USA > Maine > Gazetteer of the state of Maine > Part 46
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GAZETEEER OF MAINE.
tion has been given to fruit trees, and the town shows many fine orchards. It is drained by both the north and south branches of Marsh River ; and on these are many water-powers. There is one saw-mill for long and short lumber, one grist-mill, a carding-mill, barrel-factory, cheese-factory, and other manufactures common to villages. A few years ago there were in operation in this town the following : " Willis's Mills," on a fall of 15 feet on Marsh River, comprising a saw-mill, with the capacity of producing annually 400,000 feet of long lumber and 800,000 shingles, and a grist-mill with four sets of stones. On a fall of 10 feet, half a mile above, were saw, fulling, and carding mills. Half a mile above the last was a lumber and stave mill, and two miles above this were saw and shingle mills. On the outlet of Northern Pond was " Thurlough Mill," with capacity of manufacturing annually 200,000 feet of lumber. On the outlet of the Thomas Chase bog, was a stone dam unoccupied; and half a mile farther down were board, lath, shingle and stave mills. On the outlet of a pond in Swanville were the " Mayo Mills," including a first-class grist-mill. On the Emery Mills Stream was a saw and stave mill, a pail-factory, and still earlier, a grist-mill. At the outlet of Jones' Bog there was a grist-mill. Other privileges have never been occupied, and it is to be hoped that the future will see more of this waste power made useful to man.
The settlements in Monroe commenced soon after those in Frank- fort, which was settled about 1760. "Lee Plantation," was the name by which these were known until 1822, when it was incorporated under the name of Monroe, in honor of Hon. James Monroe, at that time president of the United States.
The centres of business are Monroe Mills, or Village, and Monroe Centre. There is also a post-office at North Monroe. The Methodists and Free Baptists each have a church in the town. The number of public schoolhouses is thirteen, valued at $4,500. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $326,835. In 1880 it was $310,155. The popula- tion in 1870 was 1,375. In 1880 it was 1,366.
Monson is situated in the south-western part of Piscataquis County. Shirley and Elliotsville are on the north, Howard Township on the east, Blanchard on the west, and Abbott on the south. The Bangor and Piscataquis Railway passes through the south-west corner, and the stage-line from Dexter to Moosehead Lake, through the centre of the town. Hebron, Monson, Doe and Spectacle ponds are the prin- cipal bodies of water, the first and largest being 3 miles long and 1 wide. Chikl's Falls, where the water descends 75 feet are interesting. The Piscataquis River runs across the south-west corner. The other streams are Wilson's and the outlet of Hebron Pond, upon which, at the village near the centre of the town, are lumber-mills and a grist- mill. Doughty Hill is the highest elevation of land. Much of the sur- face is low and stony, and has never been cleared, but perhaps half the area is a light, loamy soil, of an excellent quality for the crops raised -hay, oats, wheat and potatoes. The principal business is slate min- ing, in which four or more companies are engaged.
Monson Academy in Massachusetts, and Hebron Academy in Maine were each granted a tract 3 miles in width and 6 in length in the town- ship, but being 7 miles one way instead of 6, a strip 1 mile wide Was
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MONSON.
left at the north end unappropriated. The trustees of Monson Acade- my, learning of this, petitioned and obtained it.
Joseph Bearce felled the first opening in 1815, and the next sum- mer-famous as the cold season-put in his first crop. George Doughty and Simeon Irish, with Mr. Bearce, brought in their families in 1818. Mr. Bearce put up a pair of Moose-horns on a stout pole to mark the point where a path turned off northward toward the centre of the township. The fork of these roads has ever continued at this point under the name of Moosehorns. Other early settlers were James Stinchfield, Captain Amasa Chapin, Captain Samuel Whitney, William A. Hyde, Calvin Colton, Deacons Lucius Hyde and Abel Goodell, Royal Day, Austin Newell, and Horatio Sherman. Messrs. Whitney, Hyde and Fay, made a clearing on the site of Monson Village, and built a dam in 1820, and a saw and grist mill in 1821. Deacon Andrew Cushman, Hiram Vinton, Isaac Tyler and Austin Newell came in 1822. In this year the town was incorporated. The first meeting was held, pursuant to a warrant from Samuel Pingree, Esq., at the dwelling-house of Messrs. Whitney and Hyde. In 1823, Alexander Greenwood, Esq., who sur- veyed most of the townships in this vicinity, moved into Monson. His death occurred by the fall of a tree while he was superintending a drive, and the falls where the sad incident took place has ever since borne his name.
