A history of the town of Industry, Franklin County, Maine, Part 8

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 8

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* See nole, p. 36.

JOURNAL OF WILLIAM ALLEN. 85

pay more than double. The State price had been from twenty-five to fifty cents an acre, and the committee appraised the lots in Industry, from one to two dollars and a quarter an acre. My lot was put at one dollar and ninety cents an acre, with thirteen months' interest, two dollars for a deed, twenty-five cents for the award and seventeen cents for the acknowledgement of the deed, all to be paid in specie, in Boston, before the first day of June, 1804. By great exertion, selling my oxen and all the grain and corn I had, and borrowing of a friend in Winthrop ten dollars, I made the payment. I was obliged to pay two dollars to send the money to Boston. Thus my lot cost me two hundred and seven dollars, instead of fifty dollars which I expected to pay.

There were thirty settlers who entered into submission to have their lands appraised ; ten only could raise the money by their own resources ; ten others obtained assistance from friends who advanced the money and held the land for security ; and the other ten gave all up and aban- doned their possessions. These commissioners did not go to view any of our land as it was expected they would do.

They saw some fertile gardens near the beautiful Kennebec, received glowing descriptions of the settlers' lands from the proprietors' agents, and made up their prices accordingly. If they had come as far as In- dustry, and seen for themselves the land covered with stones, and roads so rude that no wheeled carriage could pass a mile in any place in town. and if they had seen the evidence of our poverty everywhere apparent, I am sure they would not have set the price of our land half as high as they did.

Being in Boston the summer of 1804 on business I saw Thomas L. Winthrop, Esq., and tried to negotiate with him for the land on which my father lived. He treated me kindly, invited me to his house, paid a bill for taxes which I had against the proprietors ; but I could make no bargain about the land. I had paid him a high price for my own lot. twice as much as it was worth, but could get no redress.

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.

When we arrived at Sandy River in the autumn of 1791 a powerful revival of religion was in progress on the west side of the river under the labors of Elder Benjamin Randall, the founder of the Free Will Baptist Society, assisted by Elder Edward Locke. I attended their meetings in the winter at the house of David Wentworth, five miles from home. The meeting was not conducted with much order. Some individuals were boisterous and there was much confusion. Elder Randall was a worthy christian minister and enjoyed the confidence of

HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.

the community. He did not remain long in the place ; but exercised a good influence, and laid the foundation of a flourishing society.

Mr. Locke was regarded from the first by the outsiders as an immoral man. He attempted to establish a community of goods for christians to have all things in common, when it was discovered that he was managing to get control of all the property. The church members left him, and he gave up preaching and abandoned his profession of piety. Notwithstanding the apostacy of one who had taken such a prominent part, a Free Will Baptist church was established containing a number of excellent persons, who sustained a good reputation for piety through life. Francis Tufts became the leader of the society, and having lived to a great age died in Ohio.

In the autumn of 1793 the interest had mostly subsided ; and in October, Rev. Jesse Lee, the first Methodist preacher in Maine, visited this place in his first tour through the State. He had no one to intro- duce him or to give notice of his approach.

After a hard day's ride over bad roads, arriving near night at Star- ling's Tavern, at Sandy River, he made known his errand as a preacher, had notice given to the few who lived near, and preached in the evening at the tavern. A few hearers were present, and among the rest, Mrs. Eaton,* a worthy widow who perceived the speaker was a gentleman and an extraordinary preacher, and she thought he was entitled to better accommodations than the country tavern could afford, where he might be annoyed by noisy company, and took the preacher home with her and volunteered to find a better place of entertainment. The next morning she conducted him to Stephen Titcomb, Esq.'s, the best place in town, where Mr. Lee was kindly received and treated with hospitality. The family were much interested in the preacher and his doctrines. A daughter of thirteen years experienced religion under his instructions, and they would gladly have persuaded him to remain longer ; but his arrangements were made to travel through the interior of the State, and to return to Boston and Lynn before winter. He could therefore con- sent only to stop a single day in a place. Esquire Titcomb gave him directions as to the most suitable houses to visit on his route, where he would be well received, and cordially invited him to come again. Mr. Lee then left for Esquire Read's, ten miles up the river. Esquire Read was a magistrate, respected for his integrity and hospitality, afterwards the proprietor of the township of Strong, Chief Justice of the Court of

* This was undoubtedly Elizabeth (Thorn) Eaton, relict of Jacob Eaton, an early pioneer to the present town of Farmington .- W. C. 11.

