Gazetteer of the state of Maine, Part 58

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

USA > Maine > Gazetteer of the state of Maine > Part 58

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Prentiss lies at the eastern border of Penobscot County, 75 miles north-east of Bangor. Drew Plantation bounds it on the north, Webster Plantation on the west, Carroll Plantation on the south, and

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a township of Washington County on the east. Mattagordus Stream and Mud Brook with their branches furnish drainage; and each has one or more good powers. On Mud Brook near where it is crossed by the second road to Drew Plantation is a saw-mill manufacturing long and short lumber. The soil is a yellow loam, yielding well of the usual farm crops.

This was formerly Township No. 7, Range 3, north of Bingham's Penobscot purchase. It was incorporated Feb. 27, 1858, and was named for Hon. Henry E. Prentiss, at one time mayor of Bangor, who owned most of the township. Prentiss has five public schoolhouses. The entire school property is valued at $2,400. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $54,385. In 1880 it was $67,789.

Presque Isle lies in the second range of townships in Aroostook County, a few miles south of Aroostook River. It is bounded on the north by Maysville, south by Westfield Plantation, east by Easton, and west by Chapman and Mapleton plantations. The Presque Isle Stream enters on the west side of the town and leaves it on the north. Presque Isle Village, the principal centre of business, is situated on the stream near the northern line. In the southern part, a little west of a middle line, in Quaggy Joe Lake, one mile in length, having Arnold Brook as an outlet. On this, near the pond, is the small village of Spragueville. South by south-west of the village is the four-peaked "Green Mountain," lying in a true north and south line. The middle of the town generally is elevated, and there are still ex- tensive forests in the western, southern and eastern parts. There is a lumber and a cabinet mill at Spragueville, and at Presque Isle Village are two lumber-mills, a grist-mill, a wool-carding mill, furniture, car- riage, tinware factories, and other small manufactures. This town is 42 miles north by north-west of Houlton, on the stage-line to Caribou. It is also the terminus of stage-lines to Ashland, Washburn and Fort Fairfield. At the village is published "The North Star," a lively sheet, at present Greenback in politics. The publishers are F. G. Parker & Co.

This town was incorporated April 4, 1859. It has a good high- school in Presque Isle Village, and its schoolhouses number nine, and are valued at $3,000. The population in 1870 was 970. In 1880 it was 1,305. The valuation in 1870 was $180,786. In 1880 it was $339,325.

Presumpscot River,-See articles on Cumberland County, Falmouth, Westbrook, Windham, Gorham and Standish.

Pretty Marsh, a post-office, hamlet and harbor in Eden on the western side of Mount Desert Island, Hancock County.

Princeton lies in the eastern part of Washington County, about midway of its length. It is bounded on the north by Indian Township, east by Baileyville, south by Alexandra, and west by No. 21. Shining Lake occupies a large proportion of the south-western part of the town. Big Lake and its outlet, the west branch of St. Croix River form the northern boundary line. On this stream, at the foot of the lakes, lies Princeton Village, the terminus of the St. Croix

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PROSPECT.

and Penobscot railroad. A stage-line to Forest Station connects with the European and North American railway and Lake Navigation'. route from Grand Lake Stream. There are here a large tannery, a woolen mill, two gang saw-mills, shingle-mills and a grist-mill. There are also other small manufactures usually carried on in villages. The chain of lakes which terminate at this point extends some 30 miles north-westerly toward the Penobscot River. When clear of ice they are navigable to the remotest point. A heavy and valuable growth of soft timber still borders their shores, though immense quantities have been cut annually for many years. There is a fish-hatching establish- ment on Grand Lake Stream, and another on Sysladobsis Lake.

Princeton is 44 miles north of Machias, and 20 from Calais. It was formerly Township No. 17, eastern division of Bingham's purchase The first settlements in this town were made in 1815, and on Feb. 3, 1832, it was incorporated. The religious societies are Congregation- alist and Baptist. There are five public schoolhouses in the town, valued, with other school property, at $4,500. The population in 1870 was 1,072. In 1880 it was 1,038. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $180,507. In 1880 it was $176,518.

