USA > Maine > Gazetteer of the state of Maine > Part 45
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Swift River has a fall of 50 feet in half a mile in this town. The manufactures are at the southern angle of the town. There are here a steam-mill (comprises a shingle, lath, board and grist mill), a tooth- pick, a cheese, and a carriage factory. Mexico lies about 30 miles north of Paris. It is on the stage-line from Bryant's Pond on Grand Trunk Railroad to Dixfield and Byron. The nearest railroad station is that of the Buckfield and Rumford Falls railroad at Canton, about 10 miles distant. The post-offices are Mexico and Dixfield, the first in the western part of the town, the second just across the river at the south.
Hon. Charles W. Walton, a judge of the Supreme Court of the State, was formerly a resident of this town. Counting re-enlistments, 83 men were furnished by Mexico for the defence of the Uuion during the war of the Rebellion.
This town was incorporated Feb. 13, 1818. As a plantation it was called Holmanstown. There is a Universalist society in the town, which sustains services. The number of schoolhouses is five, valued with land at $1,500. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $92,539. In 1880 it was $105,618. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 2 per cent. The population in 1870 was458. In 1880 it was 403.
Middle Dam, a post-office in Oxford County, on the west side of the lower Richardson Lake, at the outlet.
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MILLTOWN.
Milford, in Penobscot County, is situated on the east bank of the Penobscot River, 13 miles N.N.E. of Bangor. It is bounded on the north by Greenbush, east by Greenfield, south by Bradley, and west by Oldtown. From the latter it is separated by Penobscot River. The Oldtown Falls, on this river, "the best water-power in the United States," extends between these two towns. Milford was incorporated in 1833, taking its name from the mills on these falls. The surface of the town is generally level and swampy. It is drained by the Sunkhaze Stream with its numerous branches, and the Otter Chain Ponds and their outlet. The population is principally distributed along the Penobscot. The village is very pleasantly situated at a point opposite the lower end of Indian, or Oldtown, Island. There are in the town at this point six saw-mills manufacturing long lumber, shingles, etc. The attractive- ness of the village is enhanced by the numerous elm trees set along the streets some thirty years since by some public spirited hands. The underlying and outcropping rocks are granite and slate. The soil is of sandy and gravelly loam. The principal crops are hay and potatoes. The forests are of an unusually dark color, consisting almost exclusively of pine, spruce and hemlock. The condition of the public roads is quite good. A bridge across the river here is 1,000 feet in length.
Among the names of former citizens who merit to be remembered are Henry E. Prentiss, Samuel F. Hersey, Charles E. Dole and Simon Murphy. Milford sent 200 men to aid in the suppression of the Re- bellion, losing one-fourth of the number.
The town has a church of the Episcopal denomination. The num- ber of public schoolhouses is four. The entire school property is valued at $4,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $178,614. In 1880 it was $174,709. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 24 mills on a dollar. The population in 1870 was 827. In 1880 it was 734.
Millbridge, in Washington County, is situated on Narra- guagus River and Bay, 30 miles W.S.W. of Machias. It is bounded by Cherryfield on the north, Harrington on the east, Narraguagus Bay on the south, and Steuben on the west. Narraguagus River separates it from the latter, while a smaller stream forms the boundary line on the east. Cherryfield, the adjoining town up the river, has lumber and other mills, while Millbridge is its seaport. The village is at the mouth of the river, at the head of navigation. Lumber is brought down to this point from the mills at Cherryfield in rafts. There are here three ship-yards, two boat-builders, sail and spar makers, a tin- smith, and other small manufactures necessary to ship-yards or common to villages. There is also a factory for canning lobsters. The in- habitants are largely engaged in fishing and coasting, as well as ship- building and farming.
This town was formed from parts of Harrington, Steuben and Cherryfield, and incorporated in 1848. It has a Methodist and a Christian church, and nine public schoolhouses. The school property is valued at $3,500. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $209,747. In 1880 it was $304,779. The population in 1870 was 1,558. In 1880 it was 1,802.
Milltown, a post-office in Calais, Washington County.
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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
Milo is situated in the south-eastern part of Piscataquis County, 13 miles north-east of Dover, and 40 miles from Bangor. The Piscat- aquis River and the Bangor and Piscataquis Railway run through the town east and west. Pleasant River from the north, and Sebec River from the north-west form a junction with the Piscataquis in the midst of the town. The last furnishes the power at Milo Village for grist, saw, shingle and spool-block mills, and a small woolen-factory. Considerable slate rock crops out along the stream. The surface of the town is agreeably diversified by hill and dale, and the soil is gen- erally fertile. Milo maintains a flourishing cheese factory.