JOURNAL OF WILLIAM ALLEN.

Sessions, Senator from the county, a worthy citizen, benevolent, pleasant and kind .* He received Mr. Lee joyfully, and became a leader of the Methodists in the town. The families of Mr. Read and of Mr. Tit- comb united subsequently with the Methodist Church.

Mr. Lee pursued his journey to New Vineyard, Anson, and so on to the eastern part of the State, attracting the attention of all classes wherever he went, by his personal appearance, social habits and gentlemanly christian deportment. He had traveled extensively from Virginia to Maine, and was well qualified to instruct and edify his bearers.

In June, 1794, he made a second visit to Sandy River, now incor- porated as Farmington. Notice was given that he would preach at Mr. Tufts'st barn. This was eight miles from where we lived. I re- ceived notice, and made my way to the meeting Sunday, but did not arrive till near the close of the forenoon services. I found a large assembly present. When the preacher took the stand in the afternoon, I listened attentively. I had never heard such preaching, and under his fervent appeals deep impressions were made on my mind, which were never lost. The swallows chirped in the barn, but nothing dis- turbed the preacher or diverted the attention of his hearers. Several who lived in the upper part of the town were converted at this visit of Mr. Lee, and were united in a class with William Gay as leader. An- other class was formed at the Falls. After meeting I was invited by Joseph Titcomb to go home with him to his father's to supper, as the preacher would be there. I went with him and was pleased with the preacher's conversation with the children.

MATRIMONIAL, ETC.

I married Hannah Titcomb, daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth Titcomb, born at Topsham, Nov. 15. 1780. She was of good parent- age, and her personal appearance, good sense, domestic qualifications and sincere piety were not excelled by any one within the range of my acquaintance. Though I had been acquainted with her for fifteen years, I did not dare to make proposals to her until I had acquired some reputation for industry and prudence, after I became of age. After our marriage, on the 28th of October, 1807, we moved into our

* The gentleman here referred to was William Read, of Strong .- IV. C. H.

t This was Francis Tufts, one of the wealthiest among the early settlers in Farmington .- W. C. HI.

HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.

new unfinished house at Industry .* I had exhausted my funds in building too high and large, and could not finish it. I reserved a small sum of fifty dollars for winter stores and necessary articles to begin house-keeping, which was all spent in one month. I abhorred running in debt, and chose rather to leave home and teach school to raise funds. I took a school for three months, seven miles from home, at $20 per month, the highest wages then given, and board around. I hired my wife's brother to take care of the barn. get up wood and cedar for fences. The whole bill of cash expenses for support the first year was $128, besides the products of the farm and dairy consumed at home. We had four cows and six sheep. We made butter and cheese. My farm was productive, so that we ever after had bread and butter enough and to spare. We suffered some the first year from the cold house, and for want of some things. I had to work hard to subdue bushes and weeds, but succeeded, so that it was easier next year and ever afterwards, while my health was better than before. The people of the town were kind and attentive to us, and Divine Providence raised us up many friends.

At the annual meeting in 1808 I was chosen chairman of the board of selectmen with good associates. I was continued in office till my removal to Norridgewock. On the 2d of September, 1808, our first son, William, was born, who grew up and became our idol. He gradu- ated at Bowdoin College, was distinguished for literary attainments, and died in early manhood.

In 1809 I was appointed special Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, and officiated one term. I did more business as Justice of the Peace than any other man in the county.

The farm was more productive from year to year. I employed one hand during haying, and did the most of the farm work myself. Our second son, Stephen, was born March 10, 1810.

I taught school in Farmington in 1809. eight miles from home, walking home Saturdays and returning the following Monday morning. In 1810 I taught the winter school in our own district, and in 1811 at Norridgewock, having a horse to ride home on Saturdays and return on Monday, without price. I had to get up and start before day to go fifteen miles before school time,-which I did not fail to do for three months.

In November, 1812, Mr. Jones, the Clerk of Courts, being sick,

* This house was a roomy two-story edifice, and the same subsequently occupied by Deacon Ira Emery for many years. It was destroyed by fire, during a severe gale, on the evening of Feb. 25, 1887 .- WV. C. HI.

