USA > Maine > York County > Parsonsfield > A history of the first century of the town of Parsonsfield, Maine > Part 25
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He had a wonderful power of holding mixed audiences in admiration and sympathy, and exerting an uplifting and controlling influence over the minds of men.
He was "gathered to his fathers" from his old home in North Parsons- field, at the advanced age of ninety-five years, clothed with the honors
*Rev. L. T. Staples.
GES.H.WALKER & CO. BOSTON
John Pugnale
REV. JOHN BUZZELL.
219
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
of a well-spent life, and a simple marble slab marks the resting-place of this noble old "Herald of the Cross."
July 3, 1822, the East Parsonsfield branch was organized into a sepa- rate church, and the South Parsonsfield one became an independent church July 15, 1830.
EAST PARSONSFIELD FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH, ORGANIZED JULY 3, 1822.
Elder Christopher Bullock, an aged man, was the first pastor. He died April 18, 1824. Then sundry teachers supplied the desk for six years. Rev. J. Fernald was pastor from 1830 to 1836. He was suc- ceeded by John O. Hackett, J. W. Hubbard, James Rand, Uriah Chase and Z. Jordan, each one or two years. G. W. Whitney came for five years from 1856. Then for two years each, P. Caverly and G. W. Gould ministered to the people. In 1865, E. Cook preached, and later E. Brewer. About 1883, Francis W. Towne supplied one year. Since Mr. Towne there have not been regular services. Present membership, thirty-one.
FREE BAPTIST CHURCH, SO. PARSONSFIELD, ORGANIZED JULY 15, 1830.
Rev. Andrew T. Foss was the first minister. He remained two years. Mr. Foss was a young man possessing much native talent. He did not strictly follow the customs of the early fathers, neither did he press innovations. Rev. Daniel Jackson was the second minister, preaching nearly two years. He was a man of quite pleasing address and univers- ally respected. From July, 1836 to October, 1839 Carlton Small, Ami R. Bradbury, and Thomas M. 'Preble had charge. Elder Zechariah Jordan closed a pastorate of five years, May, 1846. Mr. Jordan was a worthy man. J. W. Woodman supplied one year.
Rev. Z. Jordan was recalled for one year, then William T. Smith officiated till October, 1852. Rev. Charles O. Libby came in Novem- ber, 1852, and remained till May, 1860. Mr. Libby was born in Gor- ham, received a good education, was engaged in secular business sev- eral years before entering the ministry. After leaving Parsonsfield he was the efficient secretary of the Free Baptist Foreign Mission Society. Elders Charles Bean and G. W. Whitney each supplied one year, then
220
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
O. F. Russell and Arthur Caverno two years each ; Francis W. Towne from April, 1866 to April, 1870. C. B. Peckham succeeded, remaining three years, Porter S. Burbank one year. W. Lamprey was pastor in 1874, and his successors have been F. C. Bradeen, J. Q. Adams, Rev. L. G. Clark and Mr. Blaisdell, who is the present pastor. Membership one hundred and twenty-five.
The first meeting-house was a low one-story building, standing where the schoolhouse is. It was erected early in the century. A new house was built 1840 and renovated 1872.
NORTH PARSONSFIELD CHURCH.
On the 27th day of April, 1856, thirteen persons met and were formed into a church by Rev. B. S. Manson and G. W. Whitney, taking the name of the North Parsonsfield Free Baptist Church. Samuel Moulton and John Blazo were chosen deacons and Ira A. Philbrick clerk. The next Sabbath ten joined by baptism and others by letter making thirty- seven in all.
After the formation of the new church Mr. Manson continued his labors till November following. Rev. Charles Hurlin supplied from 1857 to 1860. Mr. G. S. Bradbury was ordained here in 1860, when a pastorate of five years followed. After, Mr. Hurlin had a second term of one year. He was followed by Benjamin Moody and E. C. Cook. During 1876 and 1877, Rev. Mr. Gowen ministered, followed by Thomas F. Millett, who preached two years. Rev. L. H. Winslow was called April, 1885, for one year.
There was a rude unfinished meeting-house, near the northeast corner of Liston B. Merrill's farm, built about 1790 and occupied occasionally till 1804, when the large and imposing church, known as "Elder Buz- zell's church," was finished. This last was burnt by an incendiary, July, 1859. The present house was built 1853.
