USA > Maine > Androscoggin County > Leeds > History of the town of Leeds, Androscoggin County, Maine, from its settlement June 10, 1780 > Part 1
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Gc 974.102 L51s 1169862
M. L.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01092 2620
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2014
https://archive.org/details/historyoftownofl00stin_0
THE INDIAN CARRY.
HISTORY
OF THE
TOWN OF LEEDS,
ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY
MAINE
FROM ITS SETTLEMENT
JUNE 10, 1780 -
-1805-1901
BY
J. C. STINCHFIELD, ET ALS.
PRESS OF LEWISTON JOURNAL COMPANY.
Cannes- 17.50
CONTENTS
1169862 PAGE
CHAPTER.
Preface.
I. Name-Location-Natural Features, etc,. I
Petition and Act of Incorporation 6
II. The Aborigines.
9
III. Early Settlers and Their Families.
17
Stinchfield Family 17
Millett Family 4I
Lane Family. 50
Francis Family 55
Bishop Family
63 69
Lothrop Family
74
Gilbert Family.
79
Turner Family
Foss Family.
107
George Family . 109
Sylvester Family II2
Fish Family. 115
Cushman Family II7
Lindsey Family 124
Knapp Family. I33
Foster Family. 140
Brewster Family 147
Gould Family . 150
Pettingill Family I53
Curtis Family I57
Otis Family. 162
Caswell Family I66
Howe Family I68
Wing Family 169
Additon Family . 172
Leadbetter Family
Jennings Family 84 89
iv
HISTORY OF LEEDS
CHAPTER
PAGE
Howard Family 175
Deane Family . 196
Mitchell Family
Herrick Family . 198
199
Boothby Family 205
Ramsdell Family. 218
Parcher Family 220
Bates Family. 22I
Merrill Family. 222
Hanscom Family
224
Leadbetter, Horace. 226
True Family. 227
Gordon Family. 229
Other Families. 23I
IV. Heads of Families in the Early Part of the 19th Century. 244
V. First Mills and Other Industries 248
VI. A Condensed Review of the History of the Baptist Churches in Leeds from about A. D. 1800 to I90I 25I
VII. History of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Leeds. 254
VIII. Universalist Church. 257
IX. Churches 261
X. Schools of Leeds. 263
XI. Professional Men.
269
XII. Excerpts from Town Records 27I
XIII. List of Leeds Town Officers
275
XV. Mail Routes-Post-Offices-Postmasters 297
XVI. Ladies' Aid Society 300
XVII.
Secret Societies.
302
XVIII. Androscoggin Railroad 306
XIX.
Gleanings.
3II
XX. Marriage Intentions with Date of Certificate 323
XXI. Genealogy
362
XIV. Military Record of Leeds. 285
ILLUSTRATIONS
The Indian Carry Frontispiece Opposite page I7
John Clark Stinchfield.
66
37
Francis Davis Millett.
49
Rev. Thomas Davis Francis
55
George T. Bishop.
66
67
Solomon Lothrop and Wife.
66
71
Hon. Davis Francis Lothrop and Mrs. D. F. Lothrop.
66
73
Col. W. L. Lothrop
61
73
John Turner, M.D.
87
Benjamin Turner
88
Rev. Walter Foss
100
G. W. Foss.
66
I04
Laura M. Sylvester
II5
Stephen Knapp.
66
I38
Hannah L. Pollard.
66
I39
Henry M. Brewster
148
Elisha D. Gould.
66
15I
W. E. Gould, M.D.
152
Samuel Pettengill.
I55
Isaiah B. Additon.
172
Fred L. Additon
66
173
E. E. Additon.
66
174
Stillman L. Howard, Esq
177
Hon. Seth Howard.
66
180
Mrs. Seth Howard.
66
I80
Major-General Oliver Otis Howard.
182
Rev. Rowland Bailey Howard.
66
187
Brevet Brigadier-General Charles H. Howard.
