USA > Maine > Androscoggin County > Atlas and history of Androscoggin County, Maine > Part 33
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Soon after the coming here of Robert Ross, n man unmed tenjntniu Mora camo here from Brunswick, built a house in he prevailing style, of logs, nod a shelter for his oow, and hade a clearing, a part of which, atill known by the onme ( Mora's Mendow, is upon the timher land owned now by Sen Dole Bryent, Junior.
The life of seclusion nnd isolation passed for a fow years ere by Morn, wos regarded by the settlers with some uspicion, which was thought by them lo bnve been rather onurmed by lin removal, after a few years' residence hore, o the British province of New Brunswick.
Edmund Weymouth, u hrothor of Jonathinn and Timothy Feymouth, enme hiero with his two sons, Edmund, Jr., and Fabum, from Berwick, February 12, 1787, when forty-eight enre of age, and loentod himself upon Innd which he in ImINOn with most of the settlers hero supposed to belong Massachusetts, but which was owned hy the l'lymouth ompany's grantees, the loention inelnding the Inuit owned ow by the family of bis groudsen, the lato Oliver B. Wey- outb.
Aoother local colony was established hore by Jesse avies, the sixth of a family of eight, who was born in cton, Massachusetts, July 16, 17oî, and who in the per- rmnnee of the conditions of an ngrcement entored into by m and his paternal uncle, Dr. Jonathan Davios, of loxhury, usanobusetts, come here in 1780, and began a settlement hon the western extremity of an extensive tract of Innd, ostly covered with the original forest, owned hy Dr. nvien, a grantee of the Plymouth Company.
By the terms of this agreement, the nephew, Jesse Davies, As to make n clearing, build a snw-mill, n grint-mill, and utahlo buildings for a tavern, and the unote, Dr. Davies, 15 to convey in fee n considerable tract of land including e improvements to the nephew, who drove on the stipu- ted work with energy.
Soon after coming here, Jesse Davies married Elizabeth ilson, of Topsham, whose children were Jonathan ond ebecen Davies.
After the death of his wife, Elisabeth, he married Hun- th, Unugliter of Captain Jumes Curtis, of Drunawiek, nine, whose child was Rnchel Davies, the writer's mother. Early in the spring of 1792, he, Jesse, and his leg nin- Inted shove the knee, in consequence of a wound ho linif ceived in the battle of Lexington, but the urterics nol ving heen properly secured, he died from loss of hloud evening of tho mame Jny bis leg was taken off.
Upon the death of Dr. Davies about the some time, the freement was left incomplete on the part of hoth, nud au
In his lifetime he wes on aficient anxilinry of this local colour in the southwestern divlsion, the members of which at first, until 1788, were Seth Hinkley, Samuel Simmons, the brothers Phineas Jones aud Jominh Jones, James Weeks, Thomas Tebbetts, Alexander Gray, Jeibro Sand- boro, Thomas Davies, brother of the half blood of Jesse Davies, Sntnuel Tobbotts and Epbrain Jordan ; and up to 1198, Abel Kutting, Phineas Spofford, William True, Jucob True, John Cushing, Sen., tho twin brothers William Jor- dan and Joshos Jordon; and soon after joined by Jonathan HInoson and Daniel Jordan.
Previous to 1188, the nucleus of o local coluny bad beon formed towards the enstern limits hy Timotby Higgins, William Higgins, Nathaniel Gilpatrick, Levi Temple, and Benjamin flenderson.
Within the first years from 1788 until 1793, Simeon Crocket, Jntnes Colby, Simcon IInmilton, Silas llamilton, Joonthan flibburd, Joseph Wood, and William lheath joined ibe central and monthwestern local colooies, and up to the Intler years some of the colonluts had changed their loon- tiona.