The town was township No. 3, Range 7, and has an area of 21,920 acres. Mr. Jonathan Hastings early purchased the township from the State, and a Mr. Wells, of Boston, became his partner. These con- veyed the greater part to the settlers, and sold the balance to Russell Kittredge. A Mr. Snow, of Belgrade, having been pleased with the fertile intervals when roaming through the region as a hunter, sent his two sons, Moses and Stephen, just attained to manhood to dwell in this goodly land. They selected their lots in 1801 (probably) near the present bridge on Pleasant River. Mr. Benjamin Sargent, from Methuen, Mass,, selected a lot on Piscataquis River, near the ferry, at the same time. All felled their first openings in 1802. Mr. Sargent was the first to bring in his family, which was done in 1803.
The inhabitants were organized as Plantation No 3 sometime prior to 1820 ; and in 1823, it was incorporated as the town of Milo. The warrant for the first meeting was issued by Lemuel Shepley to Theophilus Sargent. At this meeting Luther Keene was chosen town- clerk. Mr. Elisha Johnson, the last of the twenty-eight voters present, died in 1878, aged above eighty years. Not far from the date of this incorporation, Captain W. A. Sweat built the dam across Sebec River, at the present village, and erected the first saw and grist-mill in town. Not long after this, Mr. Thomas White put in a fulling-mill and carding- machine. A large amount of freight from Brownville slate-quarries and Katahdin iron-works are delivered at the Milo railway station.
Among the prominent men of the town in addition to those already mentioned have been J. F. Califf, Ezra Kimball, Chester Huckins, S. B. Sprague, G. B. Crane and Hannibal Hamblin, physicians ; J. B. Everett, C. A. Everett, J. H. Macomber, jun., William P. Young, and M. L. Durgin, Jr., lawyers ; the last two still remaining. The Baptists, Methodists, Free Baptists, Universalists and Advents each have an organization in town. Milo has a school fund of $1,300 arising from the sale of the reserved lots, and nine public schoolhouses, valued at $2,300. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $161,855; in 1880, $203,438. The population in 1870 was 930. In 1880 it was 934.
Milton Plantation lies with its northern line about one mile south of the Androscoggin, midway between the eastern and western limits of Oxford County. Rumford bounds it on the north, Franklin Plantation on the east, Woodstock on the south, and Bethel on the west. The dimensions are about five and a half miles east and west by two and two-third miles north and south. The surface is broken and mountainous in the north-eastern and south-western parts, but more level, with some intervals along the courses of the streams in other portions. The principal streams are Concord River, with
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MINOT.
Peterson Stream and its other branches. In the north-eastern part are Glines and Peaked mountains, with Mount Zircon at the extreme angle, and Mount Hemingway just across the northern border. In the south- west, Bryant Mountain is the chief eminence. On the western slope of Mount Zircon is the noted Mount Zircon Mineral Spring.
The centres of business are on Concord River, at the centre of the township where there are a saw-mill for long and short lumber, a shingle-mill, a boot and shoe shop and a schoolhouse; and on Peterson Stream, at the western side of the township, where there are a steam saw-mill, a carriage-shop, a post-office and hotel. There is also a tub and pail handle factory in the plantation. The Oxford Mining Com- pany is located here. The nearest railroad station is that of the Grand Trunk Railroad at Locke's Mills. The nearest railroad connection is at Bryant's Pond, by the stage-line from that place to Rumford.
This plantation was organized in 1842. The Free Baptists have an organization here, and stated meetings. There are two public school- houses ; and the school property is valued at $600. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $41,272. In 1880 it was $40,966. The population in 1870 was 258. In 1880 it was 270.
