USA > Maine > Washington County > Milltown > Annals of Calais, Maine, and St. Stephen, New Brunswick; including the village of Milltown, Me., and the present town of Milltown, N.B. > Part 11
USA > Maine > Washington County > Calais > Annals of Calais, Maine, and St. Stephen, New Brunswick; including the village of Milltown, Me., and the present town of Milltown, N.B. > Part 11
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
172
BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.
XXV.
BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.
Indigence is common in every land. Extrava- gance, idleness, intemperance, ignorance and weakness, are continually manufacturing pauperism. But poverty is not wholly a curse. Instead, it excites pity and stimulates charity ; and charity is greater than faith or hope. The poor in Calais have never been more nu- merous than in other towns of the same size ; but the number of the benevolent and the extent of their gener- osity have for many years been above the common aver- age of even New England Towns. A lumbering com- munity is usually large hearted and generous, and both Calais and St. Stephen have often indulged in the lux- ury of doing good.
The Winter of 1828 was unusually long and severe, and many families suffered for lack of sufficient food and raiment. It is true, the law commands every town to take care of its poor ; but there are always many cases which the authorities cannot easily reach. Children cannot make known their wants, and the sensitive shrink from becoming paupers. These facts being known, early in 1828, two benevolent societies sprang into ex- istence almost simultaneously, and began their noble work, never to cease while there are hearts of tender- ness, and poor to assist.
173
BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.
The Ladies Benevolent Society of Milltown owes its origin to Mrs. Salmon Gates, Mrs. Lewis Wilson, Mrs. Nathaniel Lambe and others of like sympathetic nature. Its object was, "in every way possible to as- sist the suffering poor, regardless of sect or nationality." Quite a number of ladies joined the Society, means were soon procured, and the truly Christian work of helping the needy, began. But a strange and unexpected ob- stacle arose. The poor, instigated by a false and fool- ish pride, refused to accept the offered assistance ! They imagined that its reception would somehow de- grade them to the rank of "town charges." The ladies however continued to work and accumulate funds, and do what good they could ; but at length the interest abated, and the funds of the Society were appropriated to the purchase of palls to be used at funerals. As there was then no hearse in town, these sable coverings of the bier were very acceptable to the public. The Society then, though not dissolved, became dormant. In 1837, however, it awoke, and by the discreet advice and assistance of Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Huckins, again went into operation. No obstacles were now in the way. Fifty-nine ladies joined the Society, Mrs. Reuben Lowell was chosen 1st Directress and retained the office nineteen years ; and without any interruption, this mis- sion of mercy has continued its work, doing a vast amount of good, to the present time. Mrs. Nathaniel Lambe has long been its 1st Directress, and Mrs. El- well Lowell its Secretary.
"In March, 1828," as we learn from Mrs. C. R. Whidden's excellent annual report for 1874, "a number of ladies met in the hall owned by Jones Dyer, Esq., and formed themselves into the Ladies Benevolent So-
174
BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.
ciety of Calais." The constitution then adopted con- taining thirteen brief articles, which remain unchanged to the present time, states that "the object of this Soci- ety shall be to assist the poor, and particularly the sick, and those unable to labor." Mrs. George Downes was chosen 1st Directress, and Mrs. Samuel Barker, Secre- tary ; and both of these ladies are still active members of the Society. During its existence the Society has collected and distributed at least $8000 in food, raiment, medicine, and such other things as the poor need, carrying its donations into every part of the city, and to hundreds of families. "Children have been provided with clothing and sent to school ; homes have been pro- vided for fatherless little ones ; and aged people have for many long years received such comforts as they could obtain in no other way." The popularity, means and benevolent work of this Society have for several years been steadily increasing, and its future promises to be even more blessed than its past.
"Its present officers are, 1st Directress, Mrs. Jones Haycock : 2nd Directress, Mrs. F. A. Pike ; Treasurer, Mrs. D. B. Barnard ; Secretary, Mrs. George King ; Distributing Committee, Mrs. E. A. Barnard, Mrs. G. D. King, Mrs. C. R. Whidden, Mrs. L. D. Sawyer, Mrs. Charles Lord, Mrs. O. B. Rideout."
175'
RAILWAYS.
XXVI.
RAILWAYS.
To obviate the difficulties and save some part of the expense of transporting lumber from Milltown to the wharves from whence it was shipped, in 1832, the Calais Railway Company, viz :- Wm. Delesdernier, Jones Dyer, Geo. Downes, and O. S. Bridges, on peti- tion, received from the Legislature of Maine, a Charter empowering them to build and hold a railway from Cal- ais to Milltown. It gave them three years to complete the road, and required them to transport lumber from the mills to the wharves for fifty cents per thousand feet, board measure.
