USA > Maine > Oxford County > Buckfield > A history of Buckfield, Oxford County, Maine, from the earliest explorations to the close of the year 1900 > Part 11
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1810.
John Loring, Henry Farwell and William Bridgham were re-elected as members of the school committee. The school agents this year were : John Drake, Enoch Philbrick, Thomas Long, Nathaniel Leonard, William
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Brock, Nathan Hall, Elijah Jordan, Jonathan Buck, Nathaniel Harlow and Fuller Dike. $200 was raised for repairing the roads and $150 for support of the poor. The town having been beaten in its suit against Gorham, for supporting the widow, Sarah Irish, it was voted to raise $100 to carry the suit to the Supreme Court at Portland. Voted to raise money to defray the expense of the indictment against the town for the bad condition of the road from Spaulding's Mills to Paris line. The taxes of Ebenezer Carsley, Stephen Lander, Daniel Packard, Jonathan Roberts and a part of Caleb Cushman's were "voted off." Israel Smith, Israel Smith, Jr., Joshua Davis, Josiah Keen and James Hussey were allowed "to form a School District by themselves." A school district was formed from all that part of the South Hill district south of a line running from David Record, Jr.'s, and Nathaniel Gammon, Jr.'s, to Ebenezer Irish's. Daniel Merrill was chosen agent for the new district. John Loring, Abi- jah Buck, Capt. Josiah Parris, Larnard Swallow and William Bridghamn were chosen as a committee "to examine the tax act to see whether the minors that have been taxed in this town who belong to other towns shall be holden to pay their taxes in this town." The committee reported that in their opinion they were holden to pay their taxes "as much as though they were of lawful age." The assessors were instructed to go through the town and take a new valuation. Enoch Hall was chosen rep- resentative to the General Court "by a majority of 40 votes."-On the. 4th day of February of this year, at the age of 65, died Dominicus Record, the owner of the village mills and one of the principal citizens of the village and town. He had moved his family hither from Easton, Mass., in 1783, acquired an interest in the mills and water power privileges with Ed- mund Chandler and at once took a leading position in the affairs of the little place and the town. From the incorporation of the town till his death, he had held some town office. It is noteworthy that the place was first called "Record's Mills," afterwards "Buckfield Mills," and finally, "Buckfield Village." Dominicus Record was the first man to be commis- sioned as a Justice of the Peace. His homestead, at his death, was ap- praised at $6,000, and other real estate at $966. Personal property at $1,306.66.
ISII.
"John Loring, Esq., Maj. Henry Farwell and Dr. William Bridgham" were elected school committee. The following were the school agents : Richard Hathaway, John Loring, Thomas Long, Jesse Turner, Jr., Bar- nabas Perry, Charles Young, Jabez Taylor, David Bryant, James Water- man, Daniel Faunce, David Merrill and Daniel Hutchinson. The taxes of Samuel Jenkins for 1810; Daniel Packard's, $8.54; Joseph Clifford's, $3.20; Israel Doble's, $2.66; Samuel Frink's, $4.43; John Hussey's, $3.70; Solomon Jordan, Jr.'s, $0.35; Philemon Parsons, Jr.'s, $3.29: Jonathan Rollins', $2.62; Simeon Record's, $1.30; Aaron Richardson's, $0.36; Sam- uel D. P. Weeks', $1.30; and Benj. Young's, $1.30, were "voted off." The town road "beginning two rods from the Westerly end of Jacob Whit- man's house and running 79 rods to Hebron to connect with road laid
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out by the Selectmen of Hebron," was accepted. Also "that Caleb Young and Silvanus Irish have the privilege to inclose the road as far as their land reaches, till such time as the town shall want it for a road again." Daniel Hutchinson was chosen representative to the General Court. The vote stood as follows: Daniel Hutchinson 51, Enoch Hall 14, Thomas Long 2, John Loring I .- On the 14th of Oct., Benjamin Spaulding, one of the three principal men of the early settlers, passed away in his 73d year. His wife survived him about eight years. He was the first white man to fell trees for a permanent settlement in the town and in the limits of what was afterwards the village. His hunting and trapping trail later became a forest thoroughfare for the early settlers in West Butterfield (Sumner). It ran across what was in later years the Dr. Wm. Bridgham estate to and over Sumner Hill. He appears to have acquired the largest possessions of any one of the three chief men who managed the affairs of the proprietary. His will was probated in Feb. 1812. Benjamin Spaulding, Jr., administered on the estate, John Loring, Abijah Buck and Larnard Swallow appraised the estate. His property had been pretty much disposed of prior to his death. What remained was valued at about $2,000.
1812.
Benjamin Spaulding, Jr., was unanimously elected representative to the General Court, 102 votes being cast .- The war on crows broke out again and a shilling a head was allowed on all killed in the limits of the town before July Ist. "Deacon" William Berry and "Elder" Daniel Hutchinson were added to the committee on the public lands of the town. It was "Voted that there be no ardent spirit made use of at the town's expense." Also "that there be no more Labor laid out on the road that leads from James Lewis' land to Paris Line until it shall be of Public use." At the presidential election, 95 votes were cast for the "Republi- can Ticket" and 32 against it .- At a town meeting in Nov., it was decided. "to call on the Proprietors of the town in a legal manner to make Restitu- tion to the town for not locating Ministerial and School lands in said town agreeably to the grant of the State and the State's Committees' deed to the Proprietors." Henry Farwell, Esq., Deacon William Berry and Mr. John Swett were chosen as a committee for the purpose. They were instructed to institute legal proceedings in the matter .- A war hav- ing broken out with England over the impressment of American seamen, one of the articles in the warrant for a town meeting to be held "at the School House near George Bridgham's" in Nov. was "to see what com- pensation the town will make the drafted militia of said town, if they should be called into active service." Under this article, a vote was passed that, "with what the Government shall allow them, their pay shall be made up to ten dollars per month." The petition of certain parties to be set off to Paris, was opposed and nothing came of it.
1813.
The annual town meeting was called at "the Meeting House in said Buckfield" on Monday, March 15th, at nine of the clock in the morning.
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John Swett was chosen moderator, after which it was "voted to adjourn the meeting to the school house near Barnabas Perry's to meet in fifteen minutes." Enoch Hall, after having been chosen 3d selectman, was ex- cused by a vote passed. Larnard Swallow was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Enoch Hall. Mr. Swallow was much in town office. Apparently an able man, he seems to have been a very good poli- tician. Benj. Spaulding was re-elected representative to the General Court .- The town lines between Turner and Buckfield and Sumner and Buckfield were perambulated "according to the law of this Common- wealth" by the selectmen of these towns.
1814.
Increase Spaulding was elected town clerk. Increase Spaulding, Na- thaniel Harlow and Timothy Hutchinson, "Committee to inspect Schools." -Albion K. Parris for Senator had 136 votes; Daniel Stowell, 31 .- It was voted to remonstrate against making Fryeburg a half-shire town .-- The "expense acct." this year was $71.61 .- Benj. Spaulding was again unanimously elected representative .- Voted "to blend" the 2d and roth school districts to be known as the 2d school district .- The town lines between Buckfield and Hartford and Buckfield and Paris were perambu- lated by the selectmen of these three towns .- The election for a Repre- sentative to Congress resulted as follows : Albion K. Parris had 113 votes, Samuel A. Bradley had 30 votes.
1815.
The people of Buckfield were very patriotic. Capt. David Bry- ant's company, the roll of which is given elsewhere, saw service in the vicinity of Lake Champlain, in 1813, where it took part in the contest of "Shadagee Woods."-William Berry, who had served much as one of the selectmen and had been elected this year, was excused from serving longer and Daniel Chase was elected in his place .- Dr. William Bridgham, Aaron Parsons, John Loring, Nathaniel Harlow and Timothy Hutchinson were chosen school committee .- A committee, consisting of Henry Farwell, John Loring and Larnard Swallow, was selected to petition the General Court to make valid the proceedings of the town. This action became necessary on account of informality in calling meetings and posting notices .- It was voted that the expense for provisions for the soldiers, while going to Portland, be paid by the town .- The federal ticket for governor this year commanded ouly 33 votes, while the republican ticket had 141. This shows the relative standing of the parties in town at that time .- Benj. Spaulding was again re-elected representative to the General Court .- It was "voted that Mr. John Swett be invested with sufficient power to get all necessary information respecting the public lands, then to lay it before the town for consideration." $12.08 taxes against Ebenezer Young, Israel Smith, Thos. Joscelyn and Thos. Joscelyn, Jr., were "voted off."
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HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD
1816.
The town remonstrated against the laying out of the county road from Fryeburg to the Androscoggin River. This was on account of the road bills, which for several years had been very heavy, and the people doubt- less felt that it would add to their burdens .- Ezra Stephens was chosen one of the assessors, the first time his name appears on the clerk's records. Timothy Hutchinson, Henry Farwell, Aaron Parsons, Increase Spaulding, Nathaniel Harlow and Samuel F. Brown were elected school committee .- The sum raised for highways was $1500. The town expense acct. this year was $75.21, the collector's being over half of it .- Benj. Spaulding, Enoch Hall and David Bryant were chosen "to ascertain as near as they can what it would cost to build a Poor House, and, also, to see what a house could be hired for."-It was "Voted that what money the Select- men received from Government, more than what was expended for Bag- gage in the late call of the Militia to Portland, be equally divided among the soldiers who went from this town to Portland."-Benj. Spaulding was again unanimously chosen representative to the General Court .- A sexton was chosen for each burying ground in town. The following four were selected : Thos. R. Waterman, Thomas Long, Tobias Ricker and Samuel. Tucker .- The town raised $20 to pay the Solicitor General for his opinion respecting the public lands .- A bridge across the East Branch of the Twenty-Mile River having been burned, measures were taken to rebuild it. The vote for Representative to Congress stood as follows : Albion K. Parris 70, Samuel A. Bradley 13, Levi Hubbard 4 .-- This year is known as the one without a summer. Frosts occurred in every month. The corn and potato crops were nearly a total failure. It was a terrible year for the people and especially for the poor. In the fall, fires raged in this section. One, starting from a fire in Woodstock, ignited some brush, spread through the forests in a southeasterly course and entered Buckfield. Acres upon acres of fine timber were burned over and destroyed. The vegetable covering of thin soils was consumed and lands which before were called good never recovered from the fearful ravages of the flames. Long years afterwards it was referred to as the "Great Fire."
1817.
The matter of the public lands had been a source of agitation between the town and the proprietors. It was finally settled and, at the annual meeting, a vote passed "to accept of the public land as it is now laid out by the proprietors of said town." Benj. Spaulding, Noah Hall, Jesse Turner, Jr., John Brown, William Campbell and Samuel F. Brown were chosen to take care of the public lands and settle with further trespassers, -past trespasses to be taken no notice of .- Henry Farwell, Samuel F. Brown, Daniel Hutchinson, Increase Spaulding and John Loring were chosen school committee .- The roads must have been in very bad condi- tion for the sum of $2500 was appropriated to repair highways. "Voted that Enoch Hall and Larnard Swallow (assessors) go round to each man's house and take the valuation the ensuing May." The expense acct.
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amounted to $105.05. The town officers' bills were so low that it may, in part, account for some of them being elected year after year .- Moses Buck "for his deficiencies and failures," while collector of taxes, con- veyed his farm to the town ,to secure it in part against loss. His farm was appraised by a committee, one member of which he selected, and the other two, the town, at $408.33 .- A town meeting was called at In- crease Spaulding's "Inn" this year .- In perambulating the town line be- tween Buckfield and Turner some difficulty was experienced in finding the corners. The following report will be of interest: "In finding the corner between Turner and Buckfield, we first looked on the line ranging with that between Turner and Hebron, as found by the Selectmen of those towns, while running their line on the same day, and then found a corner formed by a beech tree, but we could find no line running in continuation of that towards Hartford, and between Turner and Buckfield. We then looked Westward, and about 10 rods West of said corner first found, we dis- covered another made by a stake and stones with marks A. G., 1812, with some others nearly obliterated. From this, we found a line which we all agreed to be the true boundary line between Turner and Buckfield, and followed it throughout and found it to agree with the compass, and re- newed the marks thereon. On coming to Hartford line, we found that the old corner had been destroyed by fire. We, therefore, set up a stake and stones where we supposed the true corner to be, and where Mr. Her- man Wood, the owner of the land, assured us the old corner formerly stood, and marked the stake R. R. 1817 and spotted it on three sides."- Samuel F. Brown, Henry Farwell and Enoch Hall were chosen to peti- tion the legislature for power to sell the school lands.
1818.
Samuel Brown was chosen agent to defend the suit of Moses Buck against the town, arising out of the transaction whereby he conveyed his farm to the town to secure it, in part, for his alleged irregularity while collector of taxes .- The estates of Job Prince, Andrew Warren, Noah Hall, William Mayhew, Nathaniel Mayhew, Nathan Alden, John Mayhew, David Low and John Lewis were formed into a new school district .- The town expense account this year amounted to $190.62,-the largest it had ever been .- It was decided to build a powder house eight feet square with walls seven feet high, and $35 was appropriated for the purpose .- Guide posts were directed to be put up at the following corners of roads: Near Doctor William Bridgham's, Jonathan Buck's, Widow Farrar's, Widow Thayer's, Josiah Parris', north of bridge near Record's Mills, between Nathaniel Harlow's and Josiah Bailey's, near Noah Hall's, Widow Bick- nell's, James Perry's, Enoch Hall's, at the four corners near Capt. Daniel Chase's, near the Federal School House, Edmund Irish's and James Hussey's .- Benjamin Spaulding and John Loring were appointed Trus- tees of the ministerial and school fund .- Arrangements were made with the Baptist Society for the town to move the church nearer the village, fix it up and hold their future meetings in it. The agreement was signed on the part of the society Dec. 20, 1818, by Nathaniel Chase, William
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HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD
Berry, Tobias Ricker, Joshua Wescott, Ephraim Wescott, Jacob Whit- man, Job Packard and Job Prince. The committee on the part of the town was Enoch Hall, Samuel F. Brown and Dominicus Record. It was voted to move the church to the most N. W. corner of John Loring's land. William Campbell took the job of moving it at $29. Jonathan Record, Jr., and Daniel Briggs were to put in the underpinning at $6.30 .- This year the matter of setting off Asa Thayer and others in the northwest part of the town, and annexing their estates to Paris, was renewed. Samuel F. Brown, Enoch Hall and Larnard Swallow were chosen to send a remonstrance to the General Court. The petitioners had leave to with- draw. This ended the matter for several years.
1819.
The town meetings were now held at the "town house" and the notices calling them were posted up in the store of Stephen Phelps and that of James Perry. Samuel F. Brown was chosen town clerk .- At a town meeting in July called for the purpose, 119 votes were cast "to form Maine into an Independent State" and II against the proposition .- Enoch Hall was chosen as a delegate "to attend the convention at Portland, to form a State Constitution." Larnard Swallow, Daniel Chase and Benj. Spaulding were selected "to advise with said Delegate as to the duties of said office."-On the question of ratifying the constitution for the new State of Maine, which was submitted to the people in December, 1446 votes were cast in favor of the proposition and 3 opposed.
1820.
Stephen Phelps was elected town clerk .- John Loring, Nathaniel Har- low and Aaron Parsons were chosen school committee .- Nathaniel Chase, Larnard Swallow and Stephen Phelps were selected "to petition the Legis- lature of Maine to abolish the Circuit Court of Common Pleas and to establish another mode whereby Justice may be obtained more readily and with less expense."-At the gubernatorial election, 137 ballots were cast and all were for William King .- For representative to the legisla- ture : Enoch Hall had 128, Benjamin Spaulding had 6, Larnard Swallow had 5 .- It was voted "that the Surveyors of highways shall not be allowed to receive ardent spirits, or other drink, towards any person's tax in- stead of labor."-But one party ticket was. voted for at the presidential and congressional elections. But slight interest appears to have been taken in the matter. It was the period of the "Era of Good Feeling." Thirty-nine votes were cast for Enoch Lincoln for Member of Congress and the same number was given for the Monroe electors.
1821.
A movement was started in January of this year to change the name of the town and a town meeting was held to see if the town would peti- tion the Legislature to change it "to that of Somerville, or any other name they may choose." At this meeting, it was subsequently decided not to alter the name of the town .- At the annual meeting in March, the
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matter came again before the town and a vote passed that the name of the town be altered to that of "Milton." Nothing came of this vote and the effort to change the name of the town died here. What the cause which started this movement was, it is now impossible to determine .- The collector of taxes was directed "to take notes on demand of such persons as liave no more stock than one cow," if not able to pay their taxes .- Levi Rogers was licensed as an "Innholder" and John Loring, Enoch Crocker, Nathaniel Harlow and Stephen Phelps, as "Retailers."- The vote for governor this year was as follows: Hon. Albion K. Parris, Rep., 130; Hon. Ezekiel Whitman, Fed., 21. Benj. Spaulding for repre- sentative to the legislature had 62, Larnard Swallow had 13 and Enoch 'Hall 19 votes .- Among the deaths this year was that of Elder William Irish. He was born in Gorham in 1741. Having seen considerable ser- vice in the Continental Army during the Revolution, he was accustomed to hardships and privations which fitted him for a pioneer life. His great service to the settlers was in becoming a lay preacher of the Gospel. In spiritual, moral and educational matters, he was the leader of the people of his section of the township for many years, and was finally succeeded by Elder Nathaniel Chase.
1822.
William Pidgin, Winslow Hall and Zadoc Long were elected school committee .- Zadoc Long was chosen town clerk .- The assessors were advised to require of every inhabitant whom they might think liable to be assessed for money at interest, "to give in the amount under oath."- The following persons were licensed "to be sellers of Wine, Beer, Ale, Cider, Brandy and Rum, and other strong liquors for one year :" John Loring, Enoch Crocker, Mark Lowell, Nathaniel Harlow and Long & Atwood. These were the principal traders in town at this time .- The vote for representative to the legislature this year was as follows: Lar- nard Swallow 64, Eliphalet Packard 13, Benj. Spaulding 7, and Enoch Hall 8 .- For several years, the town had been troubled with "uncurrent" money. Twenty dollars of such currency having found its way into the town treasurer's hands, a vote passed to have it sent to Boston to be dis- posed of to the best advantage.
1823.
"Ebenezer and John Shaw in Co." were licensed as Innholders .- For representative "to represent the Oxford District in the Congress of the United States, Enoch Lincoln of Paris had all the votes cast, 86."-It was "voted that the following persons, who have given their notes in pay- ment for taxes, have the privilege of working them out on the highways at six pence an hour :" James Monk, Ebenezer Austin, Levi Bryant, George Roberts, John Chaffin, Moses Buck, Philemon Parsons, John Drake, John Irish and Abner Rounds .- "After legal notice, John Loring, Nathan- iel Harlow, Nathan Atwood, Enoch Crocker and Long and Loring in Co." were licensed to sell strong liquors .- There was a sharp contest this year over representative to the legislature. It resulted as follows: Benj. Spaulding 36, Larnard Swallow 21, Enoch Hall 7.
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IHISTORY OF BUCKFIELD
1824.
Henry Hutchinson was chosen collector of taxes this year .- Enoch Hall, Samuel F. Brown and Nathaniel Harlow were chosen a committee "to exmaine the counterfeit money, which is in the hands of the town officers, and report what they think is proper for the town to do with the same."-Voted "that it is the sense of the town that no Surveyor will so far deviate from his duty as to appropriate the money in his bills to the purchase of ardent spirits."-The town expense account this year amounted to $266.88 .- The road "beginning in the center of the road near Long and Loring's Store," thence running by William Cole's "till it meets the road coming from John Mathews'," was accepted. Also, the road leading from Tobias Ricker's by James Hussey's to Hartford and the the road from Noah Hall's to land of James Lewis, were accepted .- Twenty cents for each militiaman was voted in lieu of rations. The sum of $75 was appropriated for powder and balls, and $25 "to replenish the town magazine with ammunition."-Voted to allow Sylvanus Irish $53.00 for the value of a horse which had been injured or killed by falling from a bridge. Enoch Hall had been selected to examine into the mat- ter and effect a settlement if possible .- At a meeting of the trustees of the school and ministerial fund, Benj. Spaulding was chosen president, Eliphalet Packard, clerk, and Larnard Swallow, treasurer .- The following new names appear among those licensed to sell ardent spirits: Allen Pompilly and Isaac Parsons .- The republicans had it all their own way at the presidential election. The vote was light and no opposition ballots were cast. Benj. Chandler for elector had 344 votes. He was a Jolin Quincy Adams man .- At the election of a representative to the legisla- ture, there was more interest. Benj. Spaulding was again elected. The vote stood thus: Benj. Spaulding had 37 votes, Larnard Swallow had 8 votes, Enoch Hall liad 10 votes, Aaron Parsons had 7 votes, Daniel Chase had I vote.
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CHAPTER XVIII.
CHURCH HISTORY.
When the sale of the township was made to Abijah Buck and his associates as will be seen elsewhere in these pages, two hun- dred acres of land were reserved for the first settled minister. an equal number for the use of the ministry, the same number of acres for the future disposition of the state and two hundred and eighty acres for schools. These were denominated public lands and were allotted by the proprietors many years after the first settlements were made and the most desirable localities had been selected and occupied. There was no provision in the deed to the purchasers how these lots should be selected or located except that the two hundred acres reserved for the future disposition of the Commonwealth should be near the center of the township. When the town had become so well settled as to be interested in having a resident minister and an established school system, con- troversies arose over the selection and location of these lands and a petition was made to the General Court of Massachusetts in 1814 by Henry Farwell, Larnard Swallow and William Berry representing these interests that fraud had been used in allotting the lands and that they had been located in swamps and on moun- tains where the land was not, or ever would be of any value and that the purpose of the Legislature in reserving these lands had been defeated and asking that an act be passed providing a rem- edy or some relief. The General Court sustained the proprietors and the petitioners were given leave to withdraw.
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