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 6
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 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25
A list of jurors prepared by the Selectmen was sub- mitted and with some amendments, was adopted.
1832
Town meeting March 12th, 1832. Alonzo King was chosen Moderator and Dan Perry, Town Clerk.
Alonzo King, Henry Holbrook and Isaac A. Thayer were elected Selectmen.
Dan Perry was chosen Treasurer.
Jairus S. Keith, Alonzo King and Giles Shurtleff were chosen Superintending School Committee.
Zebedee Cushman, Henry Holbrook and Samuel H. King were chosen a committee to estimate the sum neces- sary for town charges.
Voted $350. for town charges.
$442. for support of schools. $2,500. for highways.
Alonzo King was chosen Constable and Collector and it was voted that he be paid two and a half cents on the dollar for collecting, he to do the constable business for the town gratis.
It was voted to choose the Town Agent by ballot.
Samuel H. King was elected. He was authorized to settle with the town of Hebron.
Samuel H. King, Ebenezer Holmes and Giles Record were appointed a committee on the Selectmen's accounts.
Voted that the Selectmen procure a trunk for the con- venient keeping of the Pall; also a desk and trunk for the Town Clerk's office.
The pauper auctioned last year at 80 cents per week, was at this meeting struck off to Isaac Washburn, at $1.36 per week, with same conditions.
Town meeting September 10th, Samuel H. King, Mod- erator, John J. Perry was chosen Clerk pro tem.
Samuel Crockett, Alonzo King and Joseph Mixer were appointed a committee to receive proposals for building a road from David Webber's, by Timothy Jordan Jr.'s to the
48
Annals of Oxford
Otisfield line. It was voted to raise $500, to make the road and Samuel Crockett was appointed agent to superintend the building of it.
Cyrus Shaw, Samuel H. King and Jacob Tewksbury were chosen a committee to examine the bills in the Col- lector's hands and see whose taxes ought to be abated.
Benjamin Whitehouse, Samuel Robinson, Caleb Wood- ward, William Faunce and Cyrus Shaw were chosen a committee to divide the time, to be occupied for divine serv- ice in the new meeting-house, between the several denomi- nations of Christians in town.
It was voted that the Selectmen, Treasurer and Clerk give licenses to innholders and retailers, to sell spirituous liquors to be drank on the premises.
At the election of state officers, Sept. 10th, one hundred and eighty-four votes were cast for Governor.
Samuel E. Smith (dem.) had I27
Daniel Goodenow (whig) had 57
At the Presidential election, November 5th, each party cast two more votes.
Town meeting Oct. Ist, Alonzo King, Moderator.
Zebedee Cushman and Winthrop B. Norton were author- ized to make such repairs on Jamb bridge as are necessary.
The road laid out for the accommodation of Wm. Ward- well was accepted according to the Selectmen's minutes.
The arrangement with Mr. Perry for keeping the Pound was continued.
Voted to raise $350. for necessary purposes.
Town meeting Nov. 5th, Jairus S. Keith, Moderator. Upon the recommendation of the committee, it was voted that the different denominations of Christians shall occupy the meeting-house as follows : - The Congregationalist the first Sunday of each month, the Baptist the second, the Universalist the third, the Methodist the fourth, and when there are five Sundays, the fifth shall be for any denomi- nation who shall give seasonable notice thereof by posting the same on the meeting-house door.
1833
Town meeting March 4th, 1833. Samuel H. King was chosen Moderator and Dan Perry, Town Clerk.
49
Annals of Oxford.
Alonzo King, Henry Holbrook and Benajah Pratt Jr. were chosen Selectmen.
Dan Perry was chosen Treasurer.
Jairus S. Keith was chosen Town Agent, by ballot.
Giles Shurtleff, Jairus S. Keith and Alonzo King were
chosen Superintending School Committee.
Voted that the barn of Benjamin F. Perry be a Pound and he the keeper.
Voted $400. for town charges and support of poor. $440.40 for support of schools. $2000. for highways.
The collection of taxes was struck off to George F. Truet at two and a half cents.
Alonzo King was chosen Constable.
