USA > Maine > Franklin County > Industry > A history of the town of Industry, Franklin County, Maine > Part 24
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82
" I cannot give you much account of that library, but it was a great affair to me who saw few books in my childhood, and I am sure it was regarded in like manner by my associates. It was called, I think, the "Social Library." Benjamin Allen was the librarian and it was kept in a small case in his house. I think there were less than a hundred volumes, such as Robertson's History of America, Mackenzie's Travels; I think it was Bary ()'Meary's Life of Bonaparte on St. Helena, in 3 vols .; some of the Waverly novels. This was the character of the books. Boy as I was, I read them with great interest, but how or by whom it was originated I do not remember. But few books were added, those in it were gradually scattered, and my impression is that it came to an end. But that small library had no small influence on the people of that neighborhood. I am sorry I can say no more, but I am glad for you to know of this library, but I suppose few of the people you have known had any knowledge of it. But it was a treasure to the people of my generation and earlier-it kindled a taste for books-it stirred our young minds and was prized by our fathers."
+ Rev. Ira Emery writes : " I very well remember a small-pox scare about the time
275
EVENTS FROM 1830 TO 1860.
In the fall of 1830 the inhabitants in the southern and west- ern part of the town agitated the topic of changing the post- route through Industry from Winslow's Corner by Davis's Corner (now Goodridge's), and from thence to West's Mills so that the stage would go by Withee's Corner and Esq. Daniel Shaw's direct to West's Mills. The agitators further proposed that the post-office at Davis's Corner be removed to Withee's Corner, which would bring it directly in line of the proposed route. At length the subject reached such a degree of importance that a town meeting was called to consider the advisability of peti- tioning the Postmaster General to make the proposed change. Though the agitators may have deemed their prospects of suc- cess very promising, it seems a majority of the town thought otherwise, and the proposition was ignominiously voted down in town meeting, and both office and post-route remained un- changed.
A notable event of the year 1832 was the opening of the first public house in Industry. This house was located at West's Mills, on the lot where Oliver Bros. subsequently built their steam-mill in 1871-2, and Asaph Boyden and wife were landlord and landlady. His tavern sign was a plain, unostentatious affair and bore the simple inscription, "A. Boyden, 1832." This house supplied a long-felt want, and the good accommodations it afforded soon made it very popular with the traveling public, and the enterprise proved a remunerative one.
The earliest statistical knowledge of Industry's agricultural interests is also for the forementioned year. At that time
Boyden swung his tavern sign. It must have been as early as 1832 and near the time when the new Canada road from Quebec to the State line was opened. Some were afraid foreigners would come in on that road and bring the small-pox. There was talk of asking Mr. Boyden to take down his sign as a preventive measure. In this connection I am reminded of a little incident. In those years strangers were not often seen in the little village of West's Mills. On a Sabbath during the summer of 1832 or 1833 there was a baptism in the mill-stream just above the lower bridge. There was present a stranger of gentlemanly appearance, well dressed and civil-a mere looker- on. Many were the enquiries made, but no one could tell who he was. A report was currently circulated that he was a Spaniard. In the estimation of us boys a Spaniard was next akin to the devil himself, and thereafter we gazed on him with awe and wondered that Mr. Boyden should put up such people."
276
HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.
among the largest land-owners were George Hobbs, who owned 391 acres ; Esq. Daniel Shaw, 380 acres ; Widow Annie Norton, 353 acres ; and Nathaniel M. Davis, 341 acres. Real estate to the value of one thousand dollars or more was owned by the following persons, viz. : Esq. Peter West, $1900; Nathaniel M. Davis, $1800; Esq. Daniel Shaw, $1800; James Winslow, $1600; Widow Annie Norton, $1500; Esq. James Stanley, $1050; Capt. Ezekiel Hinkley & Son, $1050; Capt. Valentine Look, $1025 ; William Cornforth, $1000; Jacob Hayes, $1000; Jonathan Trask, $1000.
