USA > Maine > Waldo County > Unity > A history of the Town of Unity, Maine > Part 4
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David Vickery came from Gorham, Maine, and settled in Unity according to family tradition in 1794, when David, Junior, was fourteen years old.63 David was born about 1734 in Truro, Massa- chusetts, and descended from a seafaring family, who were proprietors of Truro.64 His grandfather was a lay minister of Chatham whose ministerial career was abruptly ended when he drowned in 1702. His father followed the sea like his forefathers and was a captain of a ship out of Boston in the Virginia trade, but he, too, lost his life probably in a shipwreck about 1745. Soon after this, his wife and family appear in Cape Elizabeth, where his sons continued to seek a living from the sea. When the British burned Falmouth many persons, including the Vickerys, moved out of danger to Gorham. In 1775 he enlisted as a private and fought throughout the war. During the severe winter of 1777 Vickery managed to survive Valley Forge and fought at Monmouth in the same year.65 David's Revolu- tionary War record states his occupation as seaman, but David recog- nizing the value of the land then opening up in the interior of Maine, turned pioneer and took up farming. In June 1790, David, now of
59. Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, a compilation from the Archives prepared and published by the Secre- tary of the Commonwealth, Boston, 1897. Vol. XI, p. 928.
60. Kennebec Grants, Vol. II, p. 89.
61. Map of towns of Waldo County, being Ranges L-1 and L-2 in the town of Unity, p. 24. Registry of Deeds Office, Belfast, Maine.
62. See Nathan Parkhurst's will, Probate Office, Augusta, Maine.
63. Letter from Mrs. Thomas L. Fisher to author, March, 1933.
64. Letter from Mrs. Thomas L. Fisher, Jamaica Plain, Massachu- setts, to author, March, 1933.
65. Letter from A. D. Hiller, Veteran's Administration, to author, May 16, 1940.
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A HISTORY OF UNITY, MAINE
Gorham, was one of a number of men listed in an order issued by the selectmen warning them out of town unless these men purchased real estate. It was the custom in those days when new people came into a community to warn them out of town, unless they purchased property, or were reputed to be persons of means.66 David seems to have temporarily moved to Standish.67 The 1790 census, how- ever, continues to list David Vickery's name from the town of Gor- ham.68
In 1794 David Vickery had established his family in Unity. Da- vid Vickery was already a man of advanced years, suffering from the wounds received in service against the British. In his old age, he was forced to walk with two canes. In 1818 he applied for a pension which he enjoyed for the remaining five years of life. His pension amounted to ninety-six dollars a year; this sum was usually paid in supplies at Vose's Store in Augusta.69
The Vickerys were Congregationalists; one day in mid summer of 1805 Jotham Sewall, a Congregational minister, called at Vickery's. As was usual the neighbors were informed that the circuit rider was here and were invited for an afternoon service. Sewall accepted the invitation to remain over night at the Vickery place, but was not at all pleased with the neglect of religion that he found there. He ex- pressed in his diary, "Lodged at Mr. Vickery's, think it was not in vain to pray in the family in the evening. Felt grieved that the duty of family prayer should be neglected as I have found it had been in this family. O, that God would stir hope up to the duty to whom it belongs." Either the head of the household was aware of the displeasure of the good minister, or the preacher hinted vehemently in his prayers about the sad condition, because the next day morning prayers were observed. Sewall concluded in his remarks, "Not alto- gether in vain to pray this morning. .. "70
The younger David Vickery married in 1805 Lydia Bartlett, the young lady who arrived on a pillion in 1792. As his land titles were not yet confirmed, David made arrangements in 1809 with James Bowdoin, to purchase one hundred and forty-four acres of land. David bought the whole of divisional lot number forty-two, which was ad- jacent to Nathan Parkhurst's farm.71 In 1817 David built a story and a half house with ell and two barns.
