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 3
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'John, b. Sept. 2, 1750; with the Newton men who re- sponded to the Lexington alarm.
2 Elizabeth, b. Jan. 31, 1755, d. young.
3Thomas Jackson, b. May 17, 1757, adopted by Mr. S.
4Elizabeth, b. Feb. 17, 1760, m. Capen.
The father died in 1763, aged 39.
JOHN GREENWOOD, ( John+, Thomas3, John2, Thomas', ) the first settler of Hebron, and one of its most honored citizens. His wife was Lucy, daughter of Isaac and Ruth ( Bullard ) Whittemore, born in Weston Mass., July 20, 1756, and died at Hebron, March 6, 1843. Mr. Greenwood died April 6, 1807, and was buried near his mother in the field near the homestead, where many dear friends and neighbors likewise found rest. Their children were :-
Alexander, b. Aug. 8, 1775, m. Polly Brown, May 23 1798. In connection with farming he was a land sur- veyor and lotted several townships. Greenwood was named for him. He was Representative four terms, and a member of the Constitutional Convention. He removed to Monson in 1822, where he was killed by the falling of a tree in 1827.
2 Borredell, b. Aug. 19, 1777, d. next year.
3John, b. Oct. 24, 1780, m. Marsena Shaw of Paris Sep. 25, 1800. She d. May 4, 1833, he d. Aug. 25, 1844.
4Borredell, b. Dec. 8, 1783, m. Alvin Turner of Hebron, March 21, 1805.
5 Elizabeth, b.Oct. 6, 1785, m. John Bridgham 3d of Mi- not, July 4, 1804.
6Lucy, b. Sept. 17, 1799, m. Doctor Philip Bradford of Turner January 18, 1816.
7 Anna, b. March 30, 1791, m. Samuel Larrabee of Paris February 22, 1818.
8Thomas Jackson, b. April 7, 1794, m. Ist Martha Ful- ler March 19, 1818, she d. Feb. 28, 1823. He m. 2d Eliza S. Turner May 8, 1825. Both were of Hebron.
9Simon, b. Dec. 24, 1796, m. Rebecca Records of Hebron, October 18, 1818.
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1ºVerres, b. May 8, 1800, m. Sally M. Willis of Hebron Feb. 5, '24. He d. Feb. I, '26, she d. May 10, 1827.
The records of Shepardsfield plantation are not in the office of the town clerk of Hebron, and he has no informa- tion in regard to them. In the oldest book in his possession there are the records of the proceedings of a meeting of the freeholders and others, immediatly preceeding the records of the first town meeting of Hebron, after its incorporation, and are essentially as follows :-
To the Assessors of the plantation of Shepardsfield :
We the subscribers, being ten of the inhabitants of the said plantation, request you to call a meeting of the free- holders and other inhabitants of the said plantation, on Wednesday the twenty-eighth day of December current, at the dwelling house of John Greenwood, at nine o'clock A. M. for the following purposes, viz :
First. 'To chose a Moderator.
Second. To see if the inhabitants are of opinion to peti- tion the General Court for an incorporation, also to see if they will agree to petition the General Court to have their taxes abated, and to act on any other business they may think proper at said meeting.
REUBEN PACKARD. STEPHEN GURNEY.
CALEB CUSHMAN. ZACKEUS ROWE.
JOSIAH CHURCHILL. THADDEUS PRATT.
EBEN'R DRAKE. ICHABOD PACKART.
JOHN BICKNELL. THOMAS CARMAN.
Shepardsfield December 19, 1791. 0 O 0
0 0
Agreeably to the foregoing request, the freeholders and other inhabitants of the plantation of Shepardsfield are warned to meet at the time and place, and for the purposes before mentioned.
JOHN GREENWOOD. JAMES DONHAM. Assessors of Shepardsfield.
DANIEL BULLEN.
Shepardsfield December 20, 1791.
December, 28, 1791. Met and made choice of John Greenwood for Moderator. Voted that the whole grant be incorporated, if any part. Voted to be incorporated.
Voted to send a petition for the abatement of taxes.
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Voted that a petition be drafted and laid before the plan- tation, and that John Greenwood, Samuel Parris, William Barrows, Samuel Robinson, and James Donham, be the committee to draft the petition.
Voted that the districts for schools continue as they are, which is as follows :-
First district, all on the south of Matthews Pond and in- Jet as low as Abraham Dean's.
Second district, from that, all on the west of the middle branch as high as William Steadman's lot.
