USA > Maine > Gazetteer of the state of Maine > Part 21
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Rev. William Mason, the first minister of Castine, was ordained as a Congregationalist, but became Unitarian ; and Castine has now one of the two Unitarian churches in the county. There are now also Congregationalist (Trinitarian) and Methodist churches in the village. The church-edifices are fine buildings. A State Normal School was opened here in 1873, with accommodations for 200 pupils. It is well patronized. The schools of the village are graded, and a high-school is sustained. The town has six schoolhouses, and the school property is valued at $10,000. The valuation of real estates in 1870 was $461,- 343. In 1880 it was $362,754. The rate of taxation in the latter year was $2.14 to $1,000. The population in 1870 was 1,303. In 1880 it was 1,215.
Castle Hill Plantation is situated near the middle of the eastern part of Aroostook County, 55 miles north-west of Houlton. It is on the stage-line from Presque Isle to Ashland. Its boundaries are Wade Plantation on the north, Mapleton on the east, and Sheridan Plantation on the west. On the south is the township containing Haystack Mountain and Squawpan Lake. The township is without high hills and large ponds. The highest land is near the middle of the southern side. The surface is well drained ; the Aroostook River run- ning eastward through the north-western part, receiving within the town Well's Brook and several other streams from the south. Sawyer and Libby brooks empty into Presque Isle Stream, in the southern part of Mapleton, and others drain the southern and eastern parts.
The Universalists and the Baptists have societies in the town, and sustain ministers a portion of the time. The plantation has six public schoolhouses; and the total school property is valued at $2,500. There are six lots reserved for school and other public purposes. The valu- ation in 1870 was $20,053. In 1880 it was $27,636. The population in 1870 was 237. In 1880 it was 419.
Caswell Plantation lies at the north-eastern angle of Aroos- took County and of Maine, having New Brunswick for its eastern boundary. The eastern line of the town is but two or three miles distant from Grand Falls, on the St. John, from which point a railroad is pro- jected to pass through the plantation to Caribou. The surface of the township is very level, with a few very small ponds. The soil is a deep reddish loam. Wheat, buckwheat, oats and potatoes yield well. Maple, birch, spruce and fir constitute the bulk of the forests. The Plantation has a saw-mill manufacturing 2,000 feet of long lumber a day.
This plantation was organized in 1878 as Pleasant Ridge Plan- tation. In 1879 it was reorganized as Caswell Plantation, but it appears on the maps under the former name. There is a Christian society in
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the plantation which maintains public worship. The number of children in 1880 of school age was 123, and a school is maintained in both summer and winter. The valuation of estates in 1880 was $17,379. The population in 1870 was 67. In 1880 it was 326.
Centerville, in Washington County, lies 15 miles north-west of Machias. The township is nearly square in form, its dimensions being between 6 and 7 miles in each direction. Milton and Peaked Mountains, in the western part of the town, are the principal eleva- tions. Machias River runs through the castern part southward, and Chandler River and its branches drain the western part of the town. Great Falls, on Machias River, have a descent of 20 feet in 60 rods. Peaked Mountain Pond is two miles long and half a mile wide. There is a railroad connection with Machias from Whitneyville for freight only. The manufactories of the town consist of two shingle- mills. The soil is mostly clear of rocks, and consists of sandy and clayey loam. There is a large percentage of intervale. Hay and potatoes are the chief crops. The usual variety of trees are found in the forests.
Centerville was incorporated in 1842. The Methodists sustain worship a large part of the time. Centerville has one schoolhouse, kept in good repair; and this, with other school property, is valued at $1,000. The valuation of the estates in 1870 was $42,091. In 1880 it was $40,278. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 15 mills on a dollar. The population in 1870 was 145. In 1880 it was 32.
Chapman Plantation is situated near the middle of the eastern part of Aroostook County. It is bounded on the north by Mapleton, on the east by Presque Isle, and south and west by un- named townships. The area is about 42 square miles. The surface is moderately uneven. At the south-west part is one of the eminences called Horsebacks. The south branch of the Aroostook River drains the southern and western parts of the town. At the middle of the western part is a pond of about one mile in length by half a mile in width. There should be abundance of water-power in the township. This plantation is N.N.W. of Houlton, and 45 miles distant via Presque Isle. It was organized in 1874. The valuation in 1880 was $11,815. The population in 1870 was 40, including a few in Township 11 Range 4, adjoining on the west. In 1880 it was 166.
