USA > Maine > Gazetteer of the state of Maine > Part 22
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
177
COLUMBIA.
also engaged in trade. Another of the early business men of the town was Gershom Flagg, son of Gershom Flagg, of Boston, who had charge of building Fort Halifax, at the mouth of the Sebasticook. The latter was also one of the proprietors of the Plymouth Patent, and received from this company a grant of land in the township. At the village in the south-eastern part of the town are one or more saw-mills, and a door and sash factory, a grain-mill, a mill with carding, cloth-dressing and brush-block machinery. Pishon's Ferry, on the Kenebec, is the other principal centre of business. The trunk line of the Maine Cen- tral Railroad runs through the south-eastern portion of the town. The surface of the town is quite level. The soil is a clay loam, yielding good crops of hay.
There are Methodist, Union and Baptist meeting-houses in the town. Clinton has thirteen public schoolhouses, including the high school- house, valued at $4,900. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $428,- 812. The rate of taxation in 1880 was 13 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 1,766. In 1880 it was 1,665.
Coal Kiln Corners, a small village in Scarborough, Cumberland County.
Codyville Plantation is situated in the north-eastern part of Washington County, 40 miles from Calais. Jackson Brook bounds it on the north, Topsfield on the west and Waite on the south. The route of the projected Calais and Penobscot Railroad lies along the western border of the township, and the European and North American Railway passes through the Jackson Brook Plantation adja- cent on the north, and also through the next township on the east, in each of which there are stations.
Tomah Mountain, estimated to be 2,000 feet in height, is the greatest elevation. The ponds are Tomah, Simmons, Butcher and Puppy, the first 3 miles long by 1 mile wide. The principal streams are Tomah Stream, Little Tomah, and Beaver Brook. The rock is chiefly granitic. The soil is a dark red loam. The principal crops are wheat, potatoes and corn. A large variety of trees are found in the forests. The roads are excellent. There is one bridge 150 feet in length, one 60, and another 40.
The Methodists of the plantation employ a minister, and much in- terest is taken in sustaining public worship. Codyville has one public schoolhouse, and the school property is valued at $650. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $27,919. In 1880 it was $43,757. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 7 3-10 mills on the dollar. The popu- lation in 1870 was 62. In 1880 it had increased about one-third.
Columbia is situated in the south-western part of Washington County, 19 miles west of Machias. Columbia Falls bounds it on the east, Harrington on the south, and Cherryfield on the west. On the north is an unnamed township. The highest elevation of land in the town is Sugar Hill,-about 100 feet in height. In the northern part of the town is an extensive heath. Schoodiac Lake, at the north- western corner of the town, is the principal sheet of water, being about 2 miles in length. The base line of the United States Coast Survey is
12
178
GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
drawn south of this lake. The principal settlements are about Wescogus, or Pleasant River, which passes south-eastward through the midst of the town.
The principal water-power is at Saco Falls, on this river. The manufactories consists of three saw-mills, all for short lumbe :. The soil of the town is generally a loam of good quality. The principal crops are potatoes and wheat. Maple, hackmatac and birch are the most numerous forest trees. A few elms along the streets have a pleasant effect.
Columbia was settled soon after the Revolutionary war, and was incorporated in 1796. Columbia sent 73 men to aid in saving the Union. The two church-edifices in the town belong to the Baptists and Methodists. The number of public schoolhouses is seven. The value of school property is estimated at $1,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $127,899. In 1880 it was $121,826. The rate of taxation in the latter was 25 mills on a dollar. The population in 1870 was 668. In 1880 it was 642.
Columbia Falls is situated in the south-western part of Washington County , on Pleasant River. It is on the stage-line from Machias to Bangor. The falls, at the head of the tide, at the village, have a fall of 16 feet in 300 yards. There is here a grist-mill, and a saw- mill capable of cutting about 3,500,000 feet of long lumber and 5,000,000 laths annually. Between the two pitches which constitute these falls the river is bridged, the abutments being about 45 feet apart. The rise of the river is slight, owing to the large extent of heath and low interval bordering the stream, which overflow in freshets and hold back the water. The land adjacent to the stream and its bordering interval, is to a large extent, elevated sandy plain, at the base of which are count- less never-failing springs of water, which contribute much to sustain the flow of the river in the summer and autumn. Little River, a tributary to the Pleasant, about two miles below the village has some pitches available for power, and so also has Chandler's River, in the eastern part of the town. The value of annual products was given in 1869 as about $80,000 annually. Sloop navigation on the river.