Voted to choose an additional Constable ; George F. Truet was elected and it was then voted that the collection of taxes be transferred to Alonzo King.
Winthrop B. Norton, Samuel H. King and Nathan Wright were chosen to examine the accounts of the Selectmen.
Town meeting May 25th, Jairus S. Keith, Moderator. It was voted that Luther Carman, Samuel H. King and Zebedee Cushman make an examination of Jamb bridge and if they conclude it necessary to rebuild, to receive pro- posals for rebuilding.
Voted to accept the report of the Selectmen and locate a road for the benefit of Joshua Lunt and Wm. E. Brooks.
Voted to allow the accounts of Benajah Pratt & Co., George Robinson, Benjamin Whitehouse and Benjamin Richards, which had been rejected by the committee on accounts.
Town meeting May 27th, Jairus S. Keith, was chosen Moderator and Giles Shurtleff, Clerk pro tem.
The Town Agent was directed to confer with the propri- etors of the land through which William Oliver and others wish to pass and ascertain the expense of a road.
At the election of state officers, Sept. 9th, one hundred and ninety votes were cast for Governor.
Robert P. Dunlap (dem.) II4
Samuel E. Smith (dis. dem.) 24
Daniel Goodenow (whig) 52
New elements appear in this election, the "Anti Ma- sons" had a candidate for Governor, but he received no
50
Annals of Oxford
vote in this town. The state convention of the dominent party was inharmonious, resulting in tne renomination of Governor Smith by the dissenters, and in this town four meetings were required to elect Mr. Perry, the nominee of the party, to be Representative in the Legislature. The re- cord of the ballotings is as follows :
September 9th
Dan Perry had
III
John Caldwell had 25
Jacob Tewksbury had 50
September 13th,
Dan Perry had 75
Alonzo King had 50
Jacob Tewksbury had
37
October 2Ist,
Dan Perry had
83
Samuel H. King had
28
Jacob Tewksbury had
2I
Alonzo King had
9
Robert Hilborn Jr. had
5
November IIth,
Dan Perry had IO2
John Caldwell had 38
Samuel H. King had 3
Jacob Tewksbury had 2
R. Rich and A. Gammon had three each. J. Lee and Robert Hilborn Jr. had one each.
Town meeting Sept. 9th Jairus S. Keith, Moderator. Voted to accept the report of the Selectmen, locating a road from the county road to the river bridge. This road had been debated at previous meetings and had been al- ready built by Col. Samuel H. King across his land, from near his dwelling-house on the county road, to the bridge west front of the residence of Capt. Caleb Woodward, being the road now known as King Street.
Voted to raise a committee to build a bridge where or near the Jamb bridge now is, in such place and manner as they think best. Luther Carman, Winthrop B. Norton, Samuel H. King, Nathan Wright and Giles Shurtleff were appoint- ed as that committee. Mr. King was, at his request, ex- cused and John Gardner Jr. was chosen in his place.
Town meeting Sept. 30th, Jairus S. Keith, Moderator. Voted to set off John Thurston to school district No. 5.
51
Annals of Oxford.
Voted that school district No. 9 in this town be a body corporate, with district No. 7 of Hebron and certain inhab- itants of Minot, if they see proper to join.
It was voted that the Burns's and Rich's be set off from district No. 3 and compose a school district, and that John Burns be the Agent.
William Yeats was chosen Agent for district No. 10.
Voted to accept the report of the Selectmen laying out a road from Jamb bridge, or where the bridge is to be built, to the old county road.
1834
Town meeting March 3d, 1834, Jairus S. Keith was chosen Moderator and Dan Perry, Town Clerk; he being absent, John J. Perry was chosen Clerk pro tem.
Alonzo King, Benjamin Whitehouse and Edward Par- sons were chosen Selectmen.
Voted that the Selectmen, Treasurer and Clerk license proper persons to sell ardent spirits.
Jairus S. Keith was chosen Town Agent, by ballot.
Benjamin F. Perry was chosen Pound Keeper; the Se- lectmen to provide a suitable place for a Pound.
Dan Perry was chosen Treasurer.
Voted to raise $800. for town charges.
