USA > Maine > York County > Parsonsfield > A history of the first century of the town of Parsonsfield, Maine > Part 24
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The check list of 1817 has only three hundred and twenty-six names, but they are all freeholders.
206
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
Individuals whose names are in this list became residents about the time specified.
Nathan Wiggin
1786.
Henry Boothby
1793.
Noah Wedgewood
1787.
Benjamin Rolfe
1794.
James Benson
1787.
Eben Gould
1794.
James Berry
1787.
Harvey Moore
1794.
Cutting Moulton
1788.
Jeremiah Dearborn
1794.
Daniel Chick
1798.
Samuel Garland
1795.
Joseph Mudgett
1790.
David Johnson
1795.
John Sanborn
1790.
Hardy Merrill
1795.
Joseph Quint
1790.
Daniel Thurston
1794.
Jona Kimball
1790.
Samuel Perry
1796.
James Hart
1790.
Samuel Knapp
1796.
Samuel Chapman
1791.
Paul Burnham
1796.
Andrew McChapman
1791.
Simeon Towle
1796.
Daniel Elliott
1791.
Nicholas Emery
1798.
Elisha Wadleigh
1799.
Ichabod Churchill
1797.
Joseph Knight
1792.
James Bradbury
1798.
Moses Chase
1792.
John Buzzell
1798.
POLLS AND RESIDENT TAX PAYERS.
1785, Polls
62
1794, Polls
190 Resident tax payers
206
1808, Polls
375
Resident tax payers
397
1817,
Polls
427
Resident tax payers
458
1841,
1850,
Polls
418
Resident tax payers
536
1860, Polls
432 Resident tax payers
584
1870,
Polls
410
Resident tax payers
559
1885,
Polls
416 Resident tax payers
630
CROPS-CENSUS.
We can only guess at the amount of crops produced during the earlier years of the town. The census returns tell us the number of people and but little else. The numbers of live stock and the amount of crops raised have been added. The crop statistics of Parsonsfield here given are based on census returns and may be considered nearly accurate.
Corn, bushels
11,350
1860 10,313
8,750
7,630
Wheat
1,139
3,044
2,781
3,009
Oats
66
3,500
6,863
5,130
11,137
Potatoes
25,585
25,576
26,500
22,707
Beans and Peas
827
935
1,160
1,717
Orchard Products, dollars
3,994
5,495
11,450
16,000
Hay, tons
4,713
6,320
4,717
4,662
Butter, pounds
63,760
64,093
55,750
55,840
Eggs, dozen
43,417
Forest Products, dollars
19,200
1850
1870
1880
CHAPTER V.
LIGHT AND HEAT.
GOING back in our researches to the time when "early to bed and early to rise " was the universal custom, it is evident that neither arti- ficial heat, save for culinary purposes, or light, was often required in summer. As the days shortened, and people made evenings, light from the open fire was sufficient for ordinary occupations. Tallow candles with tow or cotton wicks, served for special light. Fires were kindled, and, if need be, brightened by light wood stripped from pine stumps.
A few box-stoves were put into schoolhouses and shops early as 1818, and about 1829 "James' Patent cooking-stove " was first put into our kitchens. Within fifteen years after, improved cooking-stoves could be found in a majority of farmhouses. But, wherever that black and gloomy thing was installed, in place of the cheerful open fire, the feeble rays of a tallow dip became insufficient, and lamps burning whale oil came into common use. As the supply of oil was less than the consumption, a preparation known as burning fluid was soon after introduced. This gave place to kerosene about 1855. And soon the electric light will be at our doors. Up to date farmers use wood for fires, but a few village families are beginning to burn coal.
LUMBERING.
Farming was for several years the primary occupation of our fore- fathers. Soon after 1785 Benjamin Smith built a mill, afterwards known as the Blaisdell Mills. About the same time Asa and Josiah Pease built one known as the Mark Dearborn Mill, and a few years later mills were erected by Joseph Granville at the place now known as Lord's Mills. In process of time several company mills were put up on small streams to cut the lumber from neighboring farms. When saw-mills were first operated most of the boards were used for new
208
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
buildings; but before the close of the century lumbering became a prominent interest. Boards were drawn by ox-teams to Portland and Kennebunk for exportation to the West Indies. Rum was a common item of the home load. The annual consumption of which was said to be from twenty to thirty hogsheads. It was years before the people realized that the result of this excessive toil and expenditure was broken health and heavy debts ; that the brown jugs had swallowed their pine trees. It is no marvel that stimulating liquors were in constant demand. Lumbermen took breakfast before light, dinner was a cold lunch, and supper at an uncertain hour.
