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Gc 974.102 Un3t
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01091 8628
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https://archive.org/details/historyofunityma00tabe_0
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JAMES R. TABER, Historian
C
HISTORY OF UNITY, MAINE
By James R. Taber
He 974.102 UN 3t
MAINE FARMER PRESS, AUGUSTA
1 916
To
THOSE MEN AND WOMEN OF UNITY WHO HAVE LOYALLY GIVEN THEIR SUBSTANCE AND THEIR SERVICES TO THE BETTERMENT OF THEIR TOWN THIS SMALL VOLUME IS DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR
1232333
To the Reader:
You may ask why I write these his- torical notes of Unity. I will answer that inquiry briefly. First, I have been asked to do so by many of my townsmen, interested like myself in the records of the past; second, research into historical matters has always afforded me great enjoyment. For many years I have been in the habit of noting everything of an historical nature relating to Unity or her people, with the hope that at some time I might gather my notes into some useful form for my fellow citizens, which I have now attempted to do. My great regret is that I had not commenced before those who were con- versant with the town's early history had passed away.
To the casual observer, the collecting of these brief notes may seem a simple task, but I find that all those who have undertaken a similar work tell a different story. It is evident that but little care was given our early records, as we find them in bad condition, many entirely missing. I have spent much time in looking over what we have, and in searching the records of Massachusetts prior to 1820. It has been difficult to trace the ownership of the different farms back to their first owners. Often there have been conflicting state- ments, which has rendered it impossible to give a correct version. I wish to say that if errors or omis- sions occur, the absence of the requisite information must be my apology. I intend to leave blank pages at the back of the book, where any error may be re- corded for the benefit of the future historian.
To the "Brief History of Unity," published in 1892 by our worthy townsman, the late Edmund Murch, I am indebted for many notes of interest. I wish also to thank the many friends who have assisted me in compiling these statistics and to express at this time to the citizens of Unity my appreciation of the loyal support they have given me during the many years that I have lived and worked among them.
JAMES R. TABER.
History of Unity, Maine
The town of Unity, Waldo County, Maine, is situ- ated twenty-five miles northwest of Belfast, on the Belfast branch of the Maine Central Railroad. The town was a part of the Plymouth Grant. It was in- corporated June 22, 1804, the one hundred fifty-third town, and was called Unity because of "Unison in Political Sentiment." The boundaries are as follows : Beginning at the northerly corner of the Waldo Patent, thence running westerly on the fourthly line of town- ship number four, one hundred and sixty rods; thence west northwest five miles; thence four-fourths west six miles; thence east fourth east to the Waldo Patent line thence on said line to the first mentioned bounds, containing about 21,000 acres. [Taken from the Massachusetts records.]
Population in 1799- 264. Population in 1850-1557.
Population in 1860-1320.
Population in 1870-1201.
Population in 1880-1092.
Population in 1890- 922. Population in 1900- 877. Population in 1910- 899.
EARLY SETTLERS
The town was first settled by two men by the names of Carter and Ware. According to Surveyor Hayden, it was then called "Twenty-five Mile Pond Plantation," it being that distance from the junction of the Sebasti- cook and Kennebec rivers, known as Fort Halifax, to the twenty-five mile pond, now called Lake Winnecook.
This was before the French and Indian war com- menced. When hostilities broke out, the settlers were
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History of Unity, Maine
obliged to flee for fear of the Indians, moving their families to the fort at Winslow. After the close of the war, Thaddeus Carter returned, and with him a man by the name of Philbrook. They settled upon land now owned by Clarence Brown on the west side of Sandy Stream, near the Outlet Bridge. Mr. Carter had two sons, Bunker and Joseph. One of the Carter girls married Samuel Philbrook.
In 1782, Stephen Chase came from Durham, Maine, and settled on the shore of the pond. His wife's name before marriage was Hannah Blethen. She was from Durham, Maine. They belonged to the Society of Friends. The ruins of the old cellar may be plainly seen today on the farm now owned by F. A. Whitten. Mr. Chase built the first frame house in Unity. He died at the age of eighty years. Mrs. Chase was one hundred and six years old at the time of her death. Their resting place is marked by a Welsh slate tablet in the Chase lot in Lakeside Cemetery.
A few years after Mr. Chase's settlement, we find in Hayden's field notes this note: "Upon the stream leading from Unity pond to the Sebasticook river, I found a man by the name of Mitchell building a mill on what I called a very good privilege."
