USA > Maine > Gazetteer of the state of Maine > Part 31
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The exterior lines of Garland were run in 1792 by Ephraim Bal- lard and Samuel Weston. In 1796 Massachusetts granted to Williams College two townships of land, of which Garland was selected as one. The trustees of the college, in 1798, conveyed it to Levi Lincoln, Seth Hastings, Samuel and Calvin Sanger, Samuel Sanger, Jr., and Elias Grout. The township took the name of Lincoln, from the first mentioned proprietor, who later (1808) was governor of Massachusetts. In 1800, Moses Hodsdon, assisted by Daniel Wilkins, David A. Gove and a Mr. Shores, ran the lines between a large number of lots. Again in 1805 A. Strong surveyed an additional number. Messrs. Gove and Wheeler were the first who selected their lots. Joseph Garland, from Salisbury, N. H., with his wife and three children were the first family here ; wherefore at its incorporation in 1811, his name was given to the town. There were at this time about fifty legal voters within its limits. In 1802 a saw-mill was built by the proprietors of the township, and in the following year several frame buildings were erected. The first school was held in the house of William Garland in 1806, and taught by William Mitchell. A post-office was established in 1818.
Rev. John Sawyer gathered the first church here. The town now has three-Congregationalist, Baptist and Methodist. Garland has eleven public schoolhouses valued at $4,050. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $312,263. In 1880 it was $331,690. The population in 1870 was 1,306. In 1880 it was $1,211.
George's Corners, a small village in Holden, Penobscot County.
Georgetown is an island and a town. It forms the south- eastern part of Sagadahoc County, lying between Sheepscot River and
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GILEAD.
the mouth of the Kennebec. Westport and Woolwich lie on the north, Arrowsic and Phipsburg on the west. Its length, north and south, is about 9 miles, and its average width nearly 2 miles. The long narrow harbor called "Robinhood's Cove," penetrates the island from the north past the middle of the island. The principal settlement known as Georgetown Centre, is near the head of this cove. Sagadahoc Bay penetrates the island about one and half a miles in the opposite di- rection. Seal Cove is on the west of this bay. On the eastern side of the island are Harmon's Harbor and Five-Island Harbor, each having a small settlement. Back River. having some current from the Kenne- bec, separates Georgetown from Arrowsic. At the north-east is a narrow passage between the shore and some islands called Little Hurl- gate. McMahan's and the Five Islands lie on the Sheepscot side, Stage and Salter's Islands on the ocean, and Long and Marr's Islands in Kennebec River. There is considerable salt marsh in the southern and the north-western part of the town. There are four small ponds on the island, and in the south-east, Great Pond, lying near the shore, has a wide connection with the sea. There are several excellent tide-powers, one of which at the centre is improved, where there is a saw, shingle and grist mill. There is also a carding and shingle mill on the outlet to Nichol's Pond. This village is connected with Bath by a stage-line. Its nearest railroad station is Nequasset, in Woolwich. Georgetown is also in the course of the steamboat-line between Bath and Booth- bay. Perhaps one half the territory of the town is good for tillage and grazing. The inhabitants are largely engaged in the fisheries and in the merchant service.
The town formerly embraced the several islands at the mouth of the Kennebec, together with what are now the towns of Phipsburg, Bath, West Bath, Woolwich and Arrowsic. It includes now only one island, formerly called Parker's Island. This was purchased of the natives in 1650 by one John Parker, who was the first occupant after 1668. Yet it has been thought by some that a portion of Popham's Colony formed a settlement here. The island is at present held under Parker's title, some of his posterity still being residents and land proprietors. The Indian name of the island was Rascohegan, with various spellings. The southern part is the locality known to early voyagers as Sagada- hoc. The first Indian war swept away whatever inhabitants there were, and no permanent re-settlement was made until about 1730. It not included in the incorporation of 1716, but in that of 1738.
The post-offices are at the Centre and North Georgetown. Each of these places, and the harbor on the east have a church. The Centre and Harbor have Free Baptist churches, and North, a Methodist. Georgetown has nine public schoolhouses, valued with the lots at $2,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $168,500. In 1880 it was $147,824. The population in 1870 was 1,135. In 1880 it was 1,080.
