USA > Maine > Gazetteer of the state of Maine > Part 44
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Mars Hill lies on the eastern border of Aroostook County, 30 miles north of Houlton, on the stage-line to Fort Fairfield. It is bounded on the north by Easton, south by Blaine, west by Westfield Plantation, and east by Wicklow, in New Brunswick. In the eastern part is an isolated mountain called Mars Hill, the elevation from which the town takes its name. This was a noted landmark in run- ning the boundary line between the United States and the dominion of Great Britain, which was the subject of such long and troublesome disputes. It is a long elevation of regular outline, having a peak at each extremity,-its greatest extension being north and south, parallel to the State boundary line less than a mile eastward of its base. Its ascent commences with an easy swell of half a mile in width, and then abruptly increases toward the summit, in some places to an almost per- pendicular steepness. Its top is narrow, and divided by a hollow near
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the middle. In settling upon the boundary line between the United States and the dominions of Great Britain, the commissioners under the treaty of Ghent caused trees to be felled and a spot cleared on each of the peaks ; and their astronomers and surveyors ascertained that the south peak was 1,519 feet, and the north one, 1,370 feet above the tide waters of the St. Lawrence. The western part of the town is drained by Presque Isle Stream and its branches. The north-eastern part is drained by the small stream of the River Gasquill, and the south-eastern, by Young Brook. The manufactories consist of two saw-mills for long and short lumber, two starch factories, etc.
Mars Hill was organized as a plantation in 1866, and incorporated as a town, Feb. 21, 1867. The Congregationalists have a society in the town, and sustain stated meetings, with preaching a portion of the time. The number of public schoolhouses is seven; and the total school property is valued at $1,600. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $45,811. In 1880 it was $71,577. The population in 1870 was 399. In 1880 it was 716.
Martinsville, a post-office in Knox County.
Masardis, in Aroostook County, is situated on Aroostook River, 50 miles north-west of Houlton. The stage-route from Patten to Ashland passes through it. Ashland bounds it on the north, and Oxbow Plantation meets it angularly at the south-west. Other town- ships surrounding are unnamed. The Aroostook River winds through the midst of the town, entering through Oxbow Plantation. The other streams are Shields, Squa-pan, and Black Water brooks, and St. Croix Stream. An extensive heath lies west of the center of the town. Most of the streams connect with ponds, forming large reservoirs, which could readily be increased by dams. There are now a small saw-mill and a furniture factory in the town.
Masardis was incorporated March 21, 1839, having previously been No. 10 of Range 5. The first settler was Thomas Goss, of Danville, in 1833; followed in 1835 by John Knowlen. In 1838-9 several families moved in from Oldtown. The first lot of merchandise was brought in by Joseph Pollard from Oldtown in 1838, when he hauled five tons a distance of 20 miles on handsleds. No roads were completed until 1841. Roswell T. Knowlen was the first child born in the town.
Masardis has two public schoolhouses ; and the school property, in- cluding these, has a value of $800. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $39,479. In 1880 it was $42,304. The population in 1870 was 169. In 1880 it was 212.
Mason is a small, mountainous town in the western part of Oxford County, a few miles south of the Androscoggin River. The settlements are on Pleasant River and its branches, in the central and eastern parts of the town. West Bethel Depot, on the Grand Trunk Railroad, is about 3} miles north-east of the centre of the settlements. The first of these were made in 1826. The town was incorporated Feb. 3, 1843, being formed from parts of Fryeburg Academy, Bachel- der's and all of Davis's Grant. The nearest post-office is West Bethel. There is one lumber-mill and one bobbin and spool-stock mill.
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All parts except those along Pleasant River and its tributary streams from the central to the eastern part are hilly, while there are several considerable mountains. The highest of these are Caribou and Red Rock mountains. The last is on the southern side ; and between it and the long mountain at the south-western corner, is Miles's Notch. The rock is principally granite. The soil is sandy loam, and yields excellent crops. Hay is the largest of these, finding a ready market with the lumbermen. The forest trees are those common to tho region.
Mason sent 15 soldiers into the war for the Union, losing 4. Tho Methodist society has a neat church-edifice in the town. The settle- ment has a public schoolhouse ; and the school property, including land, is valued at $400. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $34,004. In 1880 it was $27,446. The rate of taxation in 1880 was 16 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 127. In 1880 it was 94.
