Gazetteer of the state of Maine, Part 24

Author: Varney, George J
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Boston Russell
Number of Pages: 648

USA > Maine > Gazetteer of the state of Maine > Part 24

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Deblois lies on the western border of Washington County, 42 miles N.N.W. of Machias. Beddington lies on the north, Cherryfield on the south, an unnamed township on the east, and another in Wash- ington County on the west. The area is about 36 square miles. The surface is but moderately uneven. Granite is the prevailing rock. The soil is a good sandy loam, free from rocks, and easily cultivated. Grass and potatoes are the principal crops. A great variety of trees are found in the woods.

The principal streams are the east branch of the Narraguagus River, and the tributaries of this stream. Great Falls on the East Branch are near the middle of the western side of the town, near the stage- road from Cherryfield to Beddington. There is here a small village. A shingle-mill finds here sufficient power without the aid of a dam. The fails extends about half a mile, with an aggregate descent of about 50 feet. Within a short distance of these falls are thousands of acres of forest.

Deblois was a part of Bingham's eastern "Million-acre pur- chase." This township was sold by Colonel Black, the proprietor's agent, to William W. Woodburry and Daniel C. Emery, the deed to be delivered on the payment of the purchase-money. While it wat held under this condition, the purchasers conveyed their interest to the City Bank of Portland, which paid the balance of the purchase-money. It was subsequently disposed of by them to William Freeman, Jr., of Cherryfield. When, in 1850, the town was incorporated, it received its name in honor of Thomas Amory Deblois, who was president of the bank which had been the proprietor.

Deblois sent 12 men to the defense of the Union in the war of the Rebellion, of whom 2 were lost. There is a Free Baptist society in town, who sustain worship most of the time. There is one public schoolhouse, the total school property being valued at $1,200. The valuation in 1870 was $18,010. In 1880 it was $17,886. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 2} per cent. The population in 1870. was 139. In 1880 it was 105.

Decker's Corner, a small village in Clinton, Kennebec County.

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Dedham, in Hancock County, adjoins Ellsworth on the N.N.W., and is on the stage-route from that city to Bangor. The " Lake House," in Colony Village, is 15 miles from Ellsworth and 11 miles from Bangor. The town is an aggregation of abrupt metamor- phic granite hills. There are ten considerable peaks, of which Bald Mountain is the highest. Between these peaks are about as many ponds ; also some excellent farms and orchards. Potash is a large in- gredient of the soil, which needs a deal of stirring to render it avail- able for plant food. Potatoes, oats and corn are the principal crops. Fitz's Pond, having an area of three square miles, is well stocked with black bass. Hat-Case Pond is notable for a fine display of bowl- ders near it. On the outlets of the ponds are some fine water-powers. The manufactures consist of one grist-mill, a carding-mill, saw-mill, shingle-mill, and a large tannery.

Dedham, named for a Massachusetts town, was originally a part of Township Number 8, and was incorporated under its present name in 1837. The Colony settlement was for years known as New Bos- ton, and the inhabitants were accused of " putting on airs."

The Congregationalists have a church-edifice, and sustain worship. Dedham has five schoolhouses, and the school property is valued at $1,000. The town valuation in 1870 was $102,752. In 1880 it was $98,308. The rate of taxation in the latter year, 21 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870, was 448. In the census of 1880 it was 406.

Deering, one of the southern towns of Cumberland County, joins Portland in the western half of both, while their eastern parts are separated by the waters of Back Cove. Westbrook, from which it was taken, bounds it on the north-west, Falmouth on the north-east, the waters of Casco Bay on the south-east, and Back Cove, Portland and Cape Elizabeth, on the south. The Presumpscot River forms the boundary line between the eastern halves of Deering and Westbrook. Fore River penetrates it in the western part, where it is also crossed by Stroudwater River and the Oxford and Cumberland Canal. The surface of the town is not greatly varied. Rocky Hill and Mitchell's Hill are the principal elevations. Granite and argillaceous rock underlie. The soil is generally clayey.

