elkanah, b. June 30, i793; m. Polly DeCoster. _ AK;„^«^ Y/.Mernlh Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 633 public position he ever held. For his 3S years' service as an instructor of youth in this state, Mr. Merrill has been granted a teachers' pension. (He has recently (191S) married a lady by the name of Parker and re- sides at Islesboro.) Children all by ist wife and all b. in Buckfield : Addie Francis, h. Mar. 27, 1857-; m. Geo. O. Hatch, Apr. 1.3, 1885. She was educated at Hebron Academy and Waterville College. Taught 16 terms of school. Resides in Hebron. Clarihel, b. May 30, 1858; m. Sept. 16, 1884, John Hutchinson; edu- cated at Hebron Academy, Colby Univ., Wellesley College and N. Y. Med. College, went abroad to Europe in 1900. Has practiced medicine in Waltham, Mass., for 25 years. Preston I., b. Sept. 13, 1859; m. July, 1890, Caro Thomas. Graduated at Colby Univ. in '83 ; principal of High School. Randolph, N. Y., and Virginia City, Montana ; manager of the Merrill Teachers' Agency of Boston, Mass. Frank W., b. Oct. 12, 1861 ; ra. Nov., 1895, IMartha Malvy ; has taught school in Belgrade, Rome and Islesboro. Pearl IV., b. Sept. 16, 1866. He i.s located in Boston where he is doing an extensive business in window shades and screens. IX. Eurydice, b. Apr. 14, 183S ; m. Bradford F. Sturtevant in 1855 ; s. in Hebron. He d. Nov., i8gg. Children: Henry B., b. Apr. 13, 'S'6, m. Lucy Bowman; Rachel, b. , m. Fred Farris; Bertha, b. ■ , m. Arthur George ; Frank, h. . ra. . X. Sarah Jane, h. Dec. 28,. 1837; m, Winslow Turner; s. in Auburn. He d. Mar. 11, 1899. Children: Herbert, b. Mar. 25, 1858; Winslow, b. Feb. 20, 1862; Eugene, h. Nov. S, 1865. Monk. E1.1AS Monk, born in 1760, was a soldier in the Revolution from Mass. and one of Washington's Hfe gJards.He settled in Hebron. His wife d. in 1806 and he m. 2d Louisa Rawson of Paris. He d. Dec. 17, 1842. Children all by ist wife: Lewis, b. Sept. 14, 1779; m. Martha Bessey. James, 0. Dec. 12, 1782; m. Mary Jordan. Martha, b. Aug. 24, 1784; m. James Farris, Jr. Alfred, b. Sept. 8, 1786; m. Relief Irish. Rebecca, b. Sept. 7, 1788. Betty, b. Apr. 4, )79i. I^ovina B., b. Oct. 17, 1792. Millitiah, b. Oct. 28, 1794. Lewis Monk, son of Elias, m. Martha Bessey. He d. Aug. 25, 1861. Children: Rachel, b. Sept. 30, 1802; m. David Hannaford. Sarah, b. June i, 1806; m. ist Wm. Blake, 2d Fred Denning. Digitized by Microsoft® 634 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Lewis, b. June 22, 1808; m. ist Betsey Lane, 2d Eleanor Bucknam, 3d Nancy Russell. Lucy, b. Mar. 11, i8og; m. ist, Jesse Cumming's. 2d Levi B. Rawson; d. Apr. 14, 1899. William, b. Oct. 29, 181 1; m. Wealthy Davie. Caroline, b. Feb. 8, 1815 ; m. Wm. W. Bumpus. Mary, b. Sept. 11, 1821 ; m. Job Crooker. Alfred Monk, b. Sept. 8, 1786, m. Relief Irish and settled early in the last century in the southwest part of the town on a farm now owned by his grandson. He died July 7, 1875. She died Dec. 9, 1878, aged' 90. Tliey had lived together 67 years and 7 mos. Children : John Irish, b.' Oct. 22, 1809 ; m. Mercy Hatch. Simeon, b. June 15, 181 1; m. Charlotte Merrill. Louisa, b. Nov. 25, 1813; m. Isaac Jordan. Alfred, Jr., b. Oct. 25, 1815; m. Eunice Maxim. Relief, b. June 19, 1817; m. Elijah Jordan. Elias, h. Mar. 28, 1819; m. Eliza Turner. Lysander W., b. Feb. 28, 1821 ; m. Betsey P. Turner. Harriet, b. Jan. 28, 1824; m. Charles Record of Poland. Sidney, b. Nov. 13, 1825 ; m. Sarah Robinson. Esther J., h. Dec. 13, 1827 ; m. Enoch Crockett of Sumner. Leji, b. Oct. 26, 1828; m. Harriet Turner. Decatur, b. June 26, 1831 ; m. Sylvia H. Benson. Melissa Ann, b. Feb. 20, 1833; m. Decatur Turner, Isaac Jordan, b. Sept. 14, 1837; m. 1st Florence Herrick, 2d Wing. Elias Monk, son of the preceding, b. Mar. 28, 1819, m. Eliza Turner. He d. Aug. 10, 1892. She d. Sept. 22, 1886. Children : Rosilla, b. June 23, 1845; m. Benj. F. Heald. Emma A., b. Sept. 14, 1847; m. Appleton F. Mason. Rinaldo, b. Feb. 22, 1849; m. Florence A. Barnes. RiNALDO Monk, son of the preceding, b. Feb. 22, 1849, m. Florence A. Barnes. He d. Oct. 23, 1892. She m. 2d Fred E. Heald. Children : Holman W.. h. Oct. 19, 1882: Josephine B., b. Feb. 25, 188I4. Lysander W. Monk, son of Alfred, b. Jan. 17, 1851, m. Betsey P. Turner. He d. Mar. 19, i88g. Children : Lei'i Turner, h. Jan. lo, 1848; m. Estella Ames. Lysander E., b. Jan. 17, 18,51; m. Reuvilla Ames. Winslow S:, b. Feb. 9, 1857. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 636 Lysander E. Monk, son of the preceding, b. Ja. 17, 1851, m. Reuvilla Ames. Children: Orah Belle, b. May 17, 1875; m- Montelle Turner. Lysander Isaac, fa. Dec. 19, 187 — ; m. Mary Fuller. James Monk with wife, Mary Jordan, settled in the town quite early in the last century. He was a bro. of Alfred, sen. Children : Joanna, b. Mar. 23, 1804; m. Jesse Packard. Elsie, b. Mar. 23, 1804; m. Josiah Weeks. Mary, b. May 8, 1807; m. Samuel Sturtevant. James, Jr., m. and s. in Waterford. Elijah, m. Jackson. Eunice, m. Moses Twitchell. Samuel, b. Sept., 1816; d. Sept. 11, 1824. Arvilla, b. June, 1823; m. John Cooper. Albion, m. and s. in Mass. Morrill. Three brothers by the name of Morrill, John, Nathan and William settled in the town before 1825. They came from Tur- ner. The father's name was James who m. Anna , b. abt. 1778. He was b. about 1769. He d. in Buckfield, after 1850. She d. after 1850. John Morrill, son of James, was a blacksmith. He was b. about 1800. He m. Esther E. . 'Children: John James, b. Jan. 29, 1825; Wm. Sampson, b. F'eb. 11, 1828; Leiuis, b. Apr. 21, 1830; Charles W.. b. Jan. 23, 1837. Nathan Morrill, Esq., son of James, b. abt. 1S04, m. Miriam Chase. He was one of Buckfield's most substantial business men. During the latter part of his hfe 'was considered to be the wealthiest man in town. He died Jan. 29, 1888 in the 84th year of his age. Children : Horace, b. Oct. 3, 1832; m. Emily R. Farrar. Ellen, b. Dec. 14, 1833 ; m. Samuel Thomes. Isaac Chase, b. Nov. 14, 1838; m. ist Laura Witbington, 2d Rogers. Horace Morrill, oldest son of the preceding, b. Oct. 3, 1832, m. Emily R. Farrar. He d. Apr. 16, 1893. Children: Lizzie Atwood, b. July 23, 1858; m. Frank Vaughan. Alice M., b. Aug. 31, i860. Digitized by Microsoft® 636 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Helen, b. July is, 1863; m. Charles Hatch. Ralph, b. Mar. 23, 1873 ; m. Maud Russell. Isaac C. Morrill, son of Nathan, b. Nov. 14, 1838, m. Laura J. Withington. She d. Sept. 14, 1872. Children: Zadoc Long, b. Mar. 23, 1867; d. in infancy. Earl Nathan, b. July S, 1868; m. Sarah Cronimett. Ellen Ursula, b. Oct. 29, 1870; ra. Joseph Emery; s. in Everett, Mass. (For several years after her graduation, Miss Morrill taught school at Norway with great success and was very popular with all classes. Some years ago she died deeply lamented by all who ever knew her.) E. Nath.\n Morrill, son of the preceding, b. July 5, 1868, m. Sarah Crommett. He has been in trade many years and has served as chairman of the board of selectmen, a position he now (191 5) holds. William Morrill, son of James, b. about 181 1, m. Harriet Hodgdon. Children : Clarissa, b. Nov. 16, 1834. Carroll C, b. June 25, 1837; m. Mary, b. Sept. 22, 1839; m. Joseph F. DeCoster. William L., b. Oct. 31, 1841. Harriet E., b. Aug. 3, 1845. His wife died Apr. 20, 1847 '^"fl he m. 2d Matilda Lothrop. Children by second wife : Walter B., h. May 12, 1849. Addie B., b. Aug. 20, 1850. Emerline, b. Feb. 2, 1852. Roderick P., b. Nov. 14, 1854. Geo. B., b. Aug. 7, 185-5. Flora B., b. July 25, 18=7. Ada Atwood, b. May 7, 1859; d. Dec. 7, 1861. Limvood, b. Apr. 6, 1861. Agnes F., b. Jan. 18, 1863. Gains A., b. June 24, 1866. Packard. The Packards of Buckfiekl are descended from Samuel Pack- ard, who with his family and servants came over to Mass. from Windham, England, in the ship Diligence in 1638 and settled in Bridgewater. J-Je was a man of ability and note and soon after coming to this country, was licensed to keep an inn or public house. The name was originally pronounced Packer, and was Digitized by Microsoft® Nathan Morrill Digitized by Microsoft® Ellen Morrill Emery Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 639 quite common in the mother country. Persons by that name are mentioned in Pepys' Diary. He died about 1684, date of will. One of the ancestor's sons, Samuel, was also a man of note. He was appointed ensign in the militia. He married Elizabeth, daughter of the first Mark Lothrop. His estate was settled in 1698. His son, Joseph, married Mary, daughter of John Willis m 1723. Their son, Joseph, born in 1725, married Sarah, dau. of Capt. D. Johnson in 1748 and settled in Bridgewater. He was a soldier under Gen. Winslow. He lived several years in Buckfield. Died in Easton, very aged. Children all born in Bridgewater. I. Daniel, h. 1749; m. Elizabeth Connelly; s. in Bucktown. II. Anna, b. 1751. III. Rev. Elijah, b. 1753. IV. Abigail, b. 1756; m. Jacob Whitman; s. in Bucktown. V. Bethiah, b. 1758; m. Simon Record; s. in Bucktown. VI. Martha, b. 1760 ; m. Joseph Lothrop ; s. in Bucktown. VII. Dea. Job, b. 1761 ; m. Eunice Babb (or Bray) ; s. in Bucktown. Daniel Packard (see biographical .sketch) m. Elizabeth ^ Connelly. He d. Feb. 27, 1835 in Woodstock. She had died several years 'before. Children : I. Daniel, b. Bridgewater, Mar. 3, 1774; d- in War of 1812. II. Elijah, b. Bridgewater, Nov. 29, 1777; m. Mileah Lothrop. III. Betsey, b. Hebron, May 29, 1781 ; m. Ohas. Crooker of Woodstock. IV. John, b. Buckfield, Oct. 15, 1783 1 killed in War of 1812. V. Abigail, b. Buckfield, Sept. 29, 1784; m. Caleb Bessie; s. in W. VI. Martha, h. Buckfield, Oct. 16, 1786; m. John Drake, Jr. VIL Stephen, h. Buckfield, Jan. 21, 1788; m. Eleanor M. Robinson; s. in Woodstock. VIII. Polly, b. Buckfield, Apr. 2, 1790. IX. Joseph, b. Buckfield, Apr. 30, 1791 ; killed in War of 1812. X. Nancy, b. Buckfield, Feb. 11, i793; m. Stephen Estes of Wood- stock. XI. Benjamin, h. Buckfield, Mar. 30, I794; d. in 1816 from dis. con. m War of 1812. XII. Jesse, h. Buckfield, Feb. 11, 1798; m. Joanna Monk. Elijah Packard, son of Daniel, sen., b. Nov. 29, 1777, m. Mileah Lothrop. He died June 23, 1833. Children: Priscilla P., b. June 4, 1824; m. Andrews. Jacob Lothrop, b. Mar. I, 1826; m. Mary N., b. Feb. 28, 1829; m. Andrews. Roxanna,h. Sept. 24, 1832; d. Dec. 31, 1832. Digitized by Microsoft® 640 HISTORY OF BUCKFTELD Stephen Packard, son of Daniel, b. Jan. 21, 1788, m. in 1813 Eleanor M. Robinson of Monmouth. He died in 1863. She m. 2d Stephen Estes. She died July, 1875. Children: I. Henry H., b. Nov. 28, 1813; m. Abigail Cole. II. Joseph H., b. Apr. i, 1815 ; d. Apr. 15, 1829. III. Stephen, Jr., b. Apr. i, 1818; m. Louisa Penley. IV. Eleanor, b. Apr. 18, 1820 ; m. Lorenzo Davis. V. John R., b. Mar. 24, 1822 ; d. Apr. 15, 182Q. VI. Frederick R., h. Dec. 17, 1823; d. Feb. 25, 1827. VII. Sarah H., b. Sept. 25, 1825 ; m. Aaron Ricker. VIII. Martha, h. June 2, 1827; m. Zebulon R. Wright. IX. Joseph H., h. Aug. 11, 1831; d. Jan. 24, 1856. X. Abbie R., b. Nov. 25, 1833 ; d. young. XL Fred R., b. Nov. 17, 1834; s. in California. XII. John R., b. Nov. 17, 1834; d. Dec. 24, i8.=;3. Stephen Packard, Jr., born in Woodstock, Apr. i, 1818, m, Louisa Penley and settled in Paris. He died in 1898. She died in 1907. The following tribute is from their son, Stephen G. Packard : Stephen Packard while yet a young man harkened to the call of the Gospel to walk with God's people. This choice had upon his life as it may upon any life, a moulding power for good. For many years he was a member of the Baptist church. Self- educated, his mind was clear and strong, quick to grasp and com- prehend, was a school teacher while a young man ; afterwards a thoroughly good and successful farmer so that nature answered liberally to his toil. His oldest son, Joseph Penley Packard, was a volunteer soldier in the war of the Rebellion. A letter came that he was seriously ill with relapsed typhoid fever. Mr. Pack- ard at once started for the front, procured his son's discharge and brought him home in time to save his life. Stephen Pack- ard's life was one of hard labor. The best tribute a father can receive as he passes away from this world is children standing over a tear bedewed grave. ^This children's tribute to the mem- ory of an honored father Stephen Packard received as his mortal remains were laid at rest in the cemetery at North Paris. In manly strength and dignity he was ever the head of the family and their example in industry, energy and perseverance. He died at a good old age nearly the last of a lion-like race. The age of the deceased was eighty years and four months. He lived to see his children's children to the third generation. Digitized by Microsoft® PQ ■ 3 o M u CL, a a. Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 643 Fourteen children, born to Stephen and Louisa B. Packard, grew up to have memories stored and enriched with all the recol- lections that cling around the name of Mother. Stories of a beautiful girl were heard by the large brood of boys and girls, who, in after years as a mother full well won her children's love and devotion. This woman came of good old English stock days of the home loom, wool and flax spinning and weaving. Her father, Joseph Penley, was a soldier of the 1812 war. He was taken prisoner and held for some time and saw the brutality and cruelties incident to English prison ship life. His farm he took up from the wilderness in the days of the building of the Grand Trunk Railroad and made it one of the best farms in the town of Paris. This is now owned by the family of a grand- son, Charles R. Penley, himself now deceased. There are things of interest, lessons to be learned about any Hfe, 'tis said: Some people put in a Garden of Eden will soon make Oif it a desert ; others placed in a desert will as soon make of it an Eden Garden. It is well to note the qualities that lead to these results. Whether we would or not we are here, ahead is 'the way, oppor- tunity leading on over the hills of heroic achievement to the city of success.' The material for building grandly is all on the job. Shall it be the best, clean, strong and for eternity? The Penley family of children inherited from their sturdy sire not the waiting wish bone, but the backbone, go qualities of character that generally make good." Children : I. Joseph Penley, b. May 27, 1841 ; d. Oct. 17, 1867. A brilliant young man, a scholar and teacher of note. He was severely injured in a riot while attending the Norway Liberal Institute, probable cause of ultimate death. The following obituary notice from a local newspaper is appro- priately reproduced here : "It is the glory of our democratic country that its citizens are not dependent on ancestral fame and wealth, but may carve their own fortune and win for themselves renown. Our self-educated men have been the bone and sinew of our land and have arisen to fill its most important posts of honor and responsibility. We can ill afford to spare such, yet the fell destroyer. Death, heeds not our necessities, nor our prayers. Joseph Penley Packard has thus passed out of our midst after a brief but not uneventful life. Possessing high aims and cherishing noble aspirations, we Digitized by Microsoft® 644 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD deemed him ambitious, but his ambition was never allowed to in- terfere with his conscientious adherence to right, irrespective of consequences. This sense of duty led him to heed his country's call in 1862 and he enlisted with our brave boys in the 23d Maine Regiment and went to share the hardships and exposure of army life, until he was prostrated with fever, and consigned to the hospital. Here he was found by his father, who obtained his discharge, and returned with him to a northern clime, where amid healthful breezes he regained his wonted vigor. The public are familiar with the details of the sad occurrence at Norway, April, 1864, when he was severely injured by a blow from a cowardly assailant, endangering reason, and even life, and from the effects of whicch he never fully recovered. Still, however, he prosecuted his studies, resolved to know no such word as failure in his chosen pathway of life. But while teaching High school at North Paris, he was suddenly attacked by that fatal scourge, diptheria, and in one short week sickened, died, and was buried. He died Oct. 17th at the age of 26 years. Thus has fallen in the vigor of early manhood one who had gained a large place, not only in the affectipns of his pupils, but in the esteem of the public. Parents, brothers, sisters and one dearer, and prospectively nearer than all, are deeply afflicted in their loss, yet can rejoice that he had not neglected to secure the Christian's hope, which sustained him in his terrible sufferings, and enabled him to record his dying request, that they would meet him in that better land. c. A. p." II. Mary Esther, b. Nov. 26, 1842 ; d. 1868 ; ra. Charles Bean. III. Evelyn L.,h. June 21, 1844; taught 70 term,s of school ; d. 1896. IV. Ellen L., b. Oct. 9, 1845; m. Mason Kimball. V. Stephen Greenleaf, b. July.i, 1847 in Woodstock. Twice married and has three childiren by first wife, Harold C, Ivan R., and Mary Louisa {Brown") and two grandchildren, Stephen Packard Broivn and Prank Ste- phen Packard. No children by 2d wife, Mrs. Lena M. Brown. Moved to Paris with parents when about 4 years old. He writes to the compiler of these statistics thus : "The memories of the home life on this splendid farm with its bountiful crops, apple orchards, wooded haunts, berry fields, the cattle, sheep and swine, the fine views from the buildings of valley and hill with old Streaked and Singepole in the distance — father and mother, brothers and sisters — ^my schoolmates are Digitized by Microsoft® Stephen G. Packard Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 647 with me still. 1 went from Paris to Elmira, N. Y., while yet a young man. Bought up quite a tract of land — now a desirable part of the city and have built and sold oft lots and houses. Have been eminently successful financially. For many years have been identified with church and mission labors and was ordained as a preacher in this work." He is deeply reHgious, like his great-grandfather, the Revolutionary soldier and follows as near as may be in the footsteps of Billy Sunday, whom he has taken as his teacher and guide in spiritual matters. VI. Dr. Francis Henry, b. July 23, 1848; m. Iva M. Carter and has one son, Frank Carter and one daughter, Helen Maud. Educated in the high schools of Norway, Bethel, Paris Hill and Hebron Academy. Received his degree of Doctor of Medicine at Bowdoin in 1878. Took post grad- uate course at the Univ. of N. Y. Finally settled in the successful prac- tice of his profession at West Paris where he now resides. VII. Rebecca Jane, b. June 12, 1850; m. Coffin; s. in Colo. VIII. Sarah Rosemond, b. Sept. 17, 1851 ; m. Albert T. Houghtling of , Philadelphia. IX. Eleanor L., b. Oct. 11, 1853; m. Elbridge Libby. X. Abbie Betsey, b. Mar. 25, 1855 ; ni. .-Vlbert M. Burton of Corinna. XL Annie Maria, b. July 16, 1856; m. ist Godwin, 2d Davis; s. in N. H. XII. James B., b. Jan. 28, 1859 ; m. ; s. in Monmouth. XI'II. Achilles Hanno, b. Oct. 23, 1861 ; m. Ella Bean; s. in Bethel. XIV. Ida L., b. Aug. 29, 1864 ; d. 1892. Jesse Pack.