USA > Maine > Oxford County > Norway > Centennial history of Norway, Oxford County, Maine, 1786-1886, including an account of the early grants and purchases, sketches of the grantees, early settlers, and prominent residents, etc., with genealogical registers, and an appendix > Part 5
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The original forest growth of the territory composing the town of Norway was quite mixed. In some localities, more especially around the ponds and along the larger streams, was a heavy growth of white pine (pinus strobus), and this was very valuable for building purposes to the early settlers. But a large proportion of the area of the town was covered with a heavy growth of hard wood, consisting of the sugar maple (acer saccharinum), the yellow birch (betula excelsior), the beech (fagus sylvatica), oak (quercus rubra), elm (ulmus Americana), and ash (fraxinus Americana and fraxinus sambucifolia). Other trees were bass- wood or the American linden, hornbeam, hemlock (abies Canadensis), fir (abies balsamea), hackmatack (juniperus communis), white and gray maple, white and gray birch, poplar, and many other trees and shrubs of minor importance. The wild flowers that blossom here are such as are found in other towns in the county, and need not be enumerated at length. They are great in extent and variety, and a study of them in their season is interesting and profitable. Trees, shrubs, and plants of all kinds grow luxuriantly in the deep, rich soil of Norway, and land that has been denuded of its forest growth, if left to itself, is soon covered again, though not always with the same kinds as the originals.
The rocks of Norway are essentially granite. Some of it is fine, and
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35
1164958
HISTORY OF NORWAY.
the ingredients evenly mixed, while in some localities, it is coarse and of the variety known as gneiss or gneissoid. Dr. Jackson, in his report on the geology of the State, mentions a deposit of lime on the farm of William Parsons in Norway, and, probably, a careful examination would show traces in other localities, though not in sufficient quantity to be of any value. In speaking of the geology of Oxford County, Professor Hitchcock said : "The geology of Oxford County is peculiar. Origi- nally the whole county was occupied as a schistose formation of essentially uniform character. Being in a situation favorable for the action of metamorphic changes, so much granite has been produced and thrust among the strata that it is now the prevailing rock. The county is made up of hills and valleys, without any level land except scanty meadows along the banks of the rivers. Now, nearly. all these mountains and hills are composed of granite, while the lower districts are occupied by mica schist, gneiss, siliceous slate or quartz rock, and indurated limestone." There are no important deposits of minerals in Norway, though occasionally crystallized quartz, sphene, garnets, and a few other varieties of minerals are found in boulders that have been brought here in the drift. No minerals of value nor metals are yielded by the soil or rocks of Norway, but the soil yields what is of far greater importance, sustenance in abundance for man and domestic animals.
The early settlers, when they first came here, encountered bears, wolves, and occasionally an American panther, but a specimen of the last named two has not been seen here within the memory of those now living. Bears occasionally pass through the town, but they have no regular haunts here, and the flocks of sheep are safe from their dep- redations. Beavers, otters, sable, and other valuable fur-bearing animals were once common here, and it was in pursuit of these animals, as well as of the delicious trout with which our ponds and streams abounded, that the land was first visited by those who subsequently settled here. Moose and deer once occupied the forests of Norway, sunned them- selves in the open glades, or slaked their thirst in the sparkling streams, but this was in the long ago, and, so far as this town is concerned, all the above-named animals are now extinct. The Indians had no regular camping ground within the limits of Norway, but they often visited the Great Pennesseewassee and other ponds of the town, and through Nor-
36
HISTORY OF NORWAY.
way and Greenwood was one of the Indian trails, leading from the sea- shore to the northern lakes, though they more frequently followed up the Little Androscoggin, or the Saco, when they desired to strike across to the Great Androscoggin, at Bethel. But the savage red man, with the huge moose and timid deer, the treacherous panther and the gaunt wolf, have abandoned this region forever, and in place of the dreaded war-whoop, the scream of the panther, and the howl of the wolf, are heard the hum of busy industry, the bleating of flocks, the lowing of herds, and the voice of civilized man.
GEO . H . WALKER & CO. LITH. BOSTON
CUT OF FIRST HOUSE BUILT IN NORWAY.