Mast Landing, a small village in Freeport, Cumberland County.
Matinicus Isle Plantation, in Knox County, is situated off Penobscot Bay, directly south of Vinalhaven. It is 20 miles S.S.E. from Rockland, with which it has weekly communication by packet. The plantation includes seven islands, viz. : Matinicus Isle, containing about 800 acres; Ragged Island, about 350 acres; Matinicus Rock, about 10 acres. The latter has a light station and a steam whistle. The next largest islands are Wooden Ball, Seal Rock and No Man's Land. On Matinicus Island are Old Wharf and Black Duck ponds, each containing about two acres. The forest trees are spruce and fir. The rock is chiefly granitic, and the soil a sandy loam. Potatoes form the largest crop. The people are employed principally in the fisheries. The plantation was organized in 1840. It sent 11 of its citizens, be- side substitutes, to the aid of the Union in the war of the Rebellion.
The principal entertainments are those of the Sunday-school. There are two public schoolhouses, and the school property is valued at $600. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $19,585. In 1880 it was $32,273. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 19 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 277. In 1880 it was 243.
Mattamiscontis Plantation, in Penobscot County, lies on the west side of the Penobscot River, 40 miles N.N.E. of Bangor. It is bounded by Howland on the south, and Maxfield on the west, and on the east, separated by Penobscot River, is Lincoln. The township is inferior in soil, timber and water-power. The principal occupations are farming and lumbering. The nearest post-office is Lincoln.
The town was incorporated in 1839, but on account of the depart- ure of many of its inhabitants the number became so reduced that it lost its organization, and relapsed to the plantation form. The popu- lation in 1860 was 31; in 1850, 51; in 1880, 64. The valuation in 1880 was $12,876.
Mattawamkeag, in Penobscot County, lies upon the eastern bank of the Penobscot River, and adjoins the south-western
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corner of Aroostook County. Kingman bounds it on the east, Web- ster Plantation and Winn on the south, and Woodville on the west, but separated from it by Penobscot River. The town is on the Euro- pean and North American Railway, 58 miles N.N.E. of Bangor. The stage-line to Patten starts from here. The surface of the town is un- even, but without high hills. Granitic and slate-colored, unlaminate rocks form the pan and outcrop, where observed. The soil is diluvial, being largely gravel and clay, but is quite fertile. Much attention is given to stock-raising. The crops chiefly cultivated are hay, grain and potatoes. A great variety of trees are found in the forests.
The Mattawamkeag River enters the Penobscot from the east through this town in the southern part. Its tributary, the Molunkus, has its course in the town for a short distance near the north-east corner. The Mattaceunk Stream makes a curve from a south to a west course in the north-western part of the town, where it enters the Pen- obscot. The "Gordon Falls " extend for a considerable distance along the Mattawamkeag, which, at this point, crosses the southern line of the town from different times. On this stream are a board, shingle, and lath mill, with planer. There are other manufactures common to country villages. The principal centre of business is near the mouth of the Mattawamkeag at the station on the European and American Railway, which here turns to eastward along the north bank of the river. The road has repair-shops at this place.
The town-hall is a neat, two-story, wooden building, having a school-room and dining-hall on the first floor. The Indians tell of a village and burial-place of their own on the north bank of the Matta- wamkeag, near the present village; and some stone-axes, arrow-heads and other relics have been found there.
One of the first settlers here was Asa Smith, still one of the most prominent men of the town. This town sent 30 soldiers to the de- fence of the Union in the Rebellion, losing 7 of them. The Methodists have a church here, recently finished. The number of public school- houses is three. The entire school property is valued at $1,200. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $76,779. In 1880 it was $77,768. The rate of taxation the latter year was 24 mills on the dollar. The popu- lation in 1870 was 356. In 1880 it was 456.
Maxfield, in Penobscot County, is a small, triangular-shaped town, lying on the Piscataquis River, on the eastern side of Piscata- quis County. Matamiscontis and Howland bound it on the east, an unnamed township on the north, and Medford, in Piscataquis County, on the west. The Piscataquis River flows through the midst of it, and north of this, and tributary to it are Hardy and Seeboois streams. The surface of the town is undulating. The underlying and outcrop- ping rocks are slate, and granite exists in numerous boulders. The soil is variable, but well suited to wheat. The principal crop is hay. The nearest railroad station is that of the European and North Amer- ican Railway, at Enfield, 9 miles east. The town is 45 miles north of Bangor, on the mail-route to Lagrange. It sent 24 men to the defence of the Union in the late war, losing 5.