At different times from 1708 ontil 1802, Belchor Jones, Elijah Jones, brothers of Josiah and Phinens, Joseph Deer- ing, Samoel Deering, Robert Dunken, John Smith, Jobu Henderson, Paul Nowell, John Nowell, Jonathan Whitney, John McManners, Matthew Jordan, James Wilson, William Mitchell, Patrick Conner, John Wilson, Samuel Thompson, Itohert II. Niles, James Maxwell, Daniel Croen, Joonthan Mitobell, Notbnniel Smith, John Forrow, Stephen Ilibbert, Eline Moody, Matthew Libby, Jobn Gould, Samuel Libby, Elisbn lauson, Joseph Maxwell, Thomas Maxwell, John Ridcout, William Rideont, Jacob Pettingill, Somnucl Mallett, Zebulon Probble, John Larrey, Nathaniel Sheldon, Downing Gooding, Abraham Frost, Denjamin flodgkina, Elias Storor, Jneob Furhusb, and Denjamin Jordan, the father of Valen- line nod Robert Jordan, become resident members of the expanding loout colquien, united iuto a chartered munioi- pnlity.
Belonging to this Intler period is another member, Somuel Bennet, but of whose location and history but little is known.
Tbo limits assigned to these outlines of the history of the town, will not permit of & particular notice of eneb of these ciglity-seven coloniats, of which they nro deserring. The services of two of them, Alexander Gray, coming from Brunswick, ond Jneob Furhuab, from Shopleigh, Maino, the farber of Imone and Jocol Furbusb, os bluck- mithy, wiro of espeoin volun, nud hemides the ordinary work of their oroft, they frequently showed thetr skill by furging from a worn out nso n stout nud serviceable boe.
The most of thou enms here from the offer towns in the colinties of York and Cumberland, and they frequently brought with them thoss efficient agents in our eirilization, some of thio common domestic animals.
First Magistrates .- The first resident magistrate hero, commissioned ns a juntico of tbo penco, wns Samuel Teb- betts, the son of Timothy Tehhettm, coming here fram Brunswick, oud who with Seth Hinkley and other revidents, afterwards weut to the State of Ohio.
Tho next commissioned magistrato was Noab Jordan, coming here with othere of the name froin Capo Elizabeth, and who bad como into possession of the mills and water power before owned hy Jesso Davies.
The next acting resident magistrato wnu Benjamin D. Bryent, Sen., the writer's father, und grandson of Walter Bryent, of Now Market, Now llompsbiro, who surroyed the dividing line between that State aud Maine in 1741, by the direction of Governor Drleher. Jle, the grandson, After louving Exoter Academy, went with his brother-in- Inw, Elipbalet Smith, lo Portland, Maine, where ho engaged in mercantile business, ond upon removing here in Febru- ary, 180G, he continuent in the anno bumness, ood after- warils married Rachel Davies, daughter of Jemso Davirs. Physicians .- The first rosident physicinns here ivero Dr. ltbamor Deilows, coming from Massachusetts, in 1815 ; Dr. Denjamiu II. Mnce, from New Gloucester ; Dr. Leach; Dr. Alexunder Dwelly, living just withiu tho limits of Lewiston, and coming from Worcestor, Mass .; Dr. Daniel Garcelon, from Lewiston ; Dr. Beuoai Cutter, from New Inmupshiro; Dr. John A. Carter, and Dr. Sleeper, who is the ouly ono now resident here.
Lutryers, ete .- Levi Stowell, Esq., was the first of the legal profession here, living here o few years from 1819; Samuel Gooch, Esq., then taking his, Stowell's, pluec, the lutter being succeeded by Samuri Moody, Esq., who has now his residence in the adjoining town of Lishou; tho next in order of timo being Jacob Ilill, Esq , n gradunto of Brown University, and for some yeura prior to 1820 the editor of the Portland Advertiser, aud who was here Associated in bis professional business with his son, Stetsou L. ffill, Esq., the latter now residing bero.
Another of the profession was Darker Curtis, Esq., who for o time was a fellow-student with Dr. Alexander Dwelly and Ilon. Jobo llolmes, and why after finishing him prepara- tory legal studies in lbe offico of Benjamin Whitmau, Esq., of Boston, settled in 1807 iu Windham, Muins, and there praotised his profession for nome years, which, however, ho relinquished after his removal to this town.