$440.40 for support of schools. $1500. for highways.
Giles Shurtleff, Henry R. Webber and Alonzo King were chosen Superintending School Committee.
The collection of taxes was vendued to Alexander H. Mussey, at one cent and nine mills on the dollar.
Alonzo King was chosen Constable.
Giles Shurtleff, Samuel Robinson and Winthrop B. Norton were chosen to examine the Selectmen's accounts.
Town meeting August 16th, Jairus S. Keith was chos- en Moderator and to fill the vacancy occasioned by the re- admittance of the Rev. Mr. Perry to the Methodist Confer- ence, John Lee was chosen Town Clerk and Treasurer for the unexpired term.
At the election of state officers, September 8th, two hundred and twenty-two votes were cast for Governor. Robert P. Dunlap had 157 Peleg Sprague had 65
52
Annals of Oxford
1835
Town meeting March 30th, 1835, Jacob Tewksbury was chosen Moderator and John Lee was chosen Town Clerk and Treasurer.
Jairus S. Keith, Benjamin Richards and Ebenezer R. Holmes were chosen Selectmen.
Jairus S. Keith, Henry R. Webber and John J. Perry were chosen Superintending School Committee.
Jairus S. Keith Town Agent.
The barn of Benjamin F. Perry was named for a Pound and he the keeper.
Voted to raise $500. for town charges.
$441. for support of schools. $1500. for highways.
The collection of taxes was struck off to John J. Perry at two cents on the dollar; he was chosen Constable.
The list of Jurors as revised was accepted.
Samuel H. King's report of the settlement made with the town of Hebron was accepted and ordered placed on file in the clerk's office.
Town meeting May 25th, Ebenezer R. Holmes was chosen Moderator.
It was voted that Jairus S. Keith be an agent to help ex- plore a route for a railroad from Windham or Gray as far as the Great Androscoggin River near Rumford; it was further voted that the agent be allowed one dollar a day for his services.
The article in the warrant called for action upon a propos- ed railroad from Portland to Quebec.
Voted to raise two hundred dollars to pay the expense of the agent and other town charges.
At the election of state officers, September 14th, one hundred and eighty-three votes were cast for Governor. Robert P. Dunlap (dem.) had I30
William King (whig) had 53
For Representative to the Legislature.
John Lee had II7
Samuel H. King had 55
William S. Allen had 7
Benjamin Richards had 5 Jairus S. Keith had I
53
Annals of Oxford.
1836
Town meeting March 14th, 1836 Samuel H. King, Moderator.
John Lee was chosen Town Clerk and Treasurer; he being absent, Caleb Woodward was chosen Clerk pro tem.
Ebenezer R. Holmes, Benjamin Richards and Samuel S. Allen were chosen Selectmen.
Giles Shurtleff, John J. Perry and Alonzo King were chosen Superintending School Committee.
Samuel H. King, Town Agent.
John J. Perry, Collector of Taxes and Constable.
The arrangements for a Pound same as last year.
Voted to set up the support of paupers at auction.
Voted to raise $650. for town charges. $441. for support of schools. $1800. for highways.
April 24th, the limits of the Infantry Company of Oxford were defined by the Selectmen to include the whole town.
Town meeting May 7th, John Caldwell, Moderator.
The collection of taxes was auctioned to Henry R. Web- ber at two cents on the dollar and he was chosen Consta- ble. (probably Mr. Perry declined to serve.)
At the election of state officers, September 12th, one hundred and fifty-three votes were cast for Governor. Robert P. Dunlap (dem.) had II2
Edward Kent (whig) had 4I
At a meeting held on the same date, Ebenezer R. Holmes was chosen Moderator.
Samuel Crockett, Benjamin Whitehouse and Luther Carman were appointed a committee to contract with some person to repair the bridge at Craigies Mills and that the Treasurer hire money to defray the expense.
Voted to lay out a road beginning on the town line, be- tween Otisfield and Oxford, as near the shore of Thompson pond as convenient. And when the new road shall have been made and opened, the road over Greeley Hill shall be discontinued.
