USA > Maine > Oxford County > Rumford > History of Rumford, Oxford County, Maine, from its first settlement in 1779, to the present time > Part 1
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1800
RUMFORD UPPER FALL.
HISTORY OF RUMFORD
OXFORD COUNTY, MAINE
FROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT IN 1779
TO
THE PRESENT TIME
BY WILLIAM B. LAPHAM.
"Should auld acquaintance be forgot And days of auld lang syne?"
AUGUSTA : PRESS OF THE MAINE FARMER. 1890.
F 29 R8L3
DEDICATION,
TO THE NATIVE NON-RESIDENTS AND TO THE RESIDENTS OF THIS TOWN WHO HAVE AIDED AND ENCOURAGED IN THIE CONSUMMATION OF THIS WORK, AND TIIEREBY ASSISTED IN SAVING FROM OBLIVION SOME OF THE RECORDS AND REMINESCENCES OF THEIR ANCESTORS ; TO THE MEMORY OF THE PIONEER SETTLERS OF
New Sennacook and Rumford,
WHO LEFT TO THEIR CHILDREN THIS GOODLY HERITAGE, AND FINALLY, TO THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF GOOD OLD RUMFORD, WHEREVER THEY ARE, THIS VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED AND DEDICATED, BY THEIR FRIEND AND SERVANT,
THE AUTHOR.
Augusta, Maine, January 1, 1890.
4793
PREFACE.
"What sum will it be necessary to pledge to induce you to com- pile a history of the town of Rumford?"
The above question was asked me by Mr. John M. Adams of Portland, so long ago that the circumstance had entirely passed from my mind until recalled by Mr. Adams in the spring of 1888, coupled with the remark that he was ready to guarantee the sum named, and that I could enter upon the work as soon as convenient. The task therefore was not a self-imposed one, and was entered upon with considerable reluctance. While I had had some acquaint- ance with certain representative men of the town in bygone years, with a large proportion of the people I was unacquainted, never having spent much time in Rumford, and having for nearly a gener- ation resided out of the county. Without the hearty co-operation of the people of a town, it is difficult even for a resident, to gather the materials for such town's history, and for a non-resident it is much more difficult. This co-operation, I feared I might not have, and in some degree, such has been the case. But I was pledged to the work and went immediately about it, and the result, such as it is, will be found in the following pages. While some have not shown that degree of interest in the work which was desirable, and which, if felt and had been given expression in deeds, would have added materially to its interest and value, yet there have been hon- orable exceptions. My obligations are due to the municipal officers of 1888, for permission given to make abstracts from the town records at my own home. Without such permission the work could not have proceeded and must have been abandoned. To the town clerk, Mr. James S. Morse, I am indebted for other favors which have ever been cheerfully granted. Winfield S. Howe of Hanover, has responded to calls for copies of records with commendable alacrity. Mr. Merrit N. Lufkin has shown a deep interest in the work from
65
vi
HISTORY OF RUMFORD.
its inception, and has done all he could to help it along. His words of encouragement have not been the least of his contributions. Henry W. Park of Mexico, and Henry M. Colby, have cheerfully supplied me with material for an outline sketch of Blazing Star Lodge of Masons. Dr. John F. Pratt of Chelsea, Mass., has laid me under renewed obligation by furnishing copies of original docu- ments in the archives of Massachusetts. But to no one am I more indebted than to Mr. Chaplin Virgin, whose good intentions crys- tallized into deeds, and who has greatly assisted me in gathering material for every department of the work. Years hence, when all who have had to do with the publication of this book, and all those mentioned therein who now survive, shall have passed away, the descendants of Rumford people who peruse this and the following pages, will hold in grateful remembrance the names of those who aided in gathering up and passing down to them some account of the lives and deeds of their ancestors, who cleared and cultivated Rumford lands. And to those natives of Rumford residing else- where, who have shown their interest in the work by contributing eleven-twelfths of the sum pledged to insure its writing, I feel under just as deep obligation as though I had solicited the task, and had received a compensation commensurate with its performance.
WM. B. LAPHAM.