\rd, youngest son of Daniel, b. Feb. 11, 1798, m. Joanna Monk. He died Jan. 22, 1877. She died Aug., 1879. Children : Benjamin, b. Aug. 21, 1822; d. Aug. 24, 1822. Daniel, b. July 21, 1823 ; d. Nov. 3, i860. Betsey, b. July 12, 1825 ; d. Nov., 1830. Jesse, Jr., b. Mar., 1827; m. Lizzie Smith. Elvira, b. Nov. 12, 1828; d. June 3, 1866. Benjamin, b. Feb. 6, 1831 ;' m. Sarah Ann Cooper; s. in Berwick. John, b. Aug. 25, 1834; m. Adelaide Bryant. Betsey, b. July 25, 1837; m. Abel C. T. Whitman. . James P., b. July 25, 1839; m. Susan M. Bassett. Joanna, b. May 10, 1840; m. 1st Wm. Pratt, 2d Geo. H. Twitchell. -. ' Jennette, b. 1842; m. Verrin DeCoster. Elsie E., h. 1844 ; m. Abel C. T. Whitman. , Florence I-, b. 1848; m. Hogenswoll. ' Carlton G., b. 1850; d. in 1852. Jes.se, Jr., son of the preceding, b. Mar., 1827, m. Lizzie Smith. Children : Lizsie P., b. July 3, 1862 ; m. Bryant. Digitized by Microsoft® 648 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Carlton G., b. June 4, i *"• Sarah Buck. He was town clerk and prominent in the affairs of the town for many years. He d. about 1830. His wife died after 1850. Children : John, b. Oct. II, 1798. Abigail, b. Feb. 24, 1800; m. Thomas Record. Betsey, b. July 14, 1801 ; m. Robert P. Thompson, Boston. Offa, b. March i, 1803; d. Jan. 13, 1844. Sarah b. Oct. 24, 1804; m. Samuel B. Perry. Annis, b. Aug. 18, 1806. Digitized by Microsoft® 658 HISTORY OF BUCKFlliLD Ximenes, b. May 25, 1808; m. Rachel Bartlett. Albinus, b. Feb. 15, 1810; d. May 11, 1810. Levi, h. Jan. 9, 1813. Lucian, b. Oct. 11, 1814; m. Miriam Chase. Marshall, b. Nov. 24, 1816. Dorcas, b. about 1818; m. Freeman Hathaway. Ximenes Philbrick, son of the preceding, b. May 25, 1808, m. Rachel Bartlett. He was a prominent man in town affairs and served one term in the State Legislature. They s, in Aroos- took County, where he was killed by a falling tree. Children recorded, on our records: Preston, b. Sept. 23, 1833. Andrew J., b. Mar. 14, 1835. Enoch, b. Feb. 14, 1837. Sarah Viola, b. Feb. 16, 1839. Annis T., b. Apr. 28, 1843. Lucian Philbrick, brother of the preceding, b. Oct. 11, 1814, m. Miriam Chase. Children: Elmira J., b. Sept. 3, 1842. Joseph Fairfield, b. Aug. 3, 1844. Marville Marks, b. Jan. 4, 1847 ; d. Oct. 13, 1849. Zenas Shaw, b. Apr. 8, 1848. Ximenes, b. Oct. 31, 1849. Charles Pompilly, b. Mar., 1852. R.-VWSON. The Rawsons of .\merica are nearly all descended froan Ed- ward Rawson, born in England, Apr. 16, 1615, w^ho came about 1637 to Newbury in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, where he soon 'became prominent in official life and public affairs and was a representative to the General Court and secretary of the Colony for many years. He was son of David and Margaret (Wilson) Rawson and grandson of Edward Rawson, b. in England, 1604, and his wife, Bridget Ward. He was also grandson of Rev. Wm. Wilson of Merton College, Oxford, afterwards canon of St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase and ex-Pres. Wm. H. Taft are descendants. Edward Rawson, the emigrant ancestor, m. Rachel Perne. She d. before Apr. 11, 1677. He d. Aug. 27, 1693. The line of descent to Capt. Samuel Rawson of Paris Hill is as follows. William m. Ann Glover; Jared m. Mary Gulliver; Bbenezer m. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 659 Sarah Chase and Capt. Samuel -m. Polla Freeland. Their daughter, Columbia, m. Hon. Virgil D. Parris. Mrs. Polla (Freeland) Rawson lived to be 97. Jennet A. Rawson of the seventh generation from Edward and teon of Horace W. Rawson, was born in Paris, Dec. 18, 1846. He was educated in the district school and the Maine State Sem- inary, taught school several terms and learned the druggist busi- ness in Alarlboro, Mass. He came to Buckfield in 1875 a^nJ pur- chased the stock of Albion D. Wilson in the Bennett store, where he has since remained in the apothecary business. He married, Nov. 15, 1876, Carrie J. Folsom of Stratford, N. H., born in that town Sept. 2, 1855. Has been successful in business for many years and is a substantial citizen. (He d. in 1915.) Child: Harly Fiske, b. Feb. 6, 1879; m. Lila S., dau. of Cyrus C. Spaulding. Is employed in his father's drug store, is prominent as a baseball coach, having had seasons with Bowdoin, Colby and other institutions. Record. The Records of Buckfield are descended from an ancient Ply- mouth county, Mass. family. The name is variously spelled. Those settling here were of Bridgewater and Easton. Three of the four brothers saw service in the war for American Inde- pendence and they all came here in time to acquire 100 acres of land free from the Commonwealth of Mass. DoMiNicus Record -(see sketch), the oldest of the four brothers, who settled here, b. in Bridgewater about 1745, was the son of Ebenezer and Joanna (Bowles) Record. He was m. before coming here and had three children. She d. or was divorced and after coming here he m. 2d Jane Warren. Chil- dren by 1st wife: Orin, m. Susa ; settled in Sangerville. Martha, m. William Campbell ; settled in Sangerville. Clarissa, m. Daniel Morrill and d. before 1810. Children by 2d wife: Dominicus, Jr., b. June 26, 1788; m. Prudence S. Swallow. Jane, b. March 8, 1790; m. Samuel F. Brown. Samuel, b. Jan. 2, 1792 ;, d. young. The father d. Feb. 4, 1810, aged 65. The mother d. June, 1842, aged 84. Digitized by Microsoft® '660 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Oein Record, son of the preceding, b. about 1774, m. Susa . The family moved to Sangerville, Me. Children: Clarissa, b. March 24, 1799; m. Pelham Bryant. Emily, b. May 23, 1800. De Alhra, b. Jan. S, 1802. Harriet, b. May 26, 1803. Celia, b. May 16, 1807. Susan J., b. May 14, 1810. Everline, b. Feb. 26, 1812. Mary Ann, b. Mar. 29, 1814. Samuel C, h. Dec. 20, 1815. DoMiNicus Record, Jr., half bro. of the preceding, b. June 26, 1788, m. Prudence S. Swallow. He d. in 1862. She d. Dec. 1887 at Turner in her 91st year. Children : Olivia, b. Feb. 21, 1820; d. Jan. 10, 1852. Ann Maria, h. Dec. 29, 1821 ; m. Lewis Briggs. Hannah, h. Mar. 24, 1823; d. July 6, 1838. Lydia, b. Apr. 30, 1825 ; m. Josiah W. Whitten. Martha C, b. Sept. 15, 1827 ; m. Clark C. Gregg, Bridgewater. Susan Jones, b. July 12, 1830. Emily, b. June 9, 1835. Jonathan Record, son of Ebenezer of 13ridgewater, b. about 1749, m. Remember Briggs of Bridgewater. She d. before 1817 and he m. 2d Abigail Cobb. He d. Jan. 17, 1855 in his 105th year. She d. Jan. 26, 1857, aged 91. Children all by ist wife: Jonathan, Jr., b. April 12, 1782 ; m. Phebe Irish. Timothy S., b. June 17, 1783 ; m. Abigail Lothrop.. Sarah, b. Sept. 7, 1788; m. Calvin Whitman. Jonathan Record, Jr., son of the preceding, b. Apr. 12, 1782, m. Phebe Irish. Children: David Briggs, b. July 3, 1805 ; m. Phebe S. Morton. Remember h. Oct. 9, 1806; m. Dominicus R. Warren. Margery, h. Jan. 8, 1809 ; m. Nehemiah Leavitt ; s. in Penobscot Co. Selina, b. Dec. 28, 1810. Phebe, b. Mar. 29, 1813. William, b. May 24, 1815 ; m. Mary J. Spaulding. Mary Ann, b. July 10, 1817. Jonathan G., b. March i, 1819. Dexter, b. Feb. 9, 1821. Orpheus, b. Mar. 11, 1823. Dorcas Jane, b. Aug. 15, 1825 ; d. May 25, 185 — . Thomas Florian, b. Dec. 2, 1827; m. Vesta A. Pettingill. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD qqi Timothy S. Record, son of Jonathan, sen., 'b. June 17, 1783, m. Abigail Lothrop. He d. May 18, 1873. Children: Lavina, b. June 28, 1808; tn. Asa Taylor. Albert H., b. Jan. 20, 1810; d. past middle life, unm. Arvilla, h. Mar. 7, 1812 ; m. William Jordan. Drusilla, b. Mar. 7, 1812; m. William L. Taylor. Patty, b. Feb. 16, 1814; d. Feb. 16, 1816. Martha, b. Feb. 16, 1814; m. Rotheus B. Waite. Patty, b. Mar. i, 1817. Stephen L., b. July 6, 1819 ; d. Jan. 14, 1877. Abigail, b. Nov. 22, 1821 ; m. John Mayhew. Emery T., b. Sept. 8, 1828; m. Comfort C. Smith; s. in Paris. David Record, son of Ebenezer of Bridgewater, b. about 1749, m. Abigail Damon of Pembroke. He d. Mar. 20, 1832, aged 83. She d. Feb. 15, 1845, aged 86. Children: Abigail, b. July 20, 1782; m. Daniel Chase. David, Jr., b. Mar. 31, 1784; m. Fanny Richardson. Ezekiel, b. Feb. 22, 1786, m. Almira Milliken. Lezvis, h. Mar. 28, 1788; m. Sally T. Pompilly. Thomas, h. Apr. 14, 1791 ; m. Abigail Philbrick. Mercy, h. June S, 1793. Deborah, b. Sept. 17, 1796; m. Seth Sampson, Esq. David Record, Jr., son of the preceding, b. JMar. 31, 1784, m. Fanny Richardson. He d. in 1859. She d. Feb. 22, 1856. Children : Mercy Richardson, b. Mar. 24, 1810; d. in 1867. Vesta C, b. Feb. 18, 1812; d. in 1895. Abigail, b. Feb. 2, 1814; m. Nathaniel Foster, Jr. Jennette, b. May 28, 1816; d. Aug. I, 1816. Thomas Loring, b. Nov. 19, 1818; d. June 14, 1845. Almon, b. Jan. 6, 1822 ; m. Eliza J. Washburn. Angeline Chase, b. June 18, 1824; m. Alvin R. Parlin, Sumner. David A., b. Aug. 20, 1830; m. Fanny Young. Almon Record, son of the preceding, b. Jan. 6, 1822, m. Eliza J. Washburn. He d. Jan. 7, 1889. She d. Jan. 28, 1897. Children : Roscoc L., b. Jan. 25, 1852; m. Viola Jordan. Clara E., b. Jan. 20, 1856 ; m. Frank Haskell. Hattie R., b. June 6, 1858; m. John Davis. Herbert A., h. Aug. 20, 1861 ; m. Jennie S. Hodsdon. Mertie I., b. June 6, 1869. David A. Record, youngest son of David Record, Jr., m. Fanny Young, b. Hartford in 1835. He d. in Mass., Nov. 27, 1898. Qiildren : Digitized by Microsoft® 662 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD William A., b. Atig. g, 1858. Ernest A., b. Apr. 24, 1861 ; d. Oct. 16, 1879. Llewellyn R., b. Mar. 11, 1865. Caroline B., b. Aug. 3, 1868. EzEKiEL Record, son of David, sen., h. Feb. 22, 1786, m. Al- mira Milliken. He d. May 17, 1881. She d. Aug. 11, 1877. Children : Ezekiel C, b. May 2, 1814; m. Miriam Irish. Dana M., b. Nov. IS, 181S ; m. Lucy H. Reed. Viraenne, b. Aug. 26, 1817 ; m. Samuel Reed. Benj. Harrison, b. Nov. 20, 1818; m. Phebe R. Irish. Samuel, b. Sept. 18, 1820; m. Maria Manning. Dorcas Jane, h. May 18, 1822; m. William Chick. Jennette, b. Mar. 6, 1824; m. Dr. John R. Lord of Orono. Amanda, b. July 19, 1825 ; m. Silas Shaw. Clark, b. May 18, 1827 ; m. Henrietta M. Bunker ; d. July 25, 1892. Susan, b. July 27, 1828; m. Addison Shaw. Mary, b. May 8, 1830 ; m. Francis E. Spaulding. David, b. Feb. 9, 1833 ; m. Mary Record. Jonathan, b. Dec. 13, 1834; m. Susie ; s. in Mass. Benjamin Harrison Record, son of the preceding, b. Nov. 20, 1818, m. Phebe R. Irish. He d. May 13, 1883. She d. Apr. 19, 1 866. Children: Sylvia A., b. Aug. 8, 1849; d. May 29, 1866. Herbert W.. b. Aug. 6, 1853; m. Abbie Fogg; s. in Paris. William H., h. May 18, 1855 ; m. Ella M. Record. Cora R., b. Feb. 26, 1859 ; m. Ellis Whitman. Flora M., b. Feb. 26, 1859 ; resides at Mechanic Falls ; unm. Lewis Record, son of David, sen., 'b. Mar. 28, 1788, m. Sarah T. Pompilly. He d. about 1863. She d. in 1830. Children: Sarah, b. July 9, 1824; m. Calvin Robbins. Lewis, Jr., b. Aug. 11, 1827. Morris, h. Apr. 29, 1830; m. Lothrop and s. in the West. His wife died and he m. 2d, in 1832, Phebe Spaulding. Children: Melissa, b. July 23, 1833, d. July 5, 1850; Lucius, b. Feb. 4, 1835, never married; Mary, b. July 6, 1837, m. David Record; Charlotte, b. May 26, 1839, m. Cyrus Snell ; Aurelia, b. July 30, 1841, m. Solon Tuttle; Sophronia, h. Oct. 5, 1843, m. Moses Brown; Fostina, b. Feb. 13, 1846, m. Sanford Conant; Benjamin S., b. Dec. 18, 1848; George W., b. May 24, 1851, m. Annie V. Merrill. Thomas Record, youngest son of David, sen., b. Apr. 14, 1791, m. Abigail Philbrick. Children : Otis Franklin, b. Feb. 9, 1822; m. Deliverance D. Damon. Digitized by Microsoft® 663 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Annis P., b. Aug. 12, 1827; m. Hubbard Lowell. Betsey, b. Aug. 17, 1829; m. R. B. Jennings. Lucy, b. Sept. 4, 1835 ; m. Cyrus Chase. John P., b. July 29, 1837; m. Adelaide Cole. George B., b. Apr. 7, 1840, m. Margaret E. Packard. John P Record, son of the preceding, b. Tulv 20 18^7 m Adelaide Cole. Children: ' Louisa M., h. Oct. 11, 1863. Thomas, b. Aug. 4, 1866. George B., h. Sept. 20, 1869. Abigail, b. Feb. 18, 1874; m. Walter M. Briggs. Carrie €., b. June 15, 1880. John P., b. Apr. 20, 1887. George B. Record, bro. of the preceding, b. Apr. 7, 1840, m. Margaret E. Packard. Children: Ella M., b. June 19, 1871, m. William H, Record. Warren L., b. Apr. 25, 1876. Addison G., b. Mar. 8, 1877. Joseph C., b. abt. 1879. Simon Record b. about 1756, m. Bethiah Packard, b. 1758. She d. June 8, 1829, aged 71 years. He d. Oct. 5, 1843, aged 87. Children : Cynthia, b. Aug. 20, 1779; m. Clark Young. Simeon, b. May 15, 1781 ; m. Eliza Strout. Bethiah, b. July 20, 1783; m. Stephen Spaulding. Joanna, b. Apr. 3, 1786; m. Eliphalet Noyes. Ehenezer, b. May 18, 1788; m. Nancy Manley. Charles, b. May 18, 1788; m. Sally Noyes. Cyrus, b. Sept. 19, 1790; m. Arvilla Spaulding. Simon, Jr., b. Dec. 19, 1792; m. Catharine Fernald. Ebenezer Record, son of Simon, b. May 18, 1788, m. Nancy Manley. He d. about 1871. She d. about 1885. Children: I)iantha, b. July 3, 1824 ; m. Charles Hutchinson. Delphina, b. Jan. 13, 1828; m. Jonathan Damon. Diana, b. June 6, 183 1 ; died young. Alonzo N., b. Feb. 11, 1833; m. ist, Lara Lovi'ell; 2d, Mrs. Davie; d. Nov. 17, 1895. Lorenzo, b. Sept. 13, 1837 ; m. and s. in Pembroke. Charles Record, bro. of the preceding, b, May 18, 1788, m. Sarah Noyes. Children : Cyrus B., Clara, John, Columbus, Charles, Elbridge, Elnathan, b. 1825 ; s. in Minot. Digitized by Microsoft® 664 HISTORY OF BUCKFrELD Cyrus Record, son of Simon, sen., b. Sept. 19, 1790, m. Ar- villa Spaulding. He d. Dec. 12, 1876. She d. at Mechanic Falls in August, 1896. Children: Asa S., b. Nov. 2, 1820; m. Sarah Bartlett. Mary L., b. Mar., 1822; d. Nov. 13, 1828. Angelia, b. May 26, 1825 ; m. David L. Farrar. Fostina S. b. May 26, 1825 ; m. Jason Mitchell. Abel A., b. May 11, 1828; m. Harriet Woodman and s. in Brunswick. Bennett B., b. Aug. 24, 1834; m. Lucy A. Cushman. Julius A., b. Jan. 7, 1844; m. Hannah C. Marston. Julia A., b. Jan. 7, 1844; ra. Zadoc A. Buck. Asa S. Record, son of the preceding, b. Nov. 2, 1820, m. Sarah Bartlett. He d. Nov. 23, 1876. She d. in 1901. Chil- dren : Phehe Z., b. Sept. 19, 1842; d. Feb. 3, 1844- Edgar T., b. Oct. 8, 1843 ; m. Mittie A. Foster. Martha M., b. June 20, 1846 ; m. Pearl Swallow. William Chase, b. Sept. 2, 1848; m. Julia Smith; s. in Poland. Frederick F., b. June 9, 1856; died young. Edgar T. Record, son of the preceding, b. Oct. 8, 1843, n^- Mittie A. Foster. Settled at So. Paris. He was a soldier in the Civil War. Child: Cora, b. Sept. 15, 1870; m. John E. Everett; (she was killed with youngest child by R. R. train running into auto while crossing track in summer of 1915) ; 3 c: Marion, b. March, 1895; Lena C, b. May, 1898, and Iva, b. Jan. i, 1903. Bennett B. Record, son of Cyrus, b. Aug. 24, 1834, m. Lucy A. Cushman. Children: Arvilla E., b. Oct. 23, 1855 ; m. Newell Estey of Boston. Lizzie F., b. Apr. 14, 1864; m. and set. in Mass. Anna B., b. June 27, 1865 ; m. Wm. Pitt Putnam of Waterville. Charles, b. Sept. 30, 1867 ; m. Frances Walter of Portand. Julius A. Record, bro. of the preceding, b. Jan. 7, 1844, m. Mrs. Hannah (Buck) Marston. They reside at South Paris. Children : Chester, b. May 21, 1866; m. Eva Howard; s. in Portland. RosCoe, b. Mar. 24, 1868; died young. Angelia, b. July 13, 1870; m. ist, Thos. Keough; 2d, Charles Ed- munds. James S., b. Nov. II, 1876; m. Emma Wheeler; s. at South Paris. Amy A., b. Sept. 11, 1878. Augustus J., b. June 26, 1881. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 665 Simon Record, Jr., son of Simon, sen., b. Dec. 19, 1792, m. Catharine Fernald. Children: Freeman, b. Apr. 19, 1818. Stephen, b. Nov. i, 1819; d. Sept.; 1844. Samuel, b. Jan. i, 1822. William, b. Dec. 17, 1823-; m. Harriet Mitchell. Levi, b. Aug. 13, 1825 ; m. Lydia Ludden ; s. at So. Paris. Philo, b. Mar. S, 1829; d. unm. Apr. 5, 1886. Henry, b. May 21, 1831 ; d. June 23, 1862. Eliza Ann, b. Feb. 2, 1833. Wtlli.am Record, son cf the preceding, b. Dec. 17, 1823, m. Harriet Mitchell. Children : Lola K., b. July 12, 1856; m. Edwin Maxim. Chas. A., b. July 8, 1859; m. Ruth A. Thomes. William, Jr., b. Aug. 26, 1861 ; m. Dora Cobb. Eugene, b. Sept. 6, 1863 ; m. Arvilla Jordan. Geo. H., b. Aug. 20, 1866; m. Jordan. Jennie A., b. Aug. 8, 1870. Vernie, b. Dec. 20, 1874. Harry A., b. Oct. 21, 1879. Charles A. Record, son of the preceding, b. July 8, 1859, ™- Ruth A. Thomes. Child: Lottie J., b. Aug. 24, 1866. Eugene Record, bro. of the preceding, b. Sept. 6, 1863, m. Arvilla Jordan. Child : Maud £., b. Feb. 17, 1890; m. Oscar Casey. Richardson. John Richard.son, the first of the name we have any record of in Buckfield, was descended from Samuel, who came from England with two brothers and settled at Woburn, Mass., about 1630. SamueP was born about 1610. The line of descent is given as follows : Samuel, Joseph, Stephen, Adam, Stephen. John Richardson, son of Stephen, m. Lydia Crooker and settled in Buckfield, but after residing here a number of years, he moved to Turner where he passed the remainder of his days. Children recorded on our records : Abigail, b. July 16, 1797. Polly, b. Nov. 18, 1799; m. Jotham Roberts. Benjamin, b. Apr. 13, 1802. Ruth, b. Aug. 26, 1805 ; m. Jabez Pratt. Lyman, b. Nov. 19, 1807 ; m. Mercy Buck. John and Giles. Digitized by Microsoft® 666 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD RiCKER. Tobias Rickee, b. May 12, 1764, was the first of the name to settle in Backfield. He was a Revolutionary soldier and came here from Berwick, Me., before 1790. His wife's name was Abigail Warren. He d. Dec. 20, 1847. Children: Eileanor, b. Mar. 25, 1785 ; d. Mar. ig, 1794. John, b. Feb. 27, 1787 ; m. Charlotte Hayward. Tobias, Jr., b. Mar. 15, 1789; m. Sally Berry; 2d, Keziali Jackson, 3d, Abigail Ellis. Abigail, b. Nov. 22, 1791 ; m. Obadiah Berry. Ephraim, h. Jan. 29, 1794; m. Margaret Swett. Isaiah, h. May 15, 1796; m. Hannah Mason. Charlotte, b. Nov. 15, 1798; m. Daniel Hutchinson; 2d, Levi Berry. Andrew, b. Mar. 17, 1802. Nancy, b. July 4, 1804; m. Edmund Irish. Lysander, b. Aug. 28, 1807 ; m. Cordelia Cushman. T0BIA.S RiCKER, Jr., son of the preceding, b. Mar. 15, 1789, m. Sally Berry. She d. and he m. 2d Keziah Jackson, 3d Abi- gail Ellis. He d. in Illinois, June 2, 1868. Children : Danville A., h. Sept. 9, 1815 ; m. Lucinda Mason. By second wife : Sarah Ann, b. Mar. 10, 1823 ; m. James S. Benson ; 2d, Thomas Benson. Flora Jane, b. Jan. i, 1827 ; m. Wm. F. Berry. Algernon O., b. Nov. 28, 1833 ; m. Julia M. Ricker. Cyrus S., b. Apr. 26, 1839 ; m. Lizzie H, Barrelle. Ephraim Ricker, bro. of the preceding, k. Jan. 29, 1794. m. Margaret Swett. He d. Oct. 23, 1875. She d. . Children: Horace, b. Jan. 17, 1819. Ephraim, Jr., b. ; m. Sarah Prince. Isaiah Ricker, bro. of the preceding, b. ]\Iay 15, 1796, m. Hannah Mason. Children : Elestia Abigail, b. Apr. 20, 1828. Amanda Malvina, b. Nov. 4, 1830. Silas Mason, b. Aug. 30, 1832. Miles Mason, b. Oct. 12, 1834. Rev. George Ricker, a Baptist preacher, b. Dec. 14, 177I' bro. of Tobias, sen., m. Dorcas Philbrick. He d. in Auburn, Me., in 1854. Children: Hiram, b. June 6, 1799; m. ; s. in Auburn. Elmira, h. Feb. 2, 1801 ; m. David W. Swett. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 667 Sarah, b. June s, 1802; m. Keith. George, Jr., b. Jan .15, 1804; m. . Delana, h. Oct. 5, 1805; died young. Luten, b. Sept. 25, 1807; settled in the West. Jones, b. Feb. 20, 1812 ; went to sea and was drowned first night out. Rider. Capt. John Rider, a Revolutionary soldier, who settled in the township before 1800, m. Ruth . He was from Ply- mouth County, Mass. We have no record when they died. Children : John, Jr., h. May 7, 1789. Lucy, h. Sept. 7, 1792. Elizabeth, h. Oct. 16, 1794. Laura, b. Dec. 22, 1796. George, b. Aug. 3, 1799. Samuel Rider, prob. a bro. of John, sen., m. Abigail . No mention is made of their deaths on our records. Children : Enoch Frost b. Mar. 29, 1803. Bela Morse, b. Jan. 24, 1805. Polly, b. May 21, 1808. Roberts. Joseph Roberts was probaibly a descendant of Thomas Rob- erts and his wife, Rebecca, who came from England in 1633 and settled in Dover, N. H., where or in the vicinity of which Joseph was born about 1727. He m. Hannah Young. They settled in Windham. In July, 1778, he exchanged farms with Theophilus Bradbury of Pearsonstown (Standish). In August, 1787, he sold his farm in Standish for i8oi to Peter White of Bucktown, who went there to live and appears to have passed the remainder of his days there. In June, 1795, Peter White sold his settling lot in Buckfield for £200 to Jonathan Roberts, Jr. Joseph Roberts appears to have ccme to Bucktown soon after selling his place to Peter White. He was here with his family when the census was taken in 1790 and also in 1800. In March, 1803, he purchased one-half of the settling lot of Jonathan Rob- erts near Federal Corner. In 1804 he was living in Washington PL, now Brooks. Digitized by Microsoft® 668 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD The trad'tion is that he died in Buckfield about 1805. His wife died at the home o^f her daughter, Elizabeth Irish, about 1815. Joseph Roberts was a patriot, a worthy man and a good cit- izen. He is said to 'have served awhile in the War for Inde- pendence. Children : Joseph, Jr., b. Feb. 6, 1756; m. Esther Hamlin; 2d, Margaret Hall. Hannah, b. abt. 1762; m. James Jordan, Jr.; s. in B. Sarah, b. Windham, 1764; m. Jotham Shaw; s. in B. Jonathan, 2d, b. abt. 1766; m. Prudence Willard. Elizahelh, b. , 1769; m. Thomas Irish; s. in B. ]\Iary, b. , 1773 ; m. Richard Taylor ; s. in B. John, b. , 1777; m. Miriam Irish; s. in O. Joseph Roeeets, Jr. (see sketch), b. Feb. 6, 1756, m. Esther Hamlin, b. June 30, 1758, one of the first 47 settlers in Bucktown. First settler in Washington PL, now Brooks, Me., where he d. Jan. ID, 1843. His wife d. in Buckfield, Feb. 21, 1801 and he m. 2d Mrs. Margaret Forbes, widow of Zadoc Forbes, daughter of Hatevil an Ruth (Winslow) Hall. He was the father of 24 children — 12 by each wife. Nearly all of them lived to raise up families of their own. All of this family settled in Eastern Me. Children by ist wife, all but two first probably b. in Buckfield: Hannah, b. Feb. 20, 1778; m. 1799, John Young; 10 c. ; d. in 1844. Tabitha, b. Jan. 11, 1780; m. 1799, James Roberts; 4 ch. ; d. in 1868. She killed a British soldier with a pitchfork while he was attempting to carry off her last cow. Sarah, h. May 6, 1782 ; m, Shadrack Hall ; 10 c. ; d. in 1859. Jsaac, h. May 10, 1784; m. 1st, Abigail Merrill; 2d, Sarah Cobb; 9 ch. ; d. in 1862. Dr. Jacob, b. May 10, 1784; m. 1st, Huldah Myrick; 2d, Abby Jenkins; 11 c. ; d. in 1856. Elizabeth, h. Feb. 2, 1786; m. John Gates; 9 c.; d. in 1832. Gilman, b. Oct. 28, 1788; m. ist, Ann Leathers; 2d, Susan Bachelder; 12 c. ; d. in 1877. Enoch, b. Mar. 27, 1791 ; m. ist Eleanor Leathers; 2d, Eliza Aborn; II c. ; d. in 1855. Infant, b. 1793 ; d. 1793. Esther, b. Mar. 20, 179S ; m. Daniel Hamilton; 13 c. ; d. in 1877. Lovina, b. Aug. , 1797; m. Levi Bowen ; 12 c. ; d. in 1856. Joseph, b. Nov. 2, 1799; m. Lydia Knight; 3 c. ; d. in 1885. Children by 2d wife, all but first born in Brooks : Nathan, b. Feb. 5, 1802; died young. Benj., b. Feb. — , 1804 ; m. Nancy Cilley ; S ch. ; d. in Rebel Prison in Digitized by Microsoft® Barnabas M. Roberts Hamlin M. Roberts Dr. Jacob Roberts Capt. Cassius C. Roberts Amorena Roberts Grant Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 671 John, b. Jan. — , 1806; m. Harriet Jackson; 8 c. ; d. in Minn, in 1886. Alfred, Jr., b. Oct. 21, 1807; m. ist Caroline Davis; 2d, Sarah Rob- erts ; 14 c. ; d. in 1868. Ruth, b. 1809 ; d. young. Mary, b. 181 1 ; d. young. Timothy T., b. July 31, 1812; m. Nancy Gardner; 4 c; d. in 1868. Dr. Charles, b. Jan. 1814; m. Clarinda Havener; d. in 1840. Hon. Nathan H., b. June 9, 1815; m., 1st, Elvira Irish; 2d, Mary Langham ; S c. ; d. in Minn, in 1892. Mary, b. 1818 ; m. Calvin Fogg ; 4 ch. ; d. in 1893. Winslow, b. Mar. 8, 1821 ; m. ist, Amelia Putnam; 2d, Cornelia Rand; 3d, Maria Bangs ; 7 c. ; d. in 1879. Rufus, h. Apr. 14, 1823; m. Adeline Files; 6 c.; d. in Minn. 1900. Dr. Jacob "Roberts, son. of the preceding, b. in Buckfield, May 10, 1784, died at North Vassalboro, Me., Mar. 15, 1856. He was a self-made man. He acquired his education and fitted himself for a physician by working on the farm and teaching. In 1810 he married' Miss Huldah M. Myrick of Hebron. Me., b. in North Yarmouth in 1793, and settled in Brooks where he practiced his profession for nearly 40 years with great success. For many years he was the most eminent physician in all that section of the state and 'became noted for his skill in the treat- ment of serious cases. He became a convert to the Quaker faith in religion and the homeopathic system of medicine. In politics he was a whig and his influence among his patients was so great that he carried his town which was democratic by a large ma- jority for Gen. Harrison for President in 1840 by over 100 ma- jority. Doctor Roberts was noted for his benevolence and pub- lic spirit and had great tenacity of faith and purpose which char- acterizes the family. His wife died Apr. 6, 1845. They left several sons who rose to eminence in professional and political life. Children all but first born in Brooks, Me.: Hamlin M., b. Buckfield, 1811; m. Mary A. Rich; s. in Brooks, Me. Jacob W., Esq., b. Nov. 29, 1813; m. ist, Phebe S. Abbott; 2d, Jane Lippincott. Amorena D., h. Sept. 2, 1815 ; m. Dr. Ezra Manter. Hon. Barnabas M., b. Oct. 17, 1818; m. Emeline Rich. Charles L., Esq., b. Apr. 14, 1821 ; m. Caroline P. Metcalf ; s. m 111. Prof. Porieous B., b. July 27, 1823 ; m. Mary A. Preckett. Emily E., h. in 1825 ; d. 1834. Phebe Y., b. April S, 1828; m. William P. Miller. Huldah J., b. Dec. 19, 1830; m. Dr. J. H. Barrows; s. in Gardmer. Ellen C, b. May 27, 1833 ; m. Dr. Erza Manter. Dr. William P. Roberts, b. Jan. 25, 1836; m. ist, Susan D. Weeks; 2d, Cora B. Ferris ; s. in Wisconsin. Digitized by Microsoft® 672 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Hamlin Myeick Roberts, son of the preceding, born in Buclcfield in 1811, m. in 1835, Mary A. Rich, He was an early abolitionist and was one of the three in Jackson, Me., who voted for James G. Birney for President in 1840. He was a highly respected citizen and took a deep interest in political and public affairs but refused all efforts of his fellow townsmen to elect him to office. He died in Brooks, June, 1856. His widow m. Rev. Dexter Waterman in 1859 and d. in East Dixfield in 1877. Children all born in Jackson, Me. : Allen H. Roberts, b. Feb. 22, 1836; m. 1863, Kate Weatherbee; re- sides in Chicago, III. Dr. Francis A. Roberts, b. Aug. 9, 1838; m. Mary F. Hazzy. Emily, b. 1840; died 1848. Nelson Roberts, b. 1842; died 1848. Hon. Cassius C. Roberts, h. Mar. 5, 1845; m. Pauline E. Colcord; resides in Chicago, 111. Hon. Cassius Clay Roberts b. in Jackson, Me., Mar. 5, 184S, m. 1868, Pauline E. Colcord. Two children were born of this union: Parepa R. Aug. 7, 1869 and PauHne E., Aug. 15, 1875. The latter married Feb. 13, 1897, James J. Lawler of Winsted, Conn., assistant superintendent of Winsted Silk Co., Chicago, where they reside. His wife d. N'ov. 30, 1875 and he m. 2d Jan.' 5, 1898, Margaret Bennett, who d. Aug. 28, 1899. Their child, a promising son, named Cassius Philip Roberts, b. July 29, 1899, d. June 22, 1901 from the effects of gasoline ad- ministered by an insane nurse. Mr. Roberts acquired his education in the common schools and at the Maine State Seminary and Bethany College, West Virginia. On the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, he enlisted in the 1st Maine Regiment but was rejected. When Col. Beal's loth Maine was recruited he enlisted in Co. I and served till the regiment was mustered out of the service May 3, 1863. At Cedar Mt., he was wounded in battle, but soon recovered and was promoted to corporal. After his discharge he again entered the service as a commissioned officer in the U. S. Colored troops and was in command of his company at the siege and capture of Port Hudson. He returned to Maine having re- signed after the opening of the Mississippi and almost immedi- ately re-enlisted in the First Me. H. A. and was promoted to. First Lieutenant and Captain by brevet for gallantry and faith- Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 673 ful service. He was wounded at the battle of Spottsylvania, Va. After the war, he became connected with a ship-building firm at Stockton, Me., and for several years run a general store at that place. For four years he was the poHtical reporter and corre- spondent for the Boston Globe. He heartily entered into the Liberal Republican movement of 1872 and was a mem'ber of the National convention which nominated Horace Greeley for Presi- dent. He was first selectman of Stockton, Me,, 1876-1878 and state senator from Waldo County in 1879. In 1884 he moved to Chicago, 111., where he has since resided. Mr. Roberts re- turned to the Republican party in 1897. In 1888 he was con- nected with the Chicago post office but resigned the next year to begin the pubUcation of the "South West Chicagoan," to which was added the "Chicago Opinion" and six other weekly papers pubhshed by the West Chicago Press Association, of which he was editor. Captain Roberts is now (1915) living in compara- tive retirement at his pleasant home at Hollywood, Chicago. He has married a beautiful and accomplished Southern lady, who is devotedly attached to her worthy husband. Jacob Wellington Roberts, second son of Dr. Jacob, b. in Brooks, Me., Nov. 29, 1813, m. Phebe S. Abbott. He was a man of literary tastes and a writer of merit of both prose and poetry. He was well informed on all public questions of his time and was deeply interested in politics. Mr. Roberts for many years was the leader of his party in his section. He was a strong anti-slavery man. His wife d. in 1844 and in 1849 he m. 2d Jane Lippincott. He contracted consumption while travelling in the West from which he d. Dec. 18, 1849. Children: Edw,ard Junius, b. Feb. 8, 1837; d. Jan. 4, 1838. Dr. Edward Junius, b. Feb. 10, 1839; m. Emma Evans. Freeman Myrick, b. Dec. 21, 1840; m. Aurelia J. York. Amorena, b. Nov. S, 1842; m. Lemuel C. Grant. Mrs. Amorena Grant lives in Boston. Her husband served in the Civil War in several Maine regiments. After the war he followed the sea and was mate of the bark "Warren," when it went down in a storm with all on board. Mrs. Grant is the author of a book on the descendants of Joseph Roberts. (She died suddenly at her home in Boston Sept. 3, 1915.) Hon. Barnabas Myrick Roberts, the 4th child of Dr. Jacob, was b. Oct. 17, 1818, in Brooks. He began teaching school at x6. Digitized by Microsoft® 674 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Scx)n after reaching his majority he went to Kentucky where he taught school with much success. At the urgent request of his parents he returned home and settled on a farm in Jackson. He married Miss EmeHne Rich, a sister to his brother Hamlin's wife. In 1853 he opened a store at Brooks village and two years later became a partner with Hon. N. G. Hichborn, afterwards the temperance candidate for governor of the state at Stockton which partnership continued till Mr. Hichborn's death in 1875, after which he conducted the business alone. Originally a whig, Mr. Roberts became an aboHtionist in 1844. He was one of the founders of the republican party in Maine and was always one of its trusted leaders. He was state senator from Waldo County. For four years was collector of customs at Belfast, Me., during the war and a candidate for Congress in 1866. He was a ready debater, well informed and of unimpeachable integi-ity. He d. in 1896. His wife d. Dec. 19, 1893. They had seven children. Dr. William Pinkney Roberts of Janesville, Wisconsin, the youngest child of Doctor Jacob Roberts, was born in Brooks, Me., Jan. 25, 1836. When eighteen years of age having been given up to die as a hopeless consumptive, he went West where he regained his health. He graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago and began the practice of his pro- fession in Newaygo, Michigan. He adopted some original methods of treating the sick with great success. Some years later he settled in Janesville, Wisconsin, where he has become eminent. In 1890 he originated and helped organize the Amer- ican Invalid Aid Society of Boston. He has become one of the highest authorities in the United States, on consumption. He was the originator of the custom of flying the stars and stripes over schoolhouses. The doctor has been twice married. His first wife was Susan A. Weeks of Vassalboro, Me. She d. and he m. in 1888 Cora B. Ferris of Janesville. ■ Jonathan Roberts, 2d, son of Joseph, sen., b. in Windham about 1766, m. in 1786, Prudence Willard. He served awhile on the coast of Maine during the latter part of the War of the Revolution. He was one of the early settlers of Bucktown, but after living here several years, moved to the eastern part of the state. Children recorded here : Jotham, b. Dec. 28, 1787 ; m. Polly Richardson. Lydia, b. Oct. 26, 1789; m. William Haskell. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIFXD 675 Daniel, h. Dec. 30, 1791 ; m. Mary Haskell. Hannah, h. Dec. 22, 1794; m. Libbeus Jones. William, b. Mar. 17, 1796; m. Ruth Edwards. Cyrus, h. Apr. 21, 1803; went to sea; never returned . Jonathan Roberts (see sketch), brother of Joseph, sen., b. about 1746 in N. H., m. in 1768, Elizabeth Webb at Windham and from there came to Bucktown in time to acquire a settling lot. He d. after 1815. We have no record of his wife's death. Children recorded on B. records : Samuel, b. Windham, Feb. 5, 1769; s. in Eastern Me. Susannah, b. Windham Apr. 28, 1771. George, b. Windham Apr. 26, 1773 ; m. Mafy Brown. Jonathan, h. Windham July 17, 1775; moved from B. before 1820. James, b. Windham Sept. 15, 1777; m. Tabitha Roberts; s. in E. Me. Bethiah, b. Windham Sept. 17, 1779. Judith, b. Windham Oct. 6, 1781. Betsey, b. Dec. 10, 1783; m. Going Knight. Seth, b. May S, 1786, moved away before 1820. Rebecca, b. Dec. 9, 1788; m. Arza Forbes. George Roberts, son of the preceding, b. Apr. 26, 1773, m. Mary Brown. He settled after 18 15 in Eastern Maine. Chil- dren recorded here: Susannah, b. June 13, 1799- Amos, b. Oct. 6, 1800; m. Christina Ryerson. Ezra, b. Mar. 30, 1802. George, Jr., b. Oct. 17, 1803; m. Miriam Hall. Jonathan, b. July 21, 1806. Sarah, b. July 8, 1808. Seth, b. Dec. 7, 1810. Benjamin Brown, b. Oct. 19, 1812. Alanson, b. Jan. 14, 1814. Mary Brown, b. May 2, 1816. Hannah, b. May 11, 1818. Seth Roberts, bro. of the preceding, b. May 5, 1786, m. ^ s. in Eastern Maine. Children recorded here : Benjamin, b. May 9, 1815. James, b. Feb. 25, i8i7- Ryerson. Luke Ryerson who was an early settler in the western part Buckfield, was b. in New Jersey. He m. Abigail Ellery. He settled first in York County where his first children were born. Digitized by Microsoft® 676 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD His wife died and he m. 2d Sarah Coombs of York b. Dec. 14, 1766. He died in Buckfield in 1812. Children by first wife: Col. William, b. Aug. 4, 1769; m. Sally Parsons; s. in Paris. Luke, Jr., b. 1772; m. Keziah Cushman; s. in Paris. Elisabeth, b. . George, b. ; m. Elizabeth Jenks; s. in Paris. Polly, b. . John, b. . Joseph, b. ; d. young. Samuel, b. . Benjamin, b. . Susannah, b. ; m. John Bearce; s. in Auburn. Abigail, b. ; m. Irving. Children by second wife: Sarah, b. June 16, 1793 ; m. John Cole, Poland. Joseph, b. Oct. 7, 1794; s. St. Albans, Vt. Howell, b. Mar. 6, 1796; m. ist, Churchill; 2d, Roberts; 3d, White. Nancy, b. Mar. 9, 1798 ; m. Jonathan Pulsifer. Nehemiah, b. July 9, 1799; s. in Portland. Esther, b. Mar. 6, 1801 ; m. John Moore. Roding, b. Aug. 20, 1802 ; m. Anna Whittemore. N. Osgood, b. Sept. 25, 1803 ; m. Nancy Hersey. Christina, b. Nov. 20, 1804; m. Amos Roberts. Simeon, b. Nov. 28, 1805 ; m. Miranda Walker ; s. in Paris. Ebenezer, b. Aug. 20, 1807. Shaw. JoTHAM ShAWj one of eighteen children, was the son of Deacon John Shaw and Jane (Drake) Shaw, a descendant of the celebrated Drake family of England. He was born in Wey- mouth, Mass., Sept. 28, 1764. He married Sarah Young Roberts of Windham, Me., about 1786. He was a soldier in the War for ■ Independence and an early settler of Bucktown where he died Apr. 18, 1832, aged 68. His wife died Ma.r 4, 1855, in her 91st year. Children of Jbtham and Sarah (Roberts) Shaw: Xoa, b. Dec. 25, 1787 ; m. John Hutchinson. Jesse, b. Nov. S, 1789 ; m. Catharine Morse. Almira, b. Aug. II, 1791 ; m. Joseph Chase. Amos, b. Dec. 6, 1793; m. Mary Chase. Miriam, b. Sept. 16, 1796 ; m. Edmund Hall. Charlotte, b. Aug. 23, 1799; d. Apr. 3, 1805. Jotham, b. Dec. 3, 1801 ; m. Sarepta Whiting. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 677 John, b. Mar. lo, 1804; m. Irene Irish. Isaac, b. May 21, 1806; m. Joanna Teague. Charlotte, b. Mar. 20, 1810; m. Thomas Gates. Jesse (Jotham, John) b. Nov. 5, 1789, m. Catharine Morse. She d. Aug. 29, 1875. He owned a farm which he cleared and in which he built a house in the eastern part of the town, enlisted and served in the War of 1812. Died Sept 12 1886. Children : I. Sylvira, born Dec. 28, 1816, married Daniel F. Simpson of Byron ; later removed to North Turner. Children: George F., born Dec, 184S ; Maria F., born July 4, 1847 ; Emma, born July 24, 1849; Ella, born July 27, 1851 ; Charles S., born Sept. S, 1854. II. Francis C, born Feb. II, 1819; married Vilona Whitman. After her death he married Rebecca Smit.h He was killed by being run over with a yoke of oxen and cart. Had one son, Henry M., bom Feb. 28, 1851, who lives in Caribou, Maine. Has three children: Grace, Shirley and Barton. III. Maria, bom Feb. 22, 1821 ; married Ichabod Allen of Turner, Me. IV. James, born Mar. 16, 1823, married Isabella D. Brown of Bruns- wick, Mar. 23, 1851. He enlisted in Nineteenth Maine Regiment, Co. E, Aug. 1862. Was in several battles and at the Battle of the Wilderness, May, 1864, received wounds from which he died in the hospital at Wash- ington, D. C, June, 1864. They had two children: Henry G., born May 15, 1852; married Georgia A. Lowell. He died Nov., 1908. They have three children : James A., married Bessie Lee Alden of Marlboro, Mass. He is a Free Baptist minister preaching at Dale, N. Y. Annie B., married Rev. Luther D. Tibbetts. H. Lowell, married Florence Wyman of West Peru. They have one son, John Henry, born June 30, 1912. Mary Emma, born July 2, i860; died Mar. 8, 1888. V. Henry M., bom Mar. 13, 1824. When a young man shipped on a whaling voyage, and after returning to port, was never heard from again. Supposed by his relatives to have met with foul play. VI. Jotham, born June 4, 1826; went West and during the Civil War enlisted in a Minnesota regiment, but before the war closed was taken sick and died. VII. Alfred, born April 18, 1829. In 1854 went to Cahfornia and after the Civil War broke out enlisted in the Sixth Cal. Regiment, saw service on the Pacific coast and the Isthnius pf Panama. In 1866 returned to Buckfield. Married Isabella D. Shaw, the widow of his brother James, bought a farm in the southern part of the town. In Oct., 1872, bought a stand in Buckfield village, where he lived until his death. May 17, 1899. Had two daughters, Kate B., married George C. Morrill of Sumner, and Josephine M. VIII. Geo. W., born Aug. 7, 1832, lived on the place owned and cleared by his father, married Sylvina Bonney of Paris, Me.; she died Oct. 30, Digitized by Microsoft® 678 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 1888. He married for his second wife, Mrs. Mary E. Jones, Sept. 13, 1891 ; she died Aug. 23, 1906. He died July IS, 1908. His children were Addie E., and a son, who died in infancy. Amos (Jotham, John), b. Dec. 6, 1793, m. Mary Chase. Their children : Silas, b. Sept. 4, 1821 ; d. June 23, 1893. Zenas. Joseph. Wilson. Silas (Amos, Jotham, John), m. Amanda C. Record. She died Dec. 29, 1903. They had one child, Mary A., b. Oct. 15, 1855, m. Justus B. Mason. Zenas (Amos, Jotham, John), m. Jane Benson, They had two children: Wilson, married Elizabeth Spaulding (deceased). They had one son, Warren S. Albert, married Sadie Keene (deceased). They had 4 children, Jen- nie M., Ervin A., Bertha and Lawrence. Joseph (Amos, Jotham, John), m. Sarah Pettengill. They had one son, Alton J., m. Mary Harris. Wilson (Amos, Jotham, John), m. Ellen Loring. Jotham (Jotham, John), b. Dec. 3, 1801, m. Sarepta Whit- ing, b. July 29, 1805. He died June 25, 1868 ; she died Sept. 19, 1893. Children : Mary Elizabeth, b. June 28, 1829; m. John H. Purkis of Providence, R. I. John Addison, b. Feb. 7, 1832; m. ist, Susan Record; 2d, Eliza Gil- bert; 3d, Ellen Bradley. Charlotte Frances, b. May 22, 1834; rn- Hosea Bisbee. Charles A., b. Sept. 14, 1839; d. Mar. 21, 1851. Jotham William, b. Sept. 3, 1841 ; m, Rosanna B. Irish. Isaac Whiting, b. July s, 1844. Sarepta A., b. Dec. 16, 1846; m. John Purkis. Jotham William (Jotham, Jotham, John), m. Rosanna B. Irish. Children : Isaac Whiting, b. Jan. 10, 1867 ; m. Ida Marston. Ella F., b. Oct. 21, 1870; m. Horace Dunn; res. Lisbon, Me.; children, Leroy H. and Sarah R. Clarence W., b. Feb. 14, 1879 ; m. Julia Turner ; res. Buckfield, Me. Their two children are Rodney E. and Gleason T. Harold, b. Feb. 23, 1886; m. Lida Gammon. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD (579 John (Jotham, John) b. March 10, 1804, d. June 11, 1888; m. Irene Irish. She d. March 9, 1889. Children: Phebe, b. August 9, 1833 ; d. December 31, 1908. Elvira M., b. July i, 1835 ; d. March i, 1836. Rosette Irish, b. October 20, 1837 ; d. January 15, 1907. John Emery, b. March i, 1841. Eliza Ann, h. March 2, 1843; d. November i, 1871. Sarah Jane, h. October 23, 1845; d. December 18, 1885. Jotham, b. November 25, 1848. Phebe (John, Jotham, John) m. W. A. Knapp. Children ; W. Herbert, unmarried. Theresa Adelaide, married (J. W. Hall, deceased), Geo. Elliott. George C, married Lena House. Frank L., m. Gertrude Eastman. Henry A., va. Blanche House. Anna I. m. Norman Marsh. Grace G., unmarried. Sarah Jane (John, Jotham, John) m. Addison S. Young. Children : Angle May, married Adna Godding. Twins : Clarence A., married Gertrude Hodsdon. Carroll E., married Addie Hodsdon. Charles H., married Kate Phillips. Elvira, died young. H. Clifton, married Louise- Verrill. R. Clarendon, died young. Jotham (John, Jotham, John) m. Lora E. Greene, July i, 1858 ; d. November 2, 1907. Children : Albert Jotham, b. January 29, 1879; d. February 17, 1879. Nellie Rosette, b. November 28, 1880 ; m. Ruel E. Taylor. Infant, b. February 15, 1882; d. February 15, 1882. Etta Louise, b. April 15, 1887 ; m. Bernard Kennedy. Isaac (Jotham, John) b. May 21, 1806; m, ist, Joanna Teague ; 2d, Fanny Teague Irish. He died April 8, 1894 ; Joanna died Aug. zy, 1862. Children : Sabina Ellen, b. Mar. 20, 1832; m. Asia Ricker; d. Aug. 20, 1868. Angelia J., b. Mar. 13, 183S ; m. James H. DeCoster. Eliza F., b. Dec. 25, 1839; m. James B. Bryant. Mary A., b. May S, 1841 ; m. Decatur Irish, Isaac Wilson, b. Aug. 7, 1850; m. Ada M. Tuttle. Digitized by Microsoft® 680 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Sabrina E. (Isaac, Jotham, John) m. Asia Ricker. She died Aug. 20, 1868. He died Feb. 25, 1910. Children: Estella D., b. Mar. 6, 1853 ; d. Dec. 27, 1879 ; ni. William S. Stetson. They had one son, Willie A., died Jan. 19, 1893. Fred A., b. May 10, 1857; m. Kate Hemmenway Ellis; res., Worces- ter, Mass. Angelia D., b. July 10, i860; married Leon H. Bassett. She died Jan. 17, 1908; he died Dec. 16, 1897. They had 7 children: Arthur W., Cora A., Leon H., Walter S., Helen S., Carrie M. and Elsa L. Anna, b. Aug. 24, 1863 ; m. Fred Skillings of Auburn, Me. They have three children ; Angie M. ; Mabel R., married Fred C. Bailey, have one child, Dorothea S. ; Rosa C. (Children of Angelia J. (Shaw) and Jtmes H. DeCoster given in DeCoster genealogy.) Eliza F. Shaw (Isaac, Jotham, John) m. James B. Bryant. She died Jan. 24, 1913; he died Sept. 20, 1875. Children: John B., b. Nov. 20, 1867; m. Clara Waterman; res., Buckfield. James I., b. Feb. 4, 1875 ;m. Eleanor L. Stearns of Paris, Me.; res. Buckfield. They have two children, Wilma and James. Mary A. Shaw (Isaac, Jotham, John) m. Decatur Irish. Children : Nellie, b. Aug. 23, 1866; d. Dec. 14, 1877. James E., b. July 6, 1870; m. Wilma Maxim; res. . They have one son, Howard Maxim. Isaac Wilson Shaw (Isaac, Jothsm, John), b. Aug. 7, 1850, was the youngest child and only son of Isa£c Shaw, a prosperous farmer of East Buckfield. During his minority he came to the village, residing with his brother-in-law, James H. DeCoster, and became a clerk in the store and postoffice of the latter. Later, he acquired an interest in the business, and on the resignation of Mr. DeCoster, was appointed postmaster, serving about ten years. On Mr. DeCoster's retirement he became sole proprietor of the store. He devoted great energy to his affairs and under his close attention and careful management his business steadily increased until his store became a prominent center of hardware trade for a large surrounding country. He married Ada M. Tuttle of Buckfield. He died Feb. 22, 1906. Children: Amy Wilson, h. July 19, 1878. Howard P., b. Sept. 12, 1882. Mildred W., h. Oct. 11, 1889. Helen M., b. Jan. 27, 1893. Digitized by Microsoft® I. Wilson Shaw Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 683 Charlotte (Jotham, John) b. Mar. 20, 1810; d. Nov. 13, 1900 ; m. Thomas S. Gates of Bangor, Me., who died June, 1867. Children : Sarah Elizabeth, m. Thomas Files; res, Bangor, Me. They have a son, Ralph Ernestj and a daughter. Bertha Celestia. Celestia, m. Rev. S. C. Whitcomb, res. Bangor, Me. They had one son, Arthur Mellen, who died in 1884. Miriam Shaw, teacher in Shaw University, Raleigh, N. C. Mellen Thomas, m. Annie Wood; res., Bangor Me. They have one daughter, Charlotte, m. Frank Rowe. Smith. Jasiel Smith was bom in Taunton, Mass., March 25, 1734- He m. Anna Crossman. In 1787 they came to Turner and died there. Children : Hannah, b. Feb. i^, 1758; m. Samuel Andrews (B.'s ist Rep.) A daughter, b. July 9, 1759, died in infancy. Laban, b. Feb. i, 1760; m. Molly Bryant of Turner. Jasiel, b. Feb. 7, 1763; m. Rachel Purington of Topsham. Asa, b. Aug. 22, 1765; m. Jane Niles of Turner. Seba, b. June 13, 1767; m. Aphia Stevens. Nancy, b. May 13, 1769; m. Moses Stevens of Turner, Kesiah, b. Sept. 22, 1771 ; m. James Waterman of Buckfield. Chloe, b. Mar. 16, 1774; m. Dr. Charles Hayes of Reading. Rachel, b. Mar. 25, 1780; m. Rev. John Strickland of Turner. Jasiel and Seba, sons of Jasiel, settled in Buckfield. After living here for several years, the latter moved to Bridgton. The former served in the War of the Revolution. He died in Buck- field May 15, 1848. Only one child is recorded on our records, Anna, b. Dec. 19, 1791. Seba Smith, son of Jasiel, b. June 13, 1767; m. Aphia Stevens. They settled ist in Turner, 2d in Buckfield and 3d in Bridgton. H^was the 2d post rider in that section. Children recorded on Buckfield records : Charles, b. Aug. 29, 1790. Seba, Jr., b. Sept. 14, 1792; m. Elizabeth O. Prince. Silas, b. July 2, 1794. Abiel, b. July 13, 1796. Israel Smith of another family, with wife Rebekah, were settlers here before 1800. He was a taxpayer in 1797. We have no records of their deaths. Children : Digitized by Microsoft® 684 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Josiah, b. June 28, 1787. Israel, Jr., b. Sept. 20, 1789. Jane, b. Nov. 15, 1791. Elliott, b. Oct. 14, 1794. Rebecca, b. June 10, 1797. William, b. May 26, 1802. Josiah Smith, son of the preceding, b. June 28, 1787, m. Betsey . Child: Montillian, b. Oct. 18, 1810. Spaulding. The Spauldings of Buckfield are descendants from Edward, the American ancestor, who came to Braintree, Mass., between 1630 and 1633. The name is supposed to have been derived from the town of Spalding in Linconshire, England. E. W. Spalding, Esq., of St. Louis, Mo., suggests that it means "shoulder-hitter," from spall, shoulder, and ding, to strike. The name originated in the Middle Ages. Benjamin Spaulding (see sketch) who made the first im- provements in the town of Buckfield, was b. at Concord, Mass., Feb. 5, 1739. The line of descent from the American ancestor Edward^ to him is as follows : Andrew,^ Henry,^ Leonard,* Ben- jamin." He m. Patty Barrett of Chelmsford, Nov. 29, 1764. She was b. Jan. 31, 1740. Leonard, the father of Benjamin, died in Concord, Mass., in Feb., 1758. His mother, Elizabeth, m. 2d, Dr. Ezekiel Chase. He died and she came to Buckfield to live with her son's family, where she died in 1799, aged 80. He died Oct. 14, 181 1. She died Oct. 4, 1819. Children (only last three born in Buckfield) : Patty, b. Sept. 14, 1765 ; m. Joseph Robinson. Rebecca, b. Nov. 10, 1766; m. Benjamin Heald. Benjamin, Jr., b. Aug. 15, 1768; m. ist, Myrtilla Robinson; 2d, Mrs. Mary Bumpus. Leonard, b. Feb. 13, 1770; m. Margaret Warren. Elizabeth, b. Jan. 18, 1772 ; m. John Fletcher. Abel, b. Oct. 15, 1777; m. Phebe Proctor. Esther, b. Oct. 28, 1779 ; m. Alexander Thayer. Stephen, b. Aug. 13, 1782; m. Bethiah Record. Thankful, b. Aug. 16, 1787 ; m. Caleb Cushman of Paris. Hon. Benjamin Spaulding, son of the preceding, b. August 15, 1768, at Chelmsford, Mass. ; m. Myrtilla Robinson of Sumner, Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD ggS Oct. 15, 1790. She was b. Dec. 12, .1770. His wife d. Oct. i, 1816, and he m. 2d, Mrs. Mary (Sturtevant) Bumpus of Hebron. She died June 24, 1845. He died Feb. 18, 1858, in the 90th year of his age. Children by first wife : Increase, h. Oct. 2, 1791 ; m. Sally Spaulding. Lupira, b. Feb. 17, 1794; m. William Cole. Jonas, b. Apr. 22, 1796; m. Miriam Irish. Adirian, b. July I, 1800; d. Mar. 4, 1825. Axel, b. Feb. 17, 1803 ; m. Clarissa Murdock. Sidney, b. Jan. 20, 1807 ; m. Eliza G. Atwood. Melissa, b. Jan. 22, 1809; d. Aug. 18, 1831. By second wife : Dastine, b. Jan. 15, i8ig; m. Clarinda B. Parsons. Osen, b. Dec. 2, 1821 ; m. Martha M. Emery. Increase Spaulding, Esq., son of the preceding, b. Oct. 2, 1791 ; m. Sally Spaulding. He held the principal town offices and served as town clerk for many years. She died Dec. 11, 1836. He died April 22, 1839. Children: ■Danville D., b. Jan. 8, 1815; d. Feb. 11, 1816. Cynthia E., b. Oct. 13, 1819; d. Sept. 20, 1820. Adrian, b. Nov. 4, 1824 ; m. Betsey Davis ; s. in Freeport. Francis E., h. Mar. 21, 1827 ; m. Mary Record ; s. in Corning, N. Y. Sarah J., h. June 26, 1830; m. John Walcott of Mechanic Falls. Augustine W., b. Feb. 17, 1832; d. May 26, 1835. Sally, b. Nov. 2, 1836; d. Mar. 11, 1837. Jonas Spaulding, Esq., 2d son of Hon. Benjamin, b. Apr. 22, 1796; m. Miriam, dau. of Thomas and Elizabeth Irish. He was town treasurer and a member of the board of selectmen and asssessors for many years. He died Mar. 15, 1848. Children: Mary J., b. Feb. 28, 1820; m. William Record. William Franklin, b. Dec. 29, 1821 ; d. Jan. 31, 1892; m. Emily Warren. Elizabeth, b. Jan. 20, 1828; d. July 28, 1848. William Franklin Spaijlding, son of the preceding, b. Dec. 29, 1821 ; m. Emily, dau. of David and Phebe Warren. He d. Jan. 31, 1892. She d. Apr. 26, 1895. Child: Elisabeth, b. Sept. lo, 1854. Major Axel Spaulding, 4th son of Hon. Benjamin, b. Feb. 17, 1803; m. Clarissa Murdock. He died April i, 1856. She died Oct. 27, 1869. Children: Frederick A., b. Dec. 27, 1825 ; m. Amanda M. Bisbee. Clarissa, b. July 31, 1828; m. John Q. Ellis of Sumner. Digitized by Microsoft® 686 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Frederick Augustus Spaulding^ son of the preceding, b. Dec. 27, 1825 ; m. Amanda M., dau. of Capt. Lewis and Elizabeth Bisbee of Sumner. He died June 12, 1856. Child : Lewis Bisbee, b. Dec. 11, 1851. Sidney Spauuding, Sth son of Hon. Benjamin, b. Jan. 20, 1807; m. Eliza G. Atwood. He died Apr. i, 1881. She died June 14, 1896, aged 86. Children: Mary, b. Feb. 27, 183s ; d. Aug. 18, 1835. Benjamin, b. June 15, 1836; m. Mary Barrett. Cyrus Cole, b. Feb. 18, 1838; m. Ellen M. Tuttle. William Cole, b. June 18, 1841 ; m. Lovina J. Sterling. Flora A., b. Feb. 20, 1846. Florence A., b. Ja.n 26, 1855 ; m. C. Childs. Benjamin Spaulding (see sketch) oldest son of Sidney, b. June 16, 1836; m. Mary Barrett of Sumner. She d. Mar. 10, 1885. Children : Sarah Eliza, b. Mar. 10, 1872. Mary, b. July II, 1874; ™- James E. Warren. Benjamin, Jr., b. Mar. 29, 1876. Gilbert Barrett, b. Mar. 9, 1878. Cyrus C. Spaulding, son of Sidney, b. Feb. 18, 1838; m. Mrs. Ellen M. Tuttle of Turner, dau. of Lucius Young of Buck- field. He served as Corp. in Co. C of Col. Chamberlin's 20th Regt. Maine Vols., and while in the service contracted the disease of which he died July 3, 1897. He was for several years after the war, a successful merchant in his native village and was also town clerk for many years. His wife d. May 4, 1878 and he m. 2d, Mrs. Carrie Crommett. Children: Infant, b. Mar. 2, 1867; d. Sept. 12, 1867. Nellie B., b. Sept. 11, 1870; m. Stanley Bisbee. Myrtie M., b. Aug. 28, 1872; m. Dr. Arthur E. Cole. Lottie M., b. Jan. 20, 1874; ™- Ellis Russell. Child by 2d wife : Lila S., b. May 27, 1881 ; m. Harley F. Rawson. William C. Spaulding (see sketch) son of Sidney, b. June 18, 1841 ; m. Lovina J. Sterling. She d. March 31, 1904. Set- tled in Caribou. Children: John S., b. July 21, 1869; m. Harriet Louise Burpee. He died Dec. 15, 1896; no children. Atwood W., b. Jan. 6, 1873. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIBXD 687 Dastine Spaulding, Esq., son of Hon. Benjamin, b. Jan. 15, 1819; m. Clarinda B. Parsons, b. Dec. 15, 1821. He was town clerk for many years, also selectman and treasurer. He moved to Cape Elizabeth. No issue. OzEN Spaulding, bro. of the preceding, b. Dec. 2, 1821 ; m. Martha M. Emery of Hartford. He d. Mar. 7, 1888. Child: Orlando H., b. Feb. 18, 1857. Capt. Leonard Spaulding, 2d son of Benjamin, sen., b. Feb. 13, 1770; m. Margaret Warren. He died Aug. 27, 1854. She died July 13, 1856. Children: Sally, h. Nov. 22, 1794; m. Increase Spaulding. William, b. Apr. 2, 1796; m. Rebecca Swallow; s. in Ohio. Zilpha, b. July 25, 1799; m. Hon. Job. Prince. James, b. June 10, 1802; m. Cynthia Bray. Africa, b. May 10, 1804 ; m. Harriet Swett ; s. in Ohio. Almeda, b. Aug. 28, 1807; m. Winchester Spaulding. Abel, b. July 29, 1809; m. Marcia Geer; s. in Ohio. Jane, b. Sept. 20, 181 1; m. Winchester Spaulding. Beujamin Franklin, b. Dec. I, 1814; m. Lydia S. Fletcher; s. in Minn. Diantha, b. Aug. 20, 181 7 ; m. Aratus Farrar. Capt. James Spaulding, son of the preceding, b. June 10, 1802; m. Cynthia Bray of Turner. His wife died Dec. ii, 1864, and he went to live with his son-in-law, Jacob W. Browne, Esq., at Earlevill, 111., where he died in 1886. Children: Margaretta J., b. Sept. 8, 1826, m. ist, Ezra S. Bisbee; 2d, Jacob W. Browne, Esq. Zilpha Prince, b. Apr. 10, 1832; m. Christopher C. Packard. James G., b. July 4, 1834; m. Nancy W. Hines. Emma F., b. Feb. 16, 1844; m. Capt. John E. Bryant. Abel Spaulding, son of Benjamin, the first settler, b. Oct. 15, 1777; m. Phebe Proctor. He died Sept. i, 1809. She died Oct. 21, 1812. Children: Asa, b. Aug. 24, 1800; d. Sept. 13, 1816. Arvilla, b. May 11, 1803; m. Cyrus Record. Phebe, b. Oct. 3, 1809; m. Lewis Record. Stephen Spaulding, the youngest son of Benjamin, the first settler, b. Aug. 13, 1782; m. ist, Bethiah Record; 2d, Sophia Morrill. He died Apr. 27, 1868. Last wife died Feb. 3, 1891, in her 97th year. Children : Winchester, b. Feb. 13, 1805; m. ist, Almeda Spaulding; 2d, Jane Spaulding. Digitized by Microsoft® 688 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Roxanna, b. July 3, 1808; m. Isaac Tuttle of Turner. Alexander Thayer, b. June 20, 181 1; m. Mary J. Manly; s. in Ohio. Emerline, h. June 5, 1814; m. Wm. S. Bisbee of Sumner. Danville Decatur, b. Mar. 18, 1820; m. Roxy M. Brown; s. in Minn. Stephen Jackson, h. Sept. 17, 1828; m. Georgianna Buck; s. in Minn. George Greenleaf, b. Jan. 25, 1832; m. Charlotte G. Morrill; s. in Sumner. Augustus Washington, b. May 26, 1837 ; m. Mary B. Keen. Winchester Spaulding, oldest son of the preceding, b. Feb. 13, 1805; m. Almeda Spaulding. She died Feb. 11, 1843, ''^d he m. 2d, Jane Spaulding. He died May 15, 1891 ; 2d wife d. Jan. 16, 1894. Children : Francis M., b. Dec. 22, 1830; d. Oct,. 