There were six hundred and sixty-three sheep in town at that time, and Esq. Daniel Shaw, whose flock numbered 160, was the largest individual owner. James Stanley was the next largest sheep-owner, having a flock of 140. The inventory of neat stock was as follows: Oxen, 223 ; cows and heifers, three- years-old, 484. Hogs, 281. Dairying and stock-raising were given much attention, and several farmers kept large herds of cows. James Winslow, one of the most thriving and prosperous farmers in town, owned twelve cows, and Nathaniel M. Davis, Esq., John Gower, Capt. Moses Tolman, and Jonathan Trask cach owned a herd of ten cows. Numerous others owned herds nearly as large as those mentioned. The following persons owned personal property to the value of $400 or more: Esq. James Stanley, $1409; Esq. Daniel Shaw, $1343; Nathaniel M. Davis, $658: Jonathan Trask, $434; James Winslow, $544; Esq. Peter West, $478; Esq. John Gower, $449; Cornelius Davis, $443. The poll tax assessed this year was the small sum of eighty-eight cents per capita.
The high tariff adopted during the presidency of John Quincy Adams, for the purpose of protecting American manu- factures from the competition of foreign importations, became oppressive and burdensome to those engaged in agricultural pursuits. This tariff, which imposed a high tax on many necessaries of life, proved a great burden to the inhabitants of Industry, many of whom were just emerging from the hardships and privations incident to all newly-settled towns. Andrew Jackson succeeded Adams, and during his administration the
EVENTS FROM 1830 TO 1860. 277
tariff question assumed formidable proportions. Congress further increased the burden by imposing a still higher rate of duties in 1832. As it was "the last straw that broke the camel's back," so it was this last act of Congress that roused the indignation of the citizens of Industry. On the third day of July, 1832, a special town meeting was called to consider the feasibility of instructing the Maine delegation in Congress to protest against the "tariff system" as oppressive and burden- some. Though the meeting favored this course it was found that there would not be sufficient time for the instructions to reach Washington before the probable adjournment of Congress. Consequently the subject was dismissed and the meeting adjourned sine die. Near the close of the year a movement was made by the inhabitants residing on a tract of territory in the southern part of the town to secure by an act of the Legisla- ture a separation from Industry and annexation to New Sharon .* This measure was strongly opposed by all save those directly interested, and although a special town meeting was called to see if the town would consent to the proposed division the matter was promptly dismissed without action, as the record shows. Thus was defeated for a time a movement which, greatly to the joy of its originators, triumphed after a lapse of nearly twenty years.
At the annual meeting in 1833 a precedent was established which might have been followed down to the present time with benefit to the town. At that meeting the town voted that each officer be required to produce and read his bill in "open town meeting."
* This tract of land was bounded as follows: " Beginning at the westerly corner of lot No. 47, on New Sharon line, belonging to Lemuel Collins, Jr., thence north-east to the Pressy road, so-called, thence on the southerly side of said road to the northerly line of lot marked Q, on which Moses Pressy now lives; thence southerly by said lot line to Stark line; thence south by Stark and Mercer lines to New Sharon line; thence north-west on New Sharon line to the first-mentioned bounds."
At a town meeting holden November 5, 1832, the citizens of New Sharon on the article : "To see if the town will vote to receive John Gower, Joseph S. Tibbetts, John Trask, Jr., Wyman Oliver, Daniel Howes and Lemuel Collins, with their estates, from the town of Industry;" vote stood as follows: Nays, 117; Yeas, 98.
35
278
HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.
The most remarkable meteoric shower on record occurred on the evening of Nov. 13, 1833. This grand display of celes- tial fire-works caused great alarm among the more timorons, and even the bravest felt an indescribable awe steal over their senses as they watched the imposing scene. The event had been previously predicted by scientific men, but nearly every one had forgotten the matter. The superstitious ones regarded the event as a harbinger of some dreadful calamity, and for nearly half a century the occurrence was a topic of unflagging interest with all classes.
