USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Harrison > Centennial history of Harrison, Maine > Part 4
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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 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51
(The editors add to the above account the names of the officers for 1908, as an appropriate close to the account.)
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TOWN OF HARRISON.
OFFICERS OF CROOKED RIVER LODGE, 1908.
W. M. - Russell C. Edwards.
S. W. - George D. Skillings.
J. W. - Harry I. Lowell.
Treas. - Frank M. Barrows.
Sec. - Charles E. Akers.
S. D. - Edward A. Wight.
J. D. - Henry E. Jillson.
Chap. - George A. Haskell.
Mar. - Walker B. Mills.
S. S. - Jason B. Scribner.
J. S. - Irving A. Lamb.
Tyler - Elisha Turner.
TEMPERANCE ORGANIZATIONS.
From an early period in the history of the town a deep in- terest in the cause of Temperance has existed among our citizens, who realized the evil results of tippling in bar- rooms, and saw the destructive effects of the rum traffic upon the domestic relations of some of our families.
The first general movement for creating a better state of social conditions, and in reforming public opinion con- cerning the moral benefits of abstinence from intoxicating beverages, was the organization of the primitive "temper- ance society," which consisted of a board of officers, a con- stitution, a pledge, and an occasional meeting for addresses and discussions of the desired betterment of society. Much good followed this effort of the friends of temperance.
In, or about, 1840 arose the great Washingtonian move- ment, which originated in the city of Baltimore, and rapid-
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A HISTORY OF THE
ly spread over nearly the entire country, particularly the northern and eastern sections. Many thousands of the worst victims of intemperance in the large cities, and the country generally, were reclaimed, and became again sober and respectable members of society.
Following the Washingtonian movement, came the Sons of Temperance, a secret organization, with a ritual and ini- tiatory ceremony of much impressiveness and beauty of language. The first Division of Sons of Temperance es- tablished in this vicinity was Pondicherry Division at Bridg- ton Centre. It was joined and ardently supported by al- most every citizen of that place and North Bridgton, and surrounding districts.
On February 5th, 1850, Crooked River Division, No. 100, was organized at Bolster's Mills. Some of the charter mem- bers were Thomas Dorman, Otis Fernald, William Twombly, Dr. Horace A. Barrows, Stephen Waterhouse, William C. Hobbs, Granville Fernald, and a goodly number of other leading citizens.
A delegation of the members of Pondicherry Division was in attendance, among whom were Dr. Nathaniel Pease, Horace Billings, Reuben Ball, Reuben B. Ball, Richard K. Hunt, Nathaniel Bennett, Alexander Appleby, and others, who performed the initiatory ceremony, and installed the officers. The Division prospered a number of years, and had a saving influence on many wayward lives, but, in con- sequence of the death of some of its most prominent mem- bers, and the removal from town of others, the noble in- stitution gradually came to an end, and ceased to exist in 1856.
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TOWN OF HARRISON
About this time the Temperance Watchmen Club arose as a rival organization, and for a few years was very pop- ular, and successful in winning inebriates to its welcoming fold. One cause of its great success was the participation of women in its reformatory work. But that, too, became a thing of the past.
The next grand Order of Temperance reformers was the Good Templars, perhaps the"largest and most successful of all the modern secret temperance organizations, for it has extended its benefits to most of the English speaking countries of the world. This Order has had lodges or- ganized in Harrison Village, which have produced a good work, and helped to keep alive a strong public spirit favor- able to total abstinence.
In the year 1875 the Reform Club movement invaded our town, and a Club was organized at Harrison Village through the assistance of brother reformers from Norway. This Club became at once very popular, attracting many young men who greatly needed the sympathy and encourage- ment afforded them by the kindly assistance peculiar to the methods of promoting the work of the reform brother- hood. At the time when it was strongest (1876) the Club erected the Reform Club Hall, and continued to meet in it for six or seven years, and then gradually went out of ex- istence. It has been reorganized once or twice since, but no meetings have been held for several years.
Among those who have left an imperishable record for their unswerving devotedness to total abstinence reform, and to the enforcement of laws for the suppression of liquor selling and tippling, may be mentioned Harrison Blake, George Peirce, Philander Tolman, John Dawes, Samuel
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Gray, Franklin Walker, Christopher C. W. Sampson, Rev. L. W. Raymond, and the list might be much extended to include many other citizens worthy to stand with those we have mentioned.
