Gazetteer of the state of Maine, Part 28

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

USA > Maine > Gazetteer of the state of Maine > Part 28

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225

FAIRFIELD.

tannery. There are now two water-power saw-mills and one steam- mill for manufacturing staves and short lumber. The other streams furnishing power are Andrew's and Atkin's brooks. Exeter Corners, in the north part of the town, Exeter Mills, in the eastern part, East Exeter, and South Exeter, are villages and post-offices, the first men- tioned being the largest. The villages have many tasteful residences, and the buildings in the town generally indicate thrift.

The township, which is now Exeter, was granted by Massachusetts to Marblehead Academy in 1793, and the exterior lines of the town were run the same year by Ephraim Ballard and Samuel Weston. The township was lotted in 1800, by Moses Hodsdon, of Kenduskeag. Lemuel Tozier and John Durgin did the first chopping on June 6, 1800, at Hill's Corner. The first settlement was made in 1801, by Lemuel Tozier ; who was soon followed by Reuben. Seavey, Joseph

Pease and Josiah Barker. Among the early proprietors were Benja- min Jay and William Turner, of Boston, for whom Dr. John Blaisdell acted as agent. Hence, prior to its incorporation, Feb. 16, 1811, the. plantation was called Blaisdelltown. The corporate name was chosen in memory of Exeter, N. H., from which some of the settlers had come. The first school was taught by Ann Stevens in 1804. The first repre- sentative to the General Court was Winthrop Chapman. The first mills were built in 1813, by Levi Stevens, where since have stood the Cutler Mills.

The Episcopalians, Methodists and Free Baptists each have a church in this town. Exeter has thirteen public schoolhouses, valued with appurtenances, at $3,200. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $377,007. In 1880 it was $426,151. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 16 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 1,424. In 1880 it was 1,274.

Fairbanks, a post-office in Franklin County.

Fairfield lies on the west bank of the Kennebec River, 26 miles north of Augusta, and is the most southerly town of Somerset County. It is bounded on the north by Norridgewock and Skowhe- gan, east by Clinton and Benton, south by Waterville and Winslow, and west by Smithfield. Its area is 42 square miles. The surface is roll- ing, and the rocks are granite and slate. The forest trees are principally beech, elm and maple with some hemlock and cedar. The scenery is beautiful without wildness. The dwellings are generally neat and tasteful, and the whole town has a thrifty appearance. Fairfield is an excellent agricultural town, and is noted for the number and quality of its cattle. The soil is clayey loam in some parts, in others, sandy loam. The crops chiefly cultivated are hay, grain and potatoes.

Kennebec River forms the eastern boundary line, and furnishes the chief water-powers. These are at Kendall's Mills, at the south-eastern extremity of the town, and Somerset Mills, about two miles above. On Martin's Stream are improved powers at North Fairfield (Blacknell's. Mills) and at Larone (Winslow's Mills). Other villages are Fairfield Corner, near the middle of the eastern line of the town, and Fairfield Village, about midway of the southern part. The latter and Kendall's Mills are the largest villages. There are in the town eight saw-mills, three planing-mills (one of which is also a framing and finishing mill)

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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.

two door, sash and blind factories, a sled, lap-board and flower-stand factory, a grist and a plaster mill, three carriage-factories, a tannery, a canned-corn factory, a clothing-factory, cabinet, box, picture-frame, coffin and casket makers, marble-works, etc. The flow of the Ken- nebec available for manufacturing purposes in Fairfield in the lowest run of summer, is 117,300 cubic feet per minute of 11 hours a day ; which would for that time yield on its 34 feet of fall, a gross power of 7,540 horse, or 301,000 spindes. The estimated annual products are given in the Hydrographic survey, as $75,000 at Somerset Mills, and 8250,000 at Kendall's Mills. The Somerset branch of the Maine Central Railroad, connecting Waterville and Skowhegan, runs along the river through the town. The First National Bank, in this town, has a capital of $50,000. The Fairfield Savings Bank, at the beginning of the fiscal year 1880, held in deposits and accrued profits $93,685.09. The "Fairfield Journal " is a good weekly paper published here by Allen & Atwood. It is devoted to local news, and is deserving of the large circulation that the region is able to give.

Fairfield was incorporated June 18, 1788, under the name it had previously borne as a plantation. The name appears to have been ap- plied because it correctly described the fair aspect of the town. It was first settled in 1774. Among the esteemed citizens of past days were General Simonds, General Kendall, for whom the principal vil- lage was named, General Seldon Connor, ex-governor of the State, and others.