JOURNAL OF WILLIAM ALLEN.

sent for me to help him. When I arrived he was confined to his bed. I was appointed by the Judge, Clerk pro tempore. I was entirely un- acquainted with the forms of procedure, but, with much embarrass- ment, and by the kind assistance of the Court, I succeeded quite well in the performance of my several duties.

George Jones* died January, 1813, and I was duly appointed his successor. On the first of April, we removed to Norridgewock, leaving the farm at Industry in the care of my brother Harrison and my sister Deborah.

* The author is of the opinion that this is erroneous. Hanson's History of Norridgewock ( see p. 347), says that William Fones was Clerk of Courts in 1812, and that William Allen was appointed his successor.

CHAPTER VI.

SCHOOLS.

First School .-- Incompetence of Early Teachers .- The Log School-House on the Gore .- Other School-Houses .- High Schools .- Free High Schools .- Wade's Graduating System .-- Text-Books .- Statistical.

"l'is education forms the common mind .- Pope.

SAYS William Allen in his History of Industry (sec p. 25), "There were no schools of any note before the incorporation of the town. An old maiden lady* was employed occasionally, a short time, to teach children their letters and to spell out words. Her school was kept one month in my barn. She did what she could ' to teach the young idea how to shoot,' but was quite incompetent. I visited her school on one occasion and she had a small class advanced to words of three syllables in the spelling-book, and when they came to the word 'anecdote' she called it ' a-neck-dote,' and defined it to be 'food eaten between meals.'

"When the first town school was put in operation, the master was quite deficient in every way. When a boy hesi- tated at the word 'biscuit,' the master prompted him rashly- ' bec squit, you rascal.' But during the second year, a portion of the town united with a district in Farmington which extended

* Campmeeting John Allen, a younger brother of the historian, wrote the author some years prior to his death, as follows: "This was Miss Dependence Luce, daughter of Robert Luce, an early settler in Industry. She subsequently married Benjamin Burgess." The Industry town records show Dependence to have been born Nov. 25, 1764. Robert Luce died in New Portland, in November, 1857, aged 92 years, hence he could hardly be counted as the father of Dependence, although he may have been her brother.

SCHOOLS.

from the [New] Vineyard Gore to the Titcomb place, more than four miles. The school was kept in a log school-house, near where [William] Mosher lives, by Samuel Belcher, a com- petent teacher, and our boys made good progress. The master boarded with us a part of the time, two miles from the school- house. When the road was not broken out they had to get breakfast by candle-light, in order to be at school in season."

Probably the first school-house erected within the present limits of the town was one built on the New Vineyard Gore. The date of its erection is not known. This house, which was built of logs, stood on the south side of the brook running from the "Little Pond" and on the east side of the road, nearly opposite from where the Presson house used to stand, the site of which is still marked by a large English poplar. This house was burned, at an early date, and another built on the opposite side of the brook on the west side of the road. In the course of time this house, which was a framed one, was thoroughly remodeled and greatly improved.

One of the first teachers who taught school on the Gore was a Scotchman named Martin. For many years the school in this district was one of the largest in town, and its pupils ranked high for excellence in scholarship. Eventually the attendance grew less and less, until the school-house fell into disuse and was torn down and moved away about 1863.

The second school-house in town was built near Davis Cor- ner in 1807. It was located about one hundred rods north of the present school-house at Goodridge's Corner, near a large granite boulder by the side of the road. Among those who taught here were William Allen, Jr., with several of his brothers and sisters, also Levi Young for three winter terms. Five years later a second house was erected at the corner on the site now (1892) occupied by the factory of the Enterprise Cheese Com- pany, and in 1818 the old one was torn down .* The second

* At the annual meeting, March 12, 1S32, the town voted to set the inhabitants of Allen's Mills off from the Centre District, to form a new school district. The brick school-house now standing in the village was built in the summer of 1839, or possibly a year later.

HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.

school-house was larger than the first, and had the then pre- vailing style of hip roof .* The principal text-book in those early times was Noah Webster's Spelling-Book, which served the three-fold purpose of primer, elementary reader and spell- ing-book. Pupils more advanced used the American Preceptor, and later the Columbian Orator. The first mentioned reader was a great favorite with the scholars, as was also Lindley Murray's English Reader, the second Hallowell edition of which appeared in 1817. This Reader was used for a time con- temporaneously with the American Preceptor and Columbian Orator. t

Murray's Grammar, published in 1795, was for many years a standard work and the principal text-book in all schools where the science was taught.} These, with Kinnie's Arith- metic and Morse's Geography, completed the curriculum of study in the best town schools.

