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 11
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and charitable to all. An opinion once formed was seldom reversed, and every act of life seemed to be carefully weigh- ed, every word measured, and a more unassuming person is seldom met. He died November 8, 1875.
DENNIS HAYES was born in Barrington, N. H., Jan- uary 6, 1795 and came with his parents to Poland in the year 1800. He married November 29, 1821, Mary Johnson of Poland and had settlement in that town until about 1830, when he removed to Harrison, where his wife died. In 1835 he married Hannah Keith, widow of Cyrus Shaw, and re- moved to Craigies Mills, where in the home of his wife his children received a mothers care. While his wife did not relinquish her title in her late husband's estate, Mr. Hayes was given the management and at once commenced making improvements. He enlarged the dwelling house built by Mr. Shaw, making it convenient for two families. There was a large stable for horses, adjacent, and travelers con- tinued to be as hospitably entertained as heretofore. A bell tower was added to the meeting house and it was otherwise made attractive and kept in good repair. He built a family tomb on the lot opposite the residence of Esquire Keith, but I think it was never occupied. This lot was a part of Mr. Shaw's purchase and with his consent was the Burying- ground of many of the early settlers. They had no title to the land and after the meeting-house lot on King street had been accepted, some of the bodies were removed, the land was devoted to agriculture and nothing marks the resting place of forms that come not at an earthly call. He bought the old grist mill and replaced it with a substantial brick build- ing, supplanting the small deal flume with a large one of granite and furnished the mill with approved machinery for grinding. He employed Mr. Frost, an experienced miller to manage the mill, and rented him a part of his domicile. In 1839 he built the brick factory and later a large wooden building, on the adjoining lot, for a store for Mr. Cushman. His was the moving spirit in the enterprise that resulted in the building of the cotton factory in 1846 and in re- cognition of his service, the corporation was named "The Hayesville Cotton Manufacturing Company". He served in town offices, was a Justice of the Peace and an en- terprising and public spirited citizen.
He died July 29, 1859.
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HON. JAIRUS SHAW KEITH was born in Bridgewater, Mass. August 20, 1793 ; only son of Edward and Betty (Shaw) (King) Keith, settled at Paris Hill March, 1801. Jairus was fifth in descent from Rev. James, the first min- ister of Bridgewater ; he fitted for college at Bridgton Aca- demy and was graduated at Brown in the class of 1819. This was before the days of rapid transportation, as much time was then required to go to Providence, as is now to cross the continent. It was the custom of Mr. Keith to make the journey on horse back, buying a horse in Paris and selling him in Providence. He read law two years with Enoch Lin- coln at Paris, and one year each, in the offices of Simon Greenleaf and Fessenden & Deblois in Portland. He was admitted to the bar in 1823 and engaged in practice at Crai- gies Mills, where he won an excellent reputation as a faithful attorney and a judicious counsellor. His services were in almost constant demand in town offices; he was fourteen years Post Master and two years Senator in the state legis- lature. He was a born horticulturist loved to till the soil and his garden was always a picture lesson for his neighbors.
He was an exemplary member of the Congregationalist Church, his influence was ever on the side of virtue and religion and his time was freely given in parish work, ac- ceptably filling the offices of Treasurer, Superintendent of the Sunday-school and Deacon. His wife, born in South Berwick, was Mary C., daughter of Maj. Winthrop B. Norton, a lady of fine culture and most engaging man- ners. They were married Nov. 20, 1826, by Rev. Edward Payson, and it is reported to have been the last marriage solemnized by that eminent divine. Esquire Keith died on the sixth day of April, 1849, the funeral services were con- ducted by his very dear friend, Rev. George F. Tewks- bury, who delivered an eloquent tribute to his worth, which was published in the Maine Evangelist of May 24 th.
