USA > Maine > Gazetteer of the state of Maine > Part 23
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The surface of the town is agreeably varied, without considerable
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CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
elevations or depressions. Mill Hills are the greatest elevations. The rock is granite, and the soil clay with sandy and clay subsoil. It is an excellent farming town, and its agricultural fairs are always cred- itable. The principal collection of houses is at Cumberland Centre, which occupies an elevated site, and is a salubrious and pleasant vil- lage. It is also a place of much mental culture, having a Congrega- tional church, and an excellent academy called Greely Institute. The institute is supported by a permanent fund left by the benefactor for whom it was named; and all youths in the town between the ages of twelve and twenty-one years are entitled to its instructions without cost. The institute has a good library, and it is also the place where many excellent lectures and other intellectual entertainments are afforded to the people. Cumberland is notable for the many dis- tinguished persons,-ministers, missionaries, authors and teachers, who were born or have lived there. At the Foreside there are some fine residences, and many attractive homes.
The Androscoggin and the Kennebec lines of the Maine Central Railroad form a junction near the station, a short distance from the Centre. The Grand Trunk Railway crosses the town near the sea, having a station at Poland Corners. The manufactories consist of a carriage-factory at the Centre, a grist-mill and two saw and stave- mills at West Cumberland, etc. A large, old-fashioned wooden-build. ing constitutes a town-hall, convenient for many purposes. The pub- lic and private property is generally in good repair, and the town has a thrifty look to the traveler. Along many of the public roads are shade-trees-maple and elm-from ten to one hundred years old. Cumberland was formerly a part of North Yarmouth, and the history of that town embraces the chief part of the history of Cumberland, also. It was set off and incorporated in 1821.
Besides the churches already mentioned, the town has a Univer- salist church and two Methodist churches. Cumberland has nine pub- lic schoolhouses, valued at $28,500. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $511,920. In 1880 it was $556,460. The rate of taxation in 1880 was 15 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 1,626. In the census of 1880 it was 1,619.
Cumberland County is situated in the south-western part of the State, and on the north-east of York County. Oxford County bounds it on the west ; Oxford, Androscoggin, Sagadahoc, on the north ; and on the east lies the sea. Enclosed between the promon- tory of Cape Elizabeth and Cape Small Point, just west of the mouth of the Kennebec, is Casco Bay, "the fairest dimple on Ocean's cheek." It is one of the finest bays in the world, for its size, the number of its havens, and the unchangeable nature of its shores, islands and bottom. The line between the two points mentioned, which mark its outer limit, is about 25 miles ; while the distance from this line to the inner shore of the bay is about 15 miles. The name "Casco," is derived from the Indian word, Aucocisco ; which, according to some authori- ties signifies a resting-place, while others give it the interpretation of crane or heron. This bay is more thickly studded with islands than any other body of water in the United States. They are of the most picturesque forms ; and about them bold headlands and peninsulas jut far out into the quiet waters of the bay.
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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
It is a popular compliment to the days of the year to say that Casco Bay has 365 islands. There are really 122 islands and islets,-not counting the rocks and reefs which might be made to swell the num ber possibly to 150. A few of these still bear their aboriginal names, as Chebeague and Jebaskadiggin. The most beautiful island in the bay has long borne the name of Hog Island ; but Diamond Cove-" a jewel in a swine's snout "-is beginning to give its name to the island in which it is contained. These islands naturally fall into three ranges, having the same general direction as the long peninsulas on the north- eastern side,-the enumeration of each range beginning next to Port- land. INNER RANGE .- Mackay's, The Brothers (2), Ten Pond, Clap- board, Sturdevant, Basket, Cousin's, Little John's, Lane's, Moges, (2), Crab, Bibber's, Silver (4), two unnamed. MIDDLE RANGE .- Hog or Diamond (2), Cow, Crow Knob, Chebeague (2), Crow, Irony, Goose Nest, Little Green, French, Whaleboat (2), Goose (2), Goslin (2), Shelter, Birch, White's, four unnamed. OUTER RANGE .- House, Cushing's, Ram, Peaks, Pumpkin Knob, Overset, Marsh, Long, Step- ping Stones (3), Hope, Crotch, Jewell's, Sand, Outer Green (2), Broken Cave (3), Bates, Ministerial, Stave, Little Bangs, Stockman's, Whale Rock, Haddock Ledge, Mark, Eagle, Upper Flag, Horse, Birch, Has- kell's, Turnip, Jaquish, Bailey's, Orr's, Jebaskadiggin, Pond, Ram No. 2, Cedar (6), Elm (2), Ragged, Bold Dick, White Bull, Little Bull, Sis- ters (2), Mark No. 2, Brown Cow, Gooseberry, Wood (2), Burnt Coat, Jameson's Ledge, Lower Flag, Horse No. 2, Malaga, Bear, Rogue, one unnamed, Jenny's, Yarmouth, two unnamed, Pote, Hopkin's, Bate- man's, Long No. 2, three unnamed.
