Gazetteer of the state of Maine, Part 41

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

USA > Maine > Gazetteer of the state of Maine > Part 41

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Lincoln has churches of the Methodists, Congregationalists and Baptists. The number of public schoolhouses is eight, and the school property is valued at $3,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $343,177. In 1880 it was $365,295. The population in 1870 was 1,530, In 1880 it was 1,659.

Lincoln County occupies a middle place on the coast of Maine in respect to population, and no county of equal territory has so many harbors and havens. It is much cut up by arms of the sea and pond-like rivers, but there are no great variations of altitude in the surface. Damariscotta River occupies nearly the middle line of the county, extending from north to south. East of this and parallel thereto is the line of Muscongus Bay, its extension inland as Broad Bay, and Medomac River. Parallel on the west is the Sheepscot River, with its excellent harbor. This county is bounded on the east by Knox County, west by Sagadahoc and Kennebec, and north by the last, Waldo and Knox, and south by the ocean. The Knox & Lin. r.r. crosses it.

Lincoln County was established in 1760, at the same time with Cumberland County. The easterly line of Cumberland was then the westerly line of Lincoln. "From the time of its formation until the erection of Hancock and Washington Counties in 1789, Lincoln ex- tended over quite three-fifths of the territory of the province." Its westerly line was ' from Small Point north westerly upon Casco Bay to New Meadows River, and up said river to Steven's carrying place at the head of said river, and up said river 30 miles; then north two degrees west on a true course to the utmost limit of the province.' Its north was Canada, its east Nova Scotia, and its south the ocean. Hancock County came across Penobscot Bay and river, and took in nearly the whole of the Waldo patent. In 1799, the organization of Kennebec took four-fifths of what remained after the formation of Hancock. Lincoln then continued undisturbed until 1827, when it parted with six towns to form Waldo ; and it had an equal run of time again, down to the organization of Androscoggin and Sagadahoc, in 1854, when the former received threetowns from it, and the latter was made entirely from it." In 1860 (the centennial of Lincoln County), Knox County was organized, taking from her nine more towns, leaving the parent county with but 17 towns and a plantation to her name. In still earlier time this region had been claimed by France as a part

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of her territory of Acadie; later, it was known as Sagadahoc Territory ; and in 1665, the Duke of York (subsequently James II.), to whom it had been granted by the King, erected it into the County of Cornwall,- Jamestown, at Pemaquid, being the capital, and New Dartmouth (Newcastle), a shire town.

At the outbreak of King Philip's war, in 1675, the settlements of Cornwall, scattered over a wide extent of country, embraced some 300 families. Under the prudent management of Abraham Shurt, the chief magistrate of this county, a larger degree of amity had been main- tained with the Indians than in other parts ; and the inhabitants of this region did not suffer so severely during the first year of the war as those in the westerly settlements. In the second year, however, Old Cornwall was likewise swept with the besom of destruction ; and thence- forth until 1700 the settlements were deserted, or the inhabitants who remained were in terror of savage attacks, with only brief intervals of repose. In 1688, the County of Cornwall was entirely depopulated and desolated by the Indians under the lead of Moxus. Sir William Phips, first governor of Massachusetts under William and Mary, was desirous of doing something, if possible, to recover from the domin- ion of the savage the land of his youth; and in 1692 he built in place of Fort Charles, which had been destroyed, a fortification of stone, naming it Fort William Henry. In 1696, M. Iberville, with a force of French and Indians, entered the harbor and invested the place, and by means of artillery succeeded in forcing its surrender.

It was not until 1729 that the permanent re-peopling of Old Corn- wall commenced. At this time Col. David Dunbar, who had been commissioned surveyor-general of the King's woods, and deputy-gover- nor in the eastern parts of New England, repaired Fort William Henry, also re-naming it Fort Frederick. He set vigorously at work to settle the county. To actual settlers he made grants of a homestead of 10 or 12 acres, and 100 acres of farm land. The settlers brought in by Colonel Dunbar were largely Protestant English, with some Scotch and Irish Presbyterians ; and by his aid the Presbyterian church became established as the prevailing phase of religion in this county until after the Revolution.

At the same time with the formation of the county, was incorporated Pownalboro', its shire town, which was named for Thomas Pownal-at that date governor of Massachusetts. His birth-place was Lincoln, England, a city famous for its antiquity and its noble cathedral ; and thus Governor Pownal appears to have been further complimented in the name of the new county

Lincoln County has 180 public schoolhouses, and her school prop- erty at the close of 1879 was valued at $89,250. The valuation of the county in 1870 was $6,857,610. In 1880 it was $6,634,693. The population in 1870 was 25,597. In 1880 it was 24,809.

