USA > Maine > Knox County > Union > A history of the town of Union, in the county of Lincoln, Maine : to the middle of the nineteenth century, with a family register of the settlers before the year 1800, and of their descendants > Part 24
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The last three roads and the following, which was on the east and north sides of Seven-tree Pond, were confirmed or accepted Nov. 19, 1787, when it was-
" Voted that the road laid out from Warren, at the east end of Mr. Samuel Hills's land, through the farm improved by Mr. Royal Grinnell to the head of Seven-tree Pond, shall stand, and is confirmed as was laid by the selectmen, Nov. 5, A.D. 1787. The road begins as follows, viz. : At a white birch-tree spotted, by Warren line, then running nearly north, by spotted trees, until we come to Mr. Amo- ry's grist-mill, then over the flume of said mill, then just east of the house and barn, then on or near a north course across to the woods, then nearly a north course to Oliver Lailand's [Leland's ], then turning north-west to west till we come to the brook running into Seven-tree Pond, then on nearly the same course until we come to the road laid out by Mr. Josiah Robbins in the old Senebec Road."
These roads opened communication not only be- tween all the inhabitants of Union, but with Barretts
277
CONDITION OF THE ROADS.
Town, as Hope was then called; with Waldoborough; and with Warren, both on the east and the west sides of Seven-tree Pond. They were all laid out during the year after the incorporation of the town.
CONDITION OF THE ROADS.
For several years, the roads, though laid out, could have been of but little value. In 1789, and even later, there were in reality none but winter roads. When William Hart and wife moved here in October, 1793, the summer roads were almost impassable with ox- carts. On one side might be a stump in the track, on the other side a hole two or three feet deep, and possi- bly between them a large stone. There was but little travel. The only sleigh seen by Mrs. Hart during the winter after her arrival was owned by David Robbins.
CORDUROY ROADS .- Small logs were laid across wet and muddy places ; and sometimes earth-if it could be conveniently procured, which at first was seldom the case - was thrown on to fill the interstices. These, from their resemblance to the thick-ribbed cotton-fabric, corduroy, were often called corduroy roads. Sometimes the logs were crooked, and would not fit compactly. Parts would rot, and then there would be dangerous holes. Travelling over such roads was not altogether agreeable, particularly in wagons without springs, the only kind then used by the very few persons who had any. Sometimes these roads extended a mile or two. As the wagon-wheels rolled over each log, from eight to fifteen or twenty inches in diameter, they struck with force upon the next, and so onward through the whole distance ; affording more exercise than was coveted by men whose fortune it was to fell the trees of the forest before they could have room to raise bread for subsist- ence.
BOATING AND VISITING. - Among the early settlers, the travel and transportation were mainly by water; and, in the management of boats, several of the women became quite as dexterous as the men. If a person
24*
278
HIGHWAYS.
wished to cross Seven-tree Pond, Mrs. Mero could paddle him over with the skill of a ferryman. Perhaps Mrs. Matthias Hawes wanted to visit her neighbors ; and, in those days, all were neighbors, though two or three miles distant. Immediately after dinner, which was as early as noon, she took one or two of her youngest children, perhaps asked Mrs. Ware or Mrs. Adams to go with her, got into a boat, paddled it through Round Pond, passed the rocks and shoals near the Lower Bridge, and landed on the shore of Seven-tree Pond, near the place of her destination. After spending the afternoon in knitting or sewing, and beguiling some of the solitary hours, of which there were many in the new settlement, she partook of an early supper, and returned with her company in season to get supper for her husband and his hired men, if he had any, and to "do the milking and other chores before dark." In this way, social intercourse was, for a time, maintained; and it was customary, till the population became considerably large, for every family to visit every other family in town, at least once a year.
