USA > Maine > Gazetteer of the state of Maine > Part 61
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Salisbury Cove, a post-office in Hancock County.
Sandy Bay Plantation is in a triangular township in Somerset County, on the Canada line. It is bounded by Bald Moun- tain Plantation on the east, Dennestown on the south, and by Canada on the north-west side. Its inhabitants, in 1880, consisted of two families, whose occupation was principally farming. It is 93 miles from Skowhegan on the Canada road.
Sandy Creek, a post-office in Cumberland County.
Sandy Point, a post-office in Stockton, Waldo County.
Sandy River Plantation, in Franklin County, is bounded on the east by Madrid, on the west by Rangeley Plantation, on the north by Greenvale, and on the south by Letter E. The area is 21,000 acres. The principal feature of this township is the line of ponds which extend from the western side nearly two-thirds of the way to the eastern. Four of these are connected with Sandy River and form its source. Along the southern shores of these ponds passes the Sandy River road, which connects Rangeley with the railroad at
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Phillips, about 12 miles distant. The principal settlements are along the road near these ponds. Scarcely more than a stone's throw from the most westerly of the ponds is Long Pond, a source of the An- droscoggin River,-so near do the sources of these streams approach each other. The pond is situated in the middle of the woods, and is about a mile in extent, and a very pretty sheet of water. An arm of it extends within a few feet of the stage-road, which passes to the north of it. The manufactures of this plantation, so far as reported, consist wholly of lumber.
The plantation takes its name from the river of which it contains the head-water. It was owned by the Oquossoc Angling Association, which was incorporated in 1870, and now numbers some seventy members. Most of these reside in the vicinity of New York City. The principal establishments of the association are on Lake Kennebago, in the second township north of Rangeley, and upon its outlet. The ponds and streams of this township abound in trout.
The valuation of the plantation in 1880 was $8,400.
Sanford, in York County, is the western portion of a tract of land purchased in 1661 by Major William Phillips of the Indian chiefs Fluellen, Captain Sunday and Hobinowell. It was confirmed by Gorges to the major or his son Nathan, in 1670. In 1696, Mrs. Phillips willed it to her former husband's son, Peleg Sanford, from whom the name is derived. It was at first called Phillipstown. Sanford was surveyed in 1734, and settlement commenced in 1740. The northern part of the town was settled in 1745 by Captain David Morrison. He purchased the lot containing the mill privileges above Springvale, and built a house and saw-mill. The record of a town meeting, held in 1770, show that the chief business of the meeting was to authorize the employment of a minister and schoolmaster for three months. The first mention of any ministerial service is that of a marriage by Rev. Peltiah Tingley, a Baptist, in 1774. Tradition says that the first preaching in town was from the top of a high rock which is to be seen on the road from South Sanford to Alfred.
It is said that Louis Philippe, afterward King of France, once stopped at the Old Colonel Emery House, in South Sanford. A bed in the house is still pointed out as the king's bed. The royal heir vis ited in Maine for several weeks about 1790.
The town has Alfred and Kennebunk on the east of its irregular outline, Alfred and Shapleigh on the north, Wells and North Berwick on the south, and Lebanon and North Berwick on the west. It is 10 miles long by 5 wide. The area is 17,921 acres, exclusive of water surface. Springvale, in the northern part of the town, is the principal business centre. It is on the Portland and Rochester railroad, 36 miles from Portland. Other villages are South Sanford and Sanford villages, near the centre of the town.
The principal body of water is Bonny Bigg Pond. Smaller ones are Sand Pond, Picture Pond, Deering and Littlefield's ponds. The Mousam River runs through the town longitudinally, furnishing within its limits seventeen powers. On the power at Sanford village are three woolen mills and a saw-mill. Among the products are carpets, and robes and blankets for sleighs. At Springvale are the cotton factory of the Springvale Mill Company, two lumber-mills, a grist-mill, and a
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shoe factory. Springvale lies in a valley, the hills rising about it on all sides. The village derives its name from a large spring of pure water, which flows out just below the grist-mill.
The numerous woods, hills and ponds afford a varied and attractive scenery. Beaver Hill and Mount Hope are the greatest eminences. The rock is granite and mica-schist. The southern portion of the town is nearly level. The soil on the ridge is fertile, but on the plains and the valleys it is inferior. The town boasts as curiosities, old Indian Cave, Wildcat's Rock-from 75 to 150 feet high and quite perpendic- ular-and others.
