Gazetteer of the state of Maine, Part 32

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

USA > Maine > Gazetteer of the state of Maine > Part 32

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

258

GAZETTEER OF MAINE.

Great Pond, a post-office in Hancock County.

Great Falls, a small manufacturing village in Gorham, Cumberland County.

Great Works, a small manufacturing village in South Berwick, York County.

Great Works, a village in Bradley, Penobscot County.

Greenbush, In Penobscot County, is situated on the eastern bank of the Penobscot River, 23 miles N.N.E of Ban- gor. On the western side of the Penobscot opposite is Argyle ; Passadumkeag lies on the north, and Milford on the south. A con- siderable number of islands in the Penobscot belong to the town. The largest of these, and the most northerly, is Olamon. Others are, fol- lowing down the river-Sugar, Cow, Jackson, White Squaw and some smaller. Olamon Stream, passing through the town from south-east to north-west, is the principal stream. The surface of the town is somewhat varied, and the soil has the average fertility. The village, at the north-western part of the town, at the mouth of the Olamon, is a pleasant and thriving place. Its manufactures consist of moccasins and snow-shoes, lumber, axes and cooper's ware. The European and North American Railroad runs through the town along the Penobscot.

Greenbush was incorporated February 28, 1834. There are eight public schoolhouses, valued together with other school property at $2,800. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $129,718. In 1880 it was $91,996. The population in 1870 was 621. In 1880 it was 681.

Greene, situated near the middle of Androscoggin County, is nearly square in its form, and rests its west side on the Androscoggin River, opposite the town of Turner. Leeds bounds it on the north, Wales on the east, and Lewiston on the south. It contains 15,905 acres of land. The principal bodies of water are Allen, Deane, Little Sabattus and Berry ; and Sabattus Pond forms the southern half of the eastern boundary. Allen Pond, the largest within the town, is about one mile in diameter. The chief business centres are Greene Village and Greene Corner. The principal manufactures are of a carriage-factory, and of a grist, saw and excelsior mill, known as Sprague's Mills. The principal occupation is agricultural. The soil is well adapted to grazing, and the chief crops are hay and apples. The Maine Central Railroad bisects the town, having a station at Greene Village, a little east of the centre. The surface of the town is a little more elevated, and more broken than the towns to the east and south. The hills in the north-western pirt are quite high. The principal of these are Clark's and Ames's mountains and Caswell Hill. Those southward are lower, the highest being Hill's Ridge, in the south-eastern part. There are very few pine-trees in town, but other Maine woods are abundant.

This territory was first known as a part of Lewiston Plantation, then as Littlesborough, from Moses Little, of Newbury, Massachusetts, who was a large proprietor in the Pejepscot Patent, which covered

259

GREENFIELD.

a portion of it. He is said to have made a large purchase from the Indians of land in this vicinity. In 1788 it was organized under the present name in honor of General Greene, of Revolutionary fame.

Benjamin Merrill was the first man who became a permanent set- tler. He came from North Yarmouth in November 15, 1775, bringing his family and goods in an ox-cart. The snow lay a foot deep upon the ground, and was still falling when they moved into their log-house. Captain John Daggett, who settled in 1786, taught the first school in town the same year. He was also the first military officer whom the town could boast. Colonel William Sprague moved in from Medford, Mass., in 1779. He built the first mills in town, and excelled as a military tactitian. John Mower, another of the early esteemed citizens, removed from Charlton, Mass., in 1786. Luther Robbins came to Greene from Hanover, Mass., about 1788. He was the first representative to the Legislature. Captain Daggett, after teaching school three years, was succeeded by Elisha Sylvester,-who was noted for a facility of rhyming. The following specimen was in- spired by a conversation with a predestinarian clergyman :

" If all things succeed, that's already decreed, And immutable impulses rule us, Then to preach and to pray is but time thrown away, And our teachers do nothing but fool us. And if by hard fate, we're driven this way or that, As the carman with whip drives his horses, Then none need to stray, but go on the right way Like the stars that are bound in their courses. But if by free-will we go, or stand still, As best suits the present occasion, Then fill up the bowl, and count him a fool That preaches up predestination."

After the Revolution several soldiers came and made their home in Greene. Their names as far as has been ascertained are as follows : Captain John Daggett and Colonel William Sprague and Luther Rob- bins, Esq., previously mentioned ; Colonel Jabez Bates, Captain Ichabod Philips, Jarius Phillips, John Mower, Samuel Mower, Thomas More, George Berry, John Allen, Joseph McKenney, Ezekiel Hackett, Benjamin Quimby and Benjamin Alden. In the war of 1812, 19 from the town enlisted in the national army, of whom 5 died in the service. In the war of the Rebellion, the report of the adjutant-general gives the town credit for 159 men.