The principal business centre is Morrill's Corner, or Steven's Plains. Woodford's Corner, the next in extent, and nearer Portland, is largely a place of residence for persons doing business in the city. It is a pretty village with a handsome church and several fine residences. East Deering, connected with Portland by Tukey's Bridge and the Grand Trunk Railway, has shipbuilding for its principal business. The village is young and prosperous, and has provided itself with a neat hall for home entertainment. Beyond it is the United States Marine Hospital, situated on Martin's Point, where a bridge extends to Fal- mouth Foreside. Beautiful Evergreen Cemetery, the principal bury- ing-place of Portland, lies a little westward of Morrill's Corner. For- est City Trotting Park, and the adjoining grounds used for State Fairs, are on the eastern bank of Fore River. The Portland and Rochester Railway crosses the grounds, and the Cumberland and Oxford Canal terminates near by. West of these, and on the opposite side of the river, is Stroudwater village. It now has a factory for

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canned foods, and a grain and salt mill producing about 80,000 bushels of meal and 40,000 boxes of ground salt annually. The first church was organized here in 1765, and Thomas Brown was ordained as pastor. Stroudwater was a flourishing village in the period when shipbuilding and the coasting trade were prosperous. There is another canning- factory at Bride's Bridge (Riverton), on the Presumpscot River. At Morrill's Corner are tanneries, manufactories of brittania ware, boots and shoes, marble and granite monuments, etc. Near Deering's Bridge are the pottery, tile, and fire-brick works of the Portland Stoneware Co., occupying nearly four acres of ground. They have some of the largest kilns in the country, and turn out monthly about 30,000 fire- bricks and $2,000 worth of stone ware. About 70 men are employed. Other industries of the town are tree and plant nurseries, brick-making, pork-packing, boat-building, carriage and harness making, etc.

Richard Tucker and George Cleeves were the first local proprietors of land within the limits of Deering, having purchased of Sir Ferdin- ando Gorges, about 1637, 1,500 acres on Back Cove, between Fore River and the Presumpscot. In 1640 there were four families residing at Back Cove. King Philip's, or the first Indian war, broke out in 1675, but his vicinity was not attacked until August of the following year when an Indian known as " Simon, the Yankee-killer," a fugitive from Philip's de- feated forces, made himself familiar at the house of Anthony Brackett, the principal settler at Back Cove. A few days later one of his cows was missing, and the fact being mentioned before Simon, he said, " I can show you the Indians who killed the creature." He departed ; but a few days later he returned accompanied by a band of savages. "Here are the Indians who took your cow," said he. They killed Mr. Brackett and three of his neighbors, and carried their wives and children away captive, except that one woman with her children escaped in a canoe. Again in 1689, Brackett's farm was the scene of a fierce contest between a large body of French and Indians and the forces under the noted Major Church, by whose victory the neighboring vil- lage of Casco Neck was saved. The Deering mansion and farm, just north and west of the Deering Bridge, now occupy the locality of the fight. Futher incidents of its history can be found in the accounts of the towns of Falmouth and Westbrook, from which it was set off and incorporated in 1871.

" The village of Steven's Plains," says Elwell, " with its broad level streets, and side-walks shaded with umbrageous maples and elms, has a quiet and rural beauty. Its chief ornament is the Universalist Church, a very tasteful structure, built in 1867, at a cost of about $14,000. The church stands at the entrance of the grounds of the Westbrook Seminary. This institution, incorporated in 1831, was the first seminary of learning established in New England under the pat- ronage of the Universalist denomination. The seminary building was erected in 1834, at a cost of $7,000." Goddard Hall and Hersey Hall, both large edifices of brick, were built, the first in 1859, the last in 1869. The institution has two courses in the collegiate department, and confers the degree of Laureate of Arts upon all young ladies who successfully pass examination in a classical course, and Laureate of Science in the scientific course. In the academic department diplomas are granted in two courses, English and College Preparatory.

Back Cove, Pride's Bridge, an elegant span of iron, Cumberland

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Mills, and other points afford views worthy the attention of visitors. The scene of an extensive land-slide into the Presumpscot, which forced the river from its bed, possesses interest to the geologist.

Besides the Universalist church just mentioned, there are in town two Congregational churches and one Methodist. The educational facilities in Deering are excellent. The schools are graded from pri- mary to high. It has twelve public schoolhouses, and its school property is valued at 840,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $2,194,096. In 1880 it was 82,585,825. The rate of taxation in 1880 was $1.85 on $100. The population in 1870 was 3,795. By the census of 1880 it was 4,324.