About Jan. 1, 1835, Deacon Ira Emery, having returned to West's Mills from a year's sojourn in Waterville, went to live in the house subsequently occupied by Richard Fassett for many years. Here he opened a public house and swung out a sign bearing this significant inscription, " Temperance Hotel." The opening of the house was celebrated by a grand supper. There was a temperance meeting* at the church on the opening day, and at its close a number of influential members with their wives repaired to the "Temperance Hotel" and took supper by way of encouragement to the landlord in his laudable enterprise. Among those present were Capt. Peter W. Willis, William Corn- forth and David Luce, with their wives; some of the Manters and others to the number of twenty or more. The volume of business was not large, as some were opposed to patronizing a hotel where temperance principles were so rigidly adhered to. Deacon Emery's carcer as proprietor of the "Temperance Hotel" was of short duration. In April, 1835, he bought the Esq. William Allen farm near the centre of the town, and moved there immediately after making his purchase. A few years later Benjamin Heald of Anson moved into the Dr. Francis Caldwell house (now, 1892, occupied by Mrs. Mary C. Gilmore), bar- gained for Deacon Emery's tavern sign, and again it proclaimed to the weary traveler that Industry had a temperance hotel. But this time it was temperance in name only, for it was gen- erally known that Mr. Heald sold " the ardent" to his patrons.
* This was undoubtedly a meeting of the temperance society organized by Esquire Peter West ( see p. 24%).
279
EVENTS FROM 1830 TO 1860.
He remained in town about two years and then returned to Anson. To what end this hotel sign ultimately came is not known. Christopher Sanborn Luce also kept a public house at West's Mills contemporaneously with Asaph Boyden and others.
The year 1837 was an eventful one in the history of the town, as well as in that of the State and Nation. The great financial crisis precipitated upon the country early in that year was keenly felt by the people of Industry, and the stringency it caused in the money market lasted through the whole term of President Van Buren's office. Under the existing high tariff laws the surplus revenue had steadily accumulated until it repre- sented a colossal sum. As the charter of the United States Bank was about to expire by limitation, President Jackson near the close of his term of office ordered the funds there deposited to be removed to specified State banks. This order was the first step towards disbursing these funds among the people, and in conformity with this measure a census was taken by the municipal officers, of which the following is the full text :
FAMILIES RESIDING IN INDUSTRY MARCH IST, 1837, WITH THE NUMBER. OF PERSONS IN EACH FAMILY.
Adams, Joseph,
Collins, Daniel, Jr., 6.
Allen, Benjamin,
6. Collins, James, S.
Allen, Charles L.,
2. Collins, John, 3.
Allen, Datus T.,
7. Collins, Joseph, 8.
Allen, John, Jr.,
5.
Collins, Lemuel, Jr.,
8.
Allen, Newman T.,
6. Cornforth, William,
Athearn, Benjamin,
7. Cottle, Benjamin, 4.
Benson, Bartlett, 3.
Crompton, Isaac, 5.
Boardman, Sally, 3.
Cutler, Levi, 3.
Boyden, Asaph,
7. Cutler, Nathan,
12.
Bradbury, John S.,
4.
Cutler, Seth,
3.
Briggs, Adian,
7. Cutts, James,
7.
Bryant, James,
7. Cutts, Thomas, 2.
Caldwell, Dr. Francis,
7. Daggett, Timothy, I.
Clark, Jacob,
5. Daggett, Tristram, 3.
Collins, Barnabas A.,
6. Davis, Andrew, 3.
Collins, Daniel,
I. Davis, Cornelius, 5.
280
HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.
Davis, James,
3.
Howes, Lemuel, Jr .. 6.
Davis, James, Jr.,
7.
Hutchins, James,
Davis, Nathaniel,
3.
Ingalls, Arthur, 3.
Davis, Wendell,
2. Ingalls, John, 6.
Dutton, Susannah,
I.
Jewell, John,
7.
Edwards, Bryce S.,
7.
Johnson, Henry,
12.
Emery, Ira,
IO.
Joy, Samuel,
4.
Emery, Josiah,
4.
Knight, Helon H.,
2.
Eveleth, Joseph,
6.
Lawry, William,
7.
Fogg, Asa,
8.
Leathers, Alfred,
8.
Fogg, John,
4.
Lewis, Joseph,
5.
