Gazetteer of the state of Maine, Part 50

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

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401

NORTH YARMOUTH.

tages, and spend several weeks in the place. There are now about 300 cottages, and a large hotel which, in the summer of 1878, enter- tained upwards of 3000 guests ; and while the annual religious meeting in August still remains the leading feature, the place is becoming a popular watering place. A stage-line connects the villages with Belfast and Rockland. During the warm season the steamers touch at the wharf, and there are daily excursions from the shore and river towns. It is already entitled to be called the Cottage City of the Penobscot. Saturday Cove is also finely situated, having a pleasing view of the bay and a cosy hotel. The village has a retired position, which, for some, increases its attractiveness.

The number of old people in the town gives evidence of the salu- brity of the climate. The oldest inhabitant was Mrs. Rebecca Pend- leton, who died in 1863, at the age of 104 years and 6 months.

There are none but small streams in the town, Saturday Cove and Little Harbor streams being the largest. Pitcher and Knight's ponds, closely connected bodies of water, extend along a large portion of the southern boundary. The manufactories of the town consists of two saw-mills, one of which manufactures lumber, and cooper's wares, and the other adds treenails to these productions. There is also a boat builder, and furniture, cooperage and carriage factories. The North- port Cheese Factory produces large quantities of cheese that finds ready sale. Farming and fishing are the chief occupation of the people. There has been a large increase of improved stock in town within a recent period. The soil is clay and sandy loam. Granite is the prin- cipal rock.

The first who made attempts to settle in this town were Thomas Burkmar, Samuel Bird, David Miller, Colonel Thomas, Stephen and John Knowlton, H. Flanders, Adam Patterson, Mark and John Welch, Zachariah Lawrence, Captain Ebenezer Frye, Major Benjamin Shaw, David Alden, Henry Pendleton, and Micaiah Drinkwater. They arrived but a short time prior to the Revolution, and had scarcely more then begun to put their plans for homes into execution, when they were called to the more exciting life of the army. There were no further settlements until the peace, when immigrants began to appear from all parts of the State. During the war of 1812, a descent by the British from Castine was made upon the settlers of Northport, and several citizens were plundered. Some shots also were exchanged along the shore, but none of the inhabitants were killed. One shot that imbedded itself in the house of Jones Shaw, has since been one of the notable things of this shore.

Northport was incorporated Feb. 13, 1796. There are in the town a Christian, a Baptist and Methodist church. There are 9 public schoolhouses ; and the school property is valued at $2,700. The population in 1870 was 902. In 1880 it was 872. The valuation in 1870 was $180,726. In 1880 it was $196,253. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 3 per cent.

North Yarmouth is situated a little east of the centre of Cumberland County, 14 miles N.N.E. of Portland. On the east is Pownal; Yarmouth and Cumberland bound it on the south, the latter and Gray on the west and north-west, New Gloucester and Pownall on the north. The form of the town is nearly square. The surface is

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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.

without much unevenness. Walnut Hill, in the western part of the town, is the greatest elevation, and Little Walnut, about a mile to the east, is the next in height. The village called Walnut Hill begins between them, extending southward. Royals River runs through the town nearly north and south. On the eastern side of the river the Grand Trunk Railway and on the west the Maine Central Railway cross the town in the same general direction. The latter has a station at Walnut Hill, where is the largest collection of houses in town ; and the Grand Trunk has a station at East-North Yarmouth, whence stages run daily to Pownall and Durham.