66
189
Elder Luther Loomis Howard.
192
Otis Hill Monument.
195
66
I37
Charles Knapp.
66
Hon. Samuel B. Stanchfield.
vi
HISTORY OF LEEDS
Coat of Arms
.Opposite page 197
Major Israel Herrick
203
Frank H. Herrick.
204
Lucy M. Herrick.
66
204
Rev. Samuel Boothby
2II
Hon. Thomas H. Boothby
66
212
Mrs. Thomas H. Boothby
212
Lieutenant-Colonel Stephen Boothby
66 213
Hon. R. C. Boothby
66
66
215
Daniel Parcher
66
220
D. P. True.
66
228
Mrs. D. P. True.
66
228
Shore of Androscoggin Lake from Lewiston Club House.
66
24I
Leeds Center Looking from the Lake.
248
Baptist and Universalist Churches, Chapel Hill, Leeds
25I
Androscoggin Lake from Meeting-House Hill.
252
School-House, West Leeds.
66
263
View Looking Toward Androscoggin Lake ...
297
229
Benjamin Woodman
66
·
PREFACE.
In the preparation and publication of a town history, no inexperienced individual is aware of the innumerable difficulties that are met by the unfortunate who so dearly pays the penalty of the great mistake of a life- time. Of the many reasons that might be assigned for engaging in the arduous task, one only is presented by the writer-that of necessity,-forced on him because of his family connection with the first settlers, who were concerned in primitive events of the town. On one condition was the responsibility assumed, and that was that a committee elected by the town, consisting of ten or more of its citizens, should furnish the data embodying the material of which the history was to be composed, and do it sufficiently early to enable the writer to have as much of the limited time as possible to prepare the work for publication. How well and fully that condition has been complied with may be imagined but not realized. We offer no apol- ogy! The work is submitted, and must fall or stand on its merit.
Special effort has been made to obtain biographies and family records,- a feature of greater value than all else combined. In gathering data, more and more were we impressed that too long, already, has this work been neglected. A few years hence, and much herein contained, had it remained unwritten, would pass with those who hold it in trust, beyond the power of man to reclaim. Even now, in the absence of reliable records, interesting, valuable, and noteworthy matter is entombed with the silent dead. But a few years ago, and the shade and gloom now attaching to ripening years and waning intellects, drawing their shroud over fallen relics of other days, were resplendent lights, shining brightly on the pathways of their cherished ancestors.
Although regrets are in vain, many are those of the writer for the omission of families who should have appeared in their proper places in this work. Those there are to whom appeals have been repeatedly made, to lend their aid in supplying matter pertaining to their own family history, who, in their ease, will criticise the arrangement, sneer at the diction, and curse the other fellow for omissions for which they themselves are censura- ble. None are omitted by intention or design; but, for want of material information. We do not pose as a public store-house of knowledge, from which may be drawn, in unmeasured quantities, the family affairs of those whose concerns are their own. Much of the given time in which to pre- pare this work has been consumed in obtaining the material of which it is composed. The hurry in submitting it to writing and preparing it for pub- lication are offered for the imperfections which may appear,
viii
HISTORY OF LEEDS
We would not lose sight of the purpose of this feature of the work, and forget our deep obligations to those who so kindly have rendered aid and contributed much of the valuable matter which this volume contains. To Hon. Seth Howard many thanks are due for record matter in the archives of State and town, and valuable data of families; to those who have con- tributed family biographies and records, of whom special mention should be made, are Hon. Joshua H. Millett, of Boston, Mass .; Hon. R. C. Boothby, of Livermore Falls, Me .; F. C. Howard, of New York; Hon. Z. A. Gilbert, of Greene, Me .; Hon. J. M. Benjamin, of Winthrop, Me .; Hon. G. W. Walton, of Wayne, Me .; Hon. George Parcher ; Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Herrick; Mr. W. R. Pettingill ; Miss Marion T. Bishop ; Miss Abbie Deane ; Mr. G. A. Jennings; Mrs. Rose Hanscom; Mr. E. E. Additon; Mr. J. C. Wing; Mrs. Alfred Beals; H. M. Brewster, Esq .; Mr. R. Ramsdell ; Mrs. Kittie Russell; Mrs. Orrah M. Jennings, of Farmington; Mr. N. P. Gould.