Gilead lies on the western border of Oxford County, and re- ceives the Androscoggin River from New Hampshire. It has Riley on the north, Bethel on the east, Fryburg Academy and Batchelder's Grants on the south. The length of the town, east and west, is about 62 miles, and the width 22. The town is nearly filled with hills and mountains, only the north-eastern and north-western corners and some
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tracts along the streams being level land. On the north side of the town is a row of three mountains, and on the south are six. From west to east, through the middle of the town, flows the Androscoggin, between these two rows of mountains. Their height varies from 400 to 600 feet. The principal ones are Robinson's Peak, Tumble Down Dick, Peaked Hill and Mount Ephraim. Between Mount Ephraim and Gilead village on the east of it, Wild River comes down from the region of mountains at the southward to the calmer Androscoggin. The water-powers which have been improved are on Pleasant and Chapman's brooks. The mills are a lumber-mill, a grist-mill. and one manufacturing spool-stock, boxes and staves. The Grand Trunk Rail- way runs through the length of the town on the south bank of the Androscoggin. The soil is chiefly loam and gravel. The chief crop is hay, which finds a good market with the lumbermen, who make this a starting point for the woods. The currents of air between the mountains are such as in a great measure to protect the crops of the valleys and slopes from the frosts of autumn. A mica mine here is worked profitably.
This town is 35 miles W.N.W. of Paris. The railroad station is 80 miles from Portland. Gilead has a wooden bridge 300 feet in length and a wire bridge of 192 feet.
Gileadwas incorporated in 1805, its name being suggested by a large balm of gilead tree not long since still standing in the midst of the town. It was formerly called Peabody's Patent. In 1781 the only two fami- lies in town were killed by the Indians. During the the terrible storm of 1826, when occurred the slide in the White Mountains which destroyed the Willey family, there were many slides on the mountains in Gilead. From Peaked Hill thousands of tons of earth and rocks with trees came rushing down, destroying every living thing in their course. Through the intense darkness, gleamed the lightning and the long streams of fire caused by the sliding rocks. Among these mountains bears are still to be found, and the early annals of the town are full of thrilling adventures with these beasts. Gilead sent 22 men to aid in the war for the Union in the Rebellion of the South, losing 4.
The town has churches of the Congregationalists and Methodists. The number of public schoolhouses is six, having, with appurtenances, the value of $1,500. The valuation of the estates in 1870 was $74,940. In 1880 it was $72,364. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 4} per cent. The population in 1870 was 329. In 1880 it was 293.
Glenburn is situated in the southern part of Penobscot County, and adjoins Bangor on the south. It is bounded on the east by Orono and Oldtown, north by Hudson, and west by Kenduskeag and Levant. Pushaw Lake lies on the eastern line, and the Kendus- keag River crosses the south-western part of the town. The surface is generally level, and the soil fertile. The town is chiefly agricultural, and the inhabitants take pride in their occupation and its results.
There are some good water-powers on the Kenduskeag, and on Black Branch and Lancaster Brook. Pushaw Lake contains eight square miles. The manufactures are chiefly flour-barrel hoops, moccasins and charcoal. The stage-lines from Bangor to North Bradford and Corinth run through the town.
This place was first incorporated Jan. 29, 1822, under the name of Dutton, in honor of Judge Dutton, of Bangor. The name was changed
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GORHAM.
in March 18, 1837, to that borne at present. Glenburn has seven pub- lic schoolhouses, valued at $1,400. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $143,313. In 1880 it was $138,632. The population in 1870 was 720. In 1880 it was 655.
Glenwood Plantation is situated in the southern part of Aroostook County, midway between the eastern and western limits. It is in the second range north of Washington County. Wytopitlock Station, on the European and North American Railway, is in Reed Plantation, adjoining Glenwood on the south. Haynesville bounds the plantation on the east, and Bancroft lies on the south-east. Wytopit- lock Lake, having an area of 3} square miles, lies on the western line. The outlet of this stream, running southward, furnishes a water-power occu- pied by a saw-mill for long and short lumber. The forests are prin- cipally of spruce and hemlock. The soil is a yellow loam, yielding well with wheat and potatoes. Glenwood has three public schoolhouses, valued at $200. The valuation in 1880 was $28,845. The rate of tax- ation was 1} per cent. The population in 1870 was 185. In 1880 it was 198.
Goodale's Corner, a post-office in Orrington, Penobscot County.
Goodwin's Mills, a small manufacturing village in the adjoining towns of Lyman and Dayton, in York County.