A private school, free to all who could attend, was taught in the winter of 1821-22 by Deacon Lucius Hyde, in the house of James Stinchfield. The next winter Father Sawyer taught the first town school, and preached to the people on the Sabbath. Dr. Alpheus Davison, the first physician, settled in town in 1823. In 1824 other citizens of note came in, among whom were John Crafts, Solomon Cushman and Oliver Eveleth. In the same year the first post-office was established, F. F. Gates being the first post-master. The Doughty boys, succeeded by Benjamin Stinchfield, were the first mail-carriers, making the trip on foot between Monson and the next post-office at Guilford, 10 miles distant. In 1827, Deacon Thomas Fuller carried the mail in a carriage between Monson and Bangor. The town suf- fered much damage in its woodland from the great fire of 1825. The Congregationalist meeting-house was finished and dedicated in 1831, and was the first house for public worship erected in the county. The Baptists also have a good church-edifice. In 1835, the farmers suffered much loss by the swindling operation of a real estate sharper. An academy was chartered in 1849, being the second in the county.
On April 22, 1872, the fiftieth aniversary of the first town-meeting, a celebration was held at Academy Hall. It was presided over by Aretas Chapin, Esq., Rev. R. W. Emerson offered the prayer, and Mr. Charles Davison, a native of the town, gave an historical address. Rev. A. H. Tyler, and Hon. S. A. Patton, made interesting remarks, and . preceptor William S. Knowlton read a witty historical poem. Hon. John H. Rice, member of the 38th and 39th Congress, and Hon. E. Flint, secretary of state in 1864, were formerly citizens of Monson. There are resident in the town four persons over ninety years old, and ten who are above eighty.
From a population of 708, Monson furnished 84 men for the army of the Union. Of these 6 were killed on the field of battle, 16 died of wounds or disease, and 16 others were wounded.
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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
No newspaper is now published in Monson, but many are read. At the date of the celebration, it was stated in the historical address that, there were taken in town 5 daily, and 173 weekly newspapers, and 6 semi-monthly, and 84 monthly periodicals. Monson has seven public schoolhouses, valued at $2,500. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $134,520. In 1880 it was $159,461. The rate of taxation in 1880 is 1} per cent. The population in 1870 was 608. In 1880 it was 827.
Monticello lies on the eastern border of Aroostook County, 12 miles north of Houlton, on the stage-line to upper Aroostook. It is bounded on the north by Bridgewater, south by Littleton, west by an unnamed township, and east by Wilmot, in New Brunswick. The north branch of the Meduxnekeag runs south-eastward through the midst of the town, receiving numerous short branches from the north- ern side. Wallace Lake, in the northern part of the town, is the largest sheet of water, having an area of 30 acres. The surface of the country is somewhat rolling, but without hills. The rocks are limestone and granite. The soil is very good, yielding excellent crops. Hay, oats and potatoes are chiefly cultivated. Monticello Village is situated upon the Meduxnekeag North Branch, a little south of the centre of town. There are here a saw-mill for long and short lumber, a starch- factory, and other manufactures common to villages. The nearest railroad station is at Houlton. The roads are generally very good. A bridge across the river at the village is 200 feet in length. It is con- structed of spruce and cedar, with stone abutments.
Monticello was incorporated July 29, 1846, having previously borne the name of Wellington Township. Among its valued citizens have been General Wellington, John Pond, Samuel Stackpole, and Peter Lowell. The Methodists have a church here, and sustain worship and preaching. The number of public schoolhouses is seven. The value of these, with land, is $750. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $138,585. In 1880 it was $149,273. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 15 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 760. In 1880 it was 965.
Montsweag, a post-office in Woolwich, Sagadahoc County.
Montville lies in the western part of Waldo county, 16 miles west of Belfast, on the stage-line from Augusta. The town is of diamond form, having its longest axis north and south. Freedom bounds it on the north-west, Knox on the north-east, Morrill on the east, Searsmont on the south-east, Liberty on the south-west and Palermo on the west. The superficial area is about 20,200 acres. The surface is broken by ledges, hills and mountains. Those having names on the county map are Otis Hill and Hogback Mountain. The last is a long elevation with several peaks, standing near the centre of the town. From its southern and eastern slopes flow streams tributary to St. George's River, while its western slopes feed the Sheepscot, and the northern the Sebasticook. Notwithstanding the broken condition of the surface, there is good grazing and tillage on hill, slope and valley. Granite is the prevailing rock. There are several ponds in the town, of which True's Pond in the southern corner is the largest, having, with three other small ponds connected, an area of about 4 square
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MOOSEHEAD LAKE.
miles. The town has several villages,-Montville Village or McFar- land's Corner, Center, North, West and South Montville. There are in the town five saw-mills for the manufacture of long and short lum- ber, one grist-mill, two cheese-factories, two carriage-factories, etc.