To Ephraim D. Foss, of Maineville, Ohio, we are indebted for an account of some of the early events.
To the wonderful memory of Mrs. Hannah L. (Knapp) Pollard, a life- long resident of the town and one of its best productions, may be ascribed the fountain from which has been drawn reliable and valuable information which could have been obtained from no other source.
Church Histories were written-Baptist, by William R. Pettingill; Methodist, by Rev. F. A. Hall; Universalist, by F. H. Herrick; Free Bap- tist, Friends and others by
The chapter on schools was prepared and written by Mrs. Lucy M. Her- rick, to whom the people of the town are especially indebted.
Secret Societies-Miss Abbie Deane, et als.
Professional Men-W. Gould, M.D.
WAYNE, June 10, 1901.
J. C. STINCHFIELD.
HISTORY OF LEEDS.
CHAPTER I.
NAME-LOCATION-SOIL-NATURAL FEATURES-ACT OF INCOR- PORATION, ETC. -
The town of Leeds, the plantation name of which was Little- borough, took its name from Leeds, England, the birthplace of John Stinchfield, the father of Thomas and Roger, the pioneer . settlers. It is located in the Androscoggin valley-meridian 70° 15' west longitude, and 44° 15' north latitude. It is bounded north, by East Livermore ; south, by Greene and Wales; east, by Wayne and Monmouth; west, by the Androscoggin River, or Turner and Livermore. Auburn, the county seat, is fifteen miles: distant in a south-western direction : and Augusta, the State cap- ital, about twenty miles easterly. As originally surveyed and laid out, in 1780-1, by the proprietors of the "Pejepscot Claim," its northern boundary was the northern boundary of that claim on the east side of the Androscoggin River, and extended from said river to "Androscoggin Great Pond" on a direct line of which, the north line of "Old Elder Thomas D. Francis' " farm was a part. It was given the name of Littleborough, in honor of Col. Moses. Little, who was the agent and a prominent owner in that com- pany. Livermore bordered it on the north from river to pond. February 16, 1801, it was incorporated the 128th town in the Dis- trict of Maine. In 1802, that portion of Livermore south of a line. extending from the Androscoggin River to the western boundary of Wayne, of which the north line of the farm of Increase Lead- better (now the farm of Samuel P. Francis) was a part, was annexed to Leeds. In 1809, taken from Monmouth and annexed to Leeds, was a piece of land 160 rods wide and the length of the line between those towns. In 1810, that part of Leeds known as the Beech Hill section, was annexed to Wayne. In 1852, that portion of Leeds sometimes called New Boston, was set off and annexed to Wales. As now constituted, the town is about twelve miles in length, and its width varies from about one mile
2
HISTORY OF LEEDS
in the extreme northern portion, to near five in the central and southern, and has an area of twenty-two thousand acres. Its native forestry was chiefly pine, for which it was long and widely noted. Probably no other township was its equal in the pro- duction of gigantic monarchs of the forest. The Androscoggin Valley in which Leeds is situated, has a drainage area of 36,000 square miles-extreme length 110, and 70 in breadth from Ran- dolph, N. H., to Readfield, Me. In the eastern extremity of this area is the water-shed of the "Thirty Mile River." From the highlands, which form the divide from Sandy River, to the great Androscoggin, a chain of fourteen lakes, ponds and their con- necting streams clothe the valley in mirrored sunshine and beauty. The last in the course, more beautiful than all the rest,-that which our fathers loved most and best, and around which cluster fond remembrances of childhood's happy days, is our own Andro- scoggin thrice sung in county, river, and lake. Dead River, the terminal of the "Thirty Mile River," is the natural and only out- let of these waters and receives them in two branches near the mean portion of the lake. Flowing inland they form a junction and thus united, the river continues on its meandering way along the alluvial banks, a distance of nearly two miles where it follows its channels of ages agone to its confluence with the Andro- scoggin. The land surface of Leeds, not unlike that of many New England towns, is of a diversified character, and along the central and eastern portions hills of considerable magnitude over- look the middle and lowlands which, in some localities, are broken by bogs and meadows. The soil varies from a light, sandy loam, which prevails more extensively, to a strong, heavy loam on the elevations, while in some sections clay predominates. The interval lands along Dead River, and here and there on the shores of the Androscoggin, are rich