USA > Maine > Gazetteer of the state of Maine > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75
£60
GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
Cape Elizabeth is the most interesting of the environs of Portland for its historic associations, its coast scenery, and its industries. It is connected with that city by a ferry at Ferry Village, at the north- eastern part of the town. Near this is the breakwater, having a light- house at its outer extremity. A short distance east is Cushing's Point Village, beyond which, at Old Spring Point, is the lawn-covered masonry of Fort Preble. The manufactures at these places are marine craft of all sizes, from boats to ships, boots and shoes, medicines, oils, extracts and fountain-syrups, etc. Knightville, on the next point westward, is connected with Portland by a horse, carriage and foot bridge. On the right, looking toward the city, are about 25 acres, oc- cupied with the works of the Portland Dry Dock Company. One of the docks is 100 by 42 feet, with a depth of 20 feet,-said to be the
WHITEHEAD CLIFFS.
largest in the country. The manufactures of Knightville are meal and flour, boots and shoes, harnesses, tree and plant protectors, etc. The next point west is Turner's Island, whence the Portland, Saco and Portsmouth (Eastern) Railroad crosses to Portland. The Boston and Maine Railroad reaches Cape Elizabeth from Portland by a shorter bridge at the little Village of Ligonia, on a point north-west of the last. Here are the works of the Portland Kerosene Oil Co., occupying 2 acres of ground. The product of this factory is upwards of 4,000,000 gallons of oil annually. The other manufactory at this point is the extensive Rolling-mill of the Ligonia Iron Co. The mill employs about 200 men, and turns out some 14,000 tons of rails annually.
161
CAPE ROSIER.
The numerous shade trees along the public ways are a noticeable feature of the town. Most of the roads bear names well-known to the people of the neighboring city, whose gay equipages whirl along their smooth lines toward summer residences, or some of the numerous points of interest. The old Ocean House road, the Hannaford road, Spur- wink road, and Cottage road, are the principal ones. The last skirts the eastern shore, and affords charming views of pretty cottages and sail-swept sea. A short ride from Portland Bridge brings the visitor to Cliff Cottage, and then to the fine residence known as " Glen Cove." Passing Willow Cottage, we reach Cape Cottage Hotel, built by the poet, John Neal. Near by is the stone castle-like edifice of the late Col. Goddard ; and beyond is Grove Hall. A little further on is Port- land Head Light, the oldest on the Maine coast, having been built in 1791. It is 100 feet above the sea-level, and can be seen 17 miles away. On the south-eastern angle of the town, is High Head, with the Cape Light a little to the east. The shore in the vicinity of Portland Head Light is high, rocky and picturesque. After storms many drive out to the Light to see the huge waves dash upon, the shore. A few years since two hackmen ventured out upon the rocks too far, and a great wave leaped up and swept them away. Their remains were recovered several days later, but fearfully mangled. The State Reform School, established in 1853, is located in Cape Elizabeth, and its fine building is a well-known land-mark.
Parson Smith, settled over the first parish in Falmouth (Portland) in 1727, preached half the time on the adjacent part of Cape Elizabeth. The second church of Falmouth was the first of Cape Elizabeth, and was organized with 11 members in 1734. Rev. Benj. Allen was in- stalled in November of that year, and remained until his death in 1754. Rev. Ephraim Clark succeeded him, and filled the pastoral office until his death forty-one years later.
Capt. Arthur Mclellan, born in this town in 1751, died in Portland in 1833. He was widely known as a successful shipmaster and a wealthy merchant. Other respected citizens have been Col. Charles Hannaford, and Esquires Samuel Haskell, Scott Dyer, Thomas E. Knight, and John Fickett.
The churches at present are four Methodist, two Congregationalist, one Free Baptist and the Welsh Church,-the latter society being chiefly the workmen in the Rolling-mill and their families. Cape Elizabeth has an excellent town-hall, a brick building two stories in height. The town high school occupies a portion of the second story, and above this is the Masonic Hall. The town has fifteen public schoolhouses, valued at $4,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $1,784,831. In 1880 it was $1,869,199. The rate of taxation in 1880 was $1.72 on $100. The population of Cape Elizabeth in 1870 was 5,106. The census of 1880 fixes it at 5,315.
Cape Neddock, a post-office in York, in York County.
Cape Porpoise, a post-office in Kennebunkport, York County.
Cape Rosier, a small village in Brooksville, Hancock County.