OLD SCHOOL FREE BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Freewill Baptist denomination was an offshoot from the Bap- tists, on the question of "Freedom of the will." There grew out from this starting point many opinions and practices, differing from the theo- ries and customs of other churches. The early ministers were earnest
221
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
energetic men, and were sincere and firm believers in the teachings of the Bible.
About 1837, dissensions about modes of worship and other matters arising within the Parsonsfield Quarterly Meeting, some of the min- isters and churches withdrew by permission and formed the Lim- ington Quarterly Meeting. Elder Jeremiah Bullock was the leader of this band of believers. Those withdrawing in or about 1837 and form- ing the Limington Quarterly Meeting have ever professed to hold to the fundamental doctrines as enunciated by the father of the denomina- tion, Elder Benjamin Randall. They have churches in various towns, and one located near East Parsonsfield. They have prospered by a steady growth of numbers.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
Many of the first settlers were Baptists in sentiment, but as the line between Calvinists and Freewill was not then distinctly drawn, we cannot say how many inclined to this or that wing. Elder Levi Chad- bourne preached and baptised in different neighborhoods, but we find no trace of a church until September 12, 1796, when the first regular Baptist church was formed at the house of David Marston. The names of David Marston, Levi Chadbourne, N. Knox, Caleb Marston, Dr. Will- iam Taylor, Joseph Towle, Wentworth Lord, and several others are recorded. As dates of admission are not given, the number of original members cannot be stated. There were more than two hundred admis- sions before 1835, gathered from Parsonsfield, Newfield, Effingham, and other towns. The first meeting-house was near the house of John Neal .. The second at Middle Road village, built in 1834, remaining till 1884. They have a fund of one thousand dollars donated by will of Perkins. · Mr. Chadbourne continued to preach up to 1803. He was a popular speaker and gathered many into the church. In 1791 the church voted to give "Brother Wentworth Lord and Brother William Taylor appro- bation to preach." Mr. Wentworth Lord was ordained August, 1803, and was the regular pastor till 1833. He was diligent in his calling, a. devoted Christian, a man universally reverenced, living to the ripe age of eighty-nine years. Mr. Lord was succeeded by Parker L. Fogg one year, William N. Hanson three years. Charles H. Green was ordained
222
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
July 4, 1838 and labored successfully several years. He left in 1844. Several short pastorates have followed.
SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH.
Those members of the Baptist Church living west of Ricker's Moun- tain, asked for and were granted permission to become an independent church. The church was established March 12, 1838. Soon after they became independent, they lost by death and emigration some of their leading members, which so reduced them that they were unable to maintain regular Sabbath worship. A church was built on Ricker's Mountain which was later the dwelling of Dea. Dominicus Ricker, and afterward a union meeting-house was built on the Newfield road, about half a mile south of the present one. The Baptists and others occupied it for a few years, but like most other union houses it then ceased to be occupied by any one. Little by little this church and society fell to pieces, and is not now reported. They have a fund* but no one to take care of it.
CHRISTIAN ADVENT SOCIETY.
This society may be called the successor of the Second Baptist, as they entered into the field once occupied by that church. It originated in a series of meetings held by D. W. Stevens in 1869. Rev. Mark Stevens became pastor. A new union meeting-house was built, 1872, in which there has been preaching part of the time. D. W. Stevens was ordained here July 4, 1876. A society with twelve members was formed August 4, 1877.
UNIVERSALISTS.
This denomination have a society, formed within a few years, in the southwest part of the town. They are connected with those of like faith in Effingham. Their house of worship is just over the State line and near the "Taylor City" so called. It was built 1870. They are favored with a preacher part of the time.
*One thousand dollars donated under the will of James Marston.
223
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
THE FRIENDS.
We have a brief but interesting account of the Society of Friends, from the pen of S. H. Cartland. He says that : -
"The first meeting of Friends held in this town was not far from the year 1798. Edward Cobb and wife were the first ministers of the denomination in town. The first meeting-house was built in 1838, and the number of members at that date was twenty. There has been a gradual increase of membership to the present time, so that our monthly conference now numbers one hundred or very nearly. The number of ministers at the present time, six. The religious interest is good and increasing among the members. The meeting is now established at the village at East Parsonsfield."
The division of the ministerial money in 1848 shows the relative strength of the religious societies: Elder John Buzzell's, one hundred and twenty-four voters ; South Parsonsfield fifty-seven; East Parsons- field, fifty-two; Old School Baptists, thirty-nine ; First Regular Bapt- ist, forty-two ; Second Baptist, fifty-two. The Friends and Congrega- tionalists did not apply for a share.