Ox SLEDS. - As the roads became better, inter- course was generally kept up in winter by means of sleds, drawn by oxen. For some time, Amariah Mero's horse was the only one in town. Matthias Hawes had a steer, which he trained from a calf to move quickly. With a yoke and a light sled made for the purpose, the steer travelled at a pretty brisk trot, a little to the envy of some of the neighbors, whose heavy sleds were drawn by sluggish oxen. Sleds were used in summer as well as in winter. It was long before carts were substituted. When they became common, the mode of carrying boards to Warren was to bind them on the axletree of the cart, and let the rear-end drag in the dirt. But few farmers could then purchase wagons, because they cost so much.
TEAMING TO NEIGHBORING TOWNS. - Mr. Olney Titus thinks that Amariah Mero, in 1793, drove the first team which went to Warren with wheels. David
279
SURVEYORS AND COMMISSIONERS.
Robbins was the first person who went to Waldobo- rough with wheels. The household effects of the Rev. Mr. Humphrey were moved by him to Union in an ox-wagon. Nathaniel Robbins, Esq., was the first to drive an ox-cart into Washington. The team went to the Medomac River, and Robbins camped there over night, under a large yellow birch. The second day, by working hard and cutting and laying alders for the. oxen to walk on, he got through the bog-swamp to what was called the Lakin Farm.
For a long time, the travel between Union and Warren came up on the east side of the river, but went down on the west side and crossed at Libbey's Bridge.
CHAPTER XXXI.
HIGHWAYS. (Concluded.)
Surveyors and Commissioners. - Taxes. - Compensation. - Time for doing the Work. - Breaking Roads in Winter. - Comparative Value of Money and Labor.
SURVEYORS AND COMMISSIONERS.
THE work on roads is generally done under the super- intendence of surveyors, chosen annually in the spring. Each surveyor notifies the inhabitants in his district of the time to begin work, designates the places where the roads are to be repaired, the kind and amount of work to be laid out at the different places, keeps the accounts with the workmen, and withholds pay in cases of negligence and idleness. The management of these officers, however, has not always been satis- factory. Sometimes they have been accused of ex- pending too much of the labor in the vicinity of their own houses and farms, and of permitting the remote parts of the districts to suffer. With a view to obvi-
280
HIGHWAYS.
ate the evil, the town voted, April 1, 1833, "that the selectmen appoint surveyors of the highways the pre- sent year;" but the vote was reconsidered at an adjourned meeting, April 15, and surveyors were chosen as before. The excitement on the subject increased ; and at the town-meeting, April 6, 1835, it led to seri- ous and animated discussion. The meeting was ad- journed to April 8, and again to April 15. It was agreed to choose commissioners, and to raise $2,500, and put the whole money at their disposal. The com- missioners chosen were John Payson, Elisha Harding, Nathan Hills, and Nathan Bachelder. In 1836, they were John Payson, Nathan Bachelder, Cyrus Rob- bins, Herman Hawes, and John Gowen. In 1837, they were John Lermond, Herman Hawes, Aaron Bryant, Nathaniel Bachelor, and Noah Rice. The subject was again brought up the next year; but the town chose surveyors in 1838 and 1839. After the vote for choosing surveyors had passed in 1840, it was reconsidered, and the inhabitants chose five com- missioners, viz. John Payson, Marlboro' Packard, Sa- muel Stone, Nathan Bachelder, and Stephen Carriel. Their pay was " 12} cents per hour for their labor and services." In 1841, the commissioners were E. Ler- mond, Marlboro' Packard, jun., Elias Skidmore, Mace Shepard, and Willard Robbins. Commissioners were not again chosen till 1844, when the town elected Samuel Stone, Leonard Barnard, Jason Davis, Nelson Cutler, and Joseph M. Gleason. In 1846, they were Joseph M. Gleason, John Lindley, Jason Davis, Lewis Bachelder, and Jeruel Butler. In 1845, it was “ voted that the selectmen be highway-surveyors for the ensu- ing year, and that they appoint one man in each highway-district to keep a correct account of the labor done in said district."