Deer Isle, in Hancock County, is a group of three islands lying between the northern part of Isle au Haute Bay and Brooklin and Sedgewick on the mainland. It is 35 miles south-south-west of Ellsworth. The town includes Little Deer Isle, Great Deer Isle, and Eagle Isle. The first mentioned and most northerly of the group has an area of 1,000 acres, which is well suited to agriculture. Great Deer Isle is about 10 miles in length, from north to south, and near 5 miles in width. The surface in the northern part is rather level, while in the south it is rough. Micaceous limestone was undoubtedly the parent rock of Deer Isle, but it has been crystalized, and is thus rendered unfit for quicklime, though suitable for architectural sculpture. At the " Reach " is a quarry which is operated for this marble, affording a yearly product of 4,000 tons of rough and cut stone; while roofing- slate of a good quality has been found on Little Deer Isle. At this place, it is stated, are found conclusive evidences of an extinct volcano, which in some of the by-gone years, belched forth its showers of ashes, and poured out its molten lava. As will be apparent, the transition series of rocks is well char-"terized in these islands. Large deposits of silver, also, have recently been found, and two companies now hold property on the island for the purpose of mining this mineral.

The soil is loamy, and the largest crop is potatoes. The forest trees are principally spruce and fir. Along the roadsides in the most thickly settled parts of the town, are many shade trees from five to forty years old, of various kinds, but mostly chestnut. Adam's Hill, is the principal eminence, reaching a height of 256 feet above the sea. Torry's and Marshall's are the only considerable ponds, one being a mile long, the other two miles. Smith's mineral spring has a local celeb- rity. The manufactures consist of sails, wrought granite; while at Oceanville and at Green's Landing, are establishments for the packing of the various kinds of fish.

Deer Isle was incorporated in 1789, being the fourth town in the county. The first known visit of Europeans was that of Weymouth in 1605. It early received its name from the abundance of deer in its forests. The first settlement was commenced by William Eaton near what is now known as the " Scott Farm," in 1762. The first church was built in 1773, and the first preacher was Rev. Mr. Noble; the first pastor was Rev. Peter Powers. In 1809, Rev. Joseph Brown, a dis- senter, was installed. The first white child was Timothy Billings, born May, 1764. The privations of the settlers during the war of the Revolution were terrible.

The number of Deer Islanders in the service of the Union during

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the war of the Rebellion was, soldiers and sailors, 386, and of these 55 were lost. The amount of bounty paid by the town was $59,128.

The climate is quite salubrious, as is apparent from the number of old people, there being 10 between eighty and one hundred years of age. As a summer resort, it is highly esteemed by its visitors, having good hotels, ample boating and fishing facilities, as well as drives. The roads are good, and the buildings are generally in good repair, and a look of thrift prevails. There is a nice town-hall, three stories in height. There are in town two Congregational church-edifices, two Methodist and two Baptist. Deer Isle has three high-schools, and its public schoolhouses number twenty. The school property is valued at $8,810. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $417,211. In 1880 it was $373,182. The rate of taxation in 1880 was two per cent. The population in 1790 was 682; in 1870, 3,414 ; in 1880, 3,267.

Denmark lies on the eastern border of the southern part of Oxford County. Fryeburg bounds it on the north-west, Brownfield on the south-west, Hiram on the south, and Bridgton and Sebago, in Cumberland County, on the north and east. The town is about 8 miles long from north to south, and 6 miles from east to west. Moose Pond, the head of which lies in the northern part of Fryeburg, extends south-westerly to the centre of Denmark, being 7 miles in length, and Little Moose Pond and Moose Stream continue in the same course to the south-west side of the town, where it discharges into Saco River, which there forms the boundary line. At the foot of Moose Pond, in the centre of the town, is Denmark Village (Denmark Post Office). This place is about 30 miles south-west of Paris, and 40 from Portland. It is on the Brownfield and Bridgton stage-line. The Brownfield station of the Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad is on the opposite bank of the Saco River, on the south-eastern side of the town, whence a stage runs to Denmark Village. South of the village is Granger Pond ; Great Hancock Pond lies on the south-eastern line, and toward the village, Little Hancock Pond. Beaver Pond lies one and a half miles north of the village, and Pleasant Pond on the north-eastern line. Between the two is Long Pond, with the remarkable Cold Spring just south-east of it, near the road to West Denmark. Between Denmark Village and the western line of the town are two peaks called Baston Hills. In the north-eastern part of the town is a group of eight moun- tains some ten miles in circumference, whose highest peak is known as Pleasant Mountain. Its summit is stated to be 2,000 feet above the sea. The view of ponds, streams, mountains, valleys, and forests from its summit is grandly beautiful. A good hotel near the top affords entertainment.