Junies Emerson, Esq., a commissioned inngistrate, wns a resideut here from 1830 uutil 1868, coming trom Dristgeton, Maine, surviving his removal from the town a short tiuno only
Benjamin Burgess, for somo limo one of the major- generale of tho mititin force of tho State; ono of the presi- dential electors in 1830; for many years o deputy sheriff aud afterwards the sheriff of Lincoln County, o mon of lorge stature and prepossessing apponrance, bod his homo here until a fow yeurs heforo his decesse, after his removat to the town of Durlion.
Seamen, etc .- Though nu inlnad town it is yet an integral port, smoll, indeed, of a grent maritime nation, and here buve been the homes of numbere of nativo or resident cea- men and shipmasters, and of these, Cuptain Nathaniel Entes, bis son, Captain Itlinmar Dellows Eames, now in business in Canton, China, Foster Wentworth, Apollos Mil- ler, Captain Edward Drinkwater aod bis son Abijub Drink- water, Captain Jeremiah Nowell, Josinb Colcord, Denjamin Howard, the brothers Amos, Orrin, and Albert Dwiuel, Captain Samuel Cushman, Waltor Jordan, who perished by the foundering of a ship at nen, William Hannibal Colby, David Larrabee, living upon the farm once ownrd hy Jus. Somalt und then by John Sampson, Captain - - Jurdun, brother of Itobert Jordon, and Coptaiu Luther L. Lombard, who hoa mode nuwerims Europeon voyages ind is now au enterprising und respected resident citizen, with some others, buvo bad experience of life upon the ocean.
Witham Hannibal Colby, now living at Brunswick, Meine, to son of tho late Ebenezer Culby, Esq., who eume from Hopkinton, Now Hampshire and died here some years
eince of n enneerous disease, was a seamna on honrd the able inconvenienen and expense on the part of the In- United States Frigate Potomac, under the command of diritun), they wern generally required to be done gra- Cominodoro John Downes, during the circumnavigation of tuitously.
the globe in the years 1831, 1682, 1838, and IN84, and was oun of the party comolanded hy Lieutenant Shubrick that Went on shore, stormed, nuil took the Muiny forte at Quatlah Dattoo in the island of Sumatra, as a obantisement for the morder of the crew of the ship Friendship, of Salem, Mass., the officers and crew of the frignte afterwards receiving a donative from our government in recognition of bonorable und meritorioun servicen.
Paul Nowell, the father of Captain Jeremiah Nowell, WAS boro October 24, 1154, and after serving an a soldier In the American army in the war of the Revolution, came hore with his wife, selected a location In the montheasturu bonler
of the town, nod elosed a longthrued life ut the home of the struggle, the loyal people of the United States lint hin son, Jerominb, Jununry 18, 1836, just provious to which knowu that they worm confronting a rebellion lo be of an the government of the United States recognized his former service in its behelf by giving him & pension,
His non, Copiato Jeramish Nowell, one of the Inmily of eight children, was horu in the town of York, Mniue, May 24, 1776, and in early chibihood esine here with his father, and while n boy mads his first voyago to sen. followed nuc- cessively by others for sixteen years, when bo made a brief visit to the homo of his father hero, bringing bis neonma- Inted enroioga, all in cilvce coin, amountlog to m consider- oblo ouwi, paid him by William Patterson, nu eminent ter- chant of Dultimore, by whom he had been employed, and who bad placed him in command nf one of his sbips.
Returning to Baltimore, Captain Nowell coutiunnd in the service of Mr. Pottersou for eloven years longer, und while so employed was murter of tho ship Erin, which took bin employer's daughter, Elizabeth Patterson, muil bor bu abanil, Jerooie Donaporte, the brother of the first Napoleon, to Europo in the spring of the yont 1805.
Upon the arrival of the Erin al Limbon, în Poringal, Jerome left bin wifo and proceedrd by land to Paris, whila Cnplain Nowell took bin ship with tho aboudoned wife lo Amsterdaul, where an oriler bad been awaiting hier coming prohibiting hier from laoding, ond after remuniuing ot the Texel Itonde for a timo, the Erin ennveyel ber to London, woil with the exception of a casual mnesting at Florence, Italy, she neror suw her husband after leaving her at Lisbon.
fler son, born in 1805, und returning with her to Ralti- more, by worthiiy sustaining through hfo the obarneter of un American citizen, occured the respect of bis countrymen, and her husband, Jeromo Bounparte, by clinging to lbo chongelul fortunes of his nmbitioun brother, closed an oveutful life at l'aria os ex-king of Westphulis nul governor of the Hotel des Invalides in 1864, at the ngo of sovouty- fire.