Charleston is situated on the south-western part of Penob- scot County. It is 25 miles north-west of Bangor on a daily stage- line. The nearest railroad station is at South Sebec, about 6 miles distant. The town occupies a place on the northern line of the county, being bounded on the north by Atkinson, in Piscataquis County. The other boundaries, Bradford on the east, Corinth on the south, and Garland on the west, are in Penobscot County. The ter- ritory is 6 miles square. The entire surface of the town has a consid- erable elevation above the sea, but is without high hills, or deep valleys. There are a few very small ponds, but numerous streams,-all running south-eastward. In the western part of the town several brooks unite and form the northern branch of the Kenduskeag ; other streams
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form themselves into the west branch and the east branch of Pushaw Stream, each of which have one or more good water-powers, and all were formerly occupied by mills. Three powers are thus occupied at present by saw-mills. The other manufactures are those common in small villages. The principal occupation of the people is agricultural. There are many fine farms in the town, a large product being horses and domestic cattle. Charleston, a little north of the middle of the town, is a pleasant village, and the principal business centre. West Charleston is the other post-office. A little south of the centre of the town is a stream and pond, with a mill and a small collection of dwell- ings and a schoolhouse.
The township was granted by Massachusetts, July 14, 1802, to John Lowell. The settlement was commenced as early as 1795, by Charles Vaughan. It was incorporated February 16, 1811, as the town of Charleston. The first settled minister was Elder Henry Hale, of the Baptist denomination, ordained in February, 1811. Charleston has ten public schoolhouses, which with other school property, have a value of $5,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $290,279. In 1880 it was $277,883. The population in 1870 was 1,191. In 1880 it was 1,111.
Charlotte is situated in the eastern part of Washington County, 35 miles north-east of Machias, and 13 south of Calais. It is on the stage-road from Calais to Bangor. Robbinston lies on the east, Pembroke and Dennysville on the south, Baring and Meddybemps on the north, and Cooper on the west. The surface of the town is undu- ating, and the soil is quite productive. Round Lake lies near the center of the town, and in the south-eastern part is Pemaquan Lake, 225 square miles in area, both reservoirs of the Pemaquan River. The Moosehorn Stream comes down through the north of the town to the latter lake. The principal manufactures are lumber and cooper- age. The post-offices are Charlotte and South Charlotte.
The first settlement in this town was about 1807-10, by Bridges, Damon, Truesdell and Fisher. It was incorporated Jan. 19, 1825. There are Baptist and Methodist societies in town. Charlotte has five public schoolhouses. The total school property is estimated at $1,675. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $66,938. In 1880 it was $60,293. The population in 1870 was 467, In 1880 it was 489.
Chase's Mills, (West Turner) a post-office in Turner, An- droscoggin County.
Chebeague Island, a post-office and island by Harps- well, Cumberland County.
Chelsea, in the south-eastern part of Kennebec County, lies on the eastern bank of the Kennebec River, by which it is separated from Hallowell and Farmingdale. Augusta bounds it on the north, Pittston on the south, and Whitefield, in Lincoln County, on the east. Prior to its incorporation in 1850 it was a part of Hallowell, and its early history is comprised in that of the latter town and of Augusta. Chelsea is hiliy, but without lofty elevations; the highest are Ledge
ELLOL
MATTHEWS.
THE NATIONAL HOME FOR DISABLED SOLDIERS, ( Eastern Branch,) TOGUS, ME.
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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
Hill and Winter Hill, each about 100 feet in height. The rock is granitic, and the soil clay and sandy loam. There are several fine farms in town, and the chief occupation is agriculture. The principal stream is Worromontogus, or "Togus," which runs southward through the eastern part and falls into the Kennebec.
There is a saw and grist mill on this stream, toward the southern part of the town. In the northern part is one of the United States military asylums. The mineral spring at this place formerly had some notoriety, and Mr. Beal, of Boston, erected a large hotel near it. The enterprise did not prove profitable, and the property was sold to the United States ; the territory also being ceded to the Government for the purposes of a Home for the disabled soldiers of the war of the Rebellion. A fire destroyed the old buildings, which were of wood, and substantial brick buildings were soon after erected, of size sufficient to accommodate 1,000 men. Belonging to this institution are a brick- yard, saw-mill and shoe-shop, which are operated by the inmates of the " Home."