The principal manufactures of the town are lumber, carriages, flour and meal. The land is of good quality, and agriculture is the almost exclusive business of the people. The region of Royal's River was called Wescustego by the Indians, this being also their name for the river itself. The territory of the present town was included in a grant made to Joseph Phippon and others in 1680, which extended from the sea five miles up the river, and seven and a half miles on each side. In the same year, the waste land between this grant and Falmouth, and also Damariscove Island, were included in the act of incorporation under the name of North Yarmouth. A large part of Harpswell Neck with Mare Point and intervening land was held to be within the cor- porated limits many years. Four towns have since been taken from this territory, viz. : Freeport in 1789, Pownal in 1808, Cumber- land in 1821, and Yarmouth in 1849. John Mare, mentioned as an early settler of North Yarmouth, located on the point which has since borne his name, now included in Brunswick. William Royal came over from England about 1630, and in 1643 purchased of Gorges a tract on the Wescustego River, subsequently called Royal's River. The history of Yarmouth includes that of North Yarmouth until the separation in 1849.

The town has a Congregationalist and a Methodist church. There are seven public schoolhouses in the town, valued at $3,300. The valuation of estates for 1870 was $523,086; in 1880, $372,510. The population in 1870 was 940. In the census of 1880 it was 828.

Norway is one of the south-eastern towns of Oxford County. Paris bounds it on the north-east, Oxford on the south-east, Waterford on the south-west, Albany and Greenwood on the north-west. The area is by estimate, about 25,000 acres. The town has numerous but not high hills. The most notable of these are Holt Hill, a little north- west of the centre of the town, Frost Hill, at the south-west, and Pike Hill at the south-east. The number of ponds is also large. Great Pennesseewassee Pond extends its length of 4} miles just east of the middle of the town, finding outlet to the Little Androscoggin River, at Norway Village, in the south-east corner of the town. Tributary to this is North Pond, in the north-east, and Little Pennesseewassee, on the west. Somewhat south-west of the centre of the town is Sand Pond, with its tributaries, Mud and Round, sending its own outlet into Thompson Pond, at the south-east. At the extreme north is Furlong Pond. Crooked River forms a part of the western boundary, and Bird Brook skirts the town on the east. The soil is fertile and the farmers thrifty. There are eleven water-powers in the town, of which Pennes- seewassee Falls, at Norway Village, constitute six. Five of these

403

NUMBER TWO PLANTATION.

powers bear the name of Steep Falls, having an aggregate fall of 56 feet in 15 rods. There are here two grain mills, a tannery, and fur- niture, patent board box, shovel-handle, boot and shoe, clothing and carriage factories, a stave and shook-mill, a planing-mill, a machine shop, a cloth and carding mill, harness and trunk-makers, etc. On streams, in other quarters of the town, are three saw-mills. Noble Corners, at the northern part of the town, shows quite a cluster of houses. The nearest railroad station for most of the town is at South Paris, scarcely a mile from Norway Village. The stage-line from South Paris to Bridgton and Fryeburg runs through this town. The scenery of Norway, varied with so many hills and ponds and intersected by good roads is very agreeable to look upon, and easy of passage. The village has several handsome residences, and its streets are ornamented with shade trees. On the outskirts of the village, on the south are the fair grounds. Norway Branch r.r. connects with the Grand Trunk.

Norway is composed of a tract of about 6,000 acres, purchased of Massachusetts in 1787, and another of the same size granted to Mr. Lee, and known as the Lee Grant, two other tracts known as Cum- ming's Gore and Kent Gore, and three tiers of lots taken from the plantation of Waterford. The settlement came about in this wise : James Stinchfield, Jonas Stevens and some others, came to hunt about the ponds, and finding such beautiful growths of wood and other in- dications of a good soil, determined to settle here. Accordingly, in 1786, Stevens, his brother Joseph, Jeremiah and Amos Hobbs, and George Lessley, came in, made clearings and built houses, and in due time brought in their families. A Captain Rust had become a large proprietor of land here, and performed many generous acts toward the settlers, for which he was much beloved and esteemed, so that the plantation adopted his name until its incorporation. This occurred March 9, 1797; and the present name was then adopted with the pur- pose to honor the nation which dwelt in Norway, in Europe. Many of the early settlers were soldiers in the Revolution, one of whom, Phineas Whitney, served throughout the war, and was at the battle of Bunker Hill, being one of the last to leave the field. In 1843 the entire records of the town were destroyed by fire.