At Springvale the Calvinist and Free Will Baptists and Christians have each a church ; and the Congregationalists have one at each San- ford Corner, and at South Sanford. The town has a high-school, locat- ed at Springvale. The whole number of schoolhouses is fifteen, and the value of the school property is placed at $10,000. The population in 1870 was 2,397 ; valuation, $560,542. In 1880 the valuation was $654,- 303. In 1880, the population was 2,732. Of this Springvale has 1,116 and Sanford Corner, 558. The number of deaths in 1879 was 23. The number of persons 80 years old and upwards, 22. The oldest man in town is 91 years, and four women are each 89 years of age. There are 180 farms in town, each paying a yearly income of $300 or over.
Sanford has a noble war record. The State gives it credit for only 147 men, but it is known to have sent over 160 into the army and 15 into the navy. Lieutenant-Colonel John Hemingway was its highest officer. The bounties paid averaged about $300. The Springvale Reporter, published every Saturday, is the only newspaper in town. It is a lively sheet, devoted mostly to local news. H. C. Cheever is the publisher.
Sangerville is situated midway of the southern border of Piscataquis County, adjacent to Dover on the west. On the north is Guilford, Parkman forms the western boundary, and on the south is Dexter in Penobscot County. The Bangor and Piscataquis Railway passes near the northern boundary of the town, having a station about 7 miles from that in Dover. North-west and Center ponds are the largest bodies of water within the town, and the Piscataquis River forms its northern boundary. The area of Sangerville is 24,216 acres. The surface is somewhat hilly, and so elevated between the waters of the Kennebec and Penobscot that the water of its three ponds find the ocean through both these streams. The rock is lime- stone and slate. There is less waste land than usual in town, most being good upland, with few stones, and easily cultivated. The prin- cipal centres of business are Sangerville village, East Sangerville and Brockway's Mills. At the first, on the outlet of North-west Pond, are a grist-mill, a saw-mill, a tannery, and two woollen mills. The latter employ each near 50 hands, paying out some ten or twelve hundred dollars monthly. On the outlet of Center Pond, at Brockway's Mills, are two mills for large and small lumber; and on the outlet of Black Stream, which enters the town from Dover, are a saw-mill and shingle machine and a grist-mill. It was on this stream that the first grist-mill in town was built by Phineas Ames, the first settler. He made an opening as early as 1801 or 1802, and moved in his family in the autumn of 1803. James Waymouth was the next settler, and Jesse Brockway
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the third. The proprietor of the township was Col. Calvin Sanger, of Sherborn, Mass., who purchased three-fourths of it as early as 1800, and the remainder soon after. Eben Stevens came in 1805; in 1806 Wil- liam Farnham moved his family in from Norridgewock. Mr. Farnham lived on the south side of Pond Hill, where he started the business of tanning. He brought young apple trees from Garland on his shoulders, and planted the first orchard in town. Among later settlers were Walter Leland, Samuel MeLanathan, Enoch Adams, Eleazer Wood- ward, Guy Carleton and Apollos Pond. Carleton and Dudley com- menced operations where Sangerville village now stands in 1812 or 1813, building there a saw-mill and a grist-mill ; and in 1816 Carle- ton started a carding machine, the first in the Piscataquis valley.
The township was first called Amestown, after the earliest settler. but in 1814 it was incorporated as Sangerville, in honor of the princi- pal proprietor. Elder William Oakes was the youngest of several brothers who came to this town. Soon after Elder Macomber organ- ized the Baptist church, Mr. Oakes was licensed to preach. A noted event in the history of the town is the loss of Daniel Ames' child. No trace of the lost one was ever found, though the entire male population searched for it more or less for days. Some months later a tramp was found carrying a child which he claimed as his own, but it was claimed and taken from him by the bereaved parents, though in several partic- ulars it differed from the one they had lost. Mr. Appleford, the tramp, was prosecuted by the selectmen of the town, but witnesses providen- tially at the trial vindicated the old man, and his child was restored to him, to the great satisfaction of both. The question of the disappear- ance was never satisfactorially answered.
There is a Union meeting-house at the village, and another at Lane's Corner. A bell has been presented to the first by Mr. Cotton Brown, a wealthy farmer and a old resident. The town has a Baptist, Free Baptist and a Methodist society. Sangerville has nine public school- houses, valued at 83,500. The valuation of estates in 1870 was 8316,590. In 1880 it was 8291,603. The population in the same year was 1,140.
Sargentville-a post-office in Hancock County.