ABSTRACT OF CHAPTERS.
CHAPTER I.
Physical Description of Rumford-Its Metes and Bounds-Its Rivers and Mountains-Its Soil, Climate, Agricultural resources, its Geology, Minerals and Metals-The Great Falls-Its Trees, Plants and Animals-1-5.
CHAPTER II.
Brief Sketch of the Parent Town-Concord, N. H .- The Controversy respecting the Boundary Line of Massachusetts-The Contest settled in favor of New Hampshire-The long Contest with the Town of Bow-"Concord" at Last-Grantees of Concord ask for Indemnity from Massachusetts-5-9.
CHAPTER III.
Papers relating to the Grant-Col. Timothy Walker's Petition-A Favorable Response-The Grant of an Eastern Township-Sur- vey and Assignments of Rights-Petition for Re-confirmation Allowed-9-15.
CHAPTER IV.
The Proprietary-Call for the First Meeting-The First Meeting- Other Meetings and Their Proceedings-Drawing of Lots-"New Pennacook"-Meetings Transferred from Concord to the New Town-Last Meeting of the Proprietors-15-32.
CHAPTER V.
Land Transfers in New Pennacook-33-37.
CHAPTER VI.
Petition for Incorporation as "China"-Incorporated as "Rumford" -38-40.
viii
HISTORY OF RUMFORD.
CHAPTER VII.
Sketch of Benjamin Thompson-Count Rumford-His Parentage, Place and Date of Birth-Early Career-Goes to Rumford (now Concord) N. HI .- Marries the Widow Rolfe, Daughter of Rev. Timothy Walker-Suspected of Disloyalty to the Cause of the Colonies-Goes to Charlestown and Boston, and finally to England -Career in Europe-Receives Knighthood-IIis Death-41-47.
CHAPTER VIII.
The Early Settlers-Jonathan Keyes-Early Route to New Penna- cook-Direct Tax of 1798-Statistics of New Pennacook-48-53.
CHAPTER IX.
Brief Sketch of Oxford County-Its Boundaries and Early and Later Towns-Its Population by Towns while Part of Massachu- setts-53-56.
CHAPTER X.
Abstract of Town Records-Warrant for First Town Meeting, and proceedings-Abstract of Doings of Subsequent Meetings to 1820 -57-69.
CHAPTER XI.
Direct Tax of 1816, showing Real Estate Owners at that Date, Value of Real Estate and Amount of Tax-69-71.
CHAPTER XII.
Abstract of Proceedings of Town Meetings, 1820 to 1867-72-87.
CHAPTER XIII.
Rev. Daniel Gould's Short History of Rumford-Boundaries and Physical Features-The Grant and Survey of the Township- The Great Falls-Ores and Minerals-Statistics of Agriculture, Orcharding, Religious Societies, &c .- Characteristics of the People-General Remarks-Howard's Gore-87-97.
CHAPTER XIV.
The Androscoggin River-Its Source, Size and Length-Indian Names-Its Volume of Water and its Inconstancy-97-100.
ix
HISTORY OF RUMFORD.
CHAPTER XV.
The Androscoggin Indians-No Permanent Residence or Burial Places in this Town-Their Extreme Hostility to the English- Molly Ockett-Matalluk-101-105.
CHAPTER XVI.
How the Early Settlers Lived-Their Hardships, Trials and Suffering -Travelled on foot or on Horseback-Religious Duties Discharged -Somewhat Skeptical about Some Things-Sterling People-The Fathers and Mothers have Passed Away-105-110.
CHAPTER XVII.
Post Riders and Post Offices-Lists of Post Masters at the Various Offices in Town-Early Post Riders and Stage Drivers-Great Improvement in Later Years-111-114.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Rumford Surnames and their Origin-When Surnames were First Used, and the Reason Therefor-From What Derived-115-120.
CHAPTER XIX.
Intemperance in the Early Times-Pauperism-Early Movements for Temperance-The Washingtonians-The Town Awakened- Later Reforms-121-125.
CHAPTER XX.