This town was in the second grand division of the grant known as the "Twenty Associates' Proprietary," the most of which was subse- quently owned by Joseph Pierce, of Boston, from whom the settlers obtained their titles. The first settlement in this town was in 1778-9, by a Mr. Stannard, who moved away in a few years; so that the first permanent settler was James Davis, a Presbyterian minister, originally from Massachusetts. Two years later his two sons, William and Joshua, and a more distant relative, became residents. These all set- tled in the neighborhood of what is now Liberty. These fam- ilies intermarried, and the Davis families became so numerous that the plantation gained the name of Davistown, which it re- tained until its incorporation. Following the last, came William Clark and Archibald McAlister, from Jefferson (then Ballstown) ; and about 1793, Timothy Barrett, a native of Concord, Mass., took up his residence in Montville. He here maintained the life of a hermit till about 1844, and in 1847 he died at the supposed age of eighty-five. On February 18, 1807, the settlement was incorporated as Montville, a name derived perhaps from the mountain which marks the centre of the town.
In 1799 came in Rev. Moses McFarland. He was born in 1781, com- menced preaching here in 1805, and continued to do so until within a few years. Another preacher, Rev. Ebenezer Knowlton, a resident of Montville, in 1855-7, represented this district in Congress. The town has now four Free Baptist churches, and one Methodist church. The number of public schoolhouses is fifteen; and their value, with appur- tenances, is $4,500. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $389,945. In 1880 it was $362,692. The population in 1870 was 1,467. In 1880 it was 1,255.
Moosehead Lake, the largest body of fresh water in New England, lies on the boundary of Piscataquis and Somerset counties, on the borders of a far-reaching wilderness. Its area is 120 square miles. It is 40 miles in extreme length, from 1 mile to 18 miles in width, and has about 400 miles of shore. Its borders, winding and irregular in their general outline, are further broken up into little coves, bays, points and peninsulas, and indented by the mouths of many streams. The water is of such depth that the lake can be crossed by steamers from end to end. For nearly forty years these craft have puffed along its forest-clad shores, towing rafts of logs from its ex- treme parts to its outlet, and in later years conveying explorers, hunt- ers, fishermen and summer tourists. At present there are five or more steamers on the lake, often accompanied by bands of music. Enclosed by its waters are many islands, and about its shores noble panoramas of mountain scenery. Of the islands, Sugar Island is the largest, con- taining 5,000 acres, but uninhabited; Deer Island, the next in size, contains above 2,200 acres, and has a cleared farm and a small public house. Eastward are seen the tops of mountains, solitary and in groups, among which are the Ebeeme Mountains, with Boarstone, Horseback and Spruceback; and at the north east, almost touched by
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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
one or more arms of the lake is a group of numerous hills; and a little south-east of these are the twin peaks of Spencer Mountain, one of which rises to a height of 4,050 feet above the sea. In nearly the same direction 40 or 50 miles away, Kahtahdin, the loftiest of Maine's mountains, lifts his granite head. Not far from the lake, on the south- west, Squaw Mountain looms grandly ; and beyond this, somewhat southward, are the high peaks of Franklin County,-mounts Abraham, Saddleback and Blue, with the New Hampshire group in the horizon. But most impressive of all is Mount Kineo, an abrupt elevation at the head of a peninsula that almost divides the lake in the midst. It is composed almost entirely of hornblende, presenting the largest mass of that rock known to geologists. On the side next the lake its precipi- tous front rises to the height of 800 feet above the water. The surface of the lake itself is 1,070 feet above the sea, giving to the summit of Kineo an altitude more than 1,800 feet.
From the south-western arm of the lake issues the noble Kennebec, forming its outlet. As a reservoir for a great river, the lake is of re- markable character. The increase of depth in the spring is about 7 feet, and a dam commands a head of eight feet over the entire 120 square miles of its surface ; while the elevation above tide at which the river issues gives a succession of falls of great value for manufactures. The shores and islands are now gaining a sufficient number of good hotels, telegraphic communication is being established, and three dis- tinct railroads are nearly approaching the lake.