in alluvial deposits, and have been very productive; yet, like all else, were not made of that material which improves with age and use. The range of hills along the Androscoggin from its source to the receding waters of the sea, is continuous through Leeds. The Fish or Otis and Bates-better known as Quaker Ridge,-together with Bishop and Hedgehog hills, are notable members of that range. These and lesser elevations are mostly free from boulders, while the miles of stone walls are remaining evidence that the ground was once liberally strewn with stones in those sections. Inter- spersed among the uplands are occasional ledges, outcroppings of granite and trap rock, which especially abound on the north- ern part of Bishop hill, where it was said of Zadoc Bishop, who came there from Monmouth in 1783, and like the wise man of old, built his house on a rock that, "he made a practice of filing the noses of his sheep, that they might reach the scanty verdure that grew in the close crevices of that rock-bound hill." Be that
.
3
HISTORY OF LEEDS
as it may, labor and industry have been rewarded with prosperity and plenty, and some of the best farms in Leeds are on this emi- nence. From the several elevations extended and most beautiful views are presented.
It is only a matter of little time when Leeds, with its delightful scenery,-pure air and water,-pleasant drives and lake advan- tages, will become a favorite summer resort. The most striking geological feature of the town is the alluvial deposit. "The Cape," lying on either side of Dead River from beyond and between the outlet of the lake and its ancient western shore, one mile and more in length, by one-third of a mile in width, is the continual alluvial growth of ages unknown. It is irregularly divided by the river in its tortuous way, gracefully sweeping to the one side in close approach to the lake shore, leaving but a narrow connection of the peninsula. One of these of less width than others, distant from the mainland one-half mile, or more, was utilized by the Indians, and since by palefaces to carry their canoes and wangan from river to lake, and retains the name of "Carrying Place" to this day. The story of a ditch having been dug across it by the Indians, as related in the history of Androscoggin County and other works, is the imagination of some over-zealous mind. It was the work of Col. Leavitt Lothrop, dug for the purpose of stopping cattle, instead of building a fence. The rocky promon- tories forming the head of the lake were formerly islands of the cluster near the middle of the lake, and their outlines are now as distinct as when surrounded by water.
Leeds is an agricultural town and compares very favorably with the best in the Androscoggin Valley. Development of the west revolutionized no New England industry more than that of agriculture. In earlier years, all the grains common to Maine were extensively cultivated and grown with profit to the hardy tiller of the soil. He supplied his family with flour ground from wheat of his own raising ; and to have bought for the consumption of his family, or his stock, a bushel of corn, meal or other feed, would have been to acknowledge his eligibility to the ranks of drones. How changed ! Flour of better quality can now be pur- chased for less money than would be required to pay a laborer to raise the wheat, to say nothing of the use or cost of the land from which it is grown. Stock raising became an important and paying industry. The superior quality of beef produced from the Durham and Hereford families gave to New England, and especially Maine towns, where they were abundantly bred and reared with pride and profit, a great precedence in the big mar- kets, over the inferior stock of the west of Spanish origin. In time, the shrewd stock ranchers of the plains procured bulls in the east, turned them out with their native herds, and soon monop- olized the beef markets of the world. Driven from their strong-
4
HISTORY OF LEEDS
hold, Yankee ingenuity brought out the creameries, butter, cheese, and canning factories and now defy the west, or the world, in competition. The people of Leeds, noted from its set- tlement to the present for their patriotism, intelligence, industry and thoughtfulness, early established these industries within their borders and have acquired a reputation for the excellency of their products. Orcharding has been attended with favorable results in some sections of the town. The first apple tree set out in Leeds produced a crop in 1900. It is now standing near the buildings of I. S. Carver; and, with five others, was brought from New Gloucester, by Thomas Stinchfield, in the spring of 1781, and planted there.