Moral reform in society has many vicissitudes. Harrison has many times suffered relapse from a high standard of reform conditions, but the resolute action and the determined resistance of the mass of the people to the invasion of our homes and our communities by the demon of intemperance is yet a dominant factor, and on that great agency of safety and conservation of virtue rests the constant hope for a bright and happy future.
The temperance record of Harrison, as a whole, is one that its citizens may well be proud of, and the teachings and examples of our noble men and women are bearing fruit even to the present time. Though there is at present no active temperance organization in the limits of the town, the temperance and sobriety of its inhabitants will compare favorably with that of any country town.
HARRISON IN AND OUT.
Beautiful for situation is Harrison. It is beautiful in its inlook and its outlook. From scores of points of ob- servance our sensibilities to the charms of nature are thrilled with delight, and looking beyond the near landscape, we behold in all directions, to the horizon, ravishing views of mountain, forest, lake and glebe. But Harrison in its physical aspect is not the most interesting point of view. What makes this town of supreme interest to the non-resi-
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TOWN OF HARRISON.
dent sojourner, or visitor, is the quality of its manhood and womanhood, the native gentleness and urbanity, and hospi- tality displayed toward the stranger within her gates. These traits of the character of our people are what conduces to the high estimation in which Harrison is held wherever she is known.
Looking backward, we remember the notable groups of families, settled in localities which were distinguished as neighborhoods; the Stuart Neighborhood, the Burnham Neighborhood, the Brackett Neighborhood, the Scribner Hill, the Lewis Neighborhood, the Foster Neighborhood, and the Carsley Neighborhood. It was the people who lived in these localities that constituted, and do constitute our idea of Harrison. So I must be excused for talking a few minutes about the folks we have known and heard of, who made Harrison what it is.
THE PEOPLE OF HARRISON.
The history of a nation, a State, or a town is the history of its people. I have given already the interesting story of the ancestors of two families, who helped lay the founda- tion of the municipal structure from which Harrison was later evolved as a separate corporation.
From the "History of the Settlement and the Early Set- tlers of Harrison," by Rev. G. T. Ridlon, published in 1877, I learn that there were from 1792 to 1820, sixty-four fam- ilies, who had resided between Crooked River and Long Pond, in the territory which became Harrison in 1805. It gives me pleasure to mention the names, and give brief
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histories of as many of the pioneer families as I am able, from the data in my possession.
The first settlers of Harrison proper were John, Jr., and Nathan Carsley. They were the second and third sons of John and Mercy (Freeman) Carsley, of Barnstable, Mass., who migrated to Gorham, District of Maine, in their early married life, - about 1765, - where their children were all born and raised. Mary, the eldest, married James Wat- son, of Gorham, and they came to the plantation with the Carsley brothers, and spent their remaining years in this town. Mercy Watson, their eldest daughter, married David Potter Kneeland. They were the parents of a large family of sons and daughters, for many years resident of the town, whose descendants are yet here. Isaac Watson, son of James, resided for many years in Harrison Village.
Although John and Nathan Carsley came at the same time in the autumn of 1792, built a camp, and commenced clearing land, it is a fact that John Carsley had the honor of being considered the "first" settler, and his gravestone in the old Free Will Baptist cemetery, bears the inscription, "The First Settler of Harrison." John Carsley, Jr., married Martha Crockett, of Gorham. They settled on the Ridge, a little ways south of the old Free Will Baptist meeting- house, on the Edes's Falls road, on the opposite side of the road from the residence of Mr. George H. Cummings. Mr. Carsley died in 1823. He had children, but none of his descendants are living in Harrison.
The annals of Harrison contain no personal history of more local interest than that of Nathan Carsley. He was a true pioneer. Although his advent to the plantation of Otisfield was fifteen years after the first settlement at
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TOWN OF HARRISON.
Peirce's Falls, and five years after the organization of the plantation, he became at once identified with the interests of the settlement, as appears by the public records. He settled on a lot adjoining the farm of his brother, near the homestead owned by Mr. George Cummings, and by two generations of his ancestors.
