Gazetteer of the state of Maine, Part 52

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

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Otis was first occupied in 1805. It was incorporated in 1835, being named in honor of a proprietor. The first settlers were Isaac Frazier, N. M. Jellison, James Gilpatrick, and Allen Milliken. Otis furnished 35 men to the Union cause in the war of the Rebellion.

The Free Baptists have a church, and a settled minister in the town. Otis has three public schoolhouses, valued at $400. The valu- ation of estates in 1870 was $26,407. In 1880 it was $34,725. The population in 1870 was 246. In 1880 it was 304.

Otisfield is the most easterly of the northern towns of Cum- berland County. Thompson's Pond separates it from Poland in An- droscoggin County and from the southern part of the town of Oxford in Oxford County. Norway in the same county bounds it on the north, on the west is Harrison in Cumberland County ; and Naples and Casco bound it on the south. Crooked River forms the boundary line for the entire length of the town on the western side. The ponds are Little, Moose, Saturday and Pleasant, beginning at the north of the town and increasing in size southward, the last containing two and a quarter square miles of surface. Thompson's Pond, which washes the castern side of the town, has an area of eight square miles. The surface of the town is uneven, the highest eminences being Scribner Hill and Meet- ing House Hill. The soil is gravelly, but strong and productive ; and there are many fine farms in town. Corn, potatoes and hay are the principal crops. At Bolster's Mills, Centre and East Otisfield are small saw-mills, and at Spurr's Corner is a large clothing manufactory. Otisfield lies 36 miles N.N.W. of Portland, being on the stage-line from that city to Bolster's Mills. It is also on the stage-line from the Oxford Station of the Grand Trunk Railway to Naples. The town- ship was granted to Hon. James Otis, Nathaniel Gorham, and the rest of the heirs and assigns of Captain John Gorham, for services against Canada in 1770. The first plantation meeting was held in the house of Stephen Phinney, in 1787. David Ray was moderator, Joseph Wight, jr., clerk, David Ray, Benjamin Patch, and Noah Reed, as-

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sessors, and Jonathan Moors, collector. The inhabitants first voted for a representative to Congress in 1794. In 1797 the town was in- corporated under its plantation name of Otisfield. At the first town meeting it was voted to settle Thomas Roby as first minister. As incorporated, it included all of Otisfield, nearly all of Harrison, and a large part of Naples. The first saw-mill was erected by David Ray. William G. Cobb was the first male child born in the town, the date of birth being Oct. 14, 1779.

The Congregationalists, Methodists, and Free Baptists each have a church in the town, and there is also a Union meeting-house. Otisfield has twelve public schoolhouses, valued at $2,300. The valuation of real estate in 1870 was $298,582. In 1880 it was $262,027. The pop- ulation in 1790 was 197; in 1870 it was 1,099. The census of 1880 shows it to have decreased to 927.

Owl's Head, a promontory bearing a light-house on the west shore of Penobscot Bay in South Thomaston, a short distance be- low Rockland. Also a small harbor and village just south of the promontory.

Oxbow Plantation, Aroostook County, rests on the north-eastern corner of Penobscot County, the eastern line of the town- ship and of the latter county nearly corresponding. The plantation is 45 miles north-west of Houlton, and 130 miles from Bangor. The first settlement was in 1840, and it was organized as No. 9, Range 6 Planta- tion in 1848. It was organized as Oxbow Plantation in 1870. The name is doubtless from a peculiar curve of the Aroostook River in passing through the township. This river, in its course through the plantation, receives Umquoleus Stream from the south, Otter Brook from the north, Trout Brook from the east, and Hayden Brook from the north-west. There is one public schoolhouse, valued at $50. Some 8 or 10 lots of land are reserved for schools and other public purposes. The population in 1870 was 115. In 1880 it was 127. The valuation in 1880 was $18,917. Masardis, which has an angular contact with Oxbow at the north-east of the latter, is the nearest post-office.