Aside from Togus, the principal settlement is near the bridge con- necting the town with Hallowell. Along the river are a few ice-houses, and near the southern line is one of the large houses owned by the Knickerbocker Ice Company. The Maine Central Railroad, on the opposite side of the river, is accessible by bridge or boat.
Chelsea sent 98 soldiers into the war, of which number 28 were lost. There is an Adventist and a Methodist society in town. Chelsea has nine public schoolhouses, valued at $2,525. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $184,980. The rate of taxation in 1880 was 19 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 1,238. In 1880 it was 1,538.
Cherryfield is situated on the south-western border of Washington County, on both sides of the Narraguagus River. It is 30 miles from Machias, and is on the stage-line from that place to Bangor. Columbia bounds it on the east, Deblois on the north, Mill- bridge and Steuben on the south, and Hancock County on the west. The western portion of the town is hilly. Burk's Hill, at the south- western corner, and Young Tunk Mountain, near the western line, are the chief elevations. Big Tunk Mountain lies just outside the line, at the north-west of the town. Schoodiac Pond lies at the north-eastern corner of the town. Cherryfield has six valuable water-powers. At the head of the tide, at Cherryfield Village, are a grist-mill, planing- mill, sash, door and blind factory, a foundry and machine-shop, a gang- saw, edge and lath mill. Other manufactures are ships, carriages, har- nesses, shoes, furniture, ciothing, etc. For the three years previous to 1869, the annual product in long lumber has been worth at the wharf in the village 8400,000, and the shingles $30,000. Vessels ascend to Millbridge, within 5₺ miles of Cherryfield Village, and lumber is floated to that point in scows and rafts. The river is open to naviga- tion eight and one-half months of the year.
The Cherryfield Silver Mining Company have opened a silver mine in the town, and erected the necessary machinery for working it.
This town was originally No. 11 of what were known as the "Lottery Townships." It was incorporated February 9, 1816. Cher- ryfield was first settled in 1757 by Ichabod Wiley and Samuel Colson.
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CHESTERVILLE.
The first meeting-house was built on the east side of the river, near the Campbell mill. Cherryfield Academy was incorporated in 1829, and the present Academy building was erected in 1850. Union Hall, in this building, is a credit to the town. The Academy has done much good work, but it has now an excellent substitute in Cherryfield High School. The town has ten public schoolhouses. The entire school property is valued at $5,800. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $434,483. In 1880 it was $404,576. The population in 1870 was 1,764. In 1880 it was 1,743.
Chester is situated on the west bank of the Penobscot River, near the middle of Penobscot County, and 56 miles N.N.E. of Bangor. The town is triangular in form, its base extending about 10 miles along the river. Opposite, on the eastern side of the river, are Winn and Lincoln,-the latter having a station of the European and North Ameri- can Railway. Other sides are bounded by unnamed townships. Katahdin Horseback, about 200 feet in height, is the most notable eminence. A large stream runs through this, cutting a notch down to its base. The principal streams are Medunkeunk and Eber Horse Stream, the latter a tributary of the first. Medunkeunk has a pretty cataract of 12 feet, and both streams afford water-powers which have been improved, in time past, by several mills. The underlying rock is slate. The soil is a clayey loam, and quite fertile. Potatoes are the crop chiefly cultivated. The forests are composed mainly of poplar and white birch. Along some of the highways grow rock maple, elm and English willow, from a dozen to forty years old.
Chester was incorporated in 1834. It has nine residents who are above eighty years of age. Of former residents, Samuel and Samuel H. Chesley, David Bunker and Friend Brown have been highly esteemed by their fellow-citizens. The town sent 32 men to aid the Union against the rebels,-of whom 11 were lost. The religious denom- inations of the town are Baptist and Free Baptist. Chester has six public schoolhouses, valued, with other school property, at $600. The value of estates in 1870 was given in the State report as $47,103. In 1880 it was $42,760. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 21 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 350. In 1880 it was 362.