At the Presidential election, November 7th, the dem- ocrats cast 92 votes and the whigs 21 votes.
54
Annals of Oxford
1837
Town meeting March 13th, 1837, Samuel H. King was chosen Moderator and John J. Perry was chosen Town Clerk and Treasurer.
Benjamin Richards, John Lee and George Robinson were chosen Selectmen.
Ariel P. Chute, Giles Shurtleff and Henry R. Webber were chosen Superintending School Committee.
Samuel H. King, Town Agent.
Same arrangements for a Pound as last year.
Voted to raise $1500. for town charges.
$440. for support of schools. $2500. for highways.
The collection of taxes was auctioned to Henry R. Web- ber at two cents on the dollar and he was chosen Constable.
Voted to leave the care of the poor with the Selectmen.
Jacob Tewksbury, Henry Holbrook and Henry R. Web- ber were appointed to settle with Alonzo King and make abatements on the unpaid bills for the tax of 1835.
Under the existing tariff laws and from the sale of public lands there had accumulated in the Treasury of the United States a surplus of public money in excess of the require- ments of the national government; Congress therefore, by an Act passed June 23d, 1836, voted that the money that should be in the Treasury on the first day of January 1837, reserving five millions of dollars, should be deposited with such of the several States, in proportion to their representa- tion in Congress, as should consent to receive the same, pledging the faith of the State for its safe keeping and the payment thereof, whenever the same shall be required.
The State of Maine accepted the conditions March 8th, 1837 and authorized its distribution to cities, towns and or- ganized plantations, with the right to use for the same pur- poses as moneys accruing from taxation; also to loan the same in such manner as they deem expedient, on receipt of safe and ample security therefor.
In consequence of the proceedings above mentioned. a town meeting was held on the third day of April and John Lee was chosen Moderator.
It was voted that the town receive its proportion of the public money distributed by Act of Congress, and that John Lee be agent for the town, to receive and receipt for the
55
Annals of Oxford.
same. It was also voted that Giles Shurtleff, Samuel Crockett and Henry Holbrook be authorized to loan this "Surplus", in sums of not exceeding one hundred, nor less than twenty-five dollars to one person, for one year, inter- est at six per cent, payable in advance. At a meeting three months later the town voted to distribute the third and fourth installment of the "Surplus Revenue" coming to the town, giving to each person their proportion, according to the census now being taken. John Lee was appointed to dis- tribute the money.
Town meeting July Ioth, Jairus S. Keith, Moderator. The proposition of John H. Welch to give the land on which to make the road for the accommodation of Moses Gammon and William W. Oliver, if the town will make the fences, or he will give the land and build the fences for $175.00, was received and the Selectmen were authorized to accept the offer most advantageous to the town.
Voted to accept the report of the committee appointed to settle with Alonzo King, and that their powers be extended to settle all the financial concerns of the town.
At the election of state officers September IIth, two hun- dred votes were cast for Governor.
Gorham Parks (dem.) had I4I
Edward Kent (whig) had 59
For Representative to the Legislature.
John Lee had IO6
William S. Allen had 53
John J. Perry had 30
Henry R. Webber had 3, John Caldwell had 2 and Samuel Crockett, Ebenezer R. Holmes. Timothy Jordan Jr. and Robert Hilborn Jr. had I each.
Second trial, October 2d. (Allen elected.)
John Lee had 106
William S. Allen had 68
John J. Perry had 35
Henry Holbrook had I
Town meeting November 11th, Jairus S. Keith, Mod- erator. Adjourned to the tavern-house of Robert Pike. Voted to raise $1800. to pay the debts of the town.
Samuel Crockett, John Gardner Jr. and Benjamin Whitehouse were appointed a committee to superintend the the finishing of Pike's bridge.
56
Annals of Oxford
1838
Town meeting March 5th, 1838, Jairus S. Keith was chosen Moderator and John Lee Town Clerk and Treasurer.
Benjamin Richards, Isaac A. Thayer and Henry C. Dean were chosen Selectmen.
Jairus S. Keith, John J. Perry and Ebenezer R. Holmes were chosen Superintending Schocl Committee.
