USA > Maine > Hancock County > Swans Island > A history of Swan's Island, Maine > Part 13
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1842.
Benjamin Stinson, William Stinson and Kimball Herrick were chosen assessors. Raised $100 for schools, $30 for current expenses, and $150 for highways. Eben-
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ezer Joyce and Joseph Gott were chosen school agents. Benjamin F. Stinson, John Adams and Silas Hardy, school committee. Voted to divide west district. The southeast district to be formed, the line running between Joseph Gott's and John Gott's; Irish point district line to run between Abel Lane's and David Smith's. William Joyce, William Fife and Joseph Gott were chosen tything- men. Voted to give east district power to elect its own school agent. State election, John Fairfield had 34 votes for governor; Edward Roberson I; for representative to the legislature, Stephen Allen 34.
1843.
John Adams, Ebenezer Joyce and Kimball Herrick were chosen assessors; John Adams, Benjamin Stinson and Silas Hardy, school committee. Voted to allow school districts to choose their own agents. Voted to num- ber the districts : West district shall be No. 1, east dis- trict No. 2, southwest district No. 3, southeast district No. 4. Raised $100 for schools, $150 for highways, and $40 for current expenses. Voted to lay out a road from Ed- mond Stanley's to Widow Gott's house. The school com- mittee was allowed fifty cents per school for their com- pensation. A road to be laid out from the schoolhouse to Silas Hardy's. In district No. 2 voted to pay summer teacher $1.00 per week. At the State election the fol- lowing vote was cast : For governor, Hugh J. Anderson, 23 votes; representative to the legislature, Erastus Red- man, 23.
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1844.
Benjamin Stinson, Benjamin Smith, jr., and Joseph R. Torrey were chosen assessors; William Joyce and Samuel Gott tything-men. Raised $125 for schools, $150 for highways and $35 for current expenses. Voted that the assessors lay out a road from William Joyce's to Abel E. Staples' house. At State election the vote was as fol- lows : For governor, Hugh J. Anderson, 45; Edward Robinson, I ; for representative to the legislature, Benja- min F. Stinson, 45 ; Humphrey Wells, I. Voted on an amendment to the constitution so as to establish town courts. The votes cast were even-18 yeas and 18 noes. Presidential election, the democratic electors received 60 votes, the whigs I.
1845.
Augustus R. Staples, Kimball Herrick and William Joyce were chosen assessors. John Adams, Benjamin Smith and Ebenezer Joyce, school committee. Raised $150 for schools, $40 for current expenses, $61 for arrearages, and $150 for highways. Voted not to grant license to sell intoxicating liquors. At the State election the following vote was cast : For governor, Hugh J. Anderson, 40; Freeman H. Morse, I; representative to the legislature, Hezekiah D. Means, 40. A meeting was called Feb. 14, 1846, at which it was voted to prohibit all non-residents from running hounds, setting traps or laying poison for any fur-bearing animal. The penalty to be $50 fine, one-half of which fine to go to the complainant.
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1846.
Augustus R. Staples, Benjamin F. Staples and Kim- ball Herrick, assessors. Raised $150 for schools, $50 for current expenses, and $150 for highways. Benjamin F. Stinson, Joshua S. Trask and William Fife, school committee. State election the following vote was cast : For governor, John W. Dana, 42; David Bronson, I ; representative to the legislature, Erastus Redman, 42. A meeting was called Feb. 3, 1847, at which it was voted that the men who had been chopping wood on advertised land be allowed to take the wood and pay stumpage according to value-fifty cents for hard wood, and twenty- five for soft wood. These men shall obtain a permit to remove this wood, or they will be liable for trespass. Voted that those claiming the land they occupy shall have the land surveyed, and a record made in the clerk's book. That all other lands not occupied be run out and marked into fifty-acre lots. This survey to be completed before April 30 next. All persons having taken up wild lands shall have the same surveyed and recorded before April 1 next.
1847.
Benjamin Stinson, Augustus R. Staples and Kimball Herrick were chosen assessors. Raised $160 for schools, $50 for current expenses and $150 for highways. No person is to be allowed to hunt with hounds except on his own land. Any person who does not pay tax on the land he has run out shall forfeit his right to said land. Voted to compel every man to keep his sheep within his own en=
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closure. Accepted the road laid out from Levi Torrey, jr.'s house to the main road.
