USA > Maine > Gazetteer of the state of Maine > Part 13
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103
BATH.
the heirs and assigns of Mr. Gutch ; but when judgment was affirmed against them the wealthy proprietors found means to carry the case to the King's Privy Council. Their case was found to be weak, and they never gained so much authority as warranted them in further disturbing the settlers.
In 1753 the territory of Bath and West Bath-derisively called by opponents the "Twenty-Cow Parish "- in answer to a petition, was set off under the name of the Second Parish of Georgetown. They had heretofore attended on the worship of the Kirk of Scotland in the old meeting-house at the head of Phippsburg ; but in 1762 they finished a house of their own. Merriman, Parker, Page, Adams and Wyeth, were the the earliest temporary supplies, and Rev. Francis Winter, settled in 1757, the first permanent minister. Rev. Hugh Wallis, Asa Lyman, and Rev. John W. Ellingwood-the latter in 1812-were his successors. Just at the time when Greene was campaigning against Cornwallis in the Carolinas, the Second Parish petitioned to be made a town. It was, therefore, in 1781, incorporated as Bath. For this name, commemorating the famous watering-place of English Avon, the city is indebted to Dummer Sewall, Esq., at that time representing this region in the General Court. Bath was the first town incorporated after the new constitution of Massachusetts was adopted. Between the day of the incorporation and the date when the inhabitants assumed their rights the confederation of the thirteen States became a Union of States.
The warlike incidents in Bath and its vicinity were a skirmish of a force under Major Church with the Indians near Swan Island (now town of Perkins) in 1692, in which the Indians were routed ; the cap- ture of the King's Dock and its commandant by the citizens at the breaking out of the Revolution ; and the repulse of two armed vessels of the British in 1780 by a small battery on a bluff nearly opposite the head of Arrowsic Island.
In 1844 the south-western portion was set off as West Bath ; in 1847 Bath received a city charter; and on the establishment of Saga- dahoc county in 1854, it became the county seat.
The pioneer in the ship building industry of Bath was Captain William Swanton, who had been a soldier in the French wars, serving in the reduction of Louisburg in 1758. He took up his residence in Bath in 1762, and from this time the population and business of the place steadily increased ; and on the acknowledgement of American independence by Great Britan the inhabitants became extensively and profitably engaged in lumbering and ship building. An eminent citizen who was engaged in the same industry, and also was a great promoter of commerce, was William King, who became the first governor of Maine. Of a later day were E. K. Harding, James Drummond, David Owen, Geo. F., John, J. F. and J. T. Patten, David C. Magoun, Freeman H. Morse, Bernard C. Bailey, Dr. Israel Putnam, Johnson Rideout, William Torrey, Ammi R. Mitchell, William M. Rogers, John T. Gilman, Galen Clapp, J. D. Robinson, Otis Kimball, William M. Reed, William V. Moses, Jeremiah Ellsworth, William Drummond, William Rice, John Hayden, Edwin Reed, John G. Richardson, Thomas W. Hyde, and many others highly esteemed. The latter names of these have been mayors 'of the city.
Rev. Samuel F. Dike, Levi P. Lemont and Joshua Philbrook have written historical accounts of Bath. The address of Rev. H. O. Thayer
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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
on the occasion of the Centennial celebration of the city ; and the full and clear information furnished by the city clerk, S. O. Rogers, Esq., have been of much service in preparing this article.
The climate of the town is salubrious, as is shown by the consider- able number of residents above ninety years of age. Bath sent 765 soldiers to aid the Government in the preservation of the Union, of which 117 are known to have been lost. To commemorate this sacrifice there has been placed in city square an elegant monument, consisting of a shaft of Georgetown granite on a heavy base; the height of the whole being of about thirty-five feet.
There are in the city two church edifices belonging to the Congre- gationalists, one to the Baptists, three to the Free Baptists, one to the Universalists, two to the Methodists, one to the Episcopalians, one to the Swedenborgians, one to the Roman Catholics, and there is one Union church. The charitable institutions of the city are a Military and Naval Orphan Asylum and an Old Ladies' IIome. Besides the common organizations, Bath has a Board of Trade, a Medical Association and a Maritime Exchange Association. The only public library, the Patten, contains about 3,000 volumes. The city proper has thoroughly graded schools, and the high school has long borne a reputation equal to the best. The number of schoolhouses is fifteen, valued with other school property at $60,000. The valuation of the city in 1870 was $6,402,- 713. In 1880 it was $5,913,192. The rate of taxation in the latter year was $25 on $1,000. The population in 1870 was 7,371. In 1880 it was 7,875.
