USA > Maine > Kennebec County > Waterville > A chronology of municipal history and election statistics, Waterville, Maine, 1771-1908 > Part 5
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SOMERSET COUNTY
Somerset County was incorporated in this year. The towns north of Waterville had increased rapidly and the older towns were
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growing larger and the requirements of the people made it neces- sary that a new county be formed.
Previous to its incorporation it was embraced within the limits of Kennebec County.
A movement was started to have Waterville become a part of the new county and on Monday, May 1, by a vote of fifty-nine in favor and fifty-three opposed, Eleazer W. Ripley, Timothy Bou- telle and Asa Redington were chosen a committee to present a petition to the General Court asking that the town of Waterville be annexed to the county.
The committee attended to its duties but the General Court declined to grant the petition.
1810
Population of Waterville, 1314.
Population of Winslow, 658.
Population of Kennebec County, 42,632.
Population of District of Maine, 228,705.
Rev. Joshua Cushman of Winslow elected State Senator from Kennebec County.
James Stackpole appointed commissioner by Governor Gore to lay out a road from Augusta to Canada.
1812 VOTE FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT
Madison and Gerry, Republican, 78.
Clinton and Iingersoll, Federalist, 61.
Massachusetts was entitled to twenty-two electoral votes and they were cast for DeWitt Clinton, Federalist, of New York for President. For Vice President Jared Ingersoll, Federalist, of
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF WATERVILLE
Pennsylvania, received twenty, and Elbridge Gerry, Republican, of Massachusetts, received two. James Madison, Republican, was elected President.
SPEAKER RIPLEY
One of the most distinguished political honors that was ever extended to a citizen of Waterville occurred in this year when Eleazer W. Ripley was elected Speaker of the House of Representa- tives, General Court of Massachusetts, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Joseph Story. It is a significant tribute to the ability of any man to be elected to so important a position, but when we stop to consider that he was a "country member" from a remote country town, his ability must have indeed been marked to have been elected to such an honorable position, and shows he must have been held in high esteem by his colleagues. He was elected at the fall election in the same year as member of the State Senate from the Kennebec district. He resigned the office of Senator to enter the army. His promotion was rapid until he reached the rank of Major General.
For his distinguished bravery at the battles of Chippewa, Erie and Niagara, Congress presented him with a gold medal and extended to him a vote of thanks. He resigned from the army in 1820 and became a resident of Louisiana. He represented his adopted State in the Congress of the United States for several terms.
1813 COLBY COLLEGE
On February 27, a charter was granted by the General Court of Massachusetts to the Maine Literary and Theological Institu- tion. (Colby College.)
EXCLUSIVE FISHING 1
May 10. The town voted favorably on an article in a war- rant that read "To see if the town will choose a committee to
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confer with the town of Winslow on the subject of petitioning the General Court to make the salmon, shad and alewive fishing an exclusive privilege, equally to be enjoyed by both towns of Water- ville and Winslow." James Stackpole, Jr., Timothy Boutelle and James Hasty were chosen as the committee.
1815
Release and final settlement between the towns of Waterville and Winslow.
We the undersigned, having been appointed a joint committee by the inhabitants of the town of Winslow and Waterville to adjust and make final settlement of all disputes and controver- sies, which exist between the said towns, and to settle all the claims and demands which the towns aforesaid have upon the other, respectfully in pursuance of the powers to us delegated, in behalf of the inhabitants of our respective towns, have made and entered into the following agreement, viz :
In consideration of the sum of seventy-one dollars and sixty cents paid unto the inhabitants of the town of Waterville, by the inhabitants of the town of Winslow, by a town order drawn on the treasurer of the town of Winslow for the sum aforesaid, by the selectmen of said Winslow, payable to the treasurer of the town of Waterville for the use of said town, the receipt whereof the undersigned committee of the town of Waterville do hereby acknowledge, do hereby release, exonerate and discharge the inhabi- tants of the said town of Winslow of and from all claims, damages, costs and demands of every name, kind and description, which the said town of Waterville have upon the inhabitants of Winslow aforesaid; and particularly do we release and discharge to the in- habitants of Winslow, the action now pending in the Supreme Judicial Court for the counties of Kennebec and Somerset, in which action the inhabitants of said Waterville are plaintiffs and the inhabitants of said Winslow defendants, which said action and
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF WATERVILLE
the cause thereof, we hereby acknowledge settled, and the inhab- itants of Waterville are fully satisfied of all demands on which action was instituted; And we, the committee for the town of Winslow, for and in behalf of said town, in consideration of the above release and discharge, made and entered by the committee of Waterville aforesaid, for and in behalf of that town do hereby release, exonerate and discharge all claims, debts and demands of every description, which the said inhabitants of Winslow have upon the inhabitants of said Waterville. And we the committee of the aforesaid towns, by virtue of the power and authority vested in us by our respective towns, do hereby mutually agree that all dis- putes, demands, actions, causes of actions, costs, damages and controversies heretofore existing between said towns are finally adjusted and settled.