The saw and grist mills of our fathers, located on Bog Brook that constituted the water-power of the town, where the giant pines were converted into material of which many buildings are composed and the grain products of the farmers were ground and bolted into meal and flour, have yielded up their business,- the former to those of steam and water-powers of larger pre- tensions, and the latter to the great western concerns. The tanner-the country shoe-maker-the cabinet-maker-the skilled carpenter-the potter-the clock-maker-the tailoress and seam- stress-the cloth-maker-the butter- and cheese-maker, all. and many more, have forever disappeared and will live only in history. They have been supplanted by machinery operated by capitalists. and combinations of capital, and the business of the country is now being done by one machine more powerful than all the rest- monopoly. "The post-riders" on fleet horseback, with mail- pouches securely strapped on behind them and others in front, containing matter collected and for distribution, making the woods resound with blasts from their long, tin trumpets-a warn- ing of approach that delay be avoided,-who made weekly rounds of the towns in this section,-later giving place to the cheery, bustling mail and passenger coaches, are among the things that were; while steam and electricity in that capacity, constitute the things that are. The blow that killed hundreds of New England towns gave to Leeds a new lease of life. With the dis- appearance of the stage-coach came the railroad, which extends the entire length of the town. The four stations, and a fifth just outside its limits, viz .: Leeds Crossing, Curtis Corner, Leeds Center, North Leeds, and Strickland's Ferry, afford the people facilities that few municipalities enjoy. Where stood the little saw and grist mills on the brook at West Leeds, ample and con- venient, perhaps, for their day, the capacious box and dowel factory of R. E. Swain is doing an extensive business, which offers to the people a good home market for their timber ; while at the Center, G. W. Lane has a steam mill, capable of grinding all the corn and grain grown in the town in excess of that used
5
HISTORY OF LEEDS
in his trade. Near the Dead River bridges, C. H. White & Son have a plant for the sawing and manufacture of lumber, the product of which would have taxed all the little old mills of for- mer days far beyond their capacity, had they been operated con- tinuously twenty-four hours every day in the year. Nor are these all that have replaced those primitive little conveniences. At Curtis Corner is another steam mill where large quantities of lumber of various kinds are sawed and manufactured ; while near the brick school-house, still another establishment is operated. Dairying and the production of sweet corn are chief among the industries now engaging the people. A ready money market for the corn is found each year at the factory in the center of the town, at remunerative prices. The corn fodder is nutritious and of worth in the production of milk and cream, and an important factor of the profit derived from dairying; therefore, the two industries are rendered almost inseparable. The production of cheese has been a paying business for several years ; and while many factories have been idle, Leeds has continued hers in oper- ation, showing, conclusively, that skill and good judgment remains with her people. No place in New England possesses greater natural features of interest, or is more inviting to pleasure or rest seekers from the hurry and bustle of city life, than the shores of Androscoggin Lake. Its spacious, mirrored waters, white- capped now and then by the summer breezes, affords unexcelled boating ; and already rowing, sailing, steam, and naphtha launches are every day visible in their graceful meanderings; or, pushing out from shaded beaches to angle for pickerel along the margin of the lily-pads and blossoms of varied hues, in which the shores abound; or to the more rocky bottoms to troll for the gamey black bass; or to the deep waters where white perch furnish rare sport