Minot, in Androscoggin County, was included with Poland and Old Auburn in the grant made by Massachusetts in 1765 to one Baker and others, and the tract was hence called Bakerstown. The entire territory was in 1795 incorporated under the name of Poland. In 1802, the part east of the Little Androscoggin River was incorporated under the name of Minot; and in 1842 Old Auburn was set off from this and incorporated. The name of Minot appears to have been adopted in honor of Judge Minot, member of the General Court who aided in passing the act of incorporation. Minot, as now constituted, is bounded by Hebron, in Oxford County, on the west, on the north by the same town and Turner, on the east and south-east by Auburn, and on the south and south-west by Poland. These limits contain about 14,270 acres of land. The Little Androscoggin divides the town on the south-west from Poland, and furnishes a fine water-power at Mechanic Falls, the principal village. The first to start in paper- making on the Minot side of the river at this place were Ebenezer Drake and Ezra Mitchell, who erected a mill in 1851. They did a suc- cessful business until 1865, when the mill passed into the hands of A. C. Dennison & Co., and was rebuilt. There are also on the Minot side a clothing-factory, a grist-mill, a boot and shoe factory, carriage-factory, etc. The " Mechanic Falls Citizen," published in this village every Wednesday by Charles S. Allen, is an attractive sheet, devoted chiefly to local news. At Minot Corner is a grist-mill and a carriage-factory, a corn-packing factory, and lesser manufactures. At West Minot there is a flour-mill, saw and shingle mill, and cheese-factory. There is also a grist-mill on the Little Androscoggin a couple of miles above Mechanic Falls. The Grand Trunk Railroad runs near the river for the whole width of the town, a part of the distance within it, furnish- ing convenient transportation for the villages on the river, while the Rumford Falls and Buckfield Railroad passing through West Minot connects with the Grand Trunk at Mechanic Falls. Bog Brook, the largest stream within the town, empties into the river near Mechanic Falls, called Bog Falls when first settled. The surface of the town is
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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
generally uneven, and in some parts hilly, and affording some pictur- esque scenery. The soil in most parts of the town is a strong loam, and somewhat stony. Near the river it is lighter. The two industries of manufactures and agriculture makes Minot a thrifty town.
Moses, Josiah and Edward Little were the principal proprietors of the territory, from one or the other of whom most of the present titles come. As in several other towns bordering on the Pejepscot Purchase, there was a great deal of difficulty and ill-feeling in settling with the different claimants. Moses Emery, from Newbury, Mass., was the first settler, having, with his wife and infant daughter, arrived at Poland Empire in the spring of 1769. He first lived in a log house near the locality now known as Hackett's Mills, but two or three years later he removed to what is now Minot Corner, where he had for a neighbor an Anasagunticook Indian. Wild game abounded in the vicinity. Once when looking for his cows, he was confronted by a bear and two cubs. He retreated backward endeavoring to lay hold of a club, and the bear followed grinning and growling with rage, so closely that he could feel her breath on his face. Finding that something must be done at once, he flung off his jacket in order to cast it over the bear's head. The sudden and peculiar action alarmed the bear, and she turned and went away. At another time he was attacked by a moose, and fled to a tree, the only defence available. The moose pursued, but being able to turn more quickly than the huge beast, he kept away from his pursuers horns and so close to his heels that he succeeded in cutting his hamstings with his pocket-knife. Again while out hunting he was attacked by a moose which his partner had wounded and which his dog was holding by the nose. At Emery's appearance, the moose freed himself from the dog by swinging him against a tree, then sprang directly at the hunter (whose gun missed fire) with a movement so tremendous that he would doubtless have been killed had not another shot just in the nick of time from his partner's gun, laid the monster on the ground.
Woodman Hill was first settled in 1780 by John Allen, from Glou- cester, Mass. ; Seth Sampson and Eliab Washburn came in 1789; and the Woodmans from New Gloucester,-the first in 1785. West Minot was first settled in 1781 by John Bridgham, who had been a captain in the Revolutionary army. Hersey Hill vicinity was first settled by the Freeman's and Bradford's, who were from Duxbury, Mass., in 1783. The Chandlers arrived soon after. Pottle Hill, was numerously settled by the Waterman's, Dwinals, Davis and Harris, in 1789. Mechanic Falls (Bog Falls) was first settled in 1836, by Dean Andrew, from Taunton, Mass .; soon followed Peter Thayer, Amos Chipman, and others.
Chandler Freeman, a member of the Congregational church in Duxbury, instituted the first regular public worship on the Lord's Day, in 1784. The meeting was held in the house of his son, Chandler Freeman, at which the inhabitants of the northern part of the present town generally attended. Mr. Freeman, senior, usually read the the sermons, made the prayers and led the singing. The first church was established here in 1791 by the efforts of Rev. Wait Cornwell, of Connecticut. It was of the Congregationalist denomination. The Congregationalists, Baptists, Free Baptists, now have each a church in town ; the Methodists have two, and there is one Union church.
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MONHEGAN PLANTATION.
