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M. L.
Gc 974.102 G180 1247301
12.50
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01091 7752
E
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2014
https://archive.org/details/historyofgarland00oakl_0
Compliments
letomas
In Remembrance
of the
Many Kind ciete of yourself.
to my Father,
LYNDON OAK OF GARLAND
C
HISTORY
OF
GARLAND
MAINE
BY LYNDON OAK
DOVER, MAINE THE OBSERVER PUBLISHING CO. 1912
1247301
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Beginnings in the Valley of the Kenduskeag,
5
Grant of the Township, now Garland, to Wil-
liams College,
5
Original Proprietors,
9
The Waldo Patent,
13
Original Designation,
15
Boundaries and Natural Features,
15
A Notable Natural Feature,
17
Water Courses,
18
Main Stream,
19
Sources of Information Relating to the Local History of Garland, 19
Stories of the Pioneers,
21
Disappearing, 23
Beginnings,
24
The First Opening,
24
Conflicting Claims,
26
Events of 1802 in the Township,
27
The First Family, 30
33
Early Buildings,
35
The First Saw-mill, 36
37
Raising of the First Saw-mill,
46
The First Winter in the Township,
49
Township No. 3 in 1803,
52
The First Fruit Nursery,
Story of the Crank,
Goodspeed-1250
iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
An Early Name,
53
Old Names,
53
In Quest of Food,
54
Lincolntown in 1804,
57
In Peril of Shipwreck,
59
From Frankfort to the Township,
59
Early Births in the Township,
62
Lincolntown in 1805,
63
A Striking Contrast,
63
Burned Out,
66
A Spacious Sleeping Apartment,
68
The Surprise,
69
A Discovery,
71
Another Fire in 1805,
72
First Beginning in the Southwest Part of the Township,
74
Coming of Mechanics,
75
A Large Crop of Corn,
77
The First Strawberry Festival,
78
The First School,
79
A Disappointment,
80
The Township in 1806,
82
The First Tanner,
83
The First Physician,
85
The First Visit of a Minister,
86
First Winter School,
87
Early Marriages,
95
The Township in 1807,
96
The First Blacksmith,
97
The Township in 1808,
99
The Township in 1809,
100
A Notable Barn,
102
A More Notable Barn,
103
A Remarkable Journey in 1809,
104
V
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
The First Death in the Township,
105
The Township in 1810,
105
A Sorrowful Event,
107
The First Grist Mill,
108
Death of the First Physician,
109
Questionings,
110
Was it a Misfortune?
112
Petition for an Act of Incorporation,
114
What's in a Name?
115
A Copy of the Petition for Incorporation,
118
Act of Incorporation,
121
Garland in 1811,
123
The First Town Meeting,
126
The Second Town Meeting,
129
The Third Town Meeting of 1811,
133
The Fourth Town Meeting of 1811,
134
Garland in 1812,
135
The First Vote for Governor,
136
The First Voting List on Record,
137
First Vote for Member of Congress for the Ken- nebec District, 139
The First Vote for a Presidential Elector,
139
Construction of Early Houses,
140
How Houses Were Warmed,
141
An All-Day Fire,
142
How the Houses Were Lighted,
143
Furniture of the Times,
143
The Clothing of the Inhabitants,
144
Their Food, 145
A Luxury,
146
Social Life, 147
The Conquest of the Forest,
148
Planting Corn, 149
Garland in 1813, 151
vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
West Garland,
152
Garland in 1814,
153
The War of 1812,
154
Garland's First Military Company,
156
A Midnight Summons,
157
Enlistments,
161
Garland in 1815,
162
Garland in 1816 (Petition for a New State),
163
Change of Place,
165
Annual Town Meeting of 1816,
166
A New County,
167
The Year Without a Summer,
168
Garland in the Cold Year,
171
Incidents From the Diary of Stephen A. Berry,
173
Garland in 1817,
175
A Cheering Change,
176
Friends in Need,
176
The Annual Meeting of 1817,
177
The First County Road,
178
Ballot for Governor in 1817,
179
Garland in 1818,