DRINKING CUSTOMS.
Much has been said and written about the use and abuse of alcohol, before and after the opening of the present century. To enable us to understand the facts we should first consider the circumstances.
Away back in the days of ancient history wine was freely used on fes- tive occasions to stimulate the devotees of pleasure. Kings and nobles, queens and honorable ladies, sanctioned the custom. The fashion of inviting friends to take a social glass as a mark of respect came down through ages. From high authority came the dictum that the use of alcohol was the panacea for the prevention and cure of all diseases.
Fashion is despotic, example all-powerful, while few question the correctness of popular and agreeable theories.
Heedless of cost or consequences, people then, as now, followed pre- vailing fashions. We are told that the good minister frequently partook before ascending the sacred desk. The lawyer fired his brain to sharpen his wit. Statesmen quaffed the ardent to rouse patriotism. Liquor carried elections.
The laborer took a dram in the morning, at eleven and at three, to prevent fatigue. Alcohol was never absent on occasions of birth, marriage or burial.
Although considerate men and the better class of women conformed to the social customs of the age, they opposed drunkenness. With them appetite was subordinate to reason. Their first united effort was to lift the inebriate from the gutter. Inquiry led to the estimate that one-
209
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
fifth of the men and one-tenth of the women were of this class. That about two hogsheads of rum and one-fourth that quantity of other intox- icants were brought into town monthly. Regulation failing, self absti- nence was the next step. The festive bowl was banished; the glass decanter consigned to the upper corner of the cupboard. Then moral suasion became a power for good. The hogshead shrank to the barrel and the barrel to the jug and pocket flask.
While the quantity consumed now is but a decimal of sixty years ago, intemperance has not diminished in the same proportion. Stimu- lants palatable but poisonous, tempt the young and deprave the appetite.
COMING AND GOING.
From 1775 to 1800 single men and men with families moved from the older towns of southeastern New Hampshire, and Massachusetts towns near the mouth. of the Merrimac River, to the new town of Par- sonsfield. The movement ceased almost entirely within the closing century. Within ten years after the tide of population commenced to flow from Parsonsfield into central and eastern Maine. Children of Esq. Parsons, Dea. Garland, Nathan Wiggin and others, located in Winslow and vicinity. The Bickford, Piper, Morrison and Pease fami- lies peopled in part, towns west of Bangor. This eastern outflow ceased about 1820.
About this date factories were built in New Hampshire and Mass- achusetts, which gave employment to large numbers of male and female laborers. The inhabitants of these rapidly growing villages must be fed, and the outlying country furnished most of the food up to the day of railroads.
In the spring our young men with packs strapped to their shoulders wended their way to these villages and garden farms, getting at first eight then twelve to fifteen dollars per month.
They returned in the fall dressed in new broadcloth, and a long watch chain swinging from the fob. Girls crowded to the factories, earned many dollars, spent a part for nicer garments, and a moiety to adorn the homes of the mother. The earnings of these young adven- turers lifted many a family to comparative ease and competence. Do not imagine that these wage-workers of sixty years ago were the slums
14
210
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
of society. They belonged to energetic families, and many of them be- came the leading men and women of their day. It is safe to affirm that there gathers not in city theater or concert hall a sprightlier look- ing or better behaved company of ladies, than they who then plied the shuttle in our factories.
Factories and the resulting travel led to the introduction of stage- coaches. A line from Effingham through West Parsonsfield to Dover was well patronized. A few years later stages from Portland and Saco passed through the town. Then followed five new post-offices with tri-weekly mails. The Parsonsfield post-office was established in 1798. A little old man, on a little dark horse with a meagre mail bag across the saddle, came jogging into town Saturday afternoon year after year.
HORSES.
If we are allowed to draw conclusions from incidental remarks made by old people, the inference is that a majority of middle-aged men among our early immigrants brought horses with them; but that the larger half of young men did not keep a horse at the start.
Horses of one hundred years ago, and even forty years later, were small, plump, rough-coated and hardy. In breeding, stamina was of the first importance. Colts were not pampered. Horses were worked on the farm alone, and also used before oxen. The usual gait of horses was a canter for horseback riding, whether carrying one or two persons. Pacers were popular and sometimes fast. The feed of horses was grass in summer, and hay in winter. They did not often get provender, or even grooming. Unless accidentally lamed, they were usually sound up to thirty years or past.