A settlement was made near Columbia Falls soon after the Revo- lution. The town was set off from Columbia and incorporated in 1868. The Methodist society here has a church-edifice and is flourishing. There are in the town four public schoolhouses, valued at $2,500. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $176,802. In 1880 it was $160,208. The population in 1870 was 608. In 1880 it was 820.
Concord, in Somerset County, is situated on the west side of the Kennebec, 20 miles north north-west of Skowhegan. The form of the town is nearly square, except that its eastern line, following the course of the river, is somewhat convex. Its area is upward of 36 square miles. The land is well covered with timber,-and rocks are not lacking. The surface from the northern line to past the middle of the township is nearly filled with three long, broad hills, or plateaus. That on the western line is most extensive, and bears the name of West Range Mountain. Midway of its length arises Peaked Hill, at whose southern base lies Spruce Pond. The middle range is shorter, and bears the name " Fletcher Mountain." The eastern one is called
179
COOPER.
" Old Bluff," and extends diagonally from the north-east line into the centre of the township. Around its western and southern base is a series of nine or more boggy ponds. Midway on its eastern side is Jackson Pond, and near the Kennebec are Merrill and Tibbett's Ponds. The manufactories consist of two lumber-mills and a grist-mill. The town is bounded on the east by Bingham, situated on the opposite side of the Kennebec ; on the south is Emden, on the west Lexington, and on the north Pleasant Ridge Plantation.
The township was settled soon after the Revolution by Major Ephraim Heald, from Temple, N. H. The town is the terminus of the stage-line from North Anson, 10 miles distant. Concord was incor- porated January 25, 1821, It has a Free Baptist church, and sustains a minister a portion of the time. There are in the town mine public schoolhouses. The entire school property is valued at $1,500. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $91,594. In 1880 it was $95,136. The population in 1870 was 452. In 1880 it was 406.
Connor Plantation is situated in the north-eastern part of Aroostook County. It is 60 miles north-west of Houlton, on the stage- line to Van Buren. Formerly it was letter K., Range 2. It is bounded north by Cyr Plantation, east by Caswell (formerly Pleasant Ridge) Plantation, south by Caribou and west by New Sweden. This township contains about 36 square miles. It is drained by the Little Madawaska and three of its principal tributaties, which are scattered pretty evenly over the town in a southern and south-eastern course. The settlements at present are principally in the south-western part on the stage-road. The post office for this plantation is Caribou.
Connor was organized as a plantation in 1877, being named in honor of Hon. Selden Connor, governor of Maine for 3 years, (1866-69.) The valuation is $3,000 in the State report. The population in 1870 was 132. In 1880 the figures for population are included in those of Caribou.
Cooper is situated somewhat east of the middle of Washington County, 24 miles north of Machias, and about 20 from Calais. Meddy- bemps lies on the east, Alexander on the north, Crawford on the north- west ; other sides being occupied by unnamed townships. The surface is swelling rather than hilly. In the western part is an elevation called " Western Ridge," which was one of the stations of the United States Coast Survey. The principal streams are Dead Branch, a tributary of Denny's River, and Meadow Brook, which empties into Cathance Lake, on the southern border of the town. The manufactures are small, and for export, consist wholly of lumber. There are two or three swells of land which would make good farms, and are partially devoted to that purpose. Much of the forest, however, still remains. The village is the terminus of the stage-line from Charlotte.
Cooper was formerly No. 15, and included that part of Meddybemps which is west of Denny's River. The settlement commenced about 1812, and 1822 it was incorporated. Its name was adopted in honor of Gen. John Cooper, an early and esteemed settler. The town has a Methodist and a Congregationalist church. It has five public school- houses ; these, with other school property, being valued at $1,500.
180
GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
The valuation of estates in 1870 was $34,809. In 1780 it was $52,340. The population in 1870 was 360. In 1880 it was 346.
Cooper's Mills, a post office in Whitefield, Lincoln County.
Coplin Plantation is situated midway of the eastern side of Franklin County. It lies immediately south of Eustis. The south-western corner touches the opposite corner of Dallas Plantation, and the north-east corner infringes upon the south-eastern of Flagstaff, in Somerset County. There is one considerable hill near the centre of the township. Saddleback River, the south branch of Dead River, flows north-eastward across the north-west part of the town, receiv- ing on its way two smaller tributaries, Nash Brook and Stratton Brook,-the former crossing the middle and the latter the north-east part of the town.