A school-house was built near Butler's Corner, in Industry, about the same time as the one at Davis Corner. This house was used jointly by residents of Industry and New Vineyard. It was subsequently removed to near where the town pound was afterwards located. The exact date of its removal is not known, but it was standing on the last mentioned site as early as 1824. When it again became necessary to change the limits of the district the building was sold, and a new one, known as the Union school-house, erected.§ This building was destroyed by fire, near the close of December, 1861, while a term of

* The present school-building in this district was erected in 1868, at a cost of $685.

+ A book called the Art of Reading, was also used in town previous to or simultaneously with the Preceptor and Orator.

¿ Grammar was studied but little in the early town schools, so far as the writer has been able to ascertain. As a rule the pupils' parents were bitterly opposed to such an innovation, sedulously maintaining that the studies embraced in the allitera- tive trio, "reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic," were all their children required to fit them for an intelligent discharge of the high duties of American citizenship.

§ This appellation was conferred upon the district in derision, not from the fact that several parts of districts were united in its formation, as many suppose. So many different opinions existed as to the most desirable location for the house, that outsiders applied the epithet " Union " to the district, in a spirit of levity.

SCHOOLS. 93

school was in progress. After this the schools were kept in private houses, and one term, at least, in Benjamin Tibbetts's shoe-shop. The house was rebuilt in 1864, by Mr. Tibbetts, on contract, at a cost of $359.77.

Ira Wilson taught a short term of school in a vacant log- house on the land of Moses Tolman, near Withee's Corner, in the winter of 1808-9. He was a competent teacher, and the scholars made good progress. The next summer the district built a school-house, and the following winter they had nearly two months of school. The teacher boarded around, and wood was furnished by private subscription. Respecting the early schools in this district, which is known as the Withee's Corner district, Phineas Tolman writes: "They were usually taught by such teachers as could be hired for ten dollars per month, and were commonly those without any experience."

Among other schools in private houses, was an occasional term kept at the head of Clear Water Pond at the house of Ammiel Robbins, who lived on lot No. 12 on the Lowell Strip. The term of 1813 was taught by Eleazer Robbins, a son of Ammiel, Sr.

A school-house was built near Daniel Luce's on the farm now owned by James Edgecomb, in 1812. This house had an open fire-place and a stone chimney, which was afterward re- placed by a brick one. It was moved to the farm now owned by the heirs of Amos Stetson, Jr., in 1828, to better accommo- date the inhabitants of the district. Here, as well as on the Gore, a large number of scholars attended school, there being as many as 75 or 80 scholars in the district in its palmiest days. Some fifteen years later a number of the inhabitants, feeling that their accommodations were not the best, asked for a change in the boundaries of the district. For several years the town took no notice of their request, invariably voting " to pass by the article ;" but at the annual meeting in 1847, it was voted to make the required changes. The following year the school- house was torn down, moved and erected on its present site near the residence of William D. Norton. It is much smaller now than when first built, having been cut down when last

HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.

moved. Formerly nearly sixty scholars attended school in this district, but for the year ending March 1, 1891, the average attendance was only five and one-half.

The first school-house erected for the accommodation of those living in the vicinity of West's Mills, stood about half or two-thirds of the way up the hill toward Esq. Daniel Shaw's .* The date of its erection is not known, but is thought to be 1812. About the year 1818, Sophronia Mason, a daughter of Samuel Mason, came to Industry, and making her home in the family of Esquire Shaw, taught three terms of school in this house.t Her pupils were from the families of Esquire Shaw, Deacon Ira Emery, William Cornforth, Esquire Peter West, Gil- man Hilton, Samuel Pinkham, and occasionally the children of Jacob Hayes. This school was a large one, frequently number- ing seventy scholars during the winter terms.

On the 8th day of September, 1823, the town voted to divide this district, and the inhabitants of the village of West's Mills and as far south as Deacon Emery's south line, was con- stituted a new district. A wooden building was erected for a school-house on the southeast part of land now known as the old meeting-house lot. This house was burned in the winter of 1832-3, while Joshua S. Thompson was teaching the winter term. The succeeding fall the present brick edifice was built. The work was done on contract, by Christopher Sanborn Luce, who hired Elias L. Magoon, a Waterville College student, to do the mason work. When the house was finished the building committee refused to accept it, for the reason, as they claimed, that the foundation was not laid in a workmanlike manner. Matters were at last amicably settled by a board of referees, and after fifty-eight years the walls still stand, a substantial monument to the honesty and integrity of their builder.#

* This farm is now owned and occupied by Joseph II. Sayer.

t It was in this school-house that the first Sunday-School organized in town was wont to meet.