Prospect lies on the Penobscot River, in the eastern part of Waldo County. Frankfort bounds it on the north, Stockton on the south, and Searsport on the west. It is about six miles in length, east and west, and three miles in width. Perhaps one-fourth the land is suitable for tillage, while the remainder is rocky and mountainous. Heagen Mountain in the north-east and Mack's in the northern part are the highest elevations. Others are French's Hill and Eustis Mountain, in the south-eastern part of the town. Half-moon Pond, on the north- western border is the largest pond. Others are Seavy, Ellis, etc. Grant's River, or the south branch of Marsh River, runs by a very wind- ing course north-easterly through the town. Upon this stream, at the village near the centre of the town, are a lumber mill, and another manufacturing lumber and cooper's ware. Near by is the Prospect and Stockton cheese factory. The rock along the river is porphyritic. There is much old growth forest still remaining. In the north-eastern part of the town is a marsh, having an area of two or three hundred acres. In the vicinity of Fort Knox, a short distance above the ferry to Bucksport, lead ore has been exhumed. A superstition prevailed here, many years ago, that valuable treasures had been hidden by pirates at " Cod Lead," a gravel mound near the north line of the town, directly east of Mosquito Mountain ; and there was an immense amount of digging without profit.

Prospect is 14 miles north-east of Belfast and Bangor stage-line. This town was incorporated February 24, 1794. The name was sug- gested by its beautiful views. As incorporated, it was about 17 miles in length from north to south. In 1845 a large proportion of the town on the west and south-west was set off from Searsport; and in 1857 Stockton was formed from the southern portion of the remaining terri- tory. .

The first notable event in the history of this region was the con- truction of a small fortification called Fort Pownal on the spot now known as Fort Point. Stockton now embraces this locality. The

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fortification was garrisoned with 100 men ; but on the downfall of the French power in the north, the number was reduced to a mere guard. At the opening of the Revolution, the fort was in charge of Colonel Goldthwait, who was superintendant of the valuable traffic with the Indians of this place. In March, 1775, Captain Mowatt, notorious for his cruel bombardment and burning of Falmouth (Portland), a few months later sailed up the river, and transferred to his vessel all the heavy guns and the ammunition.

The first inhabitants, some of whom had been soldiers in the French and Indian wars, settled near this fort. John Odom, who built the first mill on the Penobscot River, settled at Sandy Point about three miles above the fort. Other early inhabitants were a Mr. Clifford, Mr. Treas two or three named Colson, and Charles Curtis, from whom Curtis Point has its name.

" Captain John Odom, a grandson of the pioneer of the same name was a resident of this town. He was born March, 1787, and followed the sea 45 years. He was impressed, when a young man into the British service, and was present at the battle of Corunna, in Spain, when Sir John Moore was killed. In this battle he was useful in carrying off the wounded and attending to their wants. He obtained his release from the British service soon after and returned home in 1811. Coolidge and Mansfield's History and Description of New England. Art. Pros- pect."

The National government a few years before the war of the Rebellion erected at East Prospect a superior fortification of stone, which received the name of Fort Knox,* in honor of General Knox, who had been so large a proprietor in this region. The principal villages and the post- offices are Prospect village and the Ferry.

The principal religious society in this town is the Free Baptist. The number of public schoolhouses is seven, valued at $4,400. The population in 1870 was 886. In 1880 it was 770. The valuation in 1870 was $184,492. In 1880 it was $166,224.

Prospect Harbor, post office and small village in Goulds borough, Hancock County.

Rangeley is situated near the middle of the western side of Franklin County. Dallas plantation bounds it on the east, Rangeley plantation on the south, and a part of Oxford County on the west. The area is 25,792 acres. The southern third of the town, almost from the eastern to the western line, a distance of eight miles, is occupied by Rangeley Lake. On the north-eastern angle of the lake and three miles north of Greenvale is " Rangeley City," the village of the town. On the south-eastern angle is the steamer-landing in Greenvale village, at the

* Fort Knox has no garrison. It is in charge of old Sergeant Walker, a veteran who was a favorite of General Scott, and is therefore kept in service. The fort is constructed of granite from Mount Waldo, and it is massive and solid as the rocks on which it rests. Begun in 1846, it is not yet completed, as work on it has long since ceased, and will pro- bably never be resumed. Costing about a million dollars, it stands a monument of human folly ; for the recent advance in the science of war is such that it would be scarcely more effective in time of danger than an ancient feudal castle of the Middle Ages. A walk through its winding passages and long encircling rifle-gallery is interesting to the visitor, if not wearisome .- Crocker & Howard's Ilist. of New England, p. 126, note.

