A history of the first century of the town of Parsonsfield, Maine, Part 1

Author: Dearborn, Jeremiah Wadleigh ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Portland, Me., B. Thurston & company
Number of Pages: 786


USA > Maine > York County > Parsonsfield > A history of the first century of the town of Parsonsfield, Maine > Part 1


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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50



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GENEALOGY COLLECTION -


ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01092 9948


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AGE 78


answer pan the Author


A HISTORY


OF THE


FIRST CENTURY


OF THE TOWN OF


PARSONSFIELD, MAINE. By of W Dearborn M D INCORPORATED AUG. 29, 1785,


AND


CELEBRATED WITH IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIES,


AT


NORTH PARSONSFIELD,


AUGUST 29, 1885.


Jeremiah Wadleigh Reardon


PORTLAND, ME. BROWN THURSTON & COMPANY 1888.


COPYRIGHTED BY


J. W. DEARBORN, JOHN BENNETT, C. F. SANBORN, H. LORING MERRILL, S. G. DEARBORN.


Sauthem Book Co-15.00


1169849


DEDICATION,


TO


Those dolorthy Absent Ones,


THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF THIS GRAND OLD TOWN,


THEIR FATHERLAND,


THROUGH WHOSE FEALTY AND GENEROSITY THE HIGHLY COMMENDABLE RESULTS OF DULY OBSERVING WITH BEFITTING CEREMONIALS ITS FIRST CENTENNIAL, AND ENABLING US TO PUT IN FORM FOR PRESERVATION THE FACTS AND DATA HEREIN CONTAINED,


THESE PAGES ARE DEDICATED, / WITH EXPRESSIONS OF HEARTFELT GRATITUDE, BY THE COMMITTEE HAVING THE . WORK IN CHARGE.


Morarborn


J.W.DEARBORN M. D


PREFACE.


IN placing this volume in the hands of the public, we feel that it is a duty which we owe alike to ancestry and posterity, as well as ourself, to offer some apology. It was expected that the town would take charge of the matter of preparing and publishing the work, and that a competent per- son, who could devote undivided attention thereto, would be found to per- form the arduous duty.


But the town refusing to assume the responsibility, and without funds to carry such design into execution, a few determined to push on the work. Very much of the burden has fallen upon us, wholly unprepared for the task, busied with professional duties, and loaded with cares and responsibili- ties of life, only able to devote to this work those hours, fatigued by labor, which should have been passed in repose, we feel constrained to crave the indulgence of those who peruse, in this, that some apology will be found in the minds of the generous public for the errors and omissions which may be apparent, as well as for the style and matter which appear.


We have no thought of avoiding criticism. But close observation and experience have alike taught us, that the severest criticisms will come from those who have been least helpful.


We wish to acknowledge our great obligations to those who have con- tributed articles of interest to its pages ; to those who furnished us of their means to aid in the proper observance of the centennial; to the members of the several committees ; to each and all of those who have exerted them- selves in collecting facts and data for the history ; * to all who have given encouragement and cheer ; to each one who has furnished us with a portrait for the work; and especially must we mention the names of a few of those who have been very interested and helpful in the prosecution of this volume. Without their assistance the task would have been beyond our power to accomplish. Those in town are John Bennett, Esq., H. G. O. Smith, and Hon. C. F. Sanborn; and of those absent, Hon. James W. Bradbury, Dr. Jos. Ricker, Prof. L. D. Emerson, Geo. I. Doe, of Wilton, N. H., Geo. Par- sons, and Edward Tuck, of New York City, Dr. Samuel K. Towle, of Hampton, Va., Dr. J. O. Moore,t of Haverhill, John Tuck,t of Biddeford,


VI


PREFACE.


Ira Moore, of Los Angeles, Cal., Horace Piper, A.M., of Washington, Prof. C. F. Brackett, of Princeton, Rev. Asa Dalton, of Portland, and Rev. R. H. Conwell, of Philadelphia.


This list might, and in justice should be, largely extended; but those named have been very pronounced in their helpfulness.


A town history is mostly of value to those who are interested in histori- cal matters, - matters pertaining to family genealogies, and of biography. In order to present these topics to the enquirer intelligently and clearly, we have divided the volume into FIVE PARTS.