Jairus S. Keith, Town Agent.
Voted that Joseph Wilson's stable be a Pound and he the keeper.
Voted to raise $2000. to defray town charges and make or keep in repair bridges.
$441.40 for support of schools. $2000. for highways.
The collection of taxes was auctioned to Seth H. Faunce at one cent and six mills on the dollar and he was chosen Constable.
Voted not to join with Norway and Paris in the purchase of a farm for the poor.
Town meeting April 30th, John J. Perry. Moderator. John Lee and Henry R. Webber were appointed a com- mittee to collect and distribute the first and second install- ment of the "Surplus Revenue"; one half before the first of June, the remainder before the first of September, assum- ing that all notes will be paid ; they will divide the receipts among those entitled to receive the same, first paying all the expenses therefrom. The report of the Treasurer of the State shows, on account of the "Surplus", two payments to the town of Oxford on the 12th day of April 1837 of $747. 48 each and on the IIth day of July, following, one pay- ment of $453.04, making a total of $2248.00.
Nathan Wright, Samuel H. King and Ebenezer R. Holmes were appointed a committee on the accounts of 1837, and the Selectmen of 1837, the committee on all others.
William W. Oliver was set off from school district No. 3 to district No. 4, and Seth Keen from No. 2 to No. I.
Same date a Representative to Congress was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Timothy J. Carter. Virgil D. Parris had I45
Zadok Long had 66
57
Annals of Oxford.
At the election of state officers September 10th, two hundred and fifty-six votes were cast for Governor.
John Fairfield (dem.) had I68 Edward Kent (whig) had 88
Same day a meeting was held, Leonard Caldwell was chosen Moderator. The report of the Selectmen, laying out a road commencing at the road leading by the house of Ichabod M. Thomas to Hebron, for the accommodation of Leonard Donham, was accepted and thirty dollars damage was awarded, half to Thomas Donham Jr. the balance to Benjamin Donham.
John Gardner Jr., Samuel Crockett and Dennis Hayes were appointed a committee to examine the bridge over the Little Androscoggin river, near Woodward's mill, and as- certain whether it will be best to repair the old or build a new bridge. Adjourned to the 18th instant. .
Adjourned menting, Jairus S. Keith, Moderator.
Voted to build a new bridge over the Little Androscoggin river near Woodward's mill, at or near the place where the old one now stands, on the same plan as the one near Josh- ua Merrills. It was voted that the bridge be completed within thirteen months from this date, and Samuel Crock- ett, John Gardner Jr. and Jairus S. Keith were appointed to superintend the construction.
1839
Town meeting March 11th, 1839, Jairus S. Keith was chosen Moderator and John J. Perry, Town Clerk and T'r.
Isaac A. Thayer, Samuel Crockett and Thomas R. Car- mon were elected Selectmen and Overseers of the Poor.
Jairus S. Keith, Town Agent.
The arrangements for a Pound, same as last year.
Voted to raise $441.40 for support of schools.
$1500. for highways.
$1600. for town charges and bridges.
The collection of taxes was auctioned to William Ward- well at one cent on the dollar, he was chosen Constable.
Voted that each school district choose their own agent and that each district call a meeting forthwith and return the name of their agent to the Town Clerk before April 18th.
Jacob T. Washburn was set off from district No. 7 to dis- trict No. 2, and Sullivan Fuller from No. 10 to No. 2.
58
Annals of Oxford
Benjamin Richards, Ebenezer R. Holmes and John Caldwell were chosen Auditors to audit the accounts of the town.
The doings of the Selectmen in furnishing transportation and supplies to the Oxford soldiers who had been drafted into the service of the State, by order of the Governor, was approved, and it was voted that the pay of those who are drafted and called into actual service, from this town, shall be made up to fifteen dollars per month, providing they do not receive that amount from the State.
The whole community were at this time greatly excited ; the treaty of Ghent provided for a settlement of the bound- ary between the United States and Canada, but a section of the line between Maine and New Brunswick was not made sufficiently clear to prevent contention. A large and valua- ble tract of land was claimed by both parties, and the "North Eastern Boundary", so called, after having been a subject of voluminous correspondence, now developed into THE AROOSTOOK WAR.