The three years passed, and nothing was done. But in 1835, the Legislature renewed the Charter, grant- ed three more years time, and added Neal D. Shaw, Luther Brackett and Seth Emerson to the Company. The financial crash of 1836 came, and the work of con- struction went on slowly. In 1837, the road was grad- ed, but no rails laid. The next year, the Charter was again renewed and further time granted. In 1839, the road was completed, and freight cars drawn by horses commenced running. But it was soon evident that the road did not pay its running expenses. It was not well patronized nor well managed ; and after the dis- couraging experience of two years of failure, the Com-
176
RAILWAYS.
pany suspended operations, and the sickly concern was allowed to die.
A few years after, Horatio N. Hill and John Por- ter originated the idea of a steam railway from Calais to Baring. Elaborate calculations and arguments were made, a company was formed, and after long and te- dious negotiations, the new Company. in 1848, purchas- ed the Calais and Milltown railway for the small sum of $4000. July 25, 1849, the Legislature gave a Charter empowering the Calais and Baring Rairoad Company to hold property to the amount of $200,000, and to build and run a railway from "Vance's Boom to Burnt Point." In November of the same year, Geo. M. Por- ter, H. N. Hill, F. C. Swan, Levi L. Lowell, and S. R. Hanscomb, were chosen Directors, and the last named gentleman, Treasurer. Immediately $100,000 worth of bonds were issued, and though the people of Calais refused to invest in the speculation, the building of the road was put under contract. During the next year, the rails were laid, platform cars built, two second hand locomotives were imported from Massachusetts, costing only $500 apiece ; and in the Spring of 1851, the steam whistle was heard and regular trains began running. The wish and hope of the past nineteen years were re- alized, and the managers were greatly elated. And just- ly. At the end of the first half year, a dividend of six per cent. was declared. Since then the road has ever promptly paid its bills, and earned on an average about ten per cent. per annum on its cost.
About this time Messrs. Wm. Todd, E. C. Gates, F. A. Pike, T. J. Copeland, Wm. Duren, and other ac- tive business men formed a Company and built the Lewy's Island R.R., connecting with the C. & B. road
177
RAILWAYS.
at Baring. This road, though a great convenience, was not a financial success. The City of Calais had a mortgage of it for about $150,000, and it could do lit- tle more than pay the interest. Moreover, the mana- gers of the two roads could never agree on the price of transportation.
In 1869, after years of fruitless bargaining, the C. &. B. R.R. Co. purchased the Lewy's Island road, for $140,000, agreeing to pay annually $5000 and the interest ; which it has ever since promptly done.
In 1870, the name was changed to St. Croix and Penobscot Railroad, and hopes are entertained that at no distant day it will be extended to the mouth of the Piscataquis river, and thus bring Calais and Bangor within five hours of each other. Under the skilful su- perintendence of W. W. Sawyer, the road is now doing a fair amount of business.
ST. STEPHEN BRANCH RAILWAY.
In 1864, on petition, the St. Stephen Branch Rail- way Company, received from the Provincial Parliament of New Brunswick, a bonus of $10,000 a mile to assist in building a railway from St. Stephen to some point on the St. Andrews and Canada Railway. The route to Watt's Junction was selected and the construction com- menced. Jan. 2, 1867 through freight and passenger trains began running. The next year the road was leased to the St. A. & C. R. Co. The following year, 1869, the two roads were consolidated. In 1872, by act of Parliament, both roads were put in the hands of a new Company, and received the name of the New Brunswick and Canada Railway. Its termini are St. Andrews, St. Stephen, Woodstock and Houlton, As it runs mainly through uninhabited lands, it is not a road of large dividends. When however, as is contem- plated, its cars shall run into Calais, and penetrate into the heart of Aroostook county, and connect with the Riviere De Loup Railway at Woodstock, it will without doubt become good paying property.
178
ROMAN CATHOLIC.
XXVII.
ROMAN CATHOLIC.
CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION,-ST. STEPHEN.
It is the manifest duty of every legitimate successor of St. Peter, faithfully to feed all the sheep and lambs of the fold ; and the Catholic clergy are seldom derelict to this duty. Previous to 1830, the few Catholics of St. Stephen and vicinity sought their spiritual instruc- tion and consolation in St. Andrews ; but about that date, Rev. John Cummings, a priest residing in the last named town, began to make occasional missionary trips up river. As the religious interest and the number of communicants gradually increased, he made more fre- quent visits until 1838, when he moved to St. Stephen and devoted all his time to the people of his faith in this region. A small church was built on the site where the newer and larger one now stands ; and here he offici- ated for eleven years.