Bay View, a post-office at Old Orchard Beach, in York Co.
Bean's Corners, a-small village in the north-eastern part of Jay, in Franklin county.
Beddington is situated on the western line of Washington County, on the road between Bangor and Calais. The town of Deblois joins it on the south. The area is 23,040 acres. The Narraguagus and two other ponds in the town form the head waters of the Narra- guagus river, and a lake in the north-eastern part of the town is the chief source of the Wescogus, or Pleasant River. The soil is loamy, but wet. Potatoes, corn and wheat yield well when cultivated. The principal elevations of land are Humpback and Spruce Mountains, respectively 2,200 and 2,000 feet in height. The town has one saw and shingle mill.
Beddington was incorporated in 1832. Israel Dorman and Benja- min Milliken were formerly valued citizens. This town furnished 12 soldiers to the Union cause in the war of the Rebellion, of whom 4 were lost. The Free Baptists have the only church in Beddington. The town has two schoolhouses. The entire school property is valued at $1,200. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $32,034. In 1880 it was 832,605. The population in 1870 was 134. In 1880 it was 129.
Belfast, a city and shire town of Waldo County, is situated at the north-western angle of Penobscot Bay, about 20 miles from its mouth, and 10 west of the mouth of the Penobscot. This portion of
105
BELFAST.
the large bay is known as Belfast Bay. The city is bounded on the east by Searsport, north by Swanville and Waldo, west by Morrill and Belmont, and south by Northport. Its dimensions in an easterly and westerly line are about 8 miles, by 5} north and south. The surface is uneven, rising into considerable hills in the western and southern parts. Mount Percival, within the Northport border, has summits respectively 400 and 600 feet above the level of the sea. The rock in town is generally granitic in its character, and is quarried in several localities. The soil is loamy and quite fertile. The principal crops are hay and potatoes. The forest trees are mostly maple, beech and birch. The streams are the Passag-assawa-keag, having its origin in a pond of the same name in the town of Brooks; Goose River which rises in a pond in Swanville; and Little River, rising in Belmont and running eastward to the bay across the southern part of the town.
The Passagassawakeag is navigable to 3 miles from its mouth, at which point is a small village known as the "Head of the Tide." At the mouth of this river on the western side of the bay, is the compact portion of the city. Goose River, which empties into the bay opposite the city, furnishes the larger part of the water-power in use. On this stream are a paper factory, two axe-factories and a grist-mill. The dam at the outlet of the fountain pond and the tide-power dam near the mouth of the stream, are of stone, and very solid. The little vil- lage, Poor's Mills, is situated on a power of the Passagassa-wakeag at the western angle of the township. Little River also has powers which are improved. The city has several grain mills, a sash and blind factory, employing from 30 to 50 persons, and a shoe-factory, em- ploying from 150 to 200. Other manufactures are ships and boats, blocks, pumps, brass and iron castings, sails, spars, staves, men's cloth- ing, tanned wool-skins, bricks, etc.
Belfast and Mooschead Railroad, which connects with the Maine Central at Burnham, has its terminus in the city. Belfast has a steam- boat connection through the year with Portland and Boston, also to Castine and other towns eastward. In former times shipbuilding was a large business in this city, and many residents are still largely inter- ested in navigation. The business portion of the city is compact, and the buildings principally of brick. The streets devoted to residences are wide and well-shaded with elm and maple trees. The city lies along an undulating acclivity that rises gradually from the water each successive street along the hillside having a little greater altitude than the last, until at the summit of Congress Street, the elevation is 178 feet above tide-water. From this point the eve commands a beautiful view of Penobscot Bay with its islands, with Blue Hill and the lofty peaks of Mount Desert in the distance.