There was no cemetery until 1805, when four were laid out in dif- ferent parts of the town. A Baptist Church, organized in 1793, was the first religious society. A church edifice was built soon after. Another was built at the centre in 1826, and one by the Universalists at about the same time. There are now in town, one Baptist, one Free Baptist, and a Universalist society.

The number of school-houses in town is ten ; and the school prop- erty is valued at $2,400. The value of estates in 1870 was $439,629. In 1880 it was $394,260. The population in 1870, was 1,094. In 1880 it was 999.

Greenfield lies on the south-eastern border of Penobscot County, 20 miles north-east of Bangor. It is bounded on the west

260

GAZETTEER OF MAINE.

by Greenbush and Milford, with unnamed townships, of Hancock County, on the east. The area is 36 square miles. The principal streams are the Olamon and its branches, and Sunkhaze Stream. Shingles are manufactured to some extent, but agriculture is the chief employment of the inhabitants within the town.

Greenfield was one of the Bingham townships, and the settlers ob- tained their lands of Colonel John Black, agent for Mr. Bingham and his heirs. The town was incorporated in 1831. It has five school- houses valued at $200. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $52,500. In 1880 it was $44,940. The population in 1870 was 317. In 1880 it was 337.

Green's Landing, a post-office in Deer Isle, Hancock County.

Greenvale Plantation, in the western part of Frank- lin County, lies between Sandy River and Dallas plantations. On the east is Madrid, and the north-west corner touches Rangely. The head of Rangeley Lake intrudes slightly upon the western border of the town; and it is here that the settlers are clustered. This point is 35 miles from Farmington; and is the landing-place of the steamer that navigates the lake. This is the point where the tourists by way of Farmington strike the lake region. Just over the border of the town- ship in Dallas rises Saddleback Mountain, said to be 4,000 feet in height. Along the southern border of Greenvale, and northward to the north-west corner of the town, runs a range of high hills. Across the north-western part of the township runs the outlet of the pond on Saddleback Mountain, emptying into Rangely Lake. The road from the head of the lake to Phillips and Farmington winds along southward of this range to the Sandy River Ponds, thence down the river.

This plantation has a post-office, and one schoolhouse. The school property is valued at $160. The valuation in 1880 was $13,851. The population in 1880 was 50 persons.

Greenville is situated at the southern extremity of Moose- head Lake, in the western part of Piscataquis County. It is the start- ing point and base of supplies for lumberers, explorers, fishing parties, hunters and tourists. The township was a public grant to Thornton Academy, Saco, which received the south half from Massachusetts, and to Saco Free Bridge, which had the northern half at a later date from the State of Maine. Nathaniel Haskell, of Westbrook, who was the first settler, purchased the Academy Grant, on which there was some very good farming land, and commenced its settlement, moving his family into a completed house in 1827. Wilson's Pond lies within the town, and Wilson's Stream, which forms its outlet, has several beautiful cascades, and some very good mill-privileges. The surface of the town is quite hilly. The highest eminences are Indian Hill and Simpson Hill, which afford beautiful views of the lake and mountains of Somerset and Franklin Counties. The bed-rock crops out in numer- ous places. The soil is a yellow loam in most parts, but the northern portion still has considerable timber. The trees include the usual varieties found in Central Maine. In 1829 the Messrs. Varney, two

261

GREENWOOD.

brothers from Windham, built a saw-mill on Wilson's Stream, and the next year Mr. Haskell, aforementioned, put in a small grist-mill. With Mr. Haskell was associated Oliver Young; and William Cummings, Isaac Sawyer, Mr. Shaw and Mr. Tufts were the next comers. A few years later came Samuel Cole ; in 1831, Edmund Scammon ; and John Gerrish soon after. Samuel Cole and Isaac Whitcomb built a saw-mill on Eagle Stream in 1832; and Mr. Cole, at a later date, put one up on Bog Stream. Mr. Hogan put a small steamboat for towing logs upon the lake in 1836. Others for passengers have since been added. Henry Gower made the first clearing on the site of Greenville village in 1835, on the spot where the Lake House now stands. Mr. Gower was also the first to open a store in town, which was done in 1836.

The township was organized as Haskell's Plantation in 1831; and in 1836 it was incorporated as the town of Greenville. In 1846 the Eveleth House was built ; in 1858 the first meeting-house was put up. In 1869 Rev. E. B. Webb, D.D., of Boston, Massachusetts, (but at the time of Augusta, Maine,) preached the dedication sermon. In 1874, mainly through the efforts of Rev. Mr. Cameron, the edifice was furnished with a bell.