HIGHWAY TAXES.
The following statement is the best which it has been practicable to make, after a careful examination of records, sometimes obscure and confused : -
.
281
HIGHWAY TAXES.
1787,
£80
1803, $1000
1819, $1500
1835, $2500
1788, £110
1804, $1075₺
1820, $1500
1836, $2000
1789, £100
1805, $1500
1821, $1200
1837, $2500
1790,
£80
1806, $1500
1822, $1500
1838, $2000T
1791,
£60
1807, $1500
1823, $1800
1839, $2500
1792,
£80
1808, $2000
1824, $2000
1840, $2500T
1793,
£80
1809, $1500
1825, $1800
1841, $2000
1794,
-*
1810, $1500
1826, $2000
1842, $2000
1795,
£50
1811, $1000
1827, $1700
1843, $2500
1796, $300
1812, $1000
1828, $2000
1844, $3000
1797, $400
1813, $1200
1829, $2800
1845, $2500
1798, $400+
1814, $1500
1830, $2150 §
1846, $3000
1799, $600
1815, $1500
1831, $2400
1847, $2000
1800, $700
1816, $1500
1832, $2100
1848, $2500
1801, $800
1817, $1500
1833, $2550
1849, $2500
1802, $800
1818, $1600
1834, $2000|
1850, $2500
* " April 7, £80 to be worked out on the ways for 1795 .... Sept. 1, 1794, £20 additional, so as to use £20 cash granted by the General Court to finish the meeting-house. ... April 6, 1795, voted to reconsider the vote passed last April respecting highway-taxes." See also pages 148 and 263. How much was raised this year ?
+ Also "voted to consider Capt. John Tobey, 'in the loss of an ox at work on the highway,' six dollars and fifty cents, which is to be allowed him out of the first taxes to be made against him." In the same year, May 30, upon an article to see what the town will do respecting an action commenced by David Fales, Esq., against Moses Hawes and Amariah Mero, for surveying the county-roads from War- ren to Senebec, it was voted " that Amariah Mero go and get advice respecting the suit ;" and " that he be directed to act according to his best judgment in the business, as he thinks shall be most for the interest of the town." Sept. 10, " voted to choose a man to go to Wal- doborough, to see Silas Lee, Esq., attorney-at-law, on the business of the suit. ... Chose Mr. Amariah Mero, with instructions to do the best he can in behalf of the town."
į Also one hundred and twenty-five dollars to repair highways, and build a bridge over Capt. Maxcy's mill-stream. Part of the ap- propriations for highway-taxes in other years went to build bridges. For other remarks on appropriations, see next chapter.
§ The selectmen's report in April, 1830, has the item " Fines for repairing roads, one hundred and fourteen dollars eighty cents."
|| Also voted to raise three hundred dollars in money, to be laid out under the direction of the selectmen. Also July 5, voted to raise one thousand dollars in money, " to be expended in building and re- pairing highways the present season, and to pay damages on new roads and pay costs of county-commissioners, &c." Also voted, July 5, to raise two hundred dollars, in addition to the one thousand "to be expended in the same way under the selectmen." Also July 13, 1835, voted to raise seven hundred dollars, " to be expended in labor on the roads."
T " In labor and materials."
282
HIGHWAYS.
Respecting the preceding sums, it may be observed, that, in some years, a part of the highway-taxes was expended under the direction of the selectmen ; the ob- ject being to provide for injuries from freshets and other causes. It was thus with two hundred dollars of the highway-tax of 1821, with three hundred dol- lars of that of 1822, with two hundred dollars of that of 1824, and with three hundred dollars of that of 1825.
Sometimes part of the highway-tax was in money, and laid out according to the directions of the select- men. This was the case with two hundred dollars of the tax of 1829, one hundred and fifty dollars in 1830, with two hundred or four hundred dollars in 1831, five hundred dollars in 1832, five hundred and fifty dollars in 1833, &c.