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head of the lake. At the western end is Bald Mountain, constituting the divide between Rangeley and Mooselucmaguntic lakes. Its height is about 4,000 feet above the level of the sea. The head of Rangeley Lake is itself 1512 feet above tide-water. The other principal sheets of water in the town are Quimby, Dodge and Round ponds, each about one mile in length. Indian Rock, a noted fishing place, is situated at the extreme west of the town, where the outlet of Rangeley Lake discharges into Cupsuptic Lake. A post-office was recently established here.

Rangeley village contains above 20 dwelling houses, two stores, a post office, a carriage shop, two blacksmith shops, a boat-builder's shop, a saw-mill, shoe shop, and two hotels,-one being quite.large. One of these mills is run by steam-power. Excellent boats for use in the region are constructed here. The nearest railroad station is that of the Sandy River Railroad at Phillips.

The most numerous varieties of trees in this town are spruce, birch and maple. The soil is in some parts loam, in others, somewhat marly. The crops cultivated with success are wheat, oats, barley and potatoes. Much lumbering is done in the region, and summer tourists also afford considerable profit. Rangeley was incorporated as a town in 1855. It has its name from an English gentleman, who, having emigrated to New York, by some of his business transactions became unintentionally the proprietor of the tract. After a few pioneer families had made clearings and erected cabins, he visited the place, and was so well pleased with this piece of wilderness that he undertook to reproduce the English system of landlord and tenant here. He erected a two- story mansion of good architecture in a beautiful situation, and removed thither with his accomplished family. He found little sympathy and some opposition among the increasing community, but persevered in the erection of mills and opening of roads, securing the rapid develop ment of a flourishing settlement. The attention of the settlers was largely turned to grazing, and they soon found a sale for their surplus cattle at their own doors. When lumbering increased there was a ready market for their hay. The Niles and Toothaker families are peculiarly worthy of mention for their exertions in developing the latent resources of northern Franklin.

Mr. Rangeley continued to reside at the lake for fifteen years, ob- serving in social life much of the form and ceremony practised by the English nobility. His daughter dying, he at length sold his property here, and with his wife, removed to Portland, where they resided for several years. From thence he removed to Henry County, N.C., where hedied. Rangeley sent 10 men to the aid of the Union in the war of the Rebellion, losing four. The town has four public schoolhouses and its entire school property is valued at $2,400. The value of estates in 1870 was $75,239. In 1880 it was $103,241. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 11 mills on $1. The population in 1870 was 313. In 1880 it was 180.

Rangeley Lakes, see articles on Rangeley and Oxford County.

Rangeley Plantation is situated on the south side of Rangeley Lake and of the town of Rangeley, with Greenvale and Sandy River Plantations on the east. The area is about 25,000 acres. The

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principal elevation of land is Beaver Mountain, 500 feet in height. The Mountain and Beaver ponds are the largest sheets of water, their size varying from five to fifty acres. There are several streams -the outlet from these ponds,-which empty into Rangeley Lake. There is a great deal of pudding-stone rock in the township. The soil is a gravelly loam. Wheat is the chief crop. There is a large extent of forest, and the usual variety of trees. The only manufactures are of lumber. There is one lumber-mill using a circular saw, which cuts 500 feet of boards per hour. The settlements are at the north- ern and eastern part of the township, near the head of Rangeley Lake. The nearest railroad station is at Phillips, 18 miles distant. The nearest post-office is Greenvale.

This plantation was formerly No. 3, Range 1, W. B. K. P. It was organized in 1859. The plantation has one public schoolhouse, valued, together with other public property, at $200. The valuation in 1880 was $16,408. The rate of taxation in 1880 was 53 mills on the dollar. The population in 1860 was 46; in 1870, 45; in 1880, 447.

Raymond in Cumberland County is situated on the north- eastern shore of Lake Sebago, sending a long curving cape into the lake. At the end of the cape is Fry's Island. The body of water enclosed by the cape and island is called Jordan Bay. Gray bounds Raymond on the south-east, Casco, on the north-west, New Gloucester and Poland in Androscoggin County on the north-east. The surface of the town is uneven. Rattlesnake Mountain is the highest elevation of land. The soil is hard, gravelly, and many parts quite stony. The town has been noted for its abundance of white oak. There are five ponds partly or wholly within the town,-Nubble, at the north-east cor- ner, Little Rattlesnake west of it, Great Rattlesnake, near the western border, Panther Pond in the south-western part, and Thomas Pond at the south-west corner. The centres of business are North Raymond, East Raymond, and Raymond village, the last being the principal one. On Panther River, at the latter place are lumber, stave, grain and plaster mills, and a children's sled factory. At Dry Mills P. O., is a sugar-shook mill; at each East Raymond and South Casco P. O., are a sugar-shook and stave-mill. Raymond is 20 miles north of Portland, on the stage line to Bridgton; also on the stage line from East Ray- mond to Gray station on the Maine Central Railroad. Raymond was the home of Nathaniel Hawthorne, the distinguished novelist, during his boyhood.