Moose River Plantation, in Somerset County oc- cupies a tract at the junction of the angles of Dennicetown, Holden, Altean and Jackman plantation. It is 81 miles N.N.W. of Skowhegan, on the stage-road to Canada. The large ponds in Attean township here have their outlet in Moose River, which flows eastward through Long Pond into Moosehead Lake. At this plantation the stream affords a good water-power, which is occupied by a saw-mill and grist-mill.
The first settlement was made by Samuel Holden in 1820. The settlement here was at first called Holdentown. It was organized as a plantation October 16, 1852. The plantation has a union church-edifice. It has one public schoolhouse, and other school property to the value of 8400. The population in 1860 was 135. In 1870, 104. In 1880 no separate return was made in the census.
Morrill is situated in the central part of Waldo County, 6} miles west of Belfast. It is bounded on the north by Knox, east by Waldo and Belfast, south by Belmont, and west by Searsmont and Montville. The surface of the town is uneven, but with very little waste land. Morey and Rowe hills are probably the highest eleva- tions, though these have no great altitude. The soil is sandy in parts, and in others clay loam. Hay and potatoes are the chief crops. The usual forest trees of the region thrive here. Cross Pond, in this town, contains about 100 acres, and another-Dolliff-about 50 acres. The chief water-power is at the village on the cast on the Passagassawakeag Stream. There are here shingle and stave mills, and a horse-rake fac- tory. Morrill is on the Belfast and Kendall's Mills stage-line. The nearest railroad station is at Belfast. The town roads are very good. There is one bridge 120 feet in length, constructed of stone and timber.
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MOSCOW.
This town was incorporated March 3, 1855; being named in honor of Hon. Anson P. Morrill, then governor of the State. The first set- tlements were made by James Weymouth, Benjamin Smith, Joseph Coming and Nathaniel Cushman, in 1801 and 1802. They purchased their lands of General Knox, proprietor under the Waldo Patent.
The climate of this town is regarded as quite healthful. There are four inhabitants past eighty years of age, and four between seventy and eighty. The Grange has a good building here, which is used as a town- hall. There is a Methodist society in the town, and a Union meeting- house at the village. The town has five public schoolhouses. The entire school property is valued at $2,500. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $133,099. In 1880 it was $122,098. The rate of taxation in the latter was for money tax, 42 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 523. In 1880 it was 494.
Morrill's Corner, a village and railroad station in Deer- ing, Cumberland County.
Morrison's Corner, a small village in Clinton, Ken- nebec County.
Moscow, in Somerset County, is situated on the eastern bank of Kennebec River, 25 miles N.N.W. of Skowhegan, on the stage-line to the Forks of the Kennebec. It is bounded on the north by Caratunk, east by Mayfield, south by Bingham and west by Pleasant Ridge Plantation. It is separated from the last by the river. The surface is very hilly. Dresser Hill is the most extensive elevation in horizontal area; Baker Mountain is probably the highest, and Bab .. bitt Ridge is next to these. Chase, Little Chase and Minx ponds lie in the northern part. Others are found at the south-east corner, and along near the river are several smaller. Austin Stream is the princi- pal water course, and into it discharge Chase and Gulf streams, Minx and other brooks. Near the eastern line of the town are " Austin Falls," on the stream of that name, having a descent of 100 feet in half a mile. On these were formerly saw, shingle, clapboard and planing mills, which were burnt a few years since. Other powers and mills are Temple's Mills and Temple's Wagon Works, on a brook empty- ing into the Kennebec River; Bassett's Shingle Mill, on the east branch of Chase Stream ; Chase Mill on the same stream, near the centre of the town ; "Great Falls," below, where the stream descends 30 feet; and on Carney's Brook is Carney's saw-mill. In all there are 19 available powers. The rock in general through the town is a hard slate, having in many places, veins of quartz yielding small quantities of gold. Three-fourths of the territory is still covered with heavy forest. The soil is good, yielding well in grain and other staple pro- ducts of the region. Bingham is a post-office for the town.
This township was a part of Bingham's Kennebec Purchase. Ac- cording to Williamson, it was settled as early as 1773. The land was surveyed and lotted in 1812, at which time the inhabitants petitioned for incorporation under the name of Northfield. The plantation became somewhat known as Bakerstown, from the number of persons of the name of Baker among the inhabitants, though the original Bakerstown
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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.
was in Androscoggin County. The act of incorporation was not passed until 1816; and the present name had taken the place of the one pro- posed in commemoration of the event at the Russian city of that name in the year the petition was made.