180
The Town's Treasury Boxes,
181
Vote for Governor in 1818,
181
The Ohio Fever,
182
A Favorable Season,
182
A Revival of the Military Spirit,
182
The First Post-office,
184
Garland in 1819,
186
Garland From 1810 to 1820,
189
Families Who Moved Away During the Second Decade,
190
Garland in 1820,
193
A New Epoch, 195
Garland in 1821, 197
vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Action of the Town Relating to Lots of Land Reserved for Public Purposes, 198
Number of Families in What is Now Garland Village in 1821,
199
Garland in 1822,
201
Newcomers in 1822,
202
Search for a Missing Child in a Neighboring Town in Which Citizens of Garland Partici- pated,
204
Masonic Lodge,
205
Garland in 1823,
205
First Store in Garland Village,
207
Garland in 1824, 209
A Mustering of the Militia, 210
A Political Campaign Projected,
211
Garland in 1825,
211
Fall Elections,
212
Destructive Fires in 1825,
212
Garland in 1826,
215
Garland in 1827,
218
Congressional Convention,
219
Fall Election,
219
An Early Spring,
220
Garland in 1828,
221
The First Cemetery,
223
Garland in 1829, 223
The Genesis of the Temperance Reform, 224
Review of Town's Growth From 1820 to 1830, 225
Garland in 1830, 226
Increasing Prosperity, 228
Garland in 1831, 229
An Abundant Crop of Corn, 229
Garland in 1832, 230
Garland in 1833, 232
viii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Garland in 1834,
233
A Business Center,
234
The Hop Industry,
235 236
An Irate Citizen,
237
Division of the Ministerial Fund,
238
The Aid of the Town to Some of Its Poorer Citizens,
240
Tragic Death of a Prominent Citizen,
241
An Important Road Contemplated,
242
The First Meeting House in Garland,
243
Garland in 1836,
246
Bears,
247
Fall Elections of 1836,
247
Garland in 1837,
248
Fall Elections,
248 250
Surplus Revenue,
251
An Elephant,
251
Garland in 1838,
254
Garland's Artillery Company,
255
A Foreign Venture,
256
The Advent of the Martin Family,
257
"All is Well That Ends Well,"
259
Garland in 1839,
260
Garland in the Aroostook War,
261
Growth From 1830 to 1840,
270
Garland in 1840,
271
Appropriations in 1840,
272
Fall Elections, 1840,
272
Garland in 1841,
273
The Fall Election of 1841,
274
The Avenue Road, 275
Garland in 1842, 275
Garland in 1835,
Hard Times,
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ix
Page
Fall Elections in 1842,
276
A Notable Anti-Slavery Meeting,
277
Garland in 1843,
277 280
A Remarkable Religious Fanaticism,
281
Garland in 1844,
283
Autumnal Election,
284
Garland in 1845,
285
Annual State Election,
285
Garland in 1846,
287
State Election of 1846,
287
Garland in 1847,
288
Town House,
289
State Election of 1847,
290
Action of the Town on Proposed Amendments of the State Constitution,
291
Garland in 1848,
291
State Election in 1848,
292
The First High School in Garland,
293
A Tornado,
294
Garland in 1849,
295
Garland in 1850,
297
Autumnal Elections of 1850,
297
Garland in the Contest for United States Sena- tor,
298
Garland in 1851,
299
Garland in 1852,
300
Autumnal Elections of 1852,
301
Garland in 1853,
301
Autumnal Elections in 1853,
302
Garland in 1854,
302
The Autumnal Elections,
309
Garland in 1855, 304
Autumnal Elections,
305
The Rebuilding of the Long Bridge,
x
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Garland in 1856,
305
Clouds in the Political Horizon,
306
Autumnal Elections of 1856,
306
Presidential Electors,
307
Garland in 1857,
308
Appropriations of 1857,
308
Autumnal Elections of 1857,
308
Garland in 1858,
309
Appropriations of 1858, 309
Autumnal Elections of 1858,
310
Garland in 1859,
310
Autumnal Elections of 1859,
311
Garland in 1860,
311
Autumnal Election,
312
Ballot for Presidential Electors in 1860,
312
Garland in 1861,
313
Autumnal Election of 1861,
314
Garland in 1862,
314
