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NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES 3 3433 08178361 9
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19B BUCKFIEL
Buckfield = Cole TO B
THE NEW VORM PUBLICLIBRARY
ASTOR L FOX TILDEN FOLNEL NO
-
Hon. John D. Long
A HISTORY
OF
BUCKFIELD
1
OXFORD COUNTY, MAINE
FROM THE
EARLIEST EXPLORATIONS TO THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR 1900
BY
ALFRED COLE Member of the Maine Historical Society
AND
CHARLES F. WHITMAN Clerk of Courts of Oxford County
"We will review the deeds of our fathers."- EMERSON
BUCKFIELD, MAINE
1915
cher
734172
Copyrighted 1915 BY C. F. WHITMAN
The paper for this book was kindly donated by the Maine Coated Paper Co. of Rumford, Maine As a tribute to Hon. George D. Bisbee
The Journal Printshop, Lewiston, Maine
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 anthor. 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, born 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.
State 100 Rods to the fuch
Fund
S 81'E 8 Miles 200 Rods
on No.6
or Butterfield
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Spaulding, Mill,"
2
Spaulding's Bridge
Richers Bridge
vest
.
County Road
Branch
1.5
44
BUCA TOWN or No 5
-1
Records MI
43
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46
Halls
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Bridge
10.
Ponad
42
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N
12 .
.14
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15 .
37
1
.16
.
.17
24
39
Sylvester
. 35
Stronhed Mt
25
Canada
19.
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Irish's Bridge
.
20
. 33
31
. 32
30
28
29
Shepherds Field
Plan of Bucktown or No. 5 as surveyed by John Jordan in 1785, with settling lots approximately indicated thereon by numbers, and first county road
1 John Warren
8 Dominicus Record
9 Isaac Foster
17 William Irish
21 David Record
25 Joel Rich
26 Davis Thurlo
6 John Brown
13 James Thurlo
20 Daniel Packard
27 Ezra Brown
33 Thomas Lowell
39 Joseph Chase
10 N. Chase 41 Amos Brown
16 Enoch Hall
2 Benjamin Spaulding
7 Edmund Chandler
14 Jonas Coburn
21 Samuel Taylor
28 John Thurlo 29 Richard Thurlo 30 J. Young 31 Joseph Irish 32 L. Crooker
34 J. Irish Jr. 35 Peter White 36 Simon Record
37 William Doble 38 B. Teague
12 Joseph Roberts Jr. 13 Caleb Young
11 Jonathan Roberts
15 Jonah Forbes
17 Jonathan Tyler located in western part of the town- ship not settled on by him.
3 Nathaniel Buck | Abijah Buck 5 Thomas Allen
10 Jonathan Philbrick 11 John Irish 12 John Buck
15 Thomas Coburn 16 Jonathan Record
22 Jacob Whitman 23 Nathaniel Gammon
County Road
38
0 - .1: 26' F' 5 Miles 100 Kods)
Magnetic Meridian
18
23
36.
theres Bridge to
N 13' W 4 Mite 100 Rod on Nº 4 line
.
Branch
5.
Contains 20933 acres 84 Rods
1
Twenty Mile R
27
21 22
S 70'E 5 Miles 190 Rods
18 David Warren 19 Gershom Davis
East
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. Early Settlement Continued
Pioneers in the eastern and southern parts of the township-Who they were and where they came from-Traditions relating to their ex- periences-First marriage in the little settlement-Stories of iater comings.
CHAPTER V. Pioneer Life
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.
8
HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD
CHAPTER XXIH.
Physicians
Dr. Daniel Childs of Turner was first practitioner in Bucktown- Dr. Samuel Frink, first resident physician-Coming of Dr. William Bridg- ham- A famous law suit-Dr. Bridgham wins his cause. The command- ing figure after this in the practice of medicine in Buckfield and vicinity to his death-Other physicians.
CHAPTER XXIV. Annals 1825 to 1850
Events of interest- Death of Abijah Buck for whom the town was nanied -- Deaths of Revolutionary soldiers-Exercises at the opening of the Buckfield Branch R. R .-- Other occurrences of note.
CHAPTER XXV. Temperance Movements
Evils of intemperance recognized-Agitation for Reform-County So- ciety organized-Members-Local organization in Buckfield-Washing- tonian movement-Petition to traders not to sell ardent spirits by the glass-Efforts made to enforce first prohibitive mcasures-The affair ot the Farrar brothers-An interesting law-suit.
CHAPTER XXVI. Buckfield Village in the Fifties
A correspondent writes of the village-Its business interests and business men in 1853-"Meck" Farrar's hotel and his ad in local paper --. Governor Long's letter.