Third district, from that, all on the west of said branch up as high as Stephen Washburn's lot.
Fourth district, all east of said branch as far as John Greenwood's and to the bridge near Isaac Cushman's.
Fifth district, all to the east of Bogg Brook.
Sixth district, all to the northerly of John Greenwood's.
Voted that Nathaniel Fuller, Gideon Bearce, Joseph Bar- rows, Samuel Whittemore, Caleb Cushman, and Jesse Ful- ler be a committee to take the bills of the school money.
Voted that the meeting be adjourned to this day a fort- night at 9 o'clock.
January II, 1792.
Met according to adjournment, the petition prepared by the committee was read and approved, and it was voted that Messrs. Asa Bearce, Adam Turner, and Bezaleel Mirick be the committee to forward the petition.
Voted that the name of the town be COLUMBIA.
"God made the country, and man made the town, What wonder, then, that health and virtue-gifts That can alone make sweet the bitter draught That life holds out to all-should most abound."
CHAPTER II.
HEBRON.
The Shepardsfield petitioners were successful in part, the plantation was incorporated HEBRON, the 78th town, March 6, 1792, but no reason appears for not complying with their request to name the town COLUMBIA; perhaps the General Court had in view the making a modern "city of refuge". No action appears to have been taken in the matter of abatement of taxes, but evidently this was not their first appeal, for at a session of the General Court, February 7, 1791, the plantation was in arrears for tax NO. 5, LI23, Igs. on tax NO. 6, E25, 16s. on tax NO. 7, £12, Igs. 6d. on tax No. 8, £IO, Is. Iod., and upon the petition of the inhabitants, it was resolved, that they may discharge themselves of the debt in the following manner, viz :
By applying the sums in tax 5 and 7 to the support of a "Teacher of piety, religion and morality"; a school or schools, and making and repairing roads, in such propor- tions as the inhabitants at a meeting for that purpose shall judge most conducive to their general good. Also by pay- ing into the Treasury of the Commonwealth the sums set in 6 and 8 on or before the first day of January next.
The contention about taxes was finally settled in Gener- al Court February 26, 1793, by resolve upon petition of the Selecmen of Hebron, that the sum set in tax Nos. 6, 8 and 9, amounting to £46, 19s. IId. be abated; Provided the same be applied to the purpose of maintaining the public schools in said town within one year from the first day of April next, in such way and manner as the town shall think best.
ACT OF INCORPORATION.
AN ACT to incorporate the plantation called SHEPARDS- FIELD, in the county of Cumberland, into a town by the
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name of HEBRON.
WHEREAS application has been made to this Court by a number of the inhabitants of the Plantation called SHEP- ARDSFIELD in the County of Cumberland, to have said Plantation with the inhabitants thereon incorporated into a town, and the same being considered of Public utility,
Be it enacted, by the Senate and House of Representa- tives in General Court Assembled and by the authority of the same, that the plantation called Shepardsfield in the County of Cumberland, bounded as follows, viz :
Begining at a stake and stones near Thompson's Pond, so called, seven miles and a quarter northwest from a beach tree, in the head line of New Gloucester, which tree is four miles northeast from the most westerly corner of said New Gloucester, and from said stake and stones north for- ty five degrees east twelve miles to a white pine tree, thence north twenty degrees east three hundred and fifty poles to a stake and stones, thence north seventy degrees west four miles and a half to a beach tree, thence south fourteen degrees east seven hundred and thirty six poles to to a pine tree, thence south sixty eight degrees and a half west five miles, thence north fourteen degrees west two miles, thence south fifty four degrees west twelve hundred and sixteen poles to a hemlock tree, thence south twenty five degrees east seven miles and a half and twenty poles to the stake and stones first mentioned, together with the inhabitants thereon be and hereby are incorporated into a town by the name of HEBRON, and vested with all the powers, privileges and immunities which towns in this Com- monwealth do or may by Law enjoy.
And be it further enacted that William Widgery Esqr. be and hereby is impowered to make out a warrant, direct- ed to some principal inhabitant of said town to notify the inhabitants thereof qualified by law to vote in Town affairs to assemble and meet at some suitable time and place in said town to choose all such Town Officers as towns are required by law to choose in the month of March or April, annually. March 6, 1792.
At the May session 1804, the bounds described in the above act were reported "vague and ancertain", and for a remedy, so much of the act as relates to boundary lines was repealed, and bounds were established as follows, viz :
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Annals of Oxford.