Oxford is the south-eastern town of the eastern expanse of Ox- ford County. Paris joins it on the north, Hebron on the north-east, Norway on the north-west, Poland, in Androscoggin County, on the south-east, and Otisfield, in Cumberland County, on the south-west. The town is quite hilly, but the eminences are not of great height. Horse Hill, in the north-western part, is the only one that bears a name on the town map. Pigeon Hill, in the south-eastern part, refers to a locality rather than an eminence. The Little Androscoggin River runs through the town from the north-west to south-east. On the way it receives the waters of Thompson, Whitney and Hogan ponds, all lying in the southern part of the town. The first is 8 miles in length by 12 in width, and the others are each near 2 miles in length and { in width. Matthews Pond, with its outlet and its principal feeder form the divid- ing line between this town and Hebron. The Grand Trunk Railway passes through the midst of the town, in the same general line with the river, and has a station (Oxford Depot) a short distance south of the centre. The chief centres of business are Welchville and Oxford Vil-

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lage, both of which have post-offices. At the latter, situated at the outlet of Thompson Pond, are a stave-mill, a flour-mill and the woolen- mills of the Robinson Manufacturing Co., (having three buildings and nine sets of machinery, and employing 150 operatives) and a shovel- handle factory, employing 10 men. At Welchville, on the Little An- droscoggin, are the woolen-mill of the Harper Manufacturing Co., having four sets of machinery, and employing 50 persons; and the mill of the Mousam Manufacturing Co., making leather board, and em- ploying 15 men. Granite shows itself frequently about the elevated ground. The soil varies from light to heavy in the proportion of about one to two, and is generally productive, though there is considerable plains land which has not been found of much value. Birch, maple, beech and oak constitute the forests. Hay is the largest crop, and a due number of cattle are raised. Both the villages and rural districts have the indications of thriftiness, and afford many pleasant scenes to the eye of the traveller.

Oxford originally formed a part of Hebron from which it was in- corporated in 1829. The first settlements were made during the clos- ing years of the Revolution, by Captain Isaac Bolster, from Worces ter; John Caldwell, from Ipswich ; Job and Joseph Cushman and Peter Thayer, from Plymouth; Daniel Whitney, Daniel Bullen, Zadoc and Abraham Dean, Elliot Richmond, Daniel and Asa Bartlett, Nathaniel Fuller, Holmes Thomas, Zebulon Chadbourne, James Soule and James Perry, all from Massachusetts. A valued citizen of the early period was William C. Whitney, who settled here in 1796 and remained until 1840, doing faithful service in several important town affairs. Hon. J. S. Keith, a later citizen, served acceptably in the State Senate, and Hon. John J. Perry, member of Congress for two terms, was long a resident of Oxford. Mr. Perry has recently removed to Portland. This town sent 65 men to aid in the preservation of the Union, of whom 12 were lost. There are 59 persons in town over seventy years of age.

In the Freeland Holmes library of 1,200 volumes, the town has an intellectual treasure of which the people do not fail to avail themselves. Oxford has eleven public schoolhouses, one of which is among the best in the county. The value of the school property is $6,000. The Con- gregationalists have an excellent church, and the Methodists have two. There are also two Advent societies in the town. The population in 1870 was 1,631. In 1880 it was 1,655. The valuation in 1870 was $514,049. In 1880 it was $483,246. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 4 8-10 cents on the dollar.

Oxford County occupies about two-thirds of our New England border, having a length of about 100 miles. Lying in near neighborhood with the White Hills of New Hampshire, Oxford County is emphatically the hill-region of Maine. Though it does not contain the highest eminences in the State, it presents more lofty peaks than any other equal extent of territory in New England. Among the most noted we should mention Mount Pleasant in Denmark, about 2,000 feet in height, and peculiar in its isolation, Speckled Mountain in Trafton and Streaked Mountain in Buckfield, striking in their appearance ; and Mount Mica in Paris, noted for the variety and beauty of its minerals. Granite, largely in the form of gneiss, underlies most of the county.

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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.

Silver, gold, lead, zinc, arsenic, plumbago and iron are found in various places, also many varieties of valuable minerals. Tokens of former extensive action of water is shown everywhere in the excavation of valleys and the deposit of drift, while the bed rock, when uncovered, often exhibits glacial or drift markings. The soil in general is a gravelly loam, resting usually upon a solid bed of coarse gravel called " pan." It is generally productive. Along the streams are many broad tracts of interval, with a soil of mingled vegetable and mineral matter, formed by the overflow waters in spring and autumn. The great pine- trees, which were formerly numerous in all parts of the county, have been largely cut off, but there still remain, especially in northern and western parts, heavy growths of spruce, hemlock, rock-maple, beech and birch. The scenery of Oxford County is unsurpassed of its kind. Lofty and snowclad peaks, with almost impassable glens between, have their peculiar and thrilling attraction ; but the peaceful verdure of great woods, grassy valleys, rich meadows, hillsides enlivened with flocks and herds, shining streams, and sky-repeating ponds, with occa- sional breeze-swept eminences, affording wide views of the surrounding beauties, hold the regard of the lover of nature for a longer time, and are more restorative in their influences.