In 1849, he retired, and Rev. M. A. Wallace be- came pastor. His successors were, in 1853, Rev. Thom- as Connollay ; in 1854, Rev. James Quinn ; in 1862, Rey. A. J. Dunphy ; and in 1867, Rev. James Quinn again, who still remains, a zealous, faithful and beloved father.
The present, large, handsome and pleasantly loca- ted church edifice was erected in 1865. A few years pre- vious, a small chapel had been built in the lower village ;
179
ROMAN CATHOLIC.
and in each place a service is held and mass said, every Sunday.
In common with many of his brethren, Father Quinn is opposed to mixed schools, unless the elements are mainly Catholic. Hence, in connection with his churches he has established two excellent schools for the benefit of Catholic children and any others that wish to attend. Connected also with his parish, is a large and flourishing "Total Abstinence Temperance Society" that holds frequent meetings and does much good.
- The parish comprises a large area of territory, and is supposed to contain at least 500 adults and 1000 chil- dren ; and like all Catholic institutions in this country, it is steadily growing.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception in Cal- ais, though bearing the same name, is younger and smaller than her sister in St. Stephen. It was started about 1850, by the Jesuits, prominent among whom was the gentlemanly, faithful and talented Rev. John Bapts, S. J. Soon after the town became a city in 1851, the Church purchased the old Town-house, and fitted it up as a place of worship ; and here the Sunday services have ever since been held. The pastors have been Rev. Messrs. Murphy, Durnin and Conlon, who is the pres- ent incumbent. In 1873, the Church bought an excel- lent lot of land on the corner of Washington St., and Church Avenue, where a meeting-house adequate to the needs of the parish, is soon to be erected.
The Catholics in Calais have the honor of sustain- ing the only Temperance Society in the city. It is call- ed the "Calais Catholic Institute." It meets every week and is doing a large amount of good.
180
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,-ST. STEPHEN.
XXVIII.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,-ST. STEPHEN.
2
The brave old Scotch Kirk with indomitable John Knox as its bright, particular star, compels the admira- tion of every reader of its history. In tenacity, patient perseverance, heroism and piety, no other Ecclesiastical body has been its superior. And into whatever part of the earth its members have migrated, they have inva- riably carried with them their religious principles and stamina. As many of them came to New Brunswick at an early date, no history of the Colony can be written without frequent allusions to them. Presbyterianism is the state religion of Scotland as Episcopalianism is the state religion of England. Presbyterians therefore are not in a legal sense, Dissenters ; and hence when they came to America they had rights and privileges as a Church, which the Home Government was bound to respect and defend.
A considerable number of the early settlers of St. Stephen were members of this Church, and retained in their new home the warm attachment for their religion which they had formed in their Father-land. Early in the 19th century Rev. Duncan M'Coll occasionally preach- ed to those residing on Scotch Ridge, in their own Gae- lic language ; but they earnestly desired and eventually obtained a minister of their own denomination. Their
181
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,-ST. STEPHEN.
Kirk is in the parish of St. James, and an account of it does not therefore properly belong to these Annals.
The Presbyterians of St. Stephen were less fortu- nate. They had occasional preaching, and several at- tempts were made to erect a meeting-house, but with- out success. At length, some time previous to 1840, by the efforts of a few leading men, the frame of a church was put up on the imposing site now occupied by the handsome residence of C. B. Eaton, Esq. ; but the funds necessary to complete the structure could not be obtained ; and after years of exposure to the pitiless storms of Summer and Winter, the incipient edifice went to ruin.
In the Autumn of 1840, Rev. Andrew Stevens from Scotland, -a brother of the present Judge Stev- ens, -- in the capacity of a missionary from the estab- lished Church of his native land, began to preach a por- tion of his time in St. Stephen. The first service was held in the old, Methodist building, and a large con- gregation gave him a hearty and joyful welcome. In 1843, Rev. Mr. Stevens received and accepted the for- mal invitation to become the pastor of the Presbyte- rians in St. Stephen and St. James ; dividing his time between the two places.
About this time, it being evident to all that the building used as a place of worship was inconvenient. unpleasant and not suitable for the purpose, the feeling was renewed and fresh enthusiasm aroused to build a meeting-house. Accordingly, for that purpose, the Presbyterians and others friendly to the undertaking, united in a Society of which Mrs. Stevens, mother of Rev. A. Stevens, was the President and leading spirit. The plan succeeded. A successful ladies' Bazaar was
182
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,-ST. STEPHEN.
held,-a novelty in those days,-subscriptions were raised and the church erected. Rev. Dr. Irvine for- merly of St. John, N. B., did much to stimulate the ex- ertions of the people.