COL. SAMUEL HALL KING was born in Paris, Febru- ary 4, 1799, eldest child of Capt. Samuel and Sally (Hall ) King. He was seventh in line of descent from John King, seaman and planter, who was settled before 1640 at a place yet known as "Kings Cove", in the town of Weymouth, Mass. His father, born in Raynham, came with his uncle Jairus Shaw, to Paris in 1793 ; married in 1798 Sally, dau. of Jonathan and Lydia (Haven) Hall and settled on the
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Asa Barrows farm, on the road northerly of the "Singe- pole". In the school of necessity their children acquired habits of industry and economy; the father was a house- wright as well as a husbandman and his sons, under his di- rection, obtained a practical knowledge of both; the mother was a godly woman, guiding her children in paths of virtue and beneficience, Samuel H. received such schooling as the district afforded, also for a time attending the Academy at Hebron, and was himself a teacher of several winter ses- sions of schools in his own and other districts. He took a lively interest in the state militia, was commissioned to be Ensign of the south company of Paris, by Gov. Brooks of Mass., before his arrival at majority. Promotion was rap- id, he was appointed Lieut. by Gov. King, in 1820; Capt. in 1822, Major in 1825 and Lieut. Col. in 1826, by Gov. Paris, and in 1827, he was elected Colonel of the Ist, Reg. Ist, Brig. óth, Division, and received his commission from Gov. Lincoln, to take rank from the thirtieth day of June. He was honorably discharged April 22, 1833.
The date of his coming to Craigies Mills is uncertain, probably in 1822 or '3 and perhaps, primarily, to teach the school. The Shaws were his next door neighbors in Paris, and the wife of Cyrus was his father's half sister and may have influenced his coming. His brother Alonzo was associ- ated with him in business, taught the winter schools, and had a prominent place in the management of town affairs during his stay. At first the brothers occupied the "Old Factory" for a mill, store and dwelling, their sister Sarah, (since Mrs. Durell,) being housekeeper; she also taught the school. There are circumstances suggesting the occu- pation of this building by purchase, but I find no convey- ance upon record until 1829, when to correct an error in the discription, the Craigie heirs conveyed to the Kings, land, and one third of the water privilege, but the use of the lat- ter was limited to carding wool, manufacturing cloth and the clothing business. In 1825 Maj. King bought a house lot, one half acre, of Andrew Foster, et alii, and the same year increased his purchase to two and one quarter acres, having a frontage of twenty rods on the county road. Rear land was subsequently added and failing to convince the town of the necessity of a thoroughfare across this land to the bridge near Capt. Woodward's mill, he laid out and built the road himself. It was accepted as a public way, by the town, in 1833 and is since known as King Street.
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Before the street was accepted, he built the store on the corner opposite his dwelling-house, removed his stock in trade from the factory and continued in business there until succeeded by Mr. Durell. The country store, in those days, was on the department plan, the trader being expected to have in stock about everything that could not be raised or manufactured in town. Very little money changed hands in the daily transactions, for the business was mostly barter or credit, and if a farmer's wife brought a box of butter or a basket of eggs to exchange for West India or English goods, she must first find some person to open the store, for the proprietor was usually a farmer or a mechanic and oft- en both, as was Mr. King, and was not expected to keep his shop constantly open, even during business hours.
It has been suggested, since the preceeding pages were in print, that Daniel Smith, prior to his settlement on Fore street, occupied the Durell house and had a small shoemak- ers shop on the same lot, before its occupation by Alonzo King. After Mr. K, removed to Paris. Dr. Tewksbury lived in it while his house on Pleasant street was in process of construction. The Oxford Registry shows Col. King to have been quite an operator in real estate, his largest pur- chase being the balance of the Craigie estate, in 1832, in connection with Jacob D. Brown. His interest in this trans- action was evidently closed out within a year, reserving for himself however, a large tract of what, was then, most- ly wild land , but is now within the village limits. From it he at once commenced to remove the merchantable lumber and fit the land for tillage, and continuing to cultivate the same during his residence in this town. He was a member of the board of Selectmen of Hebron, had an active part in the arrangements for the division of the town and was the Chairman of the first board of Selectmen of Oxford.
His father was a democrat and without doubt his early sympathies were with that party, but his experience in the factory convinced him of the inability of home manufactur- ers to successfully compete with foreign, without the aid of a protective tariff ; he therefore joined the whigs on this proposition, although it was never the popular party in Ox- ford ; nevertheless, he lived to see in power, in town, state and nation, a political party in accord with the principles he advocated.
During the "great revival" he joined the Congregation-
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alist church, being baptised by immersion. He was one of the largest subscribers to the fund for the new meeting- house, his offer of land for the house and cemetery was ac- cepted and in partnership with Capt. Mixer, made the plans and done the carpentry of the building. In February, 1845, he rented his homestead to George W. Thomas and moved to Portland ; all of his estate in Oxford was gradually dis- posed of. His purpose in making this change, was to give his whole time to his trade, in partnership with his brother Jairus, an ingenious housewright, who had removed from Paris for this purpose. Soon after his arrival in Portland he had an offer of partnership in the country produce and gro- cery business, that seemed to promise better, and was ac- cepted. The partnership was not long continued ; Mr. King succeeded to the business, built for himself a store and a dwelling-house on Green street, nearly opposite the old store and here spent the remainder of his days.