11
162
GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
Caratunk Plantation lies on the eastern bank of Ken- ebec River, 40 miles north of Skowhegan, on the stage-road to Canada. This township is nearly one-third larger than its neighbors. The sur- face is quite uneven. A range of highlands runs along the river, Moxie Mountain occupies the central part of the township, and Pleas- ant Pond Mountain stands in the northern part. West of it lies the sheet of water from which it is named, having an area of 3 square miles. The Baker Ponds lie in the eastern part of the town, the Heald Ponds in the south, and in the south-west are the Bog Ponds. The principal settlements are on Pleasant Pond Stream, and along the road to the Forks, between the highlands and the river. The planta- tion has three lumber-mills, and a small axe and cant-dog factory. There are four public schoolhouses, and the school property has a value of $1,000. The first settlement was in 1810; the organization in 1840. The population in 1870 was 214. In the census of 1880 the figures were massed in the returns with those of Carrying Place, Pleasant Ridge, the Forks and Moxie Plantations, making in the aggregate 981.
Caribou is situated in the north-eastern part of Aroostook County, at the junction of the Madawaska with the Aroostook River. It comprises two contiguous townships ; the northern one having for- merly been Forestville Plantation, while the southern comprised Lyn- don on the west, and the Eaton Grant, lying in the north-eastern bend of the Aroostook. The principal hills, and these not large enough to have a name upon the map, are a little south-east of the middle of the town, enclosed in a bend of the Aroostook. Limestone is the prevail- ing rock. The soil is a dark loam, yielding excellent crops of wheat, oats and potatoes. Maple, birch, cedar and spruce form the bulk of the forest trees. The Aroostook River passes up through the southern half to the centre of the town, then turning to the south-east, passes out on the eastern side. Caribou Stream enters from the west, dis- charging into the Aroostook at Caribou Village, near the center of the town. The Little Madawaska River comes down through the northern part of the town, forming a junction with the Aroostook near the eastern line. Otter Brook flows in from the north-west be- tween the two other streams; while near the southern line of the town Hardwood Creek comes into the Aroostook from the west. There are several other streams of considerable size, forming a remarkable confluence of water-courses, several of which afford some available water-power. There are mills on the Little Madawaska near the middle of the town, on the eastern side, and on Otter Brook, near its junction with the Aroostook ; but the large number are on Caribou Stream, at Caribou Village. There are here saw, planing, carpentry, shingle and grist mills, and a starch-factory, four of which are run by steam-power. Boots and shoes and harnesses are the principal other manufactures. This town is the terminus of the New Brunswick Railway from Frederickton and Woodstock, N. B., and of stage-lines to Van Buren, New Sweden, and Fort Fairfield. It was incorporated April 5, 1859.
There are meetings of the Baptists, Methodists, Congregationalists, Universalists and Episcopalians, some of which societies have houses of worship. There is a high-school at the village a part of the year.
163
CARROLL.
The town has sixteen public schoolhouses, valued with other school property at $6,800. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $155,702. In 1880 it was $337,388. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 2 per cent. The population in 1860 was 297; in 1870 it was 1,410 ; and in 1880, near 2,500.
Carmel has its location in the south-western part of Penobscot County 14 miles west of Bangor. It is bounded by Stetson and Levant on the north, Hermon on the east, Etna on the west, and Newburgh on the South. It is square in form, and has an area of 23,040 acres. The surface is undulating, and formerly bore a heavy growth of pine. The woodlands now contain the usual variety of trees. The rock is chiefly schistose. The soil is a clay loam, and yields good crops when proper- ly cultivated. Along the streams is much fine alluvial land. Potatoes and hay are the principal crops.
In the north-west corner of the town is Parker's Pond, a partially separated section of Etna and Carmel Pond. From it flows the Sowa- dabscook Stream in a south-eastern course through the midst of town ; furnishing at Carmel Village, in the centre of the town, a power occu- pied by lumber, grist and cloth mills. There are three other powers on this stream; three upon the Ruggles Stream; four on the Kingsley Stream, which flows from the southern part of the town to the centre; four on the Harvey Stream; and two on a branch of the Kenduskeag, at the north-eastern corner of the town. In heavy rains the waters of the latter and Sowadabscook often mingle in the swamps, but flow off in different directions. The manufactures, besides that of cloth, are boots and shoes, furniture, carriages and harnesses, etc. There is a de- posit of antimony in the town which has been partially developed. The Maine Central Railroad passes through the town.