The public school fund of the town now amounts to $800. Greenville has four excellent schoolhcuses valued at $2,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $66,707. In 1880 it was $91,121. The population in the preliminary report of the census of 1880 is massed with that of plantations north of Range 5, in the same county. The aggregate of these for 1870 was 544. In 1880 it was 776.

Greenwood is a pleasant farming and manufacturing town situated near the middle of Oxford County. It is bounded by Wood- stock on the north-east, Bethel on the north-west, Paris at the south- east, Norway on the south and Albany on the west. The area accord- ing to the original survey, is 20,520 acres. The town is about 9 miles in length from north-west to south-east, and 4} in width. The surface is quite broken, having about a dozen mountains and large hills. The highest of these are Mount Abram, Long, Overset, Lawrence and Patch Mountains, and Rock Dundee. Eleven ponds are shown on the town- ship map, lying in a belt running north and south. Their names are North, South, Bryant's, Twitchell, Indian, Sheepskin, Overset, Hick's, Meed and Furlong. The most northerly of these empty into the An- droscoggin at Bethel, while others form the source of the Little Andros- coggin. The largest is South Pond, in the north-eastern part of the town. The Wentworth Caves are the most notable curiosity in Greenwood. The bed-rock in some parts is granitic, in others syenite, etc. The soil is sandy loam, and yields well in hay and potatoes, which are the crops chiefly cultivated. The town was formerly somewhat noted for its apple orchards. On the outlets of the numerous ponds are many water-powers. The town has saw and grist mills running by water- power, and a spool-mill, driven by steam. The business centre within the town is at Locke's Mills, in the north-eastern part. The post-offices are at this place and Greenwood post-office, just south of the centre of the town.

The settlement of Greenwood was commenced in 1802, by William Yates, who was soon followed by Thomas Furlong and Timothy Patch. In 1805 there were thirteen families. The town was incorporated in

262

GAZETTEER OF MAINE.

1816. Among the valued citizens of Greenwood may be mentioned Thomas Crocker, Seth Hilborn, Samuel B. Locke and Samuel Houghton.

There is one church-edifice, occupied as a union house. The num- ber of schoolhouses is twelve-valued at $2,400. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $163,974. In 1880 it was $149,073. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 27 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 845. In 1880 it was 838.

Guilford is situated in the south-western part of Piscataquis County, 8 miles from Dover, having the Piscataquis River for its southern line. Howard Plantation bounds it on the North, Foxcroft on the east, Sangerville on the south, and Abbott on the west. The Bangor and Piscataquis Railway passes through Guilford Village and the south-west corner of the town, and it is on the stage-line from Dexter to Moosehead Lake. The township was originally 6 miles square, but a small portion south of Piscataquis River was annexed to Sangerville. There are several small bodies of water, of which the outlets of Davis and Salmon ponds furnish power for mills manufac- turing large and small lumber. The northern part of the town is much broken, the highest eminence being Guilford Mountain. The south- ern part is of more uniform surface, having some productive farms. The chief products are wheat, oats, barley and potatoes. In 1879, $25,000 worth of potatoes were shipped from Guilford depot ; a consid- erable portion of them, however, coming from neighboring towns. The rock is lime, granite and slate, and the soil a sandy loam.

The principal manufactories are on the Piscataquis at Guilford Village. These consist of a woolen-mill, which produces about 625 yards of repellant cloth per day ; of mills for small and large lumber, and a grist-mill. There are, besides, the usual manufactures of a village. A new brick cloth-mill is now completed.

Guilford township was one of those conveyed to Bowdoin College by Massachusetts. Robert Low, Jr., was the first settler, moving in with his family in 1806; and Robert Herring, Jr., came about three weeks later. Isaac, Nathaniel and John Bennett came soon after and made clearings and put up buildings. These first settlers, for want of a threshing floor, beat out their wheat upon a smooth, flat ledge. When winter came, the three Bennetts returned to their homes at New Gloucester for the winter, leaving their three boys, David, Joseph and Isaac, Jr .- aged, the two first thirteen years, and the other eleven-to keep the house and attend to the cow. For food, the boys had milk, hulled corn, boiled wheat and roasted potatoes. In 1807 the families came permanently, also that of Mr. John Everton. The wife of the latter was an important accession to the new settlement. She was skilled in obstetrics, and for ten years was very useful for a long dis- tance about, when she was greatly disabled by a fall from a horse. Deacon R. Herring brought in his family in 1808, and from this time religious meetings were held upon the Sabbath. When the settle- ment consisted of eight or ten men they held a formal meeting, choos- ing officers and passing such rules and regulations as good order and good feeling in the settlement required. No penalties were attached to these rules, yet the honor of the members of the community were so much involved in their observance that they were obeyed far better