Maxfield was formerly Bridgton Academy Grant; and was incor- porated under its present name, Feb. 6, 1824. It has two schoolhouses valued at $250. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $20,673. In
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1880 it was $17,541. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 11% per cent. The population in 1870 was 156. In 1880 it was 139.
Mayfield lies on the eastern line of Somerset County, 23 miles north of Skowhegan. It is bounded on the north by Bald Moun- tain Township, south by Brighton, west by Bingham, and east by Kingsbury, in Piscataquis County. The town is quite hilly ; Coburn Ridge, occupying nearly the whole western side of the town, being the greatest. It has two considerable ponds in the northern part, of which Austin Stream, running west to the Kennebec, is the outlet. Hayden Pond lies near the centre of the town, its outlet emptying into Kings- bury Pond in the south-east part. The last is 22 miles long and 1 wide. The principal settlement is at the south-east part of the town, on the road from Skowhegan to Blanchard. The principal rock of the town is slate. The soil is quite fertile, yielding good crops of grain. Cedar and spruce are the most numerous woods. There are two lum- ber-mills in the town, and one mill for preparing slate, of which con- siderable quantities are quarried here.
This town was a part of Bingham's Kennebec Purchase. It was incorporated March 7, 1836. Mayfield sent 4 men to aid in preserv- ing the Union in the late war and lost 1.
The nearest post-office is at Brighton. The town has one public schoolhouse; this, with land, being valued at $150. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $9,300. In 1880 it was $17,875. The population in 1870 was 96. In 1880 it was 141.
Maysville is an exclusively agricultural town lying on the Aroostook River, in Aroostook County, having Fort Fairfield between it and New Brunswick. Caribou bounds it on the north, Presque Isle on the south, and Mapleton and Washburn on the west. The surface of the town is somewhat rolling, but without high elevations, May Hill being the highest. The Aroostook comes in at the west and leaves on the northern border making a complete oxbow about the centre of the town. At its exit it receives Hardwood Creek, which comes in at the west along the northern line ; and at the south-west Presque Isle River joins it from southward. In the western part of the town, the Aroos took flows around many islands. Maysville has one or two small saw- mills and a starch-factory. The factory is of 727 tons capacity, and consumes 140,000 bushels of potatoes in a single season.
The underlying rock in this town is limestone, found everywhere, either outcropping or under the surface, but seldom more than 20 feet below. The soil, as might be supposed, is quite calcareous. Potatoes are the leading money crop. Hay, wheat and oats are also largely raised, and, like the first, yield well. The forests contains a great variety of trees.
The town is 42 miles N.N.W. of Houlton, on the stage-route to Caribou. The latter is 7 miles distant, and furnishes the nearest rail- road station. Presque Isle Village, lying near the south line of Mays- ville, is the centre of business for the latter town. Maysville was incorporated, April 4, 1859. The town-hall is a large, two-story wooden building nearly new, with a school-room below. In the spring of 1880, near 500 trees, mostly of rock maples, were set out along the highways
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MEDFORD.
by members of Maysville Grange. The people take pride in the ex- cellent roads of the town. A bridge across the Aroostook here is 420 feet in length.
The town has 12 schoolhouses, all in good condition. The value of school property is $3,500. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $140,057. In 1880 it was $224,288. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 16 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 758. In 1880 it was 1,141.
Mechanic Falls is a manufacturing village and post- office in Androscoggin County, lying on the Little Androscoggin River in the adjacent towns of Minot and Poland.
Meddybemps lies in the eastern part of Washington County, 10 miles south-west of Calais, and 35 miles N.N.E. of Machias. It is bounded by Alexander and Baring on the north, on the east by the latter, south by Charlotte and Cooper, and west by the latter. About one third of Meddybemps Lake lies in the town, extending to the centre. The area of this sheet of water is 15 square miles. It has its outlet at this point, constituting Denny's River. On this stream and about the southern extremity of the lake Meddybemps Village is situated. The Fall on the outlet here is 20 feet in one eighth of a mile. The mills upon it consist of one shingle-machine, one lath and stave mill, and one grist-mill. About thirty years since a good beginning was made in ornamenting the village by setting out a few elms. The surface of the town is variable in elevation, but the highest hills do not exceed 200 feet. The underlying rock is granitic in character. The soil is a gravelly loam. Hay and potatoes are the crops chiefly cultivated. Spruce, pine, birch and maple are still abun- dant in the forests. The town sent 40 men to the defence of the Union in the late war, losing 7.