Samuel H. and Eliza King were received as members of the Free Street Baptist Church, May 30, 1852 and there- after done their part to sustain its doctrines and encourage its ministry. When the meeting-house was reconstructed in 1856, Mr. King was the chairman of the building commit- tee and its executive.
Personally, Col. King was a man of commanding pres- ence, erect and dignified ; of positive convictions and fear- less in expression. His habits of industry were remarkable and were usually employed with good judgement, empha- sizing the maxim, "whatever is worth doing, is worth doing well", and whether in command of his regiment on the Par- is muster-field, or superintending his business at home, he always exhibited a large amount of physical and mental vi- tality. He died in Portland, May 6, 1864.
His wife was Eliza, daughter of Gilbert and Silence (Cole) Shaw of Paris, a woman of strong character and affectionate disposition, a model wife and mother, having the love and regard of all who knew her. She died after years of suffering, borne with christian fortitude, June 22, 1875, and was buried by the side of her husband in Evergreen Cemetery.
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MAJ. WINTHROP BURNHAM NORTON acquired his title by service in the militia, attaining the rank of Brigade Quarter Master in 1811. He acquired, by purchase, of the Craigie heirs and others, a valuable property in and about Craigies Mills and was reputed wealthy. He commenc- ed to buy real estate in Hebron in the summer of 1825, probably influenced by the expectation that his daughter Mary was soon to make it her home, but probably he did not actually change his residence until later. The Portland Directory, of 1826, locates Winthrop B. Norton & Son, (Nathaniel,) grocers, opposite the new market house; res- idence, west corner of Congress and Elm streets. This house had been occupied by Dr. Aaron Kinsman and was purchased of his executor, by Mr. Norton, in 1821, and sold by him to Capt. Asa Clapp in 1833.
Maj. Norton was a trader in South Berwick before his settlement in Portland and he continued in the same line after coming to Craigies Mills, in a store erected under his supervision, adjoining his dwelling-house. His house, cor- ner of Main and Pleasant streets, was the best in town, at the time of his occupancy. It was designed for a hotel, af- ter plans furnished by Dr. Craigie and was considered a very attractive house. George Holbrook, Flavil Bartlett and Thomas Clark are mentioned as landlords and there were probably others; Mr. Clark was chosen Register of Deeds and removed to Paris. The saw and grist mills were included in Mr. Nortons holdings, the latter he gave into the keeping of Edmund Rand, who was not only the miller, but "man of all work" in the Major's household. "Ned" was a jolly, fun loving fellow, who liked every body and every body liked him ; "he never striked his toll dish with the back of his hand up". Maj. Norton was a thorough business man, energetic and industrious himself, he was ready and willing to help those who tried to help them- selves, but he had no mercy for evil workers, idlers and loafers. He was orthodox in religious life, a strict sabbata- rian, in his household all secular labor was suspended with the going down of the Saturday sun, and not resumed until the earth had completed one entire revolution.
He was for some time afflicted with a slow paralysis which terminated fatally on the 21st day July, 1844, in his 77th year. No man ever lived in Oxford more deservedly respected.
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REV. DAN PERRY, son of Jasiel and Betsey (Hicks) Perry, was born in Rehoboth, Mass. August 5th , 1779. In 1802 he joined the New England Conference and was as- signed to a circuit extending from the Penobscot River to the Green Mountains. In 1812, his health having become somewhat impaired, he settled upon one of the lots, in He- bron, bought by his father-in-law, John Caldwell, of Alex- ander Shepard in 1787. He supported himself and family by tillage until 1834, when he was readmited to the Con- ference and continued in the list of actives until 1848, when his name was entered upon the roll of superannuates. This relation he sustained until released by death, December 16, 1864. During his residence in Hebron he often preached and conducted devotional meetings, and officiated at nearly all of the weddings and funerals in the neighborhood.
He took an active interest in politics, was the first to re- present the new town of Oxford in the Legislature and was again elected in 1833. He was the first town clerk, serving six years, a large portion of the time serving as treasurer also. His declining years were spent in Oxford village, re- sidence next to that of his son John.