BY JOSEPH STEVENS 16 X 20 FT. CONTAINING TWO ROOMS, ONE 12 X 16 FT. ONE 8 X 16 FT. DRAWN BY HIS GRANDSON, SIDNEY A. STEVENS.
CHAPTER V.
ANNALS OF NORWAY.
1786
IT is stated in the History of Norway by David Noyes, that in the summer of 1786, several persons, namely, Joseph and Jonas Stevens, Amos and Jeremiah Hobbs, George Leslie, and William and John Parsons, the five first named from Gray, and the last two from New Gloucester, came into Norway and felled trees, and in case of the men from Gray, made what arrangements they were able, with the view of moving in with their families. On the other hand, it is claimed by the Stevens family that these preliminaries took place the year previous, in 1785, and that during the spring, summer, and autumn of 1786, these five families moved into Norway, and spent here the winter of 1786-7. This movement may be regarded as the beginning of Norway, for these first settlers came to stay, and did stay. With the exception of Lee's Grant, which was confirmed to him in 1785, and the three tiers belong- ing to Waterford Plantation, the territory comprising the present town .of Norway then belonged to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. These first settlers were therefore squatters, and so remained until they purchased their lands of the proprietor of Rustfield, who obtained his deed from the commonwealth in 1787.
1787
This year, according to Mr. Noyes, the first settlers came; but, according to Mr. Stevens, they were already here. The house built by Joseph Stevens, whether this year or the year previous, was the first frame building, and also the first building erected in Norway. In size, it was sixteen by twenty feet, low posted, and one story high. The walls were covered with clapboards and the roof with long shingles, both rifted from the white pine which grew plentifully in Norway at that time. The chimney, up to the mantel-piece, which was of wood, was built of rough stones, and above the mantel, of strips of wood placed cob-house fashion and laid in clay mortar. This year Henry Rust, gen-
38
HISTORY OF NORWAY.
tleman, of Salem, Massachusetts, purchased of the commonwealth six thousand acres of land, more or less, lying south of the Lee Grant and bounded by Waterford, Hebron, and Paris. This tract embraced the lots taken up by the settlers and placed them, to a certain extent, at his mercy, though his rights were somewhat restricted by law. They found him well disposed, and, in fact, he was very kind to them, selling them their lands at a nominal price and taking his pay in labor of those who desired it. A notable event this year was the birth of the first child, which occurred in the family of Jonas Stevens, October 17. This child was named Sarah, and became the wife of Jonathan Edwards, of Otisfield.
1788
The first male child was born May 31st of this year, in the family of Joseph Stevens ; he was named Joseph, and lived to be an old man. Nathaniel Stevens, a brother of Joseph, moved into the plantation. While felling trees, he had the misfortune to break his leg, and the dis- ability of the bread-winner reduced the family to such straits that the mother felt justified in digging up seed potatoes which had recently been planted, to feed her hungry children. The neighbors turned out and finished felling his trees, and took care of the little crop he had provided for before the accident occurred. Nathan Noble came this year from Gray. Jeremiah Hobbs lost his only cow, and as he had a family of eight children, the loss was severely felt. Dudley Pike moved from Paris in March. He had lived there three years. Mr. Noyes says that William Parsons, John Parsons, and Benjamin Herring came soon after Mr. Pike. Several settlers also begun on the Waterford three tiers, including Jonathan Stickney and Lemuel Shedd. Jonathan Cummings, of Andover, made his first purchase of Norway lands in August of this year.
1789
A matter of great convenience to the settlers was the grist-mill erected by the proprietor of Rustfield, and put in operation in October of this year ; also a saw-mill. Samuel Ames took charge of the former, and Thomas Cowan of the latter; both of these men had previously lived in Paris. The third birth in the plantation occurred August 24th,
1
39
HISTORY OF NORWAY.
in the family of Amos Hobbs. The child was named Ebenezer, and became an energetic and successful business man. Benjamin Witt, the first Norway smithy, came down with Captain Rust this year; he was a nephew of the proprietor of Rustfield. Nathan Foster, from Tewks- bury, and Darius Holt, from Andover, came this year to work for Jona- than Cummings, the proprietor of the Cummings Grants, and after- ward settled here. They were present and assisted in the raising of the mill frames. Amos Upton, from North Reading, Massachusetts, came here and felled trees on the lot south of what was called Fuller's Corner, and subsequently Swift's Corner. The first school ever kept in the town was taught during the summer by Mrs. Peter Everett in her own house.
