USA > Maine > Androscoggin County > Atlas and history of Androscoggin County, Maine > Part 28
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Moses R. Pulsifer, uncle of J. R., was born 1799, studied Werfichue aml Is a physician In; Ellsworth, has seven sons, in different parts of Maine, and tbreu denghters, two of whom reside in blass.
The form occupied by llon. J. R. Pulsifer le that taken up by lily great-grandfather mure than 80 years ago and han urver bern out of the family. Ilts grondfather and elter him, his father, occupied it and for aught I know it may descend still further in the family. It has been much enlarged anıl linpr-ved since his grandfather look bis portion in the division of the first purchase.
John Nevins, who ossisted Daniel Dnvis, grondfother of Dr. Alonzo Garcelun, in running out the town when Grat surveyed, lived to a great age, He said he ont the Brat tree In what is now Poland. He came from North Yarmouth to Poland by a line of spo ted trees. Bben he dled ahout 1832 was abuse n hundred years old.
Josiah Dann, one of the early settlers of the " Empire " dleil abnut 1825 at the hunse now occupled by hls grand- daughter Hannah Duun (Lock), aged about 93. He had two orops of children. The oldest of the second set was Josiah, who marrie I Sally, daughter of Enther Barora, the frat Universalist preacher settled over a soololy in the State. Josiah Down, the shelf, died February 3, 1843, aged 60. His wile ilied December 30, 1858, aged 76. Their eldeet daughtor May married Dr. Pulsifer of Ellsworth, Their oldest son, Reuben B. Dann, was whilely known as an active business mau, James D., brother of the sheriff, lives at Poland Corner,
Rioker fill, the neat permanent settloment, made within the town, tras at what is now known as the Range, or Range Hill, so called from its proximity to three penda lying In a direct line, and called the Range ponde. It is situated In Sontb Puland, and is soule- Jes designated an Ricker thl !. The first settler in this violully was John Wooster, who both the first dwelling- bouee In 1779, others came soon after and before 1782 the following persons, being heads of families, resided here : Philemon Parsons, SamDel Jordan, John Rowe, John Mathews, Josiah Holmes, Klephas Ring, Barnobas Briggs, Ephraim Briggs, Wm. Berry, Dauiel Parsoos, Nathaniel Mloamell, James Merrill, and Benjamin Chip- man. Wooster lived here but a short time then moved to the western part of the town, where he cleared another faren ail erected a dwelling-honse, which from its ex- trems length was called the " Ark," and old peopla of that vieluity relate that years afterwards, a school-boy being asked the question, " Who built the ark (" replied Mr. Wooster.
of " Ann Ler," through the intuence of an Itinerant preachor from Lebanon, N. Y., wbo was then making the tonr of this section of country. For a wbille they re- tamed their proporty os before conversion, but soon after, It wos heid lu cointnon. These were joined by others of the same sect from Buckfield ; they eachanged the lands which they occupied on kloker Hill for those they now own In Poland and New Glancester. The ex- chauge was mode with one Win, Allen and othors. Hance origlueted the society known as the Lower Family or New Gloucester Shinkera, Of the Upper Famully or Puland Shakers mention will be made hereafter. In 1194 Jabez Rioker moved to the Ronge ; Joseph Rioker was the first blacksmith in ihls region; Wentworth Iticker opened the Arst publlo-house in Poland in 1797, it being the present Mansion Honce, on Ricker Hill. This Is a remarkable Instauce, perhaps the only one in the State, of a publio- house which has beou kept by the same familly for three-quarters of a century, It was kept by the original proprietor from 1797 to 1887, then by his sou Hiram Ricker illl 1872, and now hy the sons of the laller, The old honse has been remodeled and itled op with all tha conveniences of a modern hotel. Meetings wero frequently hsid in the old bonse lu the days of Bider Scoll s ministry lu Poland, Long sermons were
From 1785 lo '90 a number of familios established themselves in the estrema part of the town, In the vloi- ulty of Marston's Corner, so called, among whom were the following earliest settlers : Nathaniel Nason, Thomas Frauk, Kobert Starbird, Aaron Bray, Samnel Bailey, Jona-
were moally farmers. Mr Rinerson was engaged In busl- ness et Portland, In winter they were engaged In feiling timber, lugging, makiog shingles, ele. They found & markel for their produce and lomber al Yarmouth, Herr as In other parts of the loww, there were no roals except what were oslled Wished-roads, and travelers kept thelr way by spotted trees, The mothers of those ilays mnede all the cloth for family wear frein the raw innterial, card- ing, spinning, and wesving by haml. Nearly nevenly years ago Jonathan Einemton bonght the first pleasure wagon ever owned In that region ; it had neither springs nor thorongb-braces. 1u 1787 or '88 a settlement wne made on White-oak Hill, so called, o ploce ilistinguished for Its sightliness end its beautiful surrounding scenery, The earliest comers were Daniel l'otnam, Porter P'ninein, his eon, and Edward Parsons. There were followed soon after hy Paul Stanton, Jonathan Flokett, Richaril Garland, and Job Hall. Soon afterwarde the Putnamis moved In Coos, N. H., and their places wero supplied by Www. Has- kell, Win, Pierce, and a Mr. Crosby, who resided here bnl a few years.