PART I. is chiefly made up of the papers that were presented in the order of exercises on the day of celebrating the town's centennial, in addi- tion to a short account of the preparation therefor, and the attendant cir- cumstances of that occasion.


PART II. is the general history of the town for the past one hundred years.


PART III. Personal sketches.


PART IV. Genealogies. This part is far from complete. Much exer- tion has been made to render it more so, but we find it a difficult task to accomplish, and in many cases totally impracticable.


PART V. is made up of miscellaneous papers, many of which were received too late to appear under their proper heads.


The amount of labor requisite to present this imperfect volume to the public can never be appreciated by those who have never undertaken the accomplishment of a like thankless task.


Respectfully yours,


J. W. DEARBORN.


*A committee of ten was selected for this purpose, consisting of Dominicus Ricker, Wm. H. Doe, Gilman Lougee, Ivory Fenderson, Joseph Parsons, John W. Piper, Eben Foss, H. G. O. Smith, E. S. Wadleigh and O. B. Churchill.


t Deceased.


GENERAL INDEX.


DEDICATION,


I


PREFACE, ·


V


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS,


XI


PART I.


INTRODUCTION, 1-4


PROGRAMME, 5-8


ADDRESS OF WELCOME,


By J. W. Dearborn, M.D., 13


ORATION,


By Hon. James W. Bradbury, . 14-25


AGRICULTURE OF PARSONSFIELD, By John Tuck, 26-34


SCHOOLS OF PARSONSFIELD,


By Horace Piper, A.M., LL.B.,


36-56


COLLEGE GRADUATES,


By Rev. Joseph Ricker, D.D., 57-72


PROGRESS OF PHYSICS FOR A CENTURY,


By Prof. C. F. Brackett, A.M., M.D., LL.D., 73-125


CENTENNIAL POEM,


By Mrs. Isadore Merrill, 126


LAWYERS OF PARSONSFIELD,


By P. W. McIntyre, Esq., 127-133


PHYSICIANS OF PARSONSFIELD,


By J. W. DEARBORN, M.D., 134-158


VIII


GENERAL INDEX.


MINERALS OF PARSONSFIELD,


By H. L. Staples, A.M. M.D.,


159


PARSONSFIELD SEMINARY AND ITS STUDENTS,


By Prof. G. H. Ricker, · 160-162


MUSIC AND MUSICIANS OF PARSONSFIELD,


By Prof. L. O. EMERSON, 163-164


PROGRESS OF CHRISTIANITY FOR A CENTURY (Sermon), By Rev. R. H. Conwell, 165-173


PART II. HISTORY.


CHAP. I.


Geography. - Indians. - Early Titles. - Shapleigh Proprie- tors. - Hunters and Trappers. - Wild Animals. - Early Homes, etc., . 174-181


CHAP. II.


Names and Locations. - Address of H. G. O. Smith. - Residents 1785. - Early Records. - Petition For, and Act of Incorporation,


182-192


CHAP. III.


Prospect. - Houses. - Food. - Transportation. - Roads. - Improvements. - Crops and Business, . 193-200


CHAP. IV.


Town Business. - Taxation. - Census Returns, 201-206


CHAP. V.


Light and Heat. - Drinking Customs. - Coming and Go- ing. - Horses and Cows. - Progress, · 207-212


IX


GENERAL INDEX.


CHAP. VI.


Churches and Ministers,


.


213-224


CHAP. VII.


Survey. - Plan. - Military. - Poor. - Political,


225-231


CHAP. VIII.


Rambles about Town,


. 232-238


PART III.


PERSONAL SKETCHES, . .


240-364


PART IV.


1


GENEALOGIES,


365-413


PART V.


MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS.


Letter of Lauriston W. Small, 415


Deed of Capt. Sandy to Francis Small. - Act of Incorporation, 416


Call for First Town Meeting, 418


Extracts from Records, 419


List of Selectmen from Organization of Town till the Present, . 420


Names of S. S. Committee since .1820, 422


List of Native Teachers, 423


List of Names of Town Clerks for a Century, 427


List of Names of Delegates and Representatives for a century, 428


Senators, County Treasurer and County Commissioners, . 432


X GENERAL INDEX.


Poets of Parsonsfield,


437


Genealogies and Personal Sketches,


450 to 464


Family of Thomas Parsons, 464


Acknowledgements,


470


List of Contributors. - Expenses, etc., 472


Index,


.