The Norway Savings Bank in Norway Village, at the beginning of the fiscal year of 1880, held in deposits and accrued profits the sum of $149,088.28. Norway National Bank has a capital of $100,000. The newspapers are "The New Religion," and the "Oxford County Ad- vertiser." They are spirited and able papers. As indicated, the former is a paper with a theological purpose, and the views it advocates are those held by the Universalist denomination.

The first church was formed in this town about 1802 ; and the Rev. Noah Cressey was ordained Sept. 20, 1809. There are now a Univer- salist and a Free Baptist church, two belonging to the Methodists and two to the Congregationalists. There is a circulating library of nearly 700 volumes at the village. The Norway Liberal Institute is a flourish- ing school of a high grade. The number of public schoolhouses is soventeen, having, with appurtenances, a value of $6,000. The popu- lation in 1870 was 1,954. In 1880 it was 2,519. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $641,644. In 1880 it was $889,863.

Number Two Plantation (Grand Falls) lies on the

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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.

south-eastern border of Penobscot County, about 50 miles north-east of Bangor. Burlington bounds it on the north, an angle of Greenfield touches it on the south-west, and Washington County bounds it on the east and south. Munsungun or Passadumkeag Mountain stands north-west of the centre of the township. Saponac Lake lies in the northern part, receiving the waters of the Passadumkeag, on the east, and discharging them at the west. Madagascal Stream discharges into the Passadumkeag River, in this township. A branch of Union River rises in the central part. The nearest post-office is Burlington. The nearest railroad station is that of the European and North American Railway at Olamon, in the town of Greenbush, on the Penobscot.

There is one public schoolhouse, valued at $100. The valuation of estates in 1880 was $23,822. The population in 1870 was 100. In 1880 it was 93.

Number Eighteen Plantation is in the East Division of Washington County, and joins East Machias on the north. In the eastern part of the township is Rocky Lake, having a length of about 3} miles by 3.14 of a mile in width. Near the centre of the township is the lesser First Lake, on the eastern line is Round Lake, at the north-eastern angle is Munson Lake, at the north-western is Long Lake, at the western line is Little Bog Lake, and Hadley Lake extends for about one mile of its length into the township from the south. Salko Hill is the highest eminence. The soil is a light sandy loam. The crops chiefly depended upon are potatoes and hay. Farm- ing and lumbering are the principal occupations.

This plantation was organized in 1848. The oldest inhabitant was ninety-four years of age in 1880. There is one public schoolhouse, valued at $100. The population in 1870 was 42. In 1880 it was 40.

Number Eleven, Range 1 Plantation is on the New Brunswick border ; and is bounded north by Hodgdon, south by Amity, and west by Linneus, and Letter A. of Range 2. The plantation includes but half a township. The streams are the Me- duxnekeag on the northern side, Davis Stream at the middle of the town, and Shehan and Alder brooks in the eastern part. There is a saw and grist-mill on Davis Stream. The nearest post-office is South Hodgdon.

This plantation is 10 miles south of Houlton, on the stage-route to Danforth, on the European and North American Railway. It was organized June 30, 1859. The Baptists have a meeting-house here and a resident minister. There are five public schoolhouses; and the school property is valued at $1,000. The population in 1870 was 274. In 1880 it was 397. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $20,350. In 1880 it was $20,230. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 13 per cent.

Number Fourteen Plantation, in Washington County, lies 14 miles north-east of Machias, on the road to Cooper and Calais. Cooper bounds it on the north, Charlotte and Dennys- ville on the east and Marion and Edmunds on the south. Cathance Lake lies on the northern line, and Little Cathance Lake a little to the south-east of this. Cathance River has its rise in these bodies of

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NUMBER SEVEN PLANTATION.

water. The settlements are on the stage-road that crosses the western part of the town, and in the southern part of the town, on the road between Marion and Cooper. The manufactures are shingles, spool- wood and laths.