In this year the wild land which had been advertised was run out by John Dodge, and the following lots were at once taken up: Edmond Stanley, 50 acres; James Sprague 75; John and David Sprague 200; Moses Staples 25; Washington Staples 33; Solomon Barbour 49; Benjamin F. Staples 26; Levi Torrey, jr., 12; Elias Morey 31 ; Isaiah B. Joyce 10; Benjamin Stockbridge 7 ; John Stockbridge 31; Ebenezer and Isaiah B. Joyce 151 ; Joseph Gott 138; Edward Gott 40; Kingsland and Con- ary 100; Asa C. Staples 25; Benjamin Smith 50; David Smith 115, and Kimball Herrick 115. There were also twenty-two other lots of 50 acres each which were not taken up at this time.
At the State election the votes cast were: For gov- ernor, John W. Dana, 35; David Bronson, I ; represen- tative to the legislature, Hezekiah Means, 35; N. K. Sawyer, I. On the vote to see if the State officers shall be elected by plurality, the result was 26 noes.
1848.
Augustus R. Staples, Benjamin F. Stinson and Ben- jamin Stockbridge, assessors. Raised $150 for schools, $150 for highways, and $60 for current expenses. Voted to sell non-resident land at auction for cash. Augustus R. Staples was made agent to run off this land and sell it. The lots were marked, according to quality, into first, sec- ond and third class. At the State election John W. Dana
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had 32 votes for governor; Erastus Redman, 36 votes for representative to the legislature. Presidential election the democratic electors had 43 votes ; the whig electors 3. 1849.
Kimball Herrick, Benjamin Smith, and Thomas J. Colomy, assessors. Raised $160 for schools, $170 for highways, and $50 for current expenses. Benjamin F. Stinson, Joseph R. Torrey and James Joyce were elected school committee. Ambrose Gott, Edward Gott and Elias Morey, tything-men. Voted to accept the road laid out from Samuel Roberson's to the highway. Voted to divide the money received from wild lands sold, in proportion, according to the inventory of 1846. At the State election John Hubbard received 28 votes for governor; Wyer Sar- gent 28 votes for representative to the legislature.
1850.
Benjamin Smith, jr., Edward Gott and David Stinson were chosen assessors. School agents chosen were John- son Billings No. 1, Jacob Reed No. 2, David Stinson No. 3, and David Sprague No. 4. Benjamin F. Stinson, Ben- jamin Stinson and Edward Gott were chosen school com- mittee. Raised $160 for schools, $175 for roads and $75 for current expenses. The school census in 1850 gave the following result: District No. 1, 64 scholars; No. 2, 62 ; No. 3, 25 ; No. 4, 43 ; total, 194. State election, John Hubbard had 24 votes for governor, William G. Crosby, 3. For representative to the legislature, Stephen D. Gray had 24 ; Rufus B. Walker, I, and Rufus K. Walker, 2.
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1851.
Kimball Herrick, John Sprague and John Stinson were chosen assessors ; Benjamin F. Stinson, Joseph R. Torrey and Augustus R. Torrey, school committee ; Ben- jamin Stinson, the plantation agent to sell wild lands. Raised $150 for schools, $150 for highways and $40 for current expenses. Voted to annex John Gott's property to district No. I. This year the school census was: Dis- trict No. 1, 59 scholars ; No. 2, 66, No. 3, 21; No. 4, 37. There were at this time 68 voters in the plantation. A special meeting was called for districts Nos. 1, 3 and 4, which voted to lay out a burying ground, funds for the same to be raised by subscription.
1852.
Solomon Barbour, Augustus R. Staples and Thomas Sadler were chosen assessors; Benjamin F. Stinson on the school board. Raised $180 for schools, $175 for high- ways and $50 for current expenses. At the State election the vote cast was : For governor, John Hubbard, 51 ; representative to the legislature, William Webb, 56. At the presidential election the democratic electors had 51 votes ; whigs none.
1853.