In 1880 the plantation had but one saw-mill. The Methodists have preaching in the plantation a portion of the time. There is at this date but one public schoolhouse. The school property, including land, is placed at $1,300. The valuation in 1870 was $23,235. In 1880 it was $31,557. The polls in 1870 numbered 31. In 1880 the population was 91.
Coral, a post-office in Aroostook County.
Corinna, is situated in the south-western part of Penobscot County, adjoining St. Albans, in Somerset County. The bounding towns in Penobscot County are Dexter on the north, Exeter east, and Newport on the south. The town is nearly square in form, and its area is about 36 square miles. The surface is generally level, and the soil yields good average crops. The occupation of the people is prin- cipally agricultural. There are six considerable ponds in the town, two near the north-west corner, one near each corner on the south side, and two near the middle of the town, the largest of which has an excellent water-power at its outlet, about which clusters Corinna village. There are here a saw, planing, grain and woolen mills, a door, sash and blind factory, an iron-foundry, etc. At West Corinna, on Dexter Stream are a saw-mill for short lumber and a grist-mill. There are also two or more boot and shoe shops. Corinna has eleven water-powers, four of which are on the Dexter Stream and three on Alder Stream. There are five or six saw-mills in the town, including those mentioned. The Dexter and Newport Railroad passes through the town, having a station at Corinna village and West Corinna. The appearance of the town is thrifty, with pleasant dwellings, and several streets ornamented with shade trees.
The first individual proprietor of the township was Dr. John War- ren, of Boston, to whom the land was sold by Massachusetts, June 30, 1804. In December, 1816, the settlement was incorporated as a town under its present name. It has societies of the Methodist, Baptist, Free Baptist and Christian denominations. There is a neat Union church-edifice at Corinna village. The town has a good social library, incorporated in 1849. Corinna Union Academy is also located at this
181
CORNISH.
place. It was incorporated June 4, 1857, and has had a useful career. The number of public schoolhouses in the town is sixteen, valued at $5,000. The valuation in 1870 was $391,711. In 1880 it was $421,649. The population in 1870 was 1,513. In 1880 it was 1,503.
Corinth, is situated in the south-western part of Penobscot County 18 miles north-west of Bangor. It is bounded by Charleston on the north, Hudson on the east, Levant on the south, and Exeter on the west. The area is 23,040 acres. The surface is quite level, the rock is chiefly granite and the soil loamy. The principal crop is hay. Much attention is given to cattle raising and orcharding. Apples are still raised here for cider, there being six cider-mills in the town. There are three saw-mills manufacturing long lumber, three shingle, one stave, two planing and two grist-mills, one cheese-factory, one carriage and sleigh factory. Corinth is on the stage-line from Bangor to Charleston. There is said to be a good prospect of a narrow-guage railway from this town to Bangor at no distant day. The inhabitants of Corinth are principally farmers, and the excellent condition of their grounds and buildings generally indicate that they are in prosperous circumstances. Corinth, and East, South and West Corinth are the post-offices. Corinth and East Corinth are the centres of business, the last being a considerable village. It is on the stage line from Bangor to Charleston.
The villages are notable for their attractive residences and well- shaded streets. There are three or four handsome churches belonging to the Baptists, Free Baptists and Methodists. The East Corinth Acad- emy has been a useful institution, and is still thriving. Many valued citizens of this and other towns, and even cities, have received a part of their education here. The town-hall is a new building 40 by 65 feet in ground dimensions, two stories in height, and finished in the best style. Among the citizens distinguished in town and State were Isaac Hodsdon, John Hunting, Elijah Skinner and Mark: Trafton. Corinth sent 70 men to aid in the defence of the Union in the war of the Rebellion,-of whom 25 were lost.
The township was granted by Massachusetts to John Peck, Dec. 9 1794; and its settlement was commenced a few years after. It was first organized as a plantation under the name Ohio. On the 21st of June, 1811, it was incorporated as a town under its present name. Corinth has thirteen public schoolhouses,-the entire school property being valued at $8,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $432,970. In 1880 it was $439,036. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 16 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 1,462. In 1880 it was 1,333.
