A history of the town of Industry, Franklin County, Maine, Part 10

Author: Hatch, William Collins. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Farmington, Me., Press of Knowlton, McLeary & co.
Number of Pages: 938

USA > Maine > Franklin County > Industry > A history of the town of Industry, Franklin County, Maine > Part 10

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The greatest innovation ever made upon the established

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educational methods of Industry, was effected in the enactment of the free text-book law by the Maine Legislature in 1889. This act provided that on and after August 1, 1890, each town should furnish free school-books to all pupils attending its schools. As the conditions under which they would be sup- plied were not well understood, the subject was for a time much discussed and the new law regarded with but little favor by the tax-payers in town. By some it was claimed that the new system would engender in pupils a wanton destruction of books, thus rendering it more expensive than the old, and many simi- lar objections were urged against the new law. But a practical test of nearly two years goes far to prove that its advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. At its annual meeting, March 3, 1890, the town voted to raise the sum of two hundred dol- lars for the purchase of school-books, in conformity with the action of the Legislature by which the law was established. In the summer of 1890, Charles F. Oliver, the school super- visor, after some correspondence and a critical examination of the series of several publishers, selected as best adapted to the wants of pupils in Industry Harper & Bros.' Readers, a very ex- cellent series of five numbers ; also the arithmetical and geo- graphical series of the same publishers. These, with Eggle- ston's United States History and Metcalf's Spellers, were adopted for the term of five years, and a contract between the publishers and Mr. Oliver, in behalf of the town, was closed. These books are all of a practical character, and cannot fail to prove satisfactory alike to pupil and teacher.

STATISTICAL.

The earliest statistical knowledge which the author has been able to obtain relative to the schools of Industry, shows that in 1835 there were 444 scholars in town. The second report of the State Board of Education, issued in 1848, gives no statisti- cal information respecting the various schools, but in 1852, as is learned from their report, there were 447 scholars and twelve school-houses in town. One of these was built during the

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HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.

year at a cost of $140 .* The school money raised in excess of the amount required by law was $83.60, and the whole amount expended for private schools was $105. To show the changes which thirty years have effected, and also the present status of the educational interests in town, the writer presents herewith a comparative table, compiled from the State reports of 1855, 1885 and 1890:

1855.

1885.

1 890.

Number of Districts in town,

good school-houses in town,

poor school-houses in town,

Whole number of scholars in town,

360

216

197

registered in summer schools, 175

125

1 24

Average number attending summer schools,

130

113

Whole number attending winter schools,

278

170

136

Average "

240

I38

I17

Number of male teachers employed,

Average wages per month,

$18.50

$20.45

$22.00

Number of female teachers employed,

Average wages per week,

$2.09

$2.96

$3.89

Amount of money raised per scholar.

1.32

2.65

2.90

parts of Districts in town,

A careful examination of the foregoing statistics reveals many important facts. The number of good school-houses in town in 1890 is double that of 1855, while the poor ones have decreased in the same ratio. This shows great advancement toward improving the school system in the town. During this period the decrease in whole number of pupils in town has been 54.7 per cent., yet there has been a gain of more than 30 per cent. in average attendance in the summer schools, and a loss of only 8 per cent. in the average attendance in winter schools. The increase in compensation of teachers bespeaks

* The house here referred to was the one at Withee's Corner, built immediately after the south point of the town was set off to New Sharon. It is supposed that the cost as here given represents only the cash expended for material, as in such in- stances the labor was often largely contributed by interested parties.

SCHOOLS.

the employment of those possessing wider experience and more varied attainments. Taken all in all, the school system of In- dustry was never in so good a condition as at the present time.

SCHOOL OFFICERS.

At the first town meeting for the election of officers after the incorporation of the town, it was voted that the five high- way surveyors be a school committee. It is presumable that these gentlemen also acted as agents for their respective dis- tricts. The highway surveyors, with the exception of one or two years, continued to serve in this capacity up to 1812, when a committee of three were elected from each district for four of the seven districts in town. In 1815, the nine highway sur- veyors, with the addition of six other persons, constituted the superintending school committee. This was undoubtedly the largest committee, numerically, that ever exercised jurisdiction over the schools of Industry. School agents were first elected for the several districts in 1822, when it was voted that James Allen, Supply B. Norton and Moses Tolman, Jr., "should be a committee to inspect schools." From this date a greater de- gree of interest was manifested in relation to schools, and at the annual meeting in 1828, the committee were requested to visit the several schools in town and report their condition at the next annual meeting. The people now exercised more judgment in the election of their school committees and usually selected men of good education, many of whom had been suc- cessful teachers. Among others who served on the board may be mentioned : Dr. John A. Barnard, Dr. John Cook, Dr. Jo- phanus Henderson, Carpenter Winslow, Zachariah Withec, Phineas Tolman, Elias B. Collins and Ira Emery, Jr. The last mentioned gentleman served on the board for many years, and was largely instrumental in improving the schools under his care. By a vote of the town, districts were first allowed to choose agents in 1851 .* The town voted to elect a supervisor