Fogg, Sylvester,
2.
Linen, John,
3.
Folsom, Daniel,
6.
Look, Valentine,
12.
Frost, John,
4.
Luce, Benjamin,
5.
Frost, Samuel,
IO.
Luce, Charles,
1.
Gennings, Rufus,
4.
Luce, Daniel,
5.
Gilmore, James,
IO.
Luce, David,
7.
Goodridge, Jonathan,
5.
Luce, David M.,
9.
Goodridge, Nathan,
5.
Luce, Elisha,
3.
Gower, George,
5.
Luce, Elisha, 2d,
7.
Gower, John,
6.
Luce, Ezekiel,
6.
Gower, John, Jr.,
5.
Luce, Henry,
4.
Graham, James,
4. Luce, Leonard,
4.
Gray, Guy,
9.
Luce, Luther,
5.
Green, Aurelia,
2.
Luce, Rowland,
5.
Harvey, William,
5.
Luce, Samuel,
3.
Hayes, Jacob,
S.
Luce, William,
2.
l Ienderson, Dr. Josiah,
9. Luce, William H.,
4.
Hibbard, Orrin,
7.
Manter, Asa M.,
2.
Hibbard, Stephen,
2.
Manter, Benjamin, 6.
Higgins, Barnabas .1.,
2.
Manter, James,
5.
Hill, Theodore,
Mckinney, John,
IO.
Hilton, Gilman,
3.
McLaughlin, Richard,
5.
Hinkley, Ezekiel,
3. Meader, Francis, 9.
Hinkley, Ezekiel, Jr.,
3.
Meader, John W., 4.
Ilinkley, Josiah,
9.
Meader, Shubael I .. ,
7
Hinkley, Oliver,
5. Meader, William,
10.
Hobbs, George,
Morse, Caleb,
7.
Howes, Alvin, /
6. Morse, Samuel, 2.
Howes, John,
3. Morse, Thomas, 3.
Howes, Lemuel,
3. Norcross, Philip,
5.
EVENTS FROM 1830 TO 1860.
281
Norton, Anna,
7. Stevens, Moses, 12.
Norton, Charles,
6.
Storer, Mary, 9.
Norton, Clifford B., 6. Swift, Ebenezer. 8.
Norton, Cornelius,
5.
Taylor, John,
10.
Norton, Isaac,
II.
Thing, Dudley.
3.
Norton, James,
2.
Thing, Dudley L.,
3.
Norton, Obed,
9.
Thing, Jesse,
4.
Norton, Rhoda,
2.
Thompson, Betsey,
I.
Norton, Supply B.,
6.
Thompson, Robert,
7.
Norton, William 1) ..
3.
Thwing, Nathaniel,
7.
Oliver, Wyman,
8.
Tolman, Moses,
9.
Parker, Simon,
3.
Trask, Eben,
3.
Patterson, Samuel,
12.
Trask, James,
3.
Perkins, George,
1.
Trask, Jonathan,
12.
Pike, Joshua,
3.
Trask, Nathaniel,
8.
Pollard, Jonathan,
9.
True, Moses,
8.
Pratt, Jesse,
7.
True, Thomas J.,
5.
Prince, Paul,
8.
Viles, Joseph.
3.
Rackliff, Benjamin R., Il.
Wade, Mary,
6.
Rackliff, Henry B.,
6.
West, Peter,
IO.
Rackliff, William,
8.
Willard, Eben,
Remick, Francis,
8.
Willard, Haskell,
4.
Ring, Joseph,
2.
Williamson, Joseph, 3.
8.
Roach, Phebe,
I.
Winslow, George,
7.
Roach, Royal,
4.
Winslow, James, 6.
Roach, William,
2. Withee, Daniel, 4.
Savage, Charles,
3.
Withee, H. T.,
II.
Shaw, Albert and Daniel, 8.
Withee, Nancy,
3.
Shorey, Pelatiah,
9. Withee, Zachariah,
7.
Smith, Alvin,
5. Withee, Zoe,
2.
Smith, William D.,
3.
Woodcock, David,
4.