Begining at the most south westerly corner of the town of Turner, from thence north twenty six degrees east on the westerly line of said Turner to the corner between the town's of Hebron and Buckfield, which was made by John Jordan in the year 1785, from thence north seventy degrees west on the line run by said Jordan for the southerly line of Buckfield, about five miles and one half to the easterly side line of the town of Paris, from thence south fourteen degrees east in said side line to the south east corner of Paris, thence south sixty eight degrees west, in the south- erly end line of said town to the south west corner thereof, thence north fourteen degrees west on the westerly side line of said town two miles to a stake, thence south forty four degrees west on the foot line of Norway to the easter- ly line of the town of Otisfield ( commonly called the Par- ker line,) thence south twenty five degrees east in said Parker line about seven miles and one half to the northerly side line of the town of Poland, thence north east on the head lines of Poland and Minot which was run by Amos Davis to the north east corner of said Minot, thence south easterly about one hundred and fifty rods to the first bounds.
Approved June 21, 1804.
FIRST TOWN MEETING.
Pursuant to a warrant of William Widgery Esq., one of the Justices of the Peace for Cumberland county, dated March 15, 1792 to John Greenwood, the freeholders, and other inhabitants of the town of Hebron qualified by law to vote in town affairs, assembled at the dwelling house of Mr. Asa Bearce, on Monday the 2d day of April 1792 and made choice of Daniel Bucknam for Moderator, and John Greenwood, for Town Clerk. Other officers were elected as follows :-
James Donham,
John Greenwood, Selectmen and Assessors
Holmes Thomas,
Asa Bearce, Town Treasurer.
John Bicknell, Constable and Collector.
Robert Snell, Samuel Craft, Morris Bumpas, Nathan Dudley, Isaac Wh'ttemore, Mellatiah Cobb, and Daniel Bartlett, Surveyors of Highways.
John Washburn, John Caldwell, and Gideon Cushman, Tythingmen,
Reuben Packard, and Eliab Ricnmona, Wardens
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Votes for State Officers were cast as follows :- For Governor,
His Excellency, John Hancock Esq., had 48 votes. For Lieutenant Governor,
His Honor, Samuel Adams, had 41 votes.
For Senator, William Widgery Esq. had 40 votes. It was voted that in future the Constable warn town meet- ings by posting notifications in three different places in town, at least eight days prior to the time of holding said meeting.
On the same date of the passage of the act of incorpora- tion of Hebron, the General Court in response to represen- tations that the inhabitants of the District of Maine contem- plated the formation of a separate government, resolved, that in order that the real sense of said inhabitants may be known on this important subject, that the Selectmen or other town officers be authorized to notify the inhabitants to convene on the first Monday of May next and give their votes on the proposed separation.
The project of separation was agitated for many years be- fore it was accomplished, and probably a spirit of non-re- conciliation had been nourished since its absorption by the Bay Colony, but this appears to have been the first notice taken of the discontent by the General Court.
The names "Whig" and "Tory" indicative of political party, practically disappear with the ending of the war. The Congress of the "United Colonies" adopted articles of confederation, borrowed money, organized an army and navy, and finally submited articles of constitution, the a- doption of which met strenuous opposition, and nowhere stronger than in Massachusetts. The vindictiveness engen- dered by the "Spirit of '76" subsided in shame, many of the banished families returned, old party lines were obliter- ated and social relations resumed. Political parties do not create issues, but sometimes issues give birth to parties, as was the case when the construction of a Constitution for the United States became essential. The conservative ele- ment urged the necessity of a strong central government, as contemplated by the framers of the Constitution, and were called "Federalsts", whilst the opposition contended for a larger measure of individual liberty, and called them- selves "State Rights" men, and later, "Republicans". But the great question, whether the United States was a nation
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Annals of Oxford.
or a confederacy was not finally decided until the "War for the Union". The unanimity of the election of state of- ficers may not indicate the political preferences of the free- holders of Hebron, for evidently there was not a full vote, although when called together a few days later to take act- ion on the question of separation but 55 votes were cast, a number that would now be considered very small for a pop- ulation of 530. The number of votes in favor of separation were 38, and those opposed 17, and whilst it is understood that the Federalists generally were against dividing the state, personal considerations influenced votes on both sides.
At the May meeting the town voted to raise £100, for the purpose of making and repairing roads, and £50, for the use of schools.
It was also voted not to settle Mr. Jesse Porter in the work of the Ministry but to pay the committee that hired Mr. Porter, for nine sabbaths preaching last year.