1790
The twin brothers, Anthony and Nathaniel Bennett, came into Rust- field this year, and felled trees. It is said that the proprietor of Rustfield, in passing through New Gloucester on his way from Salem to Norway, came across these two Bennett brothers by the side of the road, engaged in building stone-wall, and induced them to settle,upon his purchase. A census was taken this year, the first under United States authority, and the population of Norway is placed at four hundred and forty-eight. There were then only two towns in the county with a larger population than this, namely, Fryeburg and Hebron. Waterford had been settled fifteen years, and had a population of only one hundred and fifty. According to this census, about eighty families had then settled within the limits of Norway.
1791
Anthony Bennett moved into Rustfield in 1791. Zebedee Perry also came in from Paris. The settlers were forcibly reminded of the cer- tainty of death and the necessity of providing for places of interment, which are never long wanting in any settlement. The first victim was Susanna, the little daughter of Rebecca and Nathaniel Stevens, aged five years. The next was Daniel Cary, who was drowned while attempting to swim across the outlet of the Great Pond. He was alone at the time and his body was not recovered until the following day. He had commenced on the Lee Grant; had been working for
40
HISTORY OF NORWAY.
Captain Rust that day and expected to find a boat wherein to cross, but some one had preceded him and left the boat on the opposite side. The first marriage took place this year, the contracting parties being Nathan Foster and Miriam, daughter of Jeremiah Hobbs. Lemuel Shedd was married in Bridgton this year, and John Parsons in New Gloucester.
I792
Jonathan Holman came this year and began on a lot east of the Peter Town farm ; he sold to Asa Lovejoy and left town. Peter Buck moved into Rustfield from Worcester this year. This family is said to be of French origin, and no relation of other families of the same name in this county, which are of English stock. Job Eastman came this year, probably from Conway, New Hampshire ; from that region, at any rate. He was born in Pembroke, New Hampshire, and was clerk of this town for nearly or quite forty consecutive years. He was a brother of the wife of the proprietor of the Cummings' Purchases. Probably Ben" jamin Flint came this year from Reading, and perhaps other new settlers.
1793
Benjamin Fuller, from whom Fuller's Corner took its name, came this year from Middleton, Massachusetts. This town of Middleton is in Essex County, and is made up of parts of Salem, Andover, and Rowley. The family of Asa Case came from Middleton in the autumn, Mrs. Case making the journey in an ox-cart. Job Eastman taught the first man's school in town in 1793, in the house of Jonathan Cummings Jr. Miss Abigail Symonds who was a sister to the wife of Lemuel, Shedd, kept this year the second woman's school. She taught in Mr. Cummings' barn. Joel Stevens moved from Gray this year. He was a brother of Joseph and Jonas. He had had two wives and four children before coming here, and the next year after coming he married Olive Hobbs and had fifteen more. He lived to be ninety-four years old.
I794
For various reasons, this was the most important year for the settle- ment that it had seen. Benjamin Fuller moved into town in June of this year. Three young men, Silas Merriam, Aaron Wilkins, and Joseph Dale, came down to work for Mr. Fuller, and settled here. Benjamin
.
1 1
41
HISTORY OF NORWAY.
Rowe, Ebenezer Jenkins, whose wife was a sister to the Parsons brothers, and Jonathan Woodman were also among the new settlers ; also John Henley, and John and Solomon Millett. A school-house, the first in town, was built this year on the land of Amos Hobbs. The first teachers in the new house were Job Eastman and Abigail Symonds. In 1794, a state tax was assessed by Ebenezer Witt, Nathan Noble, and William Parsons, assessors. This was probably the first tax assessed upon the plantation. The list of persons taxed embraces only the resi- dents of Rus field.
