Gazetteer of the state of Maine, Part 34

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

USA > Maine > Gazetteer of the state of Maine > Part 34

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" In vain o'er Harpswell Neck the Star Of evening guides her in, In vain for her the lamps are lit Within thy tower, Seguin ! In vain the harbor-boat shall hail ; In vain the pilot call ; No hand shall reef her spectral sail, Or let her anchor fall."

The Neck affords many attractive points for summer sojourn, especially at the southern part. On the western side, about midway of the length of the Neck, is Lookout Point, a small, abrupt, rocky promontory pointing north, and enclosing a pebbly cove fringed by a belt of spruces. On the south side of the point the shore for some distance is high, and of perpendicular rock, over whose edge the tall grasses wave, dropping their blooms into the foamy tide below. A few feet back the tall birch, maple, spruce and hemlock wave their graceful branches and spread their broad arms toward each other with the most sylvan effect. A valuable mineral spring has recently been discovered on Bailey's Island. In summer there is steamer connection with Portland, 14 miles distant; and it is nearly the same distance from the landing at the southern extremity of the town to the railroad station at Brunswick, with which there is a stage connection. The Neck formerly bore the aboriginal name of Merryconeag, and Great Island was called Erascohegan and Sebascodiggin.

The soil of Harpswell consists of gravelly loam in the higher lands. and clay loam in the lower parts, and is tolerably productive. Agri- culture, the fisheries, ship and boat building are the principal occupa-

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tions of the people, though the increasing number of health and pleasure seekers are furnishing the town with another source of profit. At the Basin, on the south-western side of the peninsula, is a grist-mill run by tide-power, which grinds 800 bushels of corn daily.

The first preacher in Harpswell was Richard Pateshall, who gra- duated at Harvard College in 1735. A church was formed in 1753, and Rev. Elisha Eaton ordained over it. He remained until his death in 1754, and was succeeded by his son, Samuel Eaton, who also remained until his death, which occurred in 1822, at the age of eighty- five years. There are now a Congregationalist, Baptist, Free Baptist, Universalist, a Union, and two Methodist churches in the town. Harpswell has sixteen public schoolhouses, of the estimated value of $7,600. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $454,601. In 1880 it was $499,621. The rate of taxation in 1880 was 98 cents per $100. The population in 1870 was 1,749. In the census of 1880 it is given as 1,772.

Harrington is a seaboard town in the south-western part of Washington County, 24 miles west of Machias. It is on the stage- line from Bangor to Eastport and Calais. The town is penetrated by Pleasant and Flat Bays and Harrington River. The streams are Great Marsh Stream and Cole's Brook. The eastern part of the town forms a long peninsula between Pleasant Bay and Harrington River, and at the end is Ripley's Neck. On the river, near the northern part of the town, are shipyards where many small vessels are built. Accord- ing to Williams on [History of Maine, Vol. ii. p. 576], the town embraces eleven inslands, viz. : Bobear, Pond, Trafton's, Dyer's, Knox, Flint, Gourd, Strout, Jordan's Delight, Ship-stern, Four Acre Island, and one other.

The rock in this town is granitic in character. The surface of the land is level, the soil of sandy loam, and not generally fertile. The principal crops are wheat and potatoes. Spruce, fir and birch are the forest trees. At the village, a few elms and maples along the streets add to its attractiveness. The public and private dwellings are gen- erally in good repair. The town-hall is two stories in height, the lower one being occupied for schoolrooms. The village has a library of 300 volumes. An obelisk of white marble, in a conspicuous spot, forms the memorial to the fallen soldiers of the Union belonging in this town. The roads in the town are very good, and there is a stone bridge 150 feet in length. There are three shipbuilding firms in the town, a boat-builder, a sail-maker, a boot and shoe manufacturer, and a steam-mill for meal, flour and lumber.

Harrington was No. 5 of the six second-class townships east of Union River granted by Massachussets in 1762 to an association of petitioners. The settlement was commenced shortly after; and on June 17, 1796, it was incorporated under its present name. The Bap- tists and Methodists each have a church in the town. The number of public schoolhouses is nine, valued, with appurtenances, at $3,300. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $249,203. In 1880 it was $295,878. The rate of taxation in 1880 was 2 3-10 per cent. The population in 1870 was 1,142. In 1880 it was 1,290.

Harrison is the most northerly town of Cumberland County.

275

HARTFORD.

