USA > Maine > Oxford County > Oxford > Annals of Oxford, Maine, from its incorporation, February 27, 1829 to 1850. Prefaced by a brief account of the settlement of Shepardsfield plantation, now Hebron and Oxford, and supplemented with genealogical notes from the earliest records of both towns and other sources > Part 10
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Woodward's mill was built about 1820. Caleb Woodward came from Dedham where he had been employed as farm- er by Judge Haven one of the Craigie heirs. He located on the west bank of the river near the bridge, the outlet of Thompson pond running through his land. He put in a log dam, built a mill and engaged in manufacturing lumber : he furnished the materials for the Congregationalist church.
The Hayesville Cotton Manufacturing Co. was incorpo- rated in 1846 with Dennis Hayes, James Woodbury, Sam- uel Small, Samuel H. Tewksbury and George Gould incor- porators. They bought out Capt. Woodward, increased the water power, erected a large wooden building for a factory
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and dwelling houses for the operatives, changing the rural stillness of that section of the village to the hum of busy life. The census returns of June Ist, 1850 give the product of the mill, for the preceeding year, 416,000 yards of sheet- ing, at the cost of $27,000. and valued at $33,280. A few weeks later the mill "shut down" and in November of the same year the "Cotton Factory" was totally destroyed by a fire, probably of incendary origin, The corporation did not survive the loss, but the water power has continued, inter- mittently, in use manufacturing small wares from hard and soft woods. Walter H. Thomas and Isaiah Dunn saw- ed staves, Solon Rawson, James H. Chapman made shovel handles, B. F. Sturtevant made shoe pegs and quantities of logs were hauled to these mills to be made into deals, clap- boards and shingles.
A log dam and saw mill was subsequently built on the Little Androscoggin, at what is now Welchville, by Bena- jah Pratt Jr., George Robinson and Nathan, Ezra and Sam- uel Wright. Capt. Woodward claimed that his mill privi- lege was seriously damaged by the back water and sued for relief. In his relation of the proceedings, he always men- tioned the parties as "The Combined Powers". In 1836 Mr. John Welch, a wealthy Boston merchant, began making in- vestments and soon became the largest land holder in town. He built a commodious dwelling and outbuildings on the riv- er bank, near the saw mill and under his influence quite a village sprung up which yet keeps fresh his memory by its name Welchville. After the death of Mr. Welch, Mr. Geo. W. King, of Portland, came into the possession of many acres of lumber rights in the vicinity and the mill was kept busy by him for several years. Mr. John Harper, a prac- tical clothier, born in Scotland, concluding the water power adequate, erected a medium sized wooden mill for the man- ufacture of repellents and flannels and for more than thirty years successfully operated the same, first in his own name and later under the corporate name of "The Harper Man- ufacturing Co.". The mill was destroyed by fire Sept. 30, 1891 and has not been rebuilt, the water power however continues to be utilized. The Mousam Manufacturing Co. established itself here for the making of leatherboard, under the management of Mr. Emery Andrews ; after a few years he removed the machinery to Saccarappa and later to Ken- nebunk where a large business is permanently established.
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David Webber, a potter, came from New Hampshire in 1817 and built up an extensive business in earthen ware, especially in milk pans and bean pots, then indespensible in housekeeping, supplying the households for miles about. He was also a brickmaker as were his sons and successors. An excellant quality of clay is found in various places in town and others engaged in brickmaking, increasing this in- dustry to a degree of importance, and in 1832, the town choose an Inspector of bricks and brickmoulds. Other in- dustries should perhaps be mentioned under this head, for there appears to have been unusual activity among the in- habitants devising opportunities for bread winners in villa- ges. The Oxford Manufacturing Co. was incorporated by the Legislature in March, 1837, for the purpose of manu- facturing cotton, wool, iron and steel on their own land and privileges ; and to erect mills, dams, works, machines and dig such canals as may be necessary for carrying on these branches of trade; and may have and hold real and personal estate to an amount not exceeding $100,000. The corporators were Winthrop B. Norton, Jacob Tewksbury Samuel H. King, Dennis Hayes, John J. Perry and Charles Durell. I find no evidence of proceedings under this charter unless it be the building of the old brick mill, and the canal project never materialized.
