USA > Maine > Androscoggin County > Turner > A history of Turner, Maine, from its settlement to 1886 > Part 5
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Elijah Gilbert came into town at an early period, in what year is not known, and secured four lots of land, one of which was number twenty, and the others were adjacent, or in the vicinity. His land embraced a part of the cedar swamp at the foot of the "Gilbert Hills," as they were sometimes called, on the road leading from the " Upper Street" to the river, between the farms of Richard Phillips and Benjamin Jones.
Elijah Gilbert married, in Plymouth County, Mass., the widow of a Mr. Randall, whose maiden name was Hannah Stetson. Their children were Josiah, Elijah, Nisa, so-called, but it is sup- posed to be Eunice, Caleb, Hannah, and James Drew.
The children of Josiah Gilbert and Bethany Day, his wife, were Daniel, who died young; Clarisa, who married and moved away; Olive, who married and deceased ; Luther, now living in Turner; Sarah, who lives in Massachusetts; a daughter, name not remembered; Randall, removed from town, and Lovicea, deceased.
Elijah Gilbert Jr. removed to Chesterville, where he left a family of daughters.
The children of Caleb Gilbert by his first wife, Dianna Curtis, were Lewis, who settled in Turner, but at length removed to Greene, where he spent a large portion of his life ; Caleb, who
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HISTORY OF TURNER.
married a daughter of Ichabod Leavitt, now deceased ; Diana who married Alden Rose, deceased; Franklin, who spent his life in the town; Melzar, who married Alma Bradford, and is now living ; Hiram, who married Sarah Ann Bidwell, removed from town ; and one that died in infancy. By his second wife, Achsah Burgess, his children were John, who removed from town and deceased; Achsah, who married away; Elijah, who died in early life ; Mary, who married away ; Love, who also married away. By his third wife, a Miss Blaisdell, his children were Fairfield, Clinton, and one whose name is not remembered. These all removed from town.
The children of James Drew Gilbert and Rebecca Day, his wife, were Hannah, who married John S. Leavitt, deceased ; Washington, who married Jane Badger, and is a lawyer in Bath ; Carolus, who lives in Auburn; James Drew, who married and settled in Turner; Roxanna, who married George A. Hinkly, deceased; Octavia, who married the same, lives in Newton, Mass .; Ammi, who died unmarried, and Everline, who married Ralph Davenport of Newton, Mass.
The children of Lewis Gilbert and Eunice Alden, his wife, are Ziba A., who married Clara Bradford, and resides in Greene ; Osca, who married a Mr. Cole of Lewiston ; Selden, who married a Miss Whitmore of Bowdoinham, and is the pastor of a church in New Haven, Conn .; Ellen, who married Horace Bradford of Turner, and a son who resides in Massachusetts.
The following information respecting the Smith family is gathered from genealogical tables and a communication furnished by Mrs. A. M. Pulsifer, of Auburn : -
Jasiel Smith was born in Taunton, Mass., March 25, 1734; married Anna Crossman, April 14, 1757. They continued to reside in Taunton for thirty years, and there their children were born.
.
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HISTORY OF TURNER.
Their children were Hannah, born Feb. 15, 1758, and married Samuel Andrews of Berkley, Mass., June 29, 1779, and moved into Turner in July. A daughter born July 9, 1759, died in infancy. Laban, born Feb. 1, 1760, married Molly Bryant in Turner. Jasiel, born Feb. 7, 1763, married Rachael Purrington of Topsham. Asa, born Aug. 22, 1765, married Jane Niles, in Turner. Seba, born June 13, 1767, married Aphia Stevens. Nancy, born May 13, 1769, married Moses Stevens, of Turner. Keziah, born Sept. 22, 1771, married James Waterman of Tur- ner. Chloe, born March 16, 1774, married Dr. Charles Hay of Reading. Rachel, born March 25, 1780, married John Strick- land of Turner.
Samuel Andrews, who married Hannah Smith, bought the farm on which Rev. George Bates lived many years, on the Lower street, now owned by Lewis Briggs, and was probably the first merchant in town. Reports and traditions are some- what confusing, but it seems that he brought his goods from Portland on horseback, in saddlebags, and kept them in a drawer or cupboard; that his house was at first a simple roof resting upon the ground, which he raised up in due time, plac- ing walls under it. As his business increased he devoted more space to it, until at length his house became a store, though occupied also as a dwelling. From an account book bearing date April, 1793, I copy the following charges : -
s.
d.