In January, 1852, at a full meeting of the congre- gation convened for that purpose in the new church, J. G. Stevens, Esq., was made the recipient of a valu- able gold watch, presented to him by the Society as a . token of its appreciation and esteem for his wise coun- sels and generous contributions in building the meeting- house.
Among the influential men in the enterprise, were Aaron Upton, Alexander Campbell, now a prominent lawyer in San Francisco, Samuel McGowan, Mr. Mur- dock, John Campbell, Robert Clark and his brothers, John and Francis Courtney, Thomas Laughlin, Capt. Hutton, Samuel and William Gilmor, William Owen and brothers, Dr. Dugald Blair, and the present Judge Stevens who from then till now has been the main pillar and stay of the Church and a prominent member of the denomination in the Province.
In 1854, Rev. William Elder, now editor of the St. John Daily Telegraph, became pastor, and performed the duties of that office acceptably for nine years. Dur- ing his pastorate and mainly through his exertions, the present church edifice was erected. After its comple- tion, the old church was sold, and has since been burned. Also during Mr. Elder's ministry, John Court- ney, Duncan Stuart, Robert Clark and J. G. Stevens were elected and ordained as Elders, of the St. Stephen Church.
In 1863 or 4, Rev. Robert Moodie became pastor, but retained the situation only a short time. In 1865,
183
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,-ST. STEPHEN.
Rev. Peter M. Morrison became pastor. After his res- ignation, temporary supplies for the pulpit were fur- nished by Rev. Mr. Fowler, Rev. Mr. Lamson and oth- ers, until 1872, when the present able and efficient pas- tor, Rev. Robert Wilson, took charge of the now strong and prosperous congregation.
In doctrine, Presbyterians adopt the Westminster Confession of Faith, and both the Longer and Shorter Catechisms. The government of a Presbyterian Church is vested in its Minister and Elders. The Ministers and Elders of several churches, constitute a Presbytery, Delegates from several Presbyteries constitute a Synod, and delegates from several Synods form the General Assembly, the highest tribunal. By appeals from the lower to the higher of these Courts, difficulties are ad- justed, and by their concurrent action the great work of the Church is carried on. The arrangement is suppos- ed to be in accordance with Apostolical usage.
Owning a handsome church, and being people of wealth and worth, the Presbyterians of St. Stephen have before them a bright and happy future.
184
MILLS.
XXIX.
MILL.S.
The rich forests lured the pale faced people to the St. Croix valley. The noble trees have furnished the means of subsistence to nearly all the citizens of Calais and St. Stephen. But to render their huge trunks mar- ketable, it was necessary to manufacture them into tim- ber, deal, joist, boards and laths ; and hence, saw-mills were indispensable. These facts were perceived and acted upon at an early day.
About 1780, Daniel Hill, Jeremiah Frost, and Ja- cob Libbey built a small, rude mill, on Porter's Stream, near its mouth. This was the first saw-mill. It was supplied with logs from trees growing near the stream, cut and rolled in, without the aid of a team. Here the first boards were sawed, and here the great business of the place began.
About 1785, Wm. Moore built a saw-mill and grist-mill, in the parish of St. David, at the place ever since called "Moore's Mills." These mills, often re- built or reprired, are still running, and partly owned by his thrifty descendants. There is also at the present time, machinery for carding wool and making shingles and turning, on the same dam.
In 1789 or 90, Henry Goldsmith erected a grist- mill and saw-mill on the Waaweig river ; and thither the farmers of St. Stephen and St. George carried their grain to be ground.
Not long after, Daniel Hill's mill having been swep away by a great freshet, another mill was erected by Peter Christie, Joseph Porter and others, on the same
185
MILLS.
stream and near the site of the first one. This was run profitably for many years.
The first mill on the main river, was built at Mill- town, about the beginning of the present century, by Abner Hill, Peter Christie and others. On its comple- tion, it was found to go so swiftly and strongly that it was christened the "Brisk Mill." It stood on the American side of the river ;and a mill bearing the same name, still saws briskly on the old site. The Washing- ton mills were built soon after, on the same dam. In 1805, a mill was erected at Baring, by Daniel Rhodes and Maltiah Lane, for Wm. Vance, Esq. ; and soon af- ter, other mills were built at such places on the river as seemed most convenient for the lumbermen.