Napoleon Bonnparte never succeeded in induoing the Pope, Pium VI}., to declare Jerome's mnrringo to l'iunbeth Putterson null and void, or to recognize the validity of bin subsequent murringe to tho Princesa Frederica Catharinv, of Wirtemburg.
Anter twenty-seven years' servico at sen, Cuptalu Nowell returnuil bere and bought the firm of Joseph Deering, situ- aled nyon the high lotul neor tho ensteru hiwits of the town, ond married Bonnab, daughter of Itobert llewey, and upon her denthi he aflernorde married her younger sinter, Eleunor, and died suddenly nt hin bome here September 6, 1864.
The writer, who use In hie possession an autograph leller of Mr. Patterson to Contain Nowell, received from the latter u circumstantial necouut descriptive of the most important events of his life, of which only a few hore hrru bero in- serled,
Captain Nowell said that he should linve continueil in the meroautile marine service permanently but for his father nod mother, who depeniled upon bim for support in their declining years, and who requireit hin persounl attention, no illustration of a character entorprising, generous, and honorablo,
Soldiers of the iFor of the Revolution,-The transition
from frontier life to that of a soldier is easy. fudeed, for mundo appropriations, and lustruedon bas liven giron nt
n eentory und o half, during the period of coloninl depond- ence, ono miglit nimost be said to have included tho other; so, when the war of the Revolution entie, funils necuful for its prosecution wore less rendily oblained thou men to Bght victoriously itm battles.
As settlements bore had not been mundo until nbout tho lime that the war commenced, it win not until it bunil been brought lo a successful clore that a nunther of the soldiers joined the colony and bere fuund homes.
Of this number were Alexander Gray, Abel Nulting. Auron Dwinel, Paul Nowell, Simeon Rloker, Faster Went- worth, Elias Storer, Phineas Spofford, -- Cntopli, Jesse Davies, Cuptaîn James Curtis, unil Sumnel Simmons.
In the wor of 1160, known as the French und Indian War, Cuptniu James Curtin morved na a private, and was unong tho prisoners surrendered at Fort William Henry, whore bin intrepidity and physical power saveil him from the uinssuere by the ludiaux that took place immediatoly after its surrender.
In the war of tho Revolution, Captain Curtis commanded a company raised In Drunswick, joined the American army nt Cambridge, and toward the close of his life came hi ther, where he diod in 182t, at the age of eighty-Dino.
These wen who rendered efficient, and many of them gratuitous, service in the successful struggle for nationality, uro deserring a mentiou which the limits of these outlines do not permit.
The name of Robert Dunken bas before been given na that of ono of the carly colonists here of the date of 1708, and from the little that can now he gleaned of his history, it appears that he was of Scottish parentage, emigrating In early life to the Now Eugland colonies, serving as a soldior in the wor either of 1750 or that of the Revolution, In one of the battles of which binself and a drummer boy, of the whole compony engaged, only responding to the roll call ut its termination ; afterward coming here and dovoting himself to the tilluge of n farto on the high lanil nenr the eastern margin of the town, and after a residence hore of sonuc yenra, removing to the town of Litchfield or to one of tho adjoining towus, and thero passing tbe remainder of his life iu retiremont.
Soldiers of the l'ar of 1812 .- By an order from Colonel Abel Merrill, dated Juuo 10, 1814, the milltin of this and some other towus, wero directed forthwith to appear at the court-honso in Topsham thieuos to proceed to Both " lo repel an invasion," ond nicordingly two companies, ono commanded by Snmool True, the other hy Benjamin D. Dryent, Senior, were soon on the way to the place do- designated.