Autumnal Election of 1862,
315
Garland in 1863,
315
Autumnal Elections in 1863,
316
Garland in 1864,
316
Autumnal Election of 1864,
317
Garland in 1865,
317
Autumnal Election of 1865,
318
Garland in 1866,
318
Autumnal Election of 1866,
319
Garland in 1867,
319
Autumnal Election of 1867,
320
Garland in 1868,
320
Autumnal Election of 1868,
321
Garland in 1869,
322
Autumnal Election,
322
Special Meeting,
323
xi
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Garland in the Temperance Reform,
323
The Washingtonian Movement,
328
An Event Worthy of Record,
329
Garland's Action on a Proposed Amendment of the State Constitution, 329
Before Roads Were Made in the Township,
330
Early Lines of Approach to the Township, 330
Early Roads,
331
History of the Principal Existing Roads,
332
Second Road,
332
Road to Dexter,
333
The Present Trend of Merchandise,
337
A Sketch of the History of the Congregational Church of Garland, 338
Pastorate of the Rev. S. S. Drake,
349
Historical Sketch of the Free Baptist Church, 350
Garland in the War of the Rebellion,
359
Early Demonstrations, 359
Calls for Men in 1861,
360
Action of the Town Relating to Families of the Men Who Had Enlisted in the Ranks of the Army in 1861, 360
Names of Residents of Garland Who Volunteered to Fight Under the Old Flag, 363
A List of Drafted Men Who Furnished Substi- tutes, 365
A List of Non-resident Volunteers Assigned to Garland, 365
Reenlistments, 366
xii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Names and Brief History of the Men Who Enlisted in 1861,
Names and Brief History of the Men Who Enlisted in 1862,
Names and Brief History of the Men Who Enlisted in 1863,
Names and Brief History of the Men Who Enlisted in 1864,
Names and Brief History of the Men Who Enlisted in 1865, 7
A Brief Statement of Particulars of the Deaths of the Men Who Were Killed or Died in the Service of Their Country, 375
Cost of the War to the Town of Garland, 381 Bounties, 381
Woman in the War of the Rebellion,
382
An Incident Connected With Filling One of the Quotas Assigned to the Town of Garland, 384 A Tribute, 385
Pages 366 to 375
PREFACE
It is hardly possible for a man to leave a better legacy to his town than a good history of it. This is a matter that has been too often neglected, especially in many Maine towns which could have furnished ample material, but Garland has been fortunate in this respect, fortunate in having the material and doubly fortu- nate in having a citizen who was both able and willing to make good use of it.
It was my privilege to live in Garland and to call the Hon. Lyndon Oak my friend. When I visited him during the latter years of his life, I found him devoting his spare time to writing a history of his town and was greatly interested in the extracts which it gave him pleasure to read to me.
The manuscript came into the hands of John M. Oak of Bangor after the death of his father and when he decided to have the history published, it seemed very fitting that the introduction should be written, and the work done in the office of a Garland boy in whom his father had been interested, and so it came about that the book was printed in my office and I have written the introduc- tion.
In going through the manuscript, a great deal of matter relat- ing to families and individuals was found to be incomplete, evidently being notes the author had collected but did not live to extend. For this reason it has not been possible to give this matter a place in the history, although it would have added much to its interest had it been completed.
Much credit is due Miss Ellen M. Haskell of Garland for her efficient work in editing and preparing the manuscript for the printer, a work for which she was qualified by her familiarity with the history of the town.
