USA > Maine > Franklin County > Industry > A history of the town of Industry, Franklin County, Maine > Part 6
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When it was definitely known that the inhabitants of Indus- try Plantation were to petition the General Court for incorpora- tion, the settlers living in the northern part of New Sharon also prepared and forwarded a petition asking that the north part of that town be set off and incorporated as a part of the new town of Industry. This petition, which is still preserved in the archives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, reads as follows :
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the General Court to be holden at Boston, January, 1803.
We, your Petitioners, Inhabitants of the north part of the Town of New Sharon, in the County of Kennebec, humbly show :
That, whereas the remote situation of our habitations from the centre of sd. town, the unimproved state of a large tract of land lying between us and Sandy River, the badness of the road through sd. tract, in which we have to pass, and the intervention of sd. River, which we have to cross, to get to sd. centre render it inconvenient for us to remain in our present state, attached to sd. Town in respect to corporation.
And whereas the Inhabitants of the northwest part of a Plantation called Industry, situate in the northwest extremity of the Plymouth claim, and bounded eastward by Starks and the northward by New Vine- yard have petitioned the General Court that sd. northwest part of sd. Plantation be incorporated into a Town.
We therefore pray your Honors to detach from New Sharon sd. North part, bounded as follows, viz : Beginning at the southmost corner of Lot No. 65 in New Sharon aforesaid, on the line between sd. Town and Farmington. Thence north by sd. line about 4 miles and 64 rods, to Clear Water Pond. Thence southward and eastward by sd. Pond to the line between New Sharon and the Plymouth Claim. Thence south 45 degrees East by sd. line about 4 miles, 284 rods to the northmost corner of lot No. 17 in New Sharon being near the southmost point of that part of Industry before mentioned, which the inhabitants thereof have petitioned to be incorporated. Thence south 45 degrees, west between lots No. 17 and 25, 100 rods. Thence north 45 degrees, west between lots No. 24 and 25, 163 rods. Thence south 45 degrees, west between lots No. 24 and 23, 100 rods. Thence north 45 degrees, west 163 rods to the westmost corner of lot No. 32. Thence south 45 degrees, west 200 rods to the southmost corner of lot No. 40. Thence north 45 degrees, west 164 rods to the eastmost corner of lot No. 50.
64
HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.
Thence south 45 degrees, west 200 rods to the southmost corner of lot No. 49. Thence north 45 degrees, west 163 rods to the southmost corner of lot No. 59. Thence south 45 degrees, west 200 rods to the southmost corner of lot No. 57. Thence north 45 degrees, west 163 rods to the line of lot No. 65. Thence south 45 degrees, west 100 rods to the bounds first mentioned, being nearly in a west direction from the southmost point of the northwest part of Industry above mentioned which is about 112 rods south of the southwest corner of Starks. And annex to and incorporate sd. north part of New Sharon with the inhabi- tants thereon with sd. northwest part of Industry into one Town.
We your humble Petitioners as in duty bound ever pray.
Joshua Bullen.
Oliver Willard.
Joseph Willard.
John Goar.
Daniel Gould.
Elijah Peeas.
John Rawlings.
Ebenezer Weeks.
Jephah Coburn. John Winslow.
An attested excerpt from the plantation records accom- panied the petition, showing that the inhabitants of the pro- posed new town of Industry favored the measure. The petition was, as one would naturally infer, strongly opposed by the inhabitants of New Sharon not directly interested in the movement, consequently the legislative action was unfavorable for the petitioners.
