USA > Maine > Gazetteer of the state of Maine > Part 43
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On the 26th of June following, the Massachusetts Congress passed a formal vote of thanks to the heroes of this affair. The Margaretta was the first British vessel captured by the Americans; and the action merits the name it has received of "The Lexington of the Seas." Foster and Jeremiah O'Brien were soon after commissioned for priva- teering, and were very successful. Machias soon became aggressive, and an expedition was filled out to aid the patriots in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Thinking it necessary to crush this rebellious town, the governor of Nova Scotia, in 1777, sent Sir George Collier with four vessels and eighty marines to accomplish this purpose. They arrived in the bay early in August, and after burning a tide-mill, two dwellings, two barns and a guard house, and committing other depredations below, one of the brigs was towed by barges to the mouth of Middle River, within half a mile of Machias Falls. Here such a lively fire was poured down upon them from the high banks that the crews of the barges were driven on board the brig, whence again all was driven below deck, and the brig drifted helplessly down the stream. Every man in the place able to bear arms was now upon the shore, Major Stillman being in charge ; while on the other side of the river were forty or fifty Passa- maquoddy Indians sent by Colonel John Allan, and led by Joseph Necala, their chief. The Indians raised their peculiar yell, which the white people imitated, until the woods rang with them ; and the British were glad to reach the bay again. A notable incident in this contest was the journey of Hannah Weston, with another young woman from the Pleasant River settlement, 20 miles west, to bring powder for the patriots. A day or two later the squadron sailed away.
347
MACHIAS.
Among the first who built mills in the place were Ichabod Jones and Jonathan Longfellow. The first meeting-houses was built in 1774 on a lot given by George Libby, on the site of which Libby Hall now stands. The building was 42 feet long, 25 feet wide, and one story in height. In 1786, by vote of the town, £200 were raised to build two meeting-houses. The first newspaper of Machias was called "The Eastern State." It was published by Jeremiah Balch, and bore the date of Dec. 23, 1823. There are now two weekly papers, the "Machias Republican," an excellant republican sheet, published every Saturday, by C. O. Furbush, and the " Machias Union," of which Messrs. Drisko & Parlin are the enterprising publishers. Its day of publication is Tuesday, and its politics are firmly democratic. Among the fine build- ings of Machias are the court-house and jail, constructed of brick and granite ; the former in 1855, at a cost of $25,000, and the latter in 1857, at a cost of $35,000. The United States building containing the post- office and custom-house is also of brick and granite. It was built in 1871, at a cost of $30,000. Centre Street Church and Libby Hall are fine wooden buildings. There are also many tasteful and some quite handsome private residences. The streets are adorned with shade trees, and the town bears many marks of age and culture.
George S. Hillard, who died in Boston in 1879, was a native of Machias. He was a leading member of the Suffolk bar, held various honorable public offices, and was the author of several popular works in the departments of geography, history, and travels, and of a series of school readers known as Hillard's Readers. A notable resident of Machias during and subsequent to the Revolution was Col. John Allan, born in 1746, in Edinburgh Castle, Scotland. His father, a man of letters and wealth, removed to Halifax, N. S., in 1750. Though a member of the Nova Scotia Assembly, Colonel Allan's sympathies were with the American people, and in 1776, when thirty years of age, he was forced to leave his home and seek refuge in a more patriotic community. In the following year, by direction of Congress, an order of General Washington made him superintendent of the Eastern Indians and commander of the troops at Machias. Love of liberty seems to have been a ruling passion with him. The Indian tribes respected him as a father. His descendants are distinguished for industry, frugality and integrity. His burial place is on the island formerly owned by him near Eastport, now known as Treat's Island.
The first organized church in Machias and in Washington County was Congregationalist, and dates from September, 1782. Rev. James Lyon, the first pastor, was a graduate of Princeton College, and came to Machias in 1771; continuing in this service in the east and west villages until his death in 1795. He was a man of more than ordinary ability, of deep piety, and an earnest patriot. This society still con- tinues, and is said to be one of the largest in the State. The other societies are Baptist, Methodist, Universalist and Catholic. There is a public library in the village containing about 2,000 volumes. All have good church-edifices. The village has an excellent high-school, with a graded system. There are nine public schoolhouses, some of which are superior structures. The value of the school property is estimated at $18,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $978,135. In 1880 it was $779,588. The population in 1870 was $2,525. In 1880 it was 2,203.