Gorham is one of the pleasantest and most substantial towns in the State. It is situated on the south-western side of Cumberland County, 10 miles from Portland. Windham bounds it on the north, being separated from it by Presumpscot River. On the south-east is Westbrook, on the south Scarborough, on the north-west Standish, and on the south-west Buxton, in York County. The Oxford and Cumberland Canal passes through the town nearly parallel to the Pre- sumpscot River from Casco Bay to Sebago. Stroudwater Pond and River drain the southern part of the town, and Little River drains the centre. The Portland and Rochester Railway crosses the southern part of the town, having a station at Gorham Village; and the Port- land and Ogdensburgh crosses the northern part, having a station at White Rock, and at Gambo Falls, in Windham, adjoining. Gorham village, Little Falls, Great Falls and West Gorham are the principal business centres. There are numerous manufactures in town and at its borders. At Gorham village are a tannery, a carpet, clothing and carriage factories, granite and marble works, saw and grist mills, a canned-food and a corn-canning factory, etc. At Little Falls (South Windham P. O.) is a saw-mill and a brick-yard ; at Mallison Falls, half a mile below, are a saw and a grist-mill. In North Gorham are a cloth- ing factory, box and shook, and long and short lumber mills, a wagon and sleigh factory, a paper-pulp and ware-mill, etc. There are small mills on Little River and at Parker's Corners ; at Great Falls are a saw-mill, barrel-factory, chair-factory, and a grist and plaster-mill.
Other localities are South Gorham and Gambo Falls. The Gorham Savings Bank at the close of the year 1879 held in deposits and profits $133,633. Gorham was one of the seven townships granted in 1728 to
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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
the men (or their heirs) who bore arms in the Narraganset war, in 1675. The first clearings were made by Captain .John Phinney, of Plymouth blood, who with his boy paddled up Presumpscot River and fixed upon Fort Hill for his home. There were Indians living in wigwams near by, but for two years this was the only white family in the township. The oldest daughter aided in the transportation of provisions to and from Portland, rowing a boat and carrying the bags of corn and meal around the falls. Messrs. Bryant, Cloutman, Read and Mclellan followed a year or more later. They early built a block-house ; but in 1746 Bry- ant was killed in his field, his house was assailed, tive of his children were killed and scalped, and the mother taken captive and carried away to Canada. The township was at first called Narragansett No. 7, but was later changed to Gorhamtown, in honor of Captain John Gor- ham, one of the early inhabitants. The township was surveyed in 1762, and incorporated as Gorham in 1764. In 1780 appeared here a sect called New Lights, who protested against congregational taxation, ministerial education, and other established customs. The Freewill Baptists, Methodists, Friends and Shakers also formed societies here about this time. When there were only thirteen families in town the first meeting-house was built, the material being logs. Rev. Benjamin Crocker, from Ispwich, and a graduate of Harvard College, was set- tled as first minister in 1743. In 1750, Rev. Solomon Lombard was ordained pastor of the church which had been organized that year.
In 1803 Gorham Academy was incorporated, and many of its pupils have become distinguished in the professions and public affairs. It was a few years since changed into the Western Normal School; and by an appropriation from the State, and generous gifts from the citizens, a new building was erected, and the former one improved.
The scenery of Gorham is quite varied, and there are some com- manding views, especially that from Fort Hill. The flow of the river and streams is remarkably equable; and the natural advantages of good soil and water-power and the nearness of market render this a favorable field for manufacturer and farmer.
Hon. Hugh D. Mclellan was for many years the historic authority of the place. It was the wife of an ancestor of his of the same name, who, " when the savages attacked the little settlement in the absence of the men, gathered the women into the garrison, mounted the walls, and by pluck and powder won a brilliant victory over the Indians," and held them in check till their lords returned. Hon. Stephen Long- fellow, LL.D., was a native of Gorham, where he was born in 1776. He practised law in Portland, and was sent to Congress in 1822. He died in 1849. His wife was the daughter of Gen. Peleg Wadsworth, an officer of the Revolution. Their eldest surviving son is the poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The distinguished Sargeant S. Prentiss, was educated at Gorham Academy.
Gorham Village forms a convenient and agreeable suburb for the neighboring City of Portland. Its dwellings here and there show marks of the ancient time ; but the place has a thrifty look, the dwell- ings in general have ample grounds, and there are several elegant residences.