In 1788, Mr. Henry Farwell moved from Chester, N. H., and settled on the farm afterward owned by a Mr. Ordway, later by Jacob Truworthy, opposite Mr. Frank Mussey's. He then moved to the farm later owned by the late Hon. Joseph Farwell, where he and a Mr. Pettie built a grist mill, and the place became known as Farwell's Mills.
In 1792, Mr. Clement Rackliff moved from Liming- ton, Maine. He came with an ox-team and cleared the farm afterward owned by William Taber, Elisha Mosher, E. A. Hussey and Duncan Jones.
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History of Unity, Maine
In 1792, Aaron Kelley came from Boothbay to Unity. He was a Revolutionary soldier, having served under General Wadsworth. He walked through the forest with his family and chose his place of settle- ment about two and one-half miles south of where the village now is, on the Bangor and Augusta road, at the southeast corner, where the Belfast road crosses, where he built a log house and planted an orchard. His wife was Mary Canady, and they had the following five children : Mary, married Cummings and lived in Jonesport; Jane, never married ; Hannah, married John Smith and lived in Knox; Eleazar, went to sea and never returned; and Samuel lived in Unity. Samuel, the youngest son, was born in Boothbay, and was twelve years of age when the family came to Unity. In the war of 1812, he served with the Unity quota. He succeeded his father in title to the land and built a fine stand of buildings, with two large barns and a lumber camp, where he made oars for the United States navy. He married Sarah Vickery, daughter of David Vickery, also a Revolutionary soldier, and they had twelve children.
In 1794, Mr. Simeon Murch came from Gorham, Maine. He and his wife came over one hundred miles on horseback and settled the place now owned by Eph- raim Jones.
In 1795, Mr. John Melvin came from Manchester, N. H., and settled the place now owned by J. Arthur Thompson. Mr. James Packard lived just east of Mr. Thompson's, at the corner where the road leads to the Clifford place. This road was laid out by the town, two rods wide.
In 1796, Mr. Joseph Woods came from Standish, Maine, and settled on the farm sold by Wesley F. Woods to William Walton. Joseph Woods died at the
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History of Unity, Maine
age of 93, his wife at 89. They lived together for 73 years.
In 1800, Mr. John Perley moved from Winchenden, Mass., and cleared the farm now owned by William Taber Stevens. He then bought from Charles Bick- more the farm now owned by Roscoe J. Perley.
In 1802, Mr. William McGray moved from Durham, Maine, and settled the farm now owned by George Webb. His last days were passed on the farm of his son, William, now owned by Harry Waning. He died at the age of 84 years.
In 1802, three brothers, Frederick, John and Na- thaniel Stevens, came from Gorham, Maine, and cleared the place owned by the late Chandler Stevens, now owned by Frank L. Chase, and the land north to the Bacon brook.
In 1803, Mark Libby came from Gorham, Maine, and settled on what is called the McKenny place, now owned by A. J. Harding, but moved to the place now owned by his grandson, Mr. Nathan P. Libby. He died at the age of 84.
In 1807, Mr. Robert Carll came from Lyman, Maine. At this time Mr. Carll said there were but two frame houses in Unity.
In 1810, Mr. Richard Cornforth came from Read- field, Maine. He settled at Farwell's Mills, on the farm now owned by the heirs of the late Otis Cornforth.
In 1842, Mr. Nathaniel Rice came from Hartford, Maine. His house stood just west of the residence of Mrs. Chas. Taylor. It was moved from there onto the Waterville road, and is now owned by Walter Bacon.
Mr. David Vickery came from Standish, Maine, and cleared the farm of the late Edwin Rand. He mar- ried Lydia Bartlett. They had a family of eight sons and three daughters.
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History of Unity, Maine
Rufus Burnham, M. D., came from Scarborough, Maine. He lived at first with the family of John Chase, in the brick house near the station. Afterward he built and lived in the main part of the house where J. R. Taber now lives.
Gibbs Tilton came from Chillmark, Martha's Vine- yard, Mass., and lived where S. A. Myrick now lives.
Ephraim Hunt came from Gorham, Maine, and set- tled where James O. Pillsbury now lives.
Isaac Myrick came from Gorham, Maine, and set- tled the F. H. Hunt place. He also owned what is now known as Windemere Park.
Col. James Connor came from Gardiner, Maine, and settled on the place now owned by his grandchil- dren. He married Mary Whitmore, daughter of Dan- iel Whitmore.