May 23, 1791 seven men and seven women united in or- ganizing the Baptist Church ; regular service was naintain- ed and occasionally preachers were employed, but they had no pastor until Feb. 1799, when the Rev. John Tripp, of Fairhaven was chosen, and continued their beloved minis- ter until his death, September 16, 1847. For 13 years the Church worshiped in private dwellings, and then for 16 in the Academy, which owes so much to its fostering care.
Soon after the settlement of Elder Tripp the establish- ment of a classical school was made a subject of earnest con- sideration, resulting in the erection in 1803 of a building estimated in value at $1,400., including the land. Twen- ty-one of the seventy shares were taken by Dea. William Barrows, and the land was a gift from his brother Joseph. The foresight of the people is manifest in this giving pref- erence to a building for the school to that of one for the church. With them a scho ol-house was a necessity, a meet- ing-house was a luxury. It is true that the house they built was inferior to a modern barn, but it represented sacrifice and from it and its successors have been graduated, each year for nearly a century, young men and women, trained in " piety and virtue " for usefulness. Many towns have become distinguished for farm products, busy mills and volume of trade, but Hebron is renowned for the facil- ities its Academy affords for the education of the youth.
By an act of the General Court passed February 10, 1804
.
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Annals of Oxford.
there was " established in the town of Hebron in the coun- ty of Cumberland, an Academy, by the name of Hebron Academy, for the purpose of promoting piety and virtue, and for the education of Youth in such languages, and in such of the liberal arts and sciences as the Trustees shall order and direct". It was further enacted, that the Rev. John Tripp of Hebron, Rev. James Hooper of Paris, Samuel Paris Esq. of Hebron, Ezekiel Whitman Esq. of New Glou- cester, Cyrus Hamlin Esq. of Paris, John Greenwood Esq. of Hebron, Dr. Luther Carey of Turner, Dr. Jesse Rice of Minot, and Mr. William Barrows of Hebron, " and they hereby are nominated and appointed Trustees of the said Academy, and they are hereby incorporated into a Body Politic, by the name of The Trustees of Hebron Academy, in the County of Cumberland, and they and their success- ors shall be and continue a body politic and corporate by the same name forever".
The corporators organized June 6, 1804, choosing John Greenwood president, in which capacity he served until re- lieved by death. John Tripp was elected clerk and contin- ued to act until his death, Sept. 16, 1847. William Barrows was elected treasurer and held that office for nineteen years but continued his membership in the board until his death Nov. 22, 1837. The school opened Sept. 3, 1805 with be- tween sixty and seventy students under the tutelage of Mr. William Barrows Jr. assisted by Bezaleel Cushman, both Hebron boys.
February 24, 1807 on petition of John Greenwood, in be- half of the Trustees of Hebron Academy, the General Court granted to the institution a half township, out of any unappropriated lands. William C. Whitney, at that time Representative, was most active in securing the grant and it was afterwards located by him in what is now the town of Monson. The sale of the land caused quite an exodus from this vicinity. It was doubtless through the influence of Mr. Whitney that a gift of 150 acres of land was made the same year by Andrew Craigie, the largest land-holder in the town.
Mr. Craigie's holdings in this town were mostly by pur- chase from Simon Jackson, probably closing out the Shep- ard estate in Hebron and as this history is compiled with especial reference to that part of the town wherein the Craigie lands were situated, a copy of his title is here given.
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Annals of Oxford.
"KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That we, Simon Jackson of Newton in the county of Middlesex and com- monwealth of Massachusetts and the wife of the said Si- mon Jackson, in consideration of Two Thousand pounds lawful money of said Commonwealth, to us paid by Andrew Craigie of Cambridge in the aforesaid state and county, Esquire, the receipt whereof we do hereby acknowledge, do hereby give, grant, sell and convey to him the said An- drew his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, the following tracts or parcels of land lying in a place known by the name of Shepardsfield or Hebron in the county of Cumberland and commonwealth aforesaid, containing as the said Jackson and wife do hereby warrant and engage, thirteen thousand eight hundred and sixty acres at least ex- clusive of the water or land covered with water therein con- tained, it being a part of the same tract or parcel of land which I, the said Simon Jackson, sold in my capacity as ad- ministrator on the estate of Alexander Shcpard Junior, de- ceased, to William Hunt Esquire of Watertown in the coun- ty of Middlesex aforesaid, on the twenty-second day of April in the year seventeen hundred and ninety-three, and the whole of which tracts or parcels of land I afterwards purchased of the said William Hunt in my own right, ref- erence to the deed of sale to the said William, and to said William's deed of conveyance to me, being had, will fully appear. The said tracts or parcels of land comprehend the following lots lying in the ranges and divisions hereafter mentioned, viz :-
Lot number ten in the second range, lots number eleven and twelve in the third range, lots number two, three, four, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen and fifteen in the fourth range, lots number four, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen and six- teen in the fifth range, lot number thirteen in the sixth range, lots number two, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten and eleven in the seventh range, lots number five, six and seven in the eighth range, lots number two and three in the ninth range, all in the first division.