HON. JOHN JASIEL PERRY, son of Rev. Dan, was born in Portsmouth, N. H., August 2d, 18II. He obtained his education in the town schools and at the Kent's Hill Semin- ary, working five hours a day, on the seminary farm, for his board. After leaving school, he helped his father on the farm summers, taught school winters and, for a time, was engaged in mercantile prusuits. In 1844 he was admitted to the Bar at Paris, and immediately opened an office in Ox- ford, where for over thirty years he had a large clientage.
He removed to Portland in 1875, where he continued in the practice of his profession until his death, May 2, 1897. Mr. Perry was much in public life, a very active Democrat until the formation of the Republican party, which he helped to organize, and afterwards gave his support. For twelve years he was the political editor of the Oxford Democrat ; he had an appointment on the Staff of Gov. Fairfield, was Captain of the Light Infantry, and for seven years Major- General in the Militia. He represented the town in the Leg- islature, for four terms, and the county in the Senate, two terms. He was Clerk of the House in 1854, a member of the Executive Council in 1866 and '67, a member of the 34th and 36th Congress, and a Trustee of the State Reform
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School from 1886. In early life he united with the Method- ist Church and for a half century was a teacher in the Sun- day School; also contributing liberally to the support of the ministry, and serving in nearly all of the various offices in- cumbent upon laymen.
DEA. CYRUS SHAW, son of Abner and Abigail (Eaton) Shaw, bought his homestead lot, (corner of Pleasant and Main streets,) in 1816; a previous purchase is however mentioned in Mr. Whitney's note book, of II0 acres on the easterly bank of "Craigies Mill Pond", between Stephen Perry's land and the Richardson lot, on the county road to Poland. Mr. Shaw was born March 25, 1790; his parents born in Middleborough, lived there and in Mansfield, and came to Paris in 1792, locating on the Hebron road, north slope of the Singe Pole. Abner Shaw, housewright, an el- der brother of Cyrus, came to Craigies Mills about 1812 from Otisfield. He built a small store opposite the head of Pleasant street and engaged in trade, being the pioneer trad- er at the Mills. Cyrus bought him out, but he continued to reside in the village, working at his trade and in the saw- mill, until his death, October 16, 1858.
Cyrus was also a housewright and built several buildings in this place ; he was small in stature, possessed of wonder- ful vitality, energy and perseverance ; "as a live go ahead business man he had few equals." He was a Justice of the Peace, Post Master, Deacon of the Baptist Church, on the inside of almost every venture started to promote the pros- perity of the village. His wife a woman of superior ability, like himself, a worker, their business prospered and their influence in the community was almost commanding. After building what is now known as the "Lake House", he open- ed it as a hotel, occupying the east corner for a store, into which he moved his goods from the little shop across the way, and thereafter conducted a large trade. It seems re- markable that there should have been a use for so many ho- tels in this little community, but at this time all transporta- tion was on the common roads and one of the great thor- oughfares to Portland, even from as far into the country as the Green Mountains, was through this town. In the winter especially there was frequently an almost continuous line of teams, transporting products of the farm to a market for ex-
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change in English and West India goods. The producers were generally their own carriers, and they were accustom- ed to take from their homes a sufficiency, for the journey , of food for themselves and provender for their horses, so that all that they usually paid the tavern keeper was for lodging, stabling and "grog", the last being frequently the largest item in the bill. and the one paying the most profit to the landlord. Dea. Shaw did not spare himself and is said to have died of overwork, January 12, 1833, leaving an estate valued at about forty thousand dollars.
His life demonstrates the opportunities of a New England town to the industrious and frugal.
DR. JACOB TEWKSBURY was born in West Newbury, May 27, 1782, son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Merrill) Tewksbury. He studied for his degree with Drs. Brickett and Chase of Newburyport, and in 1802 he was authorized to practice by the Massachusetts Medical Society. In re- sponse to an invitation from the inhabitants of Hebron, he commenced the practice of his profession here, locating in that part of the town (180) now East Oxford. He pursued his business under many difficulties, his patients were scat- tered and professionel visits required long journeys, on in- different roads, by night as well as by day. For fifteen years he traveled on horseback and then transferred his saddle-bags to a gig. In his day the country doctor had to compound as well as prescribe remedies, and fresh in the memory of the writer are his periodic visits to his labora- tory, a den of horrors, for "a ninepence worth of paregor- ic", that pristine panacea, and the good old doctor's always hearty greeting, "Well ! Lafayette how's all the folks." He is said to have suggested my name, but a doctor's advise must always be modified to satisfaction of friends of the pa- tient. He was one of the founders of the Maine Medical Society, educated many students for the profession, and was esteemed as a well read and very skillful practitioner in medicine and surgery. About 1834 or '5 he built a fine mansion at Craiges Mills (62), into which he removed at completion ; occupying for a short time the Durell house so as to be at hand to give his new house personal supervision during its construction. Calls for his service continually in- creased and he was able to respond until near the time of his death, which occurred February 27, 1848.