This plantation has three public schoolhouses, and the school pro- perty is valued at $800. The population in 1870 was 149. In 1880 it was 164. The valuation in 1870 was $15,000. In 1880 it was $32,659.

Number One Plantation lies on the south-eastern border of Penobscot County, 30 miles north-east of Bangor. It is bounded on the north by Lowell, south by Greenfield and west by Greenbush. A southward curve of the Passadumkeag River lies across the northern line, and receives Lord's Branch, which with its tribu- taries, drains the eastern part of the township. Olamon Stream sends a curve into the southern part. The western portion is somewhat marshy. The road from Greenfield to Lowell passes through the township ; and there is a road connecting with Olamon Station on the European and North American Railway in Greenbush, the adjoining town on the west.

There are two public schoolhouses in the plantation, valued at $200. The population of this plantation in 1870 was 66. In 1880 it was 97.

Number One Plantation, (Range 2 West of Ken- nebec River), in Somerset County, lies on the west side of the Ken- nebec opposite Moscow, Concord bounds it on the south. Its area is 13,436 acres. It is 27 miles north by north-west from Skowhegan, and about half-way between North Anson and the Forks. It is popularly known as Pleasant Ridge. There was formerly a plantation of this name in Aroostook County, but it is changed to Caswell. The town- ship is full of hills, of which Fletcher Mountain and Burnt Hill are the principal ones, their summits being from 500 to 1,000 feet above Ken- nebec River. In the northern part is Rowe Pond, about two miles in length and one mile in greatest breadth. Other ponds are Jewett, north of Rowe, Bean Pond, east of it, and Hill Pond at the centre of the town. Sandy Stream, a branch of the Carabasset, is the outlet of the most northern of these ponds. The largest stream within the town is Houston Brook, which empties into the Kennebec. On this stream about one and a-half miles from its mouth is Houston Brook. On this brook there is also a cave nearly 40 feet in extent. The prin- cipal rock in this township is slate. The soil is rocky and hard. The usual farm crops, including corn are cultivated. The pine has mostly been cut off, leaving little but hard-wood.

This plantation was settled in 1786, and organized in Oct. 17, 1840. Farming and lumbering are the principal occupations of the people. The nearest post-office is Bingham on the opposite side of the river. There is a clergyman of the Free Baptist denomination resident here. There are three public schoolhouses; and the school property is valued at $400. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $22,143. In 1880 it was $20,000. The number of polls in 1870 was 23.

Number Seven Plantation lies in the south-eastern

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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.

part of Hancock County. It is bounded on the west by Sullivan, on the south by Gouldsborough, and on the east by Steuben in Wash- ington County. The township is square, but slightly smaller than the standard. On the northern line lies Great Tunk Pond, with Little Tunk on the south-east at its foot, Round Pond at the north-eastern corner, and Morancey Pond on the western line. The sizes of the first two are six miles and one mile in length. The surface of the country is quite uneven, and the Black Hills have an elevation of 600 feet. Granite is the predominant rock. The soil is a gravelly loam. Beech, birch, spruce and hemlock are the forest trees.

This plantation has one public schoolhouse, and other school pro- perty to the value of $350. The population in 1870 was 69. In 1880 it was 89. The valuation of estates in 1880 was $15,502.

Number Six Plantation, in Franklin County, is bounded on the east by Phillips, south by Weld, north by Letter E Plantation, and west by Byron, in Oxford County. The area is 19,000 acres. A range of hills run through it from the north-east to the south-west corner. A branch of Sandy River runs through the north- ern boundary of the township at the north-east, on which there is a small mill in Letter E. Plantation adjoining. The plantation is 26 miles by the road from Farmington, and about 8 miles west of the rail- road station in Phillip's village. The valuation in 1870 was $15,246. in 1880 it was $9,000. The population in 1870 was 31. In 1880 it was 69.