Solomon Barbour, Benjamin Smith, jr., and Joseph R. Torrey were chosen assessors; Augustus R. Torrey was chosen on the school board. Raised $180 for schools, $200 for highways and $60 for current expenses. Voted to lay out a road from Benjamin F. Stinson's house to the
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highway. State election, vote for governor was : Albert Pillsbury, 12, Anson P. Morrill, 9; William G. Crosby, 2; representative to the legislature, William F. Collins, 15. Voted to accept the road laid out from schoolhouse in district No. 4 to Moses Bridges.
1854.
Benjamin Smith, jr., Benjamin Stinson and Joseph R. Torrey were chosen assessors; Benjamin F. Stinson supervisor of schools. Raised $215 for schools, $200 for highways and $60 for current expenses. The article to provide for the selling of liquor for medicinal purposes was passed over. The number of voters in the plantation this year was 85.
1855.
Kimball Herrick, Asa Joyce and David Stinson were chosen assessors ; Benjamin F. Stinson, supervisor of schools. Raised $215 for schools, $125 for highways. Voted that each man shall work out his tax on or before September 20, or shall cause the same to be worked out on the highway. Raised $60 for current expenses. Voted to accept the road laid out from Moses Conary's house to J. S. Smith's barn; also the road from Samuel Kent's to Asa Smith's.
1856.
Augustus R. Staples, Benjamin Smith, jr., and Sol- omon Barbour were chosen assessors. Voted to have a school committee in place of a supervisor ; Benjamin F. Stinson, Augustus R. Torrey and Ebenezer Joyce were
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chosen. Raised $254 for schools, $200 for highways and $75 for current expenses. State election, the votes cast were : For governor, Samuel Wells, 29; Hannibal Ham- lin, 28; representative to the legislature, James Turner, 2d, 29; Charles A. Spofford, 28.
1857.
Solomon Barbour, Benjamin Smith, jr., and John Stockbridge were chosen assessors; Benjamin F. Stinson, Joseph R. Torrey and Ebenezer Joyce, school committee. Raised $260 for schools, $175 for roads, and $75 for cur- rent expenses. Voted that districts No. I and No. 2 be divided by a line between the property of Edward Gott and Isaiah B. Joyce; that Roderick M. Joyce be annexed to district No. 2, and John Gott to be set off to district No. I. Number of voters this year was 86. At the State election the vote for governor was : Manassah H. Smith, 19; Lot M. Morrill, 7; representative to the legislature, William Babbidge 19; John Turner 7.
1858.
David Sprague, Benjamin Smith, jr., and John Stockbridge, assessors. Chose Benjamin F. Stinson su- pervisor of schools. Raised $260 for schools, $75 for current expenses and $150 for roads. The plantation se- lected the hill near Wharton's as a suitable place to build a schoolhouse, on the north side of the road leading from James Joyce's to B. F. Staples', if a deed can be obtained at a reasonable price. If not it is to be built on land of O. W. Morrey's near said hill.
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1859.
Kimball Herrick, Benjamin Smith, jr., and Joseph W. Staples, assessors. The board of assessors be also the school committee. Raised $260 for schools, $75 for cur- rent expenses and $150 for highways. Voted to accept road from Lucy Valentine's house to the highway. Voted to divide district No. I between David Sprague's and Ed- ward Gott's; the north portion to be known as district No. 5 ; also that Roderick M. Joyce and others from district No. 2 at the line between J. W. Staples and John S. Joyce, and from district No. I to Benjamin Stinson's south line, this new district to be known as No. 6.
I860.
Benjamin Smith, jr., Joseph R. Torrey and Benjamin F. Staples, assessors, the assessors to serve as the school board. Raised $275 for schools, $200 for highways, and $75 for current expenses. At the presidential election the democratic electors had 20 votes and the republican 19.
186I.
Kimball Herrick, Benjamin F. Staples and Benjamin Stockbridge, assessors and school committee. Raised amount of school money required by law; $150 for roads, and $75 for current expenses.
I862.
Benjamin Smith, jr., John Staples and Martin V. Babbidge, assessors. Raised $300 for schools, $80 for current expenses and $150 for highways.
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1863.