It lies between Bridgeton on the west and Otisfield on the east. Naples bounds it on the south, and on the north lie Waterford and Norway, both in Oxford County. Crooked River forms the eastern line for almost the entire length of the town. Long Pond, which separates it from Harrison, furnishes transportation by means of steamer to the station of the Portland and Ogdensburg Railway, at the southern ex- tremity of Lake Sebago. The length of the town from north to south is about ten miles-twice its width.

The business centres are at Harrison Village, on Long Pond, and Bolster's Mills, on Crooked River. The former is the northern landing for the steamers, and draws the trade from a wide extent of back country. Separated from Long Pond only by the territory of the village is Anonymous Pond, about a square mile in area, and furnish- ing power for the factory of the Eastern Wire Co., whose product is valued at about $50,000 per annum. Bolster's Mills, the other village, is situated on Crooked River, and nearly midway of the eastern side of the town. There is here a saw-mill and a grist-mill, carding-mill, tannery, etc.

Harrison was incorporated in 1805, deriving its name from Harri- son Gray Otis, of Boston, who was a large proprietor in the township.

Though quite a manufacturing and commercial town, Harrison has many fine farms, and her agricultural product compares well with that of the neighboring towns. The leading denominations have churches in the town or at its border. Harrison has nine schoolhouses, val- ued at $1,800. The estates were valued in 1870 at $304,635. In 1880 their value was set at $315,826. The population at the same date was 1,219. By the census of 1880 it was given at 1,168.

Hartford is situated in the eastern part of Oxford County, 15 miles north-east of Paris. It is bounded on the north by Canton and Peru, west by Sumner, south by Buckfield, and east by Livermore and Turner, in Androscoggin County. The town is about 9 miles long, north and south, and near 5 miles in average width. The west branch of Twenty Mile River forms the boundary line on the west. The surface is quite uneven, except in limited tracts. There are eight considerable hills in the town, among which Holmes's Hill, the Pinnacle, Great Bear and Little Bear mountains are the chief. Whitney Pond lies on the north-east line of the town, and Bear Pond on the south-east,- each being about one square mile in area. Others within the town are Bungermuck, Swan, North-east, and Bates ponds. The Rumford Falls and Buckfield Railroad runs through the midst of the town, having a station near East Sumner and one at Hartford Centre. The water-powers are on Bungermuck Stream, at Hartford Centre, and the west branch of Twenty Mile River, near East Sumner. The manu- factures consist of rakes, trunk-cleats, salt-boxes, leather, etc. The principal village is Hartford Centre, where there is a post-office and railway station. Here are also the town-hall and Atheneum Hall, where profitable entertainments are frequently held. Apple orchards are numerous in the town, and the land is largely devoted to grazing. The buildings in general indicate thrift.

The first settlements were made in this town soon after the Revolution, and it was incorporated in 1798. It was previously the plantation of West Butterfield.

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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.

The Methodists, Universalists and Baptists have church organiza- tions in Hartford. The number of public schoolhouses is fourteen, and the school property is valued at $4,200. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $419,624. In 1880 it was $300,975. The population in 1870 was 996. In 1880 it was 863.

Hartland is situated in the south-eastern part of Somerset County. St. Albans and Palmyra bound it on the east, Harmony on the north, Pittsfield and Canaan on the south, and Cornville on the west. The town is irregular in form, its greatest length, north and south, and east and west, being about 7} miles. The surface is very uneven, but it is without high hills. Huff Hill is the most elevated land in the town, being about 200 feet above the surrounding country. The underlying rock is chiefly granite. The soil, in parts, is clayey loam, in others sandy loam, somewhat stony, but fertile. The crops are chiefly hay, and the common variety of Maine farms.

The ponds in this town bear the names,-Moose, Stafford, Morrill, Starbird, Bog and Withee. The first of these, lying on the northern and eastern border, is the largest, having an area of 12 miles. Black Stream and Sebasticook River, the outlet of Moose Pond are the largest streams. The principal water-power of the town is on the Sebasticook, at Hartland Village, near the eastern border of the town. There is here a factory manufacturing shawls and cassimeres, a satinet and carding factory, a grist-mill, two lumber-mills, a door, sash and blind factory, a furniture-factory, two tanneries, one for sole and one for upper leather, a carriage-factory, etc. The shawl-factory. employs. about 75 hands, and the two tanneries 50. The East Somerset Agri- cultural Society has for many years held its fairs in this town, where they have ample grounds and a good building. Hartland Village is 19 miles east of Skowhegan. Pittsfield Station, on the Maine Central Railroad, 7 miles southward, is the nearest railroad connection. The stage-line from Pittsfield to Harmony runs through the town.