* As early as 1829, the inhabitants of the Centre district were allowed to elect their agent, but this was an exceptional case.

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HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.

instead of a committee, in 1858, and Elijah Manter, Jr., was chosen to that office. After trying the supervisor system for two years, they again elected a committee of three, and the schools were under this form of supervision until 1872; since that time, with the exception of one year, the office has been filled by a supervisor. Among those who have served in the latter capacity may be mentioned: John Willis, Joseph L. Coughlin, Holmes H. Bailey, Sylvester S. Wright, Charles F. Oliver and Frank H. Bailey. Andrew S. Emery is the present incumbent in the office, having been elected at the annual town meeting March 7, 1892.

A noteworthy feature of the schools in Industry, is the ex- cellence of their rank in attendance. This, for the year ending March 1, 1885, was eight per cent. above the State average, and in some former years the difference has been even greater.

The people of Industry have ever manifested a commenda- ble interest in educational matters, and many have sought the advantages of the State Normal and other schools of a similar grade. For the year ending March 1, 1885, pupils from this town had attended other schools to the extent of one hundred and fifty weeks. For the same year, the number perfect in attendance, which always had been much larger than the State average, was considerably increased. This result was mainly secured through the efforts of Supervisor Holmes H. Bailey, who offered neatly printed certificates to all perfect in attend- ance. Although the writer has been unable to learn the exact number perfect in attendance, it is believed that fully ninety certificates were awarded. The stimulus of Mr. Bailey's efforts has been steadily felt down to the present time, and the nun- ber perfect in attendance for the year ending March 1, 1891, was eighty-six. The schools of Industry since the incorpora- tion of the town have made steady improvement, and this is more emphatically true of the past forty years, ranking well in this respect with her sister towns in the State. As a rule, the teachers employed in the town schools have been those standing well in their profession, some of whom have since risen to distinction, filling important positions in educational,

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SCHOOLS.

social and political life. Among the early teachers in town may be mentioned: Jotham S. Gould, Charles G. Norton, Allen H. Brainerd, George A. Sargent, in 1833; Supply B. Norton, Carpenter Winslow and Clifford B. Norton, in 1834; William E. Folsom of Stark, with John Gower, Jr., and Stephen HI. Hayes of Industry, in 1836. Also Abel H. Weeks, Farm- ington, and Elias B. Collins, of Industry, in 1839. Other teachers, without regard to their chronological order, were: Thomas H. McLain, Farmington ; Elijah Manter, Jr., Truman A. Merrill, James S. Emery, William A. Merrill, William W. Crompton, Daniel S. Johnson, George H. Boardman, Edmund Hayes, Ira Emery, Jr., and Charles C. Cutts, all of Industry. John W. Perkins, John G. Brown and William F. Williamson, of Stark; also Wm. S. Pattee, John Gower, George E. Gay, Austin J. Collins, George F. Palmer, and Charles A. Alexander, who subsequently became a successful physician, and others.

CHAPTER VII.

RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.

The Baptist Society .- The Methodists .- The Congregational Society .- The Free Will Baptists .- Protestant Methodists, Etc.

SAYS Esq. Wm. Allen,* "Religious meetings were first holden on the Gore at Deacon Norton's by members of the Baptist order," and further, that "Rev. Sylvanus Boardman visited the Deacon and preached the first sermon that was delivered in town in December, 1794." Though this is undoubt- edly correct, the Baptist Church records, which date back as far as the summer of 1795, make no mention of Elder Boardman until the year 1818, therefore it is probable that during early years of its existence the church received only occasional visits from him.

Deacon Nortont and a few others among the first settlers were members of the Baptist denomination, and these formed the germ of the first religious society organized in the town of Industry. On the 12th day of August, 1795, Elders Eliphalet Smith and Isaac Case; visited the settlement on the Gore for

* History of Industry, p. 26.