In 1865, only the amounts severally paid are given : Old School Baptists, eleven dollars and twenty-four cents ; South Parsonsfield, ten dollars and seventy-one cents ; East Parsonsfield, six dollars and seventy eight cents ; North Parsonsfield, four dollars and seven cents ; First Regular Baptist, five dollars and forty-two cents ; Second Regular Baptist, eight dollars and fourteen cents ; Congregational, three dollars and sixty-six cents.
MINISTERS.
There were four churches in Parsonsfield in the year 1800, and six at the present date, not counting societies, or church members whose house of worship is in another town. The average number of ministers preaching in town since 1800 may have been about four. During the first years of the century the pastorates were for life, but for the last fifty years stated supplies have not remained more than two years on the average. Not less than one hundred and fifty clergymen have occupied the pulpits in Parsonsfield. As the churches have not kept a record of their names and time of service we are obliged to rely upon ndirect mention and memory.
224
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
Other ministers not employed for stated periods have labored in town successfully. It is presumed that Elder Benjamin Randall was the first of this class. Elders Tingley, Jeremiah and Wescott Bullock, Sam- uel Burbank, Benjamin Bridges, - Robinson, David House, F. F. Rice, W. H. Cotton, Thomas Strout, Loring T. Staples and others are entitled to honorable mention. Neither should we overlook Friend Edward Cobb in early years ; the Cartland family later, and Friend Charles C. Varney at this time.
Several of the teachers connected with the Academy preached some- where on the Sabbath.
Other towns have furnished the religious teachers of Parsonsfield, with one or two possible exceptions. What has Parsonsfield done in return ? The names of Joseph Ricker, D. D., Moses M. Smart, D. D., John M. Parsons, Edmund and Joseph Garland, Thomas and Charles H. Emerson, William R. Thompson, James Rand, Charles H. Hilton, Albert S. Hill, Edward Colcord, and several other natives of the town, most of whose names are enrolled among college graduates, while many more not thus honored have dispensed messages of pardon and peace.
Neither do we forget the scores of fair daughters who have become co-laborers of clergymen, even though we are not able to call them by name.
N
A Copy of
PLAN OF PARSONSFIELD as made by JOSEPH CRAM of Exeter. N .H.
FOR Thos. Parsons Esq. Jlov. A 0 .1771
RIVER
Gore
GREAT.
land
TRACY
( Never lotted )
54
52
53
5/
49
47
45
43
41
39.
31
35
33
3
29
27
25
23
2/
19
G
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
=
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
198
141
146
145
144
143
142
14
140
139
138
TRAINING
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
109
108
107
106
105
104
103
102
101
100
99
98
97
96
95
4
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
3
G
G
G
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
40
50
51
52
53
54
55
36
1
G
FIRST
SCHOOL
G
MINISTER
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
18
19
LIMERICK
37
36
35
34
33
32
31
30
29
28
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
G
G
N
EW F
-
E
D
6
G
G
G
G
Z
G
G
5
Si
FIRST
G
G
76
77
78
T9
80
81
94
G
G
75
74
73
72
71
70
69
68
67
66
65
64
63
62
61
60
59
58
2
G
MINISTAY
MINISTER
G
G
G
G
G
G
7Ë
G
G
G
FIELD
G
G
G
137
136
135
134
133
132
13
≥ NEW
10
G
G
G
-
G
G
MP
G
G
MINISTRY
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
SCHOOL MINISTRY
I HAM
149
150
151
152
15
£ 8
NOWWOJ
G
G
162
163
164
165
166
CORNISH
Sold to
12
COMMON
G
G
G
30
48
12
40
38
36
34
32
30
28
26
24
22
20
G
G
G
FIRST
11
G
G
MINISTER
G
G
G
G
G
RE
I 9
PS
NOWWOD
G
110
127
128
129
130
G
G
G
G
57
G
G
SCHOOL
G
G
G
G
of
OSSIPEE
PATRICK
G
NOW W02
G
G
IN THE HISTORICAL SKETCH, THE ORIGINAL NUMBERING OF LOTS IS NOT FOLLOWED ; BUT FROM NO /66 IS CONTINUED BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE PLAN TO Nº 220.
0
D
D
3
CHAPTER VII.