in 1790,'91 a settlement was made in that part of West Pofait known es Megquier Hill, The nemun of the first Inhabitants of this loentity were Edmund Slegquler, Asn Loring, Merk Einery, Wm, Emery, and soon uffer Beza Loring and Joseph Cohb, Those Were fortunate in srouring one of the most desirable locations which the town afforded, a fertile ridge of land, of smooth surface, two miles in length, its sides sloping gently duwn to the margin of a beautiful lake on either side. This dlahiict line Jnsily alshnei, and continues to receive, the admiration of all observers, not less by resson of Its owo attractiveness, than for the lovoliness of Its surrounding scenery, In 1819 the third tavern or publlo bonse was opened et " Poland Corner" by Josiah Jordan, This place was sitn. runs thus : John Choate born 1632. Thomas his son 1671, ated on the reguler alage-ronle from Portland, through
New Hampshire and Northern Vermont to Canaila.
linmouse quantities of country produco, lumber, elo., were carried over this road previous to the completion of the Grand Truuk Railroad. About 1830 Mr. Jordan opened a "Temperance Hotel" et the same place (it being the first of that cises in town), whiob he kept till 1844, when the business becoming unprofitable by reason of the droreaseil amount of travel by etages, he closod the house, oud eiterwarila moved to Lewiston,
Mechanic Falls .- In the winter of 1820 Mr. Jordan and enolher gentleman went from " Pulaml Corner" to the present site of Mecbanio Falls, then Bog Falls, to look out e road to that place, there behnig uo settlement at thel time. Thero was considerabile logging done here at that Lime, principally by Isaiah Perkins and his brother Luther. Soon o sow-inill wna built here by Isaiah l'er- kina and Jemes Farrls, They owned most of the land in this vicinity on both sides of the river. The first niwelling. house was erocted by Luther Perkins, and stood but a few rods from the depot, Issinh Perkins built a gri-t-mill and also trailed some In groceries. Peter Thayer was the first Llarksmith, Riebard Foss, Amos Chipman, Arel Marsball, Doan Andrews, Mr. Robins, and Mr. Washborne wero among the earliest en !! lers bere, Mechanic Falls is sitn . aleil on the Little Andrescoggin River, partly in Poland and partly in Mlpot, the river being the division between the towns. It is one of the largest as well as the most flourishing villages In the county. Since the completion of the G. T. Railroad it has enjoyed a contlunous and steadly growth. It possesses excellent water-power, and the G. T. Rallroad, which has astatton bete, afforde ample means of communication with all parts of the country. Few places are able to offer equal facilities for the suo- ceseful pursuit of business operations.
Water-power .- The chief water-power of the town is furnished by the " Little Audroscoggin River," which forms the boundary line between this town and Minot. There are several valuable privileges eloug this stream which are only partially improved, and bnt await the mnaglo touch of enterprise and capital to convert them into unlimited powers for advancing manufacturing lutervete and the building up of prosperous communities within lue town, The waters of this river are unlailing, having many tributaries along its conten, and holding lu reserve the flowage of several poods, amonuting to an average of five feet on more than twenty-five square miles of pond surface. At the lower part of this stream, in the city of Anborn, extensive oottou-mills are being erroted, and there exists uo real reason why Poland, by judiclode management, may not have these important interests within her borders. There are also several excellent privileges in ntber parts of the town, furnished by smaller atreems- tributarles to ponds or river-suitable for mille desigued to be operated outy n portion of the year.