263

GUILFORD.

than most of our legislative statutes have been. In 1812 Caleb Leavitt came in from Athens, and, by virtue of a legal warrant, organized the quiet little borough of "Lowstown " into Plantation No. 6, 7th range. In 1816 the inhabitants petitioned the General Court for incorporation as the town of Fluvanna. The court granted the act of incorporation, but changed the name to Guilford. The first town meeting was called by a warrant from Samuel Pingree to Joseph Kelsey. Sixty-three years later, there lived but three of those who voted at that meeting- Elias Davis, Zebulon P. Grover and Isaac B. Wharff. There are Bap- tist, Universalist and Methodist societies in town, all these having church-edifices. The buildings generally are fresh and neat in their appearance, and the Odd-Fellows' Hall and a new school-house add to the beauty of this thrifty village. Guilford has eight public schoolhouses, 277 registered scholars, and expended for school purposes from April 1. 1878, to April 1, 1879, $1,094. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $213,091. In 1880 it was $253,578. The rate of taxation in 1880 was 2 cents on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 818. By the cen- sus of 1880 it was 881.

Hallowell, in Kennebec County, was incorporated in 1771, and included Augusta, Chelsea and part of Manchester. It was named for Mr. Benjamin Hallowell, who was a large proprietor in the Kenne- bec Patent. The settlement here was formerly called "The Hook," the other village in town being Fort Western, now in Augusta. The latter city was set off as the town of Harrington in 1797, and Man- chester and Chelsea in 1850. Hallowell was incorporated a city in the latter year, and accepted its charter in 1852.

The city is situated on the western bank of the Kennebec River, at the head of steam navigation,having Augusta for its northern boundary, Chelsea on the east, and separated from it by the Kennebec. Farming- dale bounds it on the south, and Manchester on the west. The streets and terraces of the village on the curving hillside form an amphitheatre about a little harbor made by the broadening of the river. The attrac- tiveness of this picturesque village is further enhanced by old apple- orchards at various points and shade-trees along the streets. The streams are the Kennebec, which forms its eastern boundary, and Vaughn's Brook. This brook is notable for its cascades and its historic associations. It was part of the home estate of Benjamin Vaughn, and once, if tradition is correct, served to give a wetting to Talleyrand, the celebrated prime-minister of Louis Phillipe, King of France. The power on this stream is now made useful in running a wire-factory, saw and other mills, near its junction with the Kennebec. The other manufactures are the Hallowell Cotton Manufacturing Company, run- ning 17,000 spindles ; two oilcloth factories-Sampson's and Wilder's -employing respectively 55 and 30 men ; a brass and iron foundry, and the Hallowell Granite Company, which produces about $350,000 worth of wrought stone-work annually. Most of this is from the white granite of the Hallowell quarries. Many notable monuments and buildings have been constructed from this granite, wrought in the shops at Hallowell. Among them are the Soldiers' Monument, on Boston Common ; the Sphinx, at Mount Auburn ; the Pilgrim's Mon- ument, at Plymouth, Mass .; the Fireman's Monument, at Detroit, Mich. ; Garrison's Monument and the Bridges' Tomb, at St. Louis, Mo. ;

264

GAZETTEER OF MAINE.

the Douglass Monumental Tomb, at Chicago, Ill., and the new Capitol at Albany, N. Y. The number of men employed is about 120, and the monthly pay-roll of the company is about $5,000.

The quarries of this company lie to the west of the village, beyond two or three hill ridges. These quarries and the prevailing rock of the territory is granite. The soil is mainly gravel, but in the northern part, clay.