Archelaus Hunt came from Gorham, Maine, and settled near the E. T. Reynolds place. His father was a Revolutionary soldier and fought at Bunker Hill.
Daniel Whitmore came from Gorham, Maine.
Alexander Boothby, M. D., was born in Limington, Maine. He married Eliza A. Grant and lived on the place now owned by Miss Ruth Berry.
Chandler Hopkins came from Standish, Maine, and settled where George Murch now lives.
Amos Jones came from Lunenburg, Mass., and set- tled the farm now owned by Seth W. Mills.
Frederick Stevens was born in Gorham, Maine, in 1779, was elected to the General Court, Boston, Mass., in 1809, and died in Unity, Maine, June, 1839, aged 62 years.
This is the record of the early settlers of our town, and here for the most part the record ceases, but with our mind's eye we can see these men, the pioneers of
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History of Unity, Maine
our town, strong, brave, sturdy men with brain and brawn and a sense of power and mastery over nature almost unknown now, in the pampered civilization of the present. These forefathers of ours here on the edge of our lake and on the banks of our stream toiled to fill the primitive needs of man. With an indomit- able belief in their power to conquer, they fought with wind and snow and merciless cold. They felled trees for fire and shelter; they made the waters yield their toll of food; they dug the soil and built mills to grind their corn. Later they sought places for a real settle- ment, cleared the land, built roads, bridged streams, and put up their homes. They laid the foundation for our modern civilization ; they made our way easy. We should honor them when we can with a thought of gratitude.
An account of life in those early days, interesting in the extreme, has been put into my hands by Mr. Reuben Murch. Mr. Murch, son of Josiah Murch, was born on the farm now owned by E. M. Jones, and spent his early manhood in this town.
MR. MURCH'S NOTES
Hampden Cor., Mar. 2, 1909.
My Dear Mr. Taber:
I send you today some facts and incidents relative to the early settlers of Unity. They are at your dis- posal. You may use them as you choose, alter, elim- inate or add to them to suit your pleasure. I have written them in a hurried, offhand manner, without time to review and make alterations.
Sincerely your friend,
R. W. MURCH.
At the time my grandfather, Simeon Murch, moved into Unity, the country was an unbroken forest east
q
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History of Unity, Maine
of Augusta, so that people were guided by blazed lines (spotted trees). The method of moving was unique, but neither comfortable nor convenient. As there was no road, the only means of travel at hand was on horse- back. A strong bedtick was fixed astride the horse's back, and the furniture was packed on each side. The load was completed by putting father, then one year and a half old, on one side, and an older sister on the other to balance. Thus they moved from Gorham to what is now the town of Unity, grandfather walking on one side of the horse and grandmother on the other.
Upon arriving at their destination, they found a small opening and a log house which grandfather had provided the year before. Here they began life in the wilderness. There were no stores, no shops of any description, no mills, nor any of the conveniences of modern times. They had not to wait long for food, for beans, potatoes and other vegetables could be used as soon as grown, but corn before it could be used had to be converted into meal, and there being no mill nearer than Winslow, it had to be carried through the woods, by spotted trees, to that town, to be ground. A number of neighbors would go together, each taking a bushel of corn on his shoulders. They travelled a distance of eighteen miles to the mill. They stayed in the mill all night and returned the next day with the meal, less what two quarts would make, which the miller took for toll.
Game was plentiful, the streams and brooks abound- ed with fish, so that all they had to do was to go to the stream with hook and line and in a few moments they could catch all they needed for their present use. In those early times, shad and herring came up the outlet to the "twenty-five mile pond." After the Sinclair dam was built, I have heard my father say that one
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History of Unity, Maine
could stand on the shore, and, with a sieve, dip up a year's supply of herring in a few moments.
In the clearing of the land in those days, there was a great deal of hard work to be done, which required a number of men, such as rolling large logs together to be burned. In such cases the neighbors used to assist each other by changing work.
One day while a party were at work piling logs, they heard a loud and prolonged squealing. It was evident that there was trouble among the hogs, so they started for the point from which the noise came, and saw a bear carrying off a hog. They gave chase and got so close upon the bear that he dropped the hog, made for the woods and escaped. They saved the hog, but it was so mutilated it had to be killed.
The first carriage that passed through Unity was a queer contrivance. It consisted of two spruce poles fastened together at a convenient distance apart. It was drawn by a bull fastened between the small ends of the poles, the large ends dragging on the ground. On these poles was fastened a large box suitable for what was to be transported. This was an improve- ment on the horseback method. This car was driven -
by Thomas Fowler.