I Speling book. I
4
I Mouse trap. 6
A " Jewsarp " IO
Fishhook. 8
I penknife.
8
I penknife I
I
Gingerbread and biscuit
6
I Book. 9
I Biscuit I
Cakes. 2
Buttings and tacks I
8
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HISTORY OF TURNER.
This account will give some idea of the trade in this store opened on Lower street so many years ago. It is probable that the store had been open for business a considerable time when this account was made.
Anna Crosman Smith, who with her husband moved into Turner in June, 1787, possessed a remarkable memory as well as poetic gifts, which have been inherited by her descendants. An eulogy in verse, written in honor of her great-grandfather, Major Thomas Leonard of Taunton, by Rev. Samuel Danforth, the associate of Elliot in his missionary labors among the Indians, she committed to memory from a printed copy pasted upon the wall in her grandfather's house. She was then very young, for when she was six years of age the house was burned, " but the eulogy was safe in her retentive memory."
On her eighty-fourth birthday she wrote as follows : -
This day another year is done Since first I drew my breath ; And here I stand a candidate To choose my everlasting state, And seal my destiny of fate, Of endless life or death.
Thy wondrous mercy guarded me Through childhood, youth and years ; Thy hand unseen conveyed me safe Through dangers, toils and cares. Oh ! let my soul with joy record The boundless goodness of the Lord, And still repeat his praise. Old Age is come with all her train, Disease and sickness, grief and pain ; But why should living man complain ? So let thy will be done. 6
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HISTORY OF TURNER.
She lived to a great age, retaining in a remarkable degree her powers of body and of mind.
Seba Smith, the son of Seba and Aphia Smith, was born Sept. 14, 1792, in Buckfield, it is said, though his father, or pos- sibly his uncle Laban Smith, once lived on the Lower street, where Walter Dresser now resides. He graduated at Bowdoin College in 1818, and settled in Portland as a writer for the periodical press. He married Elizabeth Oakes Prince of Port- land in 1823. He gained a wide reputation by the publication of letters during Gen. Jackson's administration over the signa- ture of "Maj. Jack Downing." These letters were witty and amusing, being somewhat in the style of Petroleum V. Nasby's letters of the present day. They were first published collec- tively in 1833, and have since passed through several editions. He removed to New York in 1842 where he continued to reside. He published "Powhatan," a metrical romance, and other volumes, as also many minor poems. His wife, Elizabeth Oakes Smith, became a noted authoress and lecturer. The productions of her pen are several volumes of prose and verse, besides numerous contributions to magazines and other periodi- cals. The Smith family was quite numerous, but probably it has now no representative resident in Turner.
THE EARLY SETTLERS.
The early settlers were located as follows :
Israel Haskell,
on lot number 27
Moses Stevens,
32
Hezekiah Bryant, 66
58
Joseph Leavitt,
53
Jabez Merrill,
58
Abner Phillips,
28
Richard Phillips,
66
39
Wm. Bradford, 66
56
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HISTORY OF TURNER.
Samuel Blake, on the mill lot
John Keen,
on lot number 34
Josiah Staples,
49
Daniel Briggs,
48
Stephen Bryant, 66 66
74
Dea. Daniel Merrill, "
Seth Staples,
33
Daniel Staples,
Jacob Leavitt lived with his son, Joseph.
Wm. Hayford,
on lot number
Jotham Briggs,
47
Henry Jones,
66
77
Isaac Phillips,
Ezekiel Bradford,
60.
Chandler Bradford,
47
Jesse Bradford,
I71
Martin Bradford,
62
Daniel French,
72
Dr. Daniel Child,
78.
Dr. Luther Cary,
73
Daniel Cary,
66
76
Ezra Cary,
26
Joshua Barrell,
46
The early settlers chose the high lands as best for the first crops, hence they selected farms on the "Upper Street," so called, and on the "Lower Street," which run parallel with each other, three- fourths of a mile apart. In lotting the township a strip of land four rods wide was left at the westerly end of the " Lower Street " farms, but the settlers, preferring the land on the easterly end of their farms for the first crops, laid out the road accordingly.
68
HISTORY OF TURNER.