Same board of assessors as the previous year was elected. Oliver L. Joyce was chosen collector of taxes, and was paid 4 per cent. Martin V. Babbidge, Cornelius Wasgatt and Ebenezer Joyce were school committee. Raised $300 for schools, $75 for current expenses, and $200 for roads. A special meeting was called Dec. I, at which it was voted to raise $2, 100 for volunteers; that the money be hired for two or three years' time, to be obtained in town if possible. Solomon Barbour was chosen agent to raise this money. This year there were 99 voters in the plantation.
1864.
James Joyce, Isaiah B. Joyce and James Joyce, jr., assessors ; Cornelius Wasgatt and Martin V. Babbidge, school committee. Voted to instruct the plantation agent to put all bills for war tax into the constable's hands for collection if not paid by September 2. Raised $300 for schools, $50 for current expenses, and $200 for highways. Paid 6 per cent. for collection of taxes. A meeting was called October 24 in which it was voted to raise $5,000 for volunteers and substitutes; that young men liable to be taxed shall pay $50 apiece. Benjamin Smith and Joseph W. Staples were elected collectors. A meeting was called February 17 at which $7,860 was raised to pay the men who have put substitutes in the army under the call of July, 1864. Voted to raise $800 to every man who enlisted.
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I865.
Solomon Barbour, Benjamin Smith, jr., and Joseph R. Torrey, assessors; Cornelius Wasgatt, Benjamin Smith, jr., and Joseph R. Torrey, school committee. Raised $350 for schools, $75 for current expenses, and $150 for highways. Voted to accept the road laid out from B. F. Staples' wharf to the nearest highway; also the road from E. F. Smith's to Fred and H. Benson's. A special meeting was called July 10. Heard the report of the men who had put substitutes into the army. Voted to pay them 50 per cent. of what they had paid out, and exempt them from further taxation. Voted to pay the money hired in three yearly installments.
1866.
Solomon Barbour, Benjamin Stockbridge and Oliver L. Joyce, assessors; Cornelius Wasgatt, Joseph R. Tor- rey and Oliver L. Joyce, school committee. Raised $370 for schools, $75 for current expenses, and voted to pay town officers $1.50 a day; $200 for highways. Voted to tax dogs $5. Voted to accept the road laid out from James Joyce's to Jacob S. Reed's, and thence to the high- way at the corner of James Joyce's fence, near Joseph F. Reed's.
1867.
Cornelius Wasgatt, Benjamin Smith, jr., and William Herrick, assessors; Cornelius Wasgatt, Benjamin Smith, jr., and Oliver L. Joyce, school committee. Raised $450 for schools, $75 for current expenses, and $250 for high-
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ways. Voted that all road tax not worked out before Oct. 10 to be put in the collector's hands. Chose Jacob S. Reed and Joseph Gott tything-men. Voted that there shall be a town landing at the head of the harbor, near J. Gott's, and a road be laid out to the highway. A meeting was called June 3 at which it was voted to accept the road laid out from Roderick M. Joyce's wharf to the highway near schoolhouse No. 6; also road from John Valentine's dwelling to the highway, and to discontinue the road near Benjamin Stinson's. Aug. 17, there were 96 voters in the plantation.
I868.
Solomon Barbour, Joseph R. Torrey and Isaiah J. Stockbridge, assessors ; Cornelius Wasgatt, John V. Stin- son and Oliver L. Joyce, school committee. Raised $450 for schools, $40 for current expenses, and $200 for high- ways. Chose Edward Gott collector of taxes; Levi B. Joyce and James F. Gott tything-men. Number of voters this year was 102. A meeting was called Dec. 5, at which it was voted to pay each man who went from this plantation into the war of the rebellion, or who furnished a substitute, the sum of $100. This amount to be raised in sixty days. At a subsequent meeting this vote was re- considered, and a longer time given in which to raise $1,500.
1869.
Kimball Herrick, Benjamin Smith, jr., and Joseph R. Torrey, assessors. The first assessor having resigned, John Stockbridge was chosen. Oliver L. Joyce, Martin
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V. Babbidge and Joseph R. Torrey, school committee, Raised $500 for schools, $75 for current expenses, and $200 for roads. Levi B. Joyce and Benjamin Smith, jr., were chosen tything-men.