Carmel Village has a neat church, a good town-hall, and many tasteful residences. Some portions of the streets are well laid out and beautifully shaded with elms, generally from thirty to fifty years old.
This township was purchased of Massachusetts in 1695 by Martin Kinsley, of Hampden. Paul and Abel Ruggles were first settlers. The town was incorporated in 1811. There is a Union church-edifice at Car- mel village. The societies are the Methodist, Baptist, and Free Baptist. The public entertainments are chiefly temperance-meetings. Carmel has eleven public school-houses; and the total school property has a value of $3,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $260,118. In 1880 it was $291,073. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 18 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 1,348. In 1880 it was 1,220.
Carroll is situated in the eastern part of Penobscot County, 75 miles north-east of Bangor. It is on the stage-road from Lincoln to Princeton. It is bounded on the north by Prentiss, west by Sring- field, south by an unnamed township, and east by an unnamed town- ship in Washington County. The township is square, except a pro- jection southward at the eastern side. It contains an area of about 38 square miles. The surface is hilly, but mostly susceptible of cultiva- tion, and the soil is generally fertile. The drainage is by the branches of the Mattagordas Stream, which flows north into the Mattawamkeag, and by other small streams which flow southward into the Schoodic
164
GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
Lakes. The town has three saw-mills and a grist-mill. There is one lime quarry which is wrought.
Carroll was formerly township No. 6, second range, north of the Bingham Penobscot purchase. The first settlements were made about 1831 or 1832. It was incorporated under its present name March 30, 1845. The are a Congregationalist and a Baptist society in the town. Carroll has seven schoolhouses; and the total school property has a valuation of $1,850. The value of estates was placed in 1870 at $103,- 498. In 1880 it was $112,464. The population in 1870 was 632. In 1880 it was 625.
Carrying-Place Plantation, in Somerset County, lies west of the Kennebec, between that river and the southward bend of Dead River. It is an Indian carrying-place on the route to Canada, by which the passage of Kennebec and Dead Rivers is shortened. Three of the largest ponds in the township lies in the line of the Carry, and greatly reduce the land travel. The place has been made famous by the passage of Arnold's expedition against Quebec over this route in 1775. It is 40 miles from Skowhegan, on the Canada road and stage- road from Skowhegan to Quebec.
In the north-east and south-west are high hills. The western range is called "Carrying Place Mountains." Granite is found in Carrying- Place Pond Stream, in the southern part of the township. Gold is found in small quantities in Pierce Pond Stream, in the northern part of the township. The nearest post-office is Carratunk Plantation. This plantation was organized July 20, 1871. It was formerly No. 1, Range 3, West of Kennebec River. The plantation sent 12 men to the aid of the Union cause in the war of the Rebellion. It sustains a public school in summer and winter. Though no church is reported, many religious meetings are held. The valuation of estates at the date of organization was $15,000. In 1880 it was $9,980. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 2 per cent. The polls at the date of organization numbered 42. The population in 1880 was given in the preliminary report of the census with that of Pleasant Ridge, Forks and Moxies Plantation, all together being 981.
Carthage is the south-western town of Franklin County. Its form is nearly that of a triangle having its acute angle to the west. It is bounded on the north by Weld, east by Perkin's Plantation, Number Four, and Wilton, and south by Mexico and Dixfield, in Oxford County. Across the broad pine-covered plain in the northern and middle part, runs, in a tortuous course southward, Webb's River, the outlet of Webb's Pond. The eastern part of the town is hilly, but the soil in general is moderately good. There is much lime- stone in the town; and near the centre is a quarry which has been worked to some extent. Running nearly north and south in the east- ern part of the town is a range of lofty hills, variously known as the Bear, Saddleback, or Blueberry. The principal village is Berry's Mills, on Webb's River, in the western part of the town. It is 29 miles south-west of Farmington, and is connected by stage-line with the An- droscoggin Railroad at North Jay. There are here a grist-mill and two lumber and box-mills.
Carthage was formerly Number Four, Abbott's Purchase. Later, Dr.
165
CASTINE.
Perkins, of Farmington, became the proprietor of the unsold land. The first settlers were William Bowley and a Mr. Winter, the former of whom built what are called " Bowley's Mills" on Webb's River. The town was lotted by Samuel Adams in 1803. There are two post-offices, South Carthage and Berry's Mills. There are Baptist and Free Baptist societies in the town. Carthage has six public schoolhouses, valued with other school property, at $2,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $96,070. In 1880 it was $107,823. The population in 1870 was 486. In 1880 it was 507.
