USA > Maine > Franklin County > Industry > A history of the town of Industry, Franklin County, Maine > Part 14
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THE MILITIA AND 1812 W'AR. 157
equipped with "a sword or hanger and espontoon," and the balls were required to weigh the eighteenth part of a pound. It is hardly necessary to say that the first company organized in Industry fell far short of the requirements of the law.
Captain Thompson appointed William Allen, Jr., clerk of the company, and it was his duty to warn the members to meet for trainings, etc. The duty of notifying the first training was a task arduous in the extreme (sce p. 82).
. "At the first training,"* says Esq. William Allen, "Cap- tain Thompson kneeled down on the snow before his company and made a fervent prayer commending his men to the protec- tion of Almighty God and entreated for wisdom and discretion in the performance of his duties."
" At the first general muster at Farmington," continues Mr. Allen, " one of the Farmington companies took offense at the posting of the companies in the line, thought the company degraded by being assigned a lower position than they were entitled to, on a concerted signal, mutinied and left the field.
"Capt. Thompson, being extremely ardent and patriotic in all his movements, immediately tendered his services to the field officers to go with his Falstaff company and bring back the deserters with force and arms; but more prudent councils prevailed, and the general and field officers after a long parley prevailed on the deserters to come back and take their place."
At the annual meeting, April 1, 1805, the town voted to raise $110 to buy military stores and to defray town charges. What part of this sum was devoted to purchasing military stores the records do not show, but it is presumable that the larger part was expended for the munitions of war.t
The formal declaration of war between the United States and England, June 18, 1812, marked an era of renewed activity in military affairs. The previous aggressive attitude of the English government caused every town to keep on hand an
* Tuesday, May 5, 1799.
t Allen says ( History of Industry, p. 18): "The price of powder was a dollar a pound, at Hallowell, and the cost of furnishing powder for the town stock and to be used at musters exceeded all our other money taxes for several years."
20
158
HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.
ample supply of ammunition. A reminder of those troublous times is found among the records of the town where, at a meet- ing held April 6, 1812, it was " voted to pay Peter Norton one dollar and seventeen cents for running bullets."
Captain Daniel Beede's company of militia was called out in 1814, and was stationed at Waterville for fourteen days .*
A List of Officers and Men in Capt. Daniel Beede's Company, which served in the detachment at Waterville. Me., in 1814. The List also shows the number of days each person served, and compensa- tion received :
LIEUTENANT.
Days in Service.
Compensation.
James Thompson.
$15.80
ENSIGN.
Josiah Blackstone.
II
12.13
SERGEANTS.
Daniel Luce.
14
6.53
Moses Truc.
14
6.53
John Russell.
1 4
6.53
Peter W. Willis.
14
6.53
CORPORALS.
James Eveleth.
14
6.06
Robert Thompson.
14
6.06
Truman Allen.
14
6.06
Joseph Ames.
4.76
MUSICIANS.
William Johnson.
4.22
Job Swift.
1 2
4.60
* Tradition says Daniel Witham, of Industry, was drafted and served in this war, but there are no records to verify the assertion.
Capt. Elijah Butler, Jr., of Farmington, commanded a detached company which was ordered to Bath in the fall of IS14. His first sergeant was Joseph Viles, from that part of New Vineyard subsequently set off to Industry, as were also Leonard Boardman, Joseph Collins, Joseph Butler, Zebulon Manter, and Isaac Norton; while Plimmington Daggett and Ebenezer Collins were then of Industry. Peter Norton, of the same place, and William Butler, of New Vineyard, were soldiers in other Farmington companies.
159
THE MILITIA AND 1812 WAR.
PRIVATES.
Allen, Harrison.
1.4
4.90
Atkinson, James.
14
4.90
Atkinson, Thomas.
14
4.90
Benson, Matthew.
14
4.90
Bradbury, John S.
1 1
3.85
Brooks, Benjamin.
14
4.90
Church, Silas.
Clark, Humphrey.