Cornish, is situated at the extreme north of York County, where the Ossipee and Saco Rivers join, forming its northern boun- dary. On its east is Limington ; Limerick lies on the south, Parson- field on the west, Baldwin and Hiram on the north. Its area is nearly 10,700 acres. Haley's, or Shute's, Pond, in the southern part of the town, has an area of 180 acres. The principal stream is Little River, which commences in the southern section of the town and empties into the Ossipee at the north. The principal elevations of land are Towle's Hill, in the north-west, Bald Head Mount, on the south-west section,
182
GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
Hoosac Mount in the southern, and Pease and Clark Mountains toward the centre of the town. The height of these is from about 1,000 to 1,600 feet. Both granite and lime-stone are found as the bed rock. The soil in general is granitic, and is strong and productive, though hard to cul- tivate. Along the larger streams it is a light loam, excellent for corn, for which the town was formerly noted. In the southern part of Kennard's Mountain is a cave of considerable dimensions. Cornish Village, the chief business centre, is situated upon the Ossipee River. Before 1800 the business of the town was transacted, and courts and trainings held, at the south part of the town. Caleb R. Ayer, Secre- tary of State for Maine in 1856 was a citizen of Cornish.
Cornish was incorporated in 1794. It had previously been called Francisborough and Francistown, from the christian name of Francis Small, who purchased the territory between the Ossipee and Little Ossipee of the sagamore, Captain Sunday. The consideration was two large English blankets, two gallons of rum, two pounds of powder, four pounds of musket balls, twenty strings of Indian beads, and several other small articles. Small afterwards conveyed a moiety of his pur- chase to Nicholas Shapleigh. The heirs of Small and Shapleigh made a division of this estate, and Joshua Small, of Ossipee, tanner, sold the land in the limits of this town as a part of the estate. This deed of conveyacne was made November 19, 1779, to Joseph Doe, of New- market, N. H., and Benjamin Connor, of Newburyport, Mass. The consideration was £1,980. The soil of the township on the removal of the forest was found to be very productive, yielding abundant crops. Pumpkins attained such a size that it was called by the first settlers Pumpkintown. The first settlers were John Durgin and James Holmes. The first Baptist meeting-house was commenced in 1805, when Elder Timothy Remick was ordained pastor,-which relation was continued to his death in 1842. A new church was built in 1842, which, later, was removed to the village. The Congregationalist, Free Baptists, and Methodists have now each a church in the town. Cornish has eight schoolhouses, valued at $1,200. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $310,678. In 1880 it was $428,285. The popula- tion at the same date was 1,100, which in 1880 had increased to 1,169.
Cornville is situated in the southern part of Somerset County. It is bounded on the north by Athens, east by Hartland, south by Skowhegan and west by Madison. The surface is quite uneven in parts. Porcupine Hill is the greatest elevation of land, being about 500 feet in height. The outcropping rocks are principally granitic, but there is also some slate. The soil is a gravelly loam, and yields well in potatoes, oats, corn and wheat. Apple orchards are numerous and thriving. The yield of corn was so good in the early days as to give a name to the town. Maple, birch, beech, ash and hemlock constitute the bulk of the forests.
Barker Pond, in the north-eastern part of the town, contains about 300 acres. The Wesserunsett River runs through the town from north to south, furnishing four good water-powers. A branch also runs in the same direction in the western part of the town. There are three mills manufacturing long lumber and three shingle-mills. Other manu- factures are horse-rakes, carriages and pungs. The State of Maine Slate Company has its quarries in this town. The nearest railroad
183
CRAWFORD.
station is at Skowhegan, about 6 miles distant. The buildings in town and village are in excellent repair, and no town in the county excels it in the appearances of thrift.
The original south line of Cornville was the north line of the Plymouth Patent ; but at the time of its incorporation a strip of a mile and a half in width was taken from the Plymouth Patent. The original township was purchased of Massachusetts by Moses Bernard and others, whence the settlement received the name of Bernardstown. The first clearings were made about 1790, but no families became resi- dent here until 1794. The town was incorporated February 24, 1798, under its present name. The Baptists have a church-edifice in the town, and there is also a Union house. The other societies are Methodist, Christian and Advent. Cornville has twelve public school- houses, valued with other school property, at $3,000. The value of the estates in 1870 was set at $328,740. In 1880 the aggregate was $344,042. The population in 1870 was 959. In 1880 it was 932.
Costigan Station, a station on the European and North American Railway in Milford, Penobscot County.