COWS.
Every farmer had more or less cows-from one to fifteen. They were not of any particular breed, but selected for milk and butter. On June feed a good cow would fill a ten-quart pail at night. Cows were about five feet in girth, while oxen lined six feet and occasionally six feet six inches. The cattle of that age were not symmetrical, and but little pains was taken to match steers. Nothing was thought of three
2II
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
inches advantage in an ox yoke, or divers colors in oxen. Harvey Page made the first innovation by bringing into town a Durham bull, in 1833, and not many years after the Durhams were common in all parts of the town. Some fifteen years after Devons were introduced, but at this date Herefords are the popular breed. Jerseys are seen here and there, but the slow sales of country butter check the increase. of this stock.
SHEEP.
For half a century sheep were to be found on every farm, but since people ceased to manufacture their own clothing, flocks of sheep have been growing smaller till now few are seen. It is admitted that on our hill farms sheep are the most profitable stock kept, but most difficult to keep in place.
SWINE.
The hogs of olden days were long-legged, lank and sharp-nosed. The major part of farmers wintered two or more, adding as many pigs in the spring. They had the freedom of the dooryard, highway, orchard and woods. After harvest they were fed with corn to gain a streak of fat and a leaf of lard.
PROGRESS.
A very little house painting was indulged in as early as 1812, but it is doubtful if a single one was painted outside and in earlier than 1820.
The favorite colors were red and yellow for outside preservation, and sky blue for inside decoration. The tidy housewife still scoured the unpainted table, and swept the sanded floor into herring-bone.
Early in the century a four-wheeled vehicle called a Rattler was brought to town by Moses Mighels, and not long after Jacob Banks bought one. It presaged the modern wagon. The chaise came into use about 1820. William D. Dixon brought many of them from Ames- bury. The story goes that when Mighels came to the North Road with his carriage on Sunday, more than half the men and boys staid out of meeting to examine and discuss the "flimsey notion."
212
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
MARKETS.
The new business enterprises that were started about the time the district of Maine became a State, led to the opening of markets for all kinds of farm products, and as there were no railroads for some years, farmers furnished most of the supplies therefor.
CHAPTER VI.
CHURCHES AND MINISTERS.
MANY of the early settlers of Parsonsfield were church members before their removal to this wilderness. They belonged principally to the sects known as Congregationalists, Baptists, and Freewill Bap- tists. For several years they were too scattered to maintain stated gospel ordinances. Itinerant preachers, mostly Free Baptists, traveled from place to place, holding meetings in private houses, barns and groves. Elder Benjamin Randall, and other pioneers of the denomina- tion, occasionally held services within our borders.
Up to the time Maine came under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, Episcopacy was the established religion. Thence Congregationalism was the religion of the State. At the time Parsonsfield was settled all sects were tolerated and protected. The government assumed that all cit- izens should assist in supporting the preaching of the gospel. Every man was free to choose his denominational home, but unless he claimed another home he was taxed for the support of the Congregational min- ister of the town. Popular sentiment was opposed to this law, and to evade it those not religiously inclined called themselves Baptists, for the reason that Baptist ministers did not receive a regular salary.
The Shapleigh proprietors made provision for a Congregationalist meeting in town. This implied a tax for the support of a minister. To avoid the tax, the opponents of the law opposed building a meeting- house and settling a minister. Failing, they suddenly became Baptists in name.
The Congregational society was incorporated in 1809, with thirty- one members. In 1810 it had twenty-seven members. The Baptist society was incorporated later, but the time and number of members we are unable to ascertain. The Freewill Baptist society was incor- porated in 1809 with ninety-one members.
After 1802 each society provided for its own minister.
214
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND SOCIETY.
The agreement between Thomas Parsons and the Shapleigh proprie- tors reads in brief : that after reserving for themselves and heirs eighty lots marked on the plan-a mill privilege-lots for the support of schools, three lots for the sole use of the first settled Congregational minister, and three for the use of the ministry, "we do hereby give and grant all the claim, interest, title and estate, said proprietors have in the remainder and residue of the land in said township, to Thomas Par- sons upon conditions. First, the settlement of families, and in seven years erect, board and shingle a house thirty by forty feet for the wor- ship of God, procure the gospel to be preached in said place, and pro- vide for the support thereof; in case of war the time is extended."