Scarborough is the most southerly town of Cumberland County, having its entire eastern width on Spurwink River and on the sea. Cape Elizabeth lies on the east, Westbrook and Gorham on the north, the latter and Buxton on the north-west, and Saco on the south- east. The form of the town is nearly square, but is longest from north-west to south-east. Libby's Neck is a broadening point which extends into the sea. On the outer north-eastern side begins Sear- borough Beach, about 2 miles in length. Higgin's Beech succeeds, and continues with one projection to Spurwink River. On the land, or western side of the Neck is a small harbor. Above are Pine Point and Ferry Rock, nearly enclosing from the sea a considerable basin into which are discharged the waters of the several streams of the town. These are Libby's River, which is little more than a salt water creek, running parallel with the shore rom the east ; the None- such River, rising in the north-western part of the town, and running almost to the eastern line of the town, then south-west to the basin ; and New River, of which Mill Creek, Beaver Beach, and Oriocoag
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River, are branches. Scottow's Hill near the centre of the town is the most elevated portion of the surface. This was the point from which in the early period, the inhabitants signalled danger to the surrounding country, by means of beacons and signal fires. Pleasant Hill, in the eastern part of the town is a more extended eminence. Near its base on the east is a large never-failing spring ; and a short distance south are two other springs having a decided mineral character.
Along these streams for a considerable distance inland are salt marshes where large quantities of hay are cut annually. The occupation of the people is chiefly agricultural. The principal business centres are Dunstan Corners, Blue Point, West Scarborough, and Coal Kiln Corners. The Portland, Saco and Portsmouth railroad crosses the
PROUT'S NECK.
southern part of the town, having stations at Oak Hill and West Scarborough. The Boston and Maine railway crosses a little to the south of the other, having stations at Scarborough Beech and Blue Point. The principal manufactures are of canned foods, carriages and soap. At Oak Hill is a small neighborhood library.
The first settler of Scarborough was one Stratton, who about 1630, located on a couple of islands which long bore his name. The tract of land between Black Point and Spurwink River was granted to Capt. Thomas Cammock, a nephew of the Earl of Warwick. Capt. Cammock was therefore the first legal proprietor in Scarborough. In the course of a few years other settlers joined Cammock, mostly as tenants. Blue Point and Dunstan Corners were next settled,-Richmond, Foxwell,
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Henry Watts, George Deering, Nicholas Edgecomb, Hilkiah Bailey, Edward Shaw, Tristram Andrew and Arthur Alger being the earliest comers. The two latter purchased land of the Indians at Dunstan Corners, and ever held possession by virtue of that title. John Josselyn the voyager, resided here for a few years with his brother Henry, who was interested in lands, and quite a politician. When Maine was claimed to be under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, one of the articles of submission, read : " That those places which were formerly called Black Point, Blue Point, Stratton's Island, thereunto adjacent, shall henceforth be called by the name of Scarborough ; the bound of which town, on the western side, beginneth where the town of Saco ended, and so runs along on the western side of the river Spurwink, eight miles back into the country." This incorporation was in 1658. The name was in remembrance of old Scarborough, in England. The Indian name was " Owascoag," which signifies the place of much grass.
John Libby, who settled here in 1659, or 1660, was probably the first of the name in New England. He came from Broadstairs, Kent County, England. He resided in the town until his death in 1682, becoming one of the most prominent men in the settlement.
Early in the first Indian war, the savages made a descent upon Captain Scottow's garrison at the Neck, and captured it; and the in- habitants at once abandoned that locality. In 1677, two hundred friendly Indians and about forty English soldiers under Capt. Benjamin Swett and Lieut. Richardson, came to Black Point by water from Mas- sachusetts. On June 29, Capt. Swett with a detachment from the vessel, together with a number of the inhabitants, swelling the force to ninety, set out to meet the Indians, who were lurking in the vicinity. In the neighborhood of the hill, they discovered a body of savages in retreat, and pursued them. The flight was a ruse, and led them into an ambush. In the desperate fight that ensued, all but thirty were left dead or wounded on the field, Capt. Swett among the number.
In 1681 a strong fortification was erected at Black Point, but the inhabitants were so harrassed by the attacks of the Indians that Scarborough, about 1690, was wholly abandoned. The re- settlement appears to have been in 1702, by a little band of seven persons, who came from Lynn in a sloop. The peace did not continue long ; and in August, 1703, a band of 500 French and Indians under Monsieur Beaubarin, made a sudden descent along the coast from Casco to Wells. The fort at Scarborough was garrisoned only by the little band from Lynn. The demand for a surrender was refused ; and the enemy surrounded the fort, and commenced to run a mine under its walls. Some now began to talk of abandoning the defence ; but Capt. John Larrabee solemnly assured them that he would shoot the first man who mentioned the word " surrender." Before the enemy had brought the mine near the walls a heavy rain storm came on, soaking the soil to such an extent that the mine caved in. The workers thus becoming exposed to the fire of the garrison, were obliged to abandon the work ; and they departed in search of easier prey. From this time, though occasionally harrassed by the Indians, the che settlement flourished.