14
5.13
Collins, James.
14
5.13
Collins, Lemuel, Jr.
14
5.13
Crawford, Benjamin T.
14
5.13
Crompton, George.
I 1
4.03
Davis, Cornelius.
14
5.13
Davis, James.
11
4.76
Ellis, William.
14
5.13
Eveleth, Joseph.
II
4.03
Goodridge, Jonathan.
II
4.03
Hayes, Jacob.
14
5.13
Hildreth, David, Jr.
14
5.13
Howes, Alvin.
14
5.13
Howes, Lemuel, Jr.
II
3.85
Johnson, D[arius ?].
TI
4.03
Johnson, Henry.
4.03
Luce, Arvin.
II
3.85
Luce, David.
I 4
5.13
Morse, Caleb.
II
4.03
Norton, Peter.
14
5.13
Norton, Obed.
14
5.13
Norton, Samuel.
I4
5.13
Pike, Joshua.
14
5.13
Remick, Francis.
14
5.13
Remick, True.
14
5.13
Rogers, Thomas.
14
5.13
Shaw, Daniel.
14
5.13
Smith, Henry.
14
5.13
Stanley, James.
4.03
Swift, Benjamin.
14
5.13
White. James.
9
3.30
Williamson, Ebenezer.
14
5.13
5.13
Luce. Benjamin.
5.13
Luce, Rowland.
5.13
160
HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.
In addition to their regular pay, twenty-three cents extra was allowed each soldier who furnished his own arms and equipments. The town also voted, at a special meeting holden Nov. 7, 1814, to draw thirty dollars from the treasury to pay the expenses of the militia while at Waterville. At the same meeting it was also voted to raise seventy dollars for the pur- chase of firearms.
After the close of the 1812 war the military trainings and musters were events of great importance for many years. This was especially true with the juvenile portion of the community who, as well as their elders, seemed determined to get all the fun they possibly could out of these holidays. The annual muster, surpassing in their estimation, the Fourth of July in importance. One of the objectionable features of these gather- ings was the prevalence of rum drinking .* Even after temper- ance reform had gained a strong foothold among the people, this custom was still kept up, and never practically ceased until the militia was disbanded.
Another custom universally observed was for the captain to furnish his company a dinner on training day. This, with the cost of treating, caused militia offices to become positions of honor rather than profit. On muster days it usually cost the town for rations from twenty to twenty-five dollars, besides a considerable sum for powder and other military stores.
Agrecably to an act of the Legislature, authorizing its forma- tion, a regiment of cavalry was organized in 1823, or perhaps a little earlier, as a portion of the State militia. One company of this regiment was composed of men from Farmington and Industry. The uniforms of this company were of blue broad- cloth ornamented with brass buttons and gilt lace; their sword belts being of very showy red morocco, fastened with heavy brass buckles, the officers having straps of the same material passing over each shoulder, crossing in front and be- hind. The caps worn were of the style common to the militia
* C'ol. James Davis, who moved to Industry in 1863, related that on muster day he had sometimes paid out as much as $25 for liquor without taking a single glass himself.
161
THE MILITIA AND 1812 WAR.
of those days. The musicians were dressed in suits of red bombazette, cut in the same style as those of the officers and trimmed with buttons and lace, white vests and cravats, citizens' hats with white plumes. The horses of both officers and privates were gaily caparisoned, and on muster days the company made a very fine appearance. Among the mem- bers from Industry, George Gower and Daniel Shaw, Jr., rose to the position of captain, Benjamin Luce to colonel of the regiment, and George Crompton to major on the regimental staff.
An amusing anecdote is told of Daniel Shaw, Jr., when captain of the company. At that time the Washingtonian temperance movement was being everywhere agitated and Cap- tain Shaw was a firm believer in its abstemious doctrines. Just previous to the annual State muster the company met at the residence of its commander for drill. At such times a dinner and a generous supply of ardent spirits were usually furnished by the commanding officer. On this occasion, however, the ladies brought out bottles of pepper-sauce which they face- tiously offered the men as a substitute for the customary bumpers of liquor. The men regarded this as a capital joke, and each tasted the pungent condiment before going in to dinner.