Sometimes a specified sum has been voted for a par- ticular purpose. To the four hundred dollars in 1797, a hundred dollars was added "for the benefit of new roads, to be apportioned by the assessors." In April, 1817, in addition to the one thousand five hundred dollars, fifty dollars was raised, "to be expended on the highway near Thomas Hemenway's;" and, in 1818, in addition to the one thousand six hundred dollars, sixty dollars were raised " to be laid out on the road from Quiggle's Mill to Camden Line." In 1848, one thousand dollars was raised to meet a road from Wal- doborough, and some other expenses, besides the two thousand five hundred dollars raised in the spring of the same year.
COMPENSATION.
This has been reckoned by the day or by the hour. In April, 1798, it was voted "that eight hours should be considered a day." The town-records are not always explicit; but, with the exceptions else- where mentioned, the compensation was probably as follows : -
MAN'S WORK .- From 1787 to 1789 inclusive, and in 1796, five shillings ; and from 1790 to 1793, and pro-
283
COMPENSATION.
bably in 1794 and 1795, four shillings a day. In 1815, one shilling, or 163 cents an hour. In all the other years, one dollar for a day of eight hours, or in that proportion. " Men, when carried out of their districts, to be paid for going and returning," according to a vote passed in 1825.
YOKE OF OXEN. - In 1787 and 1790, 2s. 6d .; in 1791, 1792, 1793, and probably in 1794 and 1795, 2s. 8d; in 1788 and 1799, three shillings ; and, in 1796, fifty-eight cents a day. From 1797 to 1814, and from 1816 to 1821, and in 1829, it was one-twelfth of a dol- lar an hour; and from 1822 to 1828, and from 1830 to 1836, it appears to have been ten cents an hour. In 1815, also in 1837 and since, twelve and a half cents an hour.
PLOUGHS. - In 1788, and subsequently, two shillings a day. In 1796 and 1797, two-thirds of a dollar ; from 1798 to 1822, in 1829, from 1831 to 1836, and from 1838 to 1840, one dollar a day, or twelve and a half cents an hour, for large, and proportionally for small ploughs. From 1824 to 1830, and in 1837, 1841, and 1846, the compensation was left to the decision of the surveyors or road-commissioners.
Nov. 15, 1837, it was voted that Elias Skidmore and E. Lermond should be paid for ploughs purchased for the use of the town. April 20, 1844, the road-com- missioners were authorized to purchase ploughs, to be kept in their possession during the year. June 7, 1846, it was voted to accept of three ploughs, bought by the commissioners.
CARTS. - In 1787, one shilling a day; in 1790, 1s. 6d .; in all other years, two shillings, or one-third of a dollar, except from 1824 to 1828, and in 1837, when the compensation depended on the decision of the sur- veyors or commissioners.
SCRAPERS. - There is no early mention of scrapers, though they were used. In 1837, the road-commis- sioners were to allow " for ploughs, carts, scrapers, and other materials, what they see fit." In 1841 and in 1846, the allowance was fifty cents a day.
284
HIGHWAYS.
TIME FOR DOING THE WORK.
The usual time for working on the roads is in June, after the farmers " have done planting," and in Sep- tember, after they have harvested their grain. Occa- sionally, the town designates the time. May 30, 1787, the record, after assigning to the selectmen the busi- ness of dividing the highways for the surveyors, and proportioning the inhabitants, adds, "as the inhabi- tants think it highly necessary there should be work in the ways immediately." In 1796, it was "voted that the highway-work be done before the first of Octo- ber." May 27, 1801, to meet the case of delinquents, the surveyors were " empowered to collect the taxes the same as other collectors." April 4, 1803, and April 2, 1804, the assessors were " directed to issue warrants to the surveyors to collect the highway-taxes when they are not worked out." To hold out further inducements for seasonable labor, it was ordered in 1815, that, before July 10, man's labor should be one shilling, and oxen's twelve and a half cents, per hour ; but, after that time, the pay for men should be twelve and a half cents, and for oxen as in previous years. In 1816, it was twelve cents for a man before July 1 ; but, between that time and Oct. 1, ten cents. It was the same in 1819, excepting the substitution of Oct. 1 for July 1. In 1820 and 1821, it was ninepence before July 10, and sevenpence afterward.