Cary, a post-office in Aroostook County.
Casco, in Cumberland County, lies between Thompson's Pond, and the northern side of Lake Sebago. Raymond lies on the east, and Naples and Otisfield on the west. Crooked and Songo rivers separate it from Naples ; Thomas Pond lies on the south-eastern line adjoining Raymond ; and across the northern part of the town is a semicircle of small ponds. The first on the western side is Pleasant Pond, which is partly in Otisfield. To this succeeds Owl, Parkers, Coffee, Dumplin, Edwards and other ponds, while Thompson's Pond covers about one third of the northern line. Crooked and Casco rivers, and the outlet of most of the ponds furnish small powers. The total number of powers in town is twenty-one, of which nearly all are improved. The manufactures are house-lumber, boxes, shooks, axe-handles, spokes, staves, meal, flour, clothing and carriages. The surface of the town is uneven, and the soil is hard and rocky, but moderately productive. Quito Hill-about 500 feet in height-is the principal elevation. The business centres are Casco Village and Webb's Mills. Casco is 30 miles north-west of Portland. It is on Davis stage-line from Oxford, on Grand Trunk Railway, to Naples. Casco was formely a part of Raymond, from which it was taken and incorporated in 1841. It is one of the smallest towns of the county, containing but little above three square miles.
There are societies of the Congregationalists, Gen. Prov., Baptists, and Free Baptists in this town. Casco has eight public schoolhouses, valued at $3,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $241,486. The population at the same date was 998. In 1880 it was 908, having lost 90 of its inhabitants during the last ten years.
Casco Bay for description, see article on Cumberland County.
Castine occupies a peninsula in the south-western portion of Hancock County, overlooking the eastern entrance of Penobscot River. The town of Penobscot bounds it on the north-east, and Castine Harbor separates it from Brooksville on the south and south-east. On the west is Penobscot Bay. Castine is 30 miles from Ellsworth, 18} miles from the railroad station at Bucksport, and 36 miles from Bangor. The Boston steamers run regularly to this port through the year, rarely missing a trip. The foundation rocks are slate, trap, mica schist, gneiss and granite. The soil is a sandy loam. The principal crops are hay and potatoes.
166
GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
The village of Castine occupies a commanding position on the eastern side of the peninsula, which gradually ascends from the shore to the height of 217 feet. On the north the shore is more precipitous. At the summit is a rectangular line of hillocks, the remains of Fort George. On the southward shore below are the nearly effaced ruins of Castine's fort, built as early, probably, as 1626; and at several points are the remains of batteries erected during the Revolution. The lighthouse and an old block-house are also points to be noted. The whole southward side of the peninsula formerly abounded in ancient relics, articles of Indian manufacture, cannon balls, shells, etc. There is an orchard in town, planted in 1784, which still bears good fruit. The streets of the village are set with shade trees of all ages, and the buildings are in good repair. Many of the dwellings are large and old, and there is an air of elegance and repose. Before it spreads out the grand harbor, dotted with islands. The depth of the water and the movement of the tide, make it an open harbor for large vessels at all seasons, with rare exceptions. The business is chiefly related to the fisheries. There is one saw-mill and one grist-mill, a large brickyard, two canning-factories for putting up lobsters, clams and other fish; a rope-walk, and a cod and mackerel line factory,-the latter doing a business of $40,000 annually. At the head of the peninsula is a light- house of stone, having a fixed, white light. For a quiet summer resort, Castine is equal to any point on the coast. The climate is very healthy, and old people abound. It is now made the terminus of numerous summer excursions ; and picnicking parties find it a very convenient and attractive locality.