Freemasonry-When Planted in Rumford-A Decline and Revival -Lists of Officers and Members-125-130.
CHAPTER XXI.
Rolfe's Rock-Thrilling Adventure of Mr. Benjamin Rolfe-A Night on a Rock at the Head of the Great Falls-A Rescue-A Poor Tavern-131-134.
CHAPTER XXII.
Church History-The Congregationalists-Settlement of Pastors- Statistics-Proceedings of Meetings-Lists of Members-The Methodists-Early in Town-List of Ministers-Universalists- Never Strong but Influential-List of Ministers, and some of the Leading Members-135-146.
x
HISTORY OF RUMFORD.
CHAPTER XXIII.
Rumford Ministers-Samuel R. Hall-Daniel Gould-John Elliot- Josiah G. Merrill-Joseph Lufkin and others-147-152.
CHAPTER XXIV.
The Legal Profession-Peter C. Virgin-Lyman Rawson-Timothy J. Carter-Wm. K. Kimball-Wm. Wirt Virgin-Henry F. Blanchard-Orlando W. Blanchard -- 152-155.
CHAPTER XXV.
The Medical Porfession-Hiram F. Abbot-Zenas W. Bartlett- Jonathan S. Millett-Dana Boardman Putnam-Thomas Roberts -Frank G. Russell-Freeman E. Small-156-158.
CHAPTER XXVI.
Rumford Falls-Chief Natural Objeet in Town-Its Altitude- Volume of Water-Capacity for Propelling Machinery-159-161.
CHAPTER XXVII.
Military Affairs-Early Trainings-Lists of Officers-"The Aroos- took War"-Rumford Company-Revolutionary Soldiers-War of 1812-Captain Wheeler's Company-162-169.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
War of the Rebellion-Rumford's Splendid Contributions to the Army-Lists of Those who died from Wounds or Disease-Full List of the Veterans-170-183.
CHAPTER XXIX.
[
Educational-Parson Gould's Good Work-Samuel R. Hall, the Inventor of the Black-board-Virtue Howard and Other Veteran Teachers-"Master Hutchins"-184-187.
CHAPTER XXX.
Other Transfers of Land in Rumford, Showing who were Sellers and Purchasers, and giving the Names of Some of the Early Settlers-188-191.
xi
HISTORY OF RUMFORD.
CHAPTER XXXI.
Rumford Civil Officers-Town Clerks, Treasurers and Selectmen- Justices of the Peace, Coronors, Trial Justices, &c .- 192-195.
CHAPTER XXXII.
Eearly Roads-Road from Paris to Pennacook-The Pennacook Road-Town Ways-196-198.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Deaths in Rumford-Deaths recorded by Rev. Eliphalet S. Hopkins and Rev. John Elliot from 1840 to the close of 1879-198-201.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Enumeration of the People known as the Census of 1850, showing the Residents in Rumford and their ages at that time-202-215.
CHAPTER XXXV.
Gleanings-Bear Stories-Indians-Bridges and Ferries-Tub Navigation-Mills and Other Manufactories-Phineas Wood- Justice Rolfe-Aunt Lydia Cushman-Some Noted Citizens- Rumford Taverns-"What a Toad"-Stickney Virgin's "and so forth"-Blacksmiths and Shoe Makers-Business at the Falls- Mount Zircon Spring-216-244.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Personal Sketches-Philip Abbot-Nathan Adams, Jr .- Susan Merrill Adams-John Milton Adams-Alvan Bolster - William W. Bolster-James H. Farnum-George L. Farnum-Francis Keyes-Moses F. Kimball-Porter Kimball-Wm. W. Kimball -Charles A. Kimball-Charles H. Kimball-John Rolfe-Enoch C. Rolfe-John A. Rolfe-Janette B. Ricker-Benjamin P. Snow -Timothy Walker-Charles Walker-Joseph Wardwell-John R. Wood-245-256.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
Records of Intentions of Marriage.
xii
HISTORY OF RUMFORD.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Adams Family.
247
Adams Homestead, Deering
298
Adams Homestead, Rumford 229
Bolster, Gen. Alvan ..