+ Stephen Allen ( See Methodism in Maine, p. 16) says that Deacon Norton was a Congregationalist. The writer is of the opinion that Dr. Allen's information was incorrect.

* Elder Isaac Case was born in Rehoboth, Mass., Feb. 25, 1761. Ile was or- dlained Sept. 10, 1783, and at once made his way into those parts of Maine into which settlers were at that time pressing. Ten years after his arrival in the district he assisted in the organization of the Bowdoinham Association, with three churches and one hundred and eighty-three members. He performed extensive missionary labors

115

RELIGIOUS HISTORY.

the purpose of organizing a church. Elder Smith preached a forcible sermon from Isaiah I'., 4, after which three persons were baptized by Elder Case. A society was then organized, consisting of nine members, and styled Church No. 91 of the Bowdoinham Association .* It was voted that Deacon Corne- lius Norton should act as deacon, and Ebenezer Norton was chosen clerk. Although there is no conclusive evidence of the fact, it is probable that Rowland Luce was one of the original members of this church.

The next time that the Society was favored with preaching, was in February, 1796, when Elder Case visited them and preached at Benjamin Cottle's. During this year John Spencer and wife were admitted as members of the church, and Eben- ezer Norton was sent as a delegate to the meeting of the Asso- ciation. Elder Tripp was the next minister to visit the newly formed church on the Gore in 1798. In the latter part of this year Benjamin Cottle united with the church, and both he and Mrs. Cottle, who afterwards joined, remained conscientious and influential members up to the time of their death. Rev. Oliver Billings, of Fayette, was employed to preach in Industry a.por- tion of the time prior to the year 1800.

John Spencer was chosen a deacon of the church in 1800, and four years later was licensed as a preacher. Both Elders Cain and Smith visited the church and preached in Industry during this year. About the same time Daniel Luce, Jr., hav- ing made a profession of religion, united with the church, with which he remained for many years. He eventually left the society, however, and joined the Congregationalists.

in newly settled places, and laid the foundation of many of the earlier Baptist churches. One of these was a church in Readfield, which he organized in 1792, and of which he was pastor from its organization up to 1800. In seventeen years the Bowdoinham Association had grown from three churches and one hundred and eighty-three members to forty-eight churches and two thousand one hundred and twenty-one members. He continued his missionary labors in various parts of the State till the infirmities of age rendered him incapable of further work. He died at Readfield, Me , Nov. 3, 1852.

* This Society styled itself "The Particular Baptist Church in Industry," as we learn from the title page of its book of records.

116

HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.

Rev. Oliver Billings,* of Fayette, visited town in June, 1802, where he preached, baptized several converts and administered the Lord's Supper. Among those baptized were Tristram Norton and wife, James Davis, Sr., and wife, also Josiah Butler.

Levi Young removed from New Vineyard, early in the present century, and settled in Industry. He received a license "to speak and exhort in public" in 1805, and on the second day of September, 1809, he was licensed to preach.t

Deacon John Spencer having been expelled from the church in the winter of 1808, Benjamin Cottle was chosen deacon, in April, 1809, to fill the vacancy, and both he and Deacon Cor- nelius Norton held their offices as long as they lived. During the year 1808, Elders Ricker and Kendall preached in Indus- try, occasionally, and baptized a few converts. Elder Jason Livermore, of Hallowell, spent two months in town, during the progress of an extensive revival in the fall of this year. As a result of his labors he baptized some twenty converts, nearly all of whom united with the Baptist Church. He returned in the fall of 1809 and spent a short time with the society.

The church now took measures to have preaching more frequently, and Rev. Oliver Peabody was employed a portion of the time for one or two years. Also, occasionally, Elder Hooper of Paris, and Elder Cain, of Clinton. Abner C. Ames was received as a member of the church in 1808, and in the month of June, 1809, David Davis and wife, with their daughter Olive and a few others, were baptized and received into the church by Elder Ricker.

Elder Joseph Adams, of Jay, was invited by the church to preach and administer the ordinance of baptism to several con-

* Ile experienced religion under the preaching of Elder Eliphalet Smith, as early as 1792, and became an able and efficient minister of the gospel.

t There is some doubt in the writer's mind as to the identity of the person licensed to exhort in 1805, the one licensed to preach and the one subsequently or- dained an evangelist in 1814. The church records are not clear, and only in the last named instance is there anything to show whether the senior or junior Mr. Young is meant. Accepting Esq. Allen's statement ( History of Industry, p. 27 ) as correct, the author assumes that it was the junior Mr. Young to whom both licenses men- tioned above were granted.

RELIGIOUS HISTORY. II7

verts in the fall of 1809. Accordingly, near the close of Sep- tember he came, and after services, baptized Elijah Robbins and wife, Elisha Robbins, Henry Davis and Mrs. Abraham Page, and received them as members of the church.

Tristram Daggett, an early pioneer, having experienced religion, was baptized on the 9th of October, 1809, and like- wise received as a member of the church. Among other mem- bers admitted during this year were Peter Norton, Deborah and Love Allen, daughters of Capt. Wm. Allen. Also about the same time Robert Norton, son of Elijah and Margaret (Gower) Norton, of Farmington.

The first money raised for church purposes was near the close of the year 1810, when the conference voted to raise four dollars, and Deacon Cottle was chosen custodian of the church funds.

Elisha Robbins, son of Ammiel Robbins, a young man of exemplary piety, was ordained to the ministry by an ecclesiasti- cal council, which assembled at the dwelling-house of Deacon Benjamin Cottle, on the 4th of October, 1810 .* Among the ministers present and participating in the exercises were Rev. Robert Lowe, of Readfield, Rev. Oliver Billings, of Fayette, Rev. Thomas Frances, of Leeds, and Rev. Samuel Sweat, of Farmington. The ordination sermon was preached by Elder Lowe, prayer by Elder Billings, charge to the candidate by Elder Frances, and the right hand of fellowship was extended to the candidate by Elder Sweat.

Elder Robbins lived but a few days over six months after his ordination and died April 26, 1811, at the age of twenty-six years, loved and respected by all.

Elder Thomas Wyman labored in town for a short time in 1812, and during this year Dr. Jonathan Ambrose and wife were received as members of the church.

Thomas Merrill came to Industry in 1810, in the double capacity of school teacher and preacher. On the 13th of

* William Allen says ( History of Industry, p. 27) that he was licensed to preach, and died in 1809. This is obviously erroneous. See Robbins genealogy in Part Second of this work.

118

HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.

October, 1812, after having preached in this town and New Vineyard for upwards of two years, he was ordained pastor of the Industry Baptist Church by an ecclesiastical council which met at the house of Daniel Luce, Jr., in Industry. The church fixed Elder Merrill's salary at $50 for six months, with board for himself and horse. After the expiration of the six months he was employed for an additional period. In October, 1813, at his own request, he was dismissed, and supplied the church at Farmington for a time, but subsequently became pastor of the Baptist Church at Fayette. Elder Joseph Palmer supplied preaching in town for a short time in 1814, but with what suc- cess is not known.

Levi Young, Jr., was ordained an evangelist, at the school- house near Daniel Luce's, on "Federal Row,"* September 7, 1814. Elder Elias Taylor, of Belgrade, preached the ordina- tion sermon; prayer, at the laying on of hands, by Elder Joshua Macomber ; charge to the candidate, by Elder Thomas Merrill, of Farmington; right hand of fellowship, by Elder Joseph Palmer, of Industry. Almost the first duty of Elder Young was to solemnize the marriage of Elder Thomas Merrill and Deborah Allen. Not having the benefits of an early education, and being conscious of the fact, greatly impaired the effectiveness of Elder Young's labors, and caused him after a time to relinquish his position.

Robert Lambert was ordained by an ecclesiastical council, Jan. 1, 1819, and on the fourth day of the following April, the society voted to dismiss and recommend him, but to what church the writer is unable to learn.

* The farmn on which this house was located is now (1892) owned and occupied by James Edgecomb, but the school-house was moved away many years ago. The road on which Mr. Edgecomb resides acquired the name of "Federal Row" in the following manner: Soon after the close of the Revolutionary War the people be- came divided in opinion into two parties. The one was in favor of a strong central or constitutional form of government, a protective tariff and a national bank. The other was opposed to these measures and committed to the doctrine of State sover- eignty. The former was called Federalists, the latter Anti-Federalists or Republicans. The people living on the road from Tibbetts's Corner westward to the town line of Farmington, were all Federalists. Hence the name.

REV. C. S. LUCE.

Engraved by GEO. E. JOHNSON, Boston. I'rom a photograph made about 1865 by Merrill of Farmington, Me.