In the succeeding wars two men of Scarborough, Charles Pine and Richard Hunniwell, became famous as Indian killers. Hunniwell was especially dreaded by the savages. They had murdered his wife and
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child; and the demon of vengeance had seized upon him to such a degree that he would kill any Indian in war or peace wherever he found the opportunity. One day while mowing, an Indian endeavored ed creep upon him unawares ; but Hunniwell had seen the skulking savage, yet kept on cutting his swath toward the place of concealment. When near enough, he sprang forward, disconcerting the Indian so that his gun missed its aim, when the enraged mower at once cut off the head of the savage with his scythe. Placing the ghastly countenance upon a pole, he set it up in view of the Indians on the other side of the marsh, and in a loud voice, bade them to come on. They however, consulted prudence, and retired. Pine, at one time, discovering that the savages were holding nightly pow-wows at an abandoned barn at a distance from the settlement, concealed himself in the upper part ; and when the first two entered he shot both. The remainder fled. One James Libby had a mare of whose speed he was wont to boast. Re- turning one day to the fort on horseback, but unarmed, he was pursued and overtaken by an Indian on foot, who was about to pull him from the horse, when the approach of two armed white men caused the savage to return to the woods. Libby was never afterward known to boast of the speed of his mare.
After the peace of 1749, such was the demand for lumber that a dozen saw-mills were kept in operation in town. Scarborough re- sponded to the call of the Continental Congress by sending 50 men to Cambridge immediately after the battle of Lexington. Many of its citizens also joined the expedition against the British at Castine, in 1779.
The second parish was organized in 1734, and Richard Elvin, of Salem, a baker by trade, but converted under Whitefield's preaching, became the first minister and proved devoted and useful. Rev. Robert Jordan, an Episcopal clergyman, whose parochial charge embraced all this part of Maine, is credited with having suppressed by his intelligence and decision, the first attempt of "the villainy of witchcraft in Maine." Rufus King and his half-brother William, were born in Scarborough. The former was considered a consummate orator and statesman. William belonged to the first order of energetic intellect. During his later years, he was at the head of the Democratic party in Maine. Other distinguished citizens were J. Wingate Thornton the historian, and Seth Storer, prominent in the politics of his town and state, and regarded by all parties as " God's noblest work, an honest man."
The Congregationalists, Methodists, Free Baptists and Christians have churches in town. Scarborough has ten public schoolhouses, and its school property is valued at $7,200. It is a port of delivery in the Saco collection district. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $705,- 728. In 1880 it was $780,702. In the year 1791, its inhabitants num- bered 2,235. In 1870, it was 1,692. By the census of 1880, it was placed at 1,848.
Schoodic Lakes, see article on St. Croix River. Seal Cove, a post-office in Hancock County.
Searsmont is situated in the southern part of Waldo County bordering on Knox County. Its greatest length is north-west and south-east, nearly 10 miles; and its greatest width is about 5 miles.
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The south-eastern part is very hilly, with some hills on the west also ; while a long range from Appleton penetrates the southern side nearly to Searsmont village. The town was formerly noted for its pine forests, of which it is said there was a larger quantity than in any other town of the Waldo Patent. General Knox himself carried on lumbering here. From the north-eastern side Quantabacook Pond extends nearly to the village. Its area is 1.25 square miles. This pond is the source of the east branch of St. George's River. Moody Pond, in the south-eastern part of the town, is about one half the area of the first, and discharges into that pond, through a stream and a smaller pond between. St. George's River, west branch, has its source among the hills and in the ponds of Montville. On this stream, in Searsmont, are eight water- powers, and on the east branch and its tributaries are seven others. At the village are three lumber and cooperage mills, a sash, blind and pump factory, four carriage factories, a tannery, a boot and shoe fac- tory, a coffin and bedstead factory, etc. At North Searsmont are two lumber-mills. The soil of this town is productive and the buildings have generally the appearance betokening thrift. Searsmont is 10 miles south-west of Belfast, which is its nearest railroad connection.