Lincoln Plantation, in Oxford County, has the New Hampshire line for its western boundary, and is the second plantation west of Rangeley. It is about 40 miles N.N. W. of Bethel, and 20 miles east of Colebrook, N. H. The Magalloway River runs through the midst of the township southward to its junction with the Andros- coggin, near Umbagog Lake, 10 miles distant. In the eastern part is Lincoln Pond, whose outlet, with Abbott Brook on the western side

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are tributaries of the Magalloway, and the principal streams of the township. Other ponds are Parker Hill and Bean. The moun- tains are quite numerous, and consist of Aziscoos, Observatory, Half Moon and Deer mountains, and Parker and Emery hills, ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 feet in height. The rock is chiefly granite. The soil is loam, with hard pan below. Maple, birch, spruce and fir con- stitute the forests. Hay is the crop chiefly raised, finding a ready sale with the lumbermen.

This town is the principal line of summer travel for' Parmachene Lake, a great hunting and fishing resort. Aziscoos Falls are the most striking natural curiosity. Their height is variously estimated from 200 to 300 feet. There are many other beautiful cataracts that have as yet no name.

This plantation was formerly No. 5, Range 2. It was organized under its present name in 1875. The first settlements were about 50 years ago. In 1860 the plantation constituted a thriving farming com- munity, but by the depression of the lumber business since 1870, the population became reduced in 1875 to four families. It is now in- creasing. Lincoln plantation furnished 8 men for the Union cause during the war of the Rebellion.

The plantation has a library of nearly 500 volumes. Singing-schools, picnics and balls furnish entertainment suited to the various tastes. Religious meetings are held in the schoolhouse. The school property of the plantation is valued at $200. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $21,366. In 1880 it was $17,972. The rate of taxation in the latter year was about 13 mills on a dollar. The population in 1870 was 258. In 1880 it was 52.

Lincolnville forms the south-eastern point of Waldo County, being about 7 miles in length and 4 in width. It lies on the western shore of Penobscot Bay, 12 miles south of Belfast, and is on the stage- line from Bangor to Rockland. Lincoln was formed of the plantations of Ducktrap and Canaan. It is bounded by Northport and Penob- scot Bay on the north-east and east, Searsmont and Belmont on the north-west, Hope on the south-west, and Camden on the south. Nearly the entire border of the town is covered by hills or ponds. The high- est is Peaked Mountain, standing on the eastern line and partly on Northport, which has an altitude of about 800 feet. The other most notable eminence is Muddy Mountain, lying at the extreme western part of the town. Pitcher Pond extends along the north-eastern line, lying partly in Northport. Its outlet, Ducktrap River, is the prin- cipal stream in the town. Andrew's Pond lies near the centre of the town, and Fletcher Pond in the western part. The closely-connected ponds, named Lincolnville, Canaan and Horton, in the south-western part, cover a large area in this town and in Camden. Ducktrap Stream has a pond surface of about 2,800 acres, and the fall on the stream is 300 feet in 3 miles. The principal power is about 20 rods above Ducktrap bridge, and 40 rods from high-water mark. A canal could be made with a small outlay to conduct the water below the bridge, where factories could be built close upon tide-water, where vessels could lie beside them. This river, with feasible improvements, could be made to increase its power to be equal to carrying 75,000 spindles. McCobb Stream, Gould, Kendal and Andrew's Ponds each

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furnish some power ; and each of the three last have a mill. The town has six lumber mills, a grist mill, a tannery, several lime and granite quarries, the last material being of a superior quality. There are also manufactured here in small quantities tinware, boots and shoes and carriages. The surface of the town is generally broken, rocky, boggy and mountainous. The villages are Lincolnville Centre and The Beach, the latter the same as Lincolnville post-office. The nearest railroad connections are at Belfast and Rockland, each about 12 miles distant. There is connection eastward and with Boston by steamers.

Lincolnville was incorporated June 23, 1802. John Studley and a Mr. Wilson commenced a residence in the town in 1774, and were the first settlers. . The churches are two Methodist and one Baptist. The number of public schoolhouses is fourteen. The value of the entire school property in the town is $9,989. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $436,956. In 1880 it was $409,296. The population in 1870 was 1,900. In 1880 it was 1,706.