In 1837 the enumerator sent to take the census ordered by the State, was arrested, yet nothing serious came of it ; but in the winter of 1838-9, when the Land Agent reported that a large number of lumbermen from New Brunswick were operating in the Aroostook valley, the Sheriff of Pen- obscot county was ordered to dislodge them. With a posse of about 200 men he proceeded to the camps, where he found that his coming had been anticipated and that the trespassers had retired to Woodstock, armed themselves and made prisoners of the Land Agent and some others. Sher- iff Strickland, seeing that bloodshed was imminent, made post-haste to the Capitol for counsel. Upon this information the Governor immediately issued the famous proclamation "Our State is Invaded", ordering a detail of 10,000 mili- tia to repel the invaders, and the Legislature promptly in- dorsed his action with an appropriation of $800,000. for the defence of the State. A messenger was dispatched to Wash- ington and Congress, then in session, authorized the Presi- dent to call for 50,000 volunteers and appropriated $10,000, 000. to pay the expenses. Gen. Winfield Scott, with his Staff arrived in Augusta on the 6th day of March and open- ed communication with Gov. Harvey of New Brunswick, a compromise was effected which resulted in the final set- tlement of the boundary by the treaty negotiated by Daniel
59
Annals of Oxford.
Webster, then Secretary of State, with Lord Ashburton in 1842.
The whigs treated the whole proceedings with levity, they ridiculed the Governor as the promoter of "the blood- less war" but failed to reduce his majority in the next elec- tion. Tame as was the result, aud unjust as was the settle- ment to Maine, it showed that the Executive and the people were vigilant and earnest, and gave Gov. John Fairfield a stronger hold than ever on the affections of his party.
The militia of the town at this time, were enrolled in two companies, attached to the First Reg't, First Brig., and Sixth Division.
Company A, Infantry, was officered by William F. Welch, Captain, Samuel Chadbourne, Lieutenant and John S. French, Ensign.
Company B, Light Infantry, (uniformed) was officered by Luther Carman, Captain, John J. Perry, Lieutenant and John G. Burns, Ensign.
The draft was made by lot on the 26th day of February, and the conscripts were notified to appear at Augusta on Wednesday the 6th day of March. The rolls on file in the archives of the State have names of those from Oxford, as follows :
Brooks, Charles P.
Linnell, Luther
Brooks, William E.
Lord, Nathaniel
Cates, David
Perkins, Harrison G. (Serg.)
Chaplin, James W.
Perkins, William M.
Courser, Benjamin
Pratt, Alanson S.
Crockett, Solomon
Rawson, Solon
Crooker, Jonathan
Rich, John
Dean, Cyrus
Rich, Reuben Jr.
Emery, Joseph F.
Richards, Jonathan
Faunce, Seth H.
Russell, Joseph
French, Joseph (Serg.)
Sampson, Nathaniel (Corp.)
Fuller, Charles P.
Smith, George M.
Gammon, Newell
Tarbox, Hanson
Hanson, Wm. P. (Serg.) Hawkins, John
Taylor, Nathaniel
Hayes, Sidney
Thayer, Ebeaezer
Hill, Benjamin
Woodward, Henry A.
Keene, Simeon
Worke, Amos
Libby, Thomas
Thayer, Abner
Yeaton, Daniel B.
Knight, Thaddeus R. (Corp.)
60
Annals of Oxford
The troops were recalled and disbanded April 20th ; the Treasurer of State paid the town's expenses March 16, 1840, as follows :- subsistance $3., transportation and forage $26., camp equipage and utensils $5.60, blankets $9., contingent $28.65, interest $3.60, total $75.85, and subsequently the National Government appropriated to the State $200,000. reimbursment of expenses.
Adjourned meeting April Ist, Thomas R. Carman was chosen Moderator pro tem.
Ebenezer R. Holmes was excused from serving on the School Committee and John J. Perry was chosen.
The Treasurer was authorized to borrow $500. for one year, interest at six per cent. It was also voted to raise $200. in addition to the sum already voted for town charges.
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.