CHAPTER XXVII. Later 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 XXIX. Annals 1850 to 1875
Important events chronicled -Deaths of Rev. Nathaniel Chase ,Jona- than Record and Capt. Josiah Parris-The latter was the last survivor of the Revolutionary soldiers who settied 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 Library
Free Masonry, Odd Fellows, Patrons of Husbandry-Order United American Mechanics -- Ladies' societies-The Public Library.
9
HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD
CHAPTER XXXL.
The Railroad, Charter and Organization
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. I). 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 Buckfield"-Benj. Spaul- ding leading citizen-Larnard Swallow-Appleton F. Mason-Powder Mills-Social and business interests.
PART II.
ZADOC LONG'S JOURNAL ABIJAH BUCK'S DIARY LUCIUS LORING'S REMINISCENCES OREN RECORD'S DEPOSITION ARVILLA (SPAULDING) RECORD'S LETTER
PART III.
GENEALOGIES OF FAMILIES RECORD OF DEATHS- APPENDIX TOWN OFFICERS REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS POST MASTERS MILITIA OFFICERS CENSUS OF 1790 TAX LIST OF 1797 CENSUS OF 1800 CENSUS OF 1850 COUNTY ROADS
723
ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE
Hon. John D. Long
Frontispiece
Martha Maxim with Dedicatory Poem
13
Map of Township with Settling Lots, etc.
寸
Andrews, Hon. S. C.
334 183 184
Atwood, Ephraim
Dea. Wm. H.
Kimball C.
187
Geo. M.
Chas. B. and wife
Four Gen. C. B. Fam. gr.
Baptist Church
Parsonage, WV. Buckfield
Bessey, Everett MI.
Bisbee. Hon. Geo. D.
Elisha
Geo. W. and wife
Stanley
Spaulding
Mrs. A. Louise and gr ..
Bonney, Hon. Albion P.
Bridgham, Capt. T. S.
Dr. William
Browne, Col. Jacob W.
Buck, Orlando J
Dr. C. L.
Buckfield, View in
Village, High Street
395 396
Village. Elm Street
Village Square, Pen Picture of
Chase, Hon. Thomas
Roscoe G.
Charles
Geo. H.
Childs, Hon. John Lewis
Floral Park, etc.
209
Cummings, Hon. Prentiss
214
Dea. Whitney
213
DeCoster, Varanes and gr.
576
James H. 575
Dyer, Fred R. 347
188 191 192 143 139 528 337 533 534 539 540 535 542 344 351 333 555 558 15
392 195 196 199 200 205 206
Cole, Alfred
HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD
11
Emery, Ellen Morrill
638
Farrar's Hotel
391
Federal Meeting House
Forbes, Rev. Eleanor B.
176 217
Foster, Phebe Buck, at 95
425 218
Gardner, Columbia Gertrude
Greene, Clara Marcelle
Harlow, Dana B.
Old Ho. at Pl.
Hersey, Rev. Levi
Hon. O. H.
Hutchinson, Hon. J. P.
Irish, Thos. and wife, gr
Long, John D.
Summer Home
Public Library
Hon. Zadoc
Hon. Washington
Thomas and wife
Loring, Squire John
253
Hill, view from
Maxim, Martha
Poets, gr.
Soldiers, gr.
Merrill, A. Judson, Fam. gr.
631
Morrill, Nathan
Packard, Stephen and wife
Farm B'ld'gs
Stephen G.
Stephen G. Res.
Dr. F. H.
Penley and Hanno
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
421 669
Sawyer, Helen A.
553
Shaw, I. Wilson
681
Small, Rev. A. K. P ..
151
Albion W., L.L.D. 279
Smith, Seba, gr.
319
218 297 298 597 173
343 223 607 233 234 441 469 247 618
Maj. Lucius
254 391 13 309 625
637 641 642 645 646 649 650
Roberts, Capt. C. C., gr
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.
292 709
Whitman, Joshua E. and Sons, gr
Chas. F., gr.
710
Ozias and wife
713
Flora E.
324
13
HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD
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!
View with Streaked Mountain in the Distance
HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION.
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 lilies.
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
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 slide 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 little 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 the 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 1,800 feet above sea level and about 900 feet above the village of Paris Hill.
19
HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD
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 indications of richer mineral deposits similar to those of Mt. Mica in Paris.
The scenery is everywhere delightful 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.
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 decade 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 policy, 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 100 acres of land, must actually enter upon his tract, clear
21
HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD
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 100 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 imposed, were that any settler who, in four years' time, cleared 16 acres and erected a habitation, could for a small sum, obtain his deed of 100 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 1, 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.
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 1, 1784.
23
HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD
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
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