Linekin, a post-office in Lincoln County.

Linneus, in Aroostook County, lies south-west of Houlton, their opposite corners touching. New Limerick bounds it on the north, Hodgdon on the east, and Oakfield plantation on the west. The head waters of the Mattawamkeag and Meduxnekeag rivers are found in the town. Meduxnekeag Lake lies in the north-western part of this town, and portions of New Limerick Lake lie on the northern border near the east. There are several other ponds in the various parts. The principal streams are the South Branch of the Meduxnekeag River in the northern part of the town, and Beaver Brook running south ward to the Mattawamkeag. Linneus village, near the centre of the town, is also the centre of business. Linneus has two saw-mills ; one of these and a grist-mill being near the Meduxnekeag Lake, on its outlet. The old " Military Road " passes through the town. The nearest railroad station is at Houlton, 9 miles from the village. The northern part of the town is somewhat hilly and rocky, but southward of this the sur- face is gently undulating. The soil in most parts is a light loam, and of an excellent quality and well adapted to grazing and crops. Pota- toes, hay and wheat are chiefly cultivated, though from 80 to 90 bushels of corn to an acre have sometimes been produced. In the north-west- ern part limestone of an excellent quality is found in abundance. Magnetic iron ore is quite plentiful in some parts, and affords beauti- ful cabinet specimens.

Linneus was incorporated in 1836. It was originally granted by Massachusetts to endow a professorship of botany ; and was therefore named for the most renowned of botanists. The first settler was Daniel Neal, who removed hither from New Brunswick in 1826. In the following year it was surveyed into lots. Colonel Moses Burleigh, who settled here in 1830, was a captain in the militia of Maine in the war with Great Britain in 1812. He was stationed at Belfast with his company when the British ascended the Penobscot to capture the United States corvette " Adams," then undergoing repairs at Hamp- den. He represented his district in the Massachusetts Legislature sev- eral years, and, after the separation of Maine, was for several years in

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its legislature. Linneus has two inhabitants above 90 years of age, and several nearly that.

The Baptist and Methodist societies each have churches in Lin- neus. The number of public schoolhouses is seven. The school prop- erty of the town is valued at $2,250. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $117,917. In 1880 it was $151,349. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 15 mills on a dollar. The population in 1870 was 1,008. In 1880 it was 917.

Lisbon is the most south-easterly town of Androscoggin County on the eastern side of the Androscoggin River. That stream, however, by a bend to the eastward forms the line of separation be- ween Lisbon and Durham, on the south. On the east of it lie Topsham and Bowdoin ; Webster bounds it on the north, and Lewiston on the west. The town contains nearly 12,000 acres. It lies about 8 miles south-east of Lewiston Falls, and 10 north-west of Brunswick. It has no ponds, but Sabattus River runs through it from north to south, and Little River forms the larger part of the eastern boundary. The surface of the town is little varied by hills and valleys ; but a broad elevation called the Ridge extends into it at the north-west ; con- tinuing southward to Durham, except where it has been cut through or washed away by the rivers ; and the streams have wrought large and small gorges along their courses. The soil is of clay, gravelly and sandy loams, with rich intervals along the streams. There is a con- siderable extent of pine, interspersed with spruce and hemlock on the plains, with deciduous woods on the upland. The fertile and easily cultivated soil, and its proximity to the markets of Lewiston and Auburn, render it an important agricultural town. Its own villages of Lisbon Factory and Lisbon Falls, also, having a manufacturing population, afford a considerable market. Both are on the Androscoggin railroad, a branch of the Maine Central, by which they have easy com- munication with Lewiston and Brunswick. The town is also rich in its water-powers. Little River on the south has two, not utilized at present ; on the Androscoggin, at Lisbon Falls (the second falls from the sea) is the large woollen-mill of the Worumbo Manufacturing Company, incorporated in 1864, and having a capital of $250,000. This factory employs about 100 males and 70 females, There are two buildings strongly built of brick. The amount of power used is 150 horse- power. The annual production is about 120,000 yards of all-wool beaver cloth. Near by is the saw-mill of the Androscoggin Water- Power Company, manufacturing annually from three to five million feet of lumber, and employing 30 men and boys. The capital stock is $50,000. A short distance below it on a canal, is a grain-mill belonging to the same company. Only about 350 horse-powers of above 5,000 at this point are used. Sabattus Pond, about five miles long and two wide, with an average depth of 30 feet, is the source of Sabattus River. The latter is near seven miles in length, about half of which is in the town of Lisbon. In this distance there are five powers. The first or upper power is occupied by number one of Farwell's Mills, and a saw-mill. The first manufactures cotton shirtings. Its number of spindles is 3,136 ; and its annual production is about 500,000 yards. The number of operatives is upwards of 50, about two-thirds being males The second power is occupied by an excellently built brick-mill 346

LISBON FALLS, LISBON, ME.