1837. Melissa, b. Jan. 19, 1832; m. John Cresey. Alexander, b. Oct. 23, 1834; d. Nov. 28, 1857. Mary Elizabeth, b. July 15, 1837; m. William Clapp of Salem, Mass. Martha M., b. Apr. 30, 1840. Augustus Washington Spaulding, brother of the pre- ceeding, b. May 26, 1837; m. Mary B. Keen. Children: Carroll Augustus, b. Aug. 23, 1856. Georgianna, Julia, b. Aug. 28, 1865. Stephen, b. Feb. 21, 1869. Danville Decatur SpauldinGj son of Stephen, b. Mar. 18, 1820; m. Roxy M. Brown. They settled in Minnesota. Children recorded here : Augustus W ., b. Mar. 25, 1846. Alonzo D., b. Dec. 27, 1847. Victoria A., b. May 9, 1850. Stephens The Stephenses of Buckfield, Paris and Woodstock are de- scended from an old Plymouth County, Massachusetts, family. Ezra Stephens^ with his wife, Lydia, came to Buckfield early in the last century. He began trade in the village on the east side of the river near the present site of the post office. Capt. Sam- uel, his brother, b. in Plymouth in 1768, s. in Woodstock. Zaccheus, another brother, s. on Paris Hill, where for many years he kept a public house. Ezra Stephens died about 1818 from the effects of being kicked by a horse. After his death family moved away. Children recorded on our records : Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 689 Benjamin S., b. Sept, 29, 1808; m. Abigail Sampson; s. ist, Sumner, and afterward moved to Paris where he d. May 8, 1874. Ezra, b. Aug. 3, 1810. Eleazer, b. Mar. 13, 1813. Edward F., b. Dec. 20, 1B14. Louisa A., b. Mar. 5, 1817. Sylvia F., b. Nov. 19, 1819. SWETT. John Swett, son of Dr. Stephen Swett, a surgeon in the Revolutionary War, and his wife, Sarah Adams, b. June 23, 1763 ; m. Betsey Warren. He came here from Gorham or Windham and settled in the township before the census was taken in 1790. John Swett of Windham served 3^ years in the Revolution. Dr. Stephen Swett was the first physician to settle in Gorham. He was b. in Newmarket, N. H., and was the son of Moses and Han- nah (Swett) Swett. The American ancestor of this family was John Swett, who came from England and was one of the grantees of Newbury in 1642. His son, Capt. Benjamin Swett, the grandfather of Dr. Stephen Swett, was killed in a fight with the Indians at Scarborough, June 29, 1677. Dr. Stephen, with his family, moved to Windham and late in hfe to Otisfield, where he d. Jan. 0, 1807. His wife d. there May 3, 1808. Two brothers of John, Nathaniel, b. Oct. 9, 1771, m. Olive Moody and d. in Scarboro ; and William, b. Dec. 6, 1776, m. Clarissa Benpon of Middleboro and d. at Hartford, were resi- dents for several years in Buckfield. John Swett for many years was one of the principal citizens of the town. He died July 14, 1844, in Buckfield (so grand- daughter, Mrs. Rose M. Briggs, 1905, says). Children recorded here : Johnj Jr., b. Feb. 4, 1789; m. Remember Berry. Josiah, b. Sept. 13, 1790; m. Achsa Hayford. Polly, b. Apr. 23, 1792; m. Clemmons Randall. Margaret, b. Apr. 21, 1794; m. Ephraim Ricker. Nancy, b. July 27, 1796; m. Abial Drake, Jr. David Warren, b. May 8, 1798; m. Almira Ricker. Hon. Leonard Spaulding, b. Dec. 7, 1801 ; m. and s. in 111. ; was a prominent lawyer and politician. He was at one time a law partner of Abraham Lincoln, i c. recorded on our records: Francis L, b. Sept. 23, 1827. Lorenzo Spaulding, b. Oct. 27, 1808. Digitized by Microsoft® 690 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Taylor. Samuel Taylor (see sketch) came here from Pembroke, Mass., where the baptism of six of his children is recorded. His wife was Priscilla Simmons of Duxbury, a descendant of Moses Simmons, the Pilgrim who came in the Fortune. Their mar- riage occurred Nov. i, 1750. The date of her death is not known. He died after the census was taken in 1810 at the great age of 94. Children : Samuel, b. ; ra. 1784, Hannah Low of Marshfield; lived for a period in Buckfield. Asa, bap. July 20, 175S; m. Dec. 20, 1818, Mrs. Rebekah Ames. Urania or Ranah, bap. July 20, 17SS; m. Aug. 17, 1780, Isaac Foster; s. in Buckfield. John, bap. June IS, 1760. Priscilla, bap. July 10, 1763. Richard, bap. Oct. 2, 1768 ; m. Mary Roberts ; s. in Buckfield. Jabez, bap. Oct. 2, 1768; m. Dorcas Irish; s. in Buckfield. Richard Taylor, son of the preceding, m. Mary Roberts, April 23, 1794. He lived many years in the east part of the town in the vicinity of the Federal Corner. He died June 16, 1849. She died Feb. 20, 1848. Children : Elizabeth, b. Jan. 27, 1795 ; m. Benson Cushman. Dolly, b. Sept. 12, 1796; d. April 23, 1871. Prudence, b. July 22, 1798. Mary, b. Oct. 21, 1800; d. Feb. 20, 1848. Zoa, b. Dec. 14, 1802; m. Harvey Sylvester. Huldah, b. Jan. 8, 1805. John, b. Feb. 10, 1807 ; m. Olive Morrill. Richard, b. Mar. 6, 1809; m. Miriam Thurlow. Jabez Taylor, brother of the preceding, b. Oct., 1765 ; m. Feb. 9, 179s, Dorcas Irish. He lived on the setthng lot of his father for rhany years, but finally moved into the western part of the town with his son, WilHam L., where he died April 9, 1854. She died Nov. 2, 1861, aged 88 years and 2 mos. Children: Elias, b. Mar. 29, 1796; m. Margaret Lothrop; s. in Hebron; d. in B. Nov. 28, 1889. Asa, b. Mar. 16, 1800; m. Lavina Record. Ahel, b. Nov. 28, 1803 ; d. Jan. 4, 1809. Thomas, b. ; s. in Mass. William L., b. ; m. Drusilla Record. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD- ggi Asa Taylor, son of the preceding, b. Mar. i6, 1800; m. 1831, Lavina Record. He died Mar. 9, 1894. She died Aug 29, 1888. Children: Dr. Rotheus Waite, b. Mar. 17, 184S ; m. Florence Cushman; s. in Port- land. Carroll Asa, b. Dec. 6, 1846; m. Alice Jordan. Carroll A. Taylor, son of the preceding, b. Dec. 6, 1846 ; m. Alice Jordan. Child : Benjamin Jordan, b. Aug. 21, 1876. ^^'ILLIAM L. Taylor, son of Jabez, b. ; m. 1834, Drusilla Record. Children : Albion, h. Jan. 17, 1835; m-; s. in South Paris. Louisa J., b. Oct. 19, 1840; m. Robinson Dean. John Taylor, son of Richard, b. Feb. 10, 1807; m. 1834, Olive Morrill. Children: Henry Lewis, h. Apr. 15, 1835. Howard, h. June 25, 1839. Mary Frances, b. May 22, 1845. Richard Taylor, Jr., brother of the preceding, b. Mar. 6, 1809 ; m. Miriam Thurlow. This family moved to Byron and set- tled on Buckfield Hill. Children recorded on Buckfield records : Adaline Wadsworth, b. Jan. 10, 1833. Ruth Thurlow, b. Apr. 15, 1835. Mary Elisabeth, b. Mar. 15, 1837. Teague. Bani (called Beni) Teague (see sketch) a soldier of the Rev- olution, settled in Bucktown on Turner line before Jan. i, 1784. We have no record of his family. His name disappeared from the tax lists in 1811. He probably died before 1820. Children: Bani, Jr., m. Sarah Tuttle ; s. in Turner. Patty, m. Peter Cilley, b. 1768; s. in Brooks. Polly, m. Simon Cilley, b. 1774; s. in Brooks. Elisabeth, m. Samuel Irish. Judah, m. . Thayer. Asa Thayer, son of Ichabod and Mary (Marsh) Thayer of Milford, was seventh in descent from Thomas^ Thayer, who set- tled in America about 1636. Asa was b. Oct. 3, 1767, and in Digitized by Microsoft® 692 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 1790 m. Lydia Chapin. They settled on one of the lots in the northwest part of the town, afterwards annexed to Paris. He died in 1848. Children recorded on our records : Levi, b. Oct. 23, 1793; m. Sally Perry. Mary, b. Aug. 31, 1795; m. Galen Field. Didamia, b. Sept. 9, 1797; ™- Cyrus Keen; s. in Sumner. Lydia, b'. July 3, 1799; m. Bala Farrar; s. in B. Ziha, b. Nov. 13, 1801 ; m. Almira Fobes ; s. in Paris. Laura, b. Dec. 14, 1803 ; m. Austin Nelson, Hebron. Asa, Jr., b. Apr. 2, 1806; m. Lucy M. Whitney. Arha, b. Jan. 6, 1809; m. Florilla Tuttle. Dea. Levi Thayee, son of the preceding, b. Oct. 23, 1793; m. Sally Perry of Paris. Settled first in Buckfield, but afterward removed to Paris, where he remained during life. She d. Sept. 7, 1864. He d. June 5, 1875. Childen recorded on Buckfield records : Alexander S., b. Sept. 5, 1819; m. 1st, Angeline Perrj-; 2d, Ruth Marston. Emeline S., b. Aug. 4, 1821 ; m. Simeon Cummings Paris. Horace C, b. Mar. 6, 1824; m. Betsey Whitehouse. Alexander Thayer, bro. of Asa, sen., b. Mar. 15, 1771; m. Esther Spaulding. He settled near his brother on one of the lots annexed to Paris. He d. suddenly of fever Mar. 8, 1809. She d. July 30, 1841. Children: America, b. July 5, 1799; m. Caroline Prentiss. Almira, b. Feb. 14, 1803 ; m. Cyprian Stevens. Lieut. Isaac Thayer was sixth in descent from Richard'- Thayer, a brother of Thomas^ Thayer before mentioned, — the line of descent being Richard^ b. 1624, NathanieP b. 1658, Zachariah* b. 1687, Zachariah^ b. 1719, Lieut. Isaac" b. Randolph, Mass., Nov. 23, 1741. He m. 1761, Mary Spear, who died in 1764; 2 ch. He m. 2d, 1770, Rachel Sawin, who died in 1780; 5 ch., Vashti, Rachel, Shadrack, Eunice and Ehphalet. He m. 3d, May 9, 1782, Hannah Joyce of Bridgewater, and they moved to Buckfield in 1792, and settled in the western part of the town, on the farm now owned by one of his descendants — Webster Maxim. The house in which he Uved and died, a cut of which is given here, was built soon after he moved here and it is probably the oldest house in town. He had served in the War for Independence and rose to the, rank of lieutenant, for meritorious service. Lieut. Isaac Thayer was in the brilliant engagement at Trenton under Digitized by Microsoft® H [STORY OF BUCKFLELD 693 Lieut. Isaac Thayer House, oldest building in town Gen. George Washington, and in other battles. While in the campaign of 1779 in Rhode Island he wrote a letter home to his wife which is preserved in the Smithsonian Institute at Washing- ton, D. C. He d. Feb. 22, 1805, and was buried on what was once his farm, now owned by Webster Maxim. In 1907 a granite stone furnished by the U. S. Government was placed at the head of his grave, and dedicated with appropriate exercises by his descendants and others. A feature of the occasion was an orig- inal hymn written and sung by his great-grand-daughters, Mary and Martha Maxirn of Cambridge, Mass. His widow remarried and survived him some 36 years. The children of this Revolu- tionary soldier are not recorded on Buckfield records. His son, John Thayer, had the homestead. His son, Shadrack, lived here awhile but finally returned to Massachusetts. None of the other children ever settled in Buckfield. Children by 3d wife : Polly, b. March, 1786; m. Nathaniel Harlow. John, b. Feb., 1788; m. Susan Hersey. Hannah, b. ; d. young. Col. Ebeneser, b. Feb. 27, i797; m- Mary Faunce; s. in Pans; 4 c, Mary Ann, Hannah A., Sarah J., and Maria E. He d. Sept. 25, 1857- Digitized by Microsoft® 694 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Dea. Joel B., b. Apr. 9, 1799; m. Mary Dudley; s. in Paris. She d. and he m. 2d, Mrs. Louisa Davis; 2 c. by ist wife: Alvin, Angeline, m. Dea. Elbridge Forbes, parents of Arthur E. Forbes, one of the editors of the Oxford Democrat. Lydia, b. about 1802, m. Calvin Crooker, Jr., s. in Paris ; 8 ch., Almira, m. Henry 0. Bessey; Hannah J., m. James M. Pote; Cynthia Hill, m. Augustus C. Richmond ; loel T., a former deputy sheriff at Norway, m. Mary A. Matthews; John B., m. Eliza Matthews, 2d Laura Merrill; Orlando and Edwin M., died young, and James Orlando, h. Dec. 4, 1841, rr. Adelia H. Higgins, dau. of Thomas and Lucy A. (Bearce) Higgins, b. Norway, May 12, 1844. Mr. Crooker for many years was the leading hardware dealer in Norway and vicinity and held many public positions of trust and prominence among which was chairman of selectmen and assessors of his town. He is now (191S) living in retirement with his family, enjoying the fortune he has honorably acquired throug-h years of laborious effort and good management, and the respect and confidence of all. Children : L Estelle A., b. Feb. 21, 1867 ; m. Frank E. Bell. They resided in Port- land for many years, where he died Dec. 2$, 1912. She has since made her home in Norway. Mrs. Bell is a lady of charming and attractive manners and of exceptional business and intellectual ability, n. Ella M. H., b. May i, 1868 — a lovable young lady who took high rank in her studies at school. She died Oct. ig, 1886, deeply lamented by all who knew her. Her aunt, Ella Higgins, for whom she was named, was like her in purity of character and loveliness of disposition. She, too, early went into a decline and died, leaving behind with her , relatives and friends, tender memories never to be forgotten and a void in their hearts never to be filled on earth. John Thayer, son of Lieut. Isaac, m. Susan Hersey. He lived on the old homestead to his death in the autumn of 1853 in his 65th year, and his remains were interred in the Hall burying ground on the Paris Hill road. His wife survived him several years. Children : George Washington, b. Oct. 29, 1812 ; m. Esther Merrill ; s. in Aroos- took County. John G., b. Jan. s, 1814; m. Mary Bearce; s. in Aroostook Co. Isaac, b. 1827 ; m. Eliza Cooper ; s. in Mich. Thomes. The Thomes families of Buckfield are descendants of Thomas Thomes, who was an inhabitant of Falmouth Neck as early as 1716. His wife's name was Elizabeth. They united with Parson Smith's church in 1738. He built a house in which he lived in Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 695 Clay Cove. He received a grant of land on the Neck in 1721. They had ?.t least three children, Joseph, John and Thomas, Jr. The latter with his wife, Mary, and family, settled in Gorhara, Me., prior to 1763. In clearing up his lot, a large apple tree was found and preserved. It proved very productive. One year 17 barrels of cider were made from the apples that grew on it. After it had grown old and begun to decay a hollow in the trunk was large enough to secrete a full-grown person. He died Dec. 16, 1790. His wife died Dec. 13, 1786. They had at least seven children, one of which was Samuel, born about 1749. He mar- ried Dec. 23, 1779, Sarah, daughter of John Lombard. He died Mar. 3, 1798, aged 51. His wife died May 20, 1846, aged 83. Children : Sarah, b. Sept. 7, 1781 ; m. Moses Baker. Nathaniel, h. Jan. 23, 1784; m. Mary Higgins. Rev. George, b. Mar. 9, 179S ; m. Rebecca Davis. Samuel, h. ; m. Betsey Harmon ; s. in Denmark. Rev. George Thomes (see church history) b. Mar. 9, 1795, came here from Gorham, Me., as pastor of the Universahst church society in 1840. His wife was Rebecca ■ Davis, b. abt. 1797. He was postmaster and town clerk for many years. He died May 6, 1871. Children: Emerline, b. abt. 181- ; m. Charles Strout. Samuel, b. abt. 1820; m. Sophonia O. Danley. Ursula, b. abt. 1822 ;m. Charles Withington. Moses B., b. abt. 1827; m. Jennette Bicknell. Randolph Codman, b. abt. 1830; m. Josephine Cole. Jennette T., b. Sept. 9, 1833; m. Oscar F. Gardner. Samuel Thomes, son of the preceding, b. about 1820; m. Sophronia O. Danley. He began business as a merchant tailor at "Spaulding's Mills" or North Buckfield, soon after his father's family came here. After doing business there a few years he re- moved to the village, where for many years he carried on a suc- cessful business and amassed a good property. His wife died and he m. 2nd Brittania Gardner. Children : Gardner, b. Dec. 10, 1847. His 2d wife d. June, 1855, and he m. 3d, Mary Bicknell. She d. and he m. 4th, Ellen Morrill. Moses B. Thomes, bro. of the preceding, b. , 1827 ; ni. Jennette Bicknell. He was a druggist and apothecary for many Digitized by Microsoft® 696 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD years in the village and finally moved to Canton where he carried on the same business. She died Nov. 30, 1879. Children : George V., b. Oct. 2, 1853 ; m. Cora Snell. Ruth, A., b. Oct. S, 1862; m. Charles Record. His wife d. and he m. 2d Abby D. Childs. She d. May 10, 1874, and he m. 3d, Georgie Gregg. Tucker. The Tuckers of Buckfield, Sumn'er, Paris and Norway, have a common origin. They are of an ancient Massachusetts family. Wilham Tucker, a Revolutionary soldier, came to Butterfield plantation prior to 1784. Isaac and Samuel who settled in Buck- field were brothers. They came from New Gloucester. Benja- min, who settled in Norway in 1800, is said to have been related to the other three mentioned. William Tucker married Annie Morse of Newburyport, Mass. They had three girls, Sarah, Abigail and Dorcas, and one son, Amasa. The girls never married. Amasa Tucker, b. in Sumner about 1800; m. Ruth, dau. of Abijah Buck, Jr. They lived for a while in Buckfield. He d. Mar. 11, 1875. She d. Jan. 20, 1886. Children: William S., b. Aug. 30, 1822; m. Mrs. Lois (Damon) Tucker; s. in Buckfield. Amasa, Jr., b. May 15, 1824; m. Hannah White; s. in Mass. Serena H., b. June 8, 1825 ; m. Sam'l Stanwood ; s. in Mass. Sarah A., b. Mar. 28, 1827 ; m. Sam'l Stanwood. Ellen M., b. Apr. 14, 1829; m. Brainerd ToWle ; s. in Mass. Margarette, b. Apr. 9, 1831 ; d. Apr. 12, 1833. Cyrus A., b. July 3, 1833 ; m. Caroline Bates ; s. in Sumner. Emily S., b. Mar. 18, 183S ; d. Nov. 17, 1857. Eliza A., b. Aug. 28, 1837; m, ist, Horace Keen; 2d, Chas. W. Field. James R., b. Aug. 3, 1839 ; m. Adelia Benson ; s. in Paris. William S. Tucker, son of the preceding, b. Aug. 30, 1822; m. Mrs. Lois Tucker, widow of Elbridge, s. Buckfield. Children: Mary, m. Cummings. William Henry, b. July 10, 1843 ; m. Churchill. James R. Tucker, youngest son of Amasa, b. Aug. 3, 1839; m. AdeHa Benson of Paris. He was a soldier in the Civil War, and was a member of Capt. O. F. Nimm's famous Massachusetts battery. Kept a public house at West Paris and other places. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 697 Was sheriflf of the county from 1898 to 1903, and keeper of the jail for many years. Children: Clara E., b. Aug. 30, 1867; d. Oct. 31, 1887. George H., b. Jan. 2, 1869 ; m. Frances L. Stephenson ; a. in Portland. Ritth A., b. Apr. 26, 1871 — a very smart and talented lady. Many years ago she was thrown from a carriage and received a severe injury to her spine. She has obtained considerable relief from several operations. While her fatherwas jailer at South Paris, she, managed the office suc- cessfully for the greater part of the time, and is capable of managing almost any kind of business. Annie L., b. Jan. 18, 1876; d. Oct. 13, 1877. Eva May, b. Feb. 15, 1880. Samuel Tucker m. Anna . He died June 8, 1846. Children : Phebe, b. Oct. 18, 1794; died unmarried. Samuel J., b. July 29, 1796; s. ist in Parkman, afterwards in Mass. Amos, b. July 30, 1798; m. Lucretia ■. Lemuel, b. Aug. 16, 1800 ; m. ; s. in Paris, afterwards moved to Abington, Mass. Lydia, b. Nov. 5, 1802; m. . Anna, b. Dec. 10, 1805; m. Madison Johnson; s. in Springfield. Abigail, h. Jan. 3, 1808; m. Andrew Hutchinson; s. in Hallowell. Reuben, h. Dec. 5, 1810; s. in Eastern Maine. Olive, b. Aug. 28, 1812; m. Nelson Warren. Amos Tucker, son of the preceding, b. July 30, 1798; m. Lucretia . Children : Orville P., b. July iS, i83S- Cornelia H., h. Apr. 10, 1837; m. John P. Newton. Orville P. Tucker, son of the preceding, b. July 15, 1835 ; m. . He was an engineer on the railroad for- many years. Child : Marian Louise, b. July 5, 1867. Isaac Tucker m. Polly Atkins. He settled on a farm in the western part of the town. It is still owned by his son. He died abt. 1872, aged 93. Children : Sally, b. Apr. 30, 1800. Mahala, b. June 25, 1803 ; d. Sept. 14, 1803. Timothy, b. Dec. 19, 1804. She died and he m. 2d, Hannah Atkins. Charles, b. Oct. 19, 1807, m. Caroline Hammond. Elbridge, b. Feb. 23, '809; m. Lois Damon. Digitized by Microsoft® 698 HISTORY OF B.UCKFEELD Arvilla, b. Oct. 13, 1810; d. unmarried. Levi, b. Jan. 8, 1812; m. Fanny Evans; s. m Paris. Hannah A., b. Jan. 2, 1818; m. Asia Mayhew; s. in Mass. Isaac J., b. Mar. 2, 1821 ; m. ist, Esther A. Dean; 2d, Mary E. Griffin. The mother died abt. 1890, aged 98. Isaac Tucker, son of the preceding, b. Mar. 2, 1821 ; m. Esther A. Dean. Children : Emerson E., b. July 18, 1856; m. Emma Howe. Cora E., b. April, 1866; m. William E. Cooper; s. in Paris. Turner. Jesse Turner, the first of the name to settle in the town of Buckfield, was a Revolutionary soldier from Pembroke. He married Bathsheba Lapham, May 3, 1780. They settled about 1797 in what has since been known as the Turner neighborhood. The name was quite common in the old colony of Plymouth and in England. One is mentioned in Pepy's Diary. John Tur- ner and his two sons came in the Mayflower and died the first winter. A daughter afterwards came here. Humphrey Turner, with wife, Lydia Gammon, and a son, John, came to Plymouth in 1628. They settled in Scituate. John m. Mary Brewster. Their children were Jonathan b. 1646, Joseph b. 1650, Ezekiel b. 1651, Lydia b. 1653, John b. 1654, Elisha b. 1657. — Jesse Turner was prob. a descendant of Humphrey. He d. Mar. 13, 1821, "aged TJ." She d. June 30, 1832, "aged 73." Children : Capt. Jesse, b. Mar. g, 1781 ; m. Edna Buck. Levi, b. Sept. 22, 1784; m. Annis Buck. Luther, b. Apr. 2, 1788; m. Polly Buclc, Capt. Isaac, b. ; 179 — ; m, Margaret Higgins. Bathsheba, b. Sept. 20, 1797; m. Elijah Jordan. Capt. Joseph, b. about 1800; m. Sophronia Perry. Capt. Jesse Turner, Jr., son of the preceding, b. Mar. 9, 1781 ; m. Edna Buck. He rose to the rank o f captain in the militia and was in command of a company of Buckfield soldiers which went to Portland during the contemplated British attack on that city in 1814. He d. Aug. 20, 1849. His wife d. Jan. 25, 1864. Children; Clarissa, b. May II, 1807; m. Henry Tobin ; s. in Lincoln. Arvilla, b. Mar. 21, 1809; m. Nathan Maxim. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 699 Nathaniel b. June 24, 181 1; m. Ann Thomas. Jesse, b. June 24, 1813 ; m. Elcy Turner. Charles, b. June 17, 1816; m. Rachel Pratt. Otis G., b. May 31, 1818; m. Sophia Ann Jordan. Martin C, b. Nov. i, 1820; m. Rachel W. Merrill. Mary, b. ; m. Perez Stubbs. Charles Turner, son of the preceding, b. June 17, 1816; m. Rachel Pratt. He died Jan. 7, 1868. Child : Mary Jane, h. Dec. 4, 1841 ; m. Abel Irish. Otis Greenleaf Turner, bro. of the preceding, b. Nov. i, 1820; m. Sophia Ann Jordan. He d. Dec. 28, 1885. She d. about 1912. Children: Benj. J., b. May 22, 1844; m. Louise Maxim. Otis G., Jr., b. Sept. 6, 1846; m. OpheHa Swan. Dastine S., h. Nov. 30, 1850; m. Sarah S. Maxwell. Lester S., b. June 12, 1859; ™. Martha J. Corbet.t Melvena E., b. May 19, 1864; m. Warren E. Bumpus. Otis Greenleaf Turner, son of Otis G., sen., b. Sept. 6, 1846; m. OpheHa Swan. Child: Charles L., b. June 23, 1869; d. Sept. 5, 1878. Dastine Spaulding Turner, bro. of the preceding, b. Nov. 30, 1850 ; m. Sarah S. Maxwell. He lived on the old homestead of his father where he was born, for many years, but recently has moved to the village. Child: Lena, h. Jan. 2, 1878; m. Shirley M. Bonney. Lester S. Turner, bro. of the preceding, b. June 12, 1859; m. Martha J. Corbett. Children : Ina May, b. Sept. 21, 1885 ; m. Pearl Maxim. Harry O., b. Aug. 21, 1887. Mildred B., b. May 15, 1889. Martin G. Turner, son of Capt. Jesse Turner, Jr., b. Nov. 1820; m. Rachel W. Merrill. He died in 1852. She died June 9, 1887. Children: Josephine, b. Nov. 12, 1846; m. Nathaniel Field. Wesley, b. Mar. 13, 1848 ; m. Rose F. Record. Clementine, b. Dec. 4, 1849; m. Samuel J. Record. Martin Nelson, b. Nov. 5, 1852; m. Emma A. Smith. Wesley Turner, son of the preceding, b. Mar. 31, 1848; m. Rose F. Record. He died about 1915. Children: Ernest L., b. Jan. 15, 1873; m. Inez Fenley. Digitized by Microsoft® 700 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Rachel A., b. June 28, 1877 ; m. 1st, Sherman Jordan ; 2d, Judson Dudley. Nellie J., b. July 16, 1887; m. Claude M. Whitman. Nelson M., bro. of the preceding, b. Nov. 5, 1852; m. Emma A. Smith. Children : Julia M., b. Mar. 24, 1884; m. Clarence Shaw. Arthur C, b. Dec. 26, 1888; m. Isabel Jordan. Amy M., b. May 12, 1892; m. Robie Sturtevant. Luther Turner, son of Jesse, sen., b. Apr. 2, 1788; m. Polly Buck. Children : Melzer, b. Jan. 5, 1807 ; s. in Lincoln. Luther, Jr., b. Sept. 9, 1809; s. in Lincoln. Esther, b. Apr. 10, 1811 ; m. John Elliott. Phehe B., b. Oct. 28, 1813 ; m. Henry Holbrook. Joseph, b. Jan. 16, 1816; d. youn.g Bathsheba J., b. May 4, 1819; m. Dennis Bisbee. Abigail L., b. Jan. 2, 1821 ; m. Constance Chandler. Winslow, b. July 4, 1825 ; m. Sarah J. Merrill. Betsey P., b. Mar. 31, l82§; m. Lysander Monk. Levi, b. May 23, 1831 ; m. Columbia P. Bidwell. Winslow Turner, son of the preceding, b. July 4, 1825 ; m. Sarah J. Merrill. Children: George L., b. . Ella P., h. Dec. 7, 1853 ; d. Feb. 22, 1855. George H., b. -Mar. 25, 1856; m. ; s. in Auburn. Giles W., b. Feb. 20, 1862; m. ; s. in Auburn. Levi Turner, 2d, bro. of the preceding, b. May 23, 1831 ; m. Columbia P. Bicknell. Children: Rosetta J., b. Dec. 26, 1858; ra. Chas. A. Warren. Frank, b. ; m. , and s. in Mass. Capt. Isaac Turner, son of Jesse, sen., m. Margaret Hig- gins. He died Mar. 16, 1863. She died Mar. 29, 1859, aged 63. Children : Elsie, b. Feb. 9, 1819 ; m. Jesse Turner, s. of Jesse, Jr. Elijah, b. Mar. 28, 1821 ; m. Lucy Ann Mason. Eliza, b. Nov. 25, 1822 ; m. Elias Monk. Enoch, b. Noy. 7, 1827; d. young. Lucinda, h. Aug. 22, 1829; d. unmarried. Decatur, b. Mar. S, 1830; m. Melissa A. Monk. Luther, b. . 1840; m. Emily Mason. Elijah Turner, son of the preceding, b. Mar. 28, 1821 ; m. Lucy Ann Mason. He died Sept. 24, 1897. Children: Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 701 Alphoretta, b. Feb. 7, 1852; m. Alvin S. Bessey. Isabel, b. Dec. 17, 1853; m. Sidney Swallow. Lucy Ann, b. May 19, 1856; m. Dr. Gibbs, Livermore. Margaret, b. Aug. 30, 1858; m. Fred Atwood. Eliza, b. Mar. 5, i860; m. Herbert Hall. Decatur Turner, bro. of the preceding, b. Mar. 5, 1830; m. Melissa Ann Monk. Children : George W., b. May 21, 1855; m. Jennie Marston ; s. in Mass. Isaac, b. Jan. 24, 1857; m. Hattie Farrar. Alfred F., b. Mar. 17, 1863; m. Bertha Keen; s. in Paris. Montelle, b. Apr. 9, 1875; m. Orah B. Monk; s. in Paris. Capt. Joseph Turner, son of Jesse, sen., b. about 1800; m. Sophronia Perry. He died May 24, 1870. She died June 23, : 874. Children : Rozana, b. Oct. 24, 1826. Brittania, h. Apr. 25, 1829; m. Richard Fobes. Itdia Long, b. Nov. 24, 1831. Tuttle. The Tuttles who were among the early settlers in Budcfield trace their descent from John^ Tuttle who came to America and settled in Dover, N. H., shortly after 1633. Daniel Tuttle (a Rev. soldier) of the 6th generation (all of the Hne named John) b. in Dover, N. H., March 28, 1756; m. Lois Leathers, s. in Newfield, Me., from whence several of the children came to Buckfield, vvhere he also came later and proba- bly died here. Children : Sarafi, b. May 12, 1780; m. Bani Teague, Jr. John, b. Dec. 7, 1783 ; m. Polly K. Snell ; s. in Paris. William, b. July 8, 1786; m. Dolly Chase. Betsey, b. July, 1789; m. Josiah Smith. Daniel J., b. 1792; m. Hannah Chase. Polly, b. 1795 ; m. Joshua Knox of Peru. Lucy, b. ; m. Richard Anderson. William Tuttle, son of Daniel, the Revolutionary soldier, b. July 8, 1786; m. Dolly Chase. Children: Issac,\>. Oct. 7, 1808. Rhoda, b. Mar. 21, 1810. Hiram, b. Nov. 8, 1812; m. Brittania Femald. Mercy C, b. May 9, iSiS- Louis L.y b. Sept. 28, 1817. Digitized by Microsoft® 702 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Waldron. James N. Waldron, b. in New Brunswick ; m. Sarah Hanson. He died Sept. 12, 1873. She died in 1887, aged 78. Children: Olive Ann, b. Jan. 20, 1831. Sarah Jane, b. Aug. 25, 1832; m. Zenas Maxim, Jr., May 3, 1853, Linton, h. July 8, 1834. Milton, b. Mar. 29, 1837. / Josephine B., b. Mar. 24, 1839; m. Marion A. Bessey of Paris. She d. May 10, 1871. Frederick A., b. Apr. 6, 1841 ; graduated at Waterville College and set- tled in the city in the practice of the law. Died some years after. Ashbyline, b. Apr. 21, 1843. Clarence b. June 13, 1845 ; d. unmarried 1914. Julia, b. May 8, 1847; m. McLean. Isa G., b. Oct. 28, 1849; m. Dr. Alden C. Whitman. Prince B., b. Feb. 4, 1852. LaFayette B., b. Apr. 9, 1854; s. in Dexter as an attorney and where he held the office of Judge of the Municipal Court for several years. Wesley E., b. about 1857; ™- Marinda Winslow; s. in Paris. Warren. Tristram Warren, a soldier in the French and Indian war, m. Mary Nea}. They came to Bucktown from Berwick after Jan. I, 1784. Their first child was one of those who settled here before that date; we do not know the date of their deaths. Children, none of whom were born here : John, b. May 20, 1756; m. Elizabeth Buck. Jane, b. May 2, 1758; m. Dominicus Record. Abigail, b. May 12, 1764; m. Tobias Ricker. Mary, b. Jan. 17, 1769. Edmund, b. Mar. 31, 1773; m. Lydia Glover. Tristram, b. Dec. 27, 1776. Andrew, b. Aug. 6, 1780; m. Polly Alden. Levi, b. Feb. 3, 1783. Lois, b. ; m. Simeon Hersey. John Warren (see sketch) b. May 20, 1756; m. Elizabeth Buck. He died June 4, 1807. Children: Mary, b. Feb. 15, 1782. John, Jr., b. Nov. 11, 1783; m. Esther Buck. Jane, b. Oct. 28, 1785. Phebe, b. Aug. 30, 1787; m. Geo. W. Cushman. Betsey, b. Feb. 6, 1790; m. Nathaniel Bumpus. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 703 Sally, b. May 19, 1792. Katharine, b. Sept. 3, 1794; m. David Lane, Jr. James, h. Dec. 29, 1796. Margaret, h. Jan. 24, 18*01 ; m. Wm. W. Pool. Athelstan, b. Jan. 23, 1804; m. Jasamine Pool Edmund, brother of preceding, b. Mar. 31, 1773; m. Lydia Glover. Children : Nathaniel S., h. Sept. 15, 1799. Cyrus, b. Aug. 21, 1808. Dominicus R., b. June 10, 1810; m. Remember Record. Lydia, b. July 4, 1812. Janet, b. May 26, 1815; m. Samuel Mason, Hartford. Andrew Warren, brother of preceding, b. Aug. 6, 1780; m. Polly Alden. Children : Albert, b. Feb. 12, 1805. Mary M., b. Oct. 16, 1806. Dennis, b. July 24, 1808. » Marcus, b. May 23, 1810. Miller, b. May 10, 1812. Andrew, b. Jan. 21, 1814. Priscilla, b. Aug. 21, 1815. John Warren, Jr., son of John and grandson of Tristram, b. Nov. II, 1783; m. Esther Buck. Children: Jane, b. July 19, 1805. John, 3d, b. July 22, 1807 ; m. Nancy Coburn. Tristram, b. Nov. 29, 1810; m. Jumalier Foster. Betsey, h. Dec. 17, 181 1. Lucetta, h. Aug. 15, 1813. Esther, h. Aug: S, 181S ; m. Jonas Coburn, Sumner. James, b. May 9, 1817. Ferdinand A., h. May S, 1819 ; m. Sylvia I. Bartlett. Osmond, b. June 13, 1824; m. Margaret S. Corthell. Tristram Warren, son of the preceding, b. Nov. 29, 1810; m. Jumalier Foster. He d. Mar. 2, 1876. She d. Jan. 30, 1895, "aged 87." Children: Francis M., h. Jan. 19, 1838; m. Virgil D. Bicknell. James A., b. July 2, 1842; m. Georgianna H. Bicknell. James A. Warren, son of preceding, b. July 2, 1842; m. Georgianna H. Bicknell. He served in the Civil War, and died in 1901 from disease contracted in the. service. Children : Charles A., b. Feb. 10, 1862; m. Rosetta J. Turner. James W., b. May S, 1865 ; d. Sept. 16, 1871. Digitized by Microsoft® 704 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Kate E., b. May 22, 1867. Ormsby D., b. April 17, 187 — ; m. Agnes Winslow. Merton A., b. Sept. 25, 1873. , Chares A. Warren^ son of the preceding, b. Feb. 10, 1862; m. Rosetta J. Turner. He was killed in the woods Feb. 13, 1897. Children : Prank E., b. July 10, 1882. Gerirude E., h. Jan. 15, 1886. Hazel E., b. Dec. 17, 1888. Ferdinand A. Warren, son of John, Jr., b. May 5, 1819; m. Sylvia I. Bartlett. He wss for many years in the harness business in Buckfield, was prominent in temperance matters. He died Nov. 23, 1895. Children : IValter P., b. Oct 25, 1845. Alphonso P., b. Oct. 3, 1847 ; m. Elizabeth A. Young. Florence Z., h. May 2, 1851 ; d. Mar. 15, 1854. Esther J., b. May 29, 1853. AlphonSo F Warren, son of the preceding, b. Oct. 3, 1847; m. Ehzabeth A. Young. He was the drummer boy of Co. C, 23d Me. Infantry. Since his father's death he has carried on the same business in the village. Child : James E., b. Nov. 26, 1873 ; m. Mary E. Spaulding. Osmond Warren, son of John, Jr., b. June 13, 1824; m. Mar- garet S. Corthell. Children : John, b. Jan. 30, 185 1. Laura, b. Apr. 17, 1854. David Warren (see sketch) was one of the early settlers. He married Mary . It does not appear that he was any related to the family of the elder Tristram Warren. The tradi- tion is that he was not. He moved to Hartford where he died, aged 86. Children recorded on the Buckfield town records : Mary, b. May i, 1788. Hannah, b. Feb. 11, 1790. Mark, b. Mar. 3, 1792 ; d. Aug. 14, 1793. Eunice, b. Mar. 11, 1794; m. Col. Aaron Parsons. Johnston, b. Aug. 23, 1796. David, Jr., b. Jan. 6, 1799. Waterman. Three brothers, James, Ichabod and Thomas R. Waterman, settled very early in Buckfield. They were sixth in descent from Robert^ Waterman, the American ancestor, who came to Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELP 7O6 Plymouth from Norwich, England, in 1636. He settled at Green Harbor, now Marshfield. He married Dec. 11, 1638, Eliz- abeth, dau. of Thomas^ Bourne. The line of descent to tliese brothers was Des. John^ b. Apr. 19, 1642; m. Anne Sturtevant. Dea. Robert^ m. Mary, dau. of Rev. Isaac Cushman and grand- dau. of Elder Thomas Cushman and his wife, Mary AUerton, dau. of Isaac Allerton of the Mayflower. Josiah* b. Mar, 5, 1705 ; m. Joanna Bryant. Ichabod", father of these Buckfield settlers, b. NoY. 17, 1724; m. Hannah, dau. of Benj. and Phebe Har- den) Rogers, a descendant of Rev. John Rogers, who suffered martyrdom by being burnt at the stake in the reign of Bloody Mary, Queen of England. Children born in Kingston, Mass., were : Lydia, b. Nov. S, 1758 (d. aged 91) ; m. Elijah Faunce. Benjamin, b. Aug. 8, 1760 (d. aged 85) ; ra. Lucy Bradford. Zenas, b. Dec. 29, 1762 (d. aged 89) ; s. in Nova Scotia. James, h. Mar. 21, 1765 (d. aged 96) ; m. Kezia Smith. Ichabod, Jr., h. Aug. 12, 1767 (d. aged 92) ; m. Parthenia Carter. Hannah, b. June 9, 1770 (d. aged 79) ; m. Silas Maxim. Phebe, h. Dec. 30, 1771 (d. aged 76) ; m. Caleb Swift. Thomas R., b. Mar. 10, 1776 (d. aged 86) ; m. Molly Ellis. James Waterman, b. Mar. 21, 1765; m. Kezia Smith, dau. of Jasiel and Anna (Crossman) Smith. Children: Sophronia, b. May 20, 1794; m. Henry White; s. in Dixfield. James, Jr., b. July 23, 1796; died young. Lewis, b. Dec. 18, .1798; m. Abigail Bassford. Julia, b. Aug. 4, 1801 ; m. William Clark, Hartford. Nancy, b. March 14, 1803 ; m. Pr. Jonathan Norton. Oriza, b. ' ; m. Dr. Jonathan Norton, Farmington. Arvilla, b. ; m. Naphthali Mason. IcHABOD Waterman, bro. of tlie preceding, m. Parthenia Car- ter. Returned to Massachusetts and died there. Children : Betsey, b. Mar. 24, 1792. Hannah, b. Mar. i, i793- Minerva, b. Mar. 17, I79S- Nahum, b. Mar. 22, 1798; d. Oct. 3, 1801. Joanna, b. Feb. 12, 1801. Seth, b. Mar. 26, 1803. Thomas R. Waterman, bro. of the preceding, b. Mar. 10, 1776 ; m. Molly ElHs. He was a blacksmith. Removed to San- gerville. Me., and died there. Children recorded on our records : Zenas, b. Dec. S, 1802; d. in infancy. Digitized by Microsoft® 706 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Lysander, b. Dec. 5, 1802. Janet, b. Nov. 25, 1810. Charles, b. May- 16, 1819. Whitman. The American ancestor of the Whitmans of Buckfield, Wood- stock and Turner, was John Whitman, who came from England (the vicinity of Cheshire, near scene of Gray's Elegy) before 1638 and settled at Weymouth, Mass. It appears by Winthrop's Journal that he was admitted to the rights and privileges of a citizen in December of that year. The tradition is that he left his family behind till he had selected a lot for a settlement, cleared several acres of land and bujlt a habitation and that he brought his wife and children hither in 1641. In 1645 ^^ ^^^ appointed ensign in the militia and the same year, with two others, was commissioned "to end small contro- versies" in that town. He served as one of the selectmen of the town for many years. He was a deacon of the church from the time one was established in Weymouth to his death, November 13, 1692, at about 90 years of age. He left four sons and five daughters, Thomas, John, Zechariah, Abiah, Sarah, Mary, Eliz- abeth, Hannah and Judith. The oldest child was Sarali, who married Abraham Jones. They had a daughter, Sarah, who married Mordecai Lincoln of Hingham, Mass., the great-great- grandfather of Abraham Lincoln. Thomas, born in England about 1629, died in 1712. From him were descended Congress- man and Chief Justice Ezekiel Whitman, Levi Whitman, Esq., for 18 years State's attorney for Oxford County, and candidate for Congress ; Sarah, wife of Governor Albion K. Parris ; and Rev., Marcus Whitman, the missionary, to whom now the credit is given for saving to the 'United States the territory embraced in the states of Washington, Oregon and Idaho. He was mas- sacred by the Indians in 1843. From John, the second son of the ancestor, are descended Hosea B. Whitman, for many years one of the most prominent citizens and selectmen, of Mexico, and Harry A. Whitman, shot and killed by Abner D. Thorne on Paris Hill, while he was assisting the officers in arresting Thorne for burglary. Rev. B. L. Whitman, former president of Colby Univer- sity, and president of Columbia University at Washington, Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 707 D. C, Rev. Charles R. Tenney, one of the leading clergy- men of the Universahst denomination in Maine, and Izah Tenney Sanborn, teacher and matron of Kings Daughters at Bangor, daughter of the late Dr. Jesse Howe of Norway, are de- scendants of Rev. Zechariah Whitman, the third son of the ancestor, who was born in Weymouth in 1644. He died in 1726. The Buckfield and Woodstock Whitmans are descended from the fourth son of the ancestor, Abiah. Judge Mitchell's History of Bridgewater says that more per- sons of this name in that town, in the early times, received a col- lege education, than any other. The names of a large number are given. The next most numerous were the Packards. Abiah was the youngest son, born in 1646. He married Mary Ford. He had the homestead and administered on the estate of his father. He died in his 82d year, leaving a very large estate for those days. His wife had died in 1715. Their children mentioned in his will are John, Zecliery, Abiah, Elizabeth, Lydia, Mary and Eleanor. John was born in 1681 ; m. ist Rebecca Manley, Mar. 25, 1713; 2d, Jean ChapHn, Sept. 4, 1750. He settled in Easton. By his first wife he had John, Terah, Rebecca, Sarah and Mary. By his second wife, Rebecca and Jacob. Jacob Whitman, born Nov. 28, 1753, m. April 13, 1777, Abigail Packard, b. Bridgewater, Mass., May 20, 1756. He served in the Continental Army. Settled in Bucktown. He died Dec. 29, 1842, aged 89. She died July 7, 1837. Their de- scendants are the only persons of the name of Whitman who trace their ancestry back to Abiah. Children : Luther, b. Easton, May 5, 1778; m. Polly Berry; s. in Woodstock. Jacob, Jr., b. Easton, Oct. 11, 1779; m- Dorcas Berry; s. in Woostock. Joseph, b. Easton, Mar. 26, 1782; m. -Polly Cole; s. in Woodstock. Cahin, b. Buckfield, May 26, 1785 ; m. Remember Record. Joshua, b. Buckfield July 4, 1788; m. Catharine Davie. Rebecca, b. Buckfield Mar. 31, i79i ; m- Edward Lothrop. Abigail, b. Buckfield Feb. 20, 1794; m. Capt. Jonathan Cole of Wood- Winchester, b. Buckfield, Oct. 11, 1798; d. Sept. 17, 1801. Calvin Whitman, son of Jacob, was born in Buckfield May 26, 1785. He m. April 14, 1809, Sarah, daughter of Jonathan and Remember (Briggs) Record. She was born Sept. 7, 1788. They settled first in Hebron adjoining the old homestead, then Digitized by Microsoft® 708 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD moved to Buckfield where they lived for about 35 years, and finally to Paris, where he died April 9, 1857, in the 82d year of his age. She died at her son John's in South Paris, Dec. 29, 1884, aged 96. Both are buried in the Lowell cemetery in Buckfield. Children : Hannah Briggs, b. Sept. 19, 1810; d. Nov. 15, 1812. Calvin Winchester, b. Dec. 29, 1813; m. Elvira E. Shurtleff; s. in Hebron. 