BREAKING ROADS IN WINTER.
For many years, the roads, after drifting storms, were broken out by voluntary labor. The inhabitants of a highway-district turned out, with oxen, sleds, . shovels, as soon as the storm ceased. Each man began at his own door, drove his team, shovelled through the deep drifts, and worked his way toward his neighbor. Ere long, neighbors would thus meet, and small gangs be at work in different parts of the district. As the gangs met, they would unite and work onward together.
285
BREAKING THE ROADS.
The interest felt in this mode of breaking the roads gradually subsided.
March 1, 1813, " Voted the highway-surveyors' warrants shall be drawn in such a manner as to authorize them to keep the roads passable in the winter, as well as the other seasons. ... April 1, 1822, voted that the highway-survey- ors shall cause the snow to be trod down or removed from the roads in their several districts, so that the same shall be passable; and they to present their accounts to the select- men for allowance, and the amount to go towards next year's tax. Men and oxen are to have eight cents per hour. ... Nov. 1, 1824, voted that the surveyors of high- ways allow ten cents per hour for men and for oxen [to break roads the ensuing winter ]. ... May 11, 1833, voted that the overwork on the highway, and the expense of break- ing roads in the winter, be returned to the assessors by the surveyors before the highway-taxes are made the present year, and that they who have done this work have the same credited to their highway-taxes for the present year .... Sept. 9, voted that the highway-surveyors be authorized to employ men and oxen to keep the roads open in the several districts, on the best terms that they can for the town, and present their bills with sufficient vouchers to the selectmen before the next April meeting. ... April, 1836, voted that all those who are deficient in working their highway-tax on the last year's bills have credit for the last winter's work on said bills.1 ... Voted 2 to pay for the breaking the roads the last winter in money. ... Nov. 29, 1838, voted that the select- men appoint in each highway-district, as they may see fit, a suitable person to keep the roads open the ensuing winter ; and such person shall keep a perfect list of the work, and re- turn it to the selectmen; and that each sum shall be paid in cash, allowing men ten cents, and oxen twelve and a half cents, per hour. ... Nov. 2, 1840, voted that the roads be kept open as usual, and that men be allowed ten cents per hour, and oxen twelve and a half cents per hour, and be allowed on
1 According to the record, the compensation seems to have been twelve and a half cents an hour for oxen, and ten cents for men.
2 This vote probably had reference to the cases which were not de- linquent in the tax of 1835. When the two thousand five hundred dollars was raised, April 15, 1837, it was to be appropriated for the highways the present year, and breaking roads the past winter.
25
286
HIGHWAYS.
their money-tax 1841. ... April 17, 1843, voted that the highway-surveyors procure such men to break out the roads the ensuing winter as are willing to have it allowed on their next year's highway-tax, and be allowed the same per hour as in the summer season." [The same principle was again adopted April 1, 1844, and in 1845 and 1846, and at the same price, viz.] " twelve and a half cents an hour for men and for oxen."
The sums annually expended in breaking roads have been very unequal, depending on the depth of the snows and the extent of the drifting. In one winter, the cost of keeping the roads open was perhaps one thousand dollars ; while in others it has been compa- ratively nothing. From the details given, it is evident that there have been many difficulties, and that almost every year a new method has been tried.
COMPARATIVE VALUE OF MONEY AND LABOR.