In 1793 Rev. Jonathan Scott came to Bakerstown (including Minot) from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, in response to a letter of invitation which had been six months in reaching him. He was settled as pastor in 1796. The second Congregational church was formed in 1806. The first pastor was Rev. William Pidgin, installed in 1811. The West Minot and Hebron Congregational church was organized in 1802. Rev. Henry Sewall was ordained over it the same year. The first Methodist church was formed in 1795 by the labors of Rev. Joel Ketchum. The first Baptist church at Mechanic Falls was organized in 1857. The first pastor was Rev. A. K. P. Small. The first Univers- alist church also was organized at Mechanic Falls in 1857. The first preacher was Rev. Z. Thompson. Dr. Jesse Rice was the first phy- sician who practised in town; but in 1800, losing three children by scarlet fever, which prevailed that year, he invited Dr. Seth Chandler, a native of Duxbury, Mass., to fill his place ; and when Dr. Chandler arrived, Dr. Rice ceased practice. He was afterwards much occupied in town affairs. Hon. Stephen Emery, judge of Probate in Oxford County, was a native of Minot. The most noted citizen of the town was William Ladd, a retired shipmaster, the first advocate of the set- tlement of international disputes by arbitration. He was the principal founder of the American Peace Society.
The call for men in the war of the Rebellion was promptly met by Minot. She was represented by 206 men in the service, 133 of whom had been residents of the town. Eight of these enlisted in the quota of other towns. Some returned with broken constitutions, others were maimed for life ; of whom was Captain H. T. Buckman, who lost an arm. The loss during the war was 31 men. The amount of bounties paid by the town was $43.590. The total expenses were $49,284.
The first schools were private. Of those who taught schools of this class are remembered Samuel Shaw, at the Centre, Master Bray, on Bradbury Hill, John Chandler and his sister, on Hersey Hill. Nathan Hanson taught the first public school in town. There are now nine public schoolhouses, valued at $11,000. One at Mechanic Falls, built a few years ago, is of brick, two-stories in height, cost $8,500, a part of which expense fell upon Poland, some of whose pupils it ac- commodates. The valuation of estates in 1870, was $610,511. In 1880 it was $720,549. The population in 1870 was 1,569. In 1880 it was 1,764.
Monarda, a post-office in Aroostook County.
Monhegan Plantation is an island situated just out- side of Muscongus Bay, in Lincoln County. It lies 12 miles south-east from Pemaquid Point light, 23 miles from Matinicus rock, and 20 miles from Seguin light. Its own lighthouse has a flashing, white light, sweeping the entire horizon. The tower is of granite of the natural color. The island comprises a thousand acres of good, though rocky land. Potatoes are the chief crop, and fishing the principal oc- cupation of the Islanders.
Monhegan has a bold shore on all sides, a large projection of rocks at its northeastward part, and has one good harbor. Station Hill, about 200 feet high, is the principal eminence. Broocher's Cave, about 8 feet in depth, is an object of curiosity.
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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
The name, Monhegan, is a corruption of an Indian word signifying "Grand Island." It is the "St. Georges' Island " of Capt. George Weymouth, who landed here in 1605. Here, also, Popham's colonists landed on the 29th of August, 1607, when Richard Seymour, the chap- lain, preached the first English sermon ever given in America. A plan has been formed for erecting a monument upon the island in commem- oration of this event.
Monhegan has, from their first knowledge of the coast, been a place of resort for European fisherman and traders ; and in 1618-19 part of a crew sent out by Sir Ferdinando Gorges spent the winter here. In 1626, Abraham Shurt was sent over by Elbridge and Aldsworth, the owners of the Pemaquid Patent, to purchase the island from Abraham Jennings, of Plymouth, paying for it £50. It was depopulated in King Philips' war ; but was soon after resettled, and has ever since continued in a thriving condition. On the island " Mananas," forming the western side of the harbor of Monhegan, are some markings on a rock, which by some antiquarians are believed to be letters made by Scandinavian explorers in ancient days. The characters are about eight inches in length, and are sunk quite deeply into the rock, upon a stratum which seems to be softer than the main ledge, which is horn- llende. They all stand in proper parallels to each other, and obliquely to the course of the stratum. A cast was taken by Dr. Hamlin, which was sent to the American Antiquarian Society at Copenhagan ; but the society have not been able to establish its human origin. Many incline to the opinion that the marks are only peculiar fissures in the rock.