Hartland was formerly called Warrenstown, No. 3, from Dr. John Warren, of Boston, who was the first private proprietor of the town- ship ; and from him the settlers derived their titles. The settlement was organized as a plantation in 1811, and incorporated as a town under its present name Feb. 17, 1820.

There are Baptist, Free Baptist and Methodist societies in the town, and the first has a church-edifice. The Hartland Academy has furnished a good portion of the education of many prominent and successful men, and is still sustained. The number of public school- houses in the town is eleven ; and the value of the school property is $2,500. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $264,180. In 1880 it was $366,221. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 123% per cent. The population in 1870 was 1,120. In 1880 it was 1,047.

Haynesville is situated in the south-eastern part of Aroos- took County, on the old "Military Road." The post-office, at the village, a little south of the centre of the township, is 24 miles south- west of Houlton. It is bounded east by Amity and Orient, north by A township, south by Bancroft and Weston, west by Glenwood Plan- tation. The town is 12 miles long, north and south, by 6 east and west. The only pond shown upon the township map is the little

277

HEBRON.

" Ten-mile Lake," in the northern part of the town. The east and west branches of the Mattawamkeag River unite near the middle of the town, and near the south-western part this river receives Scag- rock Stream from the eastward. There is a good quantity of land reserved in the town for public uses Haynesville is the terminus of the stage-line from the European and North American Railway sta- tion at Kingman. The soil is sandy loam, and quite warm. Hay, oats, wheat and potatoes grow well.

This town was formed from Haynesville Plantation (No. 2, Range 2), Leavitt Plantation (No. 3, Range 2), and Greenwood Plantation (west half of No. 9). The town was incorporated in 1876; and Leavitt Plantation was set off again in 1877.

The Free Baptists have a small church here. Haynesville has wo public schoolhouses. The school property of the town, in land and houses, is estimated at $1,000 in value. The valuation of estates in 1880 was $42,456. The population in 1870 was 165. In 1880 it was 224.

Hebron is situated on the south-eastern border of Oxford County. Buckfield bounds it on the north, Oxford on the south, Paris on the west, and Turner and Minot, in Androscoggin County, on the east. The form of the town is that of an irregular triangle, with its base toward the north, having its two sides about 72 miles in length, and its base about 5} miles. The surface of the town is generally hilly. Three bear the names, Greenwood Hill, Ben Burrow's Hill and Streaked Mountain,-the last being the highest. It is situated in the north-west corner of the town, and is a large and rather smooth eleva- tion rising to a height of nearly 1,600 feet above the plain. Its surface shows a large proportion of solid rock, covered in such a way by soil and 'shrubbery as to cause the appearance from which it gains its name. The numerous ledges are generally a coarse granite, and the soil has a good sprinkling of stones. Some of the hills are rocky and precipitous, while good farms are found on the declivities of others. All the usual farm crops are cultivated, but that of hay has probably a larger value than any other The principal body of water is Matthews Pond, on the south-west border of the town; which has a length of one mile, and a width of about one-fourth of a mile. The chief streams are Bog Brook and the Middle Branch. The small water-power of the town is mainly furnished by the outlet of Matthews Pond. The Rumford Falls and Buckfield Railroad runs through the town.

The territory constituting the town of Hebron was granted by Massachusetts to Alexander Shepard, Jr., of Newton, Mass., in March, 1777, in return for a chart of a coast survey in which Mr. Shepard had assisted. The survey was said to have been made by an Englishman, and completed just at the time when the colonies began to pay English demands in a currency less acceptable than cash ; and he abruptly quitted America, but left his chart behind him. Subsequently Shepard extended his claim over the neighboring isolated tracts, until it em- braced above 36,000 acres. He with Dr. Goddard and John Green- wood were subsequently influential settlers of the region. The first settler was probably John Caldwell of Ipswich, and the first resident family that of Capt. David Buckman, in 1778. In 1780 and the year following, came among others, Messrs. Barrows, Bumpas, Benson,

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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.