1870.
Cornelius Wasgatt, Kimball Herrick and William Herrick, assessors; Cornelius Wasgatt, James F. Gott and Meltiah J. Stinson, school committee. Raised $500 for schools, $75 for current expenses, and $50 for roads. Voted that the plantation assess and collect $10.50 out of the $1,500, to pay war debt.
1871.
Solomon Barbour, Benjamin Smith, jr., and Mel- tiah J. Stinson, assessors; Cornelius Wasgatt, Joseph W. Staples and John N. Stinson, school committee, Raised $350 for schools, $100 for highways, $75 for current expenses. Voted to accept road from Kimball Herrick's house to the highway. Voted that district No. 6 be abolished, and that the dividing line between districts No. 1 and 2 be the line between the property of Edward Gott and David H. Sprague.
1872.
Solomon Barbour, Benjamin Smith, jr., and John Stockbridge, assessors ; Cornelius Wasgatt, Hanson B. Joyce and Charles H. Joyce, school committee. £ Raised $450 for schools, $150 for roads. Voted to buy the schoolhouse at Center.
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1873.
Hanson B. Joyce, George H. Barbour and Benjamin J. Staples, assessors ; Cornelius Wasgatt, Hanson B. Joyce and Charles H. Joyce, school committee, and that the com- mittee be paid $2 per day. Raised $500 for schools, $300 for highways, and $200 for current expenses. Ac- cepted the road laid out from Henry D. Joyce's to Joanna Torrey's house. Voted to change the road that now runs to the northward of E. M. Staples' house so as to run to the southwest of it, commencing at the southwest corner of B. F. Staples' field and meeting the old road in Leslie W. Joyce's pasture. The board of assessors having re- signed, Benjamin Smith, Joseph W. Staples and Charles H. Joyce were chosen. In State election Joseph Titcomb had 5 votes ; Nelson Dingley, jr., 6.
1874.
Cornelius Wasgatt, Joseph R. Torrey and Benjamin Smith, assessors ; Hanson B. Joyce and J. W. Stinson, school committee. Raised $300 for highways, $375 for schools, and $200 for current expenses. Voted that the superintending school committee be authorized to designate what series of text-books shall be used in the schools, and give notice thereof to the parents of the several districts before the summer term of school begins.
1875.
Cornelius Wasgatt, Joseph R. Torrey and Levi B. Joyce, assessors ; Cornelius Wasgatt, Martin V. Babbidge and Charles H. Joyce, school committee. James Joyce
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was chosen collector, his compensation to be $24.50. Raised $500 for schools, $300 for highways and $275 for current expenses.
1876.
David E. Sprague, M. J. Stinson and James Joyce, assessors ; Benjamin Smith, collector ; Cornelius Wasgatt, Levi B. Joyce and Martin V. Babbidge, school committee. Voted that the treasurer make a discount of 10 per cent. on all taxes paid in previous to November 1, and that all taxes remaining unpaid January 1, 1877, be put in the constable's hands for collection. Raised $400 for schools, $50 for highways and $350 for current expenses. Voted to expend $25 on road leading from Kimball Herrick's house to the highway. The assessors to sell schoolhouse No. 6, and the proceeds divided between districts No. I and No. 2 in proportion to the number of scholars which each district received from district No. 6 when this school was discontinued. There were 117 voters in town at this election.
1877.
David E. Sprague, James Joyce and Michael Stin- son, assessors ; Cornelius Wasgatt, Martin V. Babbidge and Levi B. Joyce, school committee. Raised $400 for schools, $100 for highways, and $375 for current expenses.
1878.
Benjamin Smith, M. J. Stinson and Levi B. Joyce, assessors ; John Staples, treasurer; Levi B. Joyce and Charles H. Joyce, school committee. Raised $400 for
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schools, $375 for current expenses, and $100 for high- ways. Voted to accept the road laid out from Michael Stinson's house to his wharf: also that the assessors lay out a road from Kimball Herrick's house to the lighthouse on Hocomock Head. A meeting was called March 21, 1878, at which it was voted to discontinue all highways on Swan's Island, and that all money raised for highways be expended on private ways. At the State election the fol- lowing vote was cast : For governor, Seldon Connor had 3; Joseph L. Smith, 24 ; Alonzo Garcelon, 12 ; represen- tative to the legislature, Charles A. Russ had 32; Benja- min G. Barbour, 4. This year there were 139 voters.