Oxford County contains the larger portion of the lakes which form the source of the Androscoggin River, which also runs for nearly one- third of its length through the midst of the county. In the central portion of the county lie the ponds from which the Little Androscoggin takes its rise. By numerous turnings and windings, the beautiful Saco River confers on this county, in its southern portion, about one half its length.

The Androscoggin Lakes, lying in unsettled territory in this and adjacent divisions, can best be noticed in this connection. The aggre- gate area of these lakes is nearly 80 square miles. They lie on the western part of the great elevated plateau of Maine. Their altitude above the sea is as follows :- Rangely, 1,511 feet ; Mooselucmaguntic, 1,486 ; Richardson, 1,456; Umbagog, 1,256. Jataska, at the extreme head-waters of the Mississippi River, has an elevation of only 64 feet more than Rangely, 75 miles from the sea. Rangely Lake, the first large body of water in this series, lies wholly in Franklin County, and has been partially described in the article on the town of Rangely. We may mention here, however, that this lake is some 10 miles from one extreme to the other, and about 12 miles in extreme width, with an area of 14 square miles. Rangely has its name from an English gentleman who for several years resided with his family in the seclu- sion of its northern shore. The Indian name was Oquossoc, perpet- uated in the name of an angling association, by one of their camps, a hotel, and a steamer that plies upon these lakes. Cupsuptic Lake, at the north-west of Rangely, and separated from it only by Bald Mountain and a narrow isthmus at its base, has an area of 3 square miles. On this lake where it receives the waters of Rangely Lake, is " Indian Rock." Cupsuptic River, the principal feeder of this lake, has its source in Canadian soil. Great Lake or Mooselucmaguntic, lying south of the last, and south-west of Rangely, is the largest of this chain of lakes. It is about 9 miles in length, and about 3} in the broadest part and 1} in the narrowest. Its area is 21 square miles. On its outlet, the Richardson Lake Dam Company have their " Upper Dam," the

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OXFORD COUNTY.

" Lower Dar " being on the outlet of Lower Richardson Lake. This dam is situated about midway of the rapid stream between the lakes, and is a vast and ponderous rampart of wood and iron, whose purpose is to hold back the waters of the upper lakes, in order to control the supply for manufacturing purposes. The ownership of the water priv- ilege of these lakes is in the Union Water Power Company, at Lewiston. Next, at the outlet of Great Lake, about 2 miles to the south-west, is Upper Richardson, or Molechunkemunk Lake, having a length of some 5 miles and a breadth varying from 2 to 3 miles, with an area of 10 square miles. Still south-west of this and connected by a broad, quiet stream, is the lower Richardson, or Welokenabacook Lake. This is a little larger in each direction than Upper Richardson, and has an area of 11.15 square miles. On its outlet is the Middle Dam. It discharges into Umbagog Lake, on the line between Mame and New Hampshire, which is the last in this series of lakes. Its length is nearly 11 miles, its greatest width about 3}, and its least, 1} miles. Its area is 18 square miles. About a mile west of the lake its outlet receives the waters of Megalloway River, and here the stream of the Androscoggin is fully formed. About 3 miles below this junction is Errol Dam, the lowest landing-place of the lake steamers.

The Megalloway has its rise in Parmachene Lake, some 25 miles north of Umbagog. An interesting locality on these lakes is " Indian Rock," which has long been a well-known fishing-place and camp. A national post-office is now established here under the name. A short distance up the stream is Indian Eddy, and just below it on the op- posite side, sparkling Kennebago River comes in. Almost in view from the outlet are Kennebago Falls; and in the space between the mouth and Cupsuptic Lake, is located Camp Kennebago, with a hotel and all necessary appurtenances. This establishment is the property of the Oquossoc Angling Association. The course of the Kennebago is dotted with ponds, one of which is Kennebago Lake, some 15 miles from Rangely. This river has its rise a few miles east of the southern- most point of the British Dominion on this side of Maine, in a group of seven ponds lying near each other .* At the extremity of the south- ern area of Lower Richardson Lake is McAlister's Camp and the steamboat wharf for this part of the lake,-connecting with a carriage road to Andover Corner, distant about 15 miles.

The Indians of Oxford County were all of the Abenaki nation. They were the Anasagunticooks and the Sokokis tribes. The first was a powerful tribe who occupied the entire valley of the Androscoggin to Merrymeeting Bay, and were quite fierce and warlike. The Sokokis are regarded as the most ancient tribe in Maine. The clan or branch, which dwelt in Oxford County was known under the name of Pequakets.