Manufacturer,-The must considerable manufacturing Interest is that of paper, carried on at Mechanio Falls by A. C. and A. T. Deulsou. The establishment of this industry bes done minch toward advancing that plaos lo
Shokers Lower Fomily .- In 1784 or '6, most of the Its present stale of prosperlty. Thera are five mills In sellers ou Rloker Hill became converted to the dootrines ective operation in Polomil manufacturing various kinds
and qualities of paper, aml constantly employing abont 150 persons, This company controls the flowage of three ponds witbin the town, which Is a valuable acquisition, as It lo thbe enabled to keep back a supply of mitter for Dee in time of severe drought. There is a lumber-inill, wash and blind factory, eto., at Page'n Alills ou the Littla Audroscoggin River, above Mechanlo Falls, also a lumber- will at Hackell's Mills below that plece. Al Poland Corner there la a steam-mill, built at a cost of $5000, This in a stavo and grist-till. At West Poisud there Is lumber and steve-mill, which carries on a considerable business, There Is also a carriage mannfnotory. Beside those existing at present, there Is In cootemplation the erection of a cheese factory, and also a factory for canning corn and fruit, These will groatly benefit the farming communities.
The Polond Mfinerol Spring, Riekar Hill, South Poland. -This celebrated spring, although the valuable inedlolnal properties of Its walers were not brought Into pohllo notice till 1859, has nevertheless in this brief space achieved # renown entilling it to a rank among the institutions of the town, Since the introduction of this water into publie use tbers bas been a constantly Inorenting demand, and 100 barrela per month are now sent to all points across the country from Fortlaml to San Francisco, oud even to nowewhat common lu those days, and one of the oldset South America. Analysis by some of tho tnost emiveut tiring luhabitants of the town tells of having heard, when chemists of this State and Massachusetts reveals con- a boy, the Rev. Mr. Scott preeoh from eleven o'clock aiderable quantitles of mineral Ingredients held in colo- A.M. till four P.M., without intermission. In 1800 ibo tion. One of ita peculiarities Is the presence of phospborle second public-house was opsued by Daniel Jackson naar the foot of Range l'oud.
acid gas in a fren state, givlug it a brilliant sparkling appearance. In oasis of kidney disease the effect of tbia watar is almost miraculous, seldom failing to give rellef when all otber retuedies bave been Irled to no purpose. A commodions botel has been fitted op In close proa. Imity to the spring, for the accommodation of invalids desiring to avail themselves of the mediolual virtues of
115
lis waters. During The summer months linudreds come hither to throw down their hunlvo of disease and sock looking to the comfort and security of worshipars. braith and vigor from this pannces of Nature. And hundreda, attesting I's virtuen, theuk the kiud Providanca which has provided this reservoir of life.