Fairfield was the 56th town incorporated. It had in 1790, 492 in- habitants. A Congregational church was gathered in the town in 1815. There are now three Methodist churches, and one each of the Baptist, Free Baptist and Universalist. Fairfield has one high-school, and graded schools in the larger villages. The number of public schoolhouses is seventeen, and the value of school property is $10,000. The value of estates in 1870 was $1,188,383. In 1880 it was $1,288,- 582. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 11 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 2,998. In 1880 it was 3,044.

Falls Village, a small village in Elisworth, Hancock County.

Falmouth is situated a little south of the centre of Cum- berland County. It is more than twice as long as broad ; and its greatest length is from south-east to north-west. The south-east of the town, known as Falmouth Foreside, borders on Casco Bay. On the north- east it is bounded by Cumberland, on the north-west by Windham, and on the south-west by Westbrook and Deering. The Mackay's, the Brothers, and the Clapboard islands, off the shore belong to the town jurisdiction. The surface is agreeably diversified with hill and dale, forest and field ; having also considerable salt-marsh. The greatest elevations are Poplar Ridge, in the northern part of the town, and Black Strap Hill, a couple of miles southward of the latter. The The prevailing rocks are gneiss and granite. The soil is favorable to agriculture and is generally well-cultivated. Duck Pond, about two miles in length, lies at the north-western angle of the town. The Pre- sumpscot passes through the south-western part, forming a consider- able basin at its mouth. Piscataqua River, coming from the northern

227

FALMOUTH.

part of the town, is a tributary of the Presumpscot. The other streams are the East Branch of the Piscataqua, and Mill Creek, in the middle and south-eastern part of the town respectively. The Grand Trunk Railway passes across the lower part of the town, and the Maine Cen- tral across the middle. The latter crosses the Presumpscot on an iron bridge of a single span 135 feet in length. Falmouth has manufactures of brick at several points ; meal and flour at West Falmouth and New Casco ; carriages, boots and shoes and tinware, at Presumpscot Falls (Falmouth P. O.); hubs, spokes, carriage stock, brick and lumber machines at West Falmouth.

The town was incorporated in 1718, being named for an ancient seaport in England. It originally extended from Spurwink River to North Yarmouth, and 8 miles back into the country, embracing a ter- ritory of about 80 square miles. It thus included the present towns of Falmouth, Cape Elizabeth, Westbrook, Deering and Portland. The chief part of the history of ancient Falmouth will, therefore, be em- braced in the history of Portland. The first settlement within the present corporate limits was as early as 1632, at Falmouth Foreside, by Arthur Mackworth, who soon after obtained a grant of 500 acres of land from Sir Ferdinando Gorges. He was one of the most respectable of the early settlers, serving as a magistrate for many years. The island opposite his residence has since borne his name, but corrupted into Mackay. This shore is now thickly occupied with neat and substantial farm-houses, and the more imposing edifices of thrifty ship-masters, together with a few summer residences of Portland citizens. Chief among these is that of Hon. Chas. W. Goddard, and Gen. John M. Brown's "Thornhurst Farm," noted for its fine stock.

The broad point on the eastern side of the Presumpscot Basin has much historic importance. The settlements on Presumpscot River in this town were among the first attacked. The family of Thomas . Wakely, consisting of nine persons, remote from others, were destroyed with details of shocking barbarity ; one only, a girl of fourteen escap- ing massacre to be carried away captive. The fort and settlement at Casco Neck (Portland) was destroyed by the Indians in 1690, and in 1698 in pursuance of the recent treaty, a fort and trading-house was erected at this point for the accommodation of the Indians ; wherefore the place came to be called New Casco to distinguish it from the Neck where Fort Loyal had stood, which was now called Old Casco. In 1703, Governor Dudley held a conference with the Indians here, to which came, well-armed and gaily painted, a large number of warriors of each tribe of Maine. The Androscoggins in attendence numbered about 250 warriors in 65 canoes. The chiefs professed the most peace- ful intentions, and the warriors celebrated the occasion in the most demonstrative manner; yet within two months "the whole eastern country was in a conflagration, no house standing or garrison unat- tacked." In this war, New Casco was a centre of defence for the set- tlements on Casco Bay. The attack upon it was made by 500 French and Indians, and it was only saved from capture by the opportune arrival of an armed vessel of the province, whose guns quickly scat- tered the savage fleet of 250 canoes, and compelled the Indians to make a hasty retreat. In 1716 the fort was demolished by order of the Massachusetts Government, to save the expense of maintaining a gar- rison at this point. A short distance along the main road is a beauti-

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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.

ful spot on Mill Creek, which for one hundred and forty years was occupied by a rude mill of the early settlers of the Foreside. The views for the whole extent of this road are very attractive, abounding in noble shade-trees and charming ocean views.