66. Josiah Pierce, History of Gorham, Maine, Portland, 1862, p. 149.
67. Taber, History of Unity, p. 8.
68. United States Census of 1790, Maine, p. 19.
69. Vickery papers compiled by Mrs. Ethel Hambleton of Pitts- field, Maine.
70. Jotham Sewall Diary, July 19 and 20, 1805. The Sewall Diary and papers are in the Maine Historical Society, Portland, Maine.
71. Kennebec Deeds, Vol. XX, p. 88. The farm was subsequently owned by Nelson Vickery, John Vickery, Stephen Rand, Edwin Rand, and now Mr. Carlyle.
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THE COMING OF THE SETTLERS
Another arrival of the seventeen nineties was the Murch family. In 1794 Simeon Murch came from Gorham accompanied by his wife and two infant children. A description by his grandson provides a picturesque account of the difficulties of overland travel in those days: "A strong bed tick was fixed astride the horse's back, and the furni- ture was packed on each side. The load was completed by putting father, then one year and a half old and an older sister on the other side to balance. Thus, they moved from Gorham to what is now Unity; grandfather walking on one side of the horse and grandmother on the other."72 The description given in Murch's History is quite similar except that Simeon and his wife rode horseback holding the children in front of them on the saddle. The furniture mentioned consisted of a feather bed, a footwheel and some dishes and clothing.73
The previous year Simeon cleared a small opening in the woods and built a log house, so that when his family arrived they would enjoy the comforts of a frontier home. This procedure was not an unusual one. In 1809 Simeon bought from the Bowdoin estate divi- sional lot number forty-one containing slightly more than ninety acres.74 His son, Josiah Murch, took over the farm and built a brick house about 1820.75
Robert Jackson who purchased in 179476 a part of check lot num- ber five on the large lot L 2, containing forty-seven acres, was prob- ably born in New Hampshire. His first recorded history begins with his marriage to Olive Farnham in 1774 in New Market, New Hamp- shire. Robert Jackson next appeared in Little Ossipee (Limington) where he was living in 1790. The Jacksons had a large family of thirteen children. Robert is not listed in the Unity census of 1800, thus it is highly probable that, though he may have made a clearing as early as 1795, he did not remove his family to Unity until after 1800. The Jackson family arrived here with their sole possessions loaded in an ox cart. Jackson's house and farm were located nearly opposite the old red school house on Quaker Hill. Jackson died in 1809, but the farm was carried on by his son, Peter G. Jackson. No. one with the Jackson name has lived in Unity for eighty years; the last of the name, Hale Jackson, moved to Illinois in 1867.
Among the other early settlers was Ebenezer Pattee, sometimes
72. Taber, History of Unity, p. 11. Account written by Reuben Murch to Mr. Taber.
73. Murch, History of Unity, p. 5.
74. Kennebec Deeds, Vol. XX, p. 90.
75. The story was told that Simeon wished to provide each of his sons with a substantial brick abode; the parent helped Josiah build one, then Ephraim constructed his, but Simeon did not live long enough to help a younger son, Richard, erect his brick house. Later Simeon bought one hundred and eighteen acres from the Bowdoin property being part of lot numbered ten on the survey made by Charles Hayden in 1809. See Maps of Waldo County Towns, Ranges L 1 and L 2, Registry of Deeds, Belfast, Maine, p. 24.
76. Kennebec Purchase Papers. "Submission to Settlers." Vol. IV, pp. 119-120.
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A HISTORY OF UNITY, MAINE
spelled Petty in the old records, because the old timers frequently prounounced it that way. Ebenezer Pattee was born in Georgetown in the year 1740. According to an old deed he was styled, mariner, thus like many a New Englander he made his living, partly, at least, from the sea. In 1757 Pattee was one of a company of Georgetown militia raised to protect the frontier against Indian depredations. Before the commencement of the Revolutionary War, he moved his family to Vassalboro, where in 1773 he purchased a farm of one hun- dred acres.77 In 1775 Pattee served as a lieutenant in the local Vassalboro militia whose purpose was to guard the frontier against the Indians.78 For the next eighteen years he lived in Vassalboro, but in the spring of 1792 Pattee sold his property there for one hun- dred and eighty-six pounds.7º By that date two of his married daugh- ters were already living in Unity. This fact may have induced the middle-aged Ebenezer to move here in his declining years.
