Gazetteer of the state of Maine, Part 64

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

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522

GAZETTEER OF MAINE.

erty is valued at $6,300. The village district is graded, and has a high school. There is a village library of about 100 volumes. The valu- ation of real estate in 1870 was $408,145. In 1880 it was $321,861. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 17 mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 1,593. In 1880 it was 1,771.

South West Harbor, a post-office in Mount Desert Island, Hancock County.

Spragues Mills, a post-office in Aroostook County.

Springfield lies in the eastern part of Penobscot County, 68 miles north-east of Bangor. It is bounded on the north by Web- ster Plantation, east by Prentiss, and west by Lee. Upper Sisladobsis Lake lies in the next township south. The surface is agreeably varied by hills, valleys and broad meadows. . Wetherbee Hill is quite an eminence, having about a mile of declivity. Granite is the predom- inant rock. The soil is a yellowish loam, easily worked, and yielding good crops. In 1837 when the State offered a bounty on wheat, Sam- uel C. Clark of this town took the prize, having produced in that year, 1,340 bushels of wheat, besides 435 bushels of other grain. Agricul- ture is still the principal pursuit, but the largest crop is hay, and many cattle are raised. Maple, beech, hemlock and spruce are the forest trees. There are several small ponds scattered over the town, the largest of which is about a mile long by half a mile in width. .

The Mattakeunk and Mattagordas streams have their origin in this and the adjacent towns. There are on these one cloth-mill, two grist-mills, one saw-mill for boards and other long lumber, three shin- gle and one clapboard mill, the latter also making other small lumber. The town hall is a neat two-story building with a school-room in the first story. The village is in the eastern part of the town. Its streets are beautified with rows of maple from three to 20 years of age, and the houses generally are tasteful and in good repair. The town is on the stage-line from Lincoln to Calais. The nearest railroad station is that on the European road at Lincoln, some 15 miles distant.

This town received its first settlers in 1830. The north half of the township was granted to Foxcroft Academy, and by its trustees sold to Bangor parties for thirty-one cents an acre. It was then heavily timbered with pine and spruce, immense quantities of which have been taken from it; and there are large tracts of heavy wood still remaining. The south half was sold in smaller quantities by the State settlers and others, and is said to contain some of the best land in Maine.

James Butterfield was the first trader. Other esteemed citizens have been Elias Breck, Elder Lewis, Azro Clark, B. H. Scribner and others. The number of old people, some about 90 years of age, speaks well for the wholesomeness of the climate. Springfield has Congrega- tionalist, Free Baptist and Methodist societies, and a large and small church edifice. The number of public schoolhouses is seven ; and the school property is valued at $1,900. The valuation of estates in 1870 WAS 8122,230. In 1880 it was $105,242. The rate of taxation in the litter year was 4 per cent. The population in 1870 was 879. In 1880 it was 878.

523

STANDISH.

Springvale, a manufacturing village and post-office in San- ford, York County.

Spruce Head, a post-office in Knox County.

Squirrel Island, an island and summer resort, with post office, in Boothbay Harbor, Lincoln County.

Staceyville Plantation lies on the eastern line of Pen- obscot County, 85 miles N. N. E. of Bangor, on the Aroostook road. It has Patten on the north, and Sherman in Aroostook County on the east. Formerly it was township No. 3 of Range 6, but was organized under its present name in 1860. The nearest railroad station is that of the European and North American Railway at Mattawamkeag, with which it is connected by stage-line. The surface of the town is not greatly varied ; Horse Hill being the highest eminence. The rock is slate, and the soil a rich black loam. All the trees of the region flourish here. The crops chiefly cultivated are wheat, oats and potatoes.

The plantation has three schoolhouses, valued at $250. The valua- tion in 1880 was $20,362. The rate of taxation was 1} per cent. The population in 1870 was 138. In 1880 it was 184.

Standish is situated on the south-west side of Lake Sebago and is the most south-westerly part of Cumberland County. It con- tains territory, including an island and part of Lake Sebago, equal to eight miles square. Standish is bound on the north by Lake Sebago, south-east by Windham and Gorham, south by Buxton and Hollis, and west by Limington. The Saco River separates it from the towns of York County on the west. At the north-eastern extremity of the town called Standish "Neck," is the Basin of Lake Sebago, from which issues the Presumpscot River. The Portland and Ogdensburg railway passes through the town along the southern extremity of the lake. The stations are Sebago Lake, Richville and Steep Falls. Much of the land is sandy plains, formerly covered with pines; yet there is con- siderable good farming land. The highest eminence is Oak Hill. The principal bodies of water in the town are Great and Little Watchig, Bonny Eagle, and Rich's Mill Pond. The chief business centres are Standish Corner, Steep Falls, and the adjoining villages of South Standish and Bonny Eagle Island. Lesser points are Wescott Falls, at the Basin, and Sebago Lake, which is a railway station and a point of departure for the lake steamers and other boats. The manufactures are lumber, headings, shooks and staves, carriages, clothing, flour and meal, ice, plaster, packing-boxes, etc ; each of the villages having one or more mills or factories for producing these articles.

The township which is now Standish was granted in 1750 to Capts. Humphrey Hobbs and Moses Pearson and their companies for services in the siege of Louisburg. The whole number of grantees was to be 120, sixty of whom were to settle in distinct families within three years, and sixty more within seven years. They were to give bonds to the treasurer of the province that each man should build a house sixteen feet by eighteen, with a seven foot shed, and clear up five acres of land. The settlement commenced in 1760. Rev. John Thompson, the first minister, was ordained in 1768.

524

GAZETTEER OF MAINE.

The plantation was called Pearsontown. The inhabitants did not apply for incorporation until some years after it had the requisite number of inhabitants ; and one day in 1783, they were almost petrified by a message from the Massachusetts House of Representatives requir- ing the plantation to show cause why they should not be incorporated as a town. But when the House soon after ordered an assessment of taxes upen the plantation for the last twenty years, the inhabitants responded in a appeal whose