The average wages in 1850, for mechanics, was $1.20 per day, board $1.50 per week, farm hand, 67 cents per day with board, 88 cents without board, or $II. per month and board. Female domestic, $1. per week.
Military.
The old fashioned military trainings were in their day a notable institution of the country ; every able bodied man between 18 and 45 had to train. First a May training and inspection, 2d a fall training and 3d the general muster.
These were holly days for the boys especially the musters. At trainings the company officers exercised their men in the manual of arms and company evolutions, the martial spirit being stimulated by frequent quaffs of New England rum sweetened with molasses, the officers "treat", carried around by the corporals in water pails and drank from new tin dippers. Every body went to "muster", the gorgeous up- parel of the field officers and uniformed companies and the intricacies of the regimental drill were not all the attractions of a "Brigade muster", the pail and dipper before mention-
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ed circulated freely, while baked beans, brown bread, hard gingerbread and cider supplied victuals, drink and some- times lodging. The clarion notes of the old copper bugles, with their martial accompaniments, military commands, shoutings of hawkers and exhorters, rivaled the commotion of a Donnybrook Fair. National troops have a uniform pre- scribed by law, but no special change in dress was required of the state militia and not infrequently, disapproval of the militia law was manifested by grotesque dress and equip- ments of militiamen. The state law permitted the organiza- tion of, so called, independant companies, regularly com- missioned and attached, which were allowed to have a name in addition to their regimental letter and to wear a uniform of their own choosing, the same being no expense to the state. There was more or less rivalry between these companies, not entirely for drill and discipline, for the plau- dits of the throng on the muster field were given to generous officers and handsome uniforms. In 1838 a company of a- bout fifty men was organized in this town with Luther Car- man, Captain, John J. Perry, Lieutenant and John G. Burns, Ensign. It was known as the "Oxford Light Infan- try" and was uniformed with white jackets and pants trim- med with black velvet, black velvet caps with waving os- trich plumes of the same color. The company continued in commission for about six years, Capt. Carman being suc- ceeded by Capts. Perry, in 1840, Burns, in 1842, Pingree, 1842, Morton, in 1843. Lieut. Perry was succeeded by Lieuts. Burns, Pingree, Morton and Brooks. Ens. Burns was succeeded by Luther F. Pingree, Elisha Morton, Chas. B. Brooks and Levi T. Boothby. This was company B Ist Regt. Ist Brig. 6th Div. Company A was also an Oxford company but was one of the "Slam Bangs" as ununiformed companies were called. The Madawaska war gave both companies the opportunity to show their courage and pat- riotism. A draft was ordered by lot, on a February Sun- day, the people were greatly excited and attended in mass, a pathetic scene as described but made ludicrous by subse- quent events. There appears to have been some informality in this draft for in April the whole regiment was ordered to Paris Hill to make another draft. Through snow and mud the embryo soldiers tramped to the rendezvous. Col. Orri- son Ripley was in command and a draft was made. The conscripts were granted a few days furlough to arrange
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their business before starting for the seat of war. The con- scripts were taken to Augusta by Capt. Welch on his big horse team, starting from Pike's tavern, previous to which such consolation as the bar afforded was given by the land- lord. After a few days in camp at Augusta the troops were discharged. The militia laws are changed and May train- ings and September musters are a dream.
Casualities.
Tradition has it that prior to the settlement of the town one Thompson attempting to cross the pond was drowned, but in so doing is immortalized in "Lake Thompson". Mr. Hogan realized a like distinction at less cost, for he is re- ported to have been crossing the pond, that bears his name, upon the ice, which giving way, he lost his horse and sled but saved his life. In the early days of the Academy, one of its students was drowned while bathing in Matthews pond and this event is said to have named the pond, but as this little sheet of water has had other names, the name of the unfortunate lad may not have been Matthew. Neither of the above names appear in the lists of early settlers al- though the widow Eunice Hogan is named, in 1786, as one of the heirs of John Tucker of New Gloucester.