Chesterville, the south-eastern town of Franklin County, is bounded north by Farmington, east by New Sharon, west by Jay, and south by Fayette, in Kennebec County. The town is about 8 miles long, and nearly 6 in width at the northern end,-the area being about 19,000 acres. In the centre of the town the land is mostly flat and low. There is considerable swamp and bog as well as meadow land. The hills are generally stony, and lie at each end of the town. Moose Hill, in the south-west corner of the town, is about 800 feet above sea-level, but its highest point is in East Livermore. A spur of Blabon Hill is supposed to be the highest land in Chesterville. It is composed almost wholly of granite, large quantities of which are annually quarried and wrought into building material. Another emi- nence called "The Bluff" lies near Sand Pond, and is an almost per- pendicular ledge, being about 100 feet high and 30 rods long. There is
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a horseback in the town 5 miles long and 25 feet high. Granite is the principal rock, of which there is much of a fine quality quarried. The soil is sandy, or a sandy loam. Pine is the most numerous wood, but alternating with hemlock, maple, birch and poplar. The town is marked by numerous small ponds, of which there are said to be upwards of twenty. The largest of these is Parker's Pond, lying at the south-eastern boundary of the town. Norcross Pond, the next in size, has an area of about one-third of a square acre. The others are Sheldrake, MeGurdy, Lock's, Sand, Parkhurst, Moosehorn, etc. The streams are Wilson's, which forms the line of division from Farming- ton ; MeGurdy's, which marks the line between Chesterville and Vienna, also the former and New Sharon; Little Norridgewock, which rises in Norcross Pond in the south part of the town, running north- ward midway of the territory to Wilson's Stream, which discharges into Sandy River.
The village of Farmington Falls is partly in Farmington and partly in Chesterville. The manufactures here are lumber, sash and blinds, spools, wrought granite, pumps, excelsior, potash, etc. At South Chesterville, situated on Parker's Pond, there are a lumber- mill and a grist-mill. North Chesterville, or Keith's Mills, on Wilson's Stream, is the centre of the wholesale manufacture of wagons and sleighs, which have a reputation throughout the State. The machine work is done at the village, but the larger part of the labor is performed on the neighboring farms ; thus mingling the labors of the farm and the shop. The village is partly in Farmington, and is charm- ingly situated, being surrounded by an amphitheatre of hills, through which the stream winds like a silver thread, or anon spreads out broad and pond-like. Other industries are carding and cloth-dressing, a grain-mill, cabinet and furniture making. There is here a beautiful village Union church, containing a bell that was given by Rev. Jotham Sewall, -widely known as " Father Sewall," and sometimes spoken of as the " Ap stle of Maine,"-whose remains lie entombed in the outskirts of the village. There is a small library here. Chesterville Centre is a pretty village, with a fine church, situated on the Little Norridgewock. Here also is a large tannery for sheepskins, which are carried in through and out of the great vats of tanning liquor on huge reels moved by water and steam power. There are 20 residents of Chester- ville over eighty years of age, and 1 over ninety. The town sent 65 men into the army of the Union during the war of the Rebellion, of which 23 were lost.
When the region was first explored by the settlers, they found at the rapids or falls at Chesterville Centre, on the Little Norridgwock, remains of palisades enclosing an area of some 3 acres where the village now stands. The enclosure included an Indian burying-ground, where bones, wampum, and other Indian relics are often dug up.
Chesterville was first known as Wyman's Plantation from its pio- neer settler, Abraham Wyman, who commenced his plantation in the southern part of the town in 1782. He was followed in 1783 by Samuel Linscott and Dummer Sewall, who built mills near the centre of the township, designating their settlement as Chester Plantation. The title of the lands was from Massachusetts. The township was first surveyed in 1788. Some of the early settlers were from Bath, others from York, and a few from New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Rev.
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CHINA.
Jotham Sewall and William Bradbury, the financier, commenced their fortunes here. Among the trials and hardships of these two pioneers, was that of going to Winthrop, 20 miles distant, to mill, drawing their grain on a handsled. The first road was opened through the place in 1780 ; and the first saw and grist mill was put in operation in 1785. The town was incorporated in 1802. It has now a Free Baptist church, and the Union church aforementioned. The number of public school- houses is twelve, and the value of the total school property, $2,800. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $288,353. In 1880 it was $290,- 968. The rate of taxation in the latter year was $16 on every $1,000. The population in 1870 was 1,011. In 1880 it was 955.
Chicopee, a post-office in York County.
China is situated in the eastern part of Kennebec County, on the western branch of the Sheepscot River. It is bounded by Winslow and Albion on the north, Vassalboro on the west, Windsor on the south, and Palermo, in Waldo County, on the east. It touches Augusta at the south-western angle. Stage-lines from Vassalboro to Bangor and Belfast to Waterville run through the town. China was a part of the Plymouth Patent, and was surveyed in 1774 by John Jones, sometimes called " Black Jones," from the dark- ness of his complexion. He was not of the present Jones family in the town. The first settlers were a large family named Clark, who came from Nantucket. They were members of the Society of Friends. Mrs. Clark, whose maiden was Folger, is said to have been a sister of Benja- min Franklin's mother. The Clarks, on one of their fishing excur- sions in the fall of 1773, ascended the Kennebec as far as Gardiner, where they fell in with surveyor Jones, and the next year removed to . the new plantation. The place was first organized under the name of Jones' Plantation. In 1776 it was incorporated under the name of Harlem ; in 1818 portions of this and of Albion and Winslow were incorporated as the town of China, and the remainder of Harlem was annexed in 1822.