The records of the town, previous to 1690, are not known to exist. In 1735, the people of New Casco petitioned for preaching, and in 1752, to be set off as a distinct parish. Accordingly, in December, 1753, this parish was incorporated, in 1754 the church was formed, and in 1756 John Wiswall was settled over it. Rev. Ebenezer Williams labored here from 1765 to 1799. There are now two Congregational churches, a Free Baptist and a Methodist church in the town. Falmouth sus- tains a high-school, and is the owner of twelve schoolhouses valued at 87,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $688,527. In 1880 it was 8769,470. The population in 1870 was 1,730. By the census of 1880, it was 1,626.

Farmingdale, a little town made up in 1852 from parts of Gardiner, Hallowell and West Gardiner, in Kennebee County, lies on the west side of Kennebec River between Hallowell and Gardiner. Manchester forms the western boundary, and Chelsea lies upon the east, separated from it by the Kennebec. James and Henry McCaus- land settled here in 1787, obtaining their titles from Dr. Sylvester Gar- diner. The early history of the town belongs to those from which it was taken.

The middle part of the town is rough, but there are fine farms on all. sides. The nearness to good markets makes farming and garden- ing profitable. Along the river are several ice-houses, among the largest of which are those of the Knickerbocker company. There are manu- factures of stoneware, drain-tile and brick, and sandpaper and glue. Jamie and Sanborn ponds lie on the western border of the town. The business centres are adjoining Hallowell on one side, and Gardiner on the other. The Maine Central railway passes through the town along the river. Farmingdale has four schoolhouses, valued at $4,500. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $387,428. In 1880 it was $387,- 842. The population at the same date was 859. The census of 1880 makes it 789.

Farmington, the shire town of Franklin County, is situated near its southern part. It is 10 miles long and 7 wide at the northern part. The area is 27,000 acres. Sandy River runs through it from north to south, dividing into nearly equal parts. The other large water-courses are Wilson's Stream and Beaver Dam Brook. There are numerous small streams and springs in every part of the town. Some of the high lands, particularly in the northern part, are somewhat rocky and difficult to cultivate ; but the soil is generally easily worked and fertile, especially in the intervals and adjacent uplands. The first, however, afford excellent pasturage, and are decked in their season with numerous flocks of sheep. Hay and wool are the principal agri- cultural exports. Orchards of apple and other fruit-trees abound. Powder House Hill, just above Farmington Village, is the most nota- ble eminence. There are several others, but none of great height. Limestone of poor quality exists in several places, but the rock generally is of slaty formation.

229

FARMINGTON.

Much of the surface of Farmington is considerably elevated above Sandy River Valley, of which fine views may be had from many parts of the town.

Farmington, the principal village, is situated on a beautiful undu- lating plain on the eastern bank of Sandy River near the centre of the town.

Its streets are hard and broad, and most of them have a double row of shade-trees. The top of Court street affords a fine landscape view toward the west, while from Powder House Hill, up and down the river, are views still more impressive.

Some noble willows at the western extremity of the village sprang from twigs, cut on the way home from Augusta by Hiram Belcher,

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SCENERY AT ABBOTT FAMILY SCHOOL, FARMINGTON, ME.

Esq., one of the early residents. A young lady's seminary which flourished here a few years since, occupying a fine eminence near by, took its name-The Willows-from these trees. More within the vil- lage is a small park, with a band-stand, and a fine grove of maples near it.

Six churches adorn the village, and dispense religious truth to the people. It is also the seat of the Western Normal School, of the noted Little Blue School, and the Wendell Institute. All of these have fine buildings and pleasant grounds. The Little Blue School is situated in an extensive park, consisting of hill and dale, shaded by numerous old and young trees, and enlivened with ponds, streams and bridges. There are in the town five lumber-mills, two sash, blind and

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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.

door-factories-one run by steam-power, two brick-yards, one foundry, an excelsior and rake-factory, three grist-mills, nearly a dozen carriage- factories, one cheese-factory, two corn-canning factories, two mowing. machine manufactories, a spool-factory, tannery, etc.

Farmington village is the present terminus of the Maine Central Railroad, and is 95 miles distant from Portland. Other villages are Farmington Falls, and North and West Farmington.