It is said that the first clearing in the plantation was on the farm now owned by Lucius Cary; yet several clearings must have been made nearly as early on the other farms. The families that came into the town in the first years of its settlement, suffered many deprivations and hardships, yet they were united in the bonds of a firm friendship, and were neighbors, though living miles apart. Their first houses were rude structures, though comfort- able, but as a saw-mill was built in the year that the first settlements were made, they were soon able to procure boards for use in building. At first they were compelled to carry their corn to New Glou- cester, about twenty miles, to be ground ; and as there were no roads, each man was obliged to take his grist on his back and follow the path through the woods, or even be guided by spotted trees. It was a hard day's work to carry a bushel of corn to mill, and return with the meal. But they were soon favored with a mill in their own town, when carrying a grist to be ground became a pleasure. The manner of living was very simple, as the set- tlers depended mostly on their farms for the supply of their tables. I have heard my grandmother say that when the matrons visited each other they would very likely have roasted potatoes and milk for tea. A simple, frugal diet was enjoyed, and was suited to the needs and the circumstances of the
69
HISTORY OF TURNER.
people. The maple furnished them with sugar, their fields with bread, and their pastures with meat and the products of the dairy. Many things, now become necessaries, were then hardly known as luxuries. Their clothing was manufactured at home, the flax furnishing material for summer wear, and the wool for winter. The busy housewife, in addition to the usual cares and duties devolved on the head of the family, carded the flax, the tow, and the wool by hand, spun the rolls into yarn which she wove into cloth for the use of the family. Bed- ding and table linen were the fruits of her industry and skill. Solomon's description of a virtuous woman will apply to the matron among the early settlers : " She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet." As a rule the clothing for church and holiday wear was made by hand as well as that for home use; and spinning and weaving by hand did not become lost arts until a little more than a generation ago. Other wants were supplied in a similar manner. My grandfather, Daniel French, was probably the first tanner in town. He pounded the hemlock bark with a hammer, as he had no mill to grind it, and made the hides into leather in the most simple
70
HISTORY OF TURNER.
manner. He may have contrived to make the brook which flowed near his house operate the ham- mer that pounded the bark, or perhaps he did all the work by hand. With a knife formed something like a drawshave, having a hook in one end placed in a staple driven into a tall block of wood or a log, with a handle at the other end of the knife, he fash- ioned his lasts as best he could, and then made boots and shoes for his own family and others, as he might have a call for the exercise of his artistic skill. And for a long time it was the practice of the farmers to carry the hides, taken from the cattle killed for beef, to the tanner, and when the leather was ready for use in the fall, to call in the shoe- maker, and have the shoes made for the family. A like custom prevailed as to the making of garments for the men and boys. The cloth was taken from the loom, colored, fulled, and pressed, at the fulling- mill, so called, and when finished, the tailor came and fitted the menfolks with coats and pants, and sometimes with overcoats. Home-spun clothing was worn by all the people.
As soon as the people found it convenient, they built houses having a frame covered with boards over which shingles were laid. They presented an appearance of comfort and neatness. The inside was finished, not infrequently, by ceiling the walls with boards. Carpets were then unknown, and
71
HISTORY OF TURNER.
rarely, perhaps, was the floor painted, but nice, white sand was procured, sprinkled upon the floor, and gently brushed with a broom into various forms according to the taste of the housewife, to make it look attractive. The custom of dressing or deco- rating the floors of the best rooms in this manner prevailed for a long time among certain classes of the people. When the people found it convenient to build good houses, they built them large and two stories high. Nearly all the best houses of the early settlers were of this description, and some of them now remain, to indicate the taste and aspira- tions of the farmers of that period.
Stoves and furnaces had not been thought of then, it is probable, and each room was furnished with a brick fire-place ; that in the kitchen, or living- room, being very large, capable of holding a huge pile of wood. These great fires sent out a cheery warmth and glow, which made the rooms pleasant and summer-like in winter's cold, and invited con- versation and story-telling with neighbors in the long evenings. All the cooking for the family was done over or about the great open fire, except as the brick oven was brought into use. And some- times a long seat made of boards, with a high back, called a settle, was a part of the kitchen furniture, and made a comfortable seat for the children, when drawn up near the fire on a cold day or evening.
72
HISTORY OF TURNER.