In this connection it seems appropriate to give a brief sketch of the author of this history and the following was taken from an article written by Henry L. Oak for the American Series of Popular Biographies. At the end of the volume will also be found an article written by Dr. M. C. Fernald of Orono.
LISTON P. EVANS.
Brief Sketch of Author
By Henry L. Oak
Hon. Lyndon Oak, teacher and merchant, was born in Bos- cawen, N. H., Sept. 22d, 1816, died in Garland Feb. 17th, 1902. He was educated in the common schools and at Gorham Seminary, where he was subsequently a teacher for twelve years. He con- tinued his professional career for many years, and as an educator met with praiseworthy success.
In 1848, he founded the Garland High School, in which he taught the first term, and was so interested in its continuance that he personally guaranteed the salaries of the teachers for the next thirteen years. For a long time he served most efficiently as super- intendent of schools in Garland, doing much toward advancing the educational status of the town.
He was very prominent in the establishment and early manage- ment of the Maine State College, now the University of Maine, at Orono, and served for twenty-two years as one of its board of trustees, six years being president of the board. On reaching the legal limitation of age, he retired.
He was a member of the State Legislature at different times from 1843 until 1867, serving in both branches of that body, and had the distinction of being the first member ever elected to the House on a straight anti-slavery, or Liberty party ticket. When the Liberty party was merged in the Free Soil party he became one of its staunchest supporters, continuing to adhere to its principles until the formation of the Republican party, with which he was afterwards actively identified. In 1876, as a protest against a nomi- nation he had opposed in the convention, and with no thought of election Mr. Oak, at the very urgent importunities of friends and men of influence and standing in the party, allowed his name to be used as an independent candidate for Congress. This he regarded, as did his friends, as political suicide; yet in 1880, at a convention held under the leadership of such men as Blaine, Boutelle, Hale, Hamlin and Dingley, he was urged to accept the regular nomination of his party for Governor, but felt obliged to decline, owing to
4
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
personal and business interests. Mr. Blaine insisted that "there would be magic in the historic name of Lyndon Oak of Garland."
Mr. Oak subsequently published a biographical sketch of Gen. James Irish of Gorham, and at the time of his death was at work on a history of the town of Garland.
As the most prominent man of the town of Garland for more than half a century; as representing the best and a fast disappear- ing type of local politicians, and by reason of his marked ability and many admirable traits of personal character, the Hon. Lyndon Oak, more than any other of his branch or tribe, is one who deserves an extended biographical sketch, such as cannot be given here.
The Hon. Lyndon Oak married (Sept. 1st, 1846,) Rebecca Chadbourne Irish, who was born in Gorham, Maine, Sept. 21st, 1817, and died in Garland, Feb. 24th, 1902. She was the daughter of General James Irish of Gorham, and was a descendant in the eighth generation from Thomas Rogers who came over in the May- flower in 1620. Hon. and Mrs. Lyndon Oak were the parents of three children, James H., born in Garland Oct. 4, 1849, John M., born in Garland June 16, 1851, and Grace Elizabeth, (now Mrs. J. N. Parker,) born in Garland June Ist, 1858.
History of Garland, Maine
Beginnings in the Valley of the Kenduskeag
S IOON after the close of the Revolutionary War the fine agricultural region embracing the present towns of Levant, Kenduskeag, Corinth, Exeter, Dexter, Garland and Charleston, Maine, began to attract attention.
Settlements were begun at Levant, then embracing the present town of Kenduskeag, in 1789-at Corinth in 1792-at Charleston in 1795-at Dexter and Exeter in 1801 and at Garland in 1802.
Grant of the Township, Now Garland, to Williams College
In 1798, the Legislature of Massachusetts granted two townships of land to Williams College, located at Williamstown, Mass.
The present towns of Garland and Lee, both situated in the present county of Penobscot, were the townships granted.