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His was a hearty, robust nature, interested in everything about him ; he was a generous contributor to all public im- provements, his name is among the foremost subscribers to the fund for building the meeting-houses at South Paris and at Oxford. He was Representative in the Legislature, one of the Trustees of Hebron Academy, Postmaster at E. Ox- ford, Master of Oxford Lodge of Freemasons, President of the first temperance society organized in town and by no means the least of his accomplishments was the melodious manipulation of his double bass viol in the village choir.
His wife, with whom he was married November 25, 1809, was a women of rare intelligence and christian virtue. She was Charlotte, daughter of Nathan and Jerusha (Chapin) Nelson of Paris, born June 7, 1791, died Mar. 29, 1869.
Their children were : George Franklin, b. Feb. 14, 18II. Jacob Merrill, b. Feb. 7, 1814.
Samuel Henry, b. Mar. 22, 1819.
REV. GEORGE F. TEWKSBURY prepared for college at Hebron Academy, was graduated at Bowdoin in 1833, and after the prescribed course of study at the Theological Sem- inary at Andover, was graduated in 1837.
He was ordained Jan. 31, 1838 at Albany Me. where he had a successful pastorate for nearly fifteen years. He was acting pastor of the church in Oxford for five years and its steadfast friend during his life. He served the churches at Benton, Fairfield, West Minot, Mechanic Falls, Naples, Casco, North Bridgton, as a supply ; was six years pastor of the church in Gorham N. H. and eight years pas- tor of the church in Lyman. After a residence of two or three years in Cambridgeport Mass., he returned to Ox- ford in 1887, where he died of apoplexy, Jan. 28, 1890.
He was an accomplished gentleman, a graceful speaker, and had the satisfaction of receiving many into the church by profession. He was united in marriage, May 24, 1838, with Miss Sarah Ann Cutter of Yarmouth, an amiable and elegant lady who died on the 15th day of November, 1885. Five children were born to them; a son, Rev. George A. Tewksbury, pastor of a church in Concord Mass., and four daughters, three of whom are now living.
Mr. Tewksbury had for a second wife, Mrs. Sarah Lit- tlefield of Lyman, with whom he was united in marriage April 21, 1877.
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DR. JACOB M. TEWKSBURY studied medicine with his father and attended a regular course of lectures in the med- ical department of Bowdoin College where he was graduat- ed in 1836. He practiced for a few years in both Oxford and Wiscasset, and then removed to Buenos Ayres, S. A., where he was in practice until the "California Fever" induced an- other change of residence. On the 27th day of September, 1849, he arrived in San Francisco, then a hamlet consisting of a dozen buildings, bnilt of adobe and wood, and possibly a hundred tents. Here he lived to witness the growth of a great city, and to acquire wealth and fame.
He married in Buenos Ayres, August 31, 1848, Emilia, dau. of Richard Sutton, a former resident of Portland Me. and grandaughter of Gen. Sucio Mancilla, a man of promi- nence in that country. Two children were born to them ; a son Sucio Maimatus, born at sea, June 14, 1849, died Oct. 26, 1885, and a daughter, Eneima Emilia. Dr. J. M. died Feb. 4, 1877; his widow, daughter and four grand- children were living in 1899.
DR. SAMUEL H. TEWKSBURY, followed the example of his brother J. M. and was graduated at Brunswick in 1841. He attended a course of lectures at Harvard College the following winter and subsequently prosecuted his stud- ies at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. He commenced practice at Frankfort Me. but was soon after married and returned to Oxford to be coadjutor with his father. Two years after the death of his father he removed to Portland, where he very soon acquired a prom- inent place in the profession, especially in surgery by the successful performance of several operations never before attempted. In 1866 he was elected President of the Maine Medical Society and in his address called special attention to the need of better accommodations for the care of those afflicted with disease, and largely through his influence was established that noblest of state charities, The Maine Gen- eral Hospital ; he was the first surgeon appointed for duty after it was opened.
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