The bay is also as remarkable for its peninsulas as for its many islands. Between the sheltered waters of Fore River and Back Cove, at its western extremity, extends Casco Neck, covered by the city of Portland. At the eastern end, the long, narrow peninsula of Harp- swell stretches out some eight miles into the quiet waters, flanked by many islands. At this end the islands cluster thickest, and the main- land reaches out many fingers, between which creeks and inlets and tidal rivers extend far inland; and the shore is fringed with pictu- resque "Points."
The principal river is the Presumpscot, which, in the 22 miles of its length, furnishes water-power to the amount of 20,846 horse-power, with a flow of unusual uniformity. Connected with this river are twenty-three distinct lakes, with an agregate area of more than 90 square miles. Several of these, of which the chief are Lake Sebago and Long Pond, are valuable for commercial navigation. This lake and pond are connected by a canal with Portland Harbor at Fore River. Sebago Lake is a noble reservoir of the purest water in New England. The name is said to signify " a stretch of water." It is dis- tant from Portland 17 miles by the Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad. The lake is 14 miles long by 11 miles wide, and contains an area of 50 square miles. Its depth in some parts is 400 feet. Six towns form its shores, and others are located on the connected lakes at the north. During the summer fine steamers daily leave Pavillon Bay, near Lake Sebago Station, for Harrison Village, at the north-eastern extrmity of Long Pond. Reaching the broader part of the lake, Rattlesneake Mountain, in Raymond, comes into view ; and in the same direction, but near the lake, may be seen the boyhood home of Nathaniel Hawthorne
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CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
On the route are the fourteen Dingley Islands. On the west, the scenery is more rugged. Saddleback Mountain, in Baldwin, is plainly visible, from which the eye roams north-east beyond the Great Bay, over the hills, forests and farms of the town of Sebago. Still farther north is Peaked Mountain, beyond which the view extends north to Mount Kiarsarge (or Pequaket), standing blue and cold in the hazy distance ; while, if the day is tolerably clear, the White Mountains may be distinctly seen. The direct passage of the lake by steamer re- quires one hour, when the rapid and devious Songo River is reached. It is but two and a half miles direct to the head of the river ; but following its course the boat must sail six miles and make twenty-seven
RICHARDSOMOSE
LAKE SEBAGO.
turns, and pass a lock at the junction of Crooked, or Pequaket River From the river, the boat enters the Bay of Naples, with Naples Village at its head ; thence passes out upon Long Pond, on the western side of which lies Bridgton, while Harrison forms the eastern shore.
Cumberland County has no high mountains. Its rocks, from Cum- berland to Saco, are varieties of argillaceous slate, with or without cleavage, and mica schist and talcose slate with magnesia. Eastward and northward of this, the two last, with granite and trap, are the pre- vailing rocks.
The first settlement in the county was at Brunswick, in 1628, or earlier, by Thomas Purchas. The next was at Richmond Island, by
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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
Walter Bagnall; then Cape Elizabeth and Portland, each a part of Falmouth at its incoporation. The county was included in Gorges province of "Laconia," granted in 1622; in the "Plough Patent " (Lygonia), granted to Dye and others, of London, in 1630, and sold by them to Sir Alexander Rigby ; it was included also in the part as- signed to Gorges in the division of New England among the members of the New England or Plymouth Company, in England, and named by him " New Somersetshire ; " and, finally, in 1839, it was included in the charter from the king to Gorges of the "Province of Mayne." After the purchase of the province by Massachusetts in 1677, it came under the jurisdiction of that commonwealth, and was represented in its government ; being included in the county of Yorkshire until its organization under its present name in 1760. At first it embraced in addition to its present territory, the counties of Androscoggin and Franklin, and parts of the present counties of Oxford, Kennebec and Somerset.
Cumberland contains twenty-five towns and one city. The Portland and Ogdensburgh Railroad passes westward through the southern part; the north-eastern part is traversed by the Maine Central Railroad and its branches to Augusta and Bath ; and the Grand Trunk Railway from Lewiston and Canada to Portland.
