USA > Maine > York County > Parsonsfield > A history of the first century of the town of Parsonsfield, Maine > Part 1
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Gc 974.102 P25d 1169849
GENEALOGY COLLECTION -
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01092 9948
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2014
https://archive.org/details/historyoffirstce00dear_0
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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