Spencer, John,
8. Young, Daniel,
6.
Stevens, James,
4.
Willis, Peter W.,
Ring, Samuel,
6.
By this distribution Maine received the sum of $955,838.25, on the condition that it should be refunded to the United States on demand. The State Legislature immediately passed an act authorizing each town to receive its proportional part on the same conditions stipulated by the National Government. At a meeting held at the Centre Meeting-House, April 1, 1837,
282
HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.
the town voted to receive its proportional part of the fund on the terms specified, and William Cornforth was chosen an agent "to demand and receive the money" from the State Treasurer. The town decided that this money should be held by trustees as a permanent loan fund for the benefit of residents of the town. The vote specified that the loans should be in sums of not less than ten or more than one hundred dollars to any one individual, the borrower to pay six per cent. interest on the loan and one-half of one per cent. as a compensation to the trustees. Two responsible sureties were required in addition to the borrower's name. The trustees chosen as custodians of this fund were William Cornforth, James Winslow and George llobbs, and the sum received was $2,133.60. Many became dissatisfied with this arrangement, and at the annual meeting, March 26, 1838, the town annulled its previous doings by pass- ing a vote "To divide the surplus revenue per capita among the inhabitants of the town."* At a meeting held Sept. 10, 1838, Capt. Peter W. Willis was chosen a trustee and instructed to settle with the State Treasurer and collect any balance found due the town. Thus was practically wasted, by the injudicious action of the town, a fund which, had it been wisely managed, would have proved of permanent and lasting benefit.
The wonderful auroral display on the evening of Jan. 25, 1837,ยก stands second only to the meteoric shower of 1833 in point of grandeur. At the time of its occurrence the ground was covered with snow, and the lurid glare of this mysterious flame gave it a blood-red appearance. These lights were first observed early in the evening, and as they increased in extent and brilliancy, a large number of people gathered at West's
* Butler says in his " History of Farmington " ( see p. 174) that the Legislature of 1839 passed the act authorizing towns to distribute this money among its inhabitants. Thus it seems that the citizens of Industry had anticipated legislative action by tak- ing the initiative step in the matter.
t Table of Incidents in Butler's History of Farmington, p. 316. "Our First Century," by R. M. Devins, published by C. A. Nichols & Co., Springfield, Mass., 1876, gives the date as November 14, 1837. The author's investigations all go to substantiate the date as given by Mr. Butler, yet he has not been able to establish it beyond the shadow of doubt.
283
EVENTS FROM 1830 TO 1860.
Mills and watched with fear and trembling this wonderful sight. The stillness and solemnity of the hour was hardly broken save by the rushing sound of the auroral flame and occasionally the subdued voices of the assembled people. The flame was of such brilliancy that ordinary print could be easily read out of doors, and the houses for a considerable distance were plainly discernible. The superstitious regarded this manifestation as the forerunner of some dire calamity. The crimson hue imparted to the snow led some to imagine that a bloody war was at hand, while others believed that the judgment day had surely come.
The Legislature of 1838 passed an act to incorporate Franklin County. This act was approved by Governor Kent March 20, 1838, and at a meeting called April 9th, the vote of Industry stood eighty-six in favor of the new county to five against it.
The total senatorial vote of Sept. 10, 1838, was one hundred and ninety-six, and two years later the aggregate vote for presi- dential electors was two hundred and ten. At that time the town was about equally divided politically. The Harrison and Van Buren electors each received one hundred and four votes- scattering, two.
The representative district, which included Industry, experi- enced much difficulty in electing a representative to the Legis- lature in the fall of 1842. At the September election Capt. Newman T. Allen was the leading candidate in Industry, out of ten persons receiving votes for that office, having received sixty- five votes. Meeting after meeting was called and, although Capt. Allen was a leading candidate, he failed to receive a majority of the votes in town until the seventh meeting. Even this result did not decide the contest, as Capt. Allen failed to have a majority in his district, which was composed of Industry, New Sharon and New Vineyard. Several meetings were called in the early part of 1843, and Dr. John Cook's name was sub- stituted for that of Capt. Allen, but with no better result, and the writer is of the opinion that this district was unrepresented in the Legislature of that year.