The valuation of the county in 1870 was $48,942,323. In 1880 it was $556,460. The population in 1870 was 82,021. In the census of 1880 it was 86,402.
Cumberland Mills, a post-office in Westbrook, Cum- berland County.
Cundy's Harbor, a post-office in Harpswell, Cumberland County.
Curtis Corner, a post-office in Androscoggin County.
Cushing is situated on the western side of St. George's River, 'in the southern part of Knox County. It is bounded on the north by Cushing and Thomaston, west by Friendship, and east by South Thomaston and St. George's, being separated from the two latter towns by St. George's River. Friendship River forms the dividing line for two-thirds of their length between Cushing and Friendship. Broad Cove and Maple Juice Cove are its principal harbors, lying on the eastern side. The town tapers southward to a point. Directly south of the mainland, and separated only by a narrow passage, is Gay's Island, forming a part of the town. The area of Cushing is 8,600 acres. The surface is very rocky, and the tillage difficult.
The manufactures consist of boats, and cooper's ware. The occu- pation of the people is largely on the sea. The village is on the stage- fine from Thomaston to Friendship. It is 10 miles from the railroad station at Rockland.
The plantation name for St. George and Cushing was St. George ; and, in like manner, at first incorporation in 1789, both became the town of Cushing. The name was given in honor of Thomas Cushing, lieutenant-governor of Massachusetts. Both formed a part of the Waldo
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CYR PLANTATION.
Patent, and were settled by Scotch emigrants from the north of Ireland, brought over in 1733 under the auspices of General Waldo. In the year 1753 a very strong stone fortress was built in this town, which was garrisoned by a company of provincial troops under the command of Major Burton. Cushing has three churches, one each of the Meth- odists, Baptists and Advents. The number of public schoolhouses is six. The total value of the school property is estimated at $2,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $132,839. In 1880 it was 115,474. The population in 1870 was 704. In 1880 is was 805.
Cushing's Point, a post-office in Cape Elizabeth, Cum- berland County.
Cutler is situated on the south-eastern sea-coast of Washington County, 18 miles east of Machias. It is bounded by Whiting on the north, Trescott on the east, Machias Bay on the west and the ocean on the south. It has three harbors, Holmes's Bay on the west, Little Ma- chias Bay on the south, and Cutler Harbor on the south-east. The last is one of the best harbors. on the Atlantic coast, being deep, free from ice, and protected by high land on each side, and by an island at the mouth bearing a lighthouse. The points are Sprague's, Neck, on the west, Quaker Head and Cape Wash on the south, and Little River Head and Sandy Point further east.
The surface of the town is much broken by hills and ledges, be- tween which, however, are valuable meadows, producing an excellent quality of grass. The principal stream is Schooner Brook. The scenery of the town is said to be delightful. From an elevated point on the east side of Cutler Harbor called the " Lookout " a fine view is gained in clear weather of the Bay of Fundy, with its numerous sails.
The manufactures of this town are shingles and herring-boxes. A considerable business is done in the fisheries, and a few vessels have been built here.
The original settlers of this town were Ephraim Andrews, John Davis, Robert Cates and John Maker. They came from Machias about 1785, and engaged in farming and fishing. In 1813, during the war with Great Britain, an American cutter lying in the harbor was cap- tured by the crew of an armed vessel of the enemy. Some of the in- habitants also were plundered, but not without resistance. The plan- tation at this time contained about 30 families. The title of the settlers were obtained from John C. Jones, and after his death from Joseph Cutler, of Newburyport. The town was incorporated in 1826, and named in honor of Mr. Cutler.
The Methodist denomination have a church and sustain worship here. There are eight public schoolhouses, these with other school property, being valued at $3,400. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $110,189. In 1880 it was $87,251. The population in 1870 was 925. In 1880 it was 829.
Cyr Plantation is situated in the north-eastern part of Aroostock County, 70 miles north of Houlton. Between it and the St. John's River, on the east, is Hamlin Plantation, and on the north Van
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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
Buren Plantation. The Hammond and Violette Brooks with their branches, drain the northern and eastern parts, and Railway Brook, running south into the Little Madawaska, forms a part of the western boundary. The township is without high hills. The soil is a red loam, yielding good crops of wheat, oats, buckwheat and potatoes. The forest-trees are those common in the region. The settlements are principally upon the stage-line from Caribou to Van Buren in the north-eastern part, near the Hammond Brook, upon which is the Cyr saw-mill. The post-office is at Van Buren.