475


ALPHABETICAL INDEX TO


ILLUSTRATIONS.


Ames, John M., . 258


Bennett, Dr. Gilman L.,


141


Bennett, John, . 321


Bennett, John P., 320


Benton, Albion P., 256


Brackett, Hon. John,


288


Brackett, Prof. C. F.,


73


Bradbury, Dr. Samuel,


301


Bradbury, Hon. J. W., . Frontispiece .


Brown, John M., 281


Brown, Simon, 278


Buzzell, Rev. John, . 218


Chamberlin, Edward C., . 296


Chellis, Seth, . 363


Cheney, Horace R.,


293


Churchill, Nathaniel H.,


457


Churchill, Otis B., 452


Churchill, Thomas S.,


343


Conwell, Rev. R. H., 165


Cook, James W., 249


Dalton, Benjamin, 330


Dalton, Rev. Asa, 268


Davis, Wm. B., .


451


XII


INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS.


Dearborn, Dr. J. W.,


Dearborn, John, . 310


Dearborn, Jos. F., 316


Dearborn, Jos. S., 315


Dearborn, Simon F., 317


Devereux, John, .


454


Dixon, Wm. D.,


259


Doe, Col. Bartlett, 354


Doe, Hon. Alvah,


358


Doe, Wm. K., 352


Durgin, Prof. S. H., 153


Emerson, Jos. P., 246


Emerson, Luther,


245


Emerson, Prof. L. O., 163


Fernald, Elliott, 311


Foss, Eben, 334


Garland, David,


302


Garland, John, 303


Garner, Allen,


332


Hilton, Rev. Chas. A., .


353


Knapp, Hon. Wm. D.,


66


Libbey, Capt. A. S.,


300


Libby, Nehemiah T.,


459


Lougee, Gilman, .


280


Maplewood, . 13


McIntire, Hon. Rufus, 21


Merrill, H. Lorin, 359


Merrill, John J., 276


Merrill, Samuel,


356


Moore, Dr. James O., . . 143


More, Prof. Ira, 274


INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS.


XIII


Moulton, Dr. Albert R.,


155


Moulton, Dr. Alvah,


139


Moulton, Wm. E.,


340


Newbegin, John S., . 461


Parks, Orlando T.,


437 .


Plan of Parsonsfield,


225


Parsons, Asa B.,


360


Parsons, Capt. Thos. B.,


243


Parsons, Dr. Chas. G., .


144


Parsons, Dr. Jos. A.,


145


Parsons, Joseph,


468


Parsons, Samuel, 466


Parsonsfield Seminary, 160


Pease, Burleigh, 65


Pease, Hon. Zebulon, 262


Piper, Elisha, 48


Piper, Horace, 36


Piper, Jonathan, 266


Ridlon, Emery S., 132 .


Ricker, Dominicus, · 283


Ricker, Jos., D.D., 57


Sanborn, Hon. C. F., 292


Sanborn, Hon. Luther,


. 290


Smart, John G.,


307


Smith, H. G. O., 174


Stackpole, Stephen A., 299


Staples, Rev. L. T., 313


Sweat, Dr. John B., 147


Sweat, Dr. Moses, 136


Sweat, Dr. Moses E.,


63


Sweat, Dr. Wm. W.,


146


XIV


INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS.


Sweat, Hon. L. D. M.,


127


Towle, Capt. Harvey M.,


. 273


Towle, Dr. Samuel K.,


151


Towle, Geo. W., 463


Tuck, Hon. Amos,


60


Tuck, John,


26


Tuck, Samuel, 325


Wadleigh, Elisha, 284


Wadleigh, Elisha, Jr.,


286


Wadleigh, E. S.,


295


Wedgewood, Joseph,


349


Weeks, Prof. Stephen H., 462


Wentworth, Hon. G. M.,


305


Whitten, Col. Simon J., 319 ·


Wiggin, Wm. H.,


441


PART I.


$


HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.


6084


CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.


1785.


AUGUST 19. 1885.


The suggestion of a proper observance of the one hundredth anniver- sary of the incorporation of the town of Parsonsfield, came from one of her sons, highly honored and esteemed among us here, as well as by that very much larger number of friends and associates with whom he has lived and labored the larger part of his active life, Rev. Joseph Ricker, D.D., of Augusta, Maine.