Pattee's farm was located at the junction of the Sandy and Half- Moon Streams, which today is called Farwell's Mills. Pattee was undoubtedly the first to erect any mills on the stream at this loca- tion. The Pattees had ten daughters and one son, Ebenezer, Junior, who was born after the fifth daughter, and was considered a rather odd "duck." Some of the townspeople were accustomed to repeat, "Hi diddle, diddle, the fool in the middle." But Ebenezer, Jr., was not as dull as supposed. One time when young Eben was in Belfast, where he had helped his father deliver some produce, a group of Belfast boys recognized Eben and knowing his eccentricities thought that they would have a little sport. One bright lad addressed Eben, "Say, Eben, did you know the devil was dead?" But Eben looking the fellow straight in the eye and taking a penny from his pocket, said in a most sympathetic voice, "Here's a penny for a poor, father- less child."80
In 1807 Pattee's wife died. By this time all of his daughters were married. Most of them married Unity farmers; however, Elizabeth married the Reverend Daniel Lovejoy of Albion. Ebenezer Pattee thus became the grandfather of Elijah Parish Lovejoy, the famous Abolitionist. About 1815, nearing his eightieth birthday, Ebenezer married the widow Sarah Jordan Rackliff, approximately the same age. As the old couple were too old to perform the ordinary house- hold tasks, Amos Jones offered them the hospitality of his home.81 Ebenezer died in 1825, but Sarah lived another fourteen years passing
77. Lincoln County Deeds, Vol. II, pp. 314-315.
78. Letter from Joseph Buckminster to William Williamson, March 1821 from Vassalboro, "In January 1775 Dennis Getchell at a public town meeting was chosen captain of said town for the emergency times; Ebenezer Pattee, first lieutenant." Williamson manuscripts, Maine Historical Society, Portland, Maine.
79. Lincoln County Deeds, Vol. III, pp. 487-488.
80. Anecdote told to the author by Mr. S. Stillman Berry.
81. Taber, notebook, possession of the author.
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THE COMING OF THE SETTLERS
away at the age of ninety-seven. A field stone with the initials S. P. marks her grave in the Friends' yard on Quaker Hill.
Amos Jones was another of the first settlers making his residence here about 1792. Amos was born in Lunenburg, Massachusetts, in 1761. When he was sixteen, he enlisted as a soldier in the war for independence. After his discharge in the fall of 1781, he made his way to Maine. Jones came to Winslow where his uncles, Joseph and Thaddeus Carter, were living. Perhaps Amos accompanied his uncle Thaddeus to Maine as Thaddeus Carter, too, had served in the war. Certainly Amos was in Winslow before 1784, because in that year he married Mary Pattee, the eldest daughter of Ebenezer Pattee.82
In 1809 Amos Jones received a deed to ninety-two acres of land, which was part of fifteen mile Lot, L 2, divisional lot number twenty- one. About 1820 Jones moved to Farwell's Mills and located on the east side of Sandy Stream across from the burying ground. In that year he stated in his application for a pension that he had seventy- five acres of land in Unity with a "poor" house and barn. Also Jones said that he had one-half of a mill privilege, and one-half of an old grist mill not worth repairing. A few years later he found his obliga- tions too great for his income, and he made an agreement with his son-in-law Edmund Mussey to take care of the venerable Sarah Pattee. Amos Jones died in 1842.