The plantation was named for the Cyr family, which is numerous in the town. Cyr Plantation sent 25 men to the aid of the Union cause in the war of the Rebellion, of whom 11 were lost. The Free Baptists have recenly erected a neat church in the plantation. There are four public schoolhouses, valued at $200. The valuation of estates in 1880 was $28,066. The rate of taxation was 12 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 356. In 1880 it was 558.
Dallas Plantation is situated near the centre of Frank- lin County. It is bounded on the west by Rangeley, and the south- east corner touches the north-west corner of Madrid. It was formerly townships No. 2 and No. 3, Range 1, and No. 2 and No. 3, Range 2, west of the Bingham purchase. The present organization was enacted in 1845. The most notable topographical feature of the township is a number of peaks of the Saddleback range of mountains, one of which is said to be 4,000 feet in height. Near the top of the mountain is Sad- dleback Pond. There are also three or more ponds at the north-east corner of the township, and two on the western side, bearing the names of Gull and Little Gull ponds. There is but one public school- house at the present date. The population in 1870 is given in the Maine Register as 145. In the United States census of 1880 it was 159.
Damariscotta is situated near the centre of Lincoln County, on the eastern side of a river of the same name. Nobleboro bounds it on the north, Bristol on the south, Bremen on the east, and Newcastle on the west. The Damariscotta River separates it from the last, and Biscay and Pemaquid Ponds, lying on the eastern line, divide the town from Bremen. Muddy and Little Ponds are the principal sheets of water within the limits of the town, the first having an area of about three-fourths of a square mile. Rocky Hill, about 150 feet in height, is the chief eminence. The surface of the town is uneven ; the principal rock is granite, the soil largely a clay loam, and fairly productive. Hay is the chief crop.
The centre of business is Damariscotta Village, at the lower falls and head of navigation on the river. A free bridge of 175 feet in length connects Damariscotta Village with Newcastle, near which is a station of the Knox and Lincoln Railroad, distant 18 miles from Bath. The manufactories consist of two saw-mills,-one run by steam-power- a match factory, several brickyards, a tannery, etc. The town-hall of Damariscotta is a large and elegant building of brick of three stories, containing in the second story an excellent hall. The town is thrifty, and the houses in the village and the country are alike in excellent repair. The inhabitants are largely a seafaring people. The river forms a good harbor; and its shores near the village usually present &
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DANVILLE.
busy and cheerful aspect, from the shipbuilding that is almost con- stantly going on in the warmer season. Drives up and down the river and across the country in either direction afford some very pleasing views. This town formed a part of the Pemaquid Patent, and was first settled about 1640 by some persons who left Pemaquid in search of new and easy fields for their enterprise. The land titles in this town shared in those controversies with which the Pemaquid Patent was harassed. During the Indian wars the settlers were frequently driven off by the savages, and sometimes massacred. Damariscotta was a part of Noble- boro from the incorporation of that town until 1847, when it was set off and incorporated. A part also was included in Bristol. It was named for Damarine, the Indian sachem of Sagadahoc (called Robin Hood by the English), but is now generally spoken of in the country-side as "Scottie." Another esteemed citizen of a later date was Hon. Ezra B. French, representative in Congress in 1859 and 1860. Hon. E. Wilder Farley also was a member of Congress in the years 1853 and 1854. The first national Bank of this town has a capital of $50,000. Damariscotta is a port of delivery in the Waldoboro District.
The Baptists, Episcopalians and Methodists have churches in town. Damariscotta sustains an excellent high-school, the schools in the vil- lage being graded. There are seven public schoolhouses, the school property having a valuation of $3,250. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $669,719. In 1880 it was $592,208. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 20 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 1,232. In 1880 it was 1,142.
Damascus, a village in Carmel, Penobscot County.
Danforth is situated in the extreme north of Washington County, 88 miles from Bangor on the European and North American Railway, which has a station in the north-eastern part of the town. An unnamed township (IX.) lies between it and Schoodic Grand Lake, on the east ; the Hot-Brook Ponds lie on the western boundary ; Bancroft Plantation and Weston, in Aroostook County, bound it on the north. The principal stream is the outlet of Baskahegan Lake, lying in the adjoining township south, which runs through the town from south to north, emptying into the Mattawamkeag River. One of its powers is occupied by a lumber-mill. The place has the other manu- factures usual in small villages. The soil is quite fertile, and farming is the principal occupation. The crops principally cultivated are potatoes, hay, oats and wheat.