This suggestion, communicated through his brother, Dominicus Ricker, Esq., then Representative from this town to Augusta, met the approval of the leading citizens, and acting promptly thereon, at the annual meeting in March, 1885, the town unanimously voted to raise the sum of five hundred dollars, and authorized the selectmen to draw orders on the treasurer for sums not exceeding that amount, to be ex- pended in observing with appropriate ceremonials the forthcoming anniversary.


A committee was then and there chosen, and authorized by the town to take charge, and make all due preparations for the celebration, which was to occur on the twenty-ninth day of August following.


This committee consisted of fifteen persons, as follows: -


Dominicus Ricker, Samuel Merrill,* John Bennett, Esq.,


Moses E. Sweat, M.D., Joseph Parsons, William K. Doe,


Ivory Fenderson, Gilman Lougee, C. O. Nute,


William E. Moulton, Eben Foss,


J. W. Piper,


H. G. O. Smith, Rev. L. T. Staples,


J. W. Dearborn.


Immediately upon the adjournment of the town-meeting, this com- mittee met in the selectmen's office and organized for active work by choosing : -


* Since deceased.


2


HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.


J. W. Dearborn, Chairman.


J. W. Piper, Recording Secretary.


John Bennett, Esq., Rev. L. T. Staples, Corresponding Secretaries. Wm. E. Moulton, Treasurer.


Samuel Merrill, Dominicus Ricker, Gilman Lougee, Committee on Finance.


Active operations for the event were at once commenced, and meet- gs of committee held from time to time to perfect arrangements.


It soon became apparent that the committee was altogether too small to perform the large amount of labor required, and that an addition thereto of active, energetic, and interested citizens, from sections of the town not before represented, would increase its strength and efficiency. Therefore, at an early day, this want was supplied by the addition of the following: -


Hon. John Brackett,*


John M. Ames,*


Hon. Alvah Doe,*


E. B. Wadleigh,


A. R. Leavitt,


Hon. C. F. Sanborn,


Jacob Taylor,


T. W. Burnham,


Robert T. Blazo, Esq.,


Geo. P. Davis,


Jos. Moulton,


David M. Chase,


Jos. Wedgewood, T. B. Wentworth, Jeremiah Bullock,


Robert Merrill,


E. E. Lord,


O. B. Churchill,


H. W. Colcord,


Capt. A. O. Smart,


E. S. Wadleigh,


Marston Ames,


J. W. Trueworthy,


Wm. B. Davis,


T. S. Churchill,


J. S. Newbegin,


Luther Neal,


S. H. Cartland,


S. G. Dearborn,


John Neal,


Chase Boothby,


Lorenzo Moulton,


Israel Banks,


. John U. Parsons, S. F. Perry,


T. C. Huntruss, S. D. Marston .*


The list of Corresponding Secretaries was increased by two, Hon. C. F. Sanborn and E. S. Wadleigh, the organization of Committee having been fully approved by all. The only matter reserved to the original fifteen members being the appropriation of the funds voted by the town.


Sub-committees were chosen from time to time, as follows: -


On programme : - Rev. L. T. Staples, Dominicus Ricker, H. G. O. Smith.


On instrumental music : -


J. W. Dearborn, M.D.,


M. E. Sweat, M.D.,


T. W. Burnham. *Since deceased.


Chas. A. Rand,


T. C. Randall, John Devereaux,


Nehemiah T. Libby, H. Loring Merrill,


3


HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.


On vocal music : -


Dr. J. W. Dearborn, with privilege of associating with himself whom he pleased. Said committee therefore consisted of: -


Dr. J. W. Dearborn,


Mrs. S. L. Dittrick, Springfield, Mo.,


Prof. L. O. Emerson, Boston, Mass., 66 Ada M. Towle, Newfield,


Dr. J. T. Wedgewood, Cornish, Me.,


T. W. Burnham,


Mrs. J. W. Cook, Boston,


" B. F. Haley, Cornish,


C. F. Sanborn,


66 Jesse Gould, Limerick,


Robert Merrill,


66 D. H. Hill, Sandwich, N. H., Miss Margaret Bullock,


Dr. J. O. Moore, Haverhill,* J. W. Piper, Mrs. Joseph Roberts.