The territory comprising Belfast was a part of the Muscongus or Waldo patent. The first settlers here purchased their lots in 1769 at the low price of twenty-five cents an acre. A surveyor named John Mitchell seems to have been the founder of the town. The next year a company of Scotch-Irish extraction, but last from Londonderry, N H. arrived ; and the place was from this time permanently inhabited. It is said some of the pioneers, on their arrival became discouraged and re- turned in the vessel which brought them. Among those who remained were James Miller and wife, two sons and a daughter, who first landed at the foot of the Frothingham lot. Years later the descendants
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GAZETTEER OF MAINE
of Miller, for a considerable period held annual celebrations on the spot of the landing. In 1773, the inhabitants numbering 200, the town was incorporoted under the name of Belfast, at the wish of Mr. Miller whose native town in Ireland bore that name. When the war of the Rev- olution commenced the inhabitants of Belfast took a decided stand on the side of independence; some refusing to take the oath of allegiance to the King, they were driven from their homes, and did not return until peace was declared. In the war of 1812, the inhabitants again suffered from the enemy, but not so seriously as in the Revolution. The first settlement in Belfast was on the eastern side of the river, but the greater convenience for communication with the country south- ward diverted business to the site of the present city proper.
The first bank in the city was incorporated in 1832. The Belfast National Bank has a capital stock of $150,000. The Savings Bank at the close of 1879, held in deposits and accrued profits the sum of $559,432.07. The " Progressive Age," published by William M. Rust, is an able and successful newspaper. It is democratic in politics. The " Republican Journal," published in this city, has long held the reputa- tion of an able and witty sheet. It has always done effective service for whatever cause it espoused. It is now republican in its affiliations. The " Hancock Gazette," begun in 1820, was the first newspaper in this city. The first post-office was opened in Belfast in 1797, and in 1818 this was made a port of entry. Belfast was made the shire town of the county in 1828. In 1845 a portion of the town containing about 500 inhabitants was set off, and joined with the western part of Prospect to form Searsport. In 1853 the city charter was adopted, Hon. Ralph C. Johnson being chosen the first mayor. An extensive fire afflicted the city on October 12, 1865, and a second more severe raged in the after- noon and evening of Sunday, Aug. 24, 1873. The loss by this fire was $350,000.
Belfast cherishes the memory of many excellent citizens, eminent among whom were ex-governors Hugh J. Anderson and William J. Crosby, Judge J. G. Dickerson, A. G. Jewett, for some time consul in Peru, and others.
Two meeting-houses were erected in Belfast in 1792, one on each side of the river. Four years later Rev. Ebenezer Price, the first pastor, was settled. There are now in the city six church edifices, two or more of them being large and elegant structures. They belong to the Congregationalists, Methodists, Baptists, Unitarians and Universal- ists. Belfast has in the city proper a system of graded schools, in which the scholarship has been maintained at a high standard. The number of public schoolhouses in the entire city is eighteen. The total school property is valued at $11,000. The value of estates in 1870 was $2,660,879. In 1880 it was $2,463,677. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 23 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 5,278. In 1880 it was 5,308.
Belgrade lies in the north-western part of Kennebec county, about 10 miles from Augusta. It is bounded on the east by Sidney and West Waterville, south by Manchester and Mount Vernon, west by the latter town and by Rome, and north by the latter and Smithfield in Somerset county. It was within the limits of the Plymouth patent, from which the titles are derived. The first settlements were made
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BELMONT.
about 1774. Its early names were Prescott's also Snow's Plantation, and Washington. It was incorporated under its present name in 1796. Anson P. and Lot M. Morrill, both ex-governors, and the latter for fifteen years a national senator, and later secretary of the United States Treasury, are sons of Peaslee Morrill, an early settler and native of the town. Other early settlers were James and David Wyman, Cyrus Weston, John Richmond, Nathaniel Pinkham, Calvin Stuart, John Pitts, John Richardson, John Page, Dr. Hemmingway and James H. Mosher. It is claimed that there are in town 100 persons who are over seventy years of age. The principal centers of business are Belgrade and North Belgrade, in the eastern part of the town-at each of which are a station of the Maine Central railroad and a post-office-and Belgrade Mills, in the north-west, which has a post- office. The public ways at the villages are improved by many rock- maples and elms, and the town offers much agreeable scenery. The surface of the town is uneven, but there are few high hills. Belgrade Hill is the most elevated of these, being about 500 feet in height. Granite rock crops out here and there. Of woods, beech, birch, maple, hemlock and cedar abound. There is a connected system of lakes in and about the town, all of which empty into the Kennebec. These are Great Pond, in the north-west, having an area of 9 square miles; Snow Pond, on the east, with an area of 5.15 square miles ; Long Pond, on the west, 4.85 square miles ; Richmond and McGrath Pond, at the north-east, .85 and .75 square miles, respectively. Many islands are in these lakes, one of which has an area of 200 acres
The soil of the cultivated parts is chiefly clay and gravelly loam. Agriculture is the largest industry of the town, and potatoes are the largest crop. The principal manufactures consist of a spool, excelsior and rake factory, a saw, shingle and grist-mill, at the Mills ; a saw- mill and a factory for making scythe and axe boxes, spade-handles and rakes, at North Belgrade. The spool-factory produces about 4,800 gross of spools per week, and the excelsior mill sends out about eight tons of its product in the same time. There are a Baptist, Free Bap- tist and Methodist churches in town. The old "Titcomb Belgrade Academy " was established by Samuel Titcomb and John Pitts about 1816. Judge Titcomb, of Augusta, was a son of Samuel. There are eighteen public schoolhouses, valued at $3,600. The valuation of the estates in 1870 was $461,468. In 1880 $493,631. The rate of taxation was 34 mills on $1. The population in 1870 was 1,485. In 1880 it was 1,321.