This township was granted by Massachusetts to Captain " illiam Raymond and Company, in 1767, in consideration of their services in the expedition to Canada, under Sir William Phips. It also comprised the territory of Casco, until the incorporation of that town in 1341. Captain Joseph Dingley commenced the settlement of Raymond in 1771; but few families came until after the Revolution. It was incor- porated in 1803, taking its name from Captain Raymond. It was first represented in General Court in 1810, by Samuel Leach. The first church was Free Baptist, gathered in 1792. The town has now also a Methodist and a Congregational church. Raymond has eleven public schoolhouses, valued at $3,200. The valuation of estates in the town in 1870 was 8229,121. In 1880 it was $227,213. The population in 1870 was 1,120. By the census of 1880, it was 1,132.

JOHNSON,DYEBA

Bearce Hall.

Sampson Hall.

MAINE WESLEYAN SEMINARY AND FEMALE COLLEGE, KENT'S HILL.

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Readfield is situated a little south-west of the centre of Kenne- bec County, on the line of the Maine Central Railway between Lewiston and Waterville. It is bounded on the east by the narrow town of Manchester, which alone separates it from Augusta, north by Mount Vernon and Belgrade, west by Fayette and Wayne, and south by Winthrop. Maranocook Pond and Torsey Pond with their connecting stream divide the town a little west of the middle. Lovejoy's Pond occupies the southern half of the western line, and the eastern branch of Crotched Pond a portion of the same line on its northern half. In the south-eastern part of the town lies the larger portion of Carlton's Pond. There are post-offices at Readfield Corner, Kent's Hill and Readfield Depot. East Readfield, at the south-west of the town, has a Methodist church and a schoolhouse, with a small collection of dwel- lings, forming a pleasant street. Readfield Corner, a little west of the centre of the town, on the stream which discharges the waters of Greely Pond into Lake Maranocook, is the principal business place. There is here a fall of 40 feet in 160 rods, furnishing the power for the woolen factory of the Readfield Manufacturing Company, a sash and blind factory, etc. Beside the railway, there is a daily stage-line to Augusta, about 12 miles distant. In 1825 an educational institution called the Maine Wesleyan Seminary was instituted on Kent's Hill in this town, under the auspices of the Methodists. In 1852 it became also a college for young women. Both the seminary and college have taken high rank among our literary institutions, and received a good share of patronage. Kent's Hill is said to have taken its name from a family of early settlers. Another early settler was Joshua Bean, who was a large landholder in the town. Others of these pioneers are John Hubbard, Robert Page, Christopher Turner, Josiah Mitchell, Joseph Williams, Dudley Haines, Josiah Hall, Peter Noyes, Warren Kent, three brothers named Whittier, John Grey, Ichabod Simmons, John Gage, Jeremiah Glidden, Pearly Hoyt and Peter Norton. Jonathan G. Hunton, one of our State governors, resided and prac- ticed law for a time in Readfield. Hon. Anson P. Morrill, formerly governor of Maine, and later, a member of Congress, resides at Read- field Corner, being largely interested in the manufactures.

Readfield was formerly a part of Winthrop, from which it was set off and incorporated in 1791. The surface of the town is generally undulating, and the soil productive. For stock-raising and dairying, it is in the first rank in the State. The fairs of the Kennebec Agri- cultural Society, when held here, are always successful.

There are three Methodist churches and a Universalist church in the town. Readfield has nine public schoolhouses, valued at $6,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $589,171. In 1880 it was $499,089. The population in 1870 was 1456. By the census of 1880 it was 1,243.

Red Beach, a post-office and small village mu Calais, Wash- ington County

Reed Plantation lies in the southern range of townships in the eastern part of Androscoggin County. Bancroft Plantation bounds it on the east, Greenwood on the north and Macwahoc Planta- tion and Township 1, Range 3, on the west. The principal water- courses are Wytopitlock Stream in the western part, and Mattawam-

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RICHMOND.

keag River in the eastern. The European and North American Rail- way passes through the south-eastern part of the town, where it has a station. The plantation is 36 miles south by north-west from Houlton, and 80 miles north-east of Bangor, on the military road. The stage- line from Mattawamkeag to Haynesville passes through the north- eastern part of the township. The settlements are in the western part on this road, and along the railway where it is near the Mattawam- keag.