The First F. M. B. Church of Poland .- The dral "Free Will Baptist" ohnret In this town wya organised at W. Poland, Oct. 8. 17.18. The following were the first man - The Poland, or Upper Family of Shakers .- The Upper bers and those who participated in the organisation : Family of Sbakers osme to this town In 1819, from Gur- Win. Einery, Mark Broery, Edmund Megqular, and John ham, bringing with them eight oxen, three horses and Feruald. They met at the house of Win, Emery ; Elders tweuly cows, besides a variety of farming utensils. Zachariah Leach and Jos. Hutchinson were present. In household goods, elc. They exchanged their lands in the same year the following persons Were received into The church by baptism : Jonathan Flekett, Zudy Flekall, of others were added hy baptism. Tha meetings Were usually bald at private hooses, and offorward, when Ibe Dinthere bad increased, in barns. Elder Z. Leach, who was the first pastor of this church, preachad from 1798 to 1824 for the greater portion of the thue. Elders Jos. Hutchinson, Z. Jorion, Jos. Whita, and H. Chanillar have preached occasionally. In 1825, under the Inbora of Eld. Ilobbard Chandler, sho church was reorganized and Joloed lo the " Gorhain Yearly Megilng." In 1831 Eld. James Libby received anil socspled a call to settle as pastor of this olinruh, and maintained that relation until 1805-s period of 31 years. Since that tima Rers Chas. Bean, Jeremiah Hayden, Davld Libby, Rhenener Eatou, and J. S. Pottor have each preached for a thua. The deacons have been Jush. Jordan, Win. Barton, Mark Emury, Josh. Lunt, Israel Herrick, Emery Morton, Lemnel Keen. The total membership, since irst organisation, has been about three hundred. Present number uluety-quo. Meeting- honwe built 1834; dedicated Jan. 1, 1835; ded. sermou by Rev. Geo. hatob. In 1840 a number were disinissel from this charch for the purpose of forming suother -- after which this was known as the First F. W. B. Church of Poland. Gorham for those they now own in Poland. The ox. change was made with Andrew Twombly and Josh. Berry. Edinund Megquiar, and John Feruald. In 1739 a number They also obiained conshilerabla fand hy purchase. Tha family at first numbered Gifty, but at present something less than forly. Of the original fifty only five are How living. Elder Samuel Polo came with the family lo Po- land. The present elder is Nahemlah Truli. Their chief reason for leaving Gorhain was the scaroity of wood and timber, large quantities of which they found here. The stone mansion which was begun twelve years ago, lint not completed, hos cost $15,000, and when ilnished will bring the cost lo 820,000. This substantial and lin- posing structure was Intended for a family residence. "They value their property in Poland At about 830,000. Agriculture formas the chief oconpallon, and io carrried to a high degree of perfection. Gardeoing, grapa-culture, and orcharding eoch recolve considerable attention. Tho tivo familles noite in their religious exercisss, but in thair seeular concerns are saparate. They are a prodeot, lu- dustrious, orderly, pesce-loving clusa of citizene. Al. though peonllar in their religious belief, they are devout worshippers, honorable in their dealings with all man, and maintain at all times a strict moral dlavipline. Economical and temperato even to alisteinionsness, they are n prosperous and happy commuully.
Roadts .- The roads conform very much to the general Second F. W. B. Church of Poland .- The Second F. W. B. Church of Polaud was organized on White Oak IfI, in 1840, aud was composed at first of thoso members ilismissed from the First F. W. B. Chorch, among whom ware the following : John Stanton, Wm. Stanton, Wm, McCann, Loreuzo Thurston, George Thurston, Jos. Tricker, David McCaun, Betsy Stanton, Lydia Stanton, Lucy Me- Cann, Rachel Stanton and others to tho number of forty. Tbe mioisters havo bean Elders Jolin Pinkham, L. Fair- Geld, E. Førunid, J. S. Pollor, J. Austin, and L. Given. l'he deacons aro Win. Stanton and Win. McCann. The lay of the land-belug in tho casteru part mostly leval, but in the western often billy-owing to the fact that the early settlers located thoinsolves upon the hills, fimling there the best Innda for orops, being earlier in opring, and less linhle to attacka from varly fall froste. And ihun when roads came to be laid out they wore located to snit the convenience of the inhabitants then resident rather Than with a view to the facility of travel in after time. For oftentimes roade lead over the very summit of bills, when a deviation of a few roils might have found an In- comparably easier and buiter ronle. Many of the princi- present membership is 83, of which 64 are resident mem- pal thoroughfares were located and constructed from 1814 bers. A beautiful and convenient hondo of worship was to '34, though changes have buen constantly going on erecied in 1870; dedloated Deo. 29, 1870, scrinon by J. since that time. Thoro are uearly 150 miles of public S. Burgess. road In town mostly in good condition The district sya- tem of keeping them in ropalr prevails.