Cushman, Weston, Keen, Richmond, and Thayer The original name of the plantation was Shepardstown, from the proprietor, though the early settlers called it Bog Brook Plantation. The incorporation under the present good old Hebrew name was granted March 6, 1792. It then extended some 15 miles, from Norway to Turner, and being inconvenient for voters, in 1829 the south-westerly part was set off to form Oxford. Among the settlers who have rendered good service to the town should be mentioned Deacon William Barrows, who gave his efforts in aid of many good works, and was mainly influential in the founding of Hebron Academy This institution was incorporated Feb. 10, 1804; and has been and still remains a flourishing and useful school. This town is the birth-place of Albion K. Parris, governor of the State from 1832 to 1837, and others who have proved valuable men in their various callings. Hebron sent 65 men to do battle for the Union, of whom 16 were lost. The town has one citizen near his hun- dredth year.

The Baptists and Free Baptists have neat and commodious church- edifices here. There are seven public schoolhouses in Hebron, valued at $2,400. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $222,180. In 1880 it was $189,113. The population in 1870 was 744. In 1880 it was 601

Hermon is an excellent agricultural town in the southern part of Penobscot County. It is bounded on the east by Bangor, north by Glenburn and Levant, west by Carmel, and south by Hampden. The area is 24,360 acres. The surface is rolling, but not hilly. The high- est elevation is Kimball Hill, having an altitude of 400 feet. The rocks are of granite, slate, and an iron bearing rock. The soil is heavy and gravelly, but productive. Hay is the most valuable crop. Hermon Pond, having an area of about one and a half square miles, lies in the south west part of the town, and feeds both the Kenduskeag Stream, running north ward, and the Soadabscook running southward. George's Pond, a pretty sheet in the southern part, is a reservoir of the Wheeler Stream. The water-powers are on this stream and Cold Brook. The manufactories are a barrel-factory, producing 4,000 barrels a year, a paper-bor factory, and a cheese-factory producing three tons of cheese daily. The principal centre of business is Hermon Village, in the centre of the town. The Maine Central Railroad passes through the southern part, east and west, having a station at Hermon Pond, in the western part, and another on Wheeler Stream, toward the eastern side. The post-offices are at Hermon Pond, Hermon Centre and North Hermon. The town is notable for its good roads, and the good con- dition of public and private buildings. The town-hall is a wooden building 30 by 48 feet in ground dimensions, two stories high, and painted white. The upper story is occupied by the Masons. There is a public library of one hundred volumes. The public entertainments are mostly of home production, consisting of sociables, sewing circles and dramatic entertainments. Among the esteemed citizens of the past we are able to mention only James Patten, John Kimball, Rufus Robinson and Rufus Robinson, Jr.

The two church-edifices in town belong to the Free Baptists and Universalists. Hermon has thirteen public schoolhouses, valued, with appurtenances, at $3,050. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $294,- 189. In 1880 it was $399,999. The rate of taxation in the latter year

HIGHLAND. 279

was one and a half per cent. The population in 1870 was 1,489. In 1880 it was 1,394.

Hersey lies on the western border of the southern section of Aroostook County, 25 miles from Houlton. It was formerly Number 5, R. 5, and was first organized as Dayton plantation. It was incor- porated under its present name Jan. 25, 1873. The town is a square of 36 miles area. The north-western part is somewhat hilly. Bear Mountain is the highest elevation, being about 200 feet above the surrounding lands. The rocks are quartz and a granitic rock, possibly gneiss. The soil is of a dark color, but very light in weight. It yields well of all crops cultivated, which embrace almost the whole range of field-crops except corn. The forest trees are principally maple, birch, beech and spruce.

The chief streams are West, Alder and Huston Brooks, and Crys- tal Stream. The last forms the outlet to Crystal Lake in the south- west part of the town. The size of the lake is one and a half miles wide by three-fourths of a mile long. These streams are distributed over the town at about equal distances, all flowing south-east to the Mat- tawamkeag and its principal branch. There is a saw-mill upon Crystal Brook, which operates part of the time. The principal settlement is is in the western part of the town. The post-office is at Patten. The nearest railroad stations are at Houlton and Kingman, each about 37 miles from the western line of the town.

Among the most valued citizens may be mentioned Samuel Huston, the first settler, and Nicholas Cooper, the next. There are several persons in the town of good age, eighty-two, or near those figures. Hersey sent 13 men to the army of the Union in the war of the Rebel- lion.

The proprietors of the township were Hersey and Stetson. The principal public entertainments are religious meetings and sewing cir- cles. The first are held in the schoolhouse. The school property is valued at $500. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $24,493. In 1880 it was $26,496. The population in 1870 was 107. In 1880 it was 159.