There was formerly an Advent society and meeting on the island ; and during the season of 1880 a church was finished and dedicated by the Methodists. Monhegan has one good public schoolhouse, which, with the appurtenances, is valued at $500. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $24,345. In 1880 it was $10,305. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 2} per cent. The population in 1870 was, together with Marsh Isle, 165. In 1880 it was 133.
Monmouth the north-westerly town of Kennebec County, is about 16 miles from Augusta, and about 48 miles from Portland, on the line of the Maine Central Railway from the latter place to Water- ville. The town is nearly square in its form ; and is bounded on the east by Litchfield and West Gardiner, north by Winthrop and Wayne, and having the town of Wales, in Androscoggin County on the south, and Green and Leeds, in the same county, on the west. On or near the border lie five ponds, commencing at the south-east with Purgatory ponds, there follow Cobbossee Contee Great Pond at the north-east, Annabessacook at the north, Androscoggin Pond at the north-west, and parallel to and south-easterly of this, Wilsons' Pond. The latter takes its name from a man who was drowned in it by the Indians. The first settlers found a small tribe of these residing in town, who grad- ually disappeared. In the western part of the town lies Cochnewagan Pond, whose outlet furnishes the power for the manufactories at Mon- mouth Centre. There are a grain mill, capable of grinding seventy- five bushels of wheat per day, and of corn, five or six hundred ; a sash- factory, a saw-mill with capacity to saw from five to seven thousand feet of boards per day ; a shingle-mill and carpenter's shop. The other
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MONROE.
villages are South Monmouth, East Monmouth and North Monmouth. At each of these is a post-office, and the Maine Central Railway has a station at the Centre. At East Monmouth, on the outlet of Annabes- sacook Pond, is a saw and shingle mill ; and on the outlet of Wilson's Pond at North Monmouth is a factory for making shovels, hoes, and axes, a grist-mill, and several lesser manufactures.
The surface is uneven, but it is said that there is not a lot of waste land in town. The most extensive elevation of land is Oak Hill, from 150 to 200 feet high. The underlying rock is principally granite, and the soil a gravelly loam. Agriculture is the chief occupation of the inhabitants ; and excellent crops of hay, apples and potatoes are pro- duced. The town also yields considerable quantity of beef cattle and dairy products.
The first settlers are believed to be Thomas Gray, Joseph Allen, Philip Jenkins, Reuben Ham and Jonathan Thompson, who removed from Brunswick in the winter of 1777. Two years later arrived Icha- bod Baker, John Welch, Alexander Thompson, Hugh Mulloy, and John and Benoni Austin. Peter Hopkins and James Blossom came in 1781, and some thirty others soon after. Among the latter were Gen- eral (then Colonel) Henry Dearborn, Simon and Benjamin Dearborn and John Chandler. The territory was part of the Plymouth Patent. At the close of the Revolutionary war, General Dearborn became pro- prietor of 5,225 acres of land in the township, upon which he erected farin buildings and mills, residing constantly upon his property for several years, and spending a portion of his time here for the remain- der of his life. John Chandler came as an itinerant blacksmith, the poorest man in the settlement in respect to money. But his talents were of a high order, and he rose to be Major General of the State Militia, a representative in Congress, a United States senator and later was appointed collector of the port of Portland. Among other residents were General James McClellan, afterward of Bath, Colonel Greenleaf Dearborn, of the United States army, General Ira Blossom, of Buffalo, New York, and Hon. Anson G. Chandler.
During its existence as a plantation, it bore at different times the names of Freetown, Bloomingsborough and Wales. It was incorpo- rated as a town in 1792, and at the suggestion of General Dearborn, received the name it now bears in commemoration of the battle of Monmouth, in which he bore a part.
There are six church-edifices in town, belonging to the Congrega- tionalists, the Calvinist and the Free Baptists, and the Methodists. Monmouth Academy, founded in 1803, was for many years in the front rank of the literary institutions of the State ; and many eminent persons have here received a part of their education. Monmouth has besides fourteen public schoolhouses, valued at $5,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $592,068. In 1880 it was $609,042. The population in 1870 was 1,744. By the census of 1880 it is now placed at 1,520.
Monroe lies in the northern part of Waldo County, 13 miles north of Belfast and 18 miles south-west of Bangor, on the stage-line from the latter city to Brooks. It is bounded on the east by Winterport and Frankfort, south by Swanville, west by Brooks and Jackson, and North by Newburgh, in Penobscot County. The surface is broken and hilly, but the soil yields well on cultivation. Much atten-
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