USA > Maine > Lincoln County > Jefferson > Centennial celebration of the town of Jefferson, Lincoln County, Maine, U.S.A., August 21, 1907 > Part 4
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With this end in view he employed agents and stimulated their activity by land grants. His agents being of the Scotch-Irish stock, persuaded a large number, who had immigrated from Ulster County, Ireland, which was in the midst of religious contention, to settle there.
"Fresh and fervid from the siege of Londonderry and the battle- fields of Enniskillen, came the children of the church, full of faith, hope and zeal, panting for freedom to worship God."
The religious character and proclivities of the people in the Dunbar settlements soon developed a state of deep religious interest. Destitute of the stated means of grace, the people met together every Sabbath, and frequently on other days, for the purpose of worshiping God in a public manner by prayer, singing of Psalms and reading instructive books.
The so-called "Dunbar Settlements" were in the towns south and adjoining Jefferson. The descendants of these settlers, as they took up new farms, naturally followed up the waterways and extended north- ward into the country. Hence the majority of the early settlers in Jefferson came from Newcastle, Boothbay, Edgecomb and other neigh- boring towns, and were largely the descendants of these earnest Scotch- Irish immigrants. To this is due the strong individuality, the upright
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
and moral character, the deep spiritual and religious sentiment that per- vaded the early inhabitants of our beloved town.
As early as 1784 a Baptist minister by the name of Stearns, occa- sionally visited the town and held services. In 1785 Rev. James Potter visited Whitefield, then Ballstown, where he preached, extending his labors into the western part of this town.
In 1798 Rev. Mr. McLane of Bristol commenced occasional visits to the town as a missionary, which he continued for nine years. In 1804 the people residing at and about the head of Damariscotta pond, took measures for building a house of worship, without, however, pre- viously determining anything in respect to the denomination that should occupy it.
In 1808 the house was finished and in October of that year was dedicated. It was in subsequent years controlled and occupied chiefly by Baptists, the pew holders embracing or becoming favorable to that faith. This building was used until 1844, when the present house was built.
In November, 1807, a powerful and interesting work of grace commenced among the people in connection with the labors of a young man by the name of William Allen of Sedgwick, Maine.
CHURCH ORGANIZED
This revival continued the following year and on June 16, 1808, the First Baptist Church was organized, Rev. Isaac Case, Rev. Jabez Lewis and Rev. Phineas Pillsbury forming the council.
The church was organized with eleven members: John Kennedy, Abiathar Richardson, Thomas Kennedy, Richard Brann, Ichabod Rollins, Archibald Robinson, Benjamin Reed, Thomas Dow, Hannah Kennedy and Temperance Gilpatrick. Additions were made during the summer, so that at the meeting of the association in September of that year there was a membership of seventy-five.
On January 24, 1809, William Allen was ordained pastor of the church, which office he held until his death, April 10, 1836, a period of twenty-seven years. It is but a just tribute to real worth to say that few men have labored in the gospel vineyard with more zeal than did Mr. Allen. He was pre-eminently a working man as well as a work- man. There were added to the church during his pastorate two hundred and fifteen members.
During the last year and more of his pastorate his health failed and Rev. Enos Trask and Rev. Joseph Wilson served the church two years during which time forty-two were added to its membership.
January 1, 1837, Rev. Samuel Chisam, who had united with the church twenty-eight years before, became pastor, continuing until March 29, 1846, when, having nominated his successor, he retired full of honor and universally respected.
Rev. Luther C. Stevens of New Sharon assumed his pastoral duties in March, 1846, and served until August, 1851, a period of five and one- half years. Mr. Stevens was endowed with many excellent qualities of mind and heart, and sought earnestly and faithfully to elevate the church
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to the gospel standard of purity and efficiency. Upon the recommenda- tion of Mr. Stevens the church next called Rev. William Tilley of Sid- ney, Maine, who entered upon his duties in January, 1852. After four years of faithful work he severed his connection with this church and entered another field of labor. In March, 1862, Mr. Tilley was given a unanimous call to again become its pastor. This pastorate lasted nine years in which there were added more than ninety members. In July, 1871, he again resigned only to be re-called in 1875 for the third time, which position he held until his death, October 2, 1882. His three pas- torates lasted over a period of more than twenty years.
The self-sacrificing interest which he manifested for the spiritual welfare of his flock, the purity of his life and his superior ability to com- prehend and unfold the great truths of Christianity, were some of the points which endeared him to the people.