On grounds, lumber, stand, seats and tables : -


Dr. M. E. Sweat, Rev. L. T. Staples, Jeremiah Bullock.


Capt. A. O. Smart was chosen Marshal, with privilege of selecting his aids, who were : -


O. B. Churchill,


Jeremiah Bullock, Oliver Pillsbury.


On salute : -


Gilman Lougee, Eben Foss, Jos. Parsons.


To organize cavalcade, invite Grand Army Posts, and arrange for, and provide transportation : -


Dr. J. W. Dearborn, John Bennett, Esq.


To provide banner, badges, etc., for the band of one hundred young ladies, organize, and take charge of same in procession : -


Gilman Lougee.


Then the matters of tents, provisions, and all other details and ex- penditures, were placed in the hands of an executive committee, con- sisting of : - John Bennett, Esq., Hon. C. F. Sanborn, J. W. Dearborn, M.D. Rev. L. T. Staples, E. S. Wadleigh,


It was also apparent that quite an amount of funds, in addition to what the town voted to furnish, would be required ; and, therefore, the last named committee was constituted a committee to solicit contribu- tions. They were very successful in their efforts, former residents re- sponding very liberally. [Appended will be found a full list of contrib- utors and contributions, and also expenditures. ]


* Since deceased.


66 N. M. Leavitt,


E. A. Smart,


66 D. O. Blazo,


66 O. B. Churchill,


6 E. E. Lord,


4


HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.


Twelve members of the general committee pledged themselves in the sum of three hundred dollars, to meet any exigency that might arise, thus placing, in all, at the disposal of the executive committee about two thousand dollars.


The " Piper field," at North Parsonsfield, which commands a wide view, sweeping over portions of twenty-three towns in York, Oxford and Carroll counties, was selected as the most appropriate place to con- gregate, and twenty-five thousand feet of timber and boards for stands, tables, seats, etc., purchased and placed thereon .*


Two mammoth Yale tents, one for the audience and one for the refresh- ments, were provided. Ample provision was made to give refreshments to from four thousand to five thousand people, seating one thousand at a time. This was placed under the direction of the well-known caterer, Mr. E. D. Robinson, of Portland.


The services of Chandler's band, of Portland, were secured.


All favors asked of railroad corporations, the Boston and Maine and its divisions, the Maine Central and its branches, the Portland and Rochester, and the Portland and Ogdensburg, by way of transportation and reduced fares, were cheerfully granted.


Prof. L. O. Emerson, of Boston, a native of the town, generously of- fered his services in aid, and held a three days' convention at East Par- sonsfield, for the purpose of drilling a chorus for the occasion. In this effort, which proved so successful, he was greatly aided by Dr. J. T. Wedgewood, of Cornish, also a native.


The committee on programme issued the following: -


* The meeting for the incorporation, on August 29th, 1785, was held at the house of Thomas Parsons, Esq., the proprietor of the town. This farm is located on its western border, later became in turn the property of Capt. Luther Emerson and of Joseph P. Emerson, Esq., son-in law and grandson, and now owned by James W. Cook, Esq., of Boston, (whose wife is a great-granddaughter,) who, having remodeled the house and rebuilt the barns and outbuildings at a large expense, generously tendered the hospitalities of " Elmwood farm," with all the privileges of the house, barns and grounds for the occasion, if the com- mittee should deem it expedient to use them. This offer would have been accepted but from the fact that it was not so easy of approach.


·


1785. 1885.


PARSONSFIELD'S


.


CENTENNIAL


-


AUGUST 29TH.


1885.


1785.


6


HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.


1785. 1885.


In honor of Parsonsfield's Centennial, which is to be celebrated at North Parsonsfield, Me., August 29th, there is to be a


GRAND


PREPARATORY MUSICAL FESTIVAL, -AT-


EAST PARSONSFIELD,


AUGUST 26th, 27th and 28th.


DIRECTORS: Prof. L. O. Emerson, of Boston, Mass. Dr. John T. Wedgewood, of Cornish, Me.


Soloist, Miss Alice Crouch, Boston.


PIANISTS: Miss Elizabeth U. Emerson, Boston. Miss Rosa K. Wedgewood, Cornish, Me.