WHEN Parsonsfield was surveyed in 1771, Mr. Cram, the surveyor, drew a plan of the town which has been preserved. The plan and field notes were copied into the Clerk's book of records by James Hart. The map here inserted is a copy reduced to one inch to the mile. The lots reserved by the Shapleigh proprietors for themselves are marked G ; lots for the first minister marked, first minister ; for ministry marked, ministry ; for grammar school, so marked; for mill, M. P. The names of owners given in this list show what lots were drawn by individual proprietors as well as lots purchased of Mr. Parsons. Blanks appar- ently indicate parcels still owned by him. The exact date is not known, probably soon after the town was organized.
The Gore has never been lotted. The line passes through the house of Isaac Libby, crosses the highway west of J. W. Trueworthy's house, runs south of the homestead of Andrew Edgecomb.
RANGE ONE.
Lot Owner
Lot Owner
Lot
Own er
1 Joseph Hubbard.
7 John Brown.
13 Alonzo Scamman.
2 Joseph Granville.
8 Philip Hubbard.
14 - Mighells.
3 Brad Doe.
9 John Sanborn.
15 Thomas Scamnan.
4 Grammar School.
10 Daniel Moulton.
16 Eben Moore.
5 James Sanborn.
11 Samuel Shapleigh.
17 John Moore.
6 John Brown.
12 -- Bickford.
18 John Moore. 1
19
RANGE TWO
Lot
Owner.
Lot Owner
19
25 Elisha Piper.
26 George Bickford.
32 Stephen Parsons.
33 John Doe.
22 First Minister.
23 Samuel Pease.
29 Joseph Parsons.
30 Joseph Parsons.
Lot Owner
31 Stephen Parsons.
20
21 Common School.
27 Dudley Hilton.
28 Tobias Fernald.
34 John Doe.
35 James Marston.
24 James Morrison.
36 Nathaniel Ames.
37 Andrew Hilton.
15
226
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
RANGE THREE.
Lot Owner
38 Col. Chesley.
39 Gideon Doe.
40 Gideon Doe.
41 Jere Avery.
42 Nathaniel Pease.
43 ---- Leavitt.
49 Zebulon Pease.
Lot Owner
50 Rev. Alpheus Spring.
51 Ministry.
52 Edward Cutts.
53
54
55
56 John Page.
Lot
Owner
57 - Saward.
58 Thomas Parsons, Jr.
59 Thomas Parsons, Jr.
60 William Parsons.
61 Noah Scamman.
62 Nathan Rogers. 68
-
Garland.
74 Samuel Page.
75 Samuel Page.
RANGE FIVE.
Lot
Owner
75 Samuel Page.
76 Robert Brown.
77 Sanborn & Hunt.
78 First Minister.
79 Captain Garvin.
80 Captain Garvin.
86 Taylor Page.
Lot . Owner 87 Winthrop Wiggin.
88 Winthrop Wiggin.
89 John Goodwin.
90 Simon Jennis.
91
92 Colonel Moulton.
93 William Stacy.
RANGE SIX.
Lot Owner
100 Wint. Wiggin.
101 Wint. Wiggin. 102 Wint. Wiggin.
103 Wint. Wiggin. 104 David Moulton. 105 John Goodwin.
Lot Owner 106 James Segel.
107 Walter Neal.
108 Simon Jennes.
109 Alex Scamman. 110 William Keon.
111 - Saward.
112 Samuel Maloon.
Lot
Owner
94 James Fernald.
95 Major Shapleigh.
96 Robert Rogers.
97 Patrick Tracy.
98 Robert Rogers. 99
Lot
Owner
81 - Garland.
82
- - Brown.
83 James Sullivan.
84 Samuel Moulton.
85 Captain John Frost.
Lot
Owner
69 Garland.
70
64 Patrick Tracy.
65 Edmund Chase.
71 Nathaniel Pease.
72 John Shapleigh.
73 John Doe, Jr.
66 - Moulton.
67 Jona Colcord.
47 Lot Wedgewood.
48 Dudley Hilton.
Lot Owner
44 Nathan Wiggin.
45 Nathaniel Remick.
46 Aug. Chase.
RANGE FOUR.
Lot Owner
63 Dep. Shapleigh.
227
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
Lot
Owner
Lot Owner Lot
Owner
112 Samuel Maloon.
119 Samuel Dalton. 126
113
120 Jona Kinsman. 127
114
121*Jona Kinsman.