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feet long, 52 wide, and three stories in height, and having a working capacity of 12,000 mule spindles. This is number two of Farwell's Mills. Captain E. M. Shaw is the agent for all these mills. The next power below is occupied by the Farnsworth Manufacturing Company, incorporated in 1864, with a capital of $100,000, with W. F. Milliken as treasurer. The building is of brick, and there are six sets of ma- chinery. The production is about 222,700 yards of § goods, mostly repellant cassimeres. The number of operatives is, males 41, females 56. The fourth power, next below, where there is a fall of 12 feet with a good wooden dam, is at present unoccupied. There is another power a short distance below, also unoccupied. There was a cloth-mill erected on Little River as early as 1806, but it has been long out of existence. John Mayall in 1808 erected a wooden building for a woolen mill on a power just above the bridge at Lisbon Village on the Sabattus, oc- cupying it until 1822, when it was purchased by Horace Corbett as a satinet-mill until 1850, when he quit the business. In 1860 it was refitted by J. F. Hirst, who manufactured repellants there until 1863, when he removed to Sabattusville and erected a brick-mill. John Robinson immediately took this old place, and manufactured flannels until 1867, when he removed to Massachusetts. The mill was then sold t. N. W. Farwell, who has changed it into a cotton mill. A short dis- tance below on what is known as Moody's privilege, a grist-mill was built on the east side of the stream as early as 1800 by Gideon and Abel Curtis, when what is now called " Lisbon Factory " was called " Curtis' Mills." William Batchelor afterwards built a mill for making scythes just above this mill, and carried on the business for several years. The first mill on the west side was built about 1804 by Gideon Curtis, and was afterward owned by Nathaniel Gerrish, Esq., who carried on the lumber business. He was a justice of the peace, and served as school committee, and in other town offices. He sold the mill property to Joseph Moore. Both these have finally come to the ownership of N. W. Farwell, and have been improved by him in the manner previously described. Besides these, Abner Coombs built a mill at " The Plains " in 1804 ; and in 1839 a company from Fall River erected a cotton-mill just below where Farnsworth's Mill now stands, but it was burned in 1840, before any machinery was put in. Cephas Farnsworth came here from Norridgewock in 1823, and carried on a carding and dressing-mill for some years previous to 1845. His son Josiah carried on a saw-mill previous to 1863, when Benjamin B. Farnsworth, a son of Cephas, formed a company and built the present Farnsworth Mill in 1864. At Lisbon Falls (formerly known as Little River-from the stream just below) were at one time, from 1790 to 1800, six large saw-mills, a corn and grist-mill, and a carding-mill. The logs were sawn at these mills and the lumber conveyed by teams to tide- water at Topsham and Cathance (now Bowdoinham). The French troubles of 1800, the embargo and war of 1812 following in succession, obliged the owners to relinquish the mills and the business, resulting in their dispersion to other parts.

The Indians are said to have called these falls, Anmecangin, sig- nifying much fish. Thomas Purchas of Brunswick had a fish-house here about 1650, carrying on the business of catching and curing salmon for the London market. The first settler was probably a Mr. White, who lived in a log-house on the road to Webster Corner, and

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afterward purchased White's Hill. Then Russell Hinckley settled a short distance beyond White, and Joseph Hinkley near by.

Lisbon was formerly a part of the town of Bowdom, which was a part of the Kennebec Purchase. Lisbon was incorporated under the name of Thompsonborough in 1799. It was so named in honor of the Thompson family, of Topham, who were large owners in what was then known as Little River Plantation. The name was changed in 1802 to the present one. Little River Plantation (now Lisbon Falls) was a part of the Pejepscot Purchase, being a gore lying between Androscoggin, Sabattus and Little rivers, and was annexed to Lisbon in 1808. In 1840 a portion of the territory was set off from the north- ern part forming a new town by the name of Webster.