Meddybemps was incorporated, February, 20, 1841. It was formed from portions of Cooper, Charlotte and Baring. The Baptists have a church-editice here; and the Methodists have a society, and sustain meetings. There are two public schoolhouses in the town. The entire school property is valued at $1,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $24,080. In 1880 it was $25,833. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 26 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 200. In 1880 it was 172.
Medford is one of the two extreme south-eastern towns of Piscataquis County. It has an un incorporated township on the north, Milo on the west, Maxfield on the east, and La Grange on the south, both the latter being in Penobscot County. The Piscataquis River passes through the midst of the town. Where the Schoodic stream falls into the Piscataquis, General Boyd, in 1820, erected the largest saw-mill then upon the Penobscot or any of its branches. In 1832 it was taken down, and another was built, and taken down; but still another was erected on this side. In 1835 a saw and a grist-mill were built on Cold Brook, which flows into the Piscataquis from the south; and around these the village of Medford has sprung up.
The settlement of the township preceded any grant. James Grover
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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
with his family, as early as 1808, dwelt on the south bank of the Pis- cataquis near the upper ferry; a Mr. Boobar followed ; and later came a Mr. Weston and two Hitchborns from Bangor. About 1820, the state opened the Bennock road from Piscataquis River to Oldtown.
This township was No. 2, Range 7, and contains 20,625 acres. In 1816 the western half was granted to David Gilmore for making the Dixmont road ; the eastern half was the same year sold to General J. P. Boyd. The township was incorporated in 1824, and, at the instance of General Boyd, received the name of Kilmarnock. In 1856, on the petition of the inhabitants, it was re-named as at present.
Medford is on the stage-line from Milo depot to Enfield. Stores were open in the township at an early date of its settlement, but only one or two is at present sustained. All the lands reserved for public uses in the town are for the benefit of the schools. Medford has six schoolhouses valued at $1,250. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $60,321. In 1880 it was $52,885. The population in 1870 was 294 In 1880 it was 398.
Medway, in Penobscot County, is situated on the Penobscot River at the junction of the East Branch, 70 miles north of Bangor. Moodville lies on the south, an angle of Mattawankeag touches at the south-east, and Molunkus in Aroostook County lies in the east. The Penobscot crosses the town in a south-easterly course, receiving on the way East Branch, Its principal tributary, and Salmon Stream, both from the north; and Pattakumkis Stream from the south-west. Both the last enter the river near the south-east corner of the town. On the Pattakumkis is a saw-mill manufacturing shingles. Medway village is situated at the junction of the East Branch with the Penob- scot, a mile or two south-west of the centre of the town. At this place is an extensive tannery.
The surface of the town is rolling and somewhat broken. Gravel Hill some 300 feet in height is the greatest elevation. The prev- alent rock is granite. The soil is chiefly clay, but yields fairly of hay grain and potatoes, which are the crops chiefly cultivated. The nearest railroad station is that of the European and North American Railway at Mattawamkeag, 12 miles distant.
Medway was organized as a plantation in 1852, and as a town Feb., 8, 1875. Formerly it bore the name of Nicatou. This town sent 20 men to the aid of the Union cause during the war of the Rebellion. The Congregationalists have an organized society here. The number of public schoolhouses is six. The entire school property of the town is valued at $3,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $30,637. In 1880 it was $ 79,638. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 2} per cent. The population in 1870 was 321. In 1880 it was 628.
Megunticook Mountain,-see article on Camdem.