In regard to the comparative value of the money and the labor, it may be remarked that it is different in different seasons of the year. The sums raised, and the pay for labor, have always been greater than if the same had been in specie. In 1836, it was voted that " twenty-five per cent from the highway-tax should be allowed, if the tax was paid in money by the 20th of June." In 1836, in addition to the two thousand dol- lars, there was raised in money five hundred and fifty dollars, to defray the expense of breaking out the roads during the preceding winter; and it was "voted that those who receive the money make twenty-five per cent discount on their accounts." In 1837, it was voted to allow on the two thousand five hundred dol- lars, " twenty-five cents on a dollar to those who pay the money on demand." Nov. 29 of the same year, it was " voted to pay in cash ten cents an hour for a man, and twelve cents an hour for oxen, for breaking out roads." In 1843, it was " voted to pay four shillings on a dollar on such bills as have been or shall be handed in by the surveyors [for breaking roads the preceding winter]. The persons in whose favor the bills are,
287
LOG-BRIDGES. - LOWER BRIDGE.
shall make oath of the truth of the bill." In 1844, there was a substitute of "two-thirds in cash for all those who chose to pay money in lieu of highway- work." For specie, persons can always be found to work out a highway-tax for one-half or two-thirds of the nominal amount.
CHAPTER XXXII.
BRIDGES.
Log Bridges. - Lower, or True's Bridge. - Middle Bridge, at Bache- lor's Mills. - South Union Bridge. - Upper Bridge, at Hills' Mills. - Report on Bridges in 1805. - Appropriations.
LOG BRIDGES.
IN Union, as in other new towns, it was common to build bridges, particularly short bridges, by laying small logs in close proximity across large logs, which were extended over the streams. This practice con- tinues in some degree to the present day.
LOWER, OR TRUE'S BRIDGE.
It may be remembered, that the petition for an Act of Incorporation, dated Sept. 12, 1786, contains the request that the State-tax which had been apportioned to Stirlington might be laid out " in defraying charges of a bridge, now a building, of one hundred and ten feet long, and in opening and making roads and build- ing another bridge of one hundred and seventy feet long ; which bridge must be built before there will be any passing by land or water to or from this place." Some progress, it seems, had been made. April 2, 1787, the question was brought forward " to see if the town means to purchase the bridge now building at the head of Seven-tree Pond, or allow what has been
288
BRIDGES.
done by individuals on said bridge towards their work on the ways the year ensuing ;" and the latter alterna- tive was adopted.
This was the first bridge built by the town. It was probably rebuilt in 1801; for, April 6, it was “ voted to build a bridge across the river near Rufus Gillmor's ; " and Nathaniel Robbins, Amariah Mero, and Rufus Gillmor, were chosen the committee to superintend it. At the same time, it was " voted that fifty dollars be granted, to be paid in cash for said bridge, and that two hundred dollars be deducted from the highway-tax by the assessors." Dec. 2, 1811, at auction, the fur- nishing of two thousand five hundred feet of pine plank, four inches thick and eighteen feet long, was bid off by Reuben Hills, to be delivered at this bridge for $15.75 per thousand. The bridge was repaired in 1819 or 1820, and again in 1831 and in 1841. " The first mud-sills were of green oak, cut on Josiah Rob- bins's farm just below the burying-ground. They were hewed on two sides, and put in with the bark on ; and a few years ago, when the bridge was rebuilt, these same mud-sills were found perfectly sound and green, having always been kept underwater." 1
MIDDLE BRIDGE, AT BACHELOR'S MILLS.
May 28, 1788, it was voted to build two bridges ; one across the main river by Mr. John Butler's, the other across Crawford's River at South Union. From the records it appears that the Middle Bridge was rebuilt in 1800, when it is described as "the bridge near Capt. George West's." At that time, Amariah Mero was " chosen as a suitable person to superintend the build- ing." Nov. 3, 1800, " Voted that Mr. Amariah Mero have an order for enough to pay his taxes in Mr. Mitchell's bill toward his superintending the bridge." A freshet carried away the bridge in less than ten years. May 7, 1810, an article was introduced into the town-meeting -
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