We have but little conception of the struggles and hardships the pioneers had to endure. They could not, as now, go into a store and purchase clothing and foot- wear. In fact, these things were all home-made, ex- cept boots and shoes. One pair of the latter had to do service for a number of people. My father told me that at one time there was only one pair of shoes in the neighborhood. Children had to go barefoot the year around, except for the covering the mother could furnish by knitting and old clothes.
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History of Unity, Maine
Nowadays every family has its supply of wood on hand; then it was supplied from day to day, as needed. Trees were twitched to the dooryard when not too large, but large trees were hauled in sections and cut for use from day to day. In winter it was sometimes pretty cold for boys who had no shoes to protect their feet from the snow while preparing wood for the fire- place. In order to avoid standing barefoot on the snow, a large chip was heated and carried out to stand upon until it became cold, when it was reheated. This method was adopted only in cases of emergency.
The following is from Bunker Carter, who told me the story many years ago. He said the first men who ever came to what is now Unity to make a settlement were Mr. Carter and Mr. Ware. They came up the outlet of the pond and landed on the "horseback," did a little work and went back. But the following year, Mr. Carter and another man, a Mr. Philbrook, came back and made a settlement in the vicinity of the "horseback," but I have forgotten the exact locality.
What I have written of the hardships of my fore- fathers is just a type of the struggle of all the pioneers of the town. Notwithstanding their hardships, they were a contented people. The sun shone on their little clearings as warmly and as brightly as it ever did on the larger clearings of the wealthy, and the birds sang as sweetly as ever they did in the parks of the nobles. They looked out on the growing crops covering the charcoal stumps of the clearings, with thanksgiving to God for what they enjoyed and for the bright prospects before them in the results of their promising crops. They were happy, happier, I sometimes think, than the people who now cultivate the large open fields of the lands our forefathers struggled so hard to clear.
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History of Unity, Maine
EARLY HAPPENINGS
In our next glimpse of the town, the early settlers, having overcome the rigors of a new land and cleared for themselves sufficient farmlands, are turning their attention to civic duties. Below is an account of the first meetings of the town's citizens.
FIRST PLANTATION MEETING
To DANIEL WHITMORE, one of the inhabitants of Twenty-five Mile Pond Plantation (so-called),
GREETING :
Whereas, application has been made to me, the sub- scriber, by Stephen Chase and ten other inhabitants of said Plantation, requesting that a meeting of the inhabitants may be held for choosing such officers as the law directs.
These are, therefore, in the name of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts, to wit, required to notify and warn a meeting of the inhabitants of said Plantation qualified to vote in Plantation meetings to assemble at the dwelling house of Lemuel Bartlett of said Planta- tion, on Tuesday, the third day of August, 1802, at two o'clock afternoon, then and there to choose a mod- erator for said meeting. Secondly, to choose a clerk, three selectmen, three assessors, a collector, a treas- urer, and such other officers as may be deemed neces- sary. Hereof, fail not and make returns of this war- rant and your doings herein unto Benj. Bartlett, on or before the time of said meeting.
Given under my hand and seal at Augusta, Maine, in the County of Kennebec and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, this thirtieth (30) of July, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and two.
DANIEL CONEY,
Justice of the Peace through the Commonwealth.
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History of Unity, Maine
The following officers were chosen :
Joseph Carter, moderator.
Abner Knowles, clerk.
Lemuel Bartlett, John Perley, Nathan Parkhurst, selectmen and overseers of the poor.
Daniel Whitmore, Frederick Stevens, Benj. Bart- lett, assessors.
Benj. Bartlett, treasurer.
Benj. Rackliff, constable.
Isaac Mitchell, collector-at seven cents on the dollar.
At this meeting it was voted to raise "one hundred dollars to defray necessary charges for the past year and the present, which have or may accrue in the Plantation."
The first town meeting was held at the dwelling house of Benj. Rackliff, which was at that time called a tavern. It was situated west of the house now owned by D. E. Loveland, and directly south of the place owned by Mr. Rackliff's son, Hosea B. Rackliff, who sold the farm to the town for a poor farm.
THE SETTLEMENT
Although, as we have seen, the earliest settlements were made near the pond and stream, it was not this section of the town which was first built up. The next settlers pressed on to the south part of the town and occupied the land extending from the George Varney farm, known then as the Benj. Bartlett place, to C. R. Jones' corner, known as the John Rackliff place. This was called "The Settlement." Here the store, the school, the church sprang up, and one by one, as neces- sity demanded, the smaller industries. Here for twen- ty-five years nearly all the business of the town was transacted.