The drowning accidents are not all traditional ; a nephew of Major Norton, a member of his family and a young man of much promise, while trying to save the Major's mill prop- erty, at the time of a great freshet, was thrown from the dam into the raging flood by his pike getting caught in the rapidly moving logs. His body was not found until the wa- ter subsided. Nathan Coy, an estimable citizen, while at- tempting the rescue of one of his children from the river, near his own house, June 22, 1849, was drowned. Wonder- ful to relate, the boy was rescued. Charley, the bright little six year old boy of Seth T. Holbrook, was drowned in the outlet, November, 1853. He was an only son and the whole town was moved in sympathy for the bereaved par- ents. A melancholy event happened on Friday June 9, 1871. S. E Verrill, physician, J. C. Barker, mill operative and Robert Edgecomb, barber, popular young men in the village, were sailing on Thompson Pond when their boat was capsized by a sudden squall and all were drowned. The accident was seen from the Otisfield shore but they were bu- ried in the waves before help could reach them.
The fascinations of boating, fishing, swimming and skat-
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ing offered by the numerous ponds and streams in the town have ever been the terror of Oxford mothers.
Husbandry has its perils, Peter Thayer, one of the early settlers, survived unscathed the hazards of the Revolution, to be instantly killed by a falling tree, February 2, 1788. The tree was felled by Eliab Richmond, a neighbor and friend and it is remarkable that Mr. R. was himself instant- killed, forty-three years later by falling from a load of hay. One other resident of the town, Thomas T. Small, was kill- ed by a falling tree aud Chancey Bonney was made help- less for life, his back broken by a like accident.
Disastrous fires have consumed much valuable property, the first mentioned being the spacious mansion of Hon. J. S. Keith, burned at night in 1834, supposed to have caught from a defective chimney. He rebuilt upon the same spot. In January 1836 the large machine shop of Capt. Luther Carman, west side of Main street, was entirely consumed in the night, the fire extending to the saw mill and crossing the stream set fire to the "Old Factory" which was then oc- cupied by two or three families. This was a great loss to the village, for a time nearly paralyzing business.
The Baptist meeting-house was burnt in the day time in February, 1845 and in 1852 a large wooden building on Main street, front of the present large mill, built by Dennis Hayes and occupied by Edward T. Cushman for a grocery and dry-goods store was burned with its contents in a night.
Golden dreams that gave the name "California" to the lower end of Oxford village, ended in smoke in a cold Nov- ember night in 1850, when the big cotton mill was laid low.
In 1854 the brick mill standing on the spot now occupied by what is called the "Old Brick Mill" was burned with all its machinery. A portion of the walls were left standing and incorporated into the new mill, built on its ruins.
In 1855 the dwelling house and stable of Seth T. Hol- brook, standing where Mr. Walker's house now stands, was burned in the night, being the second building burned on that very spot. In 1856, on a pleasant Sunday morning, the spacious mansion erected by Dr. Jacob Tewksbury and occupied by his son the Rev'd. George F., was burned. The fire was the result of negligence on the part of a serv- ant in not giving proper attention to some cottons that she hung upon the stove funnel to dry. Mr. Tewksbury rebuilt upon the same lot.
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The Robinson Manufacturing Co. met with a very se- vere loss by fire in 1867 and the Harper Mill was burned in 1891. Another notable fire was the burning of the home of Capt. Manson, historic as the mansion house of the "Crai- gie Farm".
Societies.