Mercer is the south-western town of Somerset County, and lies 12 miles west of Skowhegan. Starks bounds it on the north, Nor- ridgewock and Smithfield on the east, Rome, in Kennebec County, on the south, and New Sharon, in Franklin County, on the west. The Sandy River forms the dividing line on the north-west part of the
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MERRILL PLANTATION.
town for a considerable distance. Bog Pond lies between the middle and the western line of the town, and parallel to the last, for two-thirds the length north and south. Its outlet empties into the Sandy River at the northern line. North Pond at the south-east corner occupies portions of the three towns which join here. It is 3 miles long by 2 wide. The surface of the town is gently undulating, with one large swell, called Beech Hill, nearly in the middle, which contains above 20 superior farms. The landscapes visible from this hill are very beauti- ful. Probably the highest eminence in town is not above 300 feet in height. Granite is the principal rock visible. The soil is a clay loam. There is a great deal of fine interval. The chief crops are hay and corn. Most of the woods flourish here with a predominance of the hard woods. The water-power is chiefly on Bog Stream at Mercer Village. There are here a saw-mill for long and short lumber, a tan- nery, a grist-mill, and other manufactures common to villages.
The streets are beautified with elm and maple trees, some of them seventy-five years old. The houses are neat and attractive with some quite handsome residences. The buildings throughout the town are in good repair, the roads are excellent, and barns, fields, flocks and herds give tokens of thrift and abundance. The town is regarded as salubrious, since there are many old people.
The settlement of Mercer was commenced very soon after the close of the Revolutionary war. If we trust tradition, Nathaniel Emery, a Revolutionary soldier, was the first settler, and emphatically the pioneer of the town. His practice was to fell a few acres of trees, build a log house, sell his improvements to some new comer, then com- mence again. Others among the first settlers were Nahum Baldwin, from New Hampshire, Samuel Hinkley, from Georgetown, Maine., Nathaniel Davis, from Cape Ann, another soldier, Ambrose Arnold, and Joshua Greenleaf, who settled here in 1785, dying in 1856, aged ninety-three years. The first settlements were on the river lots, where the intervals, prior to settlement, were covered with noble growths of maple, elm, butternut, and other hard woods, showing conclusively the strength of the soil. Little more than the river lots were occupied until 1801, when settlers began to come in rapidly, so that in a few years there was not an unoccupied lot. The titles were mostly from the Plymouth Company. The town was incorporated in 1804. Twenty families with their farms were annexed from Starks in 1835. In 1840 a portion of Mercer containing twenty-five families was set off to form a part of Smithfield ; and in 1841 another portion, containing twelve families was given to New Sharon.
Mercer sent 78 men to do battle for the Union in the war of the Rebellion. Twenty-five of this number were lost. The church-edi- fices here are two Union and one Free Baptist. There are eleven pub- lic schoolhouses, and the entire school property is valued at $2,450. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $300,670. In 1880 it was $215,- 294. The population in 1870 was 846. In 1880 it was 755.
Merrill Plantation occupies township No. 6, Range 4, in Aroostook County. It is 20 miles west of Houlton on the road to Moro Plantation. The chief streams are Lower Hastings and Dudley brooks. The east branch of the Mattawamkeag, near the eastern line,
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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
impinges upon it near the south-east corner. The centre of business of the plantation is at this point. The post-office is at Smyrna Mills, near by. The settlements are about here, and along the Smyrna and Rocka- bema road, which runs north-west and south-east through the midst of the town, with a few in the south-western part. Four lots are reserved for public uses.
This plantation was organized in 1876. It has two public school- houses, and the school property is estimated at $400. The valuation of estates in 1880 was $15,605. The population in 1870 was 118. In 1880 it was 206.
Merry-meeting Bay, see articles on Sagadahoc County, Bowdoinham, Topsham, Brunswick and Bath.
Mexico, in the eastern part of Oxford County, is bounded on the east by Dixfield, south by Peru, west by Rumford, and north by Roxbury, and Carthage in Franklin County. The town is somewhat of the diamond form, its largest axis being about 8} miles by 5 miles for the shorter axis. The surface is agreeably varied with meadow and up- land, with four considerable elevations. Three are set around the middle of the town, and bear the names of Thompson, Porter and Maun hills. The Androscoggin River forms the line on the south boundary, Webb's River on the east, and Swift River, coming down from the north, crosses and recrosses the western line. The rock is mainly granite. The forests still show a noble growth of birch, beech, maple, pine, spruce and hemlock. Along the rivers the soil is a sandy loam, with red loam on the uplands. Corn, potatoes, wheat, hops, and other crops are cultivated successfully, the last being probably the largest crop sold directly.
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