248
Bolster, Mrs. Cynthia
2449
Farmmm, George
251
Rolfe, John .
256
Rolfe, John A., Homestead.
257
Rolfe. Enoch (.
392
Ricker. Mrs. Janette B 307
Rawson, Lyman. 388
Frontis
Rumford Lower Fall.
159
Rumford Falls Mills
161
Virgin, Peter C.
252
Virgin. Wm. W.
254
Virgin Homestead
413
Walker, Timothy.
258
Walker, Mrs. Luna 259
Walker, Charles 260
Wood, John R
262
INDEX TO PERSONAL NOTICES.
Abbot, Philip. 245
Kimball. William W. 253
Abbot Hiram F. 156
Kimball, Charles A. 254
Adams, Nathan.
229
Kimball, Charles HI. 254
Adams, Nathan, Jr. 245
Knapp, David. 253
Adams, Susan Merrill 246
Lufkin. Joseph. 151
Adams, John M. 247
Merrill, Josiah G 150
Bartlett, Samuel. 244
Millett, Jonathan S. 157
Bartlett, Zenas W. 156
Putnam, Dana Boardman 157
Blanchard, Henry F. 154
Pettingill, Oliver 237
Blanchard, Orlando W 155
Pettingill, Waldo 237
Bolster, Alvan .. 218
Rawson, Lyman 151
Bolster. Wm. W.
249
Roberts, Thomas. 158
Bullock, James.
237
Russell. Frank G. 158
Carter, Timothy .J.
153
Rolfe, John . . 256
Elliot, John F.
242
Rolfe, John
257
Elliot, Maria Danforth. 243
Ricker Janette B.
258
Farmmin, James HI 250
Small, Freeman E. 158
Farnumn, George
251
Snow, Benjamin P 258
Fuller, Simeon 237
Virgin Peter C. 151
Gould. Daniel. 148
Virgin, William W 155
Hall, Samuel R. 147
Walker, Timothy 259
Hutchins. Sullivan R 213
Walker. Charles .. 260
Howe, John's sons. 235
Wardwell, Joseph. 261
Keyes, Francis .. 251
Wardwell, Joseph HI
232
Kimball, William K 153
Wheeler, William 236
Kimball, Moses F. 252
Wood John R. 262
Kimball, Porter 253
Rolfe, Enoch C. 256
Elliot, Rev. John
149
Rumford Upper Fall
xiii
HISTORY OF RUMFORD.
PATRONS.
The following persons became patrons of this work by the pay- ment of the sums set against their respective names :
John M. Adams, Portland. $50 00
Charles H. Kimball, New York 50 00
Wm. W. Kimball, Chicago 50 00
Charles Walker, Lewiston 50 00 Wm. Wirt Virgin, Portland. 20 00
James M. Kimball, Portland. 20 00
Henry F. Bianchard, Augusta
10 00
Wm. W. Bolster, Auburn 10 00
John A. Rolfe, Boston 10 00
Charles A. Kimball, Rumford. 10 00
Waldo Pettingill, Rumford. 10 00
Chaplin Virgin, Rumford. 5 00
Augustus H. Adams, Haverhill, Mass 10 00
SUBSCRIBER'S NAMES.
RUMFORD SUBSCRIBERS.
C. B. Abbot. 2 T. H. Burgess 1 .
Chandler Abbot.
1
A. P. Beattie .
1
Charles H. Abbot. 1
S. S. Blodgett 1
Samuel V. Abbot. 1
Mrs. Ella S. Brown. 1 Edwin Abbot. 1
Mrs. Hannah Childs 1 Henry M. Abbot.
Amos S. Austin
1
Hiram F. Abbot. 1
Royal A. Clement.
1
J. H. Barker 1
Mrs. Ella E. Dolley . 1
R. H. Bixby R. C. Dolloff I 1 F. S. Delano 1 A. L. Bixby 1
1
Wm. M. Blanchard. 1 Cotton Elliot. .. J. A. Bartlett. 1 G. F. Elliot . . .
..