Soon after the downfall of the French power in the north relieved the inhabitants of the northern border from the fear of Indian wars, attention turned more strongly to the lands of Maine. In 1762 a township of land on Saco River was granted to Gen. Joseph Frye, a native of Andover, Mass., and a distinguished soldier during the French and Indian wars. This was the first grant made within the limits of Oxford County, and received the name of Fryeburg. Its set- tlement began the following year. Other grants followed, and settle-

* For further in regard to this region see Rangely, and Greenvale and Lincoln plantations.

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ments were made in Waterford, Bethel, Rumford, Paris, Hebron, Buckfield, and others in succession. The territory now embraced by the county of Oxford was originally embraced in York, as, in fact, was also the whole of Maine. In 1760 Cumberland County was formed, embracing the whole of the present Oxford, with the exception of a few western towns. Oxford County was formed by an act approved March 4, 1805, from portion of York and Cumberland, Paris being fixed upon in the act as the shire town. The southern tier of towns in the county, were Turner, Hebron, Norway, Waterford, Lovell, Den- mark, Hiram and Porter, and included all the territory north of these towns, between New Hampshire on the west and Kennebec County on the east, to Canada. In 1838 the county of Franklin received five towns and a large number of plantations from Oxford, constituting more than half its territory. In 1854 it relinquished two towns to form Androscoggin County. It now has 35 towns and 3 organized plantations. Its area is about 1700 square miles.

The Grand Trunk Railway was extended through the county in 1850; previous to which time the people were accommodated by a stage-line to Portland, which made trips each way twice a week, and farmers carried their produce to Portland with their teams. The Rumford Falls and Buckfield Railroad connects with the Grand Trunk at Mechanic Falls, but at present has not been built beyond Canton Point. Below Mechanic Falls, the Lewiston and Auburn Railroad connects, forming a branch to Lewiston.

Oxford County has two agricultural societies, both in a prosperous condition. They are the Oxford County society, its grounds lying between Norway and South Paris villages, West Oxford having its fair ground at Fryeburg. The East Oxford society is now extinct. This county has 350 public school-houses; and the school property is valued at $117,000. The population in 1870 was 33,488. In 1880 it was 32,625. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $9,794,066. In 1880 it was $10,058,554.

Palermo, the south-western town of Waldo County, has Montville and Liberty on the east, Freedom in Waldo, and Albion in Kennebec County on the north, China on the west, and Somerville in Lincoln, and Washington in Knox County on the south. This town is about 8₺ miles long N.N.E. and S.S.W., and about 5} miles in width. The surface is generally varied with hills and dales ; and hav- ing good roads, is extremely pleasant for summer drives. Sheepscot Great Pond, 1} square miles in area, lies in the southern part of the town. Branch Pond, on the north-western border, is the next in size ; and scattered over the town are numerous smaller ones. The soil is good, consisting mainly of a gravelly loam. The inhabitants are prin- cipally devoted to agriculture. The largest village is Branch Mills (Palermo P. O.), but a portion of it is in the adjoining town of China. It is situated on the outlet of Branch Pond on the western line. There are at this place eight mills manufacturing boards, shingles, staves and headings. At North Palermo is a manufactory of drag-rakes; at the Centre is a board and shingle-mill, and a stone quarry ; at East Palermo are two lumber-mills. This town is 25 miles west of Belfast, on the stage-route to Augusta,-the latter being about 18 miles distant. Vassalboro is the nearest railroad station.

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PARIS.

Palermo was earliest known as Sheepscot Great Pond, from the body of water in the southern part of the town through which the Sheepscot River runs, and around which were the first settlements. The petition for incorporation was presented in 1801, and set forth among other things that they had . a great proportion of roads to make and maintain within their bounds, and 10 miles of road at least out of their limits, which road led to the head of navigation on Sheepscot River, their nearest market.' Among the 55 signers of this petition were Gabriel Hamilton, Jacob Greely, Jabez Lewis, James Dennis, William C. Hay, Joseph Whittier, Charles Lewis, Samuel and Stephen Longfellow, John Gliddon and Joseph Bowler. The township was surveyed in August, 1800, by William Davis. The act of incorporation was passed June 23, 1804.

The churches in this town are those of the Baptists, Free Baptists, and Methodists. The number of public schoolhouses is 13; and their value is set at $3,500. The population in 1870 was 1,223. In 1880 it was 1,118. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $241,433. In 1880 it was $254,966.