The first ferry was established at Southwest Bend above Bend Island in 1799, by John Dean. In 1810 one was established below the island, and both continued running until 1817 when a bridge was built. In April, 1810, this bridge was carried away. James Sawyer, William Green and Lemuel McGrey were on it at the time, and were carried down the river 400 rods or more, and were taken off by two men in a batteau. The bridge was rebuilt the same season, and in 1846 was again carried away ; and a ferry has been the means of cross- ing ever since.

Prominent in business or in town affairs in the early part of the present century were Abraham Whitney, Samuel Tilton, Jabez B. Fletcher, Merrell Jordan, Ebenezer Fellows, Joseph Langden, William Wise, William Coombs, John Raymond, Jacob Gould, Thomas Roberts, John Woodward, Stephen and James Whittemore, John Smullen, Calvin Cowen, Increase Blethen, William Neal, Henry Moulton, James W. Purinton, William Bueknam, William Bickford, True Woodbury, Samuel Nichols, Richard Doan, Ephraim Jordan, Nathaniel Herrick, and others whose names are mentioned nearly as often. Major John Rowe came about 1817, and lived on Rowe's Hill, dying in 1822. He was a soldier of the Revolution, and was also in service during the French troubles of 1799 and 1800. He kept a diary during the Revo- lution. Abijah Metcalf served under John Paul Jones during the Revolution, coming to Lisbon about 1787. Daniel Green went into the army of the Revolution when sixteen years of age. Of the present business men should be mentioned John G. Tibbits and Edward Plum- mer, to whom belongs the credit of developing the water-power at Lisbon Falls. Seeing that the projected Androscoggin Railroad would render this available, they associated themselves with Oliver Moses of Bath, an enterprising capitalist, and have become the founders of the present manufacturing business of the place, yet in its infancy.

The town has a Methodist and Baptist church, and two Free Bap- tist churches. There is a small circulating library at the Falls and another at the Factory, and each place has a hotel. There are fourteen school- houses in town valued at $10,000. The estates were valued in 1870, at $971,474. In 1880 it is $1,115,760. The population at the first date was 2,014. In 1880 it is 2,641.

Litchfield is the most southerly town in Kennebec County. On the north and north-east it is bounded by West Gardiner, the Cob- bossee Contee stream forming the boundary line for most of the dis-

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tance. Monmouth forms the western boundary for the northern part, and Wales in Androscoggin County for the southern part. Bowdoin and Richmond in Sagadahoc County lie on the south and east. Pleas- ant Pond connected with the Cobbossee Contee, separates it from the latter. The Purgatory Ponds lie on the north-west side, adjoining Monmouth, furnishing water-power for several mills. These are at Litchfield, Village, or Purgatory Mills, and comprise an excellent grist- mill and a hoe and fork factory. The post-offices are Litchfield, South Litchfield Litchfield Plains and Litchfield Corner. The surface of the town is uneven, but not greatly broken. The highest eminences are Oak Hill and Neal's and Lent's hills. From their tops may be seen some charming views. The Purgatory Ponds in the western part of the town are the members of a chain of nine ponds, whose outlet is into the Cobbossee Contee. Loon Pond is a beautiful sheet of water. There are several attractive glens and cascades in the town.

The soil is well suited to agriculture, and yields good crops of hay, potatoes, corn, wheat, etc. Much attention has been given to fruit culture, also. The annual fairs held at Litchfield Plains are among the best town shows in the State. Litchfield Corner is the seat of Litchfield Academy, founded in 1845, where many excellent teachers have been educated. There is also a public schoolhouse and several fine residences.

The plantation name of the township was Smithfield, from two brothers named Smith, who, together with a Mr. Tibbetts, were the first settlers. Others of the early settlers were the Emersons, Met- calfs, Hutchinsons, Lords, Potters, Neals, Owens, Dennises, Snows, Rogers, Jewells, Robinsons, and John and Daniel True, whose descend- ants have ever been prominent in the town. The land titles are from the Plymouth Company. The town was incorporated under its pres- ent name in 1795. In 1859 a portion of the territory was set off and annexed to West Gardiner.

There are in town church edifices of the Congregationalist, Baptists, and Free Baptists, two each of the two last. Litchfield has fifteen public schoolhouses, valued at $5,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $496,908. In 1880 it was $454,330. The rate of taxation in 1880 was 15 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 1,506. According to the census of 1880 it had fallen off to 1,310.

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Gazetteer of the state of Maine, Part 41

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