1
1
T. D. Colby . . .. 2
Henry M. Colby 1
xiv
HISTORY OF RUMFORD.
C. M. Elliot, 1
Wm. Martin
1
Wmn. Elliot
1 Jas. S. Morse 3
C. P. Eaton . 1
Fred A. Porter. 1
Mrs Mary W. Farrar. 1 Waldo Pettingill 2
Mrs. Hannah Farnum 1
Benj. P. Putnam 1
D. G. Farnum .. 1
F. P. Putnamı.
1
Wm. H. Farnum 1
Wm. Phinney.
I
Livingston Glover 1
James F. Putnam.
1
Lewis L. Glover.
1
D. F. and J. P. Roberts.
1
J. C. Graham. 1
Mrs. C. F. Richardson.
1
Alvin G. Goddard 1
M. L. Rowe ...
1
Mrs. Sarah Godwin 1
Mrs. Sally E. Richardson
1
Otis Howe ..
1
J. C. Small 1
Otis Howe, 2d
1
J. E. Stevens 1
J. Il. Howe. .
I
G. T. Silver 1
Miss Catherine S. Howe. 1
W. R. Swain. 1
I. T. Howe. 1
Charles L. Simpson 1
1
P. C. Howard
1
Wm. F. Stevens.
1
Mrs. Mabel Hardy.
1
Y. A. Thurston 1
George Hoyt. I
John Thompson . . 1
A. J. Knight. 1
Miss S. A. Thompson. 1
Mrs. Fanny Kennison.
1
C. P. Thomas.
1
M. F. Knight.
1
G. C. Twombly
1
Chas. A. Kimball 1
G. T. Thurston 1
Asa Kimball. 1
W. W. Virgin
1
D. L. Kimball. 1
Chaplin Virgin 1
Merrit N. Lufkin 1
B. B. Wyman .. 1
John Martin 1
W. A. Wyman . 1
C. K. Martin.
1
Mrs. Luna Walker 1 .
S. L. Moody. 1
Miss Cynthia Walker .
2
J. H. Martin
1
OTHER SUBSCRIBERS.
Adams, John M., Portland .
Adams, A. H., Haverhill, Mass. 1
Bolster, William W., Auburn. 1
Brown, John M., Portland.
1 Blanchard. H. F., Augusta. 2
Bisbee, George D., Buckfield. 1 . Chisholm, Hugh J., Portland. 2
Cushman, Samuel D., Dexter. 1
Dwinel Lester, Bangor.
·
Farnum, William F., Lawrence, Mass.
1
Haines, John. Waltham, Mass 1
Kimball, Charles H., New York. 1
Kimball, William W., Chicago 1
1
Library, Maine State. Augusta.
1
Library, M. & M., Lewiston.
I
Library, Portland Public, Portland
1 1
Library, Maine Historical, Portland
McClurg, A. C. & Co., Chicago.
1
Putnam, G. P. Sons, New York.
1
Peabody. Frank D., Lancaster, N. H 1
2
Gallison, JJefferson C., Franklin, Mass.
1
Lufkin, Randall, Concord, N. II.
Library, Lithgow, Augusta.
Elliot, J. F., Hyde Park. Mass
J. H. Wardwell 1
A. B. Lovejoy 1
D. E. Simpson .
John Howe .. 2
XV
HISTORY OF RUMFORD.
Putnam, John F., Lewiston.
1
Parker, Mrs. Hannalı, Brooklyn, N. Y. .
2 Rolfe, John A .. Boston ... . 5 Ricker, E. P., South Poland 2 · Rolfe, Lucina, Milton Plantation. ·
1
Richardson, Dr. G. G., Dixfield. 1
Segar, Jarvis M., Lowell, Mass 1
Virgin, William W., Portland.
1 Walker, Charles, Lewiston.
· 2 Walton, Charles W., Deering .. 1 .
Wood, John R., Brooklyn. N. Y
4
ERRATA.
No doubt errors will be found in this book of which the compiler has no knowledge, and after the work is completed, he does not care to know. A few errors which might be misleading are here corrected, while mere typo- graphical mistakes where the meaning is obvious, are not.