for the unprofessional lady anglers and children. The piny elevations gradually rising in beauty from the lake shore and river banks, are dotted here and there with gurgling springs of pure cold water, where the gay, rambling parties tarry to refresh themselves and linger in their invigorating shades. Such extensive and beautiful landscape scenery as that presented to view from the summits of the surrounding hills, is unsurpassed on this continent. The cottages by the lakeside, of recent con- struction, with many more in prospect,-the rapid increase in the numbers of summer guests at the public and private residences in the vicinity, evidence the fact that the charms which cluster around our lakes and hills have not escaped the vision of the tourist, nor failed of worthy mention to his associates and more numerous acqaintances. Mingled with the new faces are those of many whose childhood days, never forgotten, were spent in Leeds. Wherever their worldly pursuits may have led them, or whatever they may have been, the fond memories of youth bring
6
HISTORY OF LEEDS
them back to greet anew the friends and scenes they love so well. Relatives and friends may have departed, but their graves in the valleys, the river, the lake and the meadow beside it, the hills and the wild-wood, all are here to give silent welcome to their sons and daughters. Let us ever revere their memory and render thanks to heaven, that we are the descendants of a most worthy ancestry, and natives of one of the most beautiful of the pictur- esque New England towns.
PETITION AND ACT OF INCORPORATION.
To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court Assembled: .
We your petitioners inhabitants of the Plantation of Littleborough in the District of Maine HUMBLY SHEWETH
That whereas we are now deprived of many important advantages, from our present situation, which we should otherwise enjoy as a body corporate, and as we are zealous to obtain all the privilidges, which as citizens we are entitled to, and the many inconveniences resulting from transacting business, in our present capacity, must be considered as giv- ing some weight, connected with many other claims,-having the number of one hundred, and four settlers, and from the natural increase the great necessity of Public Grammer Schools, must be apparent, the bad state of roads, can in no way be improved, which is an object of magnitudge to ourselves, as well as the public, the remidy of one, and the important right of the other, we are now debarred of.
From these considerations, we are induced to pray for an act of Incor- poration, for your petitioners, with all the privilidges, and immunities, of a body corporate, by the name of Cuba. From the infancy of the Country, and the inability of many of the inhabitants, we likewise pray an exemption of the State Tax for the term of five years. As in duty bound shall ever pray.
Isaac Collier,
Ephraim Andrews,
Stephen Wellcome, Amos Beany,
Josiah Turner, Joshua Barry,
Morgan Brewster, Stephen Foster,
Samuel Strong, John Jennings,
Solomon Millet,
Zoar Samson,
Thomas Francis,
Beriah Samson,
Eleazer Rand,
James Samson,
Thomas Epes,
Simon Wood, Juner,
Oliver Otis, Jamey Lain,
John Bates,
Andrew Cushman,
Levi Bates,
James S. Panley,
Nathaniel House, jnr., Elias Lane, Bachler Wing, Nathaniel Owen,
Cornelius Gilbert, Jonathan Fish, Richard Higgins, Giddins Lane, Daniel Lane, Jun,
Joseph Mitchell, Daniel Lane, Peter Lane,
Obadeah Pettingill,
William Turner,
Oliver Randell, Abiel Dailey,
William Pettingill, Thomas Lindsay,
Jacob Bailey,
Thomas Additon,
HISTORY OF LEEDS
7
(Illegible) Fish,
Joseph Bishop,
Daniel Robins,
Daniel Lothrop, Jur.,
Thomas Millet,
George Turner,
David Woodman,
Sulliven Lothrop,
Rogers Stenchfield,
Daniel Lothrop,
Samuel Gilbert,
George Lothrop,
Benjn. Gilbert,
Jacob Day.
Micah Samson,
Heircy Gilbert,
William Gilbert,
Edward Bailey,
Beriah Samson, juner,
In the House of Represent's, Jan'y 14, 1800. Read & committed to the standing Committee on applications for Incorporations of towns, &c to consider & report.
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