This town was first explored with a view to settlement by Stephen Titcomb, Robert Gower, James Henry, Robert Alexander and James McDonald in the summer of 1776, being guided by Thomas Wilson, who had previously explored the region as a hunter. This company was from Topsham, and made the trip as far as Hallowell in canoes. At what is now Farmington Falls, they found two Indian camps, and an extensive clearing. Proceeding about a mile above the falls, they made a chain of basswood bark, with which they measured the land off into farms, then returned to Topsham to obtain their implements and a stock of provisions. In two weeks they were again at the scene of the proposed new settlement; and from this period until 1784 this company and others continued to make improvements in different parts of the town. The township belonged to a grant to William Tyng and company for services in 1703, and therefore as a plantation it had with " Number One " and "Sandy River Plantation," also the name of "Tyngstown." It was surveyed by Col. Joseph North in 1780, and new families immediately came in. By the proprietors of the Kennebec patent, the township was claimed to be within their limits; but on its incorporation in 1794 it was found to be wholly outside. The good- ness of its soil for agriculture was the occasion of giving it the corpor- ate name of Farmington. The corn-fields of the Canibas tribe of In- dians were here.

A post was established in Farmington in 1797; and the next year the town was represented in the General Court by Supply Belcher. Among the eminent citizens of the later period have been Jacob Ab- bot, Esq., and Jacob and John S. C. Abbot, authors ; Hon. Hiram Belcher, Hon. Robert Goodenow, Rev. Isaac Rogers, and others. Far- mington sent to the aid of the Union cause in the war of the Rebellion 268 men, of whom 57 were lost.

Besides the libraries of the educational institutions mentioned, there is a circulating library and also a social library of 1,500 volumes. The leading newspaper of the town and of the county is the "Farmington Chronicle," published every Thursday, by Chas. W. Keyes, Esq. It is republican in politics. The other weekly paper of the town is "The Herald," published by W. D. Chase. It is issued Friday. The " Herald " is greenback in politics, and a lively and enterprising sheet. The " Excelsior Quarterly " is an educational magazine, published by D. H. Knowlton. It is well filled with useful matter. The Franklin County Savings Bank, located at Farmington, at the close of 1879 held deposits and profits to the amount of $148,632.53. The Sandy River National Bank, in this town, has a capital of $75,000.

The religious societies are two Congregationalist and three Metho- dist churches, one Baptist, one Free Baptist, one Liberal Christian, and one Union church. Farmington has twenty-one public school- houses, and her school property is valued at $15,850. The valuation of estates in 1870 was 81,448,735. In 1880 it was $1,601,271. The rate of

dominira miur

MANSION, ABBOTT FAMILY SCHOOL, AT LITTLE BLUE, FARMINGTON. ME.

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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.

taxation in the latter year was 1} per cent. on a full valuation. The population in 1870 was 3,251. In 1880 it was 3,353.

Fayette is the most westerly town in Kennebec County. It is bounded on the east by Mount Vernon and Readfield, south by Wayne, west by Livermore, in Androscoggin County, and north by Chesterville in Franklin County. The first settlement in the township was about the year 1779. Seven thousand acres of its territory were granted by the State of Massachusetts to Robert Page and associates. Its early name was " Starling Plantation "; and in 1790 it had 166 inhabitants. In 1795 it was incorporated as a town under the name of the noble French officer who gave the nation such efficient aid during the Revolution. Among the early settlers were Benjamin Clifford, William Morrill, Joel Jedkins, Nathan Lane, James Bly, James Bam- ford, Elkins Chase, Stephen French, Tilton Richards, Eleazer Goodwin, Enoch Watson, Perley Dow, Jeremiah Tuck, Cyrus Baldwin, John and Hezekiah Judkins, Benjamin Bodge, Mathew Pettengill, Zachariah Pike, John Berry, and Joseph Anderson. There are now in town about 60 persons over seventy years of age.

The town is much broken by hills, and there are several large ponds in and around it. The highest hills are Oak, Pine, Baldwin, and Berry's. The scenery from these hills is very fine, from the agreeable mingling of ponds, hills, meadows, and forests in the vicinity. Parker Pond at the north-east, Crotched Pond at the east, Lovejoy's and David's in the north, are the largest of these. Others are Tilton's, Lane's and Hale's Brook ponds.