Lots number four, nine and eleven in the first range, lots number two, five, six, nine and ten in the second range, lots number six, seven, eight and nine in the third range, lots number three, four, five and six in the fourth range, lots number two, three, four, five and eight in the fifth range, lots number two, three, four and eight in the sixth
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range, lots number two, three, four, five, seven, eight, nine, eleven, twelve and thirteen in the seventh range, lots number two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve and thirteen in the eighth range, lots num- ber two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, elev- en, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty and twenty-one in the ninth range, and lot marked (Alex'r. Shepard bought of J. Green 300 acres,) all in the second division.
Lots number eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen and sixteen in the first range, lots number eleven, twelve, thirteen and fourteen in the second range, lot number elev- en in the third range, all in the third division.
Lots number three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten and eleven in the first range, lots number three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten and eleven in the second range, lots number three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten and eleven in the third range, lots number three, four, and eleven in the fourth range, all in the fourth division of lots in said Hebron. A plan of all which land and to which reference is had is hereunto annexed.
Also all ponds of water and land covered with water and all streams, rivers and water courses situate in said town of Hebron or Shepardsfield and to us or either of us belong- ing and all profit and privileges thereof.
To have and to hold the same to him the said Andrew Craigie, his heirs and assigns, to his and their use and be- hoof forever. And we do jointly and severally covenant to and with the said Andrew Craigie his heirs and assigns, that I, the said Simon, or we, the said Simon and Borredell in her right, are lawfully seized in fee of the premises, that they are free of all incumberances, that we have good right and authority to sell and convey the same as aforesaid, that we will execute any further act or deed that may be proper to confirm or execute a full title to said Craigie of the land aforesaid, and that we will warrant and defend the same to him the said Andrew Craigie, his heirs and as- signs, against the lawful claims and demands of all persons.
IN WITNESS whereof we, the said Simon and his wife, as well for the conveyance in fee as in token of her release of all her right of dower or thirds in and to the premises, hereunto set our hands and seals this fifth day of January in the year of our Lord one thou-
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sand seven hundred and ninety-four.
Witness, Sarah Jackson. SIMON JACKSON. [seal]
Mich'l Jackson. BORREDELL JACKSON. [seal]
Acknowledged April 3, 1794. Mich'l Jackson, J. P.
In consideration of $2,000. Simon Jackson conveyed to Andrew Craigie, July 1, 1797, in presence of Abner Wel- lington and William Hunt, four lots of land lying in the town of Hebron, containing 100 acres each, be the same more or less, being lots number 4 and 5 in the second range and lots number 5 and 6 in the first range, all in the first division.
ANDREW CRAIGIE, son of Capt. Andrew and Elizabeth Craigie was born in Boston June 6, 1744. His father died there, October 18, 1766 aged 63 years. The third Pro- vincial Congress, in session at Watertown July 4, 1775, re- solved, "That Mr. Andrew Craigie be, and he is hereby appointed a medical commissary and apothecary for the Massachusetts army." Five pounds per month were allowed and the committee for making out commissions were direct- ed to make his warrant, "Medical Comm'y". Under an act of Congress, reorganizing the Medical Department of the Continental Army, Andrew Craigie was appointed Apoth- ecary General January 1, 1777 and after faithful service, most of the time in Philadelphia, he was honorably dis- charged Nov. 3, 1783. He is frequently mentioned under the title "Doctor," probably on account of his office in the army, but as his name does not appear in the list of mem- bers of the Massachusetts Medical Society, we may con- clude that he was not in regular practice. He was an orig- inal member of the New York Society of Cincinnati, and became a member of the Mass. Society by right of resi- dence. Andrew Foster Jr., his grand-nephew, was his suc- cessor. March 5, 1791 he purchased the Vassall estate in Cambridge, and thereafter made that his residence. The house is yet in good preservation and attracts many visitors on account of its having been the headquarters of General Washington during the siege of Boston, and later, for many years, the home of the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
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