The principal body of water within the town is China Lake, which is 7 miles long and about 1 mile wide, extending from near the north- ern line of the town south-west nearly to Three Mile Pond, at the south-western corner of the town. On the western side extending into Vassalboro, and connected by a passage called the Narrows with a longer division of the lake, is another about 4 miles long and 2 wide. The Sebasticook River forms the outlet. The land along the lake rises from its gravel beach in gradual slopes to moderate heights. The rock in town is mostly granite. The usual woods are found. The soil is excellent. The western branch of the Sheepscot passes through the eastern part of the town, affording several small powers. At Weeks's Mills on this stream are a grist-mill, lumber, and two shingle- mills. At Palermo post-office, or Branch Mills, are a lumber and grist mill. The town has a cheese-factors, tannery, several small boot and shoe factories, etc. The centres of business in the town besides those already mentioned, are China Village, at the north, the seat of China Academy, and South China, beautifully situated at the south end of lake.
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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
China sent 125 soldiers into the army in the war for the Union, of whom 10 were lost. Major James P. Jones and Mr. Joseph Stuart are among former distinguished citizens. Eli and Sybil Jones, preachers of the Society of Friends, have become widely known and esteemed, even as far as Palestine, by their ministry. The Baptists, Methodists, Friends, and others have churches in the town. China has twenty-one public schoolhouses, estimated at $3,000. There is also a library of about 500 volumes. The valuation of estates in 1870 was 8650,588. In 1880 it was $571,203. The population in 1870 was 2,118. In 1880 it was 1,769.
Clifton forms the south-eastern corner of Penobscot County. It is bounded on the north by Bradley, on the west by Eddington and Holden, on the south and east by Otis, Mariaville and Amherst, towns in Hancock County. Its dimensions are about 7 miles north and south and 5 east and west. The surface is very irregular, showing several high hills, of which Peaked Mountain, on the eastern border, is the most extensive. Others are named Little Peaked, Eagle, Bald, etc. Near the centre of the town lies Parks' Pond, with Little Owl's Pond near by. Fitts' Pond is near the western border, with Snowshoe Pond near on the north. Hopkins's Pond lies on the eastern line, Spectacle and Burnt Ponds on the southern, and Nichols' Pond, the largest, at the north-western corner. Parks' Mill Stream and Bradbury Brook are the chief streams. On the first is a saw-mill for long and short lumber. The outcropping rocks are granitic ; the soil, clay loam. Wheat is the largest crop. The forest trees are chiefly hardwood. The number of maple trees along the roadsides is noticeable and agreeable. .
The settlement of this town was commenced about 1815; Benjamin Penney, Eben Davis and a Mr. Parks were among the first settlers. The town was incorporated in 1848 under the name Maine; but this not proving satisfactory, the name was changed to the present one. The town is 12 miles east of Bangor, on the air-line stage-route to Aurora.
The Free Baptists have a commodious church, and sustain a minis- ter. Clifton has five public schoolhouses, valued with other school property at $1,500. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $58,752. In 1880 it was $44,259. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 4 per cent. The population in 1870 was 348. In 1880 it was 350.
Clinton lies between the Kennebec and Sebasticook Rivers, and is the most north-easterly town in Kennebee County. It is bounded on the north by Canaan and Pittsfield, in Somerset County, east by Burnham, in Waldo County, south by Benton, and west by Fairfield, in Kennebee County. It contains several small streams, aside from the two rivers that bound it. The town was within the limits of the Plymouth Patent. At the time of settlement (about 1775) there were abundant forests of pine, while the Sebasticook and other streams offered ample water-power. The first political organization within the town- ship was in the plantation of Hancock, at or before 1790, at which date the inhabitants numbered 278. It was incorporated as the one hundred and first town in Maine under the name of Clinton in 1795. Among those early in business in the place were Joseph and James North, sons of Hon. Joseph North of Augusta. They operated in lumber, and were
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