Schools .- Tbe town is divided into twenty-four dis- triots, enob disirlet transacting its business through an agent, but tho general school management ia under the dirootion of a supervisor. lu nearly every distriot there Is now a comfortable and convenient' school-bonse. A number of houses bave lwon built wlilin the last two or three years, some of them being commodious and even elegant. A commendable intorost is taken in educational schools in about five months during the year. Nainher of wholars in town between the ages of four and tiventy- one years, 1084. Voted for support of schools in 1871, $3000. Average pay of male leacbers per month, 824 63, exclusive of hoard ; average of female teachers pay per week, exclusive of board, 83 26, There are two graded schools in town.
Churches. - First Congregational Church. - The first meeting- bonso in this town as already stated, was that erected by the proprietora of Bakerstown, and afterward removed to a poiut below Poland Corner. This was & Congregational house. Here, an elder, John Gray (Bap- list), prenohed, also an Elder Cobb ( Methodist ), the latier It is reported was bired merely to escape a One which the town was liable to incur in case It failed to enstaiu preaching. Afterwarda Elder Jas. P. Riobardson was pastor. This house was afterwards torn down. A low graves are still to be found near the eite of the old church, though tho onk shrubbery of the plains shuts out all traces of the spot from the casual obsarver, and they can only be found by senroh.
The Second Congregationnt Church .- This charch was organized nt Polnud Corwar. The meeting-house wna built about 1804 or '5, as appears from a note dated Janu- ary 26th, 1804, and given for a receipt for a daed of n pew in said house, which was theu about to be built by the town. This note was given for $12 67, and payalilo to Wm. Harris, Wm. Ripley, John Merrill, Saml. Hicker and Aaa Lering, they belug the committee to superintend the building of sald house. The first settleit pastor was Rev. Jas. P. Richardson, ordained about 1827 or '8 ; afterwards Rev. Thos. Williams for a number of years, also an Elder Gould preached here.
Congregational Church, Mechanic Falls .- Tho Congrega. tioual Churoh, Mechanio Falls, waa organized June 15th, 1840, by a council of which Rev. Jos. Walkor was mod- erator, and Martin Brett soribe. The first inelbers ware Jolin Valentine, Joseph H. Hall, Salmon Hackett, Sam'! Chaudier, Lowell Valentino, Nelson Valentine, Charlotte Hall, Sophia Hall, Inirana llackett, l'amelia Foss, aud Nauoy P. Aldau. This church was first organized as a branch of tho ohuroli at " Polaud Corner," and was sup- plied by Rev. Thomas Williams, pastor of that church. Rev. Nathan Cobhi wan ordained pastor of this ohuroli July 5th, 1843, and presobed till September, 1845. The pulpit was then supplied by Revs. S. Morton, G. F. Tenkes- bury and Z. Lawa for short terms. April 1st, 1846, Rev. N. Cobb was dismissed and Rev. E. Merrill Installed. August 3d, 1855, Rev. E. Merrill was dismissed. Rev. Wm. V. Jordan preuched from November, 1855, for two years ; Rev. H. Haley preached from January, 1859, to valorous deeds, it Is boped that some day In the near July, 1862. Rev. Jus. Kyle was ordained September, 1861, dismissed September, 1864. Since then no pastor has been settled over this church, but the pulpit bas been supplied by the following : Revs. Geo. W. Campbell (Outo- hor, 1865, to April, 1866), E. F. Barber (September, 1666, lo January, 1868), B. Whiteher (July, 1868, to July, TURNER. 1869), E. S. Jordan (Jannary, 1871, lo Juue, 1672), and R. C. Stanley. There are wow oighieen members. J. II. BY JORGE JOB PRIXCA. Hall and C. S. Richardson have been deacons. House built in 1849, repaired In 1862 aml 1864. Provlona to bullding of tho house the obureb worshiped iu a vestry. Methodist Church, Enst Poland .- Organized probably about 1795. This church has been without a preacher rods; northerly by Livermore, Ibreo miles aud two linu- but one year since ite organization, but on neconut of the luperfvet staie of the records their unvies cannot be Ascertained. The first, however, was an Eldor Ketchum, and the second au Eller Noyes.