The church has also been faithfully served by Rev. Daniel Bartlett, Rev. Moses J. Kelly, Rev. E. T. Sandford, Rev. A. J. Nelson, Rev. Edgar Hatfield, Rev. B. F. Lawrence and Rev. C. E. Harden. The time allowed for this paper will not allow extended note of their pastorates, except to say that the work of the church has never faltered and many addi- tions have been made. On January 19, 1896, Rev. John Pettingill of Rockland began his labors with this church and served until January I, 1902, exhibiting good ability and having a rare hold upon the young people of the community.
February 1, 1902, the present pastor, Rev. A. A. Bennett, began his labors. His sermons have been deep, practical and spiritual and the work is in excellent condition.
The Second Baptist Church owes its origin to the revival attending the labors of Rev. William Allen in 1807.
In 1808 Asa Wing, afterward licensed by the church, entered upon the work.
June 25, 1808, Rev. Isaac Case and Asa Wing (Mr. Allen was detained by sickness) met at the house of James Cunningham in western Jefferson, now called "the ridge." Here the converts previously bap- tized were organized into a church. The next day Elder Case, after preaching and baptizing, returned to the place of worship, which was a barn, and there administered the Lord's supper to the little band of eighteen members. Mr. Wing served the church about two years and from that time until 1818 it was usually supplied by Mr. Allen. William Burbank, licensed by the church in 1818, became its pastor in 1821. In the revival which blessed his labors in 1824, Elder Burbank baptized Enos Trask and Amos Boynton, both of whom became well-known as earnest preachers of the gospel.
The same year, 1824, saw a division of the church, Elder Burbank and more than half the members being set off to form the Third church in Jefferson. For eight years the church struggled on without a pastor, without a house of worship, and with little preaching.
Brighter days seemed to dawn with the coming of Rev. Enos Trask in 1833. Elder Trask, for nearly fifty years, had a deep interest in this church, and it was one of the last churches to hear his fervent and earnest appeal for a better life. This church held its services in schoolhouses until the present house was built in 1890.
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The Third Baptist Church was organized October 27, 1824, at the house of Jonathan Trask. Rev. William Burbank, who was pastor of the Second Church when the division was made, continued his labors, cheered by occasional revivals and steadily holding on in times of depres- sion and darkness for eighteen years.
This church was afterward served by Rev. Amos Boynton, in all ten years; Rev. Thomas Goldthwaite, two years; Rev. Enos Trask, four years; Rev. G. E. Boynton, two years, and others whose record I have not received. This church worshiped in the Boynton schoolhouse until 1844, when the present edifice was dedicated.
A few years ago the building was repaired and remodelled, and at this time it became to a certain extent a union church, as the Free Will Baptists, who had an organization without a home, assisted in the renova- tion by purchasing part of the pews and the building has since been used jointly by the two organizations.
The Free Will Baptist Church was organized in 1843 at the Murphy schoolhouse. This church has been served by some able men and for the last ten years or more the Rev. H. F. Wood has been the very efficient pastor.
The number of Revolutionary soldiers whose record I have been able to trace in the short time at my disposal is limited. As the town had but few inhabitants at the time of the war, and as many who afterward settled in Jefferson, resided elsewhere when they entered the service, and are so recorded, it becomes difficult to identify them without some family history. If any one present knows of others I shall appreciate it if they will inform me later in the day. The following have been taken from government records : Samuel Cunningham, Solomon Hopkins, Jesse Hall, Joseph Jackson, Samuel Jackson, Joseph Jones, Jonathan Jones, Archi- bald McAllister, Richard McAllister, James Robinson, James Shepherd, William Shepherd, Thomas Trask.
Time will allow but a brief skeich of a "vat of the early settlers with no attempt to trace their descendants except in a very few cases. There are many others which would be of interest to mention but the brief time for preparation has not allowed a more general canvass.
Joshua Linscott, as previously mentioned, settled on the farm in the south part of Jefferson, near Newcastle, now occupied by Roswell Linscott and Abiel N. Linscott, and reared a family of eleven children. He died there about 1830, aged 95 years.
About the same time John Linscott settled on the adjoining farm, now occupied by Ernest Weeks, and raised a large family. From these two have descended all the Linscotts who have ever lived in Jefferson.
Ichabod Linscott, father of Joshua and John, lived at Damariscotta Mills, and as a millwright built the first dam and mill at that place. He held the title to his land under the Vaughn claim, and was one of the six whom Tappan prosecuted in July, 1741, for ejectment.