The first Lyceum or debating society organized in town was in 1827, in school district No. 6. The meetings were in the school house, usually well attended and the debates spirited and interesting. In 1837 a debating society was or- ganized in the 3d district, with Col. Samuel H. King, pres- ident and Seth T. Holbrook, secretary. It was first called the "Oxford Forensic Club" and was kept alive during the fall and winter seasons until the spring of 1849. The name however was changed in 1840 to "Independent Order of Oxford Bears". Readings from a paper called the "Village Budget", edited by Tim Jones junior, with locals by Tim- othy Smighter, Aaron Pownder, Nathan Thunder and oth- ers. The editors letter-box was nailed upon Durell's store near the entrance to Squire Perry's office, he being sus- pected of having intimate relations with the editor. Articles of literary merit were often contributed, but the Budget was expected to rather amuse than instruct, and as all commu- nications were anonymous, most were personal and some spiced with malice. The leading questions of the day were debated, religious, scientific, social and political ; but few news-papers were circulated in town, yet these were well di- gested and most of the members of the club sufficiently well informed to discuss with equanimity, save the occasions of a political turn in a discussion, made a red hot time. On one occasion the club, after protracted arguments pro and con, voted twenty to five, in favor of a resolution "that doc- tors and lawyers do more evil than good in the communi- ty". The decision was most likely on the arguments offer- ed rather than the abstract question, for the town has ever dealt more generously with its doctors and lawyers than with its ministers. During Mr. Chute's ministry a Beethovan Club was organized to supply church music. The club occasion- ally gave concerts in this and surrounding towns, cultivat- ing a taste for good music that has never been lost. While all of the organizors are entitled to much credit, more is due to Mr. William F. Chaffin for his refiined taste and consu- mate skill as the musical director. He with his brother Jos-
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eph and John J. Perry sang tenor ; Miss Diana Shaw, Mrs. J. J. Perry, Mrs. L. F. Pingree, Miss Maria Mussey and Miss Imogine Marr sang soprano ; Miss Frances Norton and Miss Harriet Marr sang alto and Messrs. S. H. Tewksbury, William Mussey, L. F. Pingree, Solon Rawson and Aaron Faunce sang bass. The instrumental part was furnished by Dr. Tewksbury's double bass viol, his son Jacob's violin and Capt. Carman's clarionet. All were lovers of music, meet- ing often for study and practice; and their spirited render- ing of those grand old anthems, "Coronation", "Putney", "Braintree" and others, stirred the hearts of listeners as if in reality, "The angel of the Lord came down, and glory shown around".
An excessive use of spirits was the occasion of much dis- tress among the early settlers, not very many had confirmed habits of intoxication, but rum and other liquors were an im- portant constituent in the stock of every general store ; dis- pensed to drink on the premises, at three cents a gill, as well as by quart or gallon ; the sales of some traders are said to have been a hogshead a week. It was considered as indis- pensable as tea or sugar in family supplies and used as a specific for every ailment, imaginary or real.
Temperance Societies were formed in this State as early as 1827 ; the Oxford County Society organizing at Paris in 1829, the members engaging to adopt a total abstinence in reference to the use of "ardent spirits as a drink". In Jan. 1833 the society voted that a committee of one or more gen- tlemen in every town in the county, be appointed to procure subscribers to the constitution. J. S. Keith and S. H. King were appointed for Oxford. At the second annual meeting of the Maine Temperance Society, held at Augusta, Feb. 1834, it was reported tbat a temperance society had been organized at Oxford with 125 members ; Dr. Jacob Tewks- bury being president and Giles Shurtleff , secretary. About the year 1842 the Washingtonion movement, beginning in a small way at Baltimore, spread like wildfire throughout the country. Exhorters were heard at every "crossroads" and almost everybody took the pledge ; all however did not keep it, but a marked improvement in the sentiment and habits of the community is easily traced to Washingtonionism.
Secret societies for mutual benefit and the cultivation of the cardinal virtues have supplanted most of the old social organizations in town and nearly all of those who were
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members have been added to the invisible hosts and in the place of some dear presence is but empty space, for death regards not the pleasing intercourse and improving joys of friendship.
Personal Notices.
HORACE BAKER came to Oxford in the spring of 1842, succeeding Joseph Chaffin, as a trader, in the Maj. Norton store, and occupying a dwelling house, near at hand, on Pleasant street. The store was of two stories, the front chamber being occupied by Esquire Keith for his law of- fice, the remainder of the building affording scant room for an always carefully selected stock from which to supply the needs of housekeeping. Mr. Chaffin was often employed as clerk before Mr. Baker's children were large enough to keep store, both however were early learned to lend a hand and one or the other were usually assisting their father when out of school. The clerical ability of his son Thomas was early recognized by the freeholders who made him Town Clerk about as soon as he came of age and retained him in office for 27 years. Increase of population and new meth- ods of doing business necessitated more room and the large store on Main street, opposite the head of Pleasant street, was built by him on the site of the first store in town, built by Abner Shaw. Mr. Baker died in 1870, Thomas continued the business until 1885 when he removed to Portland.
Mr. Baker was a conscientiously honest man, quietly and constantly attending to his own business and never interfer- ing with that of others. He was one of the few whigs in town and in politics, like all other matters, he was very steadfast but he had no time to quarrel with those of a dif- ferent faith and would never consent to be a candidate for public office.