The surface of the town is generally hilly, and very stony. Granite is the principal rock, and the soil is sandy. Potatoes, corn and oats are the crops chiefly cultivated, and yield fairly. The outlets of Moose Pond and other streams furnish excellent water-powers. In the town are one mill for long lumber, six stave-mills, a sash, blind and door factory, and two grain-mills, several of which are at the centre village.

Denmark was formed from a grant made by Massachusetts to Fryeburg Academy, and two other grants to individuals, together with a strip from the town of Brownfield. The first settlements were made in 1788-9. Among the original settlers were Ezra Stiles, David Porter,

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Nathaniel Symonds, Thomas Bragdon, Nathaniel McIntire, Ephraim Jewett, William Davis, Parson and Thomas Pingree, Elias Berry and Cyrus Ingalls, several of whom came from Andover, Mass. The early name for this region was Pequaket, from the native tribe which dwelt here. The town was incorporated, February 20, 1807. A post-office was first established here in 1819; and this year Elias Berry was the representative in the General Court. Among later valued citizens were Leonard Berry, Dr. Sawyer, and others.

There are Methodist, Free Baptist, Congregational and Universalist churches at various points in the town, most of which sustain a minister through the year. Denmark has seven public schoolhouses, valued with other school property at $5,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was 8280,316. In 1880 it was $305,185. The rate of taxation in the latter year was one and a quarter cents on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 1,069. In 1880 it was 904.

Dennicetown Plantation, a district of Moose River Planta- tion, Somerset County.

Dennysville lies in the south-eastern part of Washington County, about 17 miles west of Eastport. It is bounded on the north by Charlotte, on the east by Pembroke, and south and west by Ed- munds and an unnamed township. Denny's River forms the boundary- line on the west. Wilson's stream runs southward through the eastern part of the town. The principal power in use is that on Denny's River, at the village in the southern part of the town. Here are mills for manufacturing long lumber and staves, and a grist-mill. The prin- cipal other business is ship-building. The town is the terminus of the stage-line to Calais.

The surface of the town is broken and hilly. The most prevalent rock is locally known as iron-stone. The soil is divided between loam, clay and gravel. Potatoes, hay and grain are the crops chiefly culti- vated. Spruce, pine and hemlock form the bulk of the forests. The most notable eminences are Page's Hill and King David's ledge.

The original settlers of Dennysville arrived in the river on the 17th of May, 1786, in the sloop " Sally." They were from the vicinity of Hingham, Mass. In this company were Nathan Preston, William Kilby and Samuel Sprague, who remained and formed the nucleus of the present town. The first chuchr organization was Congregational, and was formed by Rev. Jotham Sewell, on October 27, 1805. This denomination now has the only church in the town. The first Sunday- school was organized May 31, 1829. Deacon William Kilby was superintendent ; Benjamin R. Jones, secretary and librarian ; and John Kilby, treasurer. The teachers were Benjamin Foster, John Kilby, Solomon Foster, Isaac Eastman, John Mayhew, Eben Mayhew, Sally Lincoln, Caroline L. Jones, Amelia H. Jones, Mary Wilder, Lydia Kilby, Hannah Wilder and Eliza Eastman.

The proprietors of this township (which for many years included also that of Pembroke and Perry) were Thomas Russell, General Ben- jamin Lincoln and John Lowell, of Massachusetts, who purchased it from the commonwealth ; and the present titles came from them. The town was incorporated in 1818, taking its name from the river that formed its western boundary,-Denny's River ; and the river had its

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name from an Indian of that name who, at the period of settlement made it his principal hunting-ground.

Dennysville has two public schoolhouses, valued with other school- property at $4,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $199,319. In 1880 it was $184,786. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 18 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 488. In 1880 it was 522.

Detroit forms the south-eastern corner of Somerset County, and lies 24 miles east of Skowhegan. Palmyra is on the north ; Pitts- field on the west; Plymouth, in Penobscot County, on the east; and Troy, in Waldo County, on the south. The Maine Central Railroad passes through the northern part of the town. The northern branch of the Sebasticook River runs centrally through the town, furnishing its chief water-power. At the "Rips" near the village in the north-east- ern part of the town, there is a fall of 30 to 40 feet in one-fourth of a mile. The power is estimated to be equal to sawing 10,000,000 feet of lumber annually. The manufactories here are a lumber and shingle mill, a grist-mill, carriage factory, turning and jig-sawing.

Granite and limestone, suitable for building, are found in the town. Farming is the principal occupation, and is found profitable.