It was probably on this occasion that the company was presented with a beautiful banner, a gift from the ladies of the town. The presentation was made in behalf of the donors by Miss Adeline Shaw, a sister of the captain.
On muster day it was the practice for the members of cach company to assemble at the house of their captain and awaken him at an carly hour, by the simultaneous discharge of pistols or other fire-arms. Once when Capt. Silas Perham, of Farm- ington commanded the company, George Cornforth, a mem- ber from Industry, in discharging his pistol, which was heavily loaded, was struck in the face by the weapon with such force as to inflict a wound, the scar of which he carried for many years. This circumstance is related to give the reader an idea of the customs in days agone, and to show that even military musters
162
HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.
were not devoid of adventure and incident. The subjoined is a partial list of the members from the organization of the company down to the time of its disbanding, who resided in Industry. In the last years of its existence the members from this town were excellent horsemen and daring, sturdy fellows. Their hardihood and bravery won for them the name of " Industry Bears."
MEMBERS.
Allen, Benjamin M.
Manter, James.
Allen, Freeman.
Manter, John C.
Beede, Daniel.
Manter, John Wells.
Boardman, Andrew.
Manter, William.
Boardman, George H.
Manter, Zebulon.
Butler, David M.
Manter, Zebulon, Jr.
Butler, Josiah.
Norton, James.
Butler, Thomas.
Norton, John Wesley.
Cornforth, George.
Norton, Thomas F.
Crompton, George.
Norton, William D.
Crompton, Isaac.
Rogers, Francis S.
Emery, Josiah.
Shaw, Albert.
Eveleth, Benjamin G.
Shaw, Daniel, Jr.
Eveleth, James.
Storer, Philip A.
Eveleth, Joseph.
Thing, Jesse.
Fassett, Elbridge C.
Trask, Ebenezer G.
Gower, George.
West, John.
Hobbs, George.
West, Shubael C.
Luce, Benjamin.
Willis, John.
Manter, Asa M.
Winslow, George.
Manter, Benjamin, 2d.
Winslow, James.
Manter, Elijah, Jr.
Withee, Samuel.
Manter, Hiram.
Withee, Zachariah.
The person who had in custody the town's stock of powder was often obliged to store it in or near his dwelling, for want of some more suitable place. This was an extremely hazard- ous thing to do and but few could be found willing to assume such a risk. Consequently the town voted on the 26th day of December, 1825, to build a powder house of brick 5 x 5 feet, in which to store its arms and ammunition. The selectmen were
163
THE MILITIA AND 1812 WAR.
chosen as a committee to superintend its construction, and to William Harvey was given the contract of building the house .* The site selected was on a large granite boulder in Capt. Ezek- iel Hinkley's field, a short distance in a westerly direction from the late residence of Andrew Tibbetts. Mr. Harvey built the house the next summer, and for nearly a score of years it admirably filled the purpose for which it was built. After the disbanding of the militia it stood for many years a monument to the armigerous history of the town.
Concerning the history of the regular infantry militia, the writer has been unable to gather but few facts of importance. At the annual muster, Sept. 26, 1839, fifty-eight men were on review at Farmington, and Capt. Eben G. Trask commanded the company .; The following gentlemen have served as offi- cers in the militia :
Name.
Rank.
Name.
Allen, Newman T.,
Captain.
Manter, Elijah, Sr ..
Rank. Captain.
Blackstone, Josiah,
..
Norton, Clifford B.,
Boardman, Leonard.
יי
Norton, Jabez, Jr.,
Collins, Elias B.,
Remick, True, ..
Cutts, James,
Major.
Shaw, Daniel, Jr.,
Goodridge, Nathan,
Brig. Gen. Captain.
Thompson, John, ..
Gower, George.