A part of this force wns elatloned at Bath for some
Nem'an Il'ur .- In the war of 1816 with Mexico, two of the privates of Genl. Scott's army had long been reailenta hote, Benjamin Day, and Albert, mon of Aaron Dwinel, the latter, who was a natire of tho town, upon the con- clusion of the war ilying on board a transport in the Gulf of Mexleo, homeward bound
John C, mon of Mujor Willieto P. Dovin, who was fue many years a resident citizen of tho town, wam . ondot in the Military Academy of West Point, and snor gradlustlug in 1814, was commissioned es an officer in the army of the Voileif States.
Soldiers of tha il'ar of tha Rebellion, -If at the beginning of
long continuanco, of proportions of much mongoltudo anıl of no doterminod and desperate n olinteter ne that which oo- ourredd, probably a goueral and uolform plus for mluing the several contingents assigned to onch local municipality would have becu adopted, tho ominsieu of which was attendoit with Immenzo Injury to both the general and look! govcrillonals, and often muoli Injustice was therehy ilono to the brave men who successfully dofendod thu Inporlod lito of tho natlou.
The full buinbor of mon nasigned the town, upon all tlto requisitiona therefor, from the beglunlug to the chize of the rebollion, was ralso, and a very consideraute nihount of money wow appropriated hy tho lowy nt ilifforent them, for the paymout of bounties to the soldiers, and for the expensc inculant to recruiting and muetering them lato tho service.
Soto of the solillere roland, recolved no hounly from the lowu, pod that pald the others voried in amount for the soreral contiogonta receiving it, muil the families of sorue receired nid, while some of the soldiers were unmarried.
T'ho necrology of the enntingents of the lown while lu tho servico of the United States during the war of the re+ belllon, Incluiles the names of Frank F. Garceinn nul Ollmer Stover, both of whom digit at Sallshury, North Caro. lion; of Otis It. Colby, Wontdo Waterumo, Jours S. Metcalf, Charlos Mannen, Aolou Rt Nilos, Hiran Paily, Joseph R. Nilos, Churles Robtunon, Joseph P. Wurth, all of whoin died either from exposure and dlacano Inohlout to the aorrico, or were kliled In bottle, aud whose unmes are upon tho long list of those whomo fate the nation rrenlls upon tbe recurrence of memorial day.
In one of the muny battlos of the war of the relirillon, Albert Llocoln Denring, son of the Inte Jolin Deering of this town, receivoil u nevere and paluful wound, from which, however, le Boutly rocoveroil.
Formation of the Stata Constitution .- In 1819 when the constitution of Malue was formed, tho town wns tien a part of Ilsbon, to which two delrentes to the conventtun were nusigued, ond whloh chose therefor Capt. Nathaninl Eamra, who was born lu Mossachiusotty In 1712, end who exmo boro lu 1801, and dled here In INIT; nul Joints Small, who onme here from Lheriok, Muito, In 1800, and who removeil from the town n few years after the time of bin servido lu the convention, hotb of whom were wen of good understanding aud huth notively cugagod in buninons purautta.
That in its essential provisions the countlintion of Malno una for balf a century reinalued nuchanged, lo nu erlitonce of the general Intelligeneo of the meru bers of the oourention, two hundred and serenty-one, regremonting two hundred onil sixteen towns of the eight countles, who frameil It, Schools .- And one article of tho ovuntitutlou then formneil, of supreme Importance hoth to tho initividunt anil lo the Sinte, is that, requiring the several towno to moko suttabto provision for the maintenance of public schools,
Nearly from the first mnunlelpal organization bore in IisA, publio schools for elementary instrurtlou have been main- tained, for tho mupport of whitol the town hus qununily
sumno prirato schools, will tho efficiency of theso scliouts during this poriod of elghty-four years, from didorent causes, lins boen variono.
Firat Teachers .- Que of tho first school-leachers here wny Samuel Stumone, the potoroal great-gronilfather af Frink- lîn Simmons, tho eminent artist und sculptor, now In lume, Italy, the former an early settler here, ibo lutter born In this town, in the house ownod uow by Ephraim Wynnn.