284
HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.
A remarkable event of the year 1843 was the widespread prevalence of a religious belief known as " Millerism." The fundamental principle of this doctrine was the immediate sec- ond coming of the Messiah. William Miller, the originator of this doctrine, by an ingenious interpretation of the Prophecies, had fixed the date of this important event sometime between March 21, 1843, and March 21, 1844. He visited Farmington in March, 1843, and addressed the people on the impending dissolution of all things terrestrial. Whether or not Miller or any of his confreres visited Industry, the writer is unable to say, but the subject attracted much attention, and created no little excitement in this as well as in other towns. A few even went so far as to claim that they could read the date ( 1843) foretold by Miller, on blades of grass and grain. The appearance in the heavens during the year of a blazing comet of great magnitude, gave additional weight to the predictions of Miller in the minds of the superstitious. As time rolled on and the prophecies remained unfulfilled, the infatuation gradually ceased, and " the Millerite craze " became a thing of the past.
A tract of land containing seven thousand acres was set off from New Vineyard and annexed to Industry in 1844. A sys- tem of intercepting mountains prevented free social intercourse with the rest of the town and rendered this change almost an imperative necessity. The following is the full text of the petition, together with the names of its signers :
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Maine, in Legislature assembled :
Humbly represents the undersigned Inhabitants of the town of New Vineyard, that said town is so situated that it is extremely inconvenient for the Inhabitants to assemble at any one place for the purpose of do- ing town business, there being a range of high hills or mountains, run- ning diagonally nearly through the center of the town. That the South- easterly part of said town would be much better convened by being annexed to the town of Industry.
Wherefore your petitioners pray that the following described tract be set off from New Vineyard and annexed to Industry. To wit : be- ginning at the Southeast corner of said New Vineyard, Thence running
EVENTS FROM 1830 TO 1860. 285
North on the East line of said town to the center of the fourth range of lots ; thence West to the West line of lot Number ten in said range. Thence South on the deviding line between lots numbered ten and eleven, to the North line of the town of Industry, Thence East on said North line to the first mentioned corner, with as much more as your honors may think propper. And as in duty bound will ever pray.
Dated at New Vineyard the 25th day of Jan'y, 1844.
David Merry.
Benjm. W. Norton.
Levi H. Perkins.
Obed W. Gray.
Leander Perkins.
Silas Spaulding.
Richmond Doyen.
Isaac Elder, 2nd.
William Welch.
Leonard Viles.
Columbus Harvey.
Dennis H. Viles.
Isaac Daggett.
Ebenezer Smith.
Henry Adkinson.
Alvan Smith.
Ivory Furbish.
Peter B. Smith.
Edmund A. Norton.
Joseph W. Smith.
Lawson Butler.
John Daggett.
Henry Manter.
John A. Daggett.
John W. Manter.
Orrin Daggett.
Zebulon Manter.
Sam'l Daggett.
At a town meeting held Feb. 23, 1844, Alfred Leathers was chosen moderator and the citizens voted to receive the land and inhabitants, the vote standing thirty-five for, to fourteen against the measure. Accordingly the Legislature, by an act approved March 21, 1844, set off and annexed the land and inhabitants agreeably to the prayer of the petitioners .* The inhabitants of New Vineyard were greatly dissatisfied with the Legislature for granting the prayer of these petitioners, but as it was near the close of the session nothing could be done until the next Legis- lature convened. Soon after the organization of the House in 1845 the following petition was presented for the consideration of that body :
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives in Legislature assembled :
The undersigned authorized agent and attorney in behalf of the town of New Vineyard would represent that heretofore three pieces of
* Industry thus gained forty-three ratable polls and added $28,447 to its valuation.
36
286
HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.
said town have been annexed to other towns to wit. two pieces to the town of Industry, the other to the town of Anson, that this dismember- ing of said town has made it small and of inconvenient shape and has increased the burdens and expenses of its inhabitants, that a project is now started to annihilate said town, against which a large majority of its inhabitants are opposed.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.