Robert Clary, born in Georgetown, Maine, March 10, 1757, married Susannah Reirdon of Georgetown. She was born August 8, 1756. He moved to Jefferson in 1776 and settled near Pleasant Pond. They had eleven children, all born in Jefferson.
Charles Glidden moved from Damariscotta in 1772 and took up the land bounded on the south by the road leading from Jefferson to Cooper's
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Mills, on the west by the Sheepscot river, on the north by the present town of Somerville, and on the east by Travel Pond. At the time of settlement he was six miles from any public road. D. S. Glidden now lives on his old homestead. He had two sons, Charles and William. William built the saw and grist mill at Cooper's Mills.
John Boynton, a son of Caleb, was born in Wiscasset in 1743. He settled first in what is now Alna, later in Ballstown, his log cabin stand- ing nearly opposite the place now owned by Mr. Percy Hunt, near the head of Pleasant Pond, when his third child was born in 1772. He married Temperance Hogdson, who was born near Portsmouth, N. H., in 1737. They had six children, two of whom, David and Nathan, served in the War of 1812, the former a captain and the latter a lieutenant.
Jonathan Noyes, a son of Benjamin Noyes, was born in Rowley, Mass., February 9, 1746. He came to Ballstown in 1775 and settled near Pleasant Pond, on the farm afterward owned by the late Charles Dow. He had five children born in Rowley and six born in Jefferson. Several of his sons settled in Jefferson and from them have descended all those who bear the name in town.
About 1725 or 6 Samuel Trask, when a boy, was stolen from Salem by the Indians, and an appropriation for the purchase of his redemption was made by vote of the town. As no trace of him could be discovered the money was applied to the purchase of a bell. But Trask was a captive among the eastern Indians on the Penobscot. His skill as a huntsman as well as his seamanship brought him into the notice of Baron de Castine, who purchased him of his captors, and employed him on board his sloop. He was taken from Castine by an English freebooter and transferred to the companionship of Captain Kidd, with whom he had been accustomed to visit the Sheepscot and cut spars. On the capture of Kidd and the dis- persion of his crew, Trask retired to Sheepscot and made a clearing within the limits of the early Free-town now incorporated as Edgecomb. His experience among the Indians gave him celebrity as one skilled in the curative art, and among the early settlers he was known as "Dr. Trask." Three sons of Samuel Trask, Jonathan, David S., and Thomas, settled in Ballstown, about 1795. Their farms included most of the land between the Third Baptist Church and William Hemenway's in South Jefferson. They all took a very active part in town affairs. Jonathan was the first representative from Jefferson to the General Court in Boston. David was the first town clerk. Thomas was the father of Rev. Enos Trask, to whom reference has been made.
Elisha Clark, Sr., who married Patience Weston and settled per- manently on the farm now occupied by Alonzo Hodgkins, was the son of Josiah and Patience ( Blackstone) Clark. They came to Newcastle from Dover Neck, N. H., about 1740. Elisha was a resident of New- castle for a number of years, being one of the selectmen in 1760-61-62. From him descended Elisha, Jr., the father of Hannah Linscott, Abigail Hodgkins, Betsey Gowen and several others. John, known as Fiddler Clark, who was the father of that numerous family, twenty of whom grew to mature age, was another son.
The Clarks who formerly lived in East Jefferson were relatives, being descended from James of Newcastle, a brother of Elisha, Sr. On the Blackstone side they descended from the Rev. William Blackstone, the first owner and occupant of Shawmut, now the city of Boston.
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
Captain Joseph Jones married Abigail Clark, daughter of Josiah and Patience B. Clark. He was a settler at Damariscotta Saw Mills, as the place was early called. He was a selectman in Newcastle in 1763 and 5. His settlement in Ballstown was doubtless soon after, as he was one of the officers in the plantation and later of the town. He permanently settled where Walter Nash now resides. He was captain of a company of militia which was in active service during the Revolutionary war. His pay-rolls are among the Revolutionary records in the Massachusetts Archives.
Jonathan Jones, his brother, also settled in Jefferson.
They were the sons of Cornelius Jones, who came from Exeter, N. H., and was one of the early settlers of Newcastle.
James Murphy of Scotch-Irish parentage was married to Sarah Lindsay at Arrowsic Island, Nov. 9, 1769, and very soon after settled in Ballstown on the shore of Pleasant Pond, where they raised their fam- ily of nine children, seven sons and two daughters.