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RELIGIOUS HISTORY.

Ira Emery, Sr., was appointed a deacon of the church April 4, 1819, probably to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Deacon Cornelius Norton. Both Deacon Emery and his wife were people of eminent piety, and their lives were adorned by the practice of many christian virtues. They were respected by all and died, as they had lived, with a strong hope of a blessed immortality beyond the grave.

Seven members were relinquished in January, 1820, by the Industry church, to unite with a society which had just been organized in Anson.

Rev. Sylvanus Boardman, of New Sharon, was employed to preach once in four weeks in 1821-2, either at Rowland Luce's or at some other private house or school-house, in different parts of the town.

Christopher Sanborn Luce experienced religion in his youth, and was received into the church in June, 1825. The following interesting item concerning him, was clipped from Zion's Advocate : "Rev. C. S. Luce, of Poway, San Diego County, California, arrived at Allen's Mills, Industry, his native town, May 22d, [1882]. It is fifty-three years since he first left town and twenty-five since he visited this locality. The elder is seventy-four years old, and remarkably smart and active. In early boyhood he was converted, and baptized in Clear Water Pond, in Industry, by Rev. Sylvanus Boardman, the father of George Dana Boardman, the missionary to Burmah. He finds but one or two families of his early acquaintances, and but five persons whom he recognized. He is collecting the names of his relatives, which number over 150 souls. He has visited the graves of his parents, brothers and sisters, and the old farm where he once lived, recalling many pleasant memories with the many sad ones. Elder Luce has been hold- ing a series of meetings, which were of much interest and gave general satisfaction. He has preached in the old meeting-house which he helped to build fifty years ago; also gave liberally for its repair this year. Here his grandparents,* parents, brothers

* This statement is not compatible with the facts in the case. Both of Rev. Mr. Luce's grandparents died prior to the erection of this house of worship .- W. C. H.

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HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.

and sisters, uncles and aunts, have worshipped, but now are passed away. He finds but one brother and a half-sister now living, eight having passed over the river. He attended the reunion of his brother's family, where there were four genera- tions present. Elder Luce has been an arduous worker in his Master's vineyard, and been the means of much good." He has baptized during his ministry over 1,300 persons.

Datus T. Allen was received into the church by letter, May 14, 1827, and on the 21st of February, 1828, was ordained and installed pastor of the society; the ecclesiastical council assembling at the house of Deacon Cottle on the day previous, for the purpose of examining the candidate and making other preliminary arrangements for the occasion. Among those pres- ent were Elder Sylvanus Boardman from the church of New Sharon, Elder John Butler from Winthrop, and Elder Joseph Torrey from Strong. Elder Torrey preached the ordination sermon, and Elder Boardman made the ordination prayer, gave the charge and extended the right hand of fellowship to the candidate, while to Elder Butler was assigned the duty of mak- ing the closing prayer.

Jared F. Eveleth made a profession of religion at the age of fourteen years, and in June, 1828, was baptized and united with the church in his native town. He began to preach in 1858, and has filled many important positions. He is at pres- ent (1892) living in the town of Bluehill, Me., having retired from the more active duties of his calling in consequence of his advanced years.

Ilebron Luce was received into the church in 1828, and in 1831, James Davis, Jr., and wife, also Benj. Franklin Norton.

By the acquisition of wealthy and influential members, the Industry Baptist Church had become an organization of con- siderable importance, and its prospects were decidedly en- couraging .* For the most part the members were people of sterling character, and included some of the most worthy

* The Kennebec Baptist Association was organized in 1830, and held its first meeting with the Industry church, at the Centre Meeting-House.

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RELIGIOUS HISTORY.

residents of the town. In 1832 the church raised by subscrip- tion a sum sufficient to purchase a communion service.

There is no means of learning just how much of the time Elder Datus Allen preached in Industry prior to 1832, but in the month of September of that year the society voted to hire him one-fourth of the time for six months, fixing his salary at $65, or at the rate of $520 per year. Carlton Parker, a licentiate from Waterville College, was also engaged to occupy the pulpit a short time in connection with Elder Allen.

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A history of the town of Industry, Franklin County, Maine, Part 10

Author: Hatch, William Collins. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1893 Publisher: Farmington, Me., Press of Knowlton, McLeary & co. Number of Pages: 938

Author: Hatch, William Collins. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Farmington, Me., Press of Knowlton, McLeary & co.
Number of Pages: 938