Palmyra lies in the south-western part of Somerset County, 20 miles east by north-east from Skowhegan. It is bounded on the north by St. Albans, south by Detroit and Pittsfield, and west by the latter and Hartland ; on the east, it is bounded by Newport in Penob- scot County. There are six ponds shown on the county map, three of which are very small. Palmyra Village lies at the centre of the town on a stream connecting two ponds,-one just north-east, the other near by on the south-west of the village. There is water-power on this stream at the village, occupied by a shingle-mill. Others are on Madawaska and Indian streams. Sebasticook River, the outlet of Moose Pond in Hartland, runs through the western part of the town, but has no considerable fall in Palmyra. The occupation of the people is almost wholly agricultural. The surface of the town is rolling, but without high hills. The soil is quite productive, especially in hay and grain. Large stocks of cattle are kept, and most farmers have saved money. The roads are generally good, and the scenes are pleasant to look upon. A stage-line from the Maine Central Railroad station in Pittsfield passes through Palmyra to Cambridge, and the village is also the terminus of the daily mail-stage to Newport.

This township was purchased of Massachusetts by a Mr. Barnard of New Hampshire, for 12} cents an acre, and subsequently sold by him to Dr. John Warren of Boston; and in 1798, it was surveyed by Samuel Weston. The first settler was Daniel Gale, who removed his family here in 1800. The town was incorporated in 1807, and in 1824 a national post-office was established here.

There are Christian, Free Baptist, Methodist and Advent societies in the town, and also a Union Church edifice. The number of public schoolhouses is 15, having a value of $5,000. The population in 1870 was 1,322. In 1880 it was 1,271. The valuation in 1870 was $347,097. In 1880 it was $357,461.

Paris is an interesting town in the south-eastern part of Oxford County, of which it is the capital. It is 46 miles N.N.W. of Portland on the Grand Trunk Railway. Woodstock bounds it on the north,

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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.

Sumner, Buckfield and Hebron on the east, Oxford on the south, Norway and Greenwood on the west. Its length north-west and south-east is nearly 12 miles, the width is about 6 miles, and its area some 70 square miles. The surface is quite uneven. Streaked Mountain, just over its eastern line, is the highest elevation ; but there are numerous high hills within the town,-as Spruce, Cobble, Jump-Off and Berry Ledge hills in the north part of the town,-Ones, Paris and Crocker's hills and Mount Mica in the middle,-and Singepole and Number Four hills in the southern part. The little Androscoggin River runs through the whole length of the town, and near it, for the whole distance, lies the track of the Grand Trunk Railway. The principal tributaries to this river within the town are the outlet to Moose Pond in the north- eastern part, Stone's Brook, near the middle, and Stony Brook, which enters the river at South Paris Village. Another sheet of water called Hall's Pond lies in the south-eastern part of the town.

There is much beautiful scenery in Paris, and the roads are excel. lent. The principal villages are South Paris, Paris Hill, West and North Paris. Snow's Falls, on the river, toward the north part of the town, received their name from the tragic death near them of a man named Snow, who was hunting there. Paris Hill, near the centre of the town, is the most elevated village in the county,-and probably in the State. The open square on the hilltop, upon which the county buildings stand, presents an aspect at once rural, elegant, and from its command- ing view, impressive. The village is a healthy location, and a favorite summer resort. Before the days of railroads this was a very thriving place.

At South Paris the Norway Branch Railway forms a junction with the main line of the Grand Trunk. On the falls here are mills con- taining flouring, board, shingle, planing and barrel machinery. Here also is an iron foundry and machine-shop, and other small manu- factures. The other station on the Grand Trunk is West Paris, in the north-western part of the town, where is a good water-power, improved by a flouring mill. There is also a furniture-factory driven by steam- power. At North Paris a water-power is supplied by the outlet of Moose Pond (about & of a mile square), upon which a grist-mill was erected very soon after the first settlement of the place, and has been occupied ever since. Altogether the town has twelve powers,-all improved and occupied. There are three grist-mills, and factories making agricultural implements, railroad wheelbarrows, sleds and child's carriages, bed- steads, wooden boxes, brackets, coopers' ware, chairs (two factories), shoes, canned vegetables, paper pulp, and leather board, mowing- machines, metal work, ground plaster, etc. The soil of this town is of every variety, but there is very little clay. For pasturage and hay crops, it excels .- being one of the best stock and dairy farm towns in the State. There are many large apple orchards, which have been a source of large income. The first apple and pear tree were brought by Lemuel Jackson from Massachusetts in 1780.

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Gazetteer of the state of Maine, Part 52

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