In witness whereof we have interchangeably set our hands and applied our seals, this third day of March, Anno Domini Eighteen hundred and fifteen.
Lemuel Paine, James L. Child, Ephraim Town, Committee of the town of Winslow.
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of us:
Betsy Town,
Ephraim Town, Jr.
Moses Dalton, Samuel Downing, Jonathan Combs, Committee of the town of Waterville.
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of us: William Miller,
Thomas Magrath.
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the orig- inal release.
Abijah Smith, Town Clerk.
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1816
Timothy Boutelle elected Presidential Elector.
April 1. Vote for Register of Deeds of Kennebec County.
Abijah Smith, 79
Henry Small, 47
John Hovey, 25
Charles Hayden,
1
May 20. Vote taken on the question of the separation of Maine from Massachusetts.
In favor, 135
Opposed, 38
Total vote in the District of Maine on the separation of Maine from Massachusetts.
Yes,
11,969
No,
10,347
On June 20, the first act of the General Court favoring the separation was passed.
The town was very desirous of securing the Maine Lit- erary and Theological Institution to locate within its borders. The promoters of the school had examined other sites at Farming- ton and elsewhere but had decided that Waterville was the most desirable place. However, tempting offers had been made by other municipalities and the final decision was in doubt for some time. Waterville voted to raise three thousand dollars to assist in the establishment of the institution but for some reason the amount was not paid. The town meeting called for the purpose was held January 16, and was largely attended. The following vote is recorded : "Voted to raise the sum of three thousand dollars, to be assessed by the assessors to be chosen at the next. March meet-
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF WATERVILLE
ing or April meeting, as soon as said assessors shall be notified by the President and Trustees of the Maine Literary and Theological Institution that said institution shall be located and established in this town, and when collected to be paid over to said President and Trustees, for the purpose of aiding in erecting the necessary build- ings, otherwise said sum is not to be assessed."
TOWN VOTES NOT BE DIVIDED
A petition was sent to the General Court asking for the divi- sion of the town of Waterville. "Ticonic Village" on the banks of the Kennebec was a prosperous and growing community and the demands of the flourishing little village were beginning to become a troublesome question to residents of the western section of the town. At a special town meeting held May 20, an article was dismissed, viz: "To see if the town will agree to a division of the town." This meeting however was not satisfactory to the promoters of the new town and another special meeting was held Sept. 2, when the proposition was defeated by a decisive vote of one hundred and thirty-six opposed to sixteen in favor. To fur- ther express their opposition a vote was carried instructing the towns representative to the General Court, to use all means in his power to prevent the division by the Legislature, and Ebenezer Bacon, Benjamin Foster and Abijah Smith were chosen to "draught a remonstrance in behalf of the town against division."
THE STATE SEPARATION QUESTION
(7) The following article appeared in the warrant for a meeting held Sept. 2:
Art. 1. To give in their votes for a delegate or delegates, and the delegates chosen as aforesaid, shall assemble in conven- tion on the last Monday of September next at the meeting house near the college in Brunswick, in the District of Maine, to form
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a constitution for the said District of Maine if a majority of five to four of the votes returned are in favor of becoming an inde- pendent State.
Art. 2. To give in their votes on this question :
"Is it expedient that the District of Maine shall be separated from Massachusetts and become an independent State, upon the terms and conditions provided in an act entitled 'An act concern- ing the separation of the District of Maine from Massachusetts proper, and forming the same into a separate and independent State.' "
The vote on Article 1 was as follows:
Whole number of votes, 135
Necessary for a choice, 68
Benjamin Foster had, 83
Nathaniel Gilman, 35
Ebenezer Bacon, 11
Timothy Boutelle,
4
Abijah Smith, 2
Benjamin Foster, Esq., was declared to be chosen.
Article 2:
In favor, 114
Opposed, 51
1818
COLBY COLLEGE
The Maine Literary and Theological Institution (now Colby College) opened and theological instruction commenced. The cit- izens of the town were extremely gratified in securing this institu- tion to locate among them. The contest among several towns had been spirited and the little town swelled with pride in securing the coveted prize. The establishment here of this institution of
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF WATERVILLE
learning has been of mutual benefit to both town and college. Citizens generally have given their hearty support for the needs of the college and the faculty and officers of the college have in return taken a deep interest in the welfare of the town and done their utmost to promote its best interests.
The college has been especially fortunate in its graduates and among its alumni are some of the most prominent men in this country. It has always taken a leading part in social affairs and the athletic sports of the students have been enjoyed by everyone and their victories celebrated with a vim, while the gloom at on occasional defeat is as deep "down town" as in the dormitories.
1819
Literary department opened at the college.
SEPARATION QUESTION
May 5. Representatives to the General Court were instructed to use their efforts to effect a separation of Maine from Massa- chusetts and the Selectmen were chosen a committee to draft reso- lutions.
June 19. Second separation act passed the General Court.
July 26. The town voted in favor of the separation by a vote of one hundred and eighty-four to twenty-two.
The total vote in the District of Maine cast July 26, was:
Yeas,
17,091
Nays,
7,182
Sept. 20. Abijah Smith and Ebenezer Bacon were chosen delegates to attend a convention to be held at the Court House in Portland on the second Monday in October for the purpose of forming a constitution for the government of the State of Maine.
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Dec. 6. By a unanimous vote, in which one hundred and ten written ballots were cast, the town expressed its approbation of the constitution as promulgated at the convention at Portland.
1820
Population of Waterville, 1719.
Population of Winslow, 935.
Population of Maine, 298,335.
Baxter Crowell elected first representative to the Maine Legis- lature.
Timothy Boutelle elected State Senator from Kennebec County.
Joshua Cushman of Winslow a member of the 17th Congress.
VOTE FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT
James Munroe of Virginia, Republican candidate for Pres- ident and Daniel D. Tompkins of New York, Republican candi- date for Vice President, received practically a unanimous election, James Munroe receiving 238 electoral votes and John Q. Adams one.
The vote in Waterville for electors at large was as follows:
Joshua Wingate, 31
William Moody, 35
James Campbell, 4
From the sixth congressional district, entitled to one elector :
Jonah Prescott,
32
Joshua Cushman, 1
Thomas Rice, 1 1
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF WATERVILLE
STATE OF MAINE
On March 15, Maine became a separate and independent State. The contest for this result had been actively before the people for thirty-five years. Almost year by year the citizens of every town in the district of Maine had been called upon to voice their sentiment with their ballots. At times the promoters were almost discouraged as session after session of the General Court declined their petition. At some sessions they were entirely ignored. Another feature of discouragement was the people them- selves, in numerous instances when the culmination of the desires of those interested in the formation of a new State seemed near at hand a strong opposition vote would be recorded, necessitating another long delay. With one exception the vote of Waterville was always in favor of the separation, although the majorities show considerable variation, but the records show that all had become reconciled to the change when the final ballot was taken.
1821
Joshua Cushman a member of the 18th Congress from Maine.
Name of the Maine Literary and Theological Institution changed to Waterville College and chartered by the Lgeislature.
LIQUOR LICENSES
Fifteen liquor licenses issued at six dollars each per year, to the following persons: Simeon Mathews, Hallet and Bacon, Tim- othy Clement, Esty and Phillips, James Hasty, Dr. Daniel Cook, John Burleigh, James Burleigh, Gardiner Waters, Nathaniel Gil- man, William Richards, Thomas Kimball, Daniel Ross, Shubarl Marston and Jediah Morrill.
TICONIC BRIDGE
One of the most important early improvements was the erec- tion of the so-called Ticonic Bridge across the Kennebec river, between Waterville and Winslow. It was of great convenience to
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the farming community and was one of the principal factors in making Waterville a prosperous business center.
The Legislature incorporated the proprietors and the act was approved by the Governor on March 15, 1821.
Among the original shareholders were: Nathaniel Gilman, Timothy Boutelle, Simeon Matthews, Jediah Morrill, Moses Apple- ton, James Stackpole, Asa Redington, Increase R. Philbrick, Dan- iel Moor, Asa Faunce, Isaac Stevens, Nehemiah Getchell, Moses Dalton, Asa Redington, Jr., Daniel Cook, William Pearson, E. T. Warren, Reuel Williams, Jesse Robinson, Increase Davis, Thomas Bond, R. Vose, Edmund Esty, Thomas Rice, Samuel Ap- pleton and Peleg Sprague.
1822
Twenty-three liquor licenses issued.
Samuel Redington, County Commissioner of Kennebec County.
TOWNS IN KENNEBEC COUNTY IN 1822
Augusta, Chesterville, Clinton, Belgrade, China, Dearborn, Farmington, Fayette, Gardiner, Green, Freedom, Hallowell, Har- lem, Jay, Leeds, Ligonia, Gerry, Monmouth, Mount Vernon, New Sharon, Pittston, Readfield, Rome, Sidney, Temple, Unity, Vas- salboro, Vienna, Waterville, Wayne, Wilton, Winthrop, Winslow, 25 mile Pond Plantation.
TICONIC BRIDGE
The first meeting of the proprietors was held on May 21. James Stackpole was elected Moderator and Daniel Cook, Clerk.
After voting to build a bridge, a committee of five was chosen "to select a suitable place. on which to erect said bridge and to propose a plan and model to be adopted and to report at the
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF WATERVILLE
next meeting." Nathaniel Gilman, Moses Dalton, William Pear- son, James Stackpole, Jr., and Edward Esty, Jr., were the mem- bers of the committee.
1823
Thirty-two liquor licenses issued.
Asa Dalton appointed Postmaster. His compensation for the year amounted to eighty-six dollars and eighty-seven cents.
1824
TICONIC BRIDGE COMPLETED
Ticonic Bridge was completed and opened to the public this year. Sixty-five hundred dollars had been appropriated and ex- pended by the proprietors.
The bridge was of wood throughout and was substantially built but was not high enough and did not prove strong enough to withstand the severe strain of the heavy spring freshets, and was in constant need of repair.
The by-laws provided that the gate should be kept open from sunrise until 9 P. M. By a special vote of the proprietors the mail stage was allowed to cross the bridge for twenty-five dollars a year. All other rates of passage were provided for in the act of incorporation.
Following are a few of the rates in effect; taken at random from a long list which covered almost every conceivable object and animal in many various groups and combinations.
Foot passengers, 2 cents.
One person and horse, 121/2 cents.
Single horse cart, wagon, sled or sleigh, 16 cents.
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Wheelbarrow, 5 cents.
Sheep and swine in droves, each, 1 cent.
VOTE FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT
Adams and Calhoun, Rep., 76
Jackson and Calhoun, Rep., 17
Maine was entitled to nine electoral votes. They were cast for John Quincy Adams of Massachusetts for President and John C. Calhoun of South Carolina for Vice President.
The opposing candidates for President were Andrew Jack- son of Tennessee, William H. Crawford of Georgia and Henry Clay of Kentucky. No candidate having a majority of electoral votes, the House of Representatives elected Adams as President. John C. Calhoun was chosen Vice President. All the candidates were Republicans.
1825
Hall J. Chase appointed Postmaster. His compensation amounted to $99.52.
There were five ministers of the gospel residing in Waterville in this year. Rev. Jere Chaplin, D. D., Rev. Stephen Chapin, D. D., Rev. Avery Briggs, Rev. Sylvanus Cobb, and Rev. John Butler.
Sept. 12. It was "voted to pay Rev. Sylvanus Cobb as com- pensation for damages done his chaise, in consequence of a defect in a bridge near Crommett's stream, the sum of seven dollars."
TOWN HEARSE
Jan. 7. Captain Getchell was chosen a committee to investi- gate the necessity of the town purchasing a hearse and instructed to report at a future town meeting. On April 5, seventy-five dol- lars was raised for the purpose.
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF WATERVILLE
On May 7, it was voted to pay the members of the militia, "twenty cents per day for attendance at muster and review in lieu of rations provided by law."
1826
Part of the town of Dearborn annexed to Waterville.
March 6. Appropriations :
Support of Poor, $ 600
Schools, 700
Current Expenses, 200
Highways, 2500
Independence Day celebrated with "parade, speeches, ringing of bells and firing of cannon."
In a great freshet, March 25 to 27, Ticonic Bridge was car- ried away. It was immediately rebuilt.
1827
Jean Matthieu, first French emigrant, came to Waterville.
March 19. The Selectmen and Superintending School Com- mittee were instructed by a vote of the town to hereafter make written reports of the expenditures and receipts together with a general review of the town business and to make recommenda- tions for the required amounts to properly conduct the business of the town.
It was stipulated that copies of the report should be con- spicuously posted in two places at least three days before the date of the annual town meeting, and that a copy be filed with the town clerk.