1879.
Benjamin Smith, Levi B. Joyce and Oliver L. Joyce, assessors ; John Staples, treasurer ; Martin V. Babbidge on the school committee. Raised $300 for current ex- penses, $400 for schools and $200 for roads. At the State election the vote for governor was : Joseph L. Smith, 42 ; Alonzo Garcelon, 9; Daniel F. Davis, 9; for represen- tative to the legislature, Charles H. S. Webb, 57; Rodney Witherspoon, 9. On the constitutional amendment to have biennial elections for State officers, yeas 57.
1880.
David E. Sprague, James Joyce and Joseph W. Staples, assessors ; Joseph W. Staples and Levi B. Joyce, school committee. Raised $400 for current expenses, $400 for schools and $200 for highways. At the State election the vote for governor was : Harris M. Plaisted,
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29; Daniel F. Davis, 5; representative to the legislature, Seth Webb, 29; Moses S. Joyce, 5; on constitutional amendment to elect State officers by plurality, yeas 2 ; noes IO. In the presidential election the democratic electors had 78 votes ; the republican II.
188I.
David E. Sprague, Oliver L. Joyce and Joseph W. Staples, assessors ; Levi B. Joyce, Joseph W. Staples and Charles H. Joyce, school committee. Raised $400 for current expenses, $490 for schools, and $400 for high- ways. Voted that the road laid out by the assessors from Toothaker's by David E. Sprague's to connect with the old road nearly abreast George B. Stewart's, be accepted ; also accepted the road laid out past Levi B. Joyce's barn, and running to the old road near the swamp.
1882.
Benjamin Smith, Joseph W. Staples and Myric E. Staples, assessors ; Isaiah J. Stockbridge, on the school committee. Raised $490 for schools, $350 for current expenses, and $400 for highways. Voted that all books be bought at the plantation's expense and sold at cost. John Staples was appointed agent. Voted to accept the road laid out from Herbert Joyce's house to the steamboat wharf; also the road from Orlando Trask's house, past John S. Staples' barn to the main road .. At the State election the vote stood : For governor, Harris M. Plaisted, 23; Frederick Robie, 7; representative to the legislature, Charles A. Spofford, 23; George H. Howard, 7.
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1883.
David E. Sprague, Joseph W. Staples and Isaiah J. Stockbridge, assessors; Levi B. Joyce on the school com- mittee. Raised $500 for highways, $485 for schools, and $400 for current expenses. Voted to discontinue the road from Henry D. Joyce's to the cross-road near M. E. Staples'; also the road from where Benjamin J. Staples' wharf was to the highway, and also the road from Charles W. Kent's to John C. Kent's. The whole amount of tax raised this year was $1,888.21.
1884.
David E. Sprague, Isaiah J. Stockbridge and Oliver L. Joyce, assessors; Oliver L. Joyce, on the school com- mittee. Raised $490 for schools, $350 for current ex- penses, and $500 for highways. Discontinued the road near the head of the harbor. At the State election the vote for governor was : John B. Redman, 35; Frederick Robie, 25; representative to the legislature, William P. Herrick, 56. At the presidential election the democratic electors had 21 votes ; the republican, 21 ; prohibition, 3. A special meeting was held at schoolhouse No. 5, and it was voted to accept the new road laid out at the head of the harbor, and also road south of No. 6 schoolhouse, and to hire $100 to be expended on said roads immediately.
1885.
Joseph W. Staples, Levi B. Joyce and Edmond F. Bridges, assessors; Isaiah J. Stockbridge on the school
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committee. Raised $485 for schools, $300 for current expenses, and $500 for highways. Voted to discontinue the road from the highway to the old Torrey place, and also the old road eastward of James L. Smith's, abreast the new road laid out. Voted to accept the road laid out from John C. Kent's to Albion W. Smith's field. There were 22 majority in favor of rebuilding county buildings at Ellsworth.
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