Tolman, Moses, Sr ..
Hildreth, David,
Trask, Eben G.,
Johnson, Abraham,
",
Willis, Peter W.,
Look, Valentine,
Wilson, Isaac,
Luce, Benjamin,
Winslow, Carpenter,
Luce, Sanders,
Colonel. Captain.
THE INDUSTRY RIFLE GRAYS.
The law requiring enrollment in the militia the names of all able-bodied male citizens, between the age of eighteen and forty-five years, brought together on training and muster days a heterogeneous crowd ranging from the beardless youth to the
* Mr. Harvey's bid on the job was the surprising low figure of $19.75.
+ The Industry company was designated as Co. D, Ist Reg't, 2d Brigade, 8th Division of the State Militia.
164
HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.
gray-haired veteran. Each person thus enrolled, though re- quired to furnish his own equipments, was not restricted in selecting, but every one was permitted to follow his own taste in the matter. Consequently, as one would naturally infer, these equipments varied greatly in pattern and were often of the most primitive kind. Their muskets were of every con- ceivable pattern from the old-fashioned "Queen's Arm" down to the more modern weapon with its percussion lock. A com- pany differing so widely in the age of its members, and present- ing such striking dissimilarities in style of dress and equipment, could hardly be expected to make an imposing appearance on muster days, or attain distinction for the precision of its drill. For years these conditions were a source of much dissatisfac- tion, especially among the younger members, and in some way it had gained the pseudonym of "String-bean Company" by
its unpopularity .* At length a large number of the dissatisfied members withdrew, and with a small addition to their number from Farmington, formed an independent company known as The Industry Rifle Grays. The company was mustered in by General Enoch C. Belcher, but the date of its organization can not be learned, as the records have either been lost or de- stroyed. The uniforms were of gray satinet trimmed with red, and the rifles of the most approved pattern and carried a bullet weighing thirty-two to the pound. The total expense of equip- ping the company was about thirty dollars per man, and each member bore his proportional part. At the first meeting for election of officers Newman T. Allen was chosen captain, and John West and William Webster lieutenants. Capt. Allen was a thorough-going tactician, and under his instruction the men made rapid progress in their drill, and the company soon took rank among the best disciplined in the county if not in the
* Among the okler inhabitants of the town is a tradition concerning the manner in which this title was earned: After each election of officers it was the custom for the newly elected captain to furnish a dinner for his command. On one occasion the principal dish on the table was string beans, cooked according to the usual manner of those days. Wherever the company went after this, it was known among the ple- beians as the "String-bean Company."
THE MILITIA AND 1812 WAR. 165
State. * The company had probably been organized some four years when the militia disbanded. This is not definitely known, however, though one of the memberst is confident that the company mustered four times during its existence as an organ- ization. The following is a partial list of its officers and members :
CAPTAIN. Newman T. Allen.
LIEUTENANTS.
John West.
William Webster.
SERGEANT. Isaac Webster.
PIONEERS.
Fifield Luce.
Truman Luce.
Henry Smith. Warren Smith.
MUSICIANS.
Wesley Meader.
William Q. Folsom.
William Dyer.
Ezekiel Rackliff.
Francis Meader.
Hugh Stewart.
Thomas W. Luce.
PRIVATES.
Allen, Hiram.
Luce. Charles.
Allen, Samuel R.
Luce, True R.
Atkinson, Charles.
Manter, George.
Collins, Joseph, Jr.
Meader, Charles.
Collins. Obed N.
Meader, Shubael L.
Craig, Hiram.
Merrill, James.
Craig, John.
Norton, Clifford B.
Emery, Ira. Jr.
Ramsdell, Abner.
Hatch, David.
Stevens, Oliver.
Hayes, Charles.
Titcomb, Henry.
Higgins, Barnabas A.
Titcomb, John.
Higgins, John C.
Wendell, Thomas, 3d.
Holley, Henry.
West, George.
Look, John J.