Number Twenty-One Plantation lies about midway of the length of Washington County, Princeton and Alexander bound it on the east, and Crawford on the south. Big Lake extends across its whole northern border, and bounds it for a considerable distance on the west. Little River Bluff is the highest eminence, having an elevation of about 300 feet. Farming and lumbering are the principal occupations. Princeton Station of Lewy's Island Rail- road is 4 miles to the north-east.

This plantation was organized in 1859. It sent 7 men to aid in the preservation of the Union against the slave-holders' Rebellion, of whom 2 were lost. The number of public schoolhouses in this plant- ation is two; and the school property is valued at $400. The valu- ation of estates in 1870 was $20,255. In 1880 it was $24,165. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 13 cents on a dollar. The number of polls in 1870 was 34. In 1880 there were but 23.

Oakfield Plantation, in Aroostook County, was formerly No. 5, in Range 3. It lies 15 miles west by south-west from Houlton by stage-route via Linneus. The latter and New Limerick bound it on the east, Smyrna on the north, and Dyer Brook Planta- tion on the west. The centre of the town has the greatest general elevation, and from it flow numerous streams to the surrounding ponds and to the East Branch of the Mattawamkeag River, which flows south- ward just within the western line of the town. Spaulding and Long lakes in the northern part of the town discharge by Thomas Brook into the river. Timothy Lake a smaller sheet lies at the northern line; a part of Meduxnekeag Lake lies within part of the town;

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407

OLD ORCHARD BEACH.

and at the south-east are Skitacook and Mud lakes. On the stream discharging Spaulding into Long Lake is a lumber mill. Thomas Brook, near its mouth, affords an excellent power.

This plantation was organized April 17, 1866. The Methodists and Baptists have societies here. The number of public schoolhouses is six ; and the value of the school property is $1,500. The population in 1870 was 559. In 1880 it was 636. The valuation in 1870 was $25,068. In 1880 it was $41,100.

Ocean Point,-a post-office in Lincoln County

Oceanville,-a small village and post-office on Deer Isle, in Hancock County.

Ogunquit,-a post-office in Wells, York County.

Olamon,-a post-office and a station on the European and North American Railway, in Greenbush, Penobscot County.

Old Orchard Beach lies between Wood Island Light at the mouth of the Saco River and Prout's Neck in Scarborough. This beach has been called the finest in New England. Its actual limits are from near the mouth of the Saco to Pine Point near the mouth of Scarborough River, having the form of the arc of a circle. At low tide the beach is about 300 feet in width, of fine, hard, smooth sand, at no point wholly interrupted by rocks for the whole distance of 9 miles, and affording an excellent drive-way ; while from the absence of undertow, the surf-bathing is perfectly safe. It is reached by stage from Saco, and by the cars of the Eastern and the Boston and Maine railroads. A branch of the Eastern road has now been extended southward along the beach for 3 miles to Bay View at the mouth of the Saco, where connection is made with the Pool in Biddeford by means of a ferry-boat, and with Saco and Biddeford at the falis by steamers. The two latter afford a convenient means of viewing the river scenery, the buildings and the beach. Near the hotels and a little back from the shore, is a beautiful forest park of 30 acres, with pleasant paths, arbors and rustic adornments. About 2 miles towards Saco on Foxwell's Brook is a picturesque waterfall about 40 feet in perpendicular height. Half a mile south of the large hotels is the pic- turesque camp-meeting ground of the Methodists. It is situated in a hollow among hillocks, and beneath the shade of noble trees growing in a thick grove. Between the camp-ground and the beach, scattered over rocky knolls, is a village of summer cottages owned by the breth- ren who annually sojourn in the place through the weeks of religious and temperance meetings. At the beach and its neighborhood are a large number of public houses, from the country tavern to the palatial hotel of 500 rooms, furnished in the best manner, and supplied with all the latest appliances for comfort and entertainment.