The terms and conditions upon which the grants were made, are contained in the following resolve (deed) :
6
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
"To all persons to whom these presents shall come, Greeting :
"Whereas the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the fourth day of February, 1796, granted a township of land to the Trustees of Williams College by a resolve in the following words viz: 'Re- solved that there be and hereby is granted two townships of land of the contents of six miles square, each to be laid out and assigned from any of the unappropriated lands belonging to this Commonwealth in the District of Maine, the same to be vested in the Trustees of Williams College and their successors forever for the use, benefit and purpose of supporting the said College, to be by them holden in their corporate capacity with full power and authority to settle, divide and manage the same townships or any part thereof, or to sell, convey and dispose of the same in such way and manner as shall best promote the welfare of said College, the same to be laid out under the direction of the Committee for the sale of Eastern Lands and a plan or plans thereof lodged in the Secretary's Office. Provided the Trustees aforesaid or their assigns shall cause to be settled fifteen families in each of said townships within twelve years from the pass- ing this resolve, and also that there be reserved in each township three lots of three hundred and twenty acres each for the following uses viz: one lot for the first set- tled Minister, one lot for the use of the Ministry and one lot for the use of schools in each of said townships.'
"And whereas the Legislature aforesaid did on the twenty-eighth day of February, 1793, by their resolve of that date, authorize and empower the Committee for the sale of Eastern Lands to execute deeds of certain grants of land in the words following, viz: Whereas .several grants of townships and tracts of land have been and may be made by this Court for the encouragement
7
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
of literature in the various parts of the Commonwealth, Resolved, That all the lands which have been or may be granted for the purposes aforesaid be located under the direction of the Committee for the sale of Eastern lands and that said Committee be and hereby are authorized and empowered to execute deeds of conveyance and con- firmation of the same conformably to the conditions of such grants.
"Now therefore know ye, That we the undersigned whose seals are hereunto affixed, having been appointed the Committee for the sale of Eastern Lands in con- formity to the foregoing resolve, do by these presents convey and confirm unto the Trustees of Williams Col- lege and their successors to be by them holden in their corporate capacity for the use of said College, a town- ship of land lying in the County of Hancock & con- taining twenty-three thousand and forty acres, equal to a township of the contents of six miles square, the said township being number three in the fifth range of town- ships north of the Waldo Patent, as the same was sur- veyed by Ephraim Ballard and Samuel Weston in the year 1792, Bounded easterly by number two in the same range, southerly by number three in the fourth range, westerly by number four in the fifth range and northerly by number three in the sixth range, excepting and reserving however three lots of three hundred and twenty acres each for the following uses, viz: one lot for the first settled Minister his heirs or assigns, one lot for the use of the Ministry and one lot for the use of schools in said township.
"To have and to hold the above granted premises with the appurtenances thereof to the said Trustees and their successors for the use of said College and their assigns forever, on condition that the said Trustees, their suc- cessors or assigns shall grant and convey to each set-
8
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
tler in said township who settled therein before the first day of January, seventeen hundred and eighty-four, or in case of his decease without assignment, then to his heirs, and in case of assignment then to his assigns, one hundred acres of land, to be so laid out as will best include the improvements of the settler and be least injurious to the adjoining lands, so as that the settler his heirs or assigns may hold the same in fee simple, provided that the set- tler, his heirs or assigns shall within one year after notice and request pay to the Grantees named in this deed their heirs or assigns five dollars and also provided that the said Trustees, their successors or assigns shall comply with and perform the several conditions mentioned in said resolve according to the true intent and meaning thereof. And the said Committee covenant with the said Trustees that the said Commonwealth shall warrant and defend the above granted premises to them the said Trustees on the said conditions and saving the reservations aforesaid, to them, their successors and assigns forever against the lawful claims and demands of all persons.
"In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals this second day of June in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and ninety-eight.
"Signed, sealed and
Samuel Phillips (L S)
delivered in presence of us.
Nath'l Wells
(LS)
Edw. Hayman John Read (L S)"
Edwd McLane.
"COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
"Suffolk, ss. June 4th. 1798. Then personally appeared the above named Samuel Phillips, Nath'l Wells and John Read and acknowledged the foregoing instrument to be their free act and deed.