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History of Unity, Maine
The first schoolhouse in town was built in these early days about five rods north of the building now known as the Cook Creamery; the second one in this district was built about ten rods south of this creamery. This is where the writer first went to school. The building mentioned as the Cook Creamery was also built for a schoolhouse by Edmund Mussey. Nelson Dingley, Jr., father of the Dingley Tariff Bill, was at one time a teacher there.
The Friends' Church was built in 1827 by Benj. R. Stevens and Clement Rackliff on land purchased from Asa Jones. It has been remodeled and the entrance changed to the east end. Between the church and the large maple tree, still standing, which was planted when the church was built, Uncle John Chase, always, each Wednesday and Sunday, hitched his horse. After his death, Elias Jones used the same place.
The first town house was built by James Gilkey just across the road, a little south of George Murch's house. On April 8, 1874, it was sold by auction to Thomas B. Cook for thirty-four dollars. Following its sale, the town meeting was held in George Clark's barn (on the S. P. Larrabee place). It was voted to locate the new town house on land purchased from James B. Vickery on the west side of the road, opposite J. J. Varney's house. The vote was taken by forming a line in the road, ninety-one in favor, seventy-one against.
Mr. Reuben Brackett lived where Chas. S. Cook now lives, and there manufactured clocks and oilcloth carpets. It was here that the noted painter, Walter M. Brackett, was born.
The first store in town was where George Murch now lives. It was owned by Chandler Hopkins, who came from Standish, Maine. His ancestors came over
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History of Unity, Maine
in the Mayflower. His partner in business was John Rackliff.
Joseph Ames lived on the Alonzo Bacon place and made hand rakes. Robert Jackson lived there at one time and was town clerk.
Doctor Abner Knowles lived east of the Bacon place, nearly opposite the watering trough. He was town clerk for twenty-six years, from 1803 to 1829.
THE VILLAGE
About 1810, people began to settle in what was then called "Antioch," now the village. Mr. Stephen Chase, as I have said before, built the first framed house, also the first framed barn. The second was built on the farm of the Hon. Crosby Fowler.
The brick house on the Chase place, now owned by F. A. Whitten, was built by Stephen Chase's son, Judge Hezekiah Chase, in 1826. The brick was made by Levi Bacon.
A little later the brick house in front of the church was built by Lemuel Bartlett. It was long owned by the late Benj. Fogg and is now in the possession of Mrs. J. W. Harmon. The carpenter was a Mr. Berry from Rockland.
Rufus Burnham, M. D., in 1827 built the main house where James R. Taber now lives.
Elijah Winslow built the house now owned by J. A. Adams in 1842. Henry Kelley did the masonry.
I have no data concerning the building of the other older houses.
SCHOOLHOUSES
The first schoolhouse in the village was built be- yond Chas. J. Bartlett's barn, toward the cemetery. It was later moved near the Chas. E. Stevens place,
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History of Unity, Maine
thence by Gorham Hamilton to the Damon place, thence across the street to the land of the late Benj. Fogg. It passed through several hands and was later bought by H. H. Grant and torn down.
This building was followed by a white schoolhouse, upon land purchased from Daniel Whitmore. That was burned and a brick one was erected upon the same lot. This in time was also consumed by fire. A two- story building was built upon the same site. This was afterward sold to Eli E. York, who later sold it to the Masonic Fraternity, Star in the West Lodge, No. 85. It has been enlarged and remodeled into the present fine hall.
In 1898 the town purchased one acre of land from James R. Taber for $125.00 and built the present school building. The basement was built by Mr. Jo- seph Brown of Benton Station, costing $428.92. The house was built by Joseph Sawyer of Fairfield at a cost of $2195.00. The building committee consisted of J. R. Taber, L. H. Mosher and N. C. Knight, the plan being drawn by J. R. Taber.
In the sixties there were thirteen schoolhouses in town, to wit:
1. District number one building, where the Cook Creamery stands.
2. Village building.
3. Mill district building. School now discon- tinued, and the scholars conveyed to the village.
4. Schoolhouse in the Parkhurst district, which was torn down.
5. Building in the Fowler district, which was burned. The two districts were then consolidated and a new house built. The house and lot cost $420.50. The builder was Edgar Harding.
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