This grant is dated December 23, 1774. The war closed in 1783. The house known as Rolfe's Meeting House was erected, 1790, by Thomas Parsons.
By the laws of Massachusetts then in force, the town was the parish, and all citizens had the right to vote in parish matters. A majority of the voters were not Congregationalists. Denominational acrimony was so prevalent that the frame stood uncovered four years. The friends and opponents in the mean time passing and rescinding a variety of votes. In 1794, the house was finished at the expense of the pew holders.
Rolfe's Meeting House was located near the highway east of the present church, remaining more than forty years, and being in its later days, the greatest curiosity in town. It was two stories high, lighted by forty-eight windows, galleries on three sides, the pulpit half-way to the beams, with a huge sounding-board.
In 1792, Rev. Jeremiah Shaw was invited to settle, but declined. The next year the Rev. Mr. Anderson declined the like offer. In 1794, Rev. Benjamin Rolfe accepted a call, at a salary of forty pounds, one-third cash, the remainder in corn or other produce.
A small church was organized January 14, 1795, and Mr. Rolfe ordained as pastor the same day.
The ministers present were Rev. Daniel Little, Rev. John Turner and Rev. Samuel Hidden.
215
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
Mr. Rolfe continued to preach till May 31, 1815. He died at Par- sonsfield December 7, 1817, aged sixty-two years.
Mr. Rolfe was born in Newbury, graduated at Harvard, 1777. He was a strict moralist in theory and practice, an exemplary Christian, a close student and thoroughly educated, especially in the Classics. His style of speaking and writing, showed more knowlege of books than men. His reasoning powers were of a high order, but his perceptive faculties were defective. Eccentric in his manners and quite absent minded, his peculiarities unfitted him for large usefulness in his field of labor. The dwelling at Middle Road, known as the McIntire house, was built for Mr. Rolfe in 1794.
A Congregational society was incorporated by the General Court of Massachusetts, on petition of Thomas Parsons and twenty-seven others, February 27, 1802, with the right to control all real estate reserved by the Shapleigh proprietors in their deed to Thomas Parsons, for the support of the Congregational ministry. The adverse claims of the town and society to these three lots and to the ownership of the meet- ing-house, led to years of litigation, the result of which was, the society held the house and the avails of one lot of land, while the town was made custodian of the other two lots, the court holding that the word congregational had reference to church polity rather than doctrinal opinions.
The money affairs of the parish are managed by an incorporated Board, known as the Trustees of the Congregational Ministerial Fund. ยท
The annual income is about seventy-five dollars, which is expended for preaching.
The little church formed in 1795, was reduced in numbers during Mr. Rolfe's pastorate. After his death the records could not be found. The society records refer to ministers who supplied occasionally. Sept. 14, 1823 the church was re-organized, with fourteen members, Samuel Garland was chosen deacon and served till his death, March 5, 1855. He was the stay and staff of the church while he lived. "Old Puritan" was the hardest name ever given him. The church records show a rapid increase of members up to 1840, after this date, a gradual loss by emigration. From June, 1825 to 1827, Rev. Henry T. Kelley preached half the time, alternating with Newfield From September 1828
216
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
Charles S. Adams two years. David P. Smith two years, from July, 1832. Mr. Smith was succeeded by John H. Mordough of Effingham. November, 10, 1838, Samuel Ordway was ordained, preaching here all the time for three years. Mr. Ordway had a second pastorate during 1854 -55 of two years. Rev. Elias Chapman supplied from 1849 to 1852. Mr. Chapman was accounted a model minister, making and. holding many personal friends. Though a quiet every-day man his influence for good is yet bearing fruit. Other ministers for short periods have been here. N. W. Sheldon, 1857 ; Thomas N. Lord, 1875; David L. Jones, 1878; Jona Edwards, 1879 and 1881 ; Amos Redlon, 1883 ; W. S. Wade in 1886.
While some of the stories told about Rev. Mr. Rolfe were not strictly accurate, or should be credited to some other absent-minded minister, yet it is probably true that he did ride home the wrong horse; that he certified that a candidate he had just rejected as a teacher in Parsons- field, was qualified to teach in Porter ; that he did bring from the store the requisite number of yards of ribbon, when asked by his carpenter for strips called ribands to fasten the boards on his barn ; that when he found a drunken law-student mowing his wheat and yelling, "The Lord said the fields are white for the harvest," the parson with fishing- pole in hand called out "The Lord said smite," and down came the pole on the culprit's head.