This town was incorporated in 1838, under the name of Chandler- ville, but changed in 1841 to the present name. The most active church organization in town is that of the Methodists. Detroit has two pub- lic schoolhouses, and other school property to the value of $1,500. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $141,731. In 1880 it was $117,019. The population in 1870 was 690. In 1880 it was 661.

Dexter is the north-western town of Penobscot County. It is the terminus of the Dexter and Newport Railroad, and of stage-lines to Moosehead. Lake, Dover and Exeter. It is 41 miles from Bangor, 42 miles from Waterville (junction), and 123 miles from Portland by railroad. Garland bounds it on the east, Corinna on the south, San- gerville, in Piscataquis County, on the north, and Ripley, in Somerset County on the west. The form of the town is square, and it has an area of 20,370 acres, 1,200 of which are covered with water. Bryant's Hill is the loftiest eminence. The town is on the summit of land be- tween the Kennebec and Penobscot Rivers. The surface is beautifully varied with vales, hills and ponds. Of the latter, Dexter Pond is the largest, extending from the western border to past the centre of the town. The streams that furnish power are the outlet of Dexter and Spooner's ponds, Kenduskeag River, in the south-eastern part of the town, and Sebasticook Main Stream, which winds along westward through the entire northern. border of the town. At the north-west corner, upon Main Stream, are lumber and shingle mills, a brick-yard, etc .; and on the outlet of Spooner's Pond in the southern part of the town, are one or more mills. In all, Dexter has 28 powers, 26 of which have an aggregate fall of 331 feet. The fall on Dexter Pond Stream alone in the first three-fourths of a mile is 142 feet, and in 2 miles 160} feet. These bear the name of Dexter Falls, and contain 16 different distinct falls, upon each of which is some machinery. The pond which forms the reservoir contains about 1,000 acres, and is a

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beautiful sheet of water. It is fed very largely by springs, and is there- fore little affected by drought or freshet. There are on the water-power in this town, about twenty-five different mills and factories, chiefly situated at Dexter Village. The principal manufactures are boots and shoes, long lumber, boxes, doors, sashes and blinds, churns, carriages, woolen cloths, mens' clothing, cooper's ware, flour, meal and feed, iron castings, stoves, plows, soap, leather, marble-work, tinware, etc. Dex- ter Village is the present terminus of the Dexter and Newport Rail. road. It is beautifully situated on a hillside with easy slopes toward the pond and stream. It contains two or more good schoolhouses, several handsome churches, one of the best town-halls in the State, and has a public library of about 1,600 volumes. The Barron Memorial Church (built in memory of the cashier of the Dexter Bank, murdered by burglars while defending his charge), is located in this village, and is an elegant edifice. The streets of the village are of ample width, and are generally shaded by rows of elms and maples, having, for the most part, a growth of forty years. There is an unusual number of tasteful residences in the village and town ; all buildings-public and private-being in excellent repair, impressing the traveler with the pre- valence of thrift. The roads are excellent. The principal bridge has a length of 30 rods, and is constructed of stone. The prevalent rocks in the town are slate, an impure limestone, and a quartzose rock. Maple, birch and beech are the chief trees in the woods. The soil is quite fertile, yielding well of all the usual farm crops. Dexter, among much that is beautiful and interesting, has a natural curiosity in Swan- ton's Cave ; which, however, is mostly filled with water.

The township which is now Dexter, was surveyed in 1772, but re- mained unsettled until the arrival of David Smith, in 1801. The first family resident in the town was that of Ebenezer Small, of Gilmanton, N. II. He was followed, soon after, by a large delegation from the same region,-among whom were Joseph Tucker, Seba French, Wil- liam Mitchell, Simeon and John Safford, and the Shepleys, Smiths and Maxwells. The plantation was at first called Elkinstown. In 1803 the boundaries of the township were established, and it was divided into lots for settlers,-the plan being drawn by Simeon Safford. In 1804 the township was granted to Amos Bond and eight others. The town was incorporated in 1816; receiving its name in honor of Hon. Samuel Dexter, who was that year the democratic candidate for governor of Massachusetts-Mr. Brooks, the Whig candidate obtain- ing the election. The post-office was established in 1818, the mail being carried between Bangor and Skowhegan once a week on horse- back. Daniel Hayden was the carrier. The Universalists erected the first meeting-house in 1829. In 1848 a violent tornado passed over the town, tearing up the largest trees and crushing some of the strongest buildings.

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Gazetteer of the state of Maine, Part 24

Author: Varney, George J Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Boston Russell Number of Pages: 648

Author: Varney, George J
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Boston Russell
Number of Pages: 648