The history of Castine goes back to the earliest settlement of our coast. The French explorer, Thevet, who visited the Penobscot in 1555, refers to an old French fort in this vicinity. Its neighborhood was explored by James Rosier in 1605; and in 1626 a trading house was established here by Isaac Allerton, under the direction of the Plymouth colony of Massachusetts. In 1632, the house was surprised and rifled by the French under Rosillon. Having been re-stocked, in 1635 it was attacked and occupied by another Frenchman, D'Aulney, deputy governor in Acadia. From 1643 to 1651, it was sometimes the scene of the conflict waged between D'Aulney and La Tour, rival proprietors, the first a Romanist, the latter nominally a Huguenot. In 1648 Friar Leo laid the corner stone of a Capuchin chapel. The place was taken by the English again in 1654. In 1667 Baron Castine arrived upon Penobscot Bay, the region being then known as Penta- goet ; and in 1670 Fort Pentagoet, at what is now Castine, was was formally surrendered by Colonel Temple to Grandfontaine, who represented the French government. In 1673, the place had 31 white inhabitants ; and the next year it was taken by a Flemish vessel com- manded by Captain Jurriaen Aernoots,
Yet in 1687, we again find Castine in possession, when he was noti- fied by the Government of New England to surrender the place to them. Two years later, it is said this peninsula was the scene of the torture of Thomas Gyles by the Indians. The locality began about this time to be called Biguaduce, later, Bagaduce, from Marche-Big- vitus, an Indian term supposed to mean "no good cove." Sir Wil- liam Phips took possession of the place in 1690. In 1693 Castine was again in possession, and temporarily gave in his adhesion to the Eng-
167
CASTINE.
lish. In 1703, the English plundered the house of Anselm Castin, eldest son of the baron, the latter having returned to France. Anselm himself in 1722, went to France, to succeed to his father's estate, and another son, Joseph Dabadis St. Castin, was left in possession of the Acadian estate. In 1779, Bagaduce was assailed by General Francis McLean with 700 men, in a fleet of seven or eight sail. Their landing was made in front of Joseph Perkins' house, which stood on what is now the south-east corner of Maine and Water streets. Having forti- fied the place, the British were attacked late in the following July, by a force fitted up by Massachusetts, consisting of a fleet of 19 armed vessels and 24 transports, carrying 344 guns, under Dudley Saltonstall, and a land force of about 1,200 men, under Gen. Samuel Lovell, seconded by Gen. Peleg Wadsworth ; Col. Paul Revere having charge of the ordnance. The most striking action of this siege was the storming of the bluff by the Americans, by which they gained a permanent lodge- ment on the peninsula, but with the loss of over 100 of their number. They advanced their works, with continued success, upon the exten- sive fortifications of the enemy ; and the siege failed of its object only by the insubordination of the captains of the fleet, and the over-caution of the commander. At length a fleet of British ships arrived, and Sal- tonstall's ill-governed vessels made haste to escape, and were in con- sequence nearly all captured by the British, or run ashore and burned. The land force escaped across the river above, and thence through the woods to the Kennebec. This was the noted " Penobscot expedition," the greatest display and the greatest failure of the Americans in New England during the war. The escape of Gen. Wadsworth and Colonel Burton from their imprisonment in Fort George in June, 1781, is one of the oft-related incidents of Castine history. A fort was built here about 1811 by the Americans, which was occupied by the British in 1814-15, and called by them Fort Castine. During the late civil war it was rebuilt and garrisoned by a company of U. S. troops. It was at one time called Fort Porter.
The town of Penobscot, which included Castine, was incorporated in 1787 ; and in 1788 it was first represented in the General Court, the representative being George Thatcher. Penobscot was made a collec- tion district of the United States in 1789. The town of Castine was set off and incorporated in 1796, and was also made the shire town of the county.
In 1814, the town was again occupied by the British, who held it undisturbed until April 28, 1816, more than four months after the treaty of peace. No place in Maine has experienced so many vicissitudes as Castine. It has been held successively by the Indians, French, Dutch and English ; and many naval engagements have taken place in its harbor. After the Revolution, Castine became rapidly settled, and for a long time it was the most important mart of business in the eastern part of Maine. Shipbuilding was formerly a leading industry, and the fitting out of vessels for the Grand Banks was carried on largely. In 1838 the courts were removed to Ellsworth; later the bounty act for fishermen was repealed and shipbuilding declined, all contributing to the commercial injury of the place.
Isaac Parker, of Castine, was the first lawyer in the county, and represented the district in Congress from 1796 to 1798. Hezekiah Williams, also a respected member of the Hancock bar, was represen-
168
GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
tative from 1845 to 1849. William Abbot, who settled in the town in 1801, was a sound, able and honorable lawyer. Dr. Joseph L. Stevens was for many years the leading physician and a valued citizen. Dr. G. A. Wheeler, author of the excellent history of Castine, has suc- ceeded to his practice. Others highly esteemed are C. J. Abbot, Esq., Deacon Samuel Adams, William Witherle, a well-known merchant. The town furnished 106 soldiers and 19 sailors for the Union in the war of the Rebellion, of whom 18 soldiers were lost.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.