Nathan married Susie Cotton of Gorham, and it is said that she was the "first white woman in town." After build- ing the camp, and doing some clearing in the fall of 1792, Nathan Carsley returned to Gorham, and remained until the next March, when he came for permanent settlement, bringing his young wife over the deep snow on a handsled. Here in the pioneer's camp was born William Carsley, the first white child born in this section of the township. Mr. Carsley was a stalwart, hearty man, inured to hardships, and deprivations of a life in the wilderness. He hunted and killed the bears and coons that destroyed his growing crops. Once when setting a bear trap he accidentally stepped into it, and was caught by the powerful jaws, the long sharp teeth penetrating so deeply that the muscles of his leg were badly lacerated, and he was fated to be ever afterward a cripple. He used to carry a large bag of corn or rye - a bushel or more - on his shoulder, (crossing Crooked River on a log), to Ray's mills at Saturday Pond in Otisfield - about four miles. He bore a high character for prudence and uprightness, and served his town and country in po- sitions of honor and responsibility. He died April 27, 1855, his wife having predeceased him, September 20, 1853.
Seth Carsley, also son of John, younger brother of Nathan, born in Gorham in 1782, married Susanna Whitney of Gorham, settled here about 1805, built his first house
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on the Bridgton side of the road, but afterward bought land across the road in Otisfield, and built the house in which he ever after resided, and in which his children were born. He was an early convert to the belief of the Free Will Bap- tists, and was one of the original members of the Free Will Baptist church, of which he was a deacon and a pillar of strength all the years of his long life. He was distinguished for his strict integrity and sincere piety. He died March 27, 1874, in his ninety-second year.
Seth Carsley, 2nd, and second son of Nathan, was dis- tinguished for his mechanical and inventive genius, and con- ducted business for years in Harrison Village. He removed to Pennsylvania many years ago. Betsey, daughter of Na- than, married Morrill Hobbs, Jr., son of Morrill, a pioneer who came from Waterboro in York county. Bethiah, second daughter of Nathan, married John Dawes, son of Cushing Dawes, a native of Duxbury, Mass. The father of Cushing Dawes was Joseph Dawes, who went from Duxbury to Minot, District of Maine, about 1790, stayed there a few years, and came to Harrison in 1802. He was the first owner of the farm made famous as one of the finest fruit farms in Maine, and one of the most beautiful homesteads, by the present owner, S. H. Dawes, Esq., great grandson of Joseph Dawes; and on which six generations of the family have lived.
Following the advent of the Carsley brothers, came Simeon Caswell, a revolutionary soldier, in 1797, who had migrated from Taunton to Minot a few years before, remov- ing hence to Harrison. He settled on a farm, since then to this time owned and occupied by at least four generations of his descendants. He married Rachel Staples of Taunton.
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TOWN OF HARRISON.
They were the parents of a family of hardy, energetic, in- dustrious sons and daughters. This family in its time has been distinguished for much mechanical ingenuity and skill in the construction of useful machinery, in which Lebeus of the second generation, John W., his son, a member of the former wire making firm of P. Tolman & Co., and Newell N., oldest son of Marquis D. Caswell, in the line of inventions were very prominent examples. Besides these, are the late Francis B. Caswell of Auburn, Me., and John H. Caswell of Bridgton, who have been for many years known as skilled jewelers, and dealers in fine jewelry and watches. Mr. Millard F. Caswell, Master Mechanic of the B. & S. R. R., and Hollis H. Caswell of Harrison Vil- lage, are also conspicuous for mechanical ability.
Mr. Caswell, the pioneer, was doubtless a good way from being a devotee of any form of religion; but he was also, doubtless, a thinker, and had pondered some of the im- portant problems pertaining to the soul of man and its ultimate destiny. It is related that once, in the last days of his life, a pious neighbor called on him, professing to feel some concern about his spiritual-mindedness. The old gentleman received his neighbor very kindly, sitting in his arm chair. After some preliminary conversation, the neighbor asked the feeble octogenarian the question: "Have you made your peace with God?" The eyes of the old man brightened as he turned towards his inquisitor. "Peace ! - Made peace with God," repeated the old man; "Why, I haint never been at war with him!" That reply was suf- ficient, and the incident was closed.
About 1798, Naphthali Harmon of Sanford, York Co., moved to Otisfield, (now Harrison) and settled on the farm
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occupied by himself and sons for more than fifty years, and now owned by Mrs. S. K. Wight. Mr. Harmon was an active pioneer and promoter of the interests of the new town of Otisfield, just then incorporated. He served as Lieutenant and Captain, in the militia, under commissions from Gov. Strong of Massachusetts, dated 1803 and 1805, respectively. He was also the recipient of various offices in his town. He married Mehitable Harmon of Wells. His first two children, Leander and William P., were born in Sanford. Harrison G. O., Walter P., Nancy, Sarah P., and Deborah C., were born in Harrison. William P., who is entitled to the full honors of the pioneer settler, was a man of strict integrity, and was highly esteemed as a citi- zen. He was a prominent member of the Baptist church, was church clerk for many years, and held the office of deacon from 1829 till his death in 1873.