These mills run well, and it was easy to procure logs for them ; but it was very difficult to get the manu- factured lumber to tide water. Rafts could not be run , down Salmon Falls without breaking, and the roads in Summer were almost impassible for a loaded team. In this emergency, a sluice from the mills to the head of the tide, was suggested, and about 1805, after much talk and correspondence, Margaret and Susanna Camp- bell of Scotland furnished the money, and the sluice was built for them, on the St. Stephen side of the river. It proved so useful and profitable that it has been kept in operation ever since. It remained the property of the Campbells until five or six years ago, when it was sold at auction in St. Andrews, and bought for a few hundred dollars, by C. F. Todd and the Eaton Bros .. by whom it is still owned.
About the same time, i. e. 1805, a board sluice was also built on the American side of the river, from Milltown to Middle Landing. It worked well and was much used until the Union mills were built, when, lack- ing a convenient place to discharge its freight, it ceased to be used.
In 1824, Capt. Seth Emerson and Amaziah Nash built a saw-mill and grist-mill, for Green and Shaw, at Ferry Point rapids, near the site of Samuel Rideout's
1
186
MILLS.
grist-mill. These mills for a long time were valuable property.
In 1826 and 7, Capt. Emerson built for Joseph Whitney, A. Pond, Jones, Pike and Whipple, at Mid- dle Landing, now Union Village, the Lafayette mills. They went into operation in the Spring of 1827. A few years after, these mills were purchased and for a time successfully run by Messrs. Henry and Frank Richards ; but the fate of these brothers was singularly tragic. Henry went to India ; and while attempting to reach Europe by the over-land route, he was sun-struck and partially demented. His friends carried him to Eng- land, and there he soon after died. Frank married a daughter of Robert Gardiner, Esq., of Gardiner, Me. Several years after, a daughter of Mr. Richards, while bathing or at play, was accidentally drowned in the Kennebec river near her grandfather's. The father great- ly depressed by this sad bereavement, and perhaps not caring to live any longer, subsequently lost his life by drowning, not far from the spot where his daughter perished. Thus these unfortunate brothers passed away.
Since then, many mills have been built and rebuilt, and great improvements have been made in their ma- chinery. There are now in Baring, eight gangs, two mules or muleys, (single saws that move very rapidly,) four shingle, and six lath, machines ; in Milltown, seven- teen gangs, two muleys, and seventeen lath machines ; at the Union, nine gangs, one muley, nine lath, and two shingle, machines ;- all in active and profitable motion except during the Winter.
187
SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH,-CALAIS.
XXX.
2nd BAPTIST CHURCH,-CALAIS.
In 1840, the population of Calais was 2934, and the number steadily increasing. There were only two active churches in the village ; and there appeared to be room for a third. Several of the families residing in this locality but affiliating with the Baptist Church in Milltown, felt the need of a place of worship nearer home. Besides, the Milltown Society seemed abun- dantly large enough to swarm again without impairing its stability or usefulness.
Accordingly after many a long and prayerful con- sultation, and not without some fears and doubts, fifty members of the parent Church were set off, Dec. 29, 1841, and organized into a Society, called at first the "Calais Village Baptist Church ;" but in 1851, the name was changed to the "2nd Baptist Church." The or- ganization took place in Goodnow's Hall, a building then standing not far from the site now occupied by Kalish's clothing store. Rev. John A. Hagar of East- port presided at the Council, and delivered the sermon for the occasion. Harrison Tweed, Esq., now of Taun- ton, Mass., was chosen clerk ; Hon. Noah Smith and Elijah Stearns, Deacons ; Noah Smith, Elijah Stearns, E. D. Green and Harrison Tweed, Standing Committee ; and Rev. E. D. Very, Pastor.
The Church thus deliberately inaugurated, was composed largely of intelligent, active and influential people, who had migrated to Calais from Massachusetts and the western part of Maine. At once they began
1
188
SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH,-CALAIS.
earnest work. Regular meetings on Sunday, and Wednesday evenings, were established ; and they have continued to the present day without interruption. Of the original members, only Harrison Tweed, Mrs. Guest, Mrs. Sarah Washburn, Mrs. F. A. Pike, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Johnson and a few others are now living ; but the good work which they inaugurated is still going on as earnestly and successfully as ever.
Goodnow's Hall, in which the Society worshipped, was soon found to be small, incommodious and unpleas- ant ; and in March, 1842, a Committee was chosen "to make an effort to build" a meeting-house. The lot of land on Main St., where the Methodist church now stands, was purchased for $200. The corner stone was laid in May, 1843, and the house dedicated with ap- propriate services, Oct. 24, 1844. It was the same edifice that is now occupied by the Methodist Society as a place of worship ; and its cost was about $5000.
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.