The act of incorporation designated Samuel Prescott, Esq., of New Sharon, as the justice to issue the warrant for calling the first meeting of the inhabitants. This instrument bore the date of September 24, 1803, and was directed to James Thomp- son, formerly plantation clerk. The inhabitants met agreeably to the call, at the dwelling-house of Capt. William Allen, on the 20th day of October, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, and pro- ceeded to perfect their organization by the choice of the follow- ing officers : Moderator, James Thompson; Clerk, William Allen, Sr. ; Selectmen, AAssessors and Overseers of the Poor, William Allen, Jr., Peter West and Daniel Luce; Treasurer, James Thompson ; Constable and Collector, Sprowel Norton. Five highway surveyors were elected, who were also constituted a school committee. Among other officers elected were two
65
EVENTS FROM 1SOO TO ISIO.
tithing-men, five hog-reeves, two field-drivers, pound-keeper, etc. After the election of officers, the meeting adjourned until November 14th, to meet at the dwelling-house of Joseph Moody. The following is the official list of voters for 1803, as prepared by the municipal officers of the town of Industry :
Allen, Bartlett.
Luce, Truman.
Allen, William.
Moody, Ephraim.
Allen, William, Jr.
Moody, Joseph.
Bradbury, Paul.
Marshall, John.
Brown, Joseph.
Mathews, Joseph.
Brown, Samuel.
Norton, Jabez.
Bunker, Jonathan.
Norton, Jabez, Jr.
Burgess, Benjamin.
Norton, Sprowel.
Chapman, Nathaniel.
Page, Abraham.
Coffin, John.
Pike, Joshua.
Conant, Asa.
Robbins, Ammiel.
Collins, Lemuel.
Robbins, Ammiel, Jr.
Collins, Lemuel, Jr.
Robbins, Elijah.
Cottle, Benjamin.
Stevens, Ebenezer.
Crompton, Samuel.
Stevens, John.
Daggett, Peter.
Stevens, Samuel.
Daggett, Tristram.
Thompson, James.
Ellis, Atkins.
Thompson. John.
Eveleth, James.
Thompson, John, 2d.
Greenleaf, Levi.
Webber, John.
Howes, Alvin.
West, Peter.
Huston, John.
West, Peter. Jr.
Jewett, Benjamin.
Willard. Levi.
Johnson, Abraham.
Willard, Nathaniel.
Johnson, James.
Willard, Samuel.
Johnson, Thomas.
Williamson, Ebenezer.
Knowlton, Jonathan.
Williamson, Jonathan.
Ladd, William.
Withee. Zoe.
Luce, Daniel.
Witham, Peter.
Luce, Daniel, Jr.
Winslow, James.
Luce, Rowland.
[Total 61].
ROADS.
In 1802 William Read and others laid out a county road from Waterville through the centre of Stark to Withee's Corner
66
HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.
in Industry ; thence by Weeks's Mills to Farmington. A year later a branch road was laid out by them from Withce's Corner over the Allen hill and by Allen's Mills, to intersect the road from the New Vineyard Gore at the Rufus Allen place, now (1892) owned by John Furbush. Immediately after the in- corporation of the town, in 1803, the selectmen proceeded to lay out roads as follows: One from the corner to the west, from where Asa Q. and Calvin B. Fish now live, to Goodridge's Corner. One from the New Vineyard line southerly by West's Mills to Withee's Corner; and a third from Thompson's Cor- ner westerly four hundred rods over Bannock Hill to intersect the road leading to Goodridge's Corner, near where Thomas F. Norton formerly lived. Also from the forementioned corner near Asa Q. and Calvin B. Fish's in a southwesterly direction over a wing of the mountain to the Collins place, now owned and occupied by John Vehue.
On the 10th day of June, 1804, a road or town-way was laid out by the selectmen, commencing near where William L. Rackliff now lives and running northerly by the residence of William D. Norton, to intersect the town road near " the Deacon Cottle Burying-Ground."
On the 30th day of March, 1805, a committee, consisting of William Allen, Jr., and Capt. John Thompson, laid out a road from the county road near James Winslow's and Samuel Cromp- ton's, in a northerly direction over Howes Hill, to intersect the branch county road near what is known as Goodridge's Corner.