Samuel Simmons was born In the State of lhude Inland, went to the Stuto of Conucotiout, thence to Drunniiok, Mnine, nud then ontuo here, nud bought a lot for n farin, upun whiob be built o house In which ho afterwards Ilvol, tho cellnr of which is still to be seen on the lilgh Inud nant Rohlason's Mountain, northeastwardly, upon land nuw owned hy Omar D. l'otter.
ffe wna of lorge staturo and had greet musoninr power, hod servel ővo years In the Amarienn army In the war of the Itevolution, omt bad the literary culturo then required for school-teachora, hls chirography bolug very neat nul legible, ns papers written by him, now in possession of tho writer, clearly show, In ono of whloli this tocallty Is dozig- unted " Burnt Meadow,' nud is ilutoil July 15, 1786.
Cnptatn Nnthenlel Entos, his dlaughtor Mury, try hin Arnt wife, Lucy Curtis; his son, William Eames, who poestssal superior capabilities, nud whose denth ocenteril here angi aftor that of his father and of luis alster Mury ; Jolin Hinul- len who lived just withtu the preseot limits of Ilsbun, nudl who wna a mag of muol force of olinracter ; Ruchol Davien, who puraurd hor proparotory studies at the noortemy lu Helirou, Maiue ; n daughter of William True ; Jumpph Sau- born, who rigluty enforceil order It tho school-room; Mary Ellis, dougliter of Bov. Jonathinn Ellle, of Topline ; mind more recently, Paulino Aun Brycut, daughter of Brujuinttu D. Brycut, Senior, who pursued bor studien at the school of Miss Cross In Portlandt ; nnd Itenbou Runt, though Iz uallve of Lowiston, wns employed as o legelior here for some time, and bad prepared himself for teaching at the neademy nt Monmouth, were some of tho enrlier school- teachers here.
Dhatinguished Afes .- An Instance of nlthanto success al- tending self-application, babits of Industry, and Integrity of moral principles, is that of the lion, Freomqu 11. Morno, natire of the town, wbo after his romnoval to a countneroint town of the State and while there engogol In mrobanirol employmenta, wna elcetod a representative in congress, where his neknowledgedl elitlity nad bin application ta the inties of bis poultion secureit the respect alike of lily anno- oloted representativos end of Lla constitueula, was re:oleotel, nod afterwards received tho appointment of United States conmul nt London, efficiently perforining the Untien of tint
mouthu, in expectation that this would be an objective office, and Incluiling the period when the wor of the re- point of attack by the enemy, atul as soon na the safety of hellion was s disturbing olement to the peaceful relattons of the placo was assured, all the meu from the town returned the goverumonts of the United States and Great Britain, to their houses.
First Newspaper taken in Town .- The first Newspaper At this period much dependenes was placed upon the local organizations of the militin force, by both the general laken in the town wan The Repertory, publisheit Tuesdays and Friilnya for John D'ark, No. TI State Street, Boston, nt and state goveriunente, au'l the duties incident theretu | four dollars n year, by the late Brujamio D. Bryeur, Henfor, were rigidly enforced, and though attended with consider- " lu 1800, whilch was received with other mail matter for the
und anod, with but little, if any, lime, and their intermixture Jordan, Nonli Jordan, Anron Dwinel, Moses Drown, Nathan
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town, from the post-office ai Brunswick; for many years River, convenient facilities of transportation by railway, tho muet couveuient offce for the residents tiere, Volomes of this old folia newsunper of that amil subsequent consecu- tive sears ere now in the possession of the writer.
This paper heet published in 1808, ond an enroest nevo- ente of the principles of the Federal party, wns afterwurd tuken by a few residents here, nud ilonhtless had some tn- Ouruce in determining the pohtienl character of the town.
The newspaper cluefly taken here for n lung perioil after, was the Porttund Atvertiser, with a clinnge of nome, first issuvil In 178ů, and supporting then the game polition] party ; hundred ond eighty-four nud a half feet shore the menn that The Itepertoty lind, ninny votoines of whleb aec nten level of the ses, as determined by Dr. Bache, Inte superin- premerveil here, These were fotlowel by the ttullowell tendent of the United Sintes Cosst Survey, and a superfi- Gazette, Kunlern Argus, Maine Furiner, l'ortlanel Transcript, Kennebec Journet, und more recently by the Lewiston Folle Jourunt, with come of the Boston and New York papers, and the l'ortinul l'ress.
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