Walter P. Harmon, fourth son of Naphthali, married Hannah, daughter of Solomon Bray, oldest son of Nicholas Bray, an early pioneer. Of the three children of Walter, Levi F., the eldest, is the only survivor, and resides at Harrison Village. Of the daughters of Naphthali, Nancy, born in Sanford, married William Hayford, of Hartford; Sarah P., second daughter, married Samuel Scribner, of Waterborough; and Deborah C., third daughter, married Levi Burnham, of Harrison.
The Burnhams, who came to Otisfield about 1799, were Abraham and Nathaniel, and came from Bolton, Mass. They settled on the hill for many years known as "Burnham Hill," and, latterly, as "Summit Hill." . Nathaniel was the father of seven sons and two daughters. The sons became citizens of considerable note in the business, political and
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TOWN OF HARRISON.
religious life of this town, until their removal to other places. At this time there is not one member of the several large families of Burnhams remaining in this locality.
Nicholas Bray, ancestor of the Brays in Harrison, came from Minot to Otisfield about 1800. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army for seven years, and settled on a fine lot of land on the ridge, near the center of the town, in the near neighborhood of the Carsleys. He was the father of eight children, of whom Edward, second son, was the longest and best known of his family residing in the town. Fidelia, second daughter, married Philip Caswell, son of Simeon, the pioneer. They were the parents of a large family who settled in this town, and several of their descendants still reside here.
Deacon Edward Bray, senior, was a man of sterling character, of decided religious convictions, and of fervent piety. He was chosen as one of the first deacons of the Free Will Baptist church, and associated for many years with Deacons Seth Carsley and Charles Walker, Jr. He married Susanna Hobbs. His death occurred September 21, 1865. Mrs. Bray died March 28, 1866.
The pioneer settler of Harrison Village was James Samp- son, of Duxbury, Mass., who first moved to Leeds, Maine, afterwards coming to Harrison about 1800. He married Jemima Stetson, of Turner, in 1786. He erected a log house near the site of the Harding house, and afterward erected a good frame house, believed to be the same house now noted as a summer hotel under the name of "Crystal Lake Cottage." Mr. Sampson built mills on the outlet of Anonymous Pond, and carried on the blacksmith trade at the same time. He was a genuine pioneer, and did much
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to encourage settlement in this town. Nine children were born to the house of Sampson, - James, Reuben, Deborah, Hannah, Jemima, Olive, Alice, Asenath, and Ahira.
Mr. Sampson, senior, in 1821 exchanged his mills, his homestead, and other lands, with Esquire Grinfill Blake of Otisfield, and removed from Harrison, accompanied by his son Reuben and his family. Mr. Sampson, the pioneer, and his wife both died in Otisfield.
Ahira was the only member of James Sampson's family who remained permanently in Harrison. He married Polly Stiles of Bridgton, and settled in Harrison Village, on the corner where now stands the store occupied by Mr. Bailey.
Of the children of Ahira, one only son, Capt. Christopher C. W. Sampson, was all his life a resident of Harrison. He was for many years engaged in navigating the Sebago sys- tem of lakes by canal boat, and as Captain of the Steamer "Fawn." Capt. Sampson was distinguished for his gener- osity of heart, and sympathy for the unfortunate. He mar- ried Mary Ann Brown, of Waterford. They had ten chil- dren, of whom but three are now living.
Early in the century came Wentworth, Joseph, Josiah, and Solomon Stuart, from Gorham, and settled near each other in the northeastern part of the town, ever since known as the "Stuart Neighborhood." It is excellent grazing and orchard land, diversified between upland, plain, and possible intervale.
Wentworth Stuart removed to Bolster's Mills, and there resided until his death many years after. The Stuarts all had large families. They were active in business pur- suits, and were interested in religious, educational, and moral reform movements of their generation.
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TOWN OF HARRISON.
Joseph Stuart was a mechanic of note in his time; had, I think, the gift of invention, and was always, when not out on his farm, busily engaged at his carpenter's bench in the shop.
Deacon Simeon Lovell, of Bolster's Mills - known as "Pinhook" for many years - was another ingenious ar- tisan, and had worked at gun making for many years in his early life. Some of his fowling pieces are probably extant to this day.