128 Samuel Stacy.
122 Nathaniel Remick.
129 William Parsons.
130 Samuel Lougee.
117 William Frost.
124 Patrick Tracy.
125 Humphry Scamman.
RANGE EIGHT.
Lot
Owner
131
137 Captain Gammon.
138 Jacob Scagel.
144 S. Gilman.
139 Robert Spring. 145
140 Jona Kinsman. 146
141 Jona Kinsman.
147 Colcord & Champion.
136 John Lougee.
142 John Mudgett. 148
RANGE NINE.
Lot
Owner
Lot Owner
Lot Owner
161 Ministry.
150 William Frost.
156 Dr. Daniel Pease.
162 Capt. Wm. Rogers.
151 Philip Hubbard.
152 Edmund Chase.
158
164 Patrick Tracy.
153 Amos Blazo.
159 James Gowen.
165 Patrick Tracy.
154 Jona Chadbourne.
160 Grammar School.
166 Patrick Tracy.
RANGE TEN.
Lot
Owner
Lot Owner
173 Joseph Hubbard.
179 Amos Blazo.
180 Jona Towle.
175 Mill Privilege.
181 Moses Leighton.
176 John Hill.
182 Samuel Leighton
177 Tobias Fernald.
183 William Stacy.
172 Ministry.
178 Enoch Libby.
184 William Rogers.
RANGE ELEVEN.
Lot
Owner
Lot Owner
Lot Owner
185
191 Philip Paine.
197 Nathan Bartlett.
186 John Hill.
192 John Frost.
198 George Kezar.
187
193 Samuel Stacy.
199 Patrick Tracy.
188 John Bartlett.
194 Dennis Durell.
200 Elisha Shapleigh.
189 Patrick Tracy.
195 Patrick Tracy.
201 Benjamin Brown.
190 James Shapleigh.
196 Moses Ham.
202 Benjamin Brown.
Lot Owner Lot Owner 143 Soloman Kenison.
132 William Parsons.
133 Patrick Tracy.
134 Nathaniel Bartlett.
135 Gilman Lougee.
149 Dea. - Hobbs.
155 Jona Moulton.
157 Edward Cutts, Esq.
163 Nathaniel Scamman.
Lot Owner
167 William Leighton.
174 James Gowen.
16S Major Shapleigh. 169 170 Dr. Daniel Pease. 171
RANGE SEVEN.
115 116 Jonah Colcord.
123 James Shapleigh.
118 Joseph Parsons.
*Lot 121, ten acres, in northeast corner set apart for a training field and burying ground.
228
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
RANGE TWELVE.
Lot
Owner
Lot Owner Lot Owner
203 Benjamin Brown.
209 George Kezar.
215 Samuel Shapleigh.
204 Benjamin Brown.
210 William Leighton.
216 Samuel Shapleigh.
205 Patrick Tracy.
211 Patrick Tracy. 217
206
212 George Kezar.
218 William Parsons.
207 Samuel Leighton.
213 Depend. Shapleigh. 219 Patrick Tracy.
208 First Minister.
214 Capt. John Shapleigh. 220 Patrick Tracy.
MILITARY.
At the time of the Revolutionary war many soldiers returned after the British had been driven from New England, without money, and often without decent clothing. Wishing to settle down in homes of their own, numbers were attracted to Parsonsfield. In getting their names we are compelled to rely upon tradition.
The early colonists were compelled to be ever ready for war, and were often called to engage in bloody struggles. These wars and nec- essary preparations intensified the military spirit. The law required every able-bodied man from eighteen to forty-five years of age to meet for company drill annually, on the first Tuesday in May, and also two or three times during the fall months. Some time in October all the companies within a given territory met for regimental review. The first gathering for inspection was near the top of Merrill's Hill, Colonel Jonathan Kinsman commanding. The regiment in later years consisted of five companies from Parsonsfield, two from Newfield, and two from Cornish.
General muster was the exciting event of the year. The only uni- versal holiday, when men and boys, women and children, from four- score to the cradle, gathered from far and near, before the morning dew left the grass, to see, hear, and have a good time generally.
As wars became less frequent, the interest in trainings grew luke- warm, until in 1841 these gatherings ceased to be required.
During the war of 1812, the militia of the town were called out for short periods to defend our sea-coast. As that war was one of posts rather than field operations no large army was required, and but few of our citizens entered the service of the general government. Their names are not remembered.