* At a general muster held in Farmington, Col. William Nye paid this company the high compliment of being the best drilled company in his command. t Obed N. Collins.
21
CHAPTER IN.
MILLS AND MANUFACTURING.
Water Powers of Industry. - First Grist-Mill Erected. - Capt. Peter West Erects Mills. - Cornforth's Grist-Mill. - Elisha Lumbert's Grist and Saw-Mills. - Culler's Mills. - Davis's Mills. - Gower's Mills. - Capt. John Thompson Erects Mills near Stark Line. - West & Manter's Saw-Mill. - Clover-Mill. - First Shingle-Machine. - Daggett & Brown's Shingle- Mill. - William Cornforth's Fulling-Mill. - James Gower's Fulling-Mill. - Allen & Co.'s Starch-Factory .- Deacon Emery's Bark-Mill. - Other Tanneries. -- Shovel Handles. - Rake Manufacturing. - Smith & Coughlin's Spool-Factory. - Oliver Bros.' Steam Box-Factory. - Rackliff's Chair-Factory. - Mechanics, Etc.
THE most valuable water power in Industry is that furnished by Clear Water Pond, in the western part of the town. At Allen's Mills, situated at the outlet of this pond, there is a fall of thirty-three feet in fifty-five rods .* A wheel discharging eight hundred inches of water, under a twelve-foot head, has been operated twelve hours per day, continuously, for many years. This by no means represents the full capacity of this excellent water power, which has absolute immunity from danger by freshets and is considered one of the most valuable in this section of the State. The water power at West's Mills is derived from two streams of considerable size, which unite just before reaching the village. In years past these streams have usually furnished sufficient power for operating the grist- mill the whole year, and the saw-mill during the spring and fall. As the town became more thickly settled, large tracts of forest were cut away, admitting the sun's rays and causing much of the surface-water to pass off by evaporation. In
* Walter Wells's " Water Power of Maine."
.
MILLS AND MANUFACTURING. 167
consequence of this, the grist-mill is useless in times of pro- tracted drouth.
. One of the greatest inconveniences to the early settlers in Industry was their remoteness from grist and saw-mills. To these hardy pioneers, inured as they were to toil and hardships, the business of going to mill was " no boy's play." They must go either to Starling's (now Walton's) Mill in Farmington, or nearly double that distance to Wilton, much of the way follow- ing a spotted line through the dense forest and over the roughest of rough roads, with their grists on their shoulders in summer and on handsleds in winter. When the snow became very deep, it was necessary to travel on snowshoes. At stich times " blazed trees " was the settler's only guide .*
The first grist-mill built within the present limits of Industry was on the north branch of the stream which flows through the village of West's Mills. This mill stood on land now ( 1892) owned by Eli N. Oliver, and was erected by Henry Norton in the summer of 1794, the land on which it was located having been purchased the previous year. Mr. Norton carried the provision for his workmen and a portion of the mill irons on his back from Abner Norton's, on the Gore, a distance of nearly six miles, following a spotted line over the mountain.t This mill, owing to its faulty construction, proved entirely useless and was a dead loss to its owner. There are still living, persons who recollect having seen portions of the old dam, and doubt- less some traces of the mill can still be found.
Capt. Peter West began a clearing on the mill lot, near the village which now bears his name, in 1796, settled there two years later, and soon after built a grist and saw-mill on a stream near his log-cabin.# These mills must have proved a great conven-
* A tree with a spot of bark hewed off so as to show the underlying wood was known among the early settlers as " blazed tree." These blazes likewise indicated the origin and character of the road. Three blazes in a perpendicular line on the same tree indicating a legislative road, the single blaze a settlement or neighborhood road.
t Allen's History of Industry, p. 21.