STATE TAX- 1794.
Polls.
Real Estate.
Personal Est.
Sum Total.
Henry Rust
0
420
s.
19
9
2
I
2
3
I
I
O
Joel Stevens.
Iod Iod
o
3
O
0
I
8
3
O
5
6
3
Joseph Stevens
O
3
9
O
2
3
O
O
6
IO O
John Pike ..
Iod
O
2
IO
O
2
8
I
O
o
II
3
3 2
I
I
Samuel Perkins.
Iod
O
I
8 9 3
3 3
I
O
I
O
3
2
C
Nathaniel Bennett.
Iod
O
I
7
2
O
5
I
2
II
O
Anthony Bennett.
Iod
O
I
7
2
O
O
I
O
2
II 5
O
George Lessley.
Iod
O
3
2
2
O
I
2
o
5
2
4
3
Peter Buck ..
Iod
Thomas Cowen.
Iod
O
6
2
O
O
2
o
2
I
3 I
O
6
IO
I
Ebenezer Whitmarsh
Iod
rod
Iod
4
3
2
2
O
O
O
O
2
3
I
I
John Millett.
Iod
2
3
2
I
I
O
4
IO
3
Nathaniel Millett.
Iod
O
5
2
O
O
O
o
I
3
2
Benjamin Stinchfield.
Iod
O
7
2
9
3
I
O
6
3
O
2
O
o
William Parsons.
Iod
4
9
I
O
3
II
2
O
9
8
3
Dudley Pike ..
Iod
2
IO
O
I
I
5
5
Daniel Trickky
O
O
II
O
O
O
0
O
II
O
O
C
O
O
O
O
7 4 O
I
O
I
0
I
O
7
3
I
2
II O
Amos Hobbs ..
Iod
O
I
o
7
3
I
O
8
3
2
2
I
7
O
Zebedee Perry.
Iod
John Cushman
Iod
Nathan Noble.
Iod
O
I
2
7
O
O
3
5
9 8 4
3 I 3
3
2
I
John Parsons. .
o Iod
I
5
3
O
O
2
O
0
I
6
I
Solomon Millett.
rod
O
8
I
o
4
O
o
I
9
O
I
II
3
Moses Twitchell.
Iod
O
7
7
3
O
6
5
2
I
I
5
6
I
Benjamin Herring.
Iod
O
O
9
3
O
O
I
I
9
O
Benjamin Witt.
Iod Iod Iod
Asa Dunham.
Iod Iod
O
3
9
O
5
2
5 5
5 I
I O
Samuel Ames.
Iod
Jonas Stevens.
William Stevens.
I
5 4 9 3
O
O
5 2
I
o
O
o
7
o
0
O
5
2
6
3
Joshua Smith.
Į
&
O
James Stinchfield
2
7
3
David Gorham.
William Nash.
Iod
O
o
4
O
7
6 7
I 3
1795
Jacob Tubbs came from Hebron to Lee's Grant in 1795. He pur- chased his land directly from the proprietor, the only instance of the
s. d. qrs
s.
d. qrs I
d. qrs
420
I
9
I
6
O
O
3 30
5
8
2
O
IO
O II
O
2
O
2
O
Benjamin Rowe.
42
HISTORY OF NORWAY.
kind in the case of a settler. Isaac Cobb and Asa Dunham came in this year, with several others. Levi Bartlett also came this year and went into blacksmithing. He built a large shop with trip hammer, and, Mr. Noyes says, carried on a large business for those days. William Work was married to Betsey, the oldest daughter of Jonas Stevens, in 1795.