229
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
It is not known that any soldiers went into the Mexican war from here, excepting Edwin A. Whitten, who was commissioned as Lieu- tenant.
The Civil war which raged from 1861 to 1865 will long be remem- bered. Parsonsfield is credited with one hundred and eighty-five sol- diers. Fifty of these were substitutes, and thirty-seven not residents of the town, leaving ninety-eight citizens who entered the army. Thirty-six of these ninety-eight enlisted for nine months, the others for one or three years. Town bounties were paid to eighty-three sol- diers and fifty citizens who furnished substitutes.
A few extracts from the records will show the action of the town during these years.
At a special meeting June 3, 1862, it was " voted to furnish aid to the fa nilies of soldiers when in need." State aid amounting to one thou- sand, seven hundred and ninety-four dollars was furnished to forty- one families, and the amount repaid by the state.
To fill the call of July 2, 1862, the town "voted a bounty of one hun- dred dollars to each volunteer." The quota was twenty-four, and only eight responded.
September 8, 1862, "voted to pay a bounty of two hundred each to fill the quota of thirty-six nine months' men." The quota was filled and the bounty paid.
December 14, 1863, " voted to pay a bounty of three hundred dollars to fill the call of October 17, for twenty-eight men, and for deficiency in draft of July 9, 1863."
February 22, 1864, "voted to pay twenty-five dollars in addition to state bounty of three hundred dollars." Number of men required, ten.
September 24, 1864, " voted to raise eighteen thousand dollars to fill the call of July 18, 1864, and seven thousand to meet deficiencies." Fifty men were raised.
December 19, 1864, for twenty men, eight enlisted but did not go.
Bounties paid, forty-four thousand, nine hundred and twenty-seven dollars; reimbursed by state 1869, nine thousand, eight dollars and thirty-three cents, leaving a balance of thirty-five thousand, nine hun- dred and eighteen dollars and sixty-six cents, which balance was paid by the town.
230
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
COLONEL JOSEPH PARSONS.
The story comes down to us, that when Colonel Joseph Parsons, who was every inch an officer, commanded the regiment, he established his rear picket line not far from a stone wall, and paraded the troops near that line. The day was fine, the evolutions prompt, the spectators unusually numerous, interested, and massed behind the pickets. As the sun neared the western hills the regiment was being put through the manual exercises. They were faced to the rear and were made to handle arms lively. Bayonets were fixed, muskets leveled, a whispered order was sent to the music. Suddenly the command rang out clear and loud, "Charge !" Drums rattled, fifes screeched, the whole regi- ment rushed forward, hundreds of screaming women went over that wall at "double quick." The Colonel called " Halt, shoulder, right about, well done ! Brave soldiers you are dismissed."
THE POOR.
In the early years of the town persons falling into distress and need- ing public charity were set up at auction and provided for by the low- est bidder. It was the duty of the selectmen to see that they were humanely treated, and as a rule they were kindly cared for. When Parsonsfield bought a poor farm in 1835 nearly thirty paupers were supported by the town. The number has been steadily lessening till now only two are on the farm.
That class of vagrants known as tramps have ever been summarily dealt with. The first case recorded is an order from the selectmen to the constable directing him "to warn Fanny Gisbee to leave town immediately and not return, otherwise she would be forcibly ejected." A few years later two men and a woman with minor children received a similar warning. Modern methods of riddance have been more quiet.
POLITICAL.
Politically, Parsonsfield has been democratic since the day of its organization, and with few exceptions men elected to office have been of that party. Rotation in office has been a popular theory and prevail- ing practice. The customary term of service in one capacity has been three years, followed by possible promotion.
23I
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
The votes given for governor show the standing of political parties from time to time: 1792, John Hancock forty votes; 1812, Elbridge Gerry, one hundred and seventy-four, Caleb Strong seventy-nine ; 1822, Albion K. Parris one hundred and thirty-seven; Ezekiel Whitman thirty-eight; 1846, John W. Dana two hundred and fifty-eight, David Bronson thirty-three, Samuel Fessenden forty-two. The largest vote thrown in town was September, 1860, Ephraim K. Smart two hundred and fifty-six, Israel Washburn, Jr., two hundred and forty-six, scatter ing two, total five hundred and four. 1868 Pillsbury, two hundred and eighty-five, Chamberlain two hundred and seventeen; 1886, Edwards two hundred and thirty, Bodwell one hundred and fifty-five, Clark fourteen.
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