In 1794 Benjamin Jordan Rackliff of Limington with his mother, Sarah, his wife, and brothers, Clement, John, and Dominicus Rack- liff, settled in Unity.83 Benjamin Jordan Rackliff was born in Scar- boro; from both sides of his family descended from two of the oldest families of Maine. His great-grandfather Rackliff was one of the victims of the bloody Indian massacres at York in 1692, while his maternal great-grandfather was Dominicus Jordan, who as a child was carried in 1703 as a captive to Canada.
The brothers took up land in the south part of town above Quaker Hill. Shortly before Benjamin came, he married Mary Small of Limington. Benjamin was baptized in the Congregational church in Scarboro, but somewhere he became interested in the liberal teach- ings of Universalism.84 When the Reverend Jotham Sewall paid one of his missionary visits to Unity, he talked with the Rackliffs about the dangers of this faith. Afterwards Sewall wrote in his diary, " ... Found Mr. Rackliff who has lost his interest trying to trade. Conversed with him and his wife about Universalism. They
82. Vassalboro Vital Records, Intentions of marriage of Amos Jones to "Polly" Pattee, November 27, 1784.
83. Records of the Bureau of Census, Maine, 1800, Twenty-Five Mile Pond, Vol. III, p. 88. National Archives, Washington, D. C. This date is contrary to that given in both Taber's and Murch's his- tories, but the 1800 census of this town gives the date of emigration as definitely 1794.
84. Reverend Jotham Sewall, "Diary," April, 1811, Maine His- torical Society.
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A HISTORY OF UNITY, MAINE
appeared not so high about it as I have seen them. O, if the school of adversity might teach them the fear of the Lord."85
Clement Rackliff married Hepsibah Chase. Since she was a mem- ber of the Friends' Church, she probably converted her husband who became a staunch supporter of the Friends' Church and was one of the chief pillars who helped build the meeting house now standing on Quaker Hill.86 The following tale is told about Hepsibah who was less austere about the Friends' precepts of sober dress and man- ner than her pious husband. One day, while at her spinning wheel, Hepsibah sang aloud some favorite hymn tune. Clement overheard her and immediately reproved his frivolous wife by exclaiming, "Hepsibah, cease thy falderol."87 ,
Clement survived well into the middle of the nineteenth century, dying in 1858.
In 1793 the Woodbridge Pearson family including his father, Thomas Pearson, moved from Durham, Maine, to Unity.88 The Pearsons were a very old family originally of Newbury, Massachu- setts, where Thomas was born in 1723. Woodbridge resided in town until 1816 when he moved his family to Montville, but in 1826 set- tled in Morrill.
In 1795 John Melvin and his family rode on horseback from Gor- ham, Maine. Melvin was born in Chester, New Hampshire, about 1740.89 About 1772 he was living in Gorham and there married Abigail Sawyer. When the Revolutionary War started, he enlisted in July 1775 and served as a private until its end. During the winter of 1777 he was quartered at Valley Forge with a regiment of Maine troops. After his discharge in 1782, Melvin returned to Gorham and farmed there with his family. In 1790 he was among those who were requested to leave Gorham because they did not own property.90 Like many of the settlers, he had trouble obtaining title to his land as well as making a living farming. He was unable to make the necessary payments on a lot of land which he cleared, and the pro- prietors foreclosed.91 Ultimately he acquired a farm. When Melvin
85. Reverend Jotham Sewall, "Diary," April 1811, Maine His- torical Society.
86. Taber, History of Unity, p. 20.
87. Conversation with Mrs. E. D. Chase, December, 1949.
88. Records of the Bureau of Census, Twenty-five Mile Pond Plan- tation, Maine, 1800, Vol. 3, p. 88. National Archives, Washington, D. C. Thomas Pearson lived in Unity with his daughter and son-in- law, Samuel Webb, until his death in 1819. The town records state "in the hundredth year of his age," but this must be an inaccuracy for his birth date recorded in Newbury made him only ninety-seven. Samuel Webb, who married Pearson's daughter in 1786 in Durham, came to Unity with the Pearsons.
89. Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, Vol. IX, p. 626.
90. Pierce, History of Gorham, pp. 148-149.
91. Kennebec Deeds, Vol. XX, p. 107.
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THE COMING OF THE SETTLERS
came from Gorham, he brought some apple seeds and planted an orchard, which was still bearing fruit as late as 1893.92
In 1802. William McGray of Durham, Maine, settled in the south part of town near the Loveland place. He had made a beginning settlement here as early as 1794, as shown by the deeds of the Ken- nebec Purchase. McGray bought "part of lot number two, check lot number six, of the large lot L 1". containing one hundred acres.93 McGray remained at this location only a few years and then moved to another farm in south Unity.º4 In 1814, William McGray became a Methodist minister and helped organize churches of that denomina- tion in various towns of Waldo county. The fact that he was not only a spiritual leader among his brethren, but dabbled in politics, is attested by his election to the State legislature in 1829.
In 1796 Daniel Whitmore and family moved from Gorham to Unity. By occupation he was a farmer and a blacksmith.95 He was born in Gorham, Maine, in 1758, from which town he enlisted in the Revolutionary War in 1776. Three years later when that ill- fated Penobscot expedition went to Bagaduce, Daniel Whitmore was a member. Likewise, he was one of those who fled through the wilderness during August 1779 to the settlement on the Kennebec.96 Perhaps this view of the countryside became etched in his memory and induced him to return here for settlement. Whitmore first lo- cated near Bacon Brook on the Levi Bacon place across the road from the Bacon-Wetzler House; however, because of some trouble over boundary lines the proprietors shifted him to the village.97 Dan- iel Whitmore was one of the most respected and influential men of the town. Three times between 1804 and 1810 he served as one of the assessors on the board of selectmen.98 Frequently he was modera- tor of the town meeting. After 1820 his name passes from notice in the town records, although he lived until 1846.
In 1794 Joseph Stevens with his wife and three children came from Gorham and settled at the corner above Quaker Hill where Joseph and his son, Benjamin R., cleared a farm. Benjamin R. Stev- ens bought a grist mill and also operated a fulling mill (the Cornforth wool carding and cloth mill) at Farwell's Mills. Benjamin married Sarah Rich; and they were blessed by many years of wedded life. Both he and his wife were members of the Friends' society and were among the most honored of the community. "Uncle Ben" as he was
92. Murch, History of Unity, p. 6.
93. Kennebec Purchase Deeds, "Submission to Settlers," Vol. IV,. pp. 97-98.
94. Murch, History of Unity, p. 6.
95. McLellan, History of Gorham, Maine, p. 826.
96. Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, Vol. XVII, pp. 200-201.
97. Taber, History of Unity, p. 113. .
98. Unity Town records. Book I, (1802-1828). This book contains the warrants and records of town meetings of those years.
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A HISTORY OF UNITY, MAINE
affectionately known was one of those who helped build the Friends' Meeting house on Quaker Hill.99
In the year 1798 Nathaniel Stevens, Anna his wife, three children, mother, and brothers, Frederick and John Stevens, moved from Gorham to Unity where they cleared adjacent farms about a mile below the village.100
Frederick Stevens was a well-known figure of the town; he served as selectman in 1803, 1807, 1808 and 1809; while in 1805 and 1807 he was chosen one of the surveyors of lumber. At the May town meeting of 1809 the town decided to send its first representative to the General Court at Boston. "There was brought in for Frederick Stevens, fifteen votes and five scattering votes."1
John Stevens was also prominent in town affairs. He served at one time as constable, and in 1817, 1818, 1830, 1831, and 1832 served as selectman.102
In 1798 Joseph Woods and his bride of one year, Lydia Rackliff, rode across the country on horseback. Lydia held her infant son, while she guided the horse with her free hand.103 Joseph Woods was born in 1778 in Standish, where his father Joseph Woods, settled be- fore the Revolutionary War.