Belmont is situated in the southern part of Waldo county, Belfast and Searsport bound it on the east, Lincolnville on the south, Morrill on the north, and Searsmont on the west. Its area is about 10,000 acres. The town has neither high hills nor deep valleys. The rock is generally granitic in character. The soil is usually clay loam, but there is some sand and sandy loam. Agriculture is the principal occupation of the inhabitants. Hay and potatoes are the chief crops. Spruce, oak, birch and maple constitute the forests generally. Tilden Pond is the largest sheet of water, being about three miles in circum- ference. The outlet of this pond, with Green Stream and Cross Stream, each afford good water-powers. The two mills which are in operation manufacture lumber and staves. The nearest railroad station is at Belfast (city proper), about six miles from the town line. The post
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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
offices are Belmont and East Belmont. The town furnished 42 men for the Union cause in the war of the Rebellion,-of whom 11 were lost.
Belmont has five public schoolhouses ; the entire school property being valued at $2,600. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $101,708. In 1880 it was $103,296. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 23 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 628. In 1880 it was 520.
Bemis,-a post-office in Franklin County.
Benedicta is situated on the western side of the southern portion of Aroostook county. Sherman bounds it on the north, Silver Ridge plantation on the east, Penobscot county on the west. On the south is an unnamed township, next south of which is Molunkus, forming the south-western corner of the county. It is 44 miles west of Houlton, on the stage line from Mattawamkeag to Patten. It is formed of the west half of No. 2, Range 5. Plunkett Pond, in the south-western part of the town is the principal body of water. It is about 3 miles long and 1 wide. Several tritutaries of the Molunkus river take their rise in this town. The soil is a yellow loam; the chief crop is hay. The hemlock is the principal forest tree.
Most of the lots in town are taken up by settlers; but there is a considerable tract in the north-east and another in the south-east belong- ing to Bishop Healey. The business centre is near the centre of the town, where there is a boot and shoe shop, two or more stores, a hotel, Roman Catholic church and parsonage, and a post-office.
The town was incorporated in 1872; being named in honor of Bishop Benedicta Fenwick, of Boston, who purchased the township of the State of Massachusetts. It was first settled in 1834 by David and Joseph Leavitt. Benedicta sent 11 soldiers to aid the Union cause in the war of the Rebellion,-of whom 6 were lost. The town has two public schoolhouses. The entire school property, including these, with two lots of land are valued at $1,000. The valuation of estates 1870 was $41,741. In 1880 it was $42,810. The rate of taxation in 1880 was 22 mills on a dollar. The population in 1870 was 413. In 1880 it was 392.
Benton, in the north-eastern part of Kennebec County, lies on the east side of the Kennebec River, about 25 miles from Augusta. The town was originally a part of Clinton [which see], from which it was set off in 1842, when it was incorporated under the name of Sebasticook. In 1850 the name was changed to Benton. It was a part of the Plymouth patent, and the first settlement was made about the year 1775. Benton is bounded north by Clinton, north-east and cast by Unity Plantation, south by Winslow and Albion, and west by Fairfield, in Somerset county. The Kennebec river forms the western line, Sebasticook River passes through the town near the middle, and Fifteen Mile Brook crosses the eastern part. The rock is principally slate, and the soil a clay and slaty loam.