Danforth was incorporated March 17, 1860. It has Methodist and Baptist churches, each of which sustains a minister. There are four . public schoolhouses ; and the entire school property is valued at $3,300. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $50,696. In 1880 it was $106,934. The rate of taxation in 1880 was 116 per cent. The popu- lation in 1870 was 313. In 1880 it was 612.
Danville (Danville Corner, or Junction), a post-office and station on the Grand Trunk and Maine Central Railroads, in Auburn, Androscoggin County. These are in what was formerly the town of Danville, now a part of Auburn.
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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
Dayton, in York County, has the Saco River for its eastern line, separating it from Buxton and Saco, on the east. Biddeford forms its south-eastern boundary, at the south a point touches Kennebunkport, Ly- man is on the south-west, the same and a portion of Hollis on the west, and the latter on the north ; Cook's Brook forming the division line on the north-west and north. The town contains 7,888 acres of land. Its principal business centres are Goodwin's Mills, at the south-west, and Union Falls, on the Saco. There are two saw-mills on Cook's Brook ; at Goodwin's Mills in the south-west part of the town are a grist, lumber, shingle, clapboard and stave mill. The principal streams within the town are Runnell's Brook, Pot Hook Brook, and Hill's Brook, the outlet to the great boiling spring. The latter is a little south of the centre of the town. It is several rods in. circumference, and from six to eight feet deep, having a visible bottom of quicksand. Through this the water boils ceaselessly, breaking up first in one place and then in another. Many small streams traverse the town, and springs of pure water are numerous. The surface of the country is undulating but there are no high hills. The soil is good, yielding re- munerative crops of grass, while fruits thrive well. Hay, oats, pota- toes, apples, neat stock and dairy products are marketed in consider- able quantities in Saco and Biddeford, the adjacent cities. Railroad facilities are found on the north at the Hollis Station of the Portland and Rochester Railroad, and by the Boston and Maine, and Portland, Saco and Portsmouth Railroads, at Saco and Biddeford. Dayton con- stituted a part of Hollis until 1854, when it was incorporated as a dis- tinct municipal body. The territory was included in the tract pur- chased by Major William Phillips in 1664, of Megg Higgone, an In- dian, son of Walter Higgone, a sagamore, of Saco River. Before 1670 he sold 1,500 acres to Edward Tyng, a portion of which, if not all, was in the southern part of this town; next north of Tyng's, he sold 2,000 acres to Richard Russell, of Charlestown, which long after went by the name of the " Russell Lot." A tract 3 miles square, ad- joining the latter, was conveyed by Phillips to Major-General John Leverett. These three sales of Phillips comprise nearly all the land within the present limits of the town. It was known as a part of Little Falls Plantation till 1798, then Phillipsburg until its incorporation under its present name. In 1728 a house for trading with the Indians was established by the Massachusetts government on the interval land about 30 rods south of Union Falls. The building was con- structed of hewn logs, and defended by cannon; and a sergeant with 10 men were stationed there.
The Methodist church is the principal one in town. There are four schoolhouses, valued at $1,800. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $199,478. In 1880 it was $248,492. The population at the same date was 611. In 1880 it was 592.
Dead River Plantation is situated in the western part of Somerset County, on Dead River, a western tributary of the Kennebec. A bridge of wood and iron, 300 feet in length, spans the river here. Carrying Place Plantation bounds this plantation on the east, Flagstaff on the west, and Jerusalem township, in Franklin County, on the south. The area is a little rising 36 square miles. At the north-east corner stands Blanchard Mountain, the Carrying Place
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DECKER'S CORNER.
range lies along the middle portion of the eastern line, and Mount Bigelow (1 mile in height) occupies a large portion of the south-east- ern part of the town. Hurricane Falls on Dead River, near the north- eastern part, present an attractive view and afford a good water- power.
Though the borders of the township are hilly, the central portion is chiefly rich interval, yielding large quantities of hay. The planta- tion is 40 miles N.N.W. of Skowhegan ; and is on the stage-road from North Anson to Eustis.
Dead River Plantation sent 12 men to the defence of the Union cause in the war of the Rebellion, losing 2. The Methodists of the plantation hold meetings and employ a minister. There are two pub- lic schoolhouses, and other school property to the value of $500. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $38,420. In 1880 it was $22,982. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 26 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 100. In 1880 it was 113.
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