Before me,
SIMON FRYE, Justice of the Peace
throughout the Commonwealth."
9
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
The present town of Garland was one of the town- ships selected under the provisions of this resolve. The exterior lines of the township had been run in 1792 by Ephraim Ballard and Samuel Weston, names familiar to those who have had occasion to examine the records of early surveys in this section of Maine. The township was in the then existing county of Hancock, a large region extending northerly to limits undefined and embracing the territory of future counties, among which are the present counties of Penobscot, Piscataquis and a part of Aroostook. It was designated in Ballard and Weston's survey as township number three in the fifth range of townships north of the Waldo Patent.
Original Proprietors
Investments in lands in the Province of Maine at the opening of the present century seem to have been regarded with considerable favor by moneyed men of Massachusetts. Scarcely had the ink become dry which was used to give effect to the resolve granting to Williams College the township now known as Garland, when its treasurer conveyed it to citizens of Massachu- setts, who were always afterwards known as the original proprietors. The date of said resolve was June 2d, 1798. The township was conveyed to the original proprietors two days after. The conveyance to Levi Lincoln, one of the proprietors, runs as follows: "Know all men by these presents, that I, Thompson Joseph Skinner of Williamstown, in the County of Berkshire in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Esq., in my capacity of treasurer of the corporation of Williams
10
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
College in said Williamstown and in behalf of the presi- dent and trustees of said College, in consideration of twenty-five hundred dollars paid me in my capacity as aforesaid by Levi Lincoln of Worcester in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth aforesaid, Esq., the receipt whereof I as treasurer, as aforesaid, do hereby acknowledge, I do hereby in my office and capacity as aforesaid of treasurer, and pursuant to the vote and order of aforesaid president and trustees of Williams College aforesaid, give, grant, sell and convey unto the said Levi Lincoln his heirs and assigns forever, one fourth part of a township of land situate; lying and being in the County of Hancock in the district of Maine, containing in the whole twenty-three thousand and forty acres, equal to a township of the contents of six miles square, said town- ship being number three in the fifth range of townships North of the Waldo Patent, as the same was surveyed by Ephraim Ballard and Samuel Weston in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-two, said township bounded easterly by number two in the same range, southerly by number three in the fourth range, westerly by number four in the fifth or same range and northerly by number three in the sixth range, excepting and reserving however, from said town- ship three lots of three hundred and twenty acres each for the following uses, viz: one lot for the first settled minister, his heirs and assigns, one lot for the use of the ministry and one lot for the use of schools in said town- ship. To have and to hold the above granted premises with the appurtenances thereof to the said Levi Lincoln, his heirs and assigns forever to his and their use and behoof forever, the said land so granted to the said Levi Lincoln, his heirs and assigns as aforesaid now lying in common with undivided lands of Seth Hastings of Mendon in the County of Worcester aforesaid, Gentle-
11
HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE
man, Samuel Sanger of Sherburne in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth aforesaid, Gentleman, Calvin Sanger of said Sherburne, Yeoman, Elias Grout of same Sherburne, Blacksmith, and Samuel Sanger, Jr., of Boston, in the County of Suffolk and Commonwealth aforesaid, Merchant, who are the owners and proprietors of the remaining part of the before described township of land, being now tenants in common with the said Levi Lincoln, and with each other according to their respective shares and rights as specified by their respective deeds made by me to each of them in my capacity of treasurer aforesaid: Provided the said Levi Lincoln, Seth Hastings, Samuel Sanger, Calvin Sanger, Elias Grout and Samuel Sawyer, Jr., their heirs or assigns or any of them shall, and do comply with and perform according to their true intent and meaning, the several conditions mentioned in a resolve of the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, made and passed on the 4th day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-six, granting two townships of land to the trustees of Williams College aforesaid so far as relates to one of said townships which resolve is in the following words, viz: (The resolve referred to will be found on a preceding page. )
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