In 1808, a road was laid out from the east line of the farm now owned by the heirs of Amos Stetson, Jr., southerly until it struck the town road at the burying-ground near the late resi- dence of Andrew Tibbetts. This, as well as the road over Ban- nock Hill, was extensively traveled for many years, but in the course of time the tide of travel changed to other roads and both have since been discontinued .*
* The southern portion of this road was discontinued by a vote of the town March 2, 1868. At which time a private way previously laid out for the accommodation of G. Frank Woodcock, the only resident on the road at that time, was accepted. The remaining northern portion was discontinued March 5, 1877.
67
EVENTS FROM 1800 TO 1810.
There was also laid out, during the same year, a road be- ginning at the county road leading from Waterville to Farm- ington and running northerly parallel with Stark line to the residence of Capt. John Thompson ; thence in such a direction as to strike the town road from West's Mills to Withee's Corner at a point where the Hayes Hill road intersects it, just south from where George W. Johnson now lives. That portion of the road lying between the dwelling of Captain Thompson and the Hayes Hill road was after some years discontinued .* An- other road was laid out the same year running easterly and southerly from James Thompson's corner to intersect the above mentioned road near the residence of Capt. John Thompson.
After the roads laid out by the selectmen in 1803 had been accepted, the town was divided into five highway districts, and William Allen, Sr., Benjamin Cottle, John Thompson, Abraham Johnson and Levi Greenleaf were elected surveyors. The selectmen were instructed by the town to petition the General Court to be allowed the privilege of appropriating the sum assessed on the town by the State, for the opening of these roads. At their annual meeting in 1804, the inhabitants voted to raise $800 for the opening and repair of these roads, and fixed the compensation of men and oxen at twelve and one- half cents per hour. A highway tax equal in amount to that of 1804, was raised the succeeding year.
The early settlers upon whom devolved the duties of trans- acting the business of the town, though not having had the educational advantages which are now enjoyed, were neverthe- less men whose names were the very synonyms of honesty and integrity. To these sterling qualities was largely due the eminently satisfactory and prudent manner in which the early affairs of the town were conducted. Plain and simple in their habits of life, their modes of expression were often novel and
* Although trees and bushes have long since obliterated the discontinued road, the bridge abutments on Thompson brook still remain. Many regard this stone- work as a part of the dam built by Capt. John Thompson, early in the present century, to augment the water supply of his mill. A careful inspection of the structure by any- one conversant with dam and bridge-building will convince at once of the incorrect- ness of the prevailing opinion.
68
HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.
unique. The following entry appears among the early records of the doings of the town: "Voted, that those who prayed for an abatement of tax, by Peter Daggett, be indulged a while longer." This would seem rather an unusual manner of abat- ing a tax to the average voter of to-day, and one which gave the residents of Mr. Daggett's district considerable liberty, yet the writer has sufficient reasons for believing that this liberty was not abused. The town, according to the records, voted "to "except" as well as accept roads laid out by the selectmen, and in one instance the clerk, in mentioning the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, makes the entry " the Commonwealth of Massa- cutist."
At the annual meeting in 1804, held at the house of John Patterson, William Allen, Jr., was re-elected chairman of the board of selectmen, but Captain West and Daniel Luce were dropped. Captain West, however, was elected treasurer, as a successor to James Thompson, and held the office for one year, and in 1806 he was elected chairman of the board. Rowland Luce was chosen constable and collector, and his compensation was fixed at nine cents on a dollar for collecting. The law specified that a settler, to be a legal voter for governor, must be " a freeholder or inhabitant of the town for the space of one year next preceding, having a freehold estate within said town of the annual income of ten dollars or any estate of the value of two hundred dollars."
Prior to 1808 the town meetings were held at the houses of divers inhabitants, but during the summer of 1807, a school- house having been erected near Goodridge's Corner, the inhabi- tants were warned to meet at that place on the 4th day of April, 1808, to give in their votes for governor, lieutenant- governor, senator, etc.