Page 64, line 19 from bottom, for Jackson Graham, read Joshua.
" 86, line 6 from bottom, for George K. Martin, read Jonathan K.
" 117, line 15 from bottom, for Glenis, read Glines.
" 188, second paragraph, for Simeon, read Simon.
" 289, top line, for father, read brother.
" 361, bottom line, for 1782, read 1882.
History of Rumford.
CHAPTER I.
HE town of Rumford is situated in north latitude forty-four degrees and thirty minutes, and in longitude west from Greenwich, seventy degrees and forty minutes. The lines as de- scribed above, cross each other near the center of the town.
It is situated near the center of the county of Oxford, is about twenty miles north-north-west from Paris, the shire town of the county, and about seventy miles from Portland, the nearest sea- port.
Its adjoining towns at the present time (1890) are Andover, Rox- bury, Mexico, Peru, Franklin Plantation, Milton Plantation, Han- over, Bethel and Newry.
The town was run out seven miles and forty rods square. Its easterly and westerly lines were run eighteen and one-half degrees west of north, and its northerly and southerly lines seventy-one and one-half degrees east of north. On account of the variation of the magnetic needle, these points do not exactly correspond with the lines at the present time. A small allowance must be made in tracing the old lines.
The Androscoggin river flows through the town from west to east. The Ellis river enters the town from Andover, and, flowing southerly, empties into the Androscoggin river near Rumford Point. Swift river forms the dividing line between Rumford and Mexico.
White Cap and Black Mountain are situated in the north part of the town, and Glass Face between Rumford Point and the Center. Hemmingway mountain is in the extreme south part of the town, and there are several other minor mountains in town which have no specific names. Three of these are below the Center, and north of the road leading from the Center to East Rumford.
Concord river, in ordinary low water, is nothing more than a
2
HISTORY OF RUMFORD.
brook. It rises in Woodstock and Milton Plantation, and flows northwardly into the Androscoggin at the bend of the river near the junction of the Rumford and Paris with the South river roads. It forms the water power for Abbot's Mills, and in spring and fall carries a large body of water. The South river road crosses it near where it debouches into the great Androscoggin. Split brook flows into the Androscoggin at Rumford Center, and furnished the power for early mills. Several small brooks flow into Ellis river, some from the easterly and some from the westerly side. Some of these have supplied the power for small mills. Pleasure brook flows from White Cap and empties into Ellis river, and below this is Meadow brook flowing into the same. There are also brooks rising in the vicinity of Black Mountain and flowing into Swift river.
The town of Rumford is much broken into hills and mountains. Along the borders of the principal rivers are belts of interval more or less broad, very fertile and productive. There are also some good upland farms, and the hill-sides furnish excellent pasturage. The north-eastern part of the town is of but little valne for purposes of husbandry.
The inhabitants of Rumford are engaged mostly in agriculture. There are no large manufacturing establishments in town, although the great falls afford an unlimited water power. There are a few small stores in different parts of the town which supply the local demands, but no important centers of trade or business. The farmers generally are thrifty and prosperous. There are small lumber mills in the north part of the town, at the Center, on Con- cord river, and at the Falls, sufficient to supply the local demand.
The soil of Rumford is generally granitic. The intervals are composed of alluvium, and their richness is frequently renewed by spring freshets. The uplands are a gravelly loam, and are more or less fertile according to the amount of vegetable matter they con- tain.
The geology of Rumford is much the same as that of other towns in central and northern Oxford county. The mountains are mostly made up of coarse granite or gneiss, and cobble knolls and ridges show evidence of ancient glacial action. Dr. Jackson, in the re- port of his geological survey of Maine, made in 1837, speaks of good granite at Holmes' brook and Peavy's mountain in Rumford, and also of granite and limestone at the Falls ; also of limestone at the Point. He also speaks of finding mica, slate, feldspar, sahlite,
3
HISTORY OF RUMFORD.