* The sum Mr. Luce received for this work is not known, but as a special tax of $367.11 was levied on the inhabitants of the district that year, it is supposed his compensation did not exceed this amount.

SCHOOLS.

During the time intervening between the burning of the old and the completion of the new school-house, the school was kept in Wm. Cornforth's shed chamber. There were two rooms in the new brick building, one for pupils under twelve years of age, the other for those above that age. After five or six years the partition was removed and the two departments of the school consolidated. Among the early teachers of note in this district were: Abraham Wendell,* of Farmington, Howard B. Abbott, who taught in the brick school-house in 1835, and Phineas Tolman, of Industry. The latter was a strict disci- plinarian, and woe to the luckless wight who disobeyed his rules. It is said that he sometimes whipped disobedient pupils unmercifully.+ Henry Cushman, of Farmington, was an ex- cellent teacher, and very generally liked. Ile frequently taught in Industry, and many of the older citizens remember him pleasantly.

There was a school-house in the south part of the town near Esquire John Gower's. This school was largely attended for many years, and included some of the finest scholars in town. The school-house and most of the district were set off to New Sharon in 1852.

After West's Mills was set off from the Esquire Shaw dis- trict, the school-house was moved to the south of the Esquire Daniel Shaw farm. At length, after many years' service, this building became so dilapidated that for some time prior to 1887, the schools were kept in a private house. In that year the district voted to move and repair the building, and chose Joseph H. Sayer, Nathan W. Johnson and David M. Foss, a

* Mr. Wendell boarded at Deacon Ira Emery's while teaching, and studied medicine with Doctor John A. Barnard, who also boarded at the Deacon's. He eventually went to South America, and became one of the most skillful physicians and surgeons of that country. Ile died in New York City, Sept. 16, 1872.

t A predominant idea with many of the early teachers seems to have been that a great amount of physical force was required to successfully govern a district school, and some were harsh and even cruel. Elihu Norton once faught school at West's Mills, and on one occasion pulled quite a large lock of hair from a pupil's head in correcting him. A female teacher in the same school once whipped a pupil till the blood ran down his back.

HISTORY OF INDUSTRY.

committee to superintend the removal and repairs. As soon as the haying season was over the house was hauled to its present site, known as Thompson's Corner in carly times, and repairs immediately begun. The roof was raised and the whole structure thoroughly remodeled and transformed into one of the most attractive and pleasant school-houses in town. These repairs necessitated the expenditure of over four hundred dol- lars, which was raised by a special tax. Among the carly teachers in that school may be mentioned, Hezekiah Merrick, of Pittsfield, George W. Luce and Daniel S. Johnson, of In- dustry.

HIGH SCHOOLS.

The first term of high school in town was opened at West's Mills, in the month of September, 1832, as nearly as the writer can learn. It was established mainly through the instrumentality of Deacon Ira Emery, a gentleman who had always manifested a deep interest in educational matters. The school was taught by Carlton Parker, a Waterville College stu- dent, and proved a decided success. Among those who gave it their support were the families of Esquire Peter West, Wil- liam Cornforth, Thomas Cutts, David, Daniel and Rowland Luce, David M. Luce, Esquire James Stanley, Esquire Daniel Shaw, Rev. Datus T. Allen, Jacob Hayes, James Eveleth, Jr., Obed Norton, the four Manter families, Esquire Samuel Shaw and others. Says Rev. Ira Emery : "That high school was one of the best ever taught, and I firmly believe it gave an impetus to the educational interests of the town that has not yet died ont." Mr. Parker also preached for the Baptists occasionally while here. Two years later ( 1834) Hezekiah Merrick, of Pittsfield, opened a high school in the new brick school-house at West's Mills. Mr. Merrick was an excellent scholar and could teach algebra, but was not very successful as a teacher. The same year there was a term of high school at Goodridge's Corner, taught by Sylvanus Sargent, also a Waterville College student. He afterwards became a successful minister of the Baptist Church in this State, and in 1883 resided in Augusta,

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A history of the town of Industry, Franklin County, Maine, Part 8

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