Cranberry Isles is a group of islands in Hancock County, lying from 3 to 6 miles south of Mount Desert, and 36 miles from Ellsworth. Their names are Great Cranberry, Little Cranberry, Sutton's, Roberson's and Baker's Islands. They were originally in- cluded Mount Desert, but set off and incorporated in 1830. They take their name from a cranberry marsh of 200 acres in extent on the large island. The soil is suitable for potatoes, and there are a few small orchards. Some grade Shorthorns and Ayrshire cattle, and Oxford and Southdown sheep, are found in town. But the tables and occupa- tions of the people are chiefly furnished by the briny deep. In 1876, there were on these islands, according to the enumeration of Colonel Hadlock, thirty-eight establishments for smoking and curing fish. The first English settler within the present limits of the town was John Roberson, who settled upon the island which bears his name in 1761. The first settlers upon Cranberry Isle are supposed to have been Mr. Bunker and William Foss. The first selectmen were Samuel Hadlock, Enoch Spurling and Joseph Moore. The town furnished 27 men for the Union in the war of the Rebellion, costing per man $232.
The Methodists have a church-edifice in the town. The public library contains 578 volumes. The Cranberry Isles have four school- houses, valued at $850. The valuation of real-estate in 1870 was $61,514. In 1880, it was $52,063. The population in 1870 was 350. In the census of 1880 it is 343.
Crawford is situated a little east of the centre of Washing- ton County. It is 24 miles north of Machias, on the stage line to Calais. The town of Alexander lies on the east, Cooper on the south-east, and Wesley on the south-west. Some parts of the town are very uneven. Harmon Mountain is the greatest elevation. Pokey, or Crawford Lake, lies on the northern border, and extends to the centre of the town. It is 5 miles in length and 2 in width, and is the source of East Machias River. Other sheets of water are Barrow's Lake,
184
GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
forming a part of the eastern line of the town, and Love Lake, lying on the south-eastern line.
The water-powers are three on East Machias River, one on Bar- row's Lake Stream, and one on Seavey Brook. Beech and hemlock constitute the larger part of the forests. The soil is a good clay loam. The chief crops are hay and potatoes.
Crawford was incorporated in 1828, previous to which time it was known under the name of Adams. There are Baptist and Methodist societies in the town; and the first have a church-edifice. The town has two public schoolhouses. The entire school property is valued at $1,500. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $30,351. In 1880 it was $29,584. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 25 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 209. In 1880 it was 206.
Crockett's Corner, a post-office in North Yarmouth, Cumberland County.
Cross Hill a post-office in Vassalboro, Kennebee County.
Crystal Plantation is situated on the south-western side of Aroostook County, 30 miles south-west of Houlton, on the stage-line from Houlton to Patten. It is bounded north by Hersey, cast by Island Falls, south by Sherman, and west by Patten, in Penob- scot County. Crystal was formerly township No. 4, Range 5, but was organized as a plantation in 1840. It is nearly square in form, and contains about 38 square miles. Seven bogs constitute a large portion of the town. Caribou Bog, lying in the southern part con- tains about four square miles. The soil of the township elsewhere is generally rich, and yields good crops. Through the township from west to east flows Fish Stream in an irregular course toward Matta- wamkeag Lake, in Island Falls township, adjoining on the east. On this stream in the western part of the township are one or two mills. There is a fall of 15 feet near the centre of the town on Crystal Stream three miles below Crystal Lake. The latter lies in the south- ern part of Hersey township adjoining on the north.
Crystal Plantation has two schoolhouses, valued at $250. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $32,115. In 1880 it was $52,505. The population in 1870 was 250. In 1880 it was 275.
Cumberland occupies the middle point in the shore line of Cumberland County. Its greatest length is from north-west to south- east, and is about three times its breadth. Yarmouth and North Yar- mouth bound it on the north-east, Gray on the north-west, Falmouth on the south-west, and on the south-east Broad Cove and Casco Bay. To its jurisdiction belong Great Chebeague Island, Smooth Clapboard, Crow, Goose, Hope, Sand, Bangs, Sturdivant, Stave, Ministerial, Bates', Broken Cave Islands and part of Groch Island. The first men- tioned island is the largest, having about 600 inhabitants, and upwards of 100 dwellings, a post-office, a Baptist and a Methodist church, two or more schoolhouses, a fish-oil factory, etc. The principal occupation of the inhabitants is fishing.
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.