This beach received its name from an orchard set by Thomas Rogers who settled here in 1638. His farm, near Goose Fare Brook, became of so much importance that the early geographers of Maine designated it on their maps as " Rogers' Garden." The trees that he planted re-

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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.

mained more than a century. But long after the first hotels were built, and even to this day, there are standing some of the trees of an " old orchard," but a subsequent one, planted by some later disciple of pomoculture.

In the early days, the councillors constituting the government of Gorges' province of Maine met for business at the house of Richard Bonython, which stood on the east side of Saco River, near the lower ferry, or just above the terminus of the Old Orchard Beach Railroad. This form of government continued from 1639 to 1652, from which date Massachusetts most of the time maintained her authority and government here by the strong hand. In 1677, however, the heirs of Gorges sold their right to the Commonwealth, which thenceforth held

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OLD ORCHARD BEACH. ME.

undisputed jurisdiction, until separated from her and admitted as a State in 1820.

No summer resort can be complete without a picturesque character in its his- tory ; and this want is supplied to Old Orchard by its pioneer caterer, Ned Clem- ens-half hermit, half epicure. The first knowledge of him in this region was his arrival at a hotel in Saco, where his genial deportment soon won him many friends. By his apt quotations, he exhibited a knowledge of the dramatic poets and classic cuthors ; and his acquaintance with American scenery showed that he had ac- quired much knowledge from travel. In music he was accomplished, and often be- guiled his leisure with his flute. He was reticent in regard to his previous life, but in later years it became known that he was a native of Philadelphia, where he was educated for a dramatic life; and several years acted in that profession. He was with Barnum in the first organization of his popular exhibition. Evidently he was not successful in this line; and having met with disaster in a matrimonial

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409

OLDTOWN.

project, he had wandered to Saco to start afresh in a new place. Looking about for a means of livelihood, he opened some bathing-rooms under the Thornton House. After awhile this house was burned down, and poor Ned had to make a new shift; and he next alighted with his bathing-tubs in the basement of Cataract Block. Then to his bathing he added victualling. By the death of an artist brother in a distant State, he became the possessor of a panorama of the River Rhine, with which he travelled for awhile. His tastes-and poverty-at length led him to Old Orchard Beach, where among the whispering pines which then stood near the site of the present Sea Shore House, he erected a small building which he furnished, ornamenting it with natural history specimens. This received the name of " Old Orchard Retreat," where he dwelt alone, and entertained such patrons as came with chowders and other simple fare. He also supplied bathing-suits to his patrons. Here, too, he issued a small newspaper called the "Goose Fare Guide and Old Orchard Bellows." It is acknowledged to be the first "Guide " to these shores, and the " Bellows" which first blew abroad the praises of Old Orchard. But E. C. Staples, proprietor of the Old Orchard House, was the first to open a house for boarders, which he did in 1837, at the solicitation of a few individuals who had been impressed with the beauty of the beach and the invigorating quality of the climate. He then dwelt in a plain farm-house, the home of his ancestors ; but it has been remodeled, and is now the Staples' Cottage. The first season's boarders were charmed with the place, and the next year there were more applica- tions than the house could accommodate ; and he soon increased its capacity by an addition. Among the early patrons of Mr. Staples were gentlemen and their: families from Montreal, who came the whole distance in their own private car- riages. The Portsmouth and Portland Railroad was opened in 1842, and the Grand Trunk from Montreal to Portland in 1852. These brought passengers to Saco Station, within four miles of the beach ; and from that time the demand for hotel accommodations increased with great rapidity. Mr. Staples enlarged his house from year to year until his "Old Orchard House," accommodating 300 guests, had been erected. This was popular and prosperous, until destroyed by fire, July 21, 1875. The new " Old Orchard House " was erected in 1876, with ac- commodations for 500 guests. Boarding-houses and hotels have since been increas- ing and enlarging for several years, until now they number above 30, with accom- modations for more than 4,000 guests.

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Gazetteer of the state of Maine, Part 50

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

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