Exercises will commence on Wednesday, at 10 o'clock, A.M.


TWO GRAND CONCERTS.


THURSDAY EVE., at 8 o'clock, and FRIDAY AFT'N, at 3.


All singers are cordially invited to join the chorus, and participate in the festivities of the occasion, free.


Concert Tickets, 25 cts.


It is highly important that all who contemplate joining the chorus, should be present at its organization, on Wednesday, August 26th.


7


HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD. ORDER OF EXERCISES. SATURDAY, AUGUST 29.


MUSIC, CHANDLER'S BAND, Portland, Me.


ADDRESS OF WELCOME, DR. J. W. DEARBORN, President of the Day.


INVOCATION, REV. WM. RICKER THOMPSON.


MUSIC, Festival Anthem, " Praise the Lord," (L. O. Emerson.) CHORUS. *SUMMARY OF GRANTS AND SURVEYS. EARLY SETTLEMENTS. H. G. O. SMITH. *ACT OF INCORPORATION AND ORGANIZATION, H. G. O. SMITH.


MUSIC, " God of Israel," (Rossini.) CHORUS.


ORATION,


HON. JAMES W. BRADBURY.


MUSIC, CHANDLER'S BAND.


AGRICULTURE OF PARSONSFIELD,


.


JOHN TUCK.


SCHOOLS OF PARSONSFIELD, HORACE PIPER, A. M., LL.B.


MUSIC,


Selected.


REFRESHMENTS.


MUSIC, CHANDLER'S BAND.


COLLEGE GRADUATES,


JOS. RICKER, D.D.


MUSIC, " Hail to Thee, Liberty," CHORUS.


*CHURCHES AND MINISTERS, JAMES M. BUZZELL, M.D.


MUSIC, (Selected)


CHORUS.


¡PROGRESS OF SCIENCE FOR THE LAST HUNDRED YEARS,


POEM,


MRS. ISADORE E. MERRILL.


MUSIC,


CHANDLER'S BAND.


¡LAWYERS OF PARSONSFIELD,


HON. L. D. M. SWEAT. (Handel.)


MUSIC, " Hallelujah Chorus,"


PHYSICIANS OF PARSONSFIELD,


REV. L. T. STAPLES. H. L. STAPLES, A.M.


MINERALOGY AND GEOLOGY OF THE TOWN,


REMARKS OF CELEBRITES.


MUSIC, (Orig nal Hymn.) Tune, "Sessions."


PARSONSFIELD SEMINARY AND PUPILS,


MUSIC AND MUSICIANS OF PARSONSFIELD,


PROF. G. H. RICKER. PROF. L. O. EMERSON.


HYMN.


In the broad forest's trackless wild, With ready hand and hearty cheer, Our fathers cleared their rugged farms,- Their humble homes they builded here.


O meadows green! O friendly wood! Each happy bird, and murmuring rill, Each breeze that sweeps through sighing pines, Our restless souls doth sweetly thrill.


How changed the time! How changed the scene! Here first we saw the light of day, Where once their sturdy axes rung! Above the forest's gloomy shade, A busy town to life has sprung.


Our lisping prayer we nightly said ;-


In yonder, sacred, silent spot, Lies many a loved one, long since dead.


In these fair fields, first tilled by them, With grateful hearts we sing our lay, That memory may their worth preserve When we, like them, have passed away.


O Faith that crowned our sires of old, Be with us in each coming year, While others come again to find Their joys, their hopes, and memories here. -FRANK HERBERT PEASE.


* See History of Parsonsfield, Part II.


+ In the absence of Prof. Brackett, responded to by Rev. R. H. Conwell, of Philadelphia.


# Paper by P. W. McIntire, Esq., of Portland.


Prof. C. F. BRACKETT, A.M., LL.D.


8


HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.


Officers of General Committee.


J. W. DEARBORN, Chairman ; John W. PIPER, Rec. Sec .; WM. E. MOULTON, Treas.


JOHN BENNETT,


L. T. STAPLES, Cor.


C. F. SANBORN,


E. S. WADLEIGH,


SAMUEL MERRILL, Com. on


Sec'ys ; DOMINICUS RICKER, Finance.


GILMAN LOUGEE,


Committee on Music.


Dr. J. W. Dearborn.