About this time the evil effects of the embargo,* which
* This was a retaliatory measure adopted by President Jefferson in December, 1807. The immediate effect of this measure was to throw a large number of sailors out of employment. Skillful navigators were glad to labor in the hayheld for the small sum of $12 per month. Merchandise of all kinds became very dear, and none felt the effects more keenly than did those living on the borders of civilization. The act was repealed in February, 1809.
EVENTS FROM 1800 TO 1810. 69
completely suspended all commercial intercourse, begun to be heavily felt, even in Industry, and a special town meeting was called "to consider the expediency of petitioning the President of the United States to remove the embargo." The people met on the 5th day of August, 1808, and after due deliberation, the proposition was deemed inexpedient.
Up to Feb. 20, 1799, the lands of Industry comprised a part of Lincoln County, but on that date it was included in the concession of Lincoln to form the new County of Kennebec. Later, when an effort was being made to establish the County of Somerset, the inhabitants were generally opposed to the measure, and the selectmen were instructed to petition the General Court, asking that Industry be allowed to remain in Kennebec County. Notwithstanding this, the town became a part of Somerset County, on its incorporation, March 1, 1809.
So much difference existed between the prices of various articles of household use and convenience in 1808 and at the present time [1892], that the author takes the liberty to pre- sent herewith a comparative price-current, which renders these differences apparent at a glance. The prices in the left-hand column were copied from an old day-book kept in 1808, and in nearly every instance the sales were made to parties residing in Industry. The sleeve links, of which but one pair were sold on credit during the year, were sold to Esquire Cornelius Norton, and it is doubtful if any one but a country squire could afford such ornaments in those early times. The calico was purchased by Joseph Collins who, as well as Squire Norton, lived on " the Gore." Among other purchasers were Samuel Mason, Abner Norton, Abner C. Ames, Isaac Norton, Zebulon Manter, etc. :
I 808.
1892.
Molasses, per gallon,
$0.75
$0.40
Salt, per bushel,
1.50
.55
Tobacco, per lb.,
.25
.50
Souchong Tea. per lb.,
1.16
.60
Sugar, brown. per lb.,
.163
.0.4
loaf.
.30
.06
Fish,
.05
.07
9
70
HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.
Honey,
per lb.,
$0.16
$0.25
Nails, wrought.
.162 .07
cut. 66
none .04
Allspice, ..
.68
.40
Copperas,
66
.26
.10
Butter-tubs, each,
.17
.50
Eggs, per dozen,
.121
.12
Vinegar, per gallon,
.42
.20
Wool, per lb.,
.333
.25
Steelyards, per pair,
1.50
1.00
Wheat, per bushel,
1.00
1.25
Oats,
.42
.45
Pears,
1.333
.75
Yarn, per skein,
.123
.13
Thread, per skein,
.02
.00 1
Pins, per paper,
.26
.08
Knitting Pins, set,
.08
.04
Buttons, pearl, per dozen,
.25
.20
Combs, each,
.17
.10
Toweling, per yard,
.373
.15
Muslin,
..
1.08
.20
Velvet,
66
1.00
.50
Gingham,
.60
.12
Calico,
66
.45
.06
Cambric,
1.121
.15
Sleeve Links, per pair,
.14
none
Gloves, cotton, per pair,
.42
.16
Hose,
.92
.40
Padlocks, each,
.75
.30
Shoes, ladies',
2.00
1.25
New-England rum appeared to be a staple article with every merchant, at one dollar per gallon, and the large quantities sold seem to indicate its extensive use among the early settlers.
The first decade of the nineteenth century closed with promising prospects for the town and its inhabitants. In popu- lation the town was growing very rapidly. By industrious and frugal habits the settlers had begun to emerge from their poverty, and some were able to substitute comfortable frame- houses for their log-cabins. The soil had been brought under
7 I
EVENTS FROM 1800 TO 1810.
a better state of cultivation, thereby rendering it more produc- tive. Roads had been laid out and opened, affording the settlers better facilities for marketing their produce. Schools had been established, and education had already begun to exert a salutary influence in the community.