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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
Machiasport occupies a peninsula on each side of Machias Bay, at its head, and about midway of the southern line of Washing- ton County. This town joins Machias and East Machias on the north, and Whiting on the north-east. Machias Bay bounds it on the east, and Little Kennebec Bay separates it from Machias on the west. The mouth of Machias River divides the town into two portions. The principal village and business is at the northern part of the town, though several coves along the eastern shore have small villages. A railroad for lumber and other freight connects this port with Whitney- ville, 8 miles to the north-west. Machiasport has an excellent harbor, open all the year. There is here some ship-building and boat-building, together with the block spar and sail making which are necessary adjuncts to shipyards. A marine railroad further supplies the needs of a seaport. Coasting and the fisheries constitute a large part of the occupation of the inhabitants. A toll-bridge 600 feet in length con- nects the town with East Machias.
The soil of this town is largely clay and gravel, but it yields good returns in hay and potatoes, which are the principal crops. Some considerable hills bear the names of Howard, Hampden, Fletcher and Bald Mountain. Spruce, fir and birch are the most numerous forest trees ; but the village streets are shaded by a variety of native and foreign origin. In all parts of the town are good roads, and pleasant residences. The town-hall is considered to be one of the best in the county. On the seashore, between high and low water marks, is an inclined table of rock bearing inscriptions to the number of about 150, supposed to be of Indian origin. The figures are cut in the rock, and resemble chiefly figures of Indians and moose ; but there are also plans of streams, figures of a cow, panther, fox, serpent, Indian medicine man, and Romish priest. The age of these inscriptions is not known, as they were as much a mystery to the early inhabitants as to those of the present day. Machiasport furnished 35 men to aid in the preser- vation of the Union during the late war, losing 14.
The Congregationalists, Baptists and Advents have churches here. The town has a system of graded schools and owns eight schoolhouses, valued at $6,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $197,221. In 1880 it was $191,248. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 4 per cent. The population in 1870 was 1,526. In 1880 it was 1,531.
Machwahoc Plantation is a half township lying on the southern border of the eastern part of Aroostook County. It is 45 miles S.S.E. of Houlton, on the military road from Bangor to that town, and 63 miles north of the European and North American Railway station at Kingman. Molunkus Plantation bounds it on the west, and Reed Plantation on the east. The Molunkus and Machwahoc streams enter on the northern side and unite near the midst of the plantation. Molunkus Lake, having its outlet in Molunkus Stream, lies upon the north-western border. Farming and lumbering are the chief occupations. The settlements are principally within the angle at the junction of the two streams.
This plantation was formerly No. 1 of Range 4. It was settled in 1835, and organized as a plantation December 16, 1851. There is a public schoolhouse valued with land at $300. The valuation of estates
349
MADISON.
in 1870 was $41,707. In 1880 it was $25,917. The population in 1870 was 170. In 1880 it was 187.
Madawaska lies in the extreme northern curve of the St. John River, at the north-eastern extremity of Aroostook County. It is 100 miles from Houlton, and is on the stage-line from Van Buren to Fort Kent. The New Brunswick Railway has a station at Edmunton on the opposite side of the St. John. It is bounded on the east by Grand Isle, and on the west by Frenchville. The larger part of Long Lake lies in the southern part, and the St. John separates it from Can- ada on the north. The surface is without high hills and the soil is quite fertile. Wheat and other grains are largely cultivated. On the northern side of the town two of the streams emptying into the St. John are occupied by grist-mills.
This town was largely settled by those French, or their descend- ants, who fled from about the Basin of Minas in 1754 to escape trans- portation and separation from each other by the English authorities in America. The town was incorporated February 24, 1869, and named for the river Madawaska, which enters the St. John on the opposite side of its stream. The inhabitants are mostly Roman Catholic, and sustain two priests. There are four public schoolhouses valued at $440. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $65,155. In 1880 it was $90,174. The population in 1870 was 1,041. In 1880 it was 1,391.