Prof. L. O. Emerson, Boston, Mass.


Dr. J. T. Wedgewood, Cornish, Me.


T. W. Burnham.


Mrs. J. W. Cook, Boston.


" B. F. Haley, Cornish.


" C. F. Sanborn. Jesse Gould, Limerick.


Robert Merrill.


Dr. J. O. Moore, Haverhill.


Mrs. S. L. Dittrick, Springfield, Mo. Ada M. Towle, Newfield.


66


N. M. Leavitt.


66 E. A. Smart.


D. O. Blazo.


O. B. Churchill.


E. E. Lord.


D. H. Hill, Sandwich, N. H.


Miss Margaret Bullock.


J. W. Piper.


Mrs. Joseph Roberts.


Executive Committee.


JOHN BENNETT. L. T. STAPLES. C. F. SANBORN. E. S. WADLEIGH. J. W. DEARBORN.


General Committee.


Dr. J. W. Dearborn, Dr. Moses E. Sweat, Rev. L. T. Staples, John Bennett, Esq. *John M. Ames, *Hon. John Brackett, Thos. B. Wentworth,


Dominicus Ricker, *Samuel Merrill, Gilman Lougee, C. O. Nute, Hon. C. F. Sanborn, T. W. Burnham, Jos. Wedgewood,


S. G. Dearborn, J. S. Newbegin, Lorenzo Moulton, Capt A O Smart, J. W. Trueworthy, Jeremiah Bullock, Thomas C. Huntress,


Chas. A. Rand, S. F. Perry, Jos. Moulton, Robert Merrill, Nehemiah Libby, H. L. Merrill, A. R. Leavitt,


Wm. E. Moulton, Joseph Parsons, William K. Doe, *Hon. Alvah Doe, Robert T. Blazo, Esq. Thos. C. Randall, Israel Banks,. John Neal,


Ivory Fenderson, H. G. O. Smith, John W. Piper, Eben Foss, O. B. Churchill, E. S. Wadleigh, S. H. Cartland, Wm. B. Davis, Luther Neal, *S. D. Marston, John Devereaux, E. B. Wadleigh, Geo. P. Davis, David M. Chase, Jacob Taylor.


J. A. Pease, John U. Parsons, Chase Boothby, T. S. Churchill, Marston Ames, H. W. Colcord, E. E. Lord,


*Deceased.


A Praise service on the Sabbath, Aug. 30, led by Prof. Emerson, followed by sermon by Rev. R. H. Conwell, of Philadelphia, commencing at 10.30 A.M.


9


HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.


The tents, tables, seats and stand were seasonably in order, the day as fair and beautiful as heart could desire, heralded early by the can- non's roar upon the hillside, -one hundred guns, -the police regula- tions perfect, and the event successful and satisfactory.


From the ."Biddeford Journal," of September 4, 1885, we clip the following: -


There has not been a better day for an open air celebration such as Parsonsfield indulged in Saturday, since 1771, when Thomas Parsons and " thirty-nine others" bought the land now comprising the town. At two o'clock in the morning it was raining heavily, and the prospect for a good day was anything but flattering, but by sunrise the clouds had rolled away, and " old Sol " beamed brightly down on the good old town. From early morning until noon, hundreds of well-filled teams of every description, came pouring into the North Road Village from all direc- tions, and by ten o'clock, the hour set for the opening of the exercises, a crowd had gathered which was variously estimated at from six thousand to twelve thousand persons - probably a number about half way between these figures would be nearer right.


At its last town-meeting, definite action was taken to properly recognize and celebrate this, the one hundredth anniversary year of the town's existence. The whole matter was placed in the hands of a competent committee, the members of which labored incessantly and with enthusiasm to make this event a true memo- rial holiday, which should leave a grateful remembrance in the heart of every son and daughter of Parsonsfield, whether present or absent, and be an honor to the memories of those who have gone before. That they made a wonderful success of the arduous undertaking, the excellently arranged and admirably carried out programme of exercises abundantly testifies. For days, we may almost say for weeks, the clans had been gathering. From every State in the Union, and from the isles of the sea, by ones, twos and entire families, those who claim the old town as their birthplace, came back to look upon the scenes of other days, and to join hands and hearts in the glad festivities of this memorable occasion.




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