Mr. Rolfe was riding horseback intently musing. His horse turned up to the bars of a barnyard and stopped. The farmer came out and bade his minister good-day. After some delay the parson lifted his head and inquired, "Jacob, Jacob, why is this highway fenced up?" The story of the green bay horse in his sermon is probably credited to the wrong man.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
In February 1783, Rev. Samuel Weeks removed from Gilmanton to East Parsonsfield, and soon after commenced preaching there, and in the vicinity. From the narrative of Elder Buzzell, and other sources, it is inferred, that a church was organized there in 1785, by Elders Randall and Weeks. Mr. Weeks continued to preach, and cultivate his farm, up to January 1793 ; at which time, he got lost in the woods, returning
217
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
from a meeting in Porter, and was severely frozen. He never recov- ered from the effects of this exposure. Elder Weeks was born in Greenland, N. H., November 21, 1746, bred a mechanic, ordained pastor of the Baptist church in Gilmanton, June 15, 1780, united with the Freewill Baptists after he came to Parsonsfield, died June, 1832.
Elder Weeks was six feet four inches tall, with broad shoulders, and full voice. A single anecdote will show the kind of man he was. On his way to meet an appointment in Limerick, he came to a bridge upon which two men were standing. They told him to " go home, for he was no minister, and could not pass." He quietly turned his horse but soon returned, bearing aloft a stake, calling out, " The Lord told me to go to Durgin's and preach. If you attempt to stop me I will split your heads." The men stepped aside.
There are scraps of information, respecting this first church, but no reliable records. It is known that Gilman Lougee was Deacon till his death in 1788, and that Elder Levi Chadbourn, a Baptist minister, who lived near the Lougee schoolhouse, preached in an unfinished meeting- house, situated near the northeast corner of Liston B. Merrill's farm, on the road that then ran aslant the hill. In a deed still preserved, dated June 20, 1789, Isaac Burnham of Ipswich "for the sum of five shillings, paid by the Wardens of the Baptist society in Parsonsfield, quit claims to said wardens, one fourth acre of land, on which their meeting-house stands."
It is probable that in after years, a majority of the acting members of this first church became Freewill Baptists and took the church into that denomination.
It seems that eight members of the church, which was formed at East Parsonsfield, in or about 1785, invited Elder John Buzzell of Mid- dleton, to become their minister. He arrived April 4, 1798. After stopping a few months, he removed to North Parsonsfield. About 1801, his parishioners purchased fifty acres of land for a parsonage, and built him the house in which he lived and died, still known as the " Elder Buzzell house." This farm was his private property.
Mr. Buzzell gradually extended his field of labor, to other parts of Parsonsfield, and into other towns. Within twenty years, this church had branches at East and South Parsonsfield, Lord's Mills, the Gore,
218
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
Effingham and Porter, numbering in all nearly three hundred mem- bers. At one period the Elder made the circuit, and held meetings about once in four weeks, either on the Sabbath, or during the week. The church members made it a rule to attend these local meetings and take part in the exercises.
ELDER JOHN BUZZELL.
More than fifty years' service as a gospel minister in Parsonsfield, would of itself entitle Elder Buzzell to especial notice in a history of the churches, while the commanding influence he exerted in molding the political and religious opinions of the people, renders him even more conspicuous. A friend says of him,* "His attainments were above the average, early becoming a teacher of common schools ; and in after years he improved every opportunity to acquire knowledge. He wrote the Life of Elder Benjamin Randall, also was the first edi- tor of the Morning Star, which position he held for seven years, pub- lished the first religious magazine in the denomination, was instrumen- tal in establishing the Orissa Mission, and, with Dr. Moses Sweat and Hon. Rufus McIntire, founded the first school in the denomination, North Parsonsfield Seminary.
Established at North Parsonsfield over a large and flourishing church, yet he traveled much, heeding the command, "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel," his itineracy extending over portions of all the New England States, and even the Canadas. He thus exerted an influence that was potent for good, and that will be perpetuated down the ages.
As a preacher he was bold in declaring the truths of the Gospel, forci- ble in the denunciation of sin and error, dignified in his demeanor, yet in spirit humble, with sympathies keen and active, ever ready to "weep with those who weep, and rejoice with those who rejoice."
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