Madison is a pleasant farming and manufacturing town on the eastern bank of the Kennebec, in the southern part of Somerset County. It is bounded by Solon on the north, Cornville on the east, Norridgewock on the south, and Anson on the west. It is separated from the last by the Kennebec River. The area of the town is 30,000 acres. There are no high hills, but some considerable gorges. The principal sheet of water is Madison Pond, or Hayden Lake, in the eastern part of the town. It is 3 miles long and 1 broad. Nor- ridgewock Falls, so called, furnish attractive and pleasing views. The Kennebec here descends 90 feet in a horizontal distance of 1 mile.
The underlying rock in this town is chiefly slate. The soil is a variety of loam, and quite fertile. Hay and cattle are the principal products. The forests abound in hemlock, cedar, maple, beech, birch and oak. The villages and mills are on the Kennebec at Madison Bridge and East Madison, on the outlet of Madison Pond. There are four saw-mills, a sash, blind and door, coffin and casket factory, a grist- mill, a starch and an excelsior-factory, two carriage-factories, a horse- rake-factory, slate-quarry, etc., in the town. The Somerset Rail- road crosses the south-west corner of the town, where there is a sta- tion. The Skowhegan station, on the Maine Central Railroad, is five miles distant at the south-east. In the south-western part of the town, on a plain about which the river makes an angle, is the monument to Rasle, the missionary to the Abnaki Indians, and whose residence was at the village of the Norridgewocks on this point. He fell in an attack upon the village in 1724 by the English under Captains Moulton and Hormon, in which the village was burned and the tribe broken up. The monument was erected by Bishop Fenwick, of Bos- ton. It consists of a granite obelisk 3 feet square at the base, and 11
350
GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
feet in height, with an inscription recording the massacre. It marks the spot where stood the church in which he ministered. Whittier has well described the scenes which occurred here in the poem entitled " Mogg Megone."
"Well might the traveller stop to see The tall, dark forms that take their way From the birch canoe on the river shore, And the forest paths, to that chapel door ; And marvel to mark the naked knees And the dusky foreheads bending there, While in coarse white vesture over these In blessing or in prayer, Stretching abroad his thin pale hands, Like a shrouded ghost the Jesuit stands."
This town was incorporated March 7, 1804, and named for President Madison. A small tract was taken from Norridgewock and annexed
MADISON BRIDGE FALLS, ANSON AND MADISON, ME.
to Madison a few years since ; which will seem to strangers as chiefly important in bringing Norridgewock Falls and the site of the Indian village of Norridgewock into the south-western part of the town of Madison.
The town has churches of the Congregationalists, Methodists, and Free Baptists-two of the last. The number of public schoolhouses is eighteen, valued at $3,800. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $510,437. In 1880 it was $546,077 The rate of taxation in the latter year was 13 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 1,401. In 1880 it was 1,315.
351
MANCHESTER.
Madrid is situated near the middle of Franklin County, being bounded by Mount Abraham township and Salem on the east, by Phillips on the south, Sandy River Plantation on the west, and No. 1, of Range 2, on the north. The township is of about the usual size, being nearly square in form. In 1872 it received an addition of terri- tory from Letter E Plantation. The west branch of Sandy River crosses the south-west part, and Perkins Stream, forming the eastern branch, comes down through the south-east part of the town, though having its origin in the north-west and at the north. The Sandy River Falls are an attraction to all lovers of the beautiful. There are two streams only a few rods apart, and each has a fine cataract. The town is quite uneven, and in the northern portion is quite mountainous. The principal elevations are Saddleback and Spruce Scrabble moun- tains and Potatoe Hill. The principal business centre is on Sandy River, at the south-western part of the town. The principal manu- factures are lumber and carriages. Madrid is some 20 miles north- west from Farmington, the village being about 7 miles from the station of the Sandy River Railroad in Phillips.
The township was formerly owned by Mr. Phillips, but passed into the hands of Jacob Abbot, whose heirs, down to a recent date and per- haps still, own the unoccupied land. Settlements were commenced in 1807 or 1808 by Abel Cook, David Rose, John Sargent, Lemuel Plummer, Miller Hinckley, Joseph Dunham, Ebenezer Cawkins and Nathaniel Wells. The town was incorporated 1836.
The Free Baptists have a society in the town. Madrid has seven public schoolhouses which, with other school property, are valued at $1,600. The valuation of the town in 1870 was $55,764. In 1880 it was $69,856. The population in 1870 was 394. In 1880 it was 437.
Main Stream Village, a small village in Harmony, Somerset County.
Mallison Falls, a village in Gorham, Cumberland County.
Manchester lies near the centre of Kennebec County, on the west side of the Kennebec River, and separated from it by the town of Farmingdale, the city of Hallowell and the western section of the city of Augusta. It is 12 miles long and averages less than 3 miles wide. Sidney and Belgrade bound it on the north, Redfield and Win- throp on the west. It is almost wholly separated from the latter by Cobbosse Contee Great Pond, noted for its white perch and black bass.
The early history of this town will be found combined with that of the towns from which it was formed. These are Augusta, Hallowell, Winthrop and Readfield. The settlement commenced about 1774. Nathaniel Floyd appears to have been the first settler in the southern part, and Thomas Allen in the northern part, in the same year. This Allen lot remains in the family to the present day, being owned by a grandson of the pioneer, William H. Allen, president of Girard Col- lege. Captain John Evans, Francis Fuller and Reuben Brainard took up lots in 1776; Samuel Cummings, in 1778, and several other persons soon after. The incorporation of Manchester as an independent town occurred in 1850 under the name of Kennebec. A strip from the
352
GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
north-east side was annexed to Augusta in 1856. The name was changed to the one it now bears in 1854.
The surface of the town is moderately uneven. The principal rock is granite, of which a fine quarry is worked in the eastern part of the town. The soil is various, being sandy, gravelly and clayey in differ- ent sections. Birch, beech, maple, spruce and hemlock are the pre- vailing trees.
The principal employment of the inhabitants is agriculture, which is carried on more scientifically and successfully than in most towns. Probably the finest orchards in the State are found here.
The Methodists, Baptists and Friends have each a church here. Manchester has seven public schoolhouses, valued at $3,500. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $320,219. In 1880 it was $291,200. The rate of taxation in the latter year was about 16 mills on the dol- lar. The population in 1870 was 732, which, by the census of 1880, has decreased to 623.
Maple Grove, a post office in Aroostook County.
Mapleton is a new town situated on the south bank of the Aroostook River, in Aroostook County. Washburn bounds it on the north, Maysville and Presque Isle on the east, Chapman Plantation on the south and Castle Hill on the west. The surface is uneven, but without high hills. Sprague Hill is the highest elevation. The soil is a sandy loam, and quite fertile and easily worked. Potatoes are the crop chiefly cultivated. There is a starch-factory in the town that consumes 60,000 bushels of these tubers annually. The machinery is run by a 16 horse-power engine.
The Aroostook River, in passing, cuts off the north-eastern angle of the town; and through the southern part runs, in a circuitous course, the Presque Isle of the Aroostook. This and two or three of the smaller streams have falls suitable for carrying machinery. The prin- cipal business centre is in the south-western part of the town, at the junction of Libby Brook with Presque Isle Stream. There is on the latter, near this point, a saw-mill with a rotary saw, cutting about 10,000 feet per day, and two shingle machines, making about 20,000 per day. There is also a potash-factory. The forest trees in this town- ship are chiefly maple and beech.
This town is 47 miles north-west of Houlton, via Presque Isle. It is on the stage-line from Presque Isle to Ashland. The nearest rail- road station is that of the New Brunswick Railway at Fort Fairfield, 15 miles distant. The town has two cedar bridges, one 273, the other 213 feet in length.
Among the prominent and esteemed citizens may be mentioned Freeman L. Ball, Thomas Griffin, Josiah Mclaughlin and Francis Hatch.
Mapleton was incorporated March, 1880, being named, perhaps, from the tree which is the most numerous in its forests. The principal religious society in the town is that of the Free Baptists. The num- ber of public schoolhouses is seven ; and the school property, including the school lots, is valued at $1,100. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $28,707. In 1880 it was $51,642. The rate of taxation in the
353
MARION.
latter year was 2 per centum. The population in 1870 was 444. In 1880 it was 705.
Maranocook Lake lies in the towns of Winthrop and Readfield, Kennebec County. Its length is about ten miles and its width from half a mile to a mile and a half. It is crossed at a narrow place near the northern end by the Maine Central Railroad, back route. Regattas and other entertainments are annually held on this lake, and there is good fishing and fine scenery in the neighborhood. See articles on towns mentioned above.
Mariaville is situated midway of the western side of Hancock County, and at its north- western corner abuts upon the south-eastern corner of Penobscot County. The outline of the town is extremely irregular. Union River passes through the northern part, and forms the boundary line between its southern part and Waltham. The town of Otis lies on the west, and the south-western corner of Mariaville approaches Ellsworth. It is on the stage-line from that place to Aurora. The largest pond in town is Hopkins's, which has an area of 1 by by 2 miles. Eight Pine and Lightly hills, about 75 feet in height, are the chief eminences. The soil is clayey, and there are many good farms with tastily arranged farm buildings. The roads are expensive on account of the numerous bridges required. There are one or two mills in town, and a large tannery for sole-leather. The latter employs ten hands, and consumes from 1,500 to 2,000 cords of bark annually.
Mariaville was first occupied in 1802. The names of the pioneer settlers are Mr. Fabrick, Seth Alcott, B. and D. Eppes, James Hap- worth and Elisha Goodwin. On its incorporation as a town, it re- ceived the name of Mariaville in honor of Maria, a daughter of Mr. Bingham, who owned an extensive tract of land in this vicinity. It had previously been called Bingham. For years all "up river " was known as Mariaville; but the town has been reduced to its present unshapely outlines by the taking off of Aurora, Amherst and Wal- tham.
There is one church-edifice in the town, belonging to the Baptists. Mariaville has four public schoolhouses, and the school property is val- ued at $700. The valuation of the town in 1870 was $65,742. In 1880 it was $81,804. The rate of taxation in 1880 was 2 cents on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 369. In 1880 it was 382.
Marion lies in the south-eastern part of Washington County, 18 miles north-east of Machias. It is on the stage-line from Machias to Calais. Edmunds bounds it on the east, Whiting on the south, East Machias on the west, and township No. 14 on the north. Its length is about 72 miles, and width 61. Gardiner's Lake, lying mostly with- in the town at the south-western part, has an area of 8} square miles. Cathance River, the outlet of Cathance Lake, some 5 miles north, crosses the most eastern part, furnishing several mill-powers. Clifford's Brook, running through the middle of the northern part of the town to Gardiner's Lakes has five falls. The village of Marion is on the falls at the Cathance Stream. There are here two saw-mills.
The surface of this town is hilly, with a variable soil, generally
23
354
GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
quite gravelly, but moderately productive. The forests have a dark appearance, being mostly of spruce.
Marion was incorporated Jan. 31, 1834. It has Methodist and Christian societies, the last having a church-edifice. The number of public schoolhouses is three, valued, with the lots, at $440. The valu- ation of estates in 1870 was $29,976. In 1880 it was $28,127. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 33 per cent. The population in 1870 was 213. In 1880 it was 182.
Marshfield, in Washington County, lies between East Machias on the east and Whitneyville and Machias, on the west. Northfield bounds it on the north, and about its southern point lie Machias and East Machias, from the former of which it is separated by Machias River and Marshfield Stream. The town is small in area, but pleasantly situated. It is quite uneven, but the highest elevation, Longfellow's Hill, has a height of only 300 feet, and the next, Water- house Hill, about 250 feet. The predominant rock is granite. The soil is a clay loam. It yields well in hay and potatoes, the crops prin- cipally cultivated. The largest water course is Marshfield Stream, or Middle River ; on which there are eight powers between the tide and Longfellow's Lake, a distance of about two miles. This stream is the outlet of four ponds, all lying within the town, the largest being about a mile in length. There are on these powers a saw-mill, a lath-mill, and a grain-mill that in 1879 ground 56,000 bushels of corn. There are also a carding-mill and a factory for canning blueberries. There is some shipbuilding here, mostly of coasting vessels. The people are, however, mainly engaged in agriculture. The town sent. 23 men to aid in the war for the preservation of the Union, losing 9.
Marshfield was formerly the northern part of Machias, from which it was set off and incorporated June 30, 1846. The village is on the prin- cipal falls of the Marshfield Stream, a short distance above its junction with the Machias River. Machias is the nearest post-office. There is a Congregational society in the town, but most of the church-goers at- tend meeting in Machias. Marshfield has two schoolhouses, the school property altogether being valued at $500. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $71,356. In 1880 it was $62,669. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 14 mills on a dollar. The population in 1870 was 350. In 1880 it was 300.
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