'John, b. Hebron Dec. 22, 1816 ; m. Sarah DeAlbra Bumpus ; s in Paris. Hannah Remember, b. Hebron, Oct. IS, 1819; m. Ebenezer Snell. Jonathan Record, b. B. Sept. 9, 1822 ; m. Anna M. DurelJ ; s. in Paris. Jacob Streeter, b. B. July 6, 1825 ; d. June, 1826. Augustus Melvin, b. B. May 11, 1828; m. Nancy B, Shurtleff; s. in Hebron and Paris. Joshua Whitman, son of Jacob, was born in Buckfield July 4, 1788. He had the homestead, on which he resided to his death. He m. Catharine, daughter of Simeon and Susannah (Pratt) Davie of Hebron, b. April 16, 1791. He died August 9, 1858. She died Sept. 24, 1878, in her 88th year. Children all born in Buckfield : Elhanan, b. Feb. 3, 1814; d. Mar. 15, 1816. Elbridge Davie, b. May 18, 1815 ; m. Julia Ann DeCoster. Almeda, b. Feb. 26, 1817; m. ist, Thomas Packard; 2d, Thomas DeCoster ; s. in Hebron. Joshua Elhanan, b. Mar. 15, 1819 ; m. Phebe Foster. Elijah Packard, b. Sept. 16, 1821 ; m. Ann P. Holbrook. Armina, b. Feb. 18, 1824; m. Joel Foster, Jr.; s. in Hebron. Russell Streeter, b. Feb. 25, 1826 ; m. Eliza Bicknell. Andrew Jackson, b. Oct. 26, 1829 ; m. Nancy Jane Daggett., Ozias, b. Sept. 13, 1831 ; m. Izah T. Hatch ; s. in Red Wing, Minn, Rozana Catharine, b. Mar. 19, 1834; tn- Abijah Foster. Dora Packard, b. Sept. 10, 1837; m. 1st, Henry C. Long; 2d, Henry E. Hay ; s. in Lynn, Mass. Elbridge D. Whitman, son of Joshua and Catharine (Davie) Whitman, b. May 18, 1815, m. Julia Ann, d'au. of Rogers and Betsey (Rowe) DeCoster, b. May 6, 1819. He d. in 1885. She d. Aug. 20, 1880. Children all born in Buckfield: Abel Cyrus Thomas, b. June, 1838 ; m. Betsey Packard ; 2d Elsie E. Packard. John C, b. Feb. 21, 1840; m. ist, Ella Farris; 2d, Eva Chase; r. in Rumford; 4 c. by ist wife; Leon, Henry, Agnes and Ella. Elisabeth A., b. Aug. 13, 1841; m. James A. Russell; s. in Hebron. Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® Victor Whitman Victor M. Whitman Verne M. Whitman Charles F. Whitman Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 711 William S., h. Sept. 28, 1843 ; d. Jan. 28, 1859. Henrietta, b. Mar. 8, 1846; d. Sept. 28, 1847. Eliza Ann, Nov. 12, 1848; m. Charles D. Snell; i c, Winnifred D. Emma Eldora, b. Sept. 11, 1853; m. Caleb B. Farris ; s. in Hebron; 4 c, Melvin Rogers, Iva. Guy and Cyrenla. Abel C. T. Whitman, oldest son of the preceding, m. i Bet- sey Packard. She died in Sept., 1865, and he married 2d her sister, Elsie Ellen. Children : Henrietta, b. June 2, 1865 ; m. Chas. Rand. Elsie S., b. Sept. 4, 1868; m. Alton Crooker. Florence Mabel, b. Dec. 26, 1869; m. Oscar Eastman. John T., b. Jan. 15, 1871 ; d. June 19, 1882. Claude M., b. Feb. 23, 1875; m. Nellie J. Turner. Joshua E. Whitman, son of Joshua and grandson of Jacob, the Revolutionary Patriot, b. March 15, 1819; m. Phebe, daughter of Joel and Martha (Lothrop) Foster b. July 21, 1822. His father selected him to take care of his parents in their old age. He never sought office or public position but was well informed on matters pertaining to state and nation. A man of the utmost integrity, he was loved and respected by all, and par- ticularly the young. He resided on the old homestead till 1864, when he moved into the western part of the town. His wife, named for her grandmother, Phebe (Buck) Foster, was equally loved and admired. Her whole life was devoted to the happi- ness of others. She died April 5, 1897. He died suddenly when going home from his oldest son's, June 7, 1900, in the 82d year of his age. Children : Henry Wilson, b. June 8, 1843; m. Martha M. Dunn. Alden Chase, b. Nov. 15, 1846; m. Isa Gertrude Waldron. Charles Foster, b. Feb. 6, 1848; m. Mary A. Dinsmore. Ellis, b. Apr. 13, 1850; m. Cora R. Record. Henry Wilson Whitman, oldest son of the preceding, born June 8, 1843 ; m. Aug. 20, 1864, Martha M. Dunn, daughter of Aaron and Martha (Foster) Dunn of South Paris. He set- tled in the western part of Buckfield on the highway to South Paris where he has become one of the most prosperous farmers of the town. No issue. Dr. Alden Chase Whitman (see physicians), brother of the preceding, was born Nov. 15, 1846. He married ist, July 4, 1871, Isa Gertrude, daughter of James and Sarah (Hanson) Digitized by Microsoft® 712 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Waldron; 2d, Mrs. Lucretia M. (Beal) Blondel of Topsham. Children by ist wife: Launcelot, b. Aug. 14, 1879; died in infancy. Plaisted J., b. Nov. 12, 1880; m. Ethel Reynolds. Geraldine Gertrude, b. Jan. 14, 1889; m. Lewis E. Green. Child by 2d wife : Phehe Priscilla, d. abt. 3 years of age. Charles Foster Whitman (see biographical sketch) is the third son of Joshua E. and Phebe (Foster) Whitman. He was born in Buckfield Feb. 6, 1848; m. Aug. 27, 1867, Mary A., daughter of Ansel and Judith C. (Morse) Dinsmore of Norway born May 18, 1848. Children: Victor Melnotte, b. Buckfield, June 21, 1869; d. Nov. 17, 1876. Verne Mortier, b. Buckfield Mar. 14, 1871 ; m. Molly Wren Maloney. Victor Merton, b. Norway Sept. 22, 1877 ; m. Jessie L. Dinsmore. Prof. Verne M. Whitman, son of Charles F. and Mary A. Whitman, was born in Buckfield March 14, 1871. He fitted for college at the Norway High School and entered Colby University in the autumn of 1890, where he took high rank and was one of the most popular of the students. He graduated in 1894, and, securing a position as principal of the High School at Calais, he went there to teach. He was there some six years. In 1900 he married MoUie Wren, daughter of Capt. John and Amy (Stev- enson) Maloney of St. Andrews, N. B. They have one child, Victor, born at Canton, Me., April 5, 1901. Mr. W. is now (1915) principal of the High school at Laconia, N. H. Victor Merton Whitman, brother of the preceding, was born at Norway Sept. 22, 1877. He fitted for college at the Nor- way High School, where he graduated with honors in 1895. He did not choose to enter college, but secured a position on the Boston and Maine Railroad, where he was for several years. He m. April 21, 1904, Jessie Lyla, daughter of Charles W. and Car- rie (Tee) Dinsmore, b. January 23, 1877. Residence; Norway, Maine. Ellis Whitman, youngest son of Joshua E. and Phebe (Foster) Whitman was born on the old homestead in Buckfield April 13, 1850. He took care of his parents and had the estate. He married Mar. i, 1874, Cora R., daughter of Benj. Harrison and Phebe (Irish) Record. She was b. Feb. 26, 1859. Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 715 Mr. Whitman is a very prosperous farmer and one of the leading citizens in his section of the town. He has served sev- eral years, on the board of selectmen and assessors, and as col- lector of taxes. Children : Harold E., b. April 30, 1889. Flora E., b. April 30, Elijah P. Whitman, son of Joshua, m. Ann P., daughter of John and Patty (Prentiss) Holbrook of Stoughton, Mass., b. Sept. 25, 1825. He settled at Buckfield village ,where he worked at his trade of a shoemaker till his death March 11, 1877. He was an intellectual man and was among the pioneers in the temperance reform and anti-slavery movements. His widow m. 2d Charles Beals, residence Auburn, Me. She died in 1912. Children : Ella Frances, b. Oct. 9, 1849 ; m. Oscar G. Chandler ; s. in Sumner. Cora Lee, b. July S, 1857; m. Oscar V. Miller; s. in Auburn. Russell S. Whitman, son of Joshua, m. Eliza, daughter of Luke and Orris (DeCoster) Bicknell. He resided on the old homestead in Buckfield till his death Oct. 6, 1892. She died Mar. 17, 1892. They had one child, Mary Ellen, b. March 19, 1854. She m. 1st, Chas. W. Cummings of Paris. He died Oct. 17, 1880. She m. 2d, George L. Seavey. Resides in Auburn. No issue. Andrew J. Whitman, son of Joshua, m. Nancy Jane, daughter of Horace and Jane (Coburn) Daggett, b. Nov. 5, 1832. Residence, Buckfield, where he died Feb. 25, 1866. She died at Auburn, Me., in the autumn of 1900. Children : Ida May, b. April 15, 1858; d. July 14, 1858. Ada Lee, b. Jan. 8, i860; resides in Auburn; unmarried. Elmer Ellsworth, b. April i, 1862 ; d. Nov. 9, 1863. Prof. Ozias Whitman, son of Joshua, b. Sept. 13, 1831 ; m. Izah T. Hatch of Norway, b. Aug. 18, 1842. He graduated at Waterville College at the head of his class. For many years he taught in the principal academies of the state, and attained great popularity as an instructor. His wife has been equally successful as a teacher. They went West and settled in Red Wing, Minne- sota. He is now (1915) in the Weather Bureau service at St. Paul, Minn., a position he has held for many years. No issue. Digitized by Microsoft® 716 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD WiNSLOW. Amos Winslow was a shipbuilder at Freeport, Me., prior to his settUng in Buckfield. He worked at the trade of a tanner after coming here, but finally married and settled down on a farm in the western part of the town. He was born at Freeport Sept. II, 1791. Amos Winslow was 6th in descent from Kenelem^, a brother of Governor Edward Winslow, who came over in the Mayflower with the other Pilgrims and settled at Plymouth, Mass. Amos Winslow married in 1813, Ruhama Churchill, daughter of the old Revolutionary soldier Jabez and his wife, Maria (Benson) Churchill. She was born Feb. i, 1794. He died Jan. 6, 1855, She died quite aged. Children: Solomon, b. Aug. 21, 1819 ; d. in Paris Nov. 20, 1895 ; unmarried. Hiram, b. Mar. 12, 1822; m. Elmira E. Colburn; s. in Ann Arbor, Mich. Stephen, b. Aug. 19, 1824; d. in Buckfield Feb. 21, 1898; unmarried. Maria, b. Dec. 22, 1826 ; m. N. Greenleaf Bumpus ; s. in Paris. Marinda, b. Aug. 17, 1829; m. Wm. A. Coburn; s. in Dedham, Mass. George C, b. July 12, 1832 ; m. Lydia Lamrock ; s. in Norway. Amos K., b. July 28, 1834; m. Melissa Jordan. George Clinton Winslow, son of the preceding, b. July 12, 1832; m. Lydia, daughter of John and Letitia (Henderson) Lam- rock. He settled first in Paris, but finally moved to Norway where he lived to his death, Oct. 14, 1877. Child: Edward Clinton Winslow, h. in Paris Nov. 29, 1862. After graduat- ing with honors from the Norway High School, he entered the store of C. N. Tubbs & Co., as clerk. His integrity and strict attention to busi- ness, soon won the confidence of his employers. He is now (1915) clerk in the hardware store of Longley & Butts, Norway. Jan. 14, 1885, he married Sarah Elida, daughter of James M. and Christina (Richards) Wilson, b. in Oxford, Me., Feb. 6, 1862. They have one child, Raymond Edward, b. April 19, 1902. Amos Kendall Winslow, youngest son of Amos b. July 28, 1834; m. MeUssa, daughter of Isaac and Louisa (Monk) Jordan. He settled on a farm near the old homestead in the western part of Buckfield. Children : Lelia, b. Sept. 23, 1857 ; m. Clarence E. Foster. Marinda, b. Mar. 14, 1859 1 ™- Wesley E. Waldron ; s. in Paris. Lorena, b. Jan. 2, 1865 ; m. John Pettengill ; d. 1913. Agnes, b. ; m. Ormsby D. Warren. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 717 Woodbury. Benjamin Woodbury, the Revolutionary soldier, was de- scended from Jolin^ Woodbury, who came to Gloucestei:, Mass., from Somersetshire, England, in 1624. Benjamin was sixth in descent from John, and was b. Oct. 31, 1761. His father was Joshua, who married Abigail Parks. Benjamin m. Rhoda Col- lins at Southboro and moved to the northwestern part of Buck- field about 1800. The farm he settled on was set into Paris in 1828. He died in 1849 in Buckfield. Children recorded in Buckfield records : Kate, b. Sept. 24, 1786; m. Calvin Cole. Lucinda, b. Jan. 4, 1789 ; m. Abraham Doble. Sarah, b. Dec. 17, 1790; m. Luther Stiles. Collins, b. Feb. 13, 1793; m- Pamelia Andrews. Benjamin, Jr., b. Nov. 10, 1795 ; d. in Illinois. Charles, b. Jan. 18, 1798; d. young. Ruth, b. Apr. 14, 1800; m. Ira York. Mary C, b. Oct. 26, 1802 ; m. William Greenleaf. Asa, b. May l, 1805 ; m. ist, Tacy Tuttle ; 2d, Victoria N. Hathaway. Charlotte, b. May 4, 1808; m. Lorenzo D. Mason. Charles, b. Aug. 20, 1812 ; m. ist, Hannah Bemis ; 2d, Catharine Bemis. Young. Joshua Young (see sketch) and wife Sarah Irish, settled in the southeast part of the township, and he was here in time to acquire without purchase 100 acres of land from the Common- wealth. He appears to have been an older brother of Caleb. He was also a Revolutionary soldier, and it is said was at Bunker Hill. He died about 1825. (Dec. 23, 1824 (?).) He was twice married; ist to Sarah at Wellfleet, Mass., and had one child, Joshua, Jr. She died and he m. 2d June 13, I779. Sarah Irish, dau. of John, sen. Children : Joshua, Jr., b. Nov. 13, I77S- Benjamin, b. July 22, 1780; m. Mercy Richardson. Lucius, b. Feb. 21, 1782. Ehenezer, b. Aug. 23, 1784; m. Patience . Isaac, b. Sept. 24, 1785 1 m- Anna Brown. Betsey, b. Aug. 6, 1787 ; m- Wm. Brown. Moses, b. Aug. 31, 1789; m- Vesta Drake. Sarah, b. Feb. 27, 1792; m- Gilbert Tuell. Digitized by Microsoft® 718 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Ebenezer Young, son of Joshua, the Revolutionary soldier, b. Aug. 23, 1782; m. Patience . Children: Hiram, b. Jan. 22, 1807. Sally, b. Nov. 7, 1808. Moses Young, bro. of the preceding, b. Aug. 31, 1789; m. Vesta Drake. He died Feb. 26, 1853. Children: Lucius, h. Oct. 6, 1816; m. Salina D. Staples. Lucy, b. Aug. 11, 1821 ; m, Silas Mitchell. Sarah Jane, h. Nov. i, 1825 ; m. Edmund Hutchinson. Lucius Young, son of the preceding, b. Oct. 6, 1816; m. Sahna D. Staples. Children : Ellen Maria, b. Feb. 24, 1839; tn. Cyrus C. Spaulding. James H., b. Nov. 16, 1841. Lucius L., b. Jan. 9, 1843. Elisabeth Ann, b. Mar. 3, 1850; m. Alphonso F. Warren. James li. Young, son of the preceding, b. Nov. 16, 1841 ; m. . Child : John L., b. Jan. 28, 1875. Caleb Young (see sketch) and wife, Mary, settled in the eastern part of the township prior to 1784. He was a soldier in the War of the Revolution. He died Feb. 26, 1830, in the 83d year of his age. Children : Sarah, b. Dec. 9, 1785; m. Daniel Russell (?). Charles, b. Aug. 23, 1787. Abigail, b. Jan. 18, 1798. Jsaac, b. Mar. 5, 1793; m. Delia Tobin. Mary, b. Mar. s, 1793; m. Joseph Robinson. Benjamin, b. June 15, 179S ; ra. Eliza B. Harden (?) Joshua, b. June S, 1797 ; m. Nancy Hussey. Isaac Young, son of the preceding, b. Mar. 3, 1791, m. Delia fobin. Children : Elisabeth Irish, b. Mar. 22, 1834. Isaac Bray, b. Dec. 9, 1836. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 719 FROM TOWN RECORDS. FamUies Not Reported — Many Removed to Other Places. Children of Freeman G. (son of Jacob) and Anna G. Allen: Alice W., b. Jan. 8, 1854; George Freeman, b. May 5, 1856; Julia Ann, b. Oct 14 1862 d. April 24. 1864. Children of Hamden A., son of Alpheus and Hannah (Seabury), b. 1823 and Hannah (Skillins) Allen; Emily, Maria, Hamden, Sidney, Lebbeus, Jane, Oscar and Lois. Children of Lebbeus T. and Pauline B. (Murdock) Allen; Mary B., b. June 16, 1845, m. Alvin Reed; Charles S., b. Dec. 30, 1856; m. Ada Gar- land. Children of Ichabod and Mary Allen: .Winslow Hooper, b. July 16, 1847; Eleanor Augusta, b. Jan. 29, 1849; Cynthia P., b. June 6, 1852; James Monroe, b. Jan. 21, 1854, Children of Mark and Ruth (Parris) Andrews: Bela. b, March 16, 1785; Mark, Nov. 13, 1786; Mehltable, b. Sept. 22, 1788; Polly, b. Sept. 6, 1791; Milliscent Parris, b. Mar. 22, 1795; Josiah Parris, b. Aug. 1, 1799; Ruth, b. Aug. 21, ISOl. Children of Samuel and Hannah (Smith) Andrews; Zilpha, b, June 7, 1794; Sophia, b. June 25. 1796. Children of Bbenezer and Mehltable Austin: Bbenezer, b. Mar. 21, 1790; John, b. Dec. 17, 1791; Susanna, b. Aug. 19, 1793; Zadoc, b. Mar. 30, 1796; Esther, b. May 29, 1798; Daniel, b. Jan. 31, 1801. Children of Daniel and Vesta Austin (He d. Jan. 29, 1868); Hiram, b. Nov. 6, 1831, d. Feb. 23, 1838; Vesta, b. Nov. 24; 1833, m. Chas. O. God- win; Leonard, b. Apr. 28, 1835; Julia, b. Oct. 24, 1837; Rosania, b. Apr. 25, 1839; Daniel, b. Mar. 17, 1842; Greenville, b. Jan. 17, 1845; Alonzo, b. Feb. 7, 1847; Marcellus, b. Aug. 20, 1851; William, b. Apr. 13, 1853. Children of Leonard and Arvilla Austin: Maria, b. May 5, 1858; For- rest M., b. Dec. 27, 1860; Willis W., b. Nov. 16, 1863; Minnie L., b. Feb. 18, 1865; Leonard, b. Mar. 5, 1867; Carroll H., b. Apr. 3, 1869. Children of John and Rebecca (Packard) Bisbee (He was drowned in the Androscoggin river abt. 1810. The widow in 1817 m. Abijah Buck) : Ambrose, b. May 24, 1799; Martin, b. Feb. 5, 1800; Cyrenia, b. Feb. 17, 1802; Cyprian, b. Apr, 20, 1804; Anna Perkins, b. Sept. 5, 1807. Children of Martin and Sophia (Cushman) Bisbee: Persis, b. Oct. 19, 1826; Cyrenia, b. Aug. 14, 1828. Children of Stephen, b. Jan. 25, 1773, and Elizabeth Bosworth, b. Feb. 17, 1781: m. Jan. 30, 1803; Eliza, b. Apr. 7, 1804; Alonzo, b., Jan. 1, 1806; d. Feb. 25, 1809; Stephen W., b. Sept. 25, 1807, com. suicide June 2, 1855; Jacob B., b. Sept 28, 1809; Daniel, b. Dec. 31, 1811. Children of George and Myrt-illa (Cole) Bridgham: George G., b. Mar. 11, 1835; Georgianna, b. July 27, 1837; Emily G., b. Apr. 29, 1840. Children of Hanson (s. of John and g. s. of Amos) and Sarah D. (Churchill) Brown (he d. Mar. 3, 1893; she d. July 6, 1899): Wm. H. H., b. Apr. 26, 1840; Helen; George W.; Eliab, b. Jan. 22, 1852. Children of Moses (son of Wm.) and Susanna Brown (he d. Apr. 20, 1857; she d. Apr. 7, 1857): Wm, F., b. Mar. 23, 1835; Lucius, b. Sept. 27, 1836! Moses, b. Oct. 15. 1840; Susanna, b. Aug. 28, 1844. Children of Morris (son of Wm.) and Fanny Brown: Betsey, b. Nov. 24, 1832; Elvira, b. July 25, 1837, m. Levi Jordan; Amanda M., b. Mar. 4, 1840, d. Aug. 28, 1849; Lucy Ellen, b. May 8, 1845. Digitized by Microsoft® 720 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Children of John (s. of John and g. s. of Amos), and Ursula Brown; Alonzo, b. abt. 1838; Fernando, b. abt. 1840; Henry and Henrietta, twins, b. abt. 1842; Rhoda, b. Dec. 23, 1844; James, Aug. 23, 1847; Mary, b. Mar. 27, 1849; Amelia, b. Mar. 8, 1851; Ella, b. Feb. 8, 1853; Charles', b. July 26, 1855; Ada L,., b. May 3, 1857. Children of Levi and Lydia Bryant: Clarissa, b. Jan. 3, 1783, m. Nathaniel Gammon; George, b. Aug. 22, 1784; Mercy, b. June 6, 1786; Elizabeth, b. Mar. 29, 1788; Levi, b. Feb. 6, 1792; Pelham, b. Deo. 27, 1794; m. Clarissa Record; Fanny, b. Jan. 12, 1796; Lucia, b. Feb. 19, 1799; Marcia, b. Aug. 20, 1801; Ephraim G., b. abt. 1804. Children of Nathaniel, Jr., and Sarah Buck (he d. abt. 1837); Benj. T,, b. May 7, 1798; Eliab, b. Aug. 19, 1800, m. Eleanor Buck, s. in Foxcroft; Sophia, b. June 6, 1802; Rachel, b. Dec. 10, 1804; Nathaniel, b. May 17, 1807; Paul, b. Feb. 14, 1809. Children of Moses (s .of Nath'l, pioneer) and Sally Buck; Olive, b. Dec. 10, 1799; Ira Brown, b. April 10, 1802; Polly, b. Apr. 29, 1804; Elmira, b. Apr. 26, 1806;Irene, b. May 31, 1808; Moses, b. Aug. 22, 1811. Children of William and Martha (Record) Campbell (he d. in Sangerville, past SO): Sally, b. June 20, 1805; William, b. July 17, 1807; Romilla, b. Sept. 1, 1809; Rodolphus R., b. Sept. 18, 1811; Otis W., b. Feb. 1, 1814; Andrew, b. Apr. 21, 1816; Sam'l R., b. June 8, 1818; Dominicus R., b. Dec. 10, 1820. Children of Ebenezer and Martha Carey: Hannah, b. March 26, 1796; Ichabod, b. Aug. 22, 1797; Zenas, b. April 3, 1799; Remember, b. Feb. 26, 1801; Polly, b. Sept. 16, 1802. Children of John and Martha (Crockett) Carsley: Ebenezer, b. May 7, 1792; Sarah, b. May 25, 1794; Rachel, b. Apr. 8, 1796; Fanny, b. Mar. 26, 1798; Mercy, b. May 13, 1800; Freeman and Daniel, twins, b. Sept. 14, 1808. Children of John and Nancy ChafHn: Henrietta DeAlbra, b. Nov. 29, 1800, m. Capt. Jonathan Buck; John, b. Apr. 20, 1804; Anna, b. Sept. 16, 1806; Rodney, b. Dec. 12, 1808; Geo. G., b. June 30, 1813, m. 1st, Betsey Bonney, 2d Bethiah Lothrop; Hannah S., b. Feb, 25, 1816; Ado- niram J., b. Sept. 6, 1819. Children of Rodney and Mary (Waldron) ' Chaffln: Mary A., b. Dec. 1, 1826, m. Joseph D. Fuller; John M., b. Sept. 6, 1828; Mary E., b. Dec. 21, 1830; Daniel H., b. Aug. 28, 1832. Children of Adoniram J. and Lydia (Bean) Chaffln: Nancy D., b. Dec. 30, 1842; Abana, b. Dec. 2, 1845; Fred L., b. Sept. 11, 1860. Children of Edmund and Anna Chandler: Barnabas, b. Jan. 20, 1773; Rebekah, b. Oct, 1, 1777; Lucy, b. Nov. 21, 1779; Anna, b. April 1, 1782; Huldah, b. June 8, 1789; Mary, b. April 5, 1791; Christopher, by 2d wife, Hannah, b. Oct. 18, 1794. Children of William (Rev. Sol.) and Lydia Churchill: Lydia, b. Dec. 13, 1784; Polly, b. June 1, 1788; Benj., b. July 22, 1791; Wm., b. Aug. 5, 1797. Children of Asaph (bro. of Wm.) and iPolly Churchill: Asaph, b. July 31, 1803; Hiram, b. Aug. 20, 1808; Nathaniel, b. May 28, 1810; Elbridge, b. Jan. 28, 1812; Betsey D., b. Jan. 22, 1814, m. Martin Churchill; Albert, b. May 21, 1816; Polly, b. May 26, 1818;. Nancy m. an Emery. They had a son an officer in the U. S. Navy. Children of Asaph (s. of Martin) and Fanny (Murch) Churchill: Fanny, b. 1871, m. a Tucker; Asaph, 1874, m. a Lovejoy; Jennie, 1875, m. a Jewell, in U. S. Navy; Howard, 1877; Ernest, 1880; Fred, 1882; Harriet, 1886; Flora Belle, 1887; Lizzie, 1888. Children of William L. and Cordelia (Allen) Cole: Cordelia M., b. Oct. 29, 1842; Bertrand, b. Feb. 2, 1845. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 721 Children of Aurelius V. and Lucy A. (Hall) Cole: Willis H. b. Jan. 6, 1851; Charles V., b. Aug. 3, 1852. Children of Sampson and Betsey Cole (ho d. Apr. 28, 1841, she d. in 1832); Sylvia, b. June 10, 1814, d. Feb. 22, 1852; Osgood, b. July 16, 1818; Hannah, b. Sept. 26, 1821; Augusta Prince, b. June 4, 1823, m. George Bennett. Children of Lewis and Abigail Cole: Algernon L., b. Nov. 27, 1817; Hiram F., b. May 18, 1820; Ossian L., Aug. 4, 1823; Brastus M., b. Jan. 10, 18'25. Children of John and Hannah Cressey (he d. Apr. 30, '63): Wm. N., b. Dec. 12, 1818, m. Mary Fletcher; Jane H., b. Oct. 18, 1820, m. J. H. Hall; Sarah Ann, b. June 20, 1822; Margaret, b. June 6, 1824, m. Chas. G. Davis;, Hannah b. June 26, 1826, m. Reuben L. Farrar; Mary, b. June 7, 1828; John, b. May 24, 1829, m. Melissa Spaulding; Benj., b. Feb. 3, 1832, ra. Cynthia S. Keen; Isaiah, b. Apr. 10, 1834; Mercy B., b, Jan. 24, 1837, d. July, 1838 Children of Lemuel and Rachel (Foster) Crocker: Rebekah, b. Oct. 19, 1773; Lydia, b. Jan. 18, 1776; Seth, b. Apr. 3, 1778; Rachel, b. Apr. 3, 1782; Margaret, b. Mar. 20, 1784, m. Adam Richardson; Lemuel, b. Mar. 28, 1787; Elizabeth, b. May 21, 1792; Patience, b. Apr. 12, 1795; Melinda, b. Oct. 16, 1800. Children of Gen. Henry and Sarah (Rust) Farwell (pub. Dec. 16, 1808, d. Dixfleld Feb. 21, 1847): Thaddeus Henry, b. Jan. 15, 1810; Grosvenor Prescott, b. Dec. 1, 1811; Edward Augustus Ferdinand, b. Sept. 12, 1814; Oliver Smith, b. Sept. IS, 1817. Children of Nicholas and Mary Fernald: Mary, b. Feb. 20, 1774; Tim- othy, b. March 23, 1785; Samuel, b. June 30, 1789; Katherine, b. Feb. 16, 1792. Children of Zadoc and Judith Forbes: Bethiah, b. Oct. 17, 1797; Eze- kiel, b. May 20, 1799, d. 1876; Nathan, b. Feb. 18, 1801; Rebecca, Jan. 25, 1804; Arvilla, b. Mar. 10, 1807; Daniel, b. Mar. 24, 1811; Elizabeth, b. Mar. 24, 1812; Myrinda, b. July 24, 1815; Susan, b. Aug. 27, 1817. Children of Abraham and Frances Harding: Orin, b. Mar. 19, 1792; Abraham, b. April 6, 1794; Crocker, b. May 5, 1796; Harvey, born May 28, 1798; Isaac Foster, b. Mar. 31, 1802; Eliza Bonney, b. Apr. 5, 1804; Lucy, b. June 21, 1806; Lyman, b. Oct. 2, 1807. Children of James and Abigail Hussey: Sally, b. Feb, 11, 1792; Simeon, b. Aug. 28, 1793; Betsey, .b Dec. 6, 1795; Patty, b. Dec. 28, 1797; Nancy, b. Jan. 19, 1800; Natie, b. Jan. 6, 1802; Margery, b. Dec. 18, 1803; Rhoda and James, b. Nov. 28, 1804; Frances, b. Feb. 6, 1810. Children of Varanes D. and Zoa Irish: Martha, b. Oct. 23, 1879; Henry C, b. July 3, 1882; Clinton F., b. Nov. 29, 1884. Children of Abel (son of Stephen) and Adaline (Bard) Irish: I. Jerome B., b. Dec. 1, 1849;' m. Sarah E. Thurlow, two ch., Arthur B., b. July 26, 1880, and Lucinda A., b. Feb. 25, 1882. 11. Lucinda S., b. Dec. 11, 1851; m. Charles Lucas. Children of Thomas and Molly Joselyn: Thomas S., b. Nov. 30, 1785; Molly, b. July 22, 1788; Solomon, b. Nov. 4, 1790; Samuel, b. July 5, 1792; Enoch, b. Dec. 6, 1796. Children of Josiah and Eunice Keen: Simeon, b. Aug. 17, 1796; Nathan- iel b Oct. 15, 1799; Nancy, b. July 25, 1805; Josiah, b. Aug. 27, 1808. 'children of Enoch and Mary (Cilley) Leathers: Benjamin, b. Sept. 4. 1789- Anna, b. April 15, 1791; Eleanor, b. Feb. 22, 1793; Enoch, b Jan. 29, 1795- Mary, b. Feb. 3, 1797. Family removed to Sangerville, Me. Children' of Thomas and Susanna Lincoln: Bbenezer, b. Apr. 23, 1795! Lucy, b. Nov. 27. 1796; Betsey, b. June 5, 1799; Thomas Foster, b. Apr. 15, 1801; Susanna, b. March 4, 1805. Digitized by Microsoft® 722 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Children o( Caleb and Hannah (Cilley) Lombard: William, b. Feb. IS, 1784; Peter, b. Aug. 8, 1795; Lydia, b. Apr. 2, 1797. Children of James and Jane Manwell: Rebekah, b. Feb. 4, 1788; Ben- jamin, b. Mar. 21, 1790; Jairus, b. Apr. 14, 1792; John, b. Sept. 28, 1796. Children of Daniel and Olive Merrill: Daniel, b. Apfil 2, 1794; Brving, b. Feb. 19, 1801. Children of Philemon, Jr., and Mary Parsons: George, b. Dec. 17, 1795; Joseph, b. June 11, 1797; Moses, b. Oct. 12, 1798; Betsey, b. June 10, 1800; Mark, b. Mar. 1, 1802; Peggy, b. Oct. 19, 1806; Rebekah, b. Mar. 5, 1807; John, b. April 10, 1811, d. June, 1812; Abigail, b. Feb. 14, 1813; Polly, b. Nov. 26, 1817. Children of William and Martha Reynolds: William, b. Aug. 9, 1792; Nathan, b. June 27, 1794; Zopher, b. Nov. 18, 1796; Zebedee, b. Oct. 1, 1800. Children of Bphraim and Martha Spencer: Samuel, b. Aug. 30, 1799; Ichabod, b. Dec. 10, 1801; Stephen, b. Jan. 30, 1804. Children of James and Martha Thompson (he d. Dec. 23, 1855); James, b. 1801; Jere S., b. 1803; Betsey, 1805; Wm. N., 1806; Polly, 1808; Adam, 1810; Jane, 1811; John, 1812; Robert, Sally. His wife d. and he re-mar- ried. Children by 2d wife: James, b. Aug. 10, 1837, and Margaret, m. Jonathan Gammon. Robert Thompson, b. abt. 1814; d. Nov. 8, 1868; 6 ch., Sarah Ann, b. 1829, d. 1833; Geo. H., b. 1830; Enoch P., b. 1831; Adeliza, b. 1837; Wm. Henry, d. young, and Harriet, 1841. Children of Samuel and Margaret (LegTow) Tobin: Joseph, b. Mar. 10, 1789; Benjamin, b. Mar. 14, 1791; Deliverance, b. April 25, 1793; Matthew, b. July 9, 1795. Children of Joseph and Esther Tyler: Desdemona, b. May 23, 1794; Bet- sey, b. Aug. 5, 1796. Children of David and Mary Warren: Mary, b. May 1, 1788; Hannah, b. Feb. 11, 1790; Mark, b. Mar. 3, 1792, d. Aug. 14, 1793; Eunice, b. Mar. 11, 1794; Johnston, b. Aug. 3, 1796; David, Jr., b. Jan. 6, 1799. Children of Joshua and Deborah Westcott: Simeon, b. Nov. 2, 1766; Ephraim, b. Sept. 14, 1770; Eunice, b. Aug. 29, 1773; Nancy, b. March 31, 1777; Betsey, b. Mar. 3, 1781; Devi, b. Jan. 31, 1785. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD . 723 RECORD OF DEATHS From 1867 to 1901 Kept by Mrs. Emma A. Mason, North Buokneld. Mar. 16, '63, Capt. Isaac Turner. — Mar. 29, '69, Marg-aret Turner, 63 yrs. — Miss Hezediah Crocker Foster, Sept. 23, '53, aged 72. — ^Mrs. Pliebe (Buck) Foster, Nov. 12, '63, aged 97.— Charles Bioknell, June 13, '64.— Blisha Buck, Mar. 24, '54.— Mrs. Esther Warren, Feb. 8 '66, 83 years 4 mos. — Tamar Brook, April 16, '66, 81 yrs. 5 mos. 16 d. — Luther Turner, Jan. 23, 78 years, 9 mos., 21 d. — Mar. 30, '67, Hope Leonard, 71. 1868. Apr. 8, Ephraim Harlow. — May 4, Mrs. Gideon Cushman. — May 26. Har- vey Bowker. — June 6, Mrs. Amos Tucker. — June 16, Whitmore Bowker. — July 6, Hampleton Thayer. — July 31, George Evans. — Aug. 6, Elizabeth Pearsons. — Sept. 24, Augustus Buck. — Nov. 13, Roscoe Buck. 1869. Jan. 23, Old Lady Cobb. — Mar. 2, Rolan Foster. — Apr. 24, Arabella Evans. — May 9, Ellen Buck. — May 14, George H. Johnson. — May 16, Melzer Buck. — May 28, Old Mrs. Merrill. — June 31, Elijah Jordan. — Aug. 12, Mrs. Samuel Harlow. — Aug. 31, Uncle Jacob Allen. — Oct. 17, Arvilla S. Mason, 57 yr. — Oct. 23, Mrs. Benj. Maxim. — Oct. 27, James Bicknell, 67 yrs. 1870. Apr. 11, Mrs. Asia Howard. — May 24, Capt. Joseph Turner. — May 31, Levi Monk, 41 yrs., 7 mos., 5 d. — Jan. 13, Old Mrs .Dean. — 14, Mrs. Caleb Cushman. — Sept. 3, Ira Gardner. — Sept. 8, Mrs. Dr. Pinkney Bridg- ham, Mrs. Harriet Buck. — Sept. 26, Mr. Estes Barrows killed. 1871. Jan. 24, Mr. Noah Hall. — Mar. 15, Alice M. White. — ^Apr. 27, Mrs. Han- nah Cressey. — ^May 3, Mr. Orin Farrar. — May 10, Mrs. Marion Bessey. — ^May 8, Mrs. George Thomes. — ^Aug. 3, Mrs. Augustus Thayer. — Aug. 24, iloscoe Record. — Sept. 16, Wilbur Warren. 1872. Jan. 22, Mrs. Kimball Prince. — Jan. Old Mrs. Spencer. — Feb. 14, Hon. Noah Prince. — Feb. 29, Mrs. Lucy Bennett. — Mar. 24, Mrs. Peleg Ham- mond. — May 4, Mrs. Ephraim Atwood. — July 8, Mrs. Abraham Waldron.- — Aug. 3, Aunt Annie Jordan. — ^Aug. 4, Lottie Daniels. — Aug. 6, Leroy Buck. — ^Aug. 22, Samuel Keen. — Sept. 12, Mrs. Sally Parris. — Sept. 14, Mrs. Isaac Morrill. — Oct 10, Esther Tucker — Dec. 14, Abigail Bowker. 1873. Jan. 4, Olive Ames. — Jan.. 14, Elisha Bessey killed. — Feb. 14, Hon. Zadoc Long in Mass. — ^Apr. 18, Warren Bessey. — Apr. 21, America Thayer. —May 18, Mr. Timothy Record. — June 19, Mrs. William Daniels. — June 29, Mrs. Clinton Howe. — July 22, Mrs. Otis Bicknell. — ^Aug. 21, Emerson Coburn, killed. — Sept. 12, Mr. James N. Waldron. — Sept. 5, Mr. Allen Tut- tie.— Oct. 13, Nathan Storer.— Dec. 2, Mrs. Ephraim Harlow.— Dec. 18, Mrs. Asa Woodbury. — ^Dec. 18, Mrs. Asa Robinson. 1874. Jan. 14, James Murdock.— Mar. 8, Ina Briggs.— Mar. 10, Kinsman Holmes. ^Mar. 14, Henry Hammond. — Mar. 28, Howard Damon.— May 10, Digitized by Microsoft® 724 , HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Mrs. Moses Thomes. — June 6, Mrs. -Cyrus Dean. — June 12, Joseph Shaw in Auburn. — June 13, Hon. Virgil D. Parris at Paris Hill. — June 23, So- phronia Turner, suicide (hung herself). — Sept. 18, Lottie Hanson. — Dec. 25, Mrs. Ella (Whitman) Chandler in Sumner. — Dec. 30, Mrs. Granville Harlow. 1875. Jan. IS, Old Mrs. Hutchinson. — Jan. 20, Mr. Jacob Leonard. — Feb. 17, Mrs. Obadiah Berry. — Mar. 1, Mr Obadiah Berry — Mar. 12, Mr. Amasa Tucker. — Apr. 18, Mrs. Burroughs. — Apr. 24, Mr. Oscar Gardner; Apr. 30, Charles Gerrish. — June 26, Mr. Nathaniel Leonard. — July 5, Nathaniel Marston. — July 7, Alfred Monlt, 88; had lived with his wife. Relief, over 67 yrs. — Aug. 26, Peggy Hall. — Aug. 28, Nellie Buck, 18. — Oct. 2, Ed. Smith. — Oct. 6, Horace Keen. — Oct. 6, Polly Turner, 86. — Oct. 21, Cyrus Chase. — Oct. 22, Luclnda Turner. — Oct. 23, Ephraim Rlcker. — Nov. 18, Capt. Miltemore Jordan (near Mechanic Palls). — Deo. 22, William Irish. — Dec. 25, Orville Brldgham. 1876. Jan. 27, Martin Churchill. — Mar. 2, Tristram Warren. — Mar. 22, Wash- ington Heald, 73. — Mar. 24, Mrs. Samuel Jordan at Mechanic Falls. — Apr. 12, James Canwell. — May 10, Burt Shaw, suicide. — May 23, Charles Evans. — June 8, Polly Churchill. — June 15, Mr. Valentine Ripley. — July 24, Widow Cushman. — Sept. 14, Old Mr. Edmund Dean. — Oct. 22, Gussie Record. — ^Oct. 30, Enna Chase. — Nov. 23, Asa Record. — Dec. 1, Angle Tut- tle. — Dec. 12, Cyrus Record. — Dec. 16, Citoyenna Buck. 1877. Jan. 14, Stephen L. Record. — Jan. 25, Mrs. Ann Allen. — Feb. 11; Ada Jane Young. — Feb. 17, Gilbert Evans — Mar. 3, Old Mr. David Bonney. — Mar. 8, Mr. John Brock. — Mar. 12, Elijah Whitman. — Mar. 29, Mrs. Wil- liam Morse. — Apr. 23, Carroll Spaulding. — Apr. 24, Fairfield Bessey, sui- cide, hung himself. — May 1, Artemas Cole. — July 14, Joel Foster, 79. — July 24, Aunt Hannah Tucker. — Aug. 11, Mrs. Ezekiel Record. — Sept. 2„ Otis Bicknell. — Sept. 9, Mrs. Lorenzo Dean. — Sept. 10, Freddie Cobb. — Oct. 6, Lemuel Cole. — Oct. 6, Francis Buck. — Oct. 15, Harold Farrar. — Nov. 17, Aunt Cenia Bicknell. — Dec. 21, Miles Long. — Dec. 25, Bela Farrar. , 1878. Jan. 4, Mrs. Harvey Keene, 76. — Jan. 13, Royal Allen. — Feb. 18, Ara- tus Damon, 43. — Mar. 12, Jesse Turner. — Mar. 19, Charles Allen. — Mar. 24, Old Lady Jewett, 82 yr., 9 mos. — Apr. 21. Moses Lowe. — May 4, Mrs. Cyrus Spaulding. — July 14, George Whittemore, drowned. — July 23, Mrs. Bert Churchill. — Sept. 28. Austin Buck, suicide. — Nov. 18, Thomas Damon. — Dec. 6, Charles Briggs. — Dec. 9, Mrs. Relief Monk, 90. 1879. Jan. 22, John Farrar, Hannah Danley. — Mar. 4, Mrs. Evans. — Mar. 27, Alice L. Cole. — Apr. 17, Artemas Gregg. — Apr. 20, Harold Heald. — May 2, Mr. Jonathan Gammon. — June 3, Mrs. Mary J. Storer; July 11, Mrs. Car- rie Monk.— Aug. 19, Mrs. Sarah Mayhew, 38.— Sept. 22, Allen Dean.— Nov. 1, Aunt Nabby Bowker. — Nov. 2, Mary Pearson. — Nov. 27, Melvln Allen. — Nov. 30, Mrs. Moses Thomes. 1880. Jan. 3, Lorenzo Buck (son of Mellen). — Feb. 15, Alton Bonney. — Mar. 15, Augustus SwalloT., sk. 235 poems, 301, 302, 303 elec. Speaker Mass Ho. 453. elec. Gov. of Mass. 455 elec. to Congress, 456 Sec. of the Navy, 462 Zadoc, sk. 227 poems, 394, 395 men. 101, 129, 375 journal, 469 death. 432 Washington, slj. 249 (379) Thomas, 101, 228 Thomas, Jr., 619 Zadoc, Jr., sk. 251 Henry C, 393, 412 Hotel, 230 Loring, John, sk. 262 (96, 101, 498). death. 417 Lucius, sk. 256 (101, 458) reminiscences, 515 C. Carroll, sk. 257. (429) poem. 306 Lothrop, Joseph. 52, 84. 120 Lowe, Ozias M., 412 Lowell, Thomas, sk. 37, (74) Stephen, sk. 622, (38) William, sk. 38 (51, '514, 623.) Mark, 38, 623 Manchester, Stephen, 82 Marston, Wm. W.. 412 Geo. D., 412 Mason, A. P., sk. 268 Mrs. Emma A., rec. of deaths 723 Naphtali, 258 Lewis, 178 Rev. C. C„ 178 Maxim, Martha, sk. 314 poems, 9, 316 Mary, sk. & poems, 314, 315 Rose, sk. & poems, 312, 313 Wm. Wallace, sk. & poems, 307, 308. Henry H., sk. 624 Olban A., sk. 626 Franklin, sk. 625 Capt. Benj., 624 McDonald. Isaac. 393. 405 James. 393, 461 McGloire, G.. 415 Merrill, A. Judson, sk. 630 Capt. Frank, sk. 630 Col. Moses, 62, 67 Mitchell, Mrs. Eliza J., 180 Moore, Nahum, sk. 268, (406, 424) Morrill, Nathan, 637, (430, 453. 457.) Carroll. 413 Nathan E., 637 James, 508 Murdock, Dea. Bdson, 462 James, 386, 423 Nezinscot, origin of name, 11 Old Home Week, 464 Packard, Dan'l, 46, 86 Pen. St., 87 sk. and death. 374 Mrs. Betty. 61, 374 , Stephen, Jr., sk. 642 Stephen G., , 646 Dr. F. H., 649 J. Penley, 645 Dea. Job, 54. 136. 381 Gen. E.. 97. 651 Joseph, 90 John, 90 Benj., 90 Parris, Capt. Josiah, sk. 267 men. 87, 88, 96, 100, 119, 122, 380, 394, 446. Digitized by Microsoft® HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD 757 Virgil T>., sk. 330 men. 80, 101, 153, 231, 370, 372, 373, 375, 377, 380, 384, 445, 496. Miss Delphina K., 101, 267 Edward L,., sk. 268 Edward L,., Jr. sk., 269 Perclval J., sk. 654 Judge Sam'l, 379 Gov. Albion K., 379 Parsons, Col. Aaron, sk. 656 men. 112, 167, 368, 369, 386, 387. Dr. C. A., sk. 360 Henry 438, 656 Merritt, 656 Paupers, pd. sh. sur. rev., 377 Pearl, Rev. Cyril, 400, 482 Perry, Barnabas, 98 Phelps, Stephen, 97, 98, 128, 267 Rear Adm'l T. S., sk. 267 R. A. T. S., Jr. 268 Philbrick, Jonathan, 35, 108 Capt. Enoch, 92, 119, 470 Ximenes, 380, 393, 423, 658 Phinney, Elder Clement, 172 Pidgin, Rev. Wm., 129, 159, 160, 161, 398. Poland, Ind. chief k'd, 82 Potter, Elder James, 132 Powder Ho., built, 127 Pratt, Thad., 85 Isabel Downie, 572 Pray, Rev. E. 'W"., 146 Prince, Dea. Job, sk. 268 men. 78, 135, 139, 431 Capt. Noah, sk. 270 men. 371, 375, 377, 381, 419. Capt. Chas. H., sk. 273 men. 405, 429, 464 Henry C, sk. 273 Ardelia H., sk. 274, (317, 443). poems^ 317, 318 Job, Jr., 268 Kimball N., 270 Proprietors' accts. fln. set. 65 Public Lands, set. of, 124, 125, 126 Library built, 465 Rawson, J. A., sk. 659 Record, Jonathan, sk. 33, (446, 496.) cent, ser., 177, 381 death, 420 David, sk. 33 Simon, 37, 117 Lt. Dominicus, sk. 44, (61, 102). death, 123 Orin, deposition of, 518 Briggs, 3 Rev. S. T., sk. 179 Arvilla S., letter of, 519 Bzekiel, 455 Ricker, Tobias, 107. 381 Tobias, Jr., 378, 379 Elder, Geo., 139 Rich, Joel, sk. 47 Rider, Capt. John, 76, 78 Mrs. James, 45 Ripley, Valentine, 386 Eliphaz, 147, 413 Roberts, Jonathan, sk. 48, (104, 107.) Jonathan, Jr., 38 Joseph, Jr., sk. 48, (134). Joseph, 48, 667 Dr. Jacob, sk. 671 Capt. C. C, sk. 672 Hamlin M., sk. 672 Barnabas M., sk. 673 Dr. Wm. P., sk. 674 Robinson, Wm., bids. st. boat, 448 Sampson, Seth, 385 Sawyer, Helen A., sk. 552 Saturdays, "Field Days," 255 School Dists., limits, 120 to sel. teachers, 122 Scott, Elder Robt, sk. 171 Selectmen, to alter co. roads, 117 Sessions, Orville A., 415 Settlers, on pub. lands, law rel.' to, 21 Shaw, Jotham, 68 Isaac, 178 Milford N., 413 Joseph C, 386 I. Wilson, sk. 686 Small, Rev. A. K. P., sk. 150 Albion W., LLD., sk. 278 Smith, Seba, sk. 281 poem, 318 Elizabeth O., sk. & poem, 321-2. Anna C, sk. & poem, 323 P. O. J., sk. 282 (453, 500.) Prof. Wm. R., 264 Rev. Henry B., 336 Jasiel, 381 Leonard P., 423 Spaulding, Benj., sk. 25 men. 26, 51, 61, 71, 96, 102, 133. death, 124 Benj., Jr., sk. 285 men. 96, 102, 124, 369. 504. Ben., sk. 288 Digitized by Microsoft® 758 HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD Wm. C, sk. 288 Capt. Jesse, '89, 698 Atwood "W., sk. 291 Rev. Benj. F., 149 Cyrus C 453, 462 Tyler, Jonathan, sk. 31, (26, 29, 67, Dastine S., 167 134). Stephen, set on to B., 427 Mrs. Rebecca, 32, 51, 76, 133 Stephens, Ezra, 97 Union Chapel built. 160 Sam'l, 97 dis. of, 164 Stetson, Rev. Seth, sk., 165, 384 "Uncurrent" money, dis. of, 129, men. 472, 473 130. "Stocks," not built, 108 Vining:, Amanda Maxim, sk. 308 Storer, N. O., 167 poems. 311, 312 Mrs. N. O., 167 Voters, qualifications of. 117, 119 "Stowell's Mills," 267 Warren, John, sk. 37, (40, S3, 86, Swallow, Larnard, 51, 92, 125, 129 108). Vinton, k'd at Man. Gap , 414 David, sk. 46, (368) Swasey, John P., 405 Alphonzo B"., 405, 461 Swett, Dea. David, 145 Washingtonian Movement, 384, Sergt. John, 689 487. Leonard D., 689 Waterman, James, 78, 504, 508. Dr. Stephen, 689 Ichabod, 140 Summary cen. 1830, 371 Thos. R., 98, 114 Sundry persons warned. 116 Widgery, William, 28 Summer, cold, noted, 491 Wilson, Rev. Adam, 142, 163, 178 wet, noted. 482 Winship, Ephraim, 82 warm, noted. 484, 493 Winters, severe, noted. 490, 493 Sun Spots, noted. 478 mild, noted. 486, 488, Surplus, Rev. dis. 375 495, 500. Survey, town and town ; lineS; , 61, White, Peter, sk. 36 110, 111, 510. Col. A. D., sk.' 291 Taylor, Sam'l, sk. 45, (51) men. 379, 420, 426, 476 Dr. Eben'r, 350 Whitten, J. W., 292, 406 i, 420, 492 Elias, 3, 43 1, 52, 458 elect, sheriff. 432 Dr. R. W., 691 death. 461 Reunion, 457 Winslow, Amos, sk. 716 Teague, Bani, 35 Edward C, sk. 716 Thayer, Lt. Isaac, sk. 692 Witham, Elder C. C, 169 Asa, et als., set off to Paris, Whitman, Jacob, sk. 41 (54) 369. death. 378 Thomas, Sampson, 415 Joshua, 101, 708 Thomes, Rev. Geo., sk. 167, (166, Joshua E., sk. 711 430). Prof. Ozias, sk. 715 Mrs. Josephine, 443 Izah T., sk. 715 Samuel, 390, 695 Dr. A. C, sk. 365 Moses B., 393, 695 Chas. F., sk. 341 (460) Thorne, Sam'l, 415 Flora E., sk. & poem, 324 Thurlo, Asa, et als., sk. 36 Pond, 17, 372 Tilton, Gilbert, sk. & poem. 323 Woodbury, Benj., sk. 717, (88, 120, Town pound, b'lt.. 111 381.) Tucker, Ruth A., sk. 697 Wonderful app. sky noted [, 477, 502 James R-, 696 Young, Joshua, sk. 44 Turner, Dr. Geo. W., sk. 359 Caleb, sk. 49, (371) Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft®