USA > Maine > Oxford County > Buckfield > A history of Buckfield, Oxford County, Maine, from the earliest explorations to the close of the year 1900 > Part 6
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At a legal meeting December the 6th 1791, Dominicus Record moder- ator.
Voted that no one person shall cut, fall or carry away any pine tim- ber or logs off the proprietors' undivided land.
At a legal meeting of the proprietors of Bucktown held at the house of Mr. Abijah Buck in Bucktown Dominicus Record moderator December the 20, 1791.
First voted to reserve roads on every undivided lot or lots to be laid where the committee that is appointed to lay out roads for the benefit of the town shall think proper.
2 voted to draw one hundred acres to every single Right and drawed them.
3 voted that if any one of the proprietors should draw a lot that was unfit for a settlement containing one hundred acres shall have the liberty to choose another hundred acres anywhere on the undivided land belong- ing to the proprietors provided they make their return to the clark before the first of June next and no longer.
4 voted that all those whose names are hereafter mentioned who had lots in their possession containing one hundred acres before the first division was drawn was confirmed to them as strong as though they had drawn them in the first division-John Warren No. 22, Benjamin Spauld- ing No. 20, Nathaniel Buck No. 8, Dominicus Record No. 21, Abijah Buck No. 9, 10, 18 lots in his possession. All those men who had hundred acre lots in their possession in the second division was confirmed to them as strong as though they drawed them, namely Benjamin Spaulding No. 21, Nathaniel Buck No. 19, Abijah Buck No. 18, John Buck No. 16, Dominicus Record No. 21 containing 187 acres by a vote February the 10, 1789 that if any of the proprietors of Bucktown should get off any of the illegal settlers should have the lot that they got off for their second division. Dominicus Record got off Joseph Irish 100 acre lot No. 8 R. 2 East. Thomas Coburn got off Andrew Elliot 100 acre lot. Benjamin Spaulding got off Nathaniel Smith 100 acre lot No. 11 East. Abijah Buck Enoch Leathers 50 acres No. 3 East, and there was fifty acres allowed to him of lot No. 9 first range. Edmund Chandler got off Jotham Shaw 60 acres No. 6 which was confirmed to him also 231/2 acres off lot No. 31 was also confirmed to him. Voted that Mark Andrews should have the lib- erty to choose two lots either No. seven in second range or No. seven in third range or No. twelve in the second range and No. thirteen west pro- vided he makes this return to the clark by the first of June next.
At a legal meeting of the proprietors of Bucktown February the 27, 1792, Dominicus Record moderator.
1 Voted to raise six shillings and ten pence upon every single Right.
2 Voted that as Abijah Buck our agent and treasurer received of the proprietor's money one hundred and twenty-seven pounds eleven shillings with which sum he went to Boston and finished the last payment that was due to the Committe at Boston for the township of Bucktown so called and for his pocket expenses and getting the deed recorded at Port- land office which was done to the exceptance of the proprietors.
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3 Voted that any one of the proprietors of Bucktown shall have the liberty to settle with Job Tucker and James Jordan who are unlawful settlers in Bucktown provided that whoever of the proprietors that settle with the said Tucker and Jordan shall discount out of their third divi- sion of land the value of the place that the said Tucker and Jordan are in possession of provided they settle by the first of April next.
4 Voted that any one of the proprietors of Bucktown shall have the liberty to settle with Thomas Lowell or John Thurlo concerning a piece of land lying near lot No. 35 containing 3614 acres provided he will dis- count the value of two dollars per acre out of his third division of land in Bucktown.
At a legal meeting of the proprietors at the house of Mr. Abijah Buck in Bucktown December 18, 1792, Dominicus Record moderator.
First voted that the whole lots, gores and pieces of land should stand just as they were drawn in the last division and that the whole lots, gores and pieces of land should be recorded more or less.
2 voted to raise four shillings upon every single Right.
3 voted that although the proprietors have divided and drawn all their Right or Rights of land-some small pieces excepted belonging to the proprietors of Bucktown yet they should hold together with the same power to call proprietors meetings and to raise money to defray charges that may arise upon any account whatsoever and to do any other busi- ness that shall be thought proper until further order and then the meet- ing was dissolved.
At a legal meeting of the proprietors held at the house of Abijah Buck June the 30, 1795, Dominicus Record moderator.
Voted to lay out a lot of land containing 85 acres into eight acre lots. 2 voted to alter the bounds of John Irish's lot.
3 voted to alter Edmund Chandler's lot.
Then the meeting was adjourned.
Buckfield September the 27, 1797.
At a proprietors meeting at the house of Abijah Buck in Buckfield Thomas Allen moderator.
1ly voted Dominicus Record proprietors clark.
Buckfield September the 27, 1797. Personally appeared the above named Dominicus Record and was sworn to the faithful discharge of his duty in which he is chosen. Before me Isaac Sturtifant Esq.
At a legal meeting of the proprietors of the town of Buckfield Decem- ber the 19 A. D. 1798 Abijah Buck moderator and adjourned to Monday the 24 of December 1798 at one of the clock in the afternoon.
Agreeable to the above adjournment the proprietors met at the house of Abijah Buck and voted on the following articles.
1 voted that the proprietors committee be a committee to give Samuel Andrews power to act in behalf of the proprietors of Buckfield to get the lines of the town established according to John Jordan's survey.
2ly voted three dollars to Abijah Buck.
3ly voted two dollars to Benjamin Spaulding.
1ly voted two dollars to Dominicus Record.
5ly voted Abijah Buck seven dollars and seventy cents for attending Court at Portland to present the establishment of the town lines at that time.
6ly voted to raise one dollar and twenty-five cents on each Right. 7ly voted to Dismiss the meeting.
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Buckfield May 16 1799. At a legal meeting of the proprietors of the town of Buckfield, Abijah Buck moderator.
1 voted to choose a committee to go to Samuel Parris or others to act on the proprietors affairs and give power to act for them in General Court if they think proper relative to the town lines.
2 voted that the former committee shall be a committee for the above purpose.
3 voted that Abijah Buck shall be an agent to act in General court for the proprietors of Buckfield in getting the town lines established.
4 voted that Abijah Buck shall take his expense money out of what Jonathan Roberts owes the proprietors if he goes to Boston on proprie- tors business.
5 voted that the meeting Desmist.
Buckfield, October the 6 A. D. 1800.
At a legal meeting of the proprietors of the town of Buckfield at the school house between Thomas Allen and Abijah Buck.
1 voted Abijah Buck moderator.
2 voted to adjourn the meeting to Monday the thirteenth Day of Octo- bor instant at two of the clock in the afternoon.
Agreeable to the above adjournment the proprietors met and voted as follows, to viz :
First to raise twenty-five cents on each Right of land in the propri- etors strips.
2d voted that Abijah Buck shall go to Portland and take care of the proprietors business at Portland with Jonathan Roberts.
3ly voted to Dismiss the meeting."
Buckfield March 29th 1803
At a legal meeting at the school house between Abijah Buck's and Thomas Allen's, the proprietors met and chose Abijah Buck moderator.
Voted to ajourn to the 5th day of April next at one o'clock in the afternoon to meet at the above said School house.
April the 5th 1803 agreeable to ajournment the proprietors met.
Voted the proprietors committee's accounts to be allowed.
Voted the proprietors committee shall measure off lot No. 16. Voted to ajourn to the third Monday of next June at two of the clock in the afternoon to meet at the above named Schoolhouse.
June the 20-1803 the proprietors met according to adjournment, and adjourned to Abijah Buck's Dwelling house in Buckfield.
Voted to sell all the land belonging to the proprietors of Buckfield lying between the land of Dominicus Record and the land of Thomas Lincoln and Thomas Allen's land.
Voted the former committee be a committee to sell the above said land.
Voted to ajourn to the dwelling house of Dominicus Record to meet on Monday the 11th of July next at three of the clock in the afternoon.
July the IIth then met according to adjournment.
Voted Dominicus Record $2.40 for recording land and meetings.
Voted to ajourn to the last Monday of August next, to meet at the dwelling house of Dominicus Record at two of the clock in the afternoon, August the 29, 1803, then meet the proprietors of Buckfield and voted to dismiss the meeting.
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Buckfield April the ninth A. D. 1806. At a legal meeting of the pro- prietors of the town of Buckfield and Voted as follows viz :
Voted Abijah Buck Esq moderator.
Voted to sell all the peaces of land that is not sold nor drawn, belong- ing to the proprietors of Buekfield.
Voted the former Committee be a committee to sell land -- peaces of land.
Voted to dismiss the meeting.
Buckfield January the 1-1810. At a legal meetting of the Proprie- tors of Buckfield at the house of Dominicus Record Esq.
first Voted Benjamin Spaulding moderator.
secondly Voted that Abiaih Buck to be Proprietors Clark.
thirdly Voted that \bijah Buck should be agent on the acount of a law sute against David Farrow.
forthly Voted to adjorn this meeting to the first Monday in February next at one of the clock in the afternoon at Abijah Buck's Dwelling house in Buckfield.
January the first A. D. 1810
Parsonely appeared Abijah Buck Esquire, and took the oath that he wold Faithfully, perform the Duty of a Proprietor's Clark. Before me DOMINICUS RECORD Justice of the Peace.
February the 5-1810 then met according to the ajoinment at the time and place above said and went on to Bisness.
first Voted to Raise two Dollars on Each Right, on the Proprietors Lands in Buckfield, for the expense of the above Sute. Then Voted to ajorn this meeting to the 26 Day of March next, at one o'clock in the afternoon at Abijah Buck's dwelling house in Buckfield.
Abijah Buck Proprietors Clarke
There were several meetings held between the date of the last men- tioned and the following, but no business appears to have been transacted.
Buckfield Nov. the 19, 1810.
At a legal meeting of the Proprietors of Buckfield tipon an adjourn- ment.
Voted that the accounts of Abijah Buck and Benjamin Spaulding for carrying on a law suit against David Farrow be allowed.
Abijah Buck's acount for time and expense, $44.47 Benajmin Spalding's acount for time and expense. $10.50
And then the meeting was adjourned.
Buckfield March the 26-1811.
Voted to ehuse a Committee to Settle the Proprietors Books. Then voted that Abijah Buck and Dominicus Record should be the Committee to Settle and balance the Proprietors Books. Then voted to adjourn.
Buckfield September the 10-1811
Then voted to ajorn the meeting to the 12th Day of November next at one o'clock in the afternoon at Abijal Buck's dwelling house in Buckfield. This meeting was desolved by the Death of Mr. Benjamin Spalding he being moderator. He Died before the time of the meeting
ABIJAH BUCK, Proprietor's Clarks
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Buckfield March the 31-1812
By order of the Proprietors of Buckfield I notify and warn the Pro- prietors of Said Buckfield, to meet at Abijalı Buck's Dwelling house on Monday the twentyth Day of April next at one of the clock, in the after- noon for the following Purposes to: viz-
First to chuse a moderator to govern Said meeting.
Second to chuse one Committe man if thought best.
Thirdly to allow the Proprietors' acounts if thought proper.
Forthly to Do any other Bisness for the benefit of the Proprietors on said Day.
ABIJAH BUCK Proprietors' Clark.
Pursuant to the within Request, I have notified and warned all the Proprietors of Buckfield to meet at the time and Place and for the Pur- poses within mentioned.
Buckfield April the twenty Day-1812
ABIJAH BUCK Proprietors' Clark.
Buckfield April the 20-1812
At a legal meeting of the Proprietors of Buckfield at Abijah Buck's house first,
Voted Benjamin Spalding moderator for said meeting. Secondly, Voted John Warren a Committe man in the room of Mr. Spalding De- ceased.
Thirdly, Voted to allow the acounts of Abijah Buck, Benjamin Spald- ing, Nathaniel Buck and Dominicus Record against the Proprietors for settling the Proprietors acounts and Ballencing the Books.
Abijah Buek's acount to 212 Days, $1.66
Benjamin Spalding's acount to 2 Days, $1.33
Nathaniel Buck's acount to 2 Days, $1.33 Dominicus Record's acount to 12 Day, $0.33
Fourthly Voted to allow Abijah Buck four Dollars and thirty six cents which was due on Jonathan Tyler's right $4.36
Fifthly, Voted to Abijah Buck's acount for Collecting the Proprietor's money and Paying out the same for eight years $8.00
Sixly, Voted to allow Abijah Bucks' acount for being Treasurer for twenty years for said Proprietors $4.00
Seventh, Voted to record the publick lands according to the Proprie- tor's Deed of the town of Buckfield.
The Deed sais "Reserving however two hundred aeres for the use of the minister" to viz
One lot in the Fourth Range, East Division No. 2 contains 100 aeres. One lot in the Fifth Range, East Division No. 1 contains 100 acres. These lots are for the use of the minister.
"Two hundred acres for the first Settled minister."
One lot in the Seventh range No. 12, west division, contains 100 acres. One lot in the fifth range No. 17 contains 100 acres West Division. These lots are for the first Settled minister.
"Two hundred and eighty acres for the use of a grammar School."
One lot in the Second range No. 11 contains 100 acres East Division.
One lot in the first range No. 11 contains 100 acres East Division and one lot in the third range No. 7 contains eighty acres of the South West end of said lot West Division. "And two hundred acres near the Center
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of the town of Buckfield for the futer disposition of the General Court."
One lot in the Seventh Range No. 13 contains one hundred acres, West Division. One lot in the seventh range No. 14 contains one hundred acres West Division. These lots ware set off by the Commonwealth's Committe for the above use according to the Deed above said.
Eighth Voted to chuse a Committe to meet with the town's Committe concerning the publick lands in the town of Buckfield.
Ninth Voted that the Committe shall consist of two.
Tenth Voted that \bijah Buck and Benjamin Spalding shall be the Committe for that purpose.
Eleventh, Voted to ajorn this meeting.
ABIJAH BUCK, Proprietors' Clark.
MEMORANDA.
John Brown sold one Right in the Proprietors' lands to Nathan Pierce May 16 1788.
Tristram Warren bought one Right of Col. Moses Merrill.
Buckfield September the 6-1811
This day the Proprietors' Committe look over the Proprietors Books and found the Debt and Credit Balance Right, by us the Subscribers.
BENJAMIN SPALDING } The Proprietors NATHANIEL BUCK Committe
ABIJAH BUCK, Proprietors' Clarke
For and in consideration of a certain tract or parcel of land Deeded to me by Benjamin Spaulding, Abijah Buck and Dominicus Record all of Buckfield. Said Deed bearing Date February the fourth, one thousand eight hundred and three, which land I received in consequence of a Car- tain lot of land, I had of the Heirs of James Thurlow, a settler in Buck- field, which was called one hundred and twelve rods in wedth, but proved to be but one hundred and four rods in wedth and I sartify, that I take the above named tract of land in full compensation for the Deficiancy of the weadth of said Thurlow settling lot of land in Buckfield.
Buckfield February the fourth, one thousand eight hundred and three, as witness my hand WILLIAM BERRY Attest, GEORGE W. CUSHMAN BETSY BUCK.
The Proprietors Committe payed the Charges of a law Sute against David Farrow and all other charges of the above said Proprietors and balanced the acounts on the Proprietors Books out of the above said money (money obtained from the sale of lands) and the rest was divided to each Right, according as the Proprietors owned. Done by the above said Proprietors Committee.
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HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD
CHAPTER VIII.
LATER TRADITIONAL HISTORY.
A survey of the township was made in 1785, as we have seen and the land run out into ranges and lots which were numbered. The first range in the West Division bordered on Paris town line. In the section west of the settling lots of those who had come into the township prior to Jan. 1, 1784, was some excellent land but the country here was hilly and the bears were numerous. In 1787 the first settler entered the region for the purpose of select- ing a lot for a settlement. It was David Farrar-then generally written Farrow -- of Hingham, Mass. He purchased a lot in the fourth range, adjoining the lots of the Warrens. Here he made a clearing and erected a log house. In the early spring of 1788 he set out with his wife and children for his pioneer home. They landed from a vessel at Falmouth, now Portland. It is said that he had but fifty cents in his pocket when the family started fron Falmouth on foot for Bucktown.
His family then consisted of his wife, who was Judith Stod- dard of Scituate and six children. Judith, the oldest, was in her 16th year ; David, 13: Samuel, 9; Phillip, 7; Tamar, not quite 4 and Mehitable one year and three months old. It must have taken them several days to reach the township.
As the family entered it, on the route traveled by the early settlers over South Hill, tradition says that it was nearly sun- down. Ahead of the others of this weary little company was the girl Judith, when a large black bear was espied in the path before her. As might have been expected from a girl reared in one of the oldest towns in the old colony she screamed. This brought quickly to the scene an athletic young man with his gun from a nearby clearing. At a glance he took in the situation and bid- ding the frightened girl step aside, he took aim at the bear and fired. The sharp report of the gun hastened the footsteps of the rest of the Farrar family and when they reached the place they found the animal just breathing its last. Gathering around the dead bear they had their first experience in pioneer life.
The young man was Thomas Lowell, who had selected a lot for settlement nearby and had provided a home in his log house for his father and mother. He invited the Farrars to the house,
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where they were made welcome. In after years they often re- ferred to their first night in Bucktown and the generous hospital- ity they received.
The next day leaving his family with the Lowells, David Far- rar went on to his clearing. He found that the snow had blown into his log house. This was thrown out and the places where the snow had sifted in made tight. When it was rendered com- fortable the family was brought to it. While the father was working on the future abode of the family. it is said that Thomas Lowell began his wooing of the fair daughter, Judith. As may be supposed, it was not opposed by either family. When the father gave his consent, he told his future son-in-law that he must hunt up a minister to perform the marriage ceremony as he had no time to do so. The lovers were married in 1790.