Higginsville, a village in Kenduskeag, Penobscot County.

Highland Plantation lies on the western border of Somerset County, 32 miles N.N.W. of Skowhegan. The stage-road from Anson (distant 20 miles) to Dead River passes through this plantation. It is bounded on the north by Carrying Place Plantation, east by Pleasant Ridge, south by Lexington and west by Jerusalem Plantation in Frank- lin County. The northern part of the township consists largely of hills or elevated table lands. The southern is more level, and has some interval land along the streams. The principal of these are Sandy Stream, flowing southward from the northern part, and Michael Stream, flowing in from the west, and forming a junction with the Sandy in the southern part of the town. The rocks in this plantation are gen- erally granitic. The soil is a good red loam, and yields well of hay, oats, potatoes, wheat, corn, beans, etc. The forest trees are mostly of spruce, maple and birch. The manufactures consist of snow-shoes and refined spruce gum.

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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.

There is a small hotel where the stage-road passes the highlands. The nearest post-office is Lexington.

Highland Plantation has three public schoolhouses, valued at $100. The valuation of estates in 1880 was $18,361. The population in 1880 was 121.

Hiram is the south-eastern town of Oxford County, and is situated 36 miles S.S. W. of Paris, and about the same distance north-west of Port- land. For its bounding towns, it has Brownfield and Denmark on the north, Porter on the west, Sebago and Baldwin, in Cumberland County, on the east, and Cornish and Parsonsfield, in York County, on the south. Saco River runs southward through the northern part of the town, and forms the boundary line between Hiram and Baldwin for over half the eastern side. The Ossipee River comes in from the west, forming the southern. boundary line between Parsonsfield and Cornish and this town, uniting with the Saco at the south-east corner of Hiram. Along the western border of the town is a chain of ponds, the largest of which are Clemon's, Trafton and Spectacle Ponds. They have an out- let to the north by Ten Mile River, a tributary of the Saco. On the eastern side of the town, at the northern end, are Middle Barker and South-east ponds.

Tear-Cap, Mount Cutler, Bill Merrill Hill, Gould and Peaked mountains run through the town nearly from north-east to south-west. Bill Merrill Hill is the superior elevation, its summit being 1,750 feet above the sea. Mount Cutler is west of Hiram Village, on the opposite side of the Saco. Between this mountain and the river runs the Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad. There is much forest and a great variety of trees in this town. Along the streams and about the ponds are some tracts of good interval; and on the north side of the Ossipee was, not long since, an extensive tract of pitch-pine plains. The rocks are gneiss, slate, the schists, etc. The soil is generally a sandy loam. Hay is the principal crop. There are five sawing and planing-mills, two grist-mills, one carding-mill, etc. The manufactures are long and short lumber, staves, shooks, men's clothing, harnesses, liquid slating and blackboards, axe-helves, etc. The post-offices are Hiram Village (Hiram Bridge), a pretty village amid charming scenery, East Hiram, and South Hiram. The town is large in area, being about 11 miles from north-east to south-west, and having a width of 3} miles.

The first settlements in Hiram, Williamson says, were about 1780. Others say in 1774. Benjamin Ingalls, John Watson, Thomas Veazie, John Bucknell, Benjamin Burbank and a Mr. Foster, who were among the earliest settlers, arrived about 1788. The town was incorporated Feb. 27, 1814. The name was selected by Timothy Cutler, an old settler, in honor of " Hiram, King of Tyre."

General Peleg Wadsworth, a native of Duxbury, Mass., and a Revo- lutionary patriot, in 1790 bought of Massachusetts a tract of land in Hiram. On this, in 1792-4, he commenced clearing a farm for his eldst son, Charles L. Wadsworth. Later General Wadsworth built the brick house next west of the Preble House, in Portland, and lived there some time ; but he finally removed to Hiram, where he died in No- vember, 1829, aged eighty years. His descendants still reside in the town. One of his daughters married Stephen Longfellow, Esq., of Portland, and became the mother of the poet Longfellow. The town

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HOLDEN.

furnished about 100 men to the Union cause in the war of the Rebel- lion, of whom 39 were lost.

The Methodists, Universalists and Congregationalists each have church edifices. The number of public schoolhouses in Hiram is four- teen, valued, with appurtenances, at $5,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $300,170. In 1880 it was $393,116. The rate of taxation in the latter year was about 8 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 1,393. In 1880 it was 1,449.

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Gazetteer of the state of Maine, Part 34

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