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CANADA ROAD
ยท At a meeting held Jan. 20, at which Hon. Timothy Boutelle was chosen Moderator, it was unanimously voted to petition the Legis- lature of the State of Maine for the grant of a sum of money to be expended in making the Canada Road, so called, between Nor- ridgewock and the Canada line. Timothy Boutelle, Asa Reding- ton, Jr., and Abijah Smith were chosen a committee to memorial- ize the Legislature accordingly.
On Feb. 12, the Legislature passed a resolve entitled "Resolve relative to the State Road north of the Bingham purchase" fav- oring the building of the road. June 21, Governor Enoch Lincoln appointed Abijah Smith an agent to assist in superintending the construction of the road.
RESOLUTIONS OF SYMPATHY
The war between the Greeks and Turks was a cause of intense interest upon the part of the citizens of this country. The Greeks fighting to overthrow the power of the Turkish Government had the almost unanimous support and sympathy of the American people. The feeling of Waterville citizens can best be judged by the tenor of a resolution introduced by R. A. L .Codman, Esq., and unanimously accepted by a vote of the town March 19, as follows :
Resolved: That the inhabitants of the town feel a deep in- terest in the eventful conflict between the Greeks and Turks, gloriously maintained by the former, at fearful odds, to secure to themselves liberty and independence, and to regain for themselves their rank among the nations of the earth.
Resolved: That said inhabitants, feelingly sympathize in the privations and sufferings of the Greeks, do cordially approve of the motives that have operated a call for a meeting of the citi- zens of the county of Kennebec to be holden at Augusta on the second Tuesday of April next, to take into consideration suitable measures toward their relief.
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Resolved: That two persons be chosen as delegates from this town to attend said meeting and,
Resolved: That Hon. Timothy Boutelle and Milford P. Nor- ton, Esq., be said delegates.
1828
First plank sidewalk built at the expense of the town.
VOTE FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT
Adams and Rush, Nat. Rep., 158
Jackson and Calhoun, Dem., 112
Maine was entitled to nine electoral votes. One was cast for Andrew Jackson, Democrat, for President, and eight for John Quincy Adams, National Republican. Andrew Jackson was elected President.
Abijah Smith of Waterville was a candidate for Presidential Elector on the Democratic ticket. He was defeated by Joseph Southwick of Vassalboro, the candidate of the National Repub- lican party.
1829
State Tax, $ 365 63
County Tax, 337 56
Town Tax, 2199 37
Elisha Hallett, Jr., appointed postmaster at the village of West Waterville.
Sept. 10. An article in a warrant was dismissed favoring the erection of a county poor house to be used by all the towns in the county for a home for their poor, to be established with
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the object of procuring a more economical system of caring for this class of unfortunates.
1830
Nov. 1. James Stackpole, Jr., was appointed by Governor Hunton, an agent to collect and pay into the treasury of the State the balance due the State on account of fines, forfeitures and bills of costs between the fifteenth day of March, 1820, and the fif- teenth of March, 1830, under authority of resolve of February 16, 1828, Chap. 28 and March 15, 1830, Chap. 28. Mr. Stack- pole attended to the duties assigned to him and on Dec. 31, passed his report to the Governor and Council. It was immedi- ately approved and Mr. Stackpole was commended for his prompt- ness and efficiency.
CENSUS OF 1830
Population of Waterville, 2216.
Population of Kennebec County, 38,929.
In a report authorized by an act of the Legislature in 1825, it is shown that there were, in 1830, 341 school districts and 19,561 persons between the school ages of four and twenty-one in the county. The law required that $16,032 should be raised annu- ally for the support of the schools. The amount actually raised was $18,203.08.
In the valuation returns for the county the following table appears :
Number of houses,
6012
Number of barns,
6076
Shops and stores, 1407
Printing offices,
5
Tanneries, 64
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF WATERVILLE
Grist Mills,
60
Saw Mills,
105
Clapboard machines,
2
Shingle machines,
2
Lath machines,
6
Carding machines,
51
Rope walks,
9
Distilleries,
12
Paper mills,
6
1831
Asa Redington, Jr., County Attorney.
Abijah Smith a member of the Governor's Council.
1832
Timothy Boutelle elected State Senator from Kennebec County. He was chairman of the Judiciary Committee.
William Lloyd Garrison visited the town and made an address on the slavery question.
March 11. It was voted that the Selectmen be authorized to contract with some suitable person to ring the bell of the Uni- versalist meeting house three times each day for one year.
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