One Congregational church, two Methodist churches and two Free Baptist, afford opportunity for moral and religious instruction. Gorham has nineteen public schoolhouses, valued at $12,400. The valuation of
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GRAFTON.
estates in 1870 was $1,445,968. In 1880 it was $1,398,524. The population at the same date was 3,351. The census of 1880 sets it at 3,233.
Gouldsborough occupies the south-eastern extremity of Hancock County, lying between Frenchman's and Gouldsborough bays. The town also embraces Stave, Ironbound, Porcupine, Horn's, Turtle and Schoodic islands. Gouldsborough is 21 miles east of Ells- worth, and is on the Shore stage-line. The area is about 30,000 acres. Forbes's and Jones's ponds are the chief bodies of water. The principal eminence is Mount Cromer, 600 feet in height. The surface of the town is much broken, abounding in rocky bluffs consisting of granite penetrated by veins of galena, zinc and copper. There is also green- stone and syenite. At Grindstone Point is an immense deposit of metamorphic or siliceous slate, which might prove excellent material for grindstones.
The soil is clay loam and gravelly loam; but one-third of the area is unsuitable for cultivation. The principal crops consist of wheat and potatoes. The manufactories consist of a flour-mill, two grist-mills, a shingle, and a spool-lumber mill, a saw-mill, and a lobster-canning establishment. There are also six incorporated mining companies, and two unincorporated, but in operation. The ore mined is principally galena, mixed with sulphurets of copper and iron. The centres of business are Gouldsborough village, West and South Gouldsborough, Winter and Prospect harbors.
There were squatters in the town as early as 1700. On Ash's Point are the relics of an old French fortification. The so called Indian dykes are also objects of curiosity. The first settlers were from Saco and vicinity. Their names were Libby, Fernald, Ash and Willey. The first male child was Robert Ash, and the first female Mary Libby. An old inhabitant says : " Nathan Jones and Thomas Hill settled here in 1764." Maj. Gen. David Cobb, one of General Washington's aids, and later, judge of the Court of Common Pleas, of Hancock County, resided here for many years.
Gouldsborough was incorporated in 1789; being named in honor of Robert Gould, one of the original proprietors. That part of No. 7 known as "West Bay Stream," was annexed in 1870. The town furnished 167 men to the Government during the war of the Rebellion. The amount of town bounty was $27,460. There are 12 persons in Gouldsborough who are over eighty years of age. The town has two churches, both Union. There are twelve public schoolhouses, and the school property is valued at $6,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $224,690. In 1880 it was $225,244. The rate of taxation in 1880 was 2 per cent. The population in 1870 was 1,709. In the census of 1880 it was 1,824.
Grafton lies on the western border of Oxford County, north of the middle line. It is bounded by Upton on the north, Riley on the south, Newry on the south-west, and New Hampshire on the west. The area is about 45 square miles. A tract upon Cambridge River and its branches in the north-eastern part of the town, and about Bear River and its tributary brooks in the south-eastern part, are compara- tively level ; but the western half and a belt across to the eastern side
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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
are full of mountains and high hills. Bear River White Cap, on the eastern border, and Speckled Mountain, south of the centre of the town, are the highest peaks. The passage made by Bear River through these mountains is known as Grafton Notch. A curiosity of this pass is Moon Cave. On the river below the notch are Mother Walker's Falls and the noted Screw Augur Falls. The business of the town is farming and lumbering. The soil in general is fertile, while the northern part is well timbered with pine and spruce.
Grafton was first settled in 1830 by William Reed, Jesse Smith, Abraham R. York, Stephen Emery, and James Brown. In 1840 the settlers organized under the name of Holmes Plantation. In 1852 it was incorporated as a town under the present name. The town has a comfortable schoolhouse, valued at $100. The valuation of estates in 1870 was 826,675. In 1880 it was $25,857. The population in 1870 was 94. In 1880 it was 115.
Grand Isle, in Aroostook County, lies on the north-eastern border of Maine. It is bounded on the west by Madawaska, on the east by Van Buren Plantation, and on the north-east the St. John's River separates it from St. Leonard, in New Brunswick. The town is 90 miles north of Houlton ; and is on the stage-line from Van Buren to Fort Kent. A long hill near the centre of the town, about 500 feet in height, is the principal eminence. West of it lies Levasseur's Pond, the largest in the township. Green River, in New Brunswick, enters the St. John opposite the northern part of the town. The New Bruns- wick Railway runs along the opposite side of the river. The town has a saw, grist, and carding mills, and two or more starch-factories. The soil is generally fertile, and yields well of potatoes, wheat, buckwheat and oats, which the inhabitants are generally engaged in cultivating.