# Esq. Allen says ( History of Industry, p. 21) that "Capt. West's mills were built in 1798." He further states on page 15 that Captain West built a house on his lot in 1798 and moved into it the same season. While the latter date is probably
168
HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.
ience to the early settlers, and it is but reasonable to presume that they were well patronized and the builder abundantly rewarded for his enterprise. On the approach of old age, Capt. West retired from active business, and the mills became the property of his son, Esquire Peter West. Respecting these mills, Capt. John Mason, of Fairfax County, Virginia, writes : "When I arrived in Industry, April 20, 1819, Esquire West was the first man to employ me. At that time the saw-mill could be used, but it was a rickety affair. The grist-mill was in good order, the big wheel outside the mill .* Cornforth's fulling- mill was in the basement, his carding-machine in an upper room, while the grist-mill was on a floor between the two. Just before I came to the place the grist-mill had been sold to Rufus Viles, Esq. West taking a mortgage, as security, on the property. It was rumored, however, that Esq. West would have to take the mill back. The next year ( 1820) the saw- mill was sold to Esq. Daniel Shaw, and re-built by him in right good order. Hc raised the frame of his mill in August, 1820. Being a wealthy and liberal man, the people flocked from far and near, so surc were they that a generous supply of liquor would be furnished for the occasion. As was anticipated, liquor flowed freely, and nearly fourteen gallons were required to treat this large assemblage .; The mill was perfect in all its
correct, circumstances lead the author to question the correctness of the former. To erect a log-cabin on the very borders of civilization and remove his family and house- hold goods thither from Hallowell, a distance of forty miles, over roads rough in the extreme, must have furnished quite enough labor to occupy the attention of Capt. West for one season. In the absence of records or documentary evidence it becomes extremely difficult, if not an impossibility, to bridge over nearly a century and establish a date beyond question. Therefore, Esq. Allen's statement must necessarily be ac- cepted as an approximation to accuracy.
* The author is of the opinion that the grist-mill was rebuilt by Esq. West at the time William Cornforth established his fulling-mill at West's Mills, but has been unable to verify his impressions.
+ This was no guess work on the part of Captain Mason. . At that time he kept a small grocery store and like every one engaged in the business of those days sold ardent spirits; it was of him that Esq. Shaw bought the liquor for his raising. The reader may notice a discrepancy between the date of erecting Esq. Shaw's mill and the date of Capt. Mason's engaging in trade. The matter is easily explained. Capt. Mason kept his goods in Deacon Emery's house for time prior to the erection and completion of his store, and it was during this time that Esq. Shaw's mill was raised.
169
MILLS AND MANUFACTURING.
appointments, and the water-wheel one of the finest I had ever seen."
Esquire Peter West sold and conveyed the grist-mill to William Cornforth, Feb. 27, 1835. Immediately after gaining possession of this property, Mr. Cornforth tore down the old mill and began framing a new structure that would better accommodate not only the patrons of the grist-mill, but like- wise his growing business in wool-carding and cloth-dressing. The frame was raised about the time or soon after the ground settled in the spring of 1835. It was an established custom in those days for some one to "name the frame" after the last piece had been raised and fastened in its proper place. On this occasion the men worked with a will, all being anxious to hear the frame named. The ridge-pole being in place, Josiah Emery, standing on an elevated part of the frame, made a short speech, and closed by saying :
"Now from W'est's Mills We'll transfer the honor, And henceforth say, from Withee's Corner Three miles to Cornforth's Mills." *
The frame was covered with as little delay as possible, and Charles Russell, a skillful millwright from Norridgewock, was employed to construct the gear and put the mill in running order.f So expeditiously was the work forwarded, that the mill was ready for business in October, 1835, and Thomas J. True was engaged to come to Industry and operate it.
In the succeeding years this mill was liberally patronized, and during the busiest part of the year it was often necessary
* This fact was related to the author by Elijah Manter, son of Capt. Benjamin Manter of Industry. As a further proof that it was from the frame of this mill, and not, as some claim, that of the saw-mill built by Shaw & Cornforth in 1845, that the doggerel above referred to was promulgated, the author would say in 1836, the municipal officers designated the place as Cornforth's Mills in their warrant for the September town meeting.
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