David Farrar spent the greater part of his time at work for the settlers at his trade as a housewright, as it was called in those days. After a few years he prospered and became well to do. He died in 1810 and Buckfield lost one of its most worthy citi- zens of that period. David Farrar was of medium height and slightly built, but his wife was a large woman from whom the Farrars have inherited forms of good size. There were ten chil- dren in all. Those born here were: Nathan, Sept. 16, 1789 : Bela, Dec. 26. 1791 : Desire, Oct. 3, 1796 and John, July 10. 1800. They all settled hear the old homestead.
In the year 1788, William Harlow of Plymouth, Mass., came to Township No. 5 looking for a place to locate. It was the same year that David Farrar had moved his family beyond the lots of the Warrens into the unsettled western half of the planta- tion as related. Harlow was alone and carried the usual pioneer outfit, an ax, a gun, a bundle of necessary articles, all suspended from his shoulders. He arrived at the mills ( now Buckfield vil- lage) on the 26th day of June, where he met Abijah Buck, the pioneer.
William Harlow found Buck no ordinary man as some years afterward he told the story of his visit to his intimate friend and neighbor, John Rider. Harlow was most cordially received and hospitably entertained. A plan of the town was laid before him and Buck talked to him through half of the afternoon and the
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whole of the evening of the great advantages which the different sections of the plantation presented to the settler. He cited the large crops of corn and wheat already raised by the resident farmers. The hills of the western section were in his estimation the best localities for farms. He was anxious to get a few set- tlers into the first range next to the Paris line and he informed Harlow that the Nezinscot river had been rudely bridged. (This was near the White bridge now built across the stream.) And the land had been taken up to the top of the hill west of it. John Buck, his son, then twenty years old, had taken the nearest lot in the range westerly ( No. 9, Fifth Range ) and had already begun clearing the land and making improvements. He advised Har- low to go into the next range west of his son John's land and select his lot.
Old "Granny Tyler," who sat listening to the conversa- tion then said: "If you do, Mr. Harlow, look out that the bears don't eat your children up, for they will holler up there at times like all possessed." Harlow met, that night, at Buck's, Joel Fos- ter, who had moved into the plantation about three years before from Pembroke, Mass., and who had established a tannery at the mills. He was the affianced husband of Phebe Buck, one of the daughters. He was there presumably to see his future wife. They were married fifteen days after, July 10, 1788.
The next morning, accompanied by Abijah Buck, Harlow started out prospecting, but when only a short distance had been gone, they were overtaken by one of the boys, who had a message for his father's return to see some parties who wanted to inter- view him on business. Accordingly Harlow went on alone and traveling all day, finally near nightfall he returned to No. 9, Sec- ond Range, where he concluded to locate on account of the thick hard wood growth which he found in that locality. He felled two large trees, and between them arranged a couch, where he slept through the night. Tradition says that he was awakened by a bear that came smelling around the fallen trees. He was astir early and went to work felling the huge hard wood trees which then covered the hill where his future home was to be. He cut and carried sticks of spruce and pine from the lowlands for parts of the log house. As a rule the settlers came in twos and threes and usually exchanged work, especially the lifting of heavy logs and such labor. Harlow was alone, away from other
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HISTORY OF BUCKFIELD
settlers and was obliged to do his own work unaided whether light or heavy. He was within half a mile of the Paris line and about four miles from the settlement on Paris Hill which was begun there a few years before but to reach it 'twas necessary to go through an unbroken forest by a spotted line. After toiling laboriously for many days, he had made a small clearing, erected a log house, cut a path to the Buck hill and bridged the streams. He had backed his eatables from the mills while at work and his trusty rifle had furnished him game in abundance. His work done he returned to his home in Massachusetts to prepare for his removal in the spring of the next year.
In 1789 he moved his family into the plantation. It consisted of his wife and four children as follows: Nathaniel, eight years old ; Ivory, five years ; Jerusha, three years and Ephraim, not yet one year old. William Harlow was descended from Robert Har- low who married Rebecca Bartlett at Plymouth, Mass., in 1649. His house was constructed out of the timbers of the old fort 011 Burial Hill used by the settlers to protect themselves against the Indians. The fort had been abandoned after the close of King Philip's war, and the timbers were given him to erect his dwelling house. William was sixth in descent from this Robert and married Susannah, daughter of Thomas Harlow. Their other children born in Buckfield were Susannah, March 19, 1793; Isaac, April 10, 1795; Elizabeth, April 23, 1797 and Ducilla, March 31, 1800.
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