lead ore and plumbago in this town. He also describes the Paint Mine referred to elsewhere by Rev. Daniel Gould. Dr. Jackson says :
"The locality in question is upon the estate of Mr. Samuel Luf- kin. It is on a hill-side, where a mineral spring, issuing from the rocks, has deposited a conical heap of the red ochreous red oxide of iron, amid a clump of trees. The paint is capable of being wrought advantageously for the manufacture of red ochre, since the quantity is large, and it is constantly forming by gradual de- position from the water of the spring. It may be rendered of a very bright red, simply by the process of roasting it, and then it may be rendered fine by levigation with water, or by sifting. I found a bed of bog iron ore collected in the lowlands around, whose length was four hundred and fifty feet, breadth ninety feet, and depth two feet, enough to supply a small blast furnace for ten years, and to yield about two thousand tons of iron. It will yield fifty per centum of iron and will smelt easily, making good cast iron."
Dr. Jackson adds : "Rumford is a picturesque spot, surrounded by rugged granite mountains, among which the beautiful Andros- coggin winds its devious way." Speaking of the Great Falls he says : "Rumford Falls are produced by the bounding waters of the great Androscoggin, as they sportively leap over abrupt and craggy ledges of granite rocks, and dash their spray high in the air. There are at present three or four waterfalls where anciently there must have been others of greater magnitude, for deep holes are seen worn high up the rocky banks where the waters never ran in modern times. On a point just below the falls, there is a bed of granular limestone. It is coarse and of the crystaline variety of carbonate of lime, containing scattered green crystals of actynolite and pargasite, in small grains and fibres. Some of the beds are of ten feet in thickness. I should estimate the quantity of lime that may be made here at one hundred thousands casks, and it is easy to quarry and burn. In order to bring it to land, it will be needful to make an inclined plane of timber, like those used in saw mills, and the machinery of the saw mill immediately above, will drag the rock to the bank where it is to be burned."
The flora of Rumford presents no peculiarities. White pine was quite abundant here when the first settlers came. There was also abundance of spruce, hemlock and fir. Of the hard woods, yellow
4
HISTORY OF RUMFORD.
birch, beech and the rock maple were the principal varieties. Elms were found on the rivers, cedars in the swamps, and an occasional bass-wood in the forest. Poplar and white birch have come up in some localities as a second growth. The native plants are the same as those found in most other localities in this latitude, and the exotics, many of them in the shape of weeds, are as numerous and troublesome as elsewhere. The "Wake Robin," both white and purple, is seen on the margin of woodland streams in early spring, the purple Rhodora in the lowlands and blue and white violets on the sunny slopes, and these are followed by the long train of native flowering plants which bloom in their season.
The black bear was found here by the early settlers, and has in- fested the mountainous region to the northward, ever since. He frequently raids the sheep-pastures, and corn planted on new land, back from the settlements, sometimes suffers more or less from his ravages. Coons were common when the township was first settled, but have mostly disappeared. Sables were successfully hunted for their skins, and loupcerviers were often seen in the forest. The deer and moose were no strangers to the early settlers, and sup- plied the larder with excellent food. The smaller animals were the wily fox, the timid mink, the prickly hedgehog, the odoriferons skunk, the hibernating woodchuck, and several varieties of the agile squirrel family. The early settlers were sometimes startled in the night-time, by the blood-curdling cry of the American pan- ther, called by them, the "Indian Devil," but no encounters with them, by Rumford pioneers, are on record. One of them once fol- lowed a Paris man, who had been to New Pennacook after seed potatoes, to his home on the bank of the Little Androscoggin. He entered his house, and had just time to close the door and bar it, when the infuriated and disappointed animal came against it. But the door was stoutly made and resisted his attacks, and after hang- ing around awhile, he uttered a fearful cry and plunged into the forest. This man had stopped at an old camp near North Wood- stock, intending to spend the night there, but, after it became dark, he was startled by the cry of a panther not far away, and knowing that the old shanty would afford no protection, he shouldered his bag and started for home by the narrow path through the woods. The animal followed him but seemed in no haste to seize him, evi- dently supposing him to be his own, and that he could take him when he pleased. Macomber, for that was his name, when the
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