A Baptist church was established in the town in 1812. The Free Baptist is now the principal religious society in town. The public schoolhouses number seven ; and the entire school property is valued at $1,800. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $91,386. In 1880 it was 895,142. The population in 1870 was 528. In 1880 it was 522.
Moss Plantation lies on the south-western border of Aroostook County, 24 miles west of Houlton. It is on the stage- line from Patten to Ashland. Merrill Plantation bounds it on the east, Hersey on the south, and Penobscot County on the west. The surface is quite broken and hilly. The highest elevation is called Matawamkeag Hill. Pichet Mountain, on the south-western boundary, also has considerable height. Rockabema Lake, lying a little north- west of the centre of the town, is the source of the West Branch of the Mattawamkeag River. Its superficial area is 2} square miles. There are at least 13 other ponds, large and small, in the township. The streams are the west branch of the Mattawamkeag, which winds through the town, receiving on its way the outlets of the several ponds, together with Upper and Lower Hasting's Brook, Mill Brook and others. A saw-mill making long and short lumber, a clapboard and a grist-mill, and a carriage-factory, constitute the manufactures of the plantation.
The first settlements here were made in 1837, by Messrs. Lewis, Bradford and Brown. In 1850 a plantation was organized under the name Rockabema, which was changed to the present one in 1860. There is a Methodist society in the plantation, which has regular meetings and stated preaching. Moro has a good school- house, and its school property is valued at $500. There are seven lots in the township reserved for public uses. The valuation of estates in 1880 was $46,693. The rate of taxation was 1} cents .n the dollar. The population in 1870 was 107. In 1886 it was 171.
Mount Abraham is an elevation of land in Franklin County, having several peaks, and occupying an entire township ; its base extending into Salem, the adjoining town on the south. Its height is 3,387 feet. Its summit is far above the limits of forest vegetation, and presents hundreds of acres covered with long moss, with a few arctic herbs.
Mount Agamenticus,-see article on York.
Mount Blue,-see article on Avon.
Mount Chase is situated in the northern part of Penobscot County, on the eastern side, 100 miles north of Bangor. It is on the stage-line from Winn, on the European and North American Railway, to Fort Kent. It was incorporated March 21, 1864, having previously
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MOUNT DESERT.
been Mount Chase Plantation. Its name is from the mountain in the northern part. In the north-west part are the two Shin ponds, con- taining about 500 acres each, and Duck Pond, having an area of about 10 acres. These ponds are discharged into the Seboois River in the next range west. On this stream, just north of Sugar Loaf Mountain, in the next township, is a fall of 70 feet. The central and eastern part of this town is drained by Crystal Brook, on which, near the eastern side of the town, is a saw-mill. The town is well wooded with the usual hard and soft woods.
The Methodists have a society in town, and have stated worship and preaching. Mount Chase has four public schoolhouses. The en- tire school property is valued at $8,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $22,025. In 1880 it was $28,101. The population in 1870 was 262. In 1880 it was 310.
Mount Desert, in Hancock County, formerly included the whole island, with some neighboring small islands. It now includes a belt across the middle of the island, with several small islands near it. The chief natural features of the town are its mountains, and an arm of the sea called Somes' Sound. This body of water is two miles wide at its mouth, and extends northward through the mountain ranges, affording a sail through the heart of the best scenery of the island. The considerable bodies of fresh water in this town are Long Pond, Echo Lake, or Deering's Pond, and Seal Cove Pond, the first 5 miles in length by 1} in width, the others about one-half as large. The mountains are Pemetic (1,202 feet in height) ; the Bubbles,-North (845 ft.), and South (780 ft.) ; The Peak of Otter (506 ft.), The Beehive (540 ft.) ; Otter Cliff (112 ft.) ; The Cleft, North (610 ft.), and South (460 ft.) ; Jordan's Hills, North (340 ft.), and South (360 ft.) ; Brown's Mountain (860 ft.) ; Flying Mountain (300 ft.) ; Robinson's Mountain (700 ft.) ; Dog Mountain (670 ft.) ; and Carter's Nubble (480 ft.).
The bowlder phenomena is exhibited in this town to a wonderful degree. There are wandering rocks of red and blue granite, trap, gneiss, mica schist, clay slate, and fossiliferous sandstones. The greater part of the bed rock here called granite, is protogine-talc being sub- stituted for mica. There is also considerable sienite in which is horn- blende instead of mica, having veins of magnetic iron, arsenical iron and pyrites.
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