Mary married Gideon Ford of Ballstown. She was the eldest of the family and was born in 1770 at Pleasant Pond, and it is claimed she was the first child born of European parents in the plantation. She died Feb- ruary 21, 1863, aged 93 years, having outlived all her family. Her hus- band, Gideon Ford, Sr., died in October, 1805, at Mayhew's Corner and was buried near the First Baptist Church, his grave being one of the three that were formerly seen there.
Among the descendants of James Murphy may be numbered the late Simon J. Murphy of Detroit, Mich., ex-Governor Nathan Oakes Murphy of Phenix, Arizona, and Frank M. Murphy, president of the Santa Fe and Prescott Branch Railroad.
Abner Ford, Sr., was born in Marshfield, Mass., Nov. 8, 1724, and was the son of William and Hannah (Truant) Ford of that town. He married Bertha Sampson, daughter of Gideon Sampson of Marshfield. The date of his settlement in Jefferson is unknown, but doubtless early in its history. The homestead is now occupied by a descendant of the fifth generation, William Hemenway. Abner, Sr., was of the fifth gen- eration from widow Martha Ford, who immigrated from England to the Plymouth Colony in the ship Fortuna in 1621.
Thomas Kennedy came to Maine from Bridgewater, Mass., when nineteen years old, and lived with his sister, Mrs. Jane Waters, at New- castle. He married Elizabeth Winslow of Newcastle, a descendant of Gov. Winslow, it is claimed. He came to Jefferson in 1778 with a Mr. Flanders and together they took up a tract of land running from the eastern shore of Damariscotta Pond to the Medomak river, and built a log house not far from where the Kennedy burying ground is now sit- uated. They had a large family, who largely settled in Jefferson and Waldoboro. One son, John, was the first deacon of the First Baptist Church and is well remembered by many of the older residents.
Samuel Waters came from England, was a cooper by trade, pur- chased the head of Dyer's Neck, Newcastle, from river to river and resided on it. The country was wild, but the strong arm and determined will soon made a clearing and created him a home. He was a very pious man and did much toward sustaining religious ordinances among the people, and frequently had services at his own home; but, like many good
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TOWN OF JEFFERSON
men, he had some peculiar ideas and ways, which at this time seem a little singular. When his second wife died, a friend in sympathy remarked to him: "You have lost your wife, Mr. Waters." "Yes," said he, "the loss of women and the increase of sheep will make a man rich." The last years of his life he spent in Jefferson on the farm later occupied by the late John S. Ames, at the head of Dyer's Pond. When the bass viol, just purchased, would be brought into the house where he wor- shiped, he would leave it saying: "It is both base and vile." When asked why, he said: "They play both Psalm tunes and dancing upon it." He was a firm Presbyterian and used to go to Waldoboro to partake of communion. He was very benevolent, and when living in Newcastle, when the people from Ballstown used to come to catch fish in the spring, he would entertain them free of charge.
John Weeks, born in Greenland, N. H., in 1732-3, and married in 1753-4, Abigail, daughter of Samuel Piper, of Stratham, N. H., and came to Damariscotta about 1769. He enclosed for himself and six sons five hundred acres of land in what is now Jefferson, for which he after- ward paid the government. He built a house and lived where the late James Benner lived on the west side of the pond. He was the ancestor of nearly all by the name of Weeks in Jefferson. His six oldest children were born in Greenland, N. H., but the seventh, Winthrop, was born in Jefferson, Feb. 4, 1770, making him among the first to be born in the town of white parents.
Samuel and Joseph came from Newcastle and located at what has since been known as Jackson's Mills in 1778. Samuel, or Capt. Jackson as he was commonly called, built a house where Frank Davis now lives and raised a large family. He was captain of a company of militia in the early days and his manual of military tactics is now in the possession of one of his descendants, a valued heirloom.
Deacon Joseph Jackson built a house where the late Joseph J. Bond, his namesake, lived. This place has been in the possession of the descend- ants of Joseph Jackson until the fall of 1906, when it passed out of the family. Joseph married Hannah Kennedy of Newcastle Feb. 22, 1787, and raised a family of eleven children. He was for many years a deacon in the First Baptist Church and the second representative to the General Court at Boston, making the journey there on horseback.
These brothers served a brief period in the Revolutionary War. They built a saw and grist mill where the present mills are located and for many years it was the only grist mill in town.