This town originally formed a part of the Waldo Patent. Later, it became the property of Sears, Thorndike and Prescott, wealthy Bostonians, and large proprietors of lands in this region. The first settlement was made in 1804, and the township was surveyed in 1809. It was incorporated February 5th, 1814, taking the name of the chief proprietor. A pioneer and singular character of Searsmont was known as Uncle Joseph Meservey. familiarly called " Uncle Joe," who had lived to see a flourishing village grow up where seventy years before he had hunted with the red man, the moose, deer, bear and wolf .*
The religious societies in town are those of the Methodists and Baptists. The public schoolhouses number twelve, and are valued at $4,000. The population in 1870 was 1,418. In 1880 it was 1,320. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $300,418. In 1880 it was $365,949.
Searsport is situated at the head of Penobscot Bay on the western side of the river. It is bounded on the north by Frank- fort, east by Prospect and Stockton, south by Penobscot Bay, west by Swanville and the city of Belfast. The surface of the town along the shore is quite uneven, but farther back it is more level, and many fine farms are found. Mount Ephraim, near the centre of the town, and Bog IIill are the chief eminences. The latter is about 400 feet in height. Granite or gneiss, is the prevailing rock. Much of the soil is
* A writer in an old newspaper printed 30 years ago, says of "Uncle Joe Meservey," then living ; " He has always preserved his youthful predilection for the forest and the stream. Among the earlier recollections of Mr. Meservey, is that of a Mr. Braddock, who lived in a camp alone near the head of the pond. There he died, and by his own request, made to these only companions he knew, he was buried upon the small island of which we have spoken. The beautiful place of his resting is known to very few ; and this is all the world knows of him, who he was, except by name, and why he chose the solitary life of the forest * * * How many romances have had a less romantic foundation than these simple circumstances." But Mr. Braddock was not Searsmont's only hermit. Mr. Tim- othy Barrett was another of a later period. He had his abode at the head of "Hook's Mill-pond." where he slept in a hollow log or in a cave for nearly 35 years. Civilization advancing too near him. he retreated up the west branch of George's River, to the head of " True's Mill-pond " in Montville, where he lived in solitude until his death. See article ou Montville.
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very clayey, but excellent crops of hay and potatoes are raised. A great variety of trees are found in the forests, of which quite an extent still remains. Goose Pond at the north-western corner and Half Moon, at the north eastern are the principal bodies of water; though there are several others in the middle and western part. There is a mineral spring in the town whose waters are claimed to be of superior efficacy. Another curiosity is a cave on the Cape. There is a good brick town hall, a story and a half in height, used for town-meetings. Union Hall is a wooden building, used for entertainments, and capable of seating 800 people. The first was built by the aid of a gift of $1,000 from David Sears, senior, formerly principal proprietor of the township. The public and private buildings in this town are generally in good repair, and the roads are excellent. There is one bridge 150 feet in length and one of 100 feet, both of stone. The manufactories of Searsport consist of a spool and block factory, a lumber and a grist- mill, an iron foundry, three ship-yards, a boat-yard, and other small establishments. The nearest railroad is at Belfast, 6 miles from Sears- port village. The Sanford line of steamers, connecting with Bangor, Boston and intermediate points, touch here. A stage-line connects the town with Belfast.
This town was set off from Prospect and incorporated Feb. 13th, 1845. With that town, it had originally been part of Belfast. The name was chosen in honor of David Sears, of Boston, one of the pro- prietors. His family retained Brigadier's Island until it acquired the new name of Sear's Island. It is now owned by David and Henry F. Sears, of Boston, great-grandsons of the first mortgagee. The area of this island is about 1,000 acres, largely covered with wood. It is two miles long and one broad, and is used as a summer residence by the family. Among the valued citizens of former days should be men- tioned Jeremiah Merithew, William McGilvery, Peleg and David Nichols, Phineas Pendleton, Isaac and John Carver, Dr. Putnam Simonton, Dr. Mosman, and perhaps others. There are in the town 111 persons above 70 years of age, 33 over 80, and 2 over 91. Sears- port furnished 150 men for the Union army in the war of the Rebel- lion, losing 53. There is a public library of 1,300 volumes, originally presented by David Sears, Sen. The Farmers' and Mechanics' Institu- tion, a flourishing society of this region, holds annual fairs at Union Hall in Searsport village. The social tourist will often be surprised to find the farmer with whom he stops to chat, indulging in reminiscences of far-off regions, of hurricanes in the western tropics, and of cyclones off the Asiatic coast, and other strange and thrilling experiences of port and sea. Such incidents bring out the fact that among the inde- pendent yeomen of the town are many whose early years were spent upon the sea, and some who acquired handsome properties in maritime pursuits. Often their houses will be found adorned with natural and manufactured articles of str inge beauty from many climes ; while about the grounds, as well as buildings, is the neatness born of the pride of the seaman in the trim appearance of his ship.
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