The roads were not good, and wagons had not come into use. The people were in the habit of riding on horseback, the man seated on a saddle, and the woman on a pillion behind him. Parties for pleasure-riding enjoyed themselves in this man- ner, and they not infrequently enjoyed the excite- ment of a fast ride as well as gentlemen and ladies now in their carriages. In the same way the people made journeys on business or pleasure. Even the early representatives to the General Court in Boston went on horseback, taking their clothing in saddle-bags. The journey to Boston, made in this way, required several days ; and probably no one then even dreamed that after a half century the journey would be made in a few hours while seated in a carriage more richly furnished than any parlor then in town. The people rode to church in the same manner, and not infrequently they would " ride and tie " if the place of worship was a consid- erable distance away. One, or perhaps two, would mount the horse and ride a portion of the way, when they would dismount, tie the horse by the road-side, and proceed afoot. When the other party came up with the horse, they would mount, and ride on past their companions, when they in turn would tie the horse and proceed afoot. In this way they accomplished the journey to and from church. The same mode of traveling was equally
73
HISTORY OF TURNER.
convenient on other occasions when all could not ride at the same time. In a few years the roads were better and wagons were introduced, but as they were large and heavy, and not furnished with springs, riding in them was not without some discomfort.
The business of the early settlers was, of course, clearing up their farms and raising crops suited to their wants, and raising such live stock as their needs required. Each family, each neighborhood, was, in a sense, a community by itself, not only raising the farm products which supplied the table, but manufacturing their own clothing from the raw material, and living in a great measure independently of other communities and of the great world out- side. When the seasons were propitious and the harvests abundant, plenty crowned their board ; but an unfavorable season involved them in more or less of suffering, for transportation between their town and distant places was next to impossible. But with industry and economy they secured the neces- saries and comforts of life, and the wolf of want rarely entered their doors. In the winter season they engaged in lumbering operations to some extent if not on a large scale. The town was noted for its forests of pine of the best quality, and many of its majestic trees were sought for masts and spars.
74
HISTORY OF TURNER.
TURNER VILLAGE.
Mr. Samuel Blake built the first mills for sawing boards and grinding corn in 1775, by contract with the proprietors of the township, for which he received one or two lots of land, and certain mate- rials to be used in the erection of the mills. This mill was totally destroyed by the great freshet in 1785. Hon. Job Prince, in his history of Turner, prepared for the Atlas of Androscoggin County, says : " This was a serious misfortune to the settlers, and their first resort was to dig out mortars in which to pound their grain. When the water sub- sided, a small mill was constructed on the brook, east of 'Meeting-house Hill,' by which a scant supply of meal was obtained until the ice of the succeeding winter put an embargo upon operations. To increase the supply, Samuel Andrews made a mortar in which corn was pounded by wind power. In the course of the next season, Blake's Mills were rebuilt, and have been in successful operation since, except for a short period in 1856 when they were burnt, but were soon rebuilt again." Oliver Pollard became the owner of these mills probably about 1800, or a little later, and they remained in his possession until about 1817 when he exchanged property with Col. Cyrus Clark who lived on the hill in Minot, now known as West Auburn. He built over the saw-mill, and continued to operate it
75
HISTORY OF TURNER.
for many years. The grist-mill remained in his possession until his death, I think, when it passed into the hands of his son, Gen. Philo Clark, who rebuilt it in 1856, after the destructive fire of that year, and made it one of the best mills in this sec- tion of the state. After his death, in the summer of 1885, Mr. North bought the mill. The saw-mill changed hands several times. Solon Chase and Daniel French were the owners when it was burnt, March 12th, 1856. It was rebuilt at once, and was soon in readiness for use. Charles Blake and Asa Jones bought it, but at length it was owned solely by Mr. Jones, who had control of it until the au- tumn of 1885, when he sold his interest to Charles Willard.
At an early period a fulling-mill, so called, was built, probably by David Gorham. In this mill the woolen cloth manufactured in hand looms in the homes of the farmers was prepared for use. That designed for women's wear was colored and pressed ; while that designed for men's wear was fulled, colored, and pressed ; and if for Sunday use, it was sheared, so as to give it a nicer appearance. At the first the shears were operated by hand, but in due time they were operated by water-power, which was a great improvement. About 1815, Alanson Cary came into possession of the mill, but did not succeed in the business, and soon gave it up. Isaac
.
76
HISTORY OF TURNER.