The principal business centre is Fayette Mills, near the south-east corner, where the Dunn Edge Tool Company do a large business in the manufacture of axes, scythes, and other cutting implements. In other parts of the town are manufactured long and short lumber, cabinet work, dowels, and boxes and measures. There is some granite in town, also pyritiferous mica-schist, and slate. The soil is generally good, and the town is noted for its dairy products, and its fine-wooled sheep. The post-offices are Fayette, North and South Fayette, and Fayette Cor- ner. Thetown is situated about 18 miles from Augusta, on the stage-line between Readfield Depot and Chesterville. The Farmington branch of the Maine Central Railway runs through the adjoining town on the west, some 2 miles from the line; and the Readfield Depot on the east is about 7 miles distant.

The Baptists and Methodists each have a church in the town ; and there is a public library of about 1,000 volumes. It has nine public schoolhouses, estimated to be worth $2,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was 8282,697. In 1880 it was $274,592. The population at the same date was 909. By the census of 1880 it is given at 765.

Ferry Village, a post-office and village in Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland County.

Feylor's Corner. a small village in Waldoboro, Lincoln Bounty.

Fish River Lakes, see article on Aroostook County.

233

FORKS PLANTATION.

Flagstaff Plantation occupies the southern township of the western range in Somerset County. It is situated 48 miles north-west of Skowhegan, and is on the stage-line from North Anson to Eustis. Dead River Plantation lies on the east, adjoining the southern part, and Eustis lies on the west. The township is about one-third larger than those about it. There is much good interval land along Dead River (which flows from west to east through the township) and on the streams which come down from the north and north-west to Flagstaff Lake. The principal crop is hay. Hills mark the north-eastern and western angles of the town. On the eastern side near Dead River, and near the middle of the town, is a considerable eminence called Viles's Hill ; and the base of Mount Bigelow extends over the southern border. The latter is 3,300 feet high. The rock is chiefly granitic. The plantation takes its name from the fact that Benedict Arnold, on his way to Quebec in 1775, while encamped here for three days, displayed the continental flag (which had recently been adopted) from a tall staff beside his tent.

Flagstaff Pond, whose outlet furnishes the chief water-power of the plantation, has an area of 2.75 square miles. There are at this point. mills manufacturing long and short lumber, and a grist-mill. The roads in the plantation are in good condition. There are bridges across Lead River and Flagstaff Stream, the longest being 175 feet in length.

This plantation furnished 20 soldiers to the Union army in the war of the Rebellion. The Methodists are at present the most active religious body in the plantation. Flagstaff has one public schoolhouse which, with its appurtenances, is valued at $300. The value of estates in 1870 was $34,750. In 1880 it was $41,082. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 12 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 112. In 1880 it was 72.

Forest City Village, a small village and post-office in Eaton, Washington County.

Forest Station, a post-office and railroad station on the European and North American Railway near Jackson Plantation, in Washington County.

Forks Plantation is situated at the forks or junction of the east and west branches of the Kennebec River, whence its name. It is 50 miles N.N.W. of Skowhegan, on the Canada road, and on the stage-line from that town to Quebec. The principal business here is farming and lumbering. The place is on the route to Moosehead Lake. In the adjoining township on the north, a few miles above the Forks is a remarkable cataract on Moxie Stream, which has a precipitous descent of 95 feet.

There is at the Forks a Methodist society, and a Union meeting- house. There are three public schoolhouses, and the entire school prop- erty has a value of $1,300. The valuation in 1880 was $22,040. The population is massed with that of other plantations in the census; but in the return to the state superintendent of schools the number of children of school age is stated as being 75. [See West Forks.]

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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.

Fort Fairfield is situated on Aroostook River near its junction with the St. John, and has New Brunswick for its eastern boundary. It comprises two townships of excellent land. The Aroos- took winds from west to east through its midst ; and along the south side of the river runs a branch of the New Brunswick Railway. The sur- face is uneven, without high hills, and the town abounds in pleasing scenery.

The principal streams tributary to the Aroostook in this town are Fitzherbert's Stream and Johnston, Lovely, Grey and Hurd Brooks. Livingstone River crosses the north-east corner of the town, receiving one considerable tributary from the west; and River DeChute, crossing the south-west corner, also receives a tributary stream from within the town. The principal water-powers are on Fitzherbert's Stream and Lovely Brook. There are on the various streams five saw-mills for long lumber and shingles, a planing and plaster mill, two grist-mills, two starch-factories, one cask and barrel factory, one furniture-factory, etc. The starch factories during the season of 1880 used 162,000 bushels of potatoes. The town is 46 miles north of Houlton, by stage- rote. A branch of the New Brunswick Railway has one or more stations in the town, and it is the terminus of stage-routes to. Blaine, Van Buren and Andover, N. B.

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Gazetteer of the state of Maine, Part 28

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