The son, Joseph Woods, cleared a farm in south Unity, which re- remained in the family for three generations.104 Joseph was an ex- ceedingly honest man, noted for his integrity, as well as his "tem- perate habits, never having drank a glass of liquor or used any to- bacco, or drank any tea or coffee during his long life, which was something very remarkable at that time."105 They were both loyal members of the south Unity Methodist Church.
Thomas Fowler, known as the old moose hunter, may have been a settler before 1790, but he is not listed in the census of Twenty- five Mile Pond. He probably arrived late in the year 1790 or the following spring. Both the Taber and Murch histories have Betsey
99. Conversation with Mrs. Edith Frost Stevens, August, 1949. Benjamin must have been a kindly old gentleman if this story is true. One day at his fulling mill Sally was assisting him with the cloth, but Benjamin was clumsy and spoiled in some fashion a part of a bolt of cloth. Sally was very provoked by his awkwardness and scolded him. Benjamin, quite unperturbed, turned to his devoted wife and said meekly enough, but with a twinkle in his eye, "If thee love me Sally, hold my hand."
100. Records of the Bureau of Census, Maine, 1800, Twenty-five Mile Pond Plantation, Vol. 3, p. 88.
101. Unity Town Records, Book I, May 6, 1809.
102. Ibid.
103. Records of Bureau of Census of Twenty-five Mile Pond Plan- tation, 1800, Vol. III, p. 85. See also Murch, History of Unity, p. 7. Murch's date of Wood's arrival is evidently inaccurate.
104. His grandson, Wesley Woods, sold the homestead to William Walton about thirty-five years ago. Murch, History of Unity, p. 9.
105. Ibid., p. 9.
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THE COMING OF THE SETTLERS
Fowler as the first child born in Unity, but this is questionable.106 Thomas Fowler was born in Pownalborough in 1762, but when he was sixteen young Thomas was living in or near Clinton on the Sebasti- cook. His story about the incident of the Penobscot soldiers has al- ready been related. Probably the Fowlers were at first interested in the timber, which brought them to the Sebasticook and then to Unity, but they were farmers, too, and remained here after the lum- ber had been cut off. Thomas and his recent bride, "Polly" Dutton Fowler, settled near the west line of Albion just a few rods east from the present Fowler cemetery. Fowler is supposed to have paid fifteen bushels of rye for his farm.107 About 1797 Thomas built the second frame barn erected in Unity. The boards to cover the barn were hauled from the Sebasticook, and twelve men came from that vicinity to assist in the barn raising. They stayed over night and returned home the following day probably making the event a merry occa- sion for rural celebration.108
It is no exaggeration that the first settlers had the barest necessities of life. This is illustrated by an incident related by James Fowler, a son of Thomas. When James was a small boy, his mother sent him on an errand to borrow a darning needle of Hannah Chase for a few days until his mother could mend the family clothing. James walked the whole distance both ways, traveling at least a total of twelve miles in order to borrow and return that needle.109
Thomas and his stalwart sons cleared a large tract of land which they purchased from the proprietors. In 1826 his farm totaled two hundred and seventy acres, while ten years later he owned about four hundred and fifty acres, of which he cultivated about thirty-five, a large amount for those days.110 Also Thomas owned and operated a saw mill where he turned out boards and shingles, but he main- tained this mill only a few years.
Prominent in town affairs, Thomas Fowler served many years as a selectman beginning in 1819. Like most of the citizens of the town, Thomas was a Democrat. His farm passed into the hands of his son, Thomas, who also became an influential citizen.
In 1798 or 1799, Joshua Sinclair with his wife and three chil- dren settled here.11 Sinclair was born in Nottingham, New Hamp- shire in 1760, and after the Revolutionary War came to Vassalboro,
106. Ibid. It is more likely that the eldest child of Lemuel and Hannah Bartlett, who was born two years before Betsey, was the first child born in Unity.
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