Grand Isle was incorporated in 1869. It was named from an island in the river belonging to the town. The first settlers were Acadian French, The Roman Catholics have, at present, the only church. Grand Isle has six public schoolhouses. The school property is valued at $850. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $40,865. In 1880 it was $80,014. The amount assessed in the latter year was $1,384.26. The population in 1870 was 688. In 1880 it was 847.
Grand Lake Stream Plantation is situated in the in- terior of Washington County on the stream connecting Grand Lake with Big Lake. This place is the terminus of the stage-line from Princeton on the European and North American Railway. It is also the terminus of the steamboat-lines through Lewey, Long and Big lakes from Princeton, and through Grand and Pocamsus lakes to the fish-hatching establishment of G. L. F. Ball, at Sysladobsis Lake Stream. The well-known salmon-trout establishment of Charles G. Atkins, Esq., is in this plantation on Grand Lake Stream. The manu- factories consist of the saw-mill and tannery of F. Shaw & Brothers. The Hinckley township, which contains a portion of this stream, has a population of 345. The other portion of the stream is in township No. 27, of the Bingham Purchase. It has a mill and some settlers, but the population has not been given separately in any census report yet issued. The plantation is also the post-office name.
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GRAY.
Grand Isle, a post-office in Aroostook County.
Gray is situated near the middle of Cumberland County and 16 miles north of Portland. The Maine Central Railway passes through the eastern part of the town, about two miles from the village of Gray Corner. The bounding towns are New Gloucester on the north-east, North Yarmouth and Cumberland on the south-east, Wind- ham on the south-west, and Raymond on the north-west. The larger part of Little Sebago Pond lies along the north-western side of the town, and in the north-eastern part is the small body of water called " Dry Pond." The town is regular in its form, being nearly square. It is about 12 miles long by 10 wide. Gray Corner, near the centre of the town, is the largest village. It is situated on elevated plains surrounded by hills. The location is remarkably healthy ; and-as might be supposed-there are many aged people living in the town. The soil is chiefly a clayey or sandy loam, and fairly productive. There are many farms under superior cultivation. Granite is the prevailing rock, and is quarried to some extent. The larger manu- factures are at Dry Mills and North Gray. They consist of the Fal- mouth Mills, at the latter place, manufacturing repellants, one grain- mill, twelve saw-mills (one of which is driven by steam), in different parts of the town, manufacturing lumber into its various forms for use. There are also a tannery, several manufactories of granite and marble, marbleized slate, horse-blankets, carriages and sleighs, patent shuttles, etc.
The territory of Gray was granted to certain inhabitants of Boston in 1735, upon petition to the General Court representing that they had large families and were in straitened circumstances. The first settler, or one of the first settlers, was Moses Twitchell, who came from West- boro, Mass., Jabez Matthews and William Webster followed soon after; and in the course of fifteen or twenty years several other fam- ilies moved in. The Indians once made a descent upon the settlement and destroyed the cattle, the meeting-house and all the dwelling- houses, obliging the inhabitants to fly to other towns. After peace was restored they returned, erecting a new meeting-house, and build- ing a block-house 50 feet long and 25 feet wide, around which they erected a garrison 100 feet long and 75 wide. There were rumors of intended attack by the Indians, but they were not further molested.
The township had been without a name until about 1756, when it began to be called New Boston. In 1778, it was incorporated under the name of Gray, in honor, it is supposed, of Thomas Gray, one of the proprietors. The town furnished men and supplies for the army in the Revolutionary war, and Moses Twitchell, the first settler, died in the public service in Canada. The first lawyer of the town was Simon Greenleaf, who will be remembered as among the first of American jurists. The Congregationalists, Baptists and Methodists, each have a church-edifice; and the Universalist society worships in the town-hall, which is an excellent two-story building of brick. The Pennell Institute is intended to serve as a high-school for the town. Gray has twelve public schoolhouses, valued at an aggregate of $6,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $480,780. In 1880 it was $572,- 122. The rate of taxation in 1880 is 137 mills on a dollar. The population in 1870 was 1,768. The census of 1880 places it at 1,798.
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