According to the census of 1802, there were one hundred and seventy inhabitants in the town of Industry, and in 1810 the number had increased to five hundred and sixty-two, being on an average a gain of forty-nine inhabitants per year.
CHAPTER V.
THE JOURNAL OF WILLIAM ALLEN, ESQ.
Being a Full Account of the Emigration of his Father, Capt. William Allen, from Martha's Vineyard to the District of Maine, together with an Interesting Description of their Pioneer Life.
THROUGH the kindness of his son, Charles F. Allen, D. D., of Brunswick, Me., the writer has been permitted to publish that portion of William Allen's journal relating to the emigration of his father, Capt. William Allen, and family, from Martha's Vineyard to the District of Maine, together with an interesting account of the privations and hardships of their pioneer life in the early settlements of Farmington and Industry.
My father returned to Martha's Vineyard from Down East, August, 1792, and commenced preparations for removing. He engaged Capt. Warren Howland to be at Lambert's Cove the first of September with his vessel, the Speedwell, to take his family and effects on board. His family then consisted of himself and my mother, each of them in the 37th year of their age ; William [the writer of this journal], aged 12 ; Bartlett, 11; Truman, 9; Deborah. 7; Jane. 5 ; Love, 2 ; Harrison, a babe of four months; an Indian apprentice, John Coombs, aged 17 : and Rachel, his mother, an Indian woman, an assistant of my mother. From much sympathy, my grand parents, on account of the largeness of the family, proposed to take Bartlett and keep him until he was 14. and Jane till she was 18, which was agreed to. We then numbered but nine, all told. Our stock consisted of a horse, a cow, a two-years-old heifer, a hog and six sheep, all of which were driven down to the harbor the first week in September, till the with day of the month, when the Speedwell hove in sight ; and the next day, all on board, we took our departure from the old Vineyard for the land of promise-Down East.
73
JOURNAL OF WILLIAM ALLEN.
Other passengers were taken on board, making in all with the captain and crew, eighteen, to be quartered in a small sloop of forty tons. September 13th, we made sail and proceeded as far as the shoals, when the wind came round to the northeast directly ahead. The women and children were all sea-sick, occasioned by the rough head wind. As no progress could be made, and it not being safe to anchor on the shoals, we went back to Nantucket. On Friday, Sept. 14th, the wind being fair and the weather being moderate, in the afternoon we started again and got over the shoals before dark, but in the night the wind was again ahead.
Saturday, Sept. 15th, was stormy, and the wind so near ahead that we made little progress that day or the night following. On Sunday morning, Sept. 16th, we made Seguin directly in the wind's eye, and could make our course no nearer than Harpswell. We therefore run into Harpswell Bay before noon and commenced beating along the shore for the Kennebec River till dark, when a violent northeast storm set in,-the line gale. When we reached within a mile of the river, we anchored in a dangerous place near the shore of Cape Small Point, where the swell of the sea was frightful. An anchor watch was set, with directions if the cable parted to make sail and keep off the rocks if possible. The anchor held fast, and the violence of the storm abating as the daylight appeared, we joyfully made sail, entered the river and proceeded up as far as Jones's Eddy on Monday. The wind being ahead, we could go no farther that day. Some of us went on shore and visited the old fort at Arrowsick. We saw round the windows the marks of the bullets shot at the fort by the Indians in old times, and examined the ancient inscriptions on the grave stones in the cemetery. We spent the night at Jones's Eddy, thankful that our sloop had escaped the dangers of the sea and that we could rest securely.
Tuesday, Sept. 18th, wind still ahead, but when the tide favored, by beating and towing with the boat, we reached Bath before noon. I went up into the town and saw a company of boys in uniform go through a military drill, which was new sport to me. My father went to Col. Dummer Sewall's, bought a hundred pounds of hay for our stock. and bargained for land.