The Maine Central Railroad runs through the town near the river, and the Boston steamers are reached at Gardiner. The first settler within the limits of the present Hallowell was Deacon Pease Clark, who came from Attleborough, Massachusetts. His first clearing was near where the city hall now stands, and his house stood on Aca- demy Street. The most prominent of the early residents of Hallowell was Dr. Benjamin Vaughn, who was born in England in 1751, and married Sarah, the eldest daughter of Benjamin Hallowell, Esq. He was a member of the British Parliament at the time of the French Revolution,and becoming compromised in some political movement that brought him into danger, he fled to France, from whence he soon after came to this country, arriving in Hallowell in 1796. Being a public- spirited man, he did much for the advancement of the interests of the region. He planted a large nursery of fruit-trees, from which sprang many of the early orchards in the vicinity. His large and valuable library had a large influence in the advancement of learning in the State. Charles Vaughn, a brother of Benjamin, came to Hallowell in 1790. Together with his brother he ran a large flour-mill and brewery, and was also much devoted to agriculture and horticulture, and the importation of improved breeds of cattle. By his influence, a road was surveyed to the vicinity of Gorham, New Hampshire, with the design of making Hallowell the seaport for the country in that direction. The road was never completed, and many years later the Grand Trunk Railroad penetrated the region, carrying the business to Portland ; while the Maine Central Railroad, by its back route, took away much business that the port had before enjoyed. John Merrick, born in London of Welsh lineage, came over as tutor in the Vaughn family, and subsequently married a sister of Dr. Vaughn. He was a man of profound learning, and occupied many important positions. His death occurred in 1861 at the age of ninety-five years. Other noted citizens were Dr. John Hubbard, governor of the State from 1850 to 1853 ; John Otis, a distinguished lawyer; while the well-known authors, Jacob and J. S. C. Abbott, and General O. O. Howard, were residents for a considerable period. The city is remarkable for the longevity of its people. With a population of 3,154, it has eighty-two persons over sev- enty years old, forty over eighty years, and two over ninety. Hallowell has two national banks, and one for savings. The town hall is a substan- tial two-story building of brick. The Hallowell Social Library con- tains about 5,000 volumes ; for which a beautiful granite building nas recently been completed at a cost of $5,000. Its newspaper, the " HIal- lowell Register," published by W. F. Marston, is a valuable sheet. The "Maine Farmer's Almanac," published here for many years, has been removed to Augusta. Hallowell's monument to her fallen heroes in the war of the Rebellion consists of a pedestal with die, and surmounted by an octagon shaft. The whole is of granite, and quite lofty.

265

HAMPDEN.

The first church was organized in 1772, Isaac Foster being the first pastor. There are now in the city houses for worship belonging to the Congregationalists, Baptists, Methodists, Free Baptists, Universalists and Roman Catholics. There is one State institution located in the city, the State Industrial School for girls. Hallowell Academy, founded in 1791, was a few years since changed into the Hallowell Classical Institute, a flourishing school under the patronage of the Congregationalists. With this the city maintains a high-school, and has nine schoolhouses. The latter are valued at $15,000. The valua- tion of estates in the city in 1870 was $1,222,295. In 1880 it was $1,611,320. The population at that date was 3,007. In 1880 the in- habitants numbered 3,154. There is also a pretty Episcopal church.

Hamlin Plantation lies at the north-eastern angle of Aroostook County, 70 miles north of Houlton, on the stage line from Fort Fairfield to Van Buren. It was named in honor of Hon. Hanni- bal Hamlin. The form of the town is triangular, with its base, 9 miles in length resting on the St. John. The principal stream is Hammond Brook, in the north part of the town. The surface is generally elev- ated, without high hills, the highest being Cyr Hill, an elevation of about 200 feet above the plain. The soil is clay loam, and yields well in most crops of the region; but buckwheat is principally cultivated The occupation is almost wholly agricultural. About half of the dwellings are in good repair. The roads are kept in fair condition. The plantation has a cedar bridge 250 feet in length. The New Bruns- wick Railway passes on the opposite bank of the St. John.

Hamlin Plantation has six public schoolhouses, valued, with land, at $565. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $28,218. In 1880 it was $38,637. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 18 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 568. In 1880 it was 612.

Hampden is the most south-easterly town in Penobscot County west of the Penobscot River : having Bangor on the north- east, Hermon on the north, Orrington on the east-separated by the Penobscot, Newburgh on the west, and Winterport, in Waldo County, on the south. The area is 23,040 acres. The surface is rolling rather than hilly. The soil is favorable for agriculture. Hermon Pond lies on the north-west corner, with which are nearly connected two smaller ponds, Stetson and Patten, lying wholly within the town. Through these ponds flows the Soadabscook, entering the Penobscot at Hamp- den Village. The principal stream beside this is the west branch of the Soadabscook, rising in the south-west part of the town and empty- ing into Stetson Pond in the north-west. The principal water-power is near the mouth of the Soadabscook, at Hampden village. The man- ufactures of the town are paper (two mills) meal and flour, boats, barrels, coopers' ware and stock, etc. This and Hampden Corners, a short distance south on the river are considerable villages. Both are ports, and have in time past had a large maritime commerce, and still have some business on the sea. Other small villages are East and West Hampden, both in the northern part of the town.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Gazetteer of the state of Maine, Part 32

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