Along each of the streams are many fine farms. The principal occupation is agriculture, and the chief crop is hay. The woods common to Maine flourish here. There is a lumber mill on the Sebasticook at Benton Post Office, another at East Benton, on Fifteen Mile Brook.
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BERWICK.
At the Falls, on the Sebasticook, the Kennebec Fibre Company have a wood paper-pulp mill employing from fifteen to twenty hands There is also here a mill producing lumber, and wooden shoe-soles, and a manufactory of potato-planters. The Maine Central Railroad passes through the town, having a station at Brown's Corner.
On the hill overlooking Benton Falls many Indian relics were formerly found. There is a Union church edifice, which is occupied principally by the Congregationalists. There are also Christian and Methodist societies. The town has ten public schoolhouses, valued at $2,000. There are 398 children of school age, of whom 301 are registered as pupils. The total amount of money actually expended for schools from April 1, 1878, to April 1, 1879, was $1,537. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $248,123. In 1880 it was $376,601. The rate of taxation was about 13 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 1,180. By the census of 1880, it was 1,173.
Berry's Mill,-a post office in Carthage, Franklin County.
Berwick, in York County, first known as a part of Newicha- wannock, was incorporated in 1713, being the ninth town in the State. The territory then included also the present North Berwick and South Berwick. Settlements appear to have been made here as early as 1624. The titles are derived from Sir Ferdinando Gorges and Rowles, sagamore of the Newichawannock tribe of Indians. In 1643 Humphrey Chadbourne purchased of the sagamore a part of the land on which the village of South Berwick now stands. Spencer and Broughton also purchased land of Rowles the same year. Among the names of residents about this time are the well-known Frost, Shapleigh, Heard, Plaisted, Spen- cer, Broughton, Leader and Wincoln. The Boston and Maine railroad passes across the southern part of the town, and the Portsmouth, Great Falls and Conway railroad connects at Great Falls with the former road. The town is bounded on the north by Lebanon, on the east by North Berwick, on the south by South Berwick, and on the western side by New Hampshire. The extent of surface is 13,071 acres, exclusive of water. Its boundary line with the latter is formed by the Salmon Falls river. Little River runs across the northern part of the town, Boundary Brook forms one-third of the eastern line of the town; and parallel to the latter is Beaver Dam Brook. Love's Brook, further west, runs in the same direction, and Worster Brook runs south- west to the Salmon Falls River. Tare-shirt Hill, midway of the town, on the east, and Pine, opposite, near the western side, are the principal elevations. Knight's Pond, four or five square miles in extent, is the largest body of water in town. The rock is principally granite, and the soil is generally a good sandy loam. The manufactories are a boot and shoe factory employing about 200 persons when in full operation, a machine-shop employing twelve to fifteen persons, a soap- factory, employing about a dozen hands, saw and carpentry mills, a candy-factory, a tannery and numerous small establishments. The
business centres are Berwick and South Berwick village. Its railroad connections are just outside of the town at Salmon Falls and Great Falls villages, in New Hampshire, on the Boston and Maine, and Portland, Saco, and Portsmouth railroads, and for the north part of the town, at South Lebanon, on the Portland and Rochester railroad.
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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
Berwick suffered greatly in the Indian wars. In September 1675, the Indians entered the town and assailed the house of John Tozier, which sheltered at that time fifteen women and children. The master of the house had started with Captain Wincoln the day before to repel an attack of the savages upon Saco. A girl of eighteen years discovered the approach of the savages just in time to close the door in their faces. The fastening being imperfect, she held the door until the savages had cut it through with their hatchets. Finding that the inmates had escaped, the maddened savages wreaked their vengeance by a multitude of blows upon the poor girl. The fort or garrison was about 150 rods from the house, and the pursuing savages overtook and captured two young children. The next day they burned some buildings, but were driven of by the men of the garrison,-who pursued them until dark. One of the children captured was killed at once, the other kept in cap- tivity six months ; the heroic girl who held the door finally recovered from her wounds. In the following month the savages again assailed the house of Tozier, killed him and carried his son into captivity. Nine men sent to his aid from the garrison fell into an ambush, and three were shot down. A team was soon after sent out under a guard of 20 men to bring in the bodies of the fallen, when they were assailed by about 150 savages. Several of the company fell; among them Lieutenant Plaisted, commander of the garrison, and his two sons. This garrison was on the place now occupied by John Spencer, Esq. The place revived after this war, so that in 1690 it contained 27 houses.
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