Henry Bond, of English descent, was born in Watertown, Mass., Oct. 25, 1749. He married in May, 1774, Mary Ann Fullerton of Booth- bay. He resided successively in Winchester, N. H., Wiscasset, and finally in Jefferson. He lived on the farm now owned by Avery J. Bond and had a timber house about half way from the present house to the pond, where the old cellar is still visible. He was a bricklayer and mason and the trade has been handed down through each generation. His descend- ants largely settled in Jefferson.
John Taylor, Sr., came from Plymouth Colony, probably Scituate, as early as 1635, and took up land at Damariscotta lower falls and resided here until 1678 when he was driven off by the Indians, and his house burned. He had one son, Isaac, and several daughters. Isaac
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
had four sons and one daughter. Joseph, Isaac's son, was born Nov. 20, 1737, and married Thankful Clarke of Providence, R. I. He came to Newcastle in 1767 and soon built the house on Academy Hill known afterward as the Glidden house.
Joseph and Thankful lived with their son John in Jefferson during the last years of their life. Their remains lie buried in the cemetery near the Trask meetinghouse. Joseph had ten children, several of whom settled in Jefferson, and among their descendants are many of our influential citizens.
The Richardsons came from England in 1630 and settled first in Charlestown, and later in Woburn, Mass. Abiather Richardson came to Jefferson about 1780 and settled on "the mountain." He had three sons, Abiather, Justus and Ezra.
Julius Richardson was born July 9, 1782, in Jefferson and married Jennet Bond of Jefferson July 9, 1807, and lived on the mountain near his father.
Ezra Richardson was born April 20, 1784, and married Mary Jack- son of Jefferson, May 6, 1806, and settled on the farm now owned by Henry Flagg on the east side of the pond.
Jonathan Eames was born in Wilmington, Mass., in 1716. He was the son of Daniel and grandson of Robert Eames, who came from Eng- land to Charlestown, Mass., about 1650. Jonathan removed to Woburn, where he was married in 1754 to Mrs. Dorothy Richardson, a widow twenty-one years old with one son, Abiathar. To them were born two sons, Jonathan in 1755 and Phineas in 1757. The family moved first to Woolwich and in 1775 to Jefferson or Ballstown as it was then called. On the bank of the river not far from the present location of Masonic Hall, they built a log house, which was standing for many years.
Jonathan, Jr., shortly after moving to Ballstown in 1780 married Olive Young and moved to Somerset County, Maine.
Phineas married Mary Jones June 13, 1782, and built a frame house near the present home of Melzar Nash. To them were born twelve children.
Nathaniel Meservey came from Appleton and settled on the east side of the pond near Nobleboro line about 1800, and raised a large fam- ily, whose descendants largely settled in Jefferson.
"O mother town a century old ! Whose welcoming arms these guests enfold, We come this bright auspicious day, Due honor at thy feet to lay.
"Though other scenes may tempt the sight, Though other skies may shine as bright, And many a face be fair to see, No other seems so dear to me.
"May peace and plenty reign upon The hills and vales of Jefferson, Justice and truth her people bless ; Her corner stone be righteousness."
DAMARISCOTTA LAKE, JEFFERSON ME,
THE UPPER LAKE
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TOWN OF JEFFERSON
THE CENTENNIAL POEM
The Chairman :
Fortunate are we as a town, in having among us a fair and talented daughter of Maine, who has composed a poem for this auspicious occa- sion, Miss Winifred B. Ladd, but who for physical reasons is unable to recite it to us. But happy are we, indeed, in having with us today, a fair and charming daughter of the sunny South Land, over whose people wave the stars and stripes today, and who will defend it as well as the people of the North Land. I have now the extreme and happy pleasure of presenting to you, Miss Ridgeway, from the State of Georgia, who will read to us this poem.
Shades of the forest wild, Haunt of the deer, Home of the savage child, Swiftly appear, Out of the dreamy past, Softened by time, Pictures we fashion fast, Painted in rhyme.
Look on the wilderness, Billows of green, Over earth's leafy dress, Silvery sheen. Vocal with thrushes sweet, Cuckoo and jay, Where the stream rushes fleet, Fetterless, gay.
Hither comes Wawenock, Careless of fear, Heaving the mighty rock, Chasing the deer ; When in the early fall, Full of the moon, Hears he the wild duck's call, Voice of the loon.
Damariscotta's lake Bears his canoe, While the loud echoes wake With his halloo. Straight to its fated mark Swift arrows fly, Till from the shadows dark Rises a cry.
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
When with abundant prey Filled are his boats, Back at the close of day Homeward he floats. Gently the wigwam's smoke Curls in the air ; Lightly the paddle's stroke Carries him there.
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