Gross was the owner for many years and did a flourishing business. He became so skillful in dressing cloth that his mill was patronized by the farmers to a considerable distance away, and during the autumn and early winter his mill presented a busy scene. Becoming aged, he gave up the busi- ness, and it was soon discontinued, for the custom of buying cloth ready made at the factories prevail- ing, the fulling-mill ceased to be patronized.
About 1800, the father of Nathan and John Cole built an oil-mill and set up a machine for carding wool. At that time the farmers were in the habit of raising flax, and an abundant supply of seed for the manufacture of oil was easily obtained. These mills were run night and day in their season. Mor- rill Cole bought out his brother Nathan's interest, and the mills were operated by him and his brother John. The business was continued for many years with good success. John Cole was ever bubbling over with fun, and he took pleasure in playing harmless tricks upon boys, and others who came to his mill. Many amusing anecdotes are related of him. Payne Merrill and Melzar Gilbert at length bought the oil-mill, but it was closed about 1836. When the farmers ceased to raise flax, the supply of seed for the mill was not at hand; and the cus- tom of selling the wool, instead of manufacturing it at home, greatly diminished the business of wool- carding.
77
HISTORY OF TURNER.
William B. Bray, George Mitchell, and Dea. Hiram Donham enlarged the building in which the card- ing machine had been placed, and for about ten years carried on an extensive business in the manu- facture of churns, pails, and washtubs. These churns were cylinders, and the paddles inside for exercising the cream were turned by a crank. These churns found ready sale far and near, and large numbers of them were thrown upon the market. But this building, with its machinery, lumber, and finish for a church which was about to be erected in the village, was consumed in the fire of 1856, which destroyed the other mills near it.
On the site of the oil-mill John Donham erected a carriage factory, and was engaged for a number of years in the manufacture and repair of carriages and sleighs. After the fire mentioned above, he rebuilt, and in a few years enlarged his building, thus securing ample space for the different depart- ments of his work, and for circular saws, a planer, and other machinery useful in his business. Ad- vancing in years, he sold the property to Benjamin Knapp, who still owns it, and is kept very busy in his line of work.
In another part of the village Mr. E. Fernald has a carriage factory where he does all kinds of work that one in his business may be required to
78
HISTORY OF TURNER.
do. He makes wagons and sleighs, irons them and paints them, and does all manner of repairing. He has facilities for doing these various kinds of work. He has been in the business at his old stand for many years, and is still actively engaged in it.
In 1836 General Alden Blossom obtained from the legislature an act of incorporation, constitut- ing him, his associates and successors, a body cor- porate for the purpose of manufacturing cotton, wool, iron, and steel, to be known as the Turner Manufacturing Company, and empowering them to hold and employ for that purpose a capital of not more than fifty thousand dollars. The first meet- ing of this corporation was held in the month of October of the same year, when Hon. Job Prince, Major Hiram Clark, Isaac Gross, Esq., General John Turner, and Mr. Charles Snell were chosen for their board of directors. At this meeting the stock of the company was made to represent one hundred shares of one hundred dollars each, and at a subsequent meeting as many more shares were voted. Funds were raised by selling shares in the stock, and an amount was secured sufficiently large, as supposed, to cover the whole expense. The stock sold amounted to twelve thousand dollars. The foundation was laid, bricks procured, and the building erected. A canal had to be blasted out of the solid ledge in which to bring the water from
ยท
79
HISTORY OF TURNER.
the dam to the factory, a distance of several rods. The funds raised were all consumed in this work, and as there were no means with which to purchase machinery and set it in operation, the building stood some years unoccupied. At length Thomas Harback, usually called Major Harback, put in an old set of machinery, the owners giving him the use of the building two years; but after the expira- tion of this time he was to pay them two dollars and a half per share a year for the use of it. He made nice cloth, suitable for men's wear. The business next passed into the hands of a Mr. Thomas, who manufactured the same kind of goods. He talked much, and seemed to promise great things, but in a few years came out at the little end of the horn. Cyrus Cole and Washing- ton Long, of Buckfield, were his successors, and did a good business a number of years. Morrill Cole owned it, or an interest in it, for awhile. At some time a Mr. James manufactured flannel for a short period. It has been difficult to ascertain the dates so as to give an exact history of the factory. R. B. Dunn became an owner, but accomplished little or no work while he held it in possession. Finally, Mr. Faulkner bought the property, the original owners selling their shares at a large dis- count. This seemed to be the only way of saving anything out of their original investment. Mr.
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