Boundaries, Origina! Grant, etc .- The town of Tarner Is hounded southerly by the cliy of Auburu and the lowu of Minol Ave aud one-half miles ; westerly hy llebron, Buck- field, aud Hartfonl, ten miles and one hundred and eighty dred and Ofty rods ; and easterly by Androscoggin River. The Provinvo of Massachusetts Bay granted to Capt. Joseph Silvester and company, who served lu tho oxpedi- lion agalust Canada, lu 1690, a townsbip of land, which The Empire Grove Camp- meeting, held under the anspires of the Methodist deuomination, meets annually at this place. The grounds havo beon greatly improved was known as " Silvestor Canada," and supposed to be within that Provinoe ; but ou rouning the line between the l'rovince of Mass. Bay and the Province of New lamp- and beautified of iste, wany five collagen have been shire, this towuship foll withly the Jurisdiction of the
Warren and others, agents for the proprietors of sabl township, the General Court of sald Province of Misn. Bay granted to tho petitioners and the legal representn- tives of asid Sffrester and company, s lowuship nf sevm miten square in the nuappropriated lands belonging lo said Province.
Subsequently the patitioners ran out and made a map of the loud now sinbraced within the limits of this town, and, June 20, 1768, presented ut to mail General Court, which accepled and coudrmed to Ito petitioners and the legal representatives of said Silvester att company sabl tract of land, provided thay complied with the following conditione : The grantees within six years to settle thirty families In said town, build a honte &t for public worship, and settle a learned Protostant intnister, and lay out one sixty-fourth part of said lown for the first seltled miulster, one-sixty-fourth part for the use of the ministry, ous sixty-fourtts part for s grammar school and que sixty- fourth part for the uso of Harvard College.
Proprietor s' Mertings .- Thia Erst ineeling of the proprio- lord of this township was hoblen on tha 20th of det. 1708, at tho dwelling-house of Mrs. Ruth Taruer, funhoblar, in Hanover, in the county of Plymouth, At that meeting John Cushing was chosen moderator ; William Turner, clerk ; and Charles Turner, treasurer ; Col. James War- ren, Charles Turner, and David Littin, Jr., a standing committee lo transnet the affairs of tha propriatary, to determine the number, quality, nud situation of the aul- tilng fots, and they wero empowered to call future meet- Ingn. At a meeting of the proprietors holdou January 8th, 1771, the following vote was passed : Whereas said lowuship remaina unsettled, ond whereas the time limitod by the General Court for esttling said township le far elapasd, tha proprietora agree to grant lo nuy person one Jot containing about 125 acres if he will go on aud porform the settling duties aa required any lime within six months, August 12, 1771, tbe time was extended to May, 1775, and a bounty of six pouode offered to ench sottler that would bnihl a house and oloar fivo aorea by the 1st of November, 1772. In April, 1772, tbey voled to give fonr pounda ten abillings bounty to settlors from November 1st, 1772, to July, 1773. They also voled that if any person would take a mill lot and ono settling lot aud bulld & saw-
wilbin two yeara from that timo, he should have sald two lols confirmed to him ; ho porfortoing the conditions of ono settling lot. August 4th, 1772, the proprietors ap- pointed a committo lo got a grist and saw-mill huilt in this towuship upou the best termo they could, and to give a sum not exceeding Iwenty pounds In addition to whal was voled at the April meating. At a meeting of tha pro- prietora, hotden July 19, 1774, lohabod Bounay, Jr , Was cboson an agent to go to tho eastward the ensuing fall, aud forward tho bullding of a grist and saw-mill fu Sil- vestor town as far as he should think necessary, for whloh he was lo havo for pounds per mouth and his own expenses, excepting a horse, which he was to flod himself. Mr. Bonney's movementa, in accordonoo with this vole, by procuring materials and making preparattous for building, no doubt induced Mr. Blake to make a propusl. tlou which will appear by tho following vote, passed by the propriators Oet. 25, 1774. " Whorens Mr. Sainuel Dlake proposes to bulld & grist and aair-milf in Silvestar lown, to be completed In ono year from this date, and to keep them in ropalr for Iweivo yeara for unid mulli fot and the whole of lbo preparations alranily maile by said pro- priolors for building said mille, and thirty-three pounds, six shillings, eight peuca, lawful mouvy, oue-balt of whlob Is to be paid In thrvo months, the other half when Ibo work le completed ; therefore sald proprietors hereby contraot withi said Binke on the conditions aforesail."
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