REV. ISAAC CARLTON was called to the pastorate of the Congregationalist Church in the spring of 1839 , to suc- ceed Mr. Chute and moved into the one storied brick house, on the east side of Main street, this was built for a parsonage and recently occupied by Mr. Chute. About 1860 this estate came into the possession of Dr. Hersey who remodeled the buildings and grounds into his present picturesque homestead.
The two pastors were unlike in many ways; both were good men and carefully educated for the ministry. Mr. Carl- ton had less appearance of culture and refinement than Mr.
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Chute, who was a scholarly man of fine presence, tall and erect. As a public speaker his address was graceful, his argument logical and convincing ; the choir had his cordial support and his meetings were well attended. Mr. Carlton was of medium size, modest and somewhat reserved but not lacking in tact. He made no attempt for oratorical effect, but prepared and delivered his discourses, which were in- variably orthodox, for the purposes of instruction rather than entertainment. The "great revival" occurred early in his administration, for ten weeks, meetings were held day and evening, and a large number were added to the church. Mr. Carlton never received a living salary, although never a robust man, he contributed largely to the support of his family by industrious labor on his farm. The Washington- ion and other movements for the promotion of temperance and sobriety had his hearty indorsement, his good works a vindication of his faith. Several years before his death his health failed and he uncomplainingly awaited the inevitable, which occured on the fifth day of January, 1858.
CAPT. LUTHER CARMAN was a townsman born; he was commissioned Lieutenant of Co. A militia, in 1826 and Captain of the same company six years later. He was the first Captain of the Oxford Light Infantry, serving about two years. He was the most ingenious mechanic that ever lived in these parts ; there was scarcely any kind of mech- anism that he did not understand. A horse power thrash- ing machine, invented and patented by him proved a great success ; they were manufactured and sold at his shop for many seasons. He made an engine to be worked by hand power, which placed upon the grist mill floom near the bridge, was expected to be efficient in carrying a contin- uous stream of water to the top of the adjacent buildings. The marvelous thing about this machine was that it could draw and discharge water at the same time. The experi- mental trials attracted all the villagers and the men on the brakes were in honor. Memory may be in fault but the writer does not recall the machine in practical use. He had a passion for music and in an amateur way, made musical instruments, a very good organ and a respectable piano- forte being among the number. He was reported to have invented a perpetual motion, which was never perfected by reason of the loss of his working model, when his shop was
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burned in the winter of 1846, the night after the first trial of it in the presence of a few confidential friends. The Cap- tain was a public spirited citizen, a kind hearted neighbor and a good jovial fellow. Soon after being burned out a second time he removed to Bridgton, where died in 1874.
CHARLES DURELL was born in Newton, Mass. Jan'y. 5, 1797. His youth was spent in Paris; he lived for a few years in Boston and Portland ; from the later place he re- moved to Oxford in 1835, occupying the house that his wife's brother, Alonzo King , had built for himself, and en- gaging in trade in the store, corner of King and Main Sts.
He accepted the appointment of Post Master in 1844, suc- ceeding Esquire Keith, who kept the office in Baker's store with Mr. Chaffin as his deputy. The office was more of re- sponsibility and care than of profit, the salary being based upon the income and amounting, the previous year, to only $44.68. Grover Waterhouse's tri-weekly stage brought the mail, and the noise and sight of the brilliantly painted coach, drawn by four or six horses, on the road between Paris Hill and Portland, often loaded inside and out with jovial passengers, was always attractive. The postal rates were, at the time, on a single letter composed of one piece of paper, for a distance not exceeding thirty miles, six cents, with increasing rates, according to distance, to twen- ty-five cents for over four hundred miles. If the letter weighed one ounce, a quadruple postage was charged, and proportionately for increased weight. Postage could be pre- paid or collected on delivery. Post Masters were required to make a record of all letters ; their own mail was free.
Mr. Durell continued to serve as Post Master as long as he lived and was succeeded in store and office by his only son, Charles Franklin. His store was several times enlarg- ed to accommodate his growing trade and the products of his land evinced his skill in horticulture. He rejoiced in the wife of his youth and his heart trusted in her. "She looked well to the ways of her household and eat not the bread of idleness ; her children rise up and call her bless- ed". He was neither grasping for money nor ambitious for fame, nor had he any special love for official life, although he cheerfully gave his time to various town offices and in state legislature. He was faithful and capable iu the dis- charge of every duty, loving his family, true to his friends
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