Wednesday, Sept. 19, beat up to Lovejoy's Narrows, and then landed our horse, on a projecting rock, when my mother, with me for an escort, took her child in her arms and started for Doctor Tupper's in Dresden, five miles further up the river, Mrs. Tupper being a relative and early friend of my mother. We had proceeded but a short distance, when the horse stepped out of the path in quest of water, sank into the mire
74
HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.
and threw us all headlong into the mud. The child was covered with mire and almost suffocated ; but no bones were broken, so I succeeded in getting the horse into the road. We all remounted, and arrived at the Doctor's about dark, where we were kindly received by Mrs. Tup- per. The Doctor was in Boston fitting out his famous timber ship, or raft, for England, which proved unmanageable and was abandoned, near Nova Scotia, a total loss. We remained in Dresden five days ; during that time the Speedwell passed by and arrived at Hallowell.
Monday, Sept. 24th, we rode in a poor blind road to Hallowell. The horse refused to go into the ferry boat, and they had to plunge him into the river by main force and tow him across. After a long time we all arrived safe at Hallowell. There were then two or three stores and as many houses in the village of Hallowell. Tuesday, the 25th, we remained at Hallowell, packing up and waiting for a team.
Wednesday, the 26th, all being in readiness, Seth Luce, of Read- field, was on hand with a cart and oxen to take a ton of furniture to Sandy River, our place of destination, fifty miles, on contract for twenty dollars. He had also procured a horse and saddle for our accommoda- tion. The cart was loaded and started in advance, then came our caravan,-the cow, heifer and sheep were driven by me, and the hog by Indian John. After we had passed out of the village, the hog refused to go, and escaped into the woods on a straight course for Martha's Vineyard. After a long chase, he was run down, conquered and sub- mitted to be led by John with a halter. The Indian made peace with him by obtaining a few ears of corn from a settler who was husking by the road, which he dealt out sparingly, and the hog followed quietly the whole distance, even wading the Sandy River. After the team and stock, my father came on horseback, with a bed in a sack across the saddle, a bundle of blankets behind him and a child two years old in his arms. Then my mother with a bed on the saddle, a daughter of five years behind her and an infant in her arms,-all making a train extending sometimes for the distance of a mile, moving at a slow pace, sometimes waiting for the team to get out of a tight place where we could not pass. It was past noon when we arrived at Evans's in Read- field, eight miles, where we obtained some refreshment and some clover hay for the stock. I had never seen anything of the kind before ; did not know what it was, but thought it was a kind of pea-vine. Our horse, being used only to fine hay, would not eat it. After resting an hour, we drove on two miles further and put up for the night with Beniah Luce, where the railroad depot now is.
Thursday, the 27th, we went over Kent's Hill, where three families
75
JOURNAL OF WILLIAM ALLEN.
lived, Benjamin and Reuben Kent, in framed houses, and Nathaniel Thomas in a log-house. In going up the hill I saw a red squirrel for the first time. The road parted on the hill, one branch going to Liver- more, the other to our place of destination, which we found much worse than the other part, and some of our furniture was broken going down the hill. We arrived at Robert Blake's to a late dinner. Stopped an hour or more to rest. Father and mother rode on ahead to make some provision for us at the stopping place at Wyman's Plantation [Vienna], six miles distant. In the last five miles there was no house to be seen, and my sister, Deborah, tired of riding, chose to walk with me and the Indian woman, Rachel. A dreary long walk we found it, in a misty rain, but we all arrived at Judkins's Camp before dark. We there met two men from Sandy River, who brought an evil report that all the corn on the intervales was destroyed by frost in August. Mr. Judkins was not provided with bread or accommodations for so great a multitude, there being ten of us. The house had two rooms, with a stone chimney, and oven between the rooms. The family lived in one room, and the other in which the oven was, was packed with unthreshed wheat. The old man told his boys to move back the wheat and blast the oven, as he had no bread for the travelers. The oven was blasted, and by ten o'clock, bread was baked sufficient for our supper and breakfast. The men found lodgings on the hay in the hovel. Father and mother spread their bed on the floor, some found room in the attic and all fared as well as they could.
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