The first settler was John Clifford, who removed here from Dover, in 1830. There are two public schoolhouses, and the school-property is valued at $225. The population in 1870 was 54. In 1880 it was 109. The valuation in 1880 was $45,451.

Richardson Lakes, see articles on Rangeley and Oxford County.

Richmond, the most northerly town of Sagadahoc County, is situated on the west bank of the Kennebec River, 17 miles south of Augusta and 12 miles north of Bath by water. The Main Central railroad passes through the town near the river, having a station at the village in the south-east part of the town, and flag stations at Iceboro' and the Camp-ground. Gardiner bounds it on the north, Bowdoinham on the south, Dresden on the east and Litchfield on the west. In dimensions, the town is about 5} by 6 miles. The surface is rolling with moderate hills. Preble, Wilson, and Mount Tom hills are the prin- cipal elevations. Cobbossee Contee, or Pleasant Pond, with its southern feeder, forms the western boundary of the town. The pond is about five miles in length, but is scarcely more than half a mile wide at its widest part. Abagadasset River rises in the north western part and runs south- ward through the town. Mill Brook is the principal stream in the eastern part of the town, discharging into the Kennebec at the village, in south-eastern part of the town. Richmond Mineral Spring is highly esteemed by some. The rock is generally granitic in its character. The soil is largely clay, and rather hard to work. Hay and potatoes constitute the chief crops for export. Oak, beech, birch, maple, elm, spruce, fir and pine are all abundant. Elm, maple and willow are numerous along the village streets. At the village are the shoe factory of Richmond Manufacturing Association, employing when full 600 hands, a brass foundry, a large saw and planing mill, four ship-yards, a furniture factory, a sail-loft, bakery, edge-tool shops, etc. Here, also, is a good library of above 2,500 volumes belonging to the Richmond Library Association, but accessible to the public. Richmond has the usual social and charitable institutions, and there is also a loan and building association, which has aided to increase the buildings and business of the town. There are one savings and two national banks.

In 1649, one Christopher Lawson purchased of the Indians a tract of land on the western side of the Kenebec, extending from the mouth of the stream falling into the river near the head of Swan Island (town of Perkins) to the mouth of the Cobbossee Contee, and back from the Kennebec 10 miles. In 1650, this tract was sold by Lawson to Clark and Lake. It is about equally divided between Richmond and Gardiner. In 1719-20 a fortification bearing the name "Fort Richmond," was erected within the present limits of Richmond Village,

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which was dismantled in 1754, when the forts Shirley, Western and Halifax were built further up the river. Its purpose was to facilitate trade with the Indians, and at the same time to afford security to the settlers against them. It was sharply assailed by the savages in 1722, and again in 1750. On the incorporation of Bowdoinham in 1762, the territory now comprising Richmond was embraced in it, which brought on a violent contest between the claimants under the Plymouth Patent and those who held under Lawson's purchase.

Among former residents of note were Nathaniel Langdon, William Pitt, formerly the owner of nearly all the territory of the town ; M. S. Hagar, Ezra Abbott, Robert B. Street, P. M. Foster, noted lawyers of their time ; F. R. Theobald, William H. Sturtevant, J. T. Harward, Jabez R. Blanchard, Ambury Southard, successful ship-masters ; J. C. Boynton, D. W. C. Chamberlain, physicians ; John Toothaker, Thomas Spear, William Patten, extensive ship-builders ; Geo. H. Hatch, Geo. H. Thomas, J. J. Hathorn, Charles White, Henry Darrah, merchants ; Low Curtis, Ambrose Curtis, Samuel Harlow, Benj. Randall, James B. Beedle, wealthy farmers. The centenarian of the town, was Frederick Bates, who died a few years since at the age of 100 years and 3 months. Aaron Davis, Nicholas Gaubert, Nathaniel Tebbetts, James Wood- worth, Charles Blanchard, Peter Cooper, Samuel Allen, soldiers of the war of 1812, and pensioners, are now living and upward of 80 years of age. There are nine other persons above this age, and the number who are between 70 and 80 is large.

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Gazetteer of the state of Maine, Part 58

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