Mr. Peter Nutting, of Otisfield, was a joker and a romancer, and often told funny stories pertaining to the propensities of his acquaintances.
"I dreamed that I was up to Joe Stuart's," said Uncle Peter; "and I found Joe in his little shop so busy that he couldn't stop to say 'how de do.' So I says, 'Joe, what in the world are you a workin' on?'
'O,' says Joe : 'I'm a borin' out a lot o' Mosquitoes' bills.' 'Ah! do tell me,' says I. 'Well, where did you get your auger ?'
'O, Deacon Lovell made it,' says Joe, and never stopped borin'."
The name of Thomes has been from an early time an honorable one in this town. There were two families. The first to settle here was James, who moved here from Gorham about 1800, and located near the old Free Will Baptist meeting-house, where his grandson, and namesake, still re- sides. He married Abigail Libby, of Gorham. Charles, the older son, was born in Gorham. Sarah, only daughter, and Allison L., second son, were born in Harrison. Allison is a resident of this town, and is a prosperous farmer.
Amos Thomes, born in Gorham in 1789, came early to this town, and settled on a farm in South Harrison. He
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served the town much in public affairs, as Selectman, Town Clerk, and as Representative to the Legislature. He was also a delegate, in 1819, from Harrison to the convention in Portland that formed the State Constitution. He married Abigail F. Higgins, of Gorham. He died March 21, 1870, aged eighty-one years. Mrs. Thomes died in 1885.
Ezra, his oldest son, died in 1833, at the age of twenty- three. Marshall, the second son, was born in 1813, and married Rachel B. Haskell for first wife. She died in 1840, and, for second wife, he married Dorcas Paine, of Standish. She was a woman of fine intelligence, and pos- sessed noble traits of character. Mr. Thomes resided for many years on the home farm in South Harrison, which he carried on in company with his brother Samuel. About 1874 he sold his interest in the farm to his brother, and re- moved to Harrison Village, where he resided during the remainder of his life. His wife died in 1882, and Mr. Thomes followed her in 1897.
Alanson M., the third son, born in 1821, emigrated to the West when quite young, and resided there for many years. Later he returned, and settled in Bridgton, on the farm owned by his brother Samuel at the time of his death. A few years ago he sold out his property there, and removed to Harrison, where he now resides. Samuel, the youngest son, married Rosilla Cook, of Casco, and lived on the paternal homestead in Harrison nearly all his life. He resided in Bridgton during the last few years of his life, dying in 1883. He was a public-spirited man, and took a leading part in the affairs of the town, serving as Se- lectman, and as Representative to the Legislature.
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TOWN OF HARRISON.
Major Jacob Emerson lived in South Harrison before the incorporation of the town. He was quite an extensive land owner. His wife was Mary, daughter of George Thomes, of Gorham, and a sister of Col. Amos Thomes. Major Emerson was truly a "Father of the Town." He held several commissions in the old militia, was Collector of Taxes in 1806, and became a member of Oriental Lodge of Masons at North Bridgton in the same year. He was a Justice of the Peace, and Selectman, for many years, and represented his district in the Legislature in 1823-5-7. "He lived respected, and died deservedly lamented," says his biographer. His death occurred August 7, 1865.
The ancestor of the Gray families of Harrison was James Gray, of Beverly, Mass., who came to Bridgton early in life, removed to Harrison, and settled on the Pond road. His first wife was Mary Stickney, by whom he had nine children. His second wife was Polly Lewis. Samuel, and William Gray, sons of James, were long and intimately connected with the interests of the town.
The immediate ancestor of the Hobbs Family of Harrison was Morrill Hobbs, who came from Waterborough early in life, and settled where his grandson Reuben lived many years, being the last male representative of that family in town. Mr. Hobbs, the pioneer, died October 20, 1826, aged seventy years.
Thomas Cummings came from Topsfield about 1810, and settled on the site of the present town farm. Jonas, his eldest son, married Nancy Piper, of Otisfield, and settled on the farm now occupied by his son, George H. Cummings, on which three generations of the family have been born, and lived to mature years.
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Capt. John Brackett, father of Walter, William, Enoch, John, Chapman, and Eliza Brackett (who married John Lowell, of Harrison) was a Revolutionary soldier. His sons, and their families, were almost, or quite, a majority of the Brackett school district for many years. They were a group of highly respectable families, and were much identified with the educational, religious, and industrial life of the town.
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