1796
Benjamin Flint this year built the first barn erected west of Fuller's Corner. The early settlers generally used log barns or hovels, until they became able to build frame barns. A road, the first in town, by order of the Court of General Sessions was located this year, beginning at the north line of the town and ending beyond Cragie's Mills in Hebron, now Oxford. The minutes of the survey of this road are found in another place. Joshua Crockett, formerly of Gorham, but more recently of Hebron, moved into town this year. Samuel Perkins from Middleboro, and Joel Frost from Tewksbury, were other new-comers. The question of incorporation was agitated in the different plantations early in the year, and a majority was found to be favorable in each. A preliminary meeting of all the plantations was held at the dwelling- house of Samuel Ames near the mills, and there measures were taken for bringing about the desired result. A state tax assessed this year was as follows : -
William Parsons, $1.83
Nathaniel Millett, . 54
John Parsons,. 1.55
David Gorham,. .77
Dudley Pike,. 1.50
Ebenezer Whitmarsh,. .95
Thomas Cowen, . .32
William Nash,. .48
Samuel Ames, grist-mill, 1.50
Benjamin Stinchfield, .41
John Pike,. 1.20
Joshua Smith, .90
John Millett,. 1.20
Anthony Bennett,
1.71
Solomon Millett. .66
Peter Buck, ..
.68
Moses Twitchell, .61
Thomas Hill,
.39
Elisha Cummings
.39
Samuel Perkins, ..
.53
Nathan Noble,. 1.14
Reuben Hubbard,
.62
John Eaton, saw-mill,.
1.15
Levi Bartlett,
.79
Samuel Pearce,
·33
Isaac Cobb,
.33
Joseph Stevens,
1.58
Henry Rust,.
.84
Joel Stevens,
1.18
Zekiel Roberson,.
.38
Ephraham Briggs,.
.49
William Stevens,.
.59
Cimion Shertleef,
.28
Benjamin Witt,.
.64
David Woodman,
.28
George Lessley,
1.05
Jonathan Woodman,. .28
Asa Dunham,.
.4I
Joseph Eveleth, .... .28
Zebedee Perry,
.55
Thomas Furlong, .28
Whole sum thirty-eight dollars fourteen cents.
$38.14
----
İ
Jonas Stevens,. .88
I. 58
Amos Hobbs, .96
Benjamin Herring,
1.53
Benjamin Rowe,. .64
James Stinchfield, .67
John Cushman, .29
Joshua Crockett and Mr. Rust,
43
HISTORY OF NORWAY.
Rev. Paul Coffin visited Rustfield, June 24th of this year, and made the following entry in his diary : " Rustfield, Philips Gore and Cummings Gore, run by the east side of Waterford. Rustfield affords good land and an excellent prospect. Preached from 2 Timothy, 4 : 13- 14. Good attention. Mr. Jno. (Henry) Rust, the proprietor of the place was here with his wife from Salem. I dined with these hospitable and agreeable folks. He has used the settlers kindly - owns a saw and grist mill. He has a shop for a blacksmith, in which the water blows the bellows and makes the trip hammer go quick, which does the office of a sledge and enables the smith to make an horse shoe &c, with great dispatch .* This is a good place, and the grass is rich. From this to Sudbury Canaday | is twenty miles."
* This probably refers to the shop operated by Mr. Levi Bartlett. + Bethel.
CHAPTER VI.
INCORPORATED BY THE NAME OF NORWAY.
THE question of incorporation began to be seriously agitated during the season of 1796. Rustfield and the Cummings' Purchases had quite a large population, considering the brief time since their settlements were begun ; there were several settlers, mostly squatters, on the Lee Grant, and still more on the Waterford three tiers. The subject of incorporation was being agitated in Waterford at the same time, and on account of trouble in locating the meeting-house, quite a portion of the people of that plantation were in favor of incorporating without the three tiers, and, in fact, the town was so incorporated prior to the incor- poration of Norway, though only a few days before. It is no wonder that these several plantations, each weak in itself, without roads, with- out adequate educational facilities, and without religious privileges, should desire to unite into a strong town, although their preliminary and plantation lives had been brief. Their petitions for incorporation fully set forth the disadvantages under which they were suffering, and the reasons they gave for desiring to unite and form a town were doubt- less regarded as conclusive. As to the name by which they desired the new town to be called, the subject is not entirely clear. "Norage " is an unusual name for a town, and a more reasonable conclusion is that " Norwich," which is pronounced much like it, was the name agreed upon by the petitioners, but misspelled by the person who drew the petition.
PETITION FOR INCORPORATION.
To the Honorable the Senate & the Honorable the House of Representatives of the general Court to be convened at Boston on the thirteenth day of January next.
The Petition of the Subscribers, Inhabitants of the East part of Waterford, Cummings Grant & Rustfield -
Humbly Sheweth - That your Petitioners that are Inhabitants of Cumming's Grant & Rust- field have settled on two Gores or Strips of Land lying East of Waterford & West of Paris which with Lee's Grant contain all the Land between the towns of Waterford & Paris afore- said that the pieces of Land we Inhabit are Gores of Land which are sufficient for a Town- ship .- That your Petitioners have laboured under many difficulties and been subject to many
=
:
1
45
HISTORY OF NORWAY.
inconveniences known only to first settlers in a New Plantation & some peculiar to ourselves by being settled in small Gores of Land that by its division or boundaries seem to disconnect them and hath a tendency to disunite them and deprive them of the aid they might expect and no doubt would experience were the Division lines abolished as they respect the Concerns of the Inhabitants and their Interests made one by an Act of Incorporation into a body Politick in which case each Inhabitant would attend more to the good of the whole and Viewing him- self be no longer under the Inspection of a certain Proprietor or Purchaser of the separate Gore, would be possessed of that spirit of Philanthropy and Benevolence which are essential to the Happiness of Citizens and good Neighborhood.
We therefore Pray your Honours to take our peculiar situation under your wise considera- tion and if your Honours should think proper to Incorporate us by the following boundaries into a body politick with the powers and privileges that other Towns in this Commonwealth Enjoy, Viz : Bounds of Lee's Grant beginning at a certain birch tree standing on the West line of Paris aforesaid and on the Lot No. 13 well marked, thence running North 14 Degs. West one thousand one hundred and sixty rods to a Spruce Tree - A corner Tree being well marked about it thence running 76 Degs. West one thousand and four rods to a Cedar Tree - a corner standing on the Eastly side line of Cummings Grant thence running South 1165 rods to a large Pine Tree a corner thence North 76 Degs. East 780 rods to the Birch Tree first mentioned - Bounds of Cummings Grant - Beginning at a Pine Tree standing at the South West Corner of Lees Grant, and in the line of Rustfield thence running North 25 Degs. West three miles two hundred and seventy five Rods to a Beach Tree marked standing in State Land, thence on course West - twenty-five Degs. South one mile and one half to Waterford East line, then by the Eastly line of Waterford three miles one hundred and sixty eight rods to the North Westerly corner of Rustfield thence running on the Northerly line of Rustfield North 76 Degs. East - about five hundred and four rods to the Pine Tree first mentioned .- Bounds of Rustfield beginning at the South West corner of Cumming's Grant at a stake and stones thence running North 76 Degs. East twelve hundred and eight rods to the Westerly line of Paris thence running South 14 Degs East about nine hundred and seventy rods to Shephard Line thence running South 54 Degs West by Shephard line about one thousand and seventy four rods thence running North 25 Degs West by Waterford East line to the first mentioned Bounds - Bounds of the Small Gore of Land belonging to the Commonwealth included in our North line Beginning at the North East corner of Lee's Grant from thence running Westerly straight to Waterford North East Corner distance five miles and ten rods thence by the Easterly line of Waterford one mile to the North West corner of Cummings Grant containing about one thousand acres - Bounds-three tear of Lots on the East part of Waterford beginning at the North East corner of Waterford from thence running Westerly on Waterford North line one mile and one half from thence South 25 Degs East to " Water " South line from thence Easterly on said line one mile and one half to the South East corner of Waterford aforesaid from thence on the East line of Water- ford to the corner first mentioned,
And we beg leave to suggest to your Honours that by our peculiar situation we have been put to so much expence and have undergone such trials as render us unable to bear any part of the publick burdens at present - therefore we pray - your Honours would excuse us from Publick Taxation till such time as your Honours may be satisfied we are well able to bear a part of the publick burdens as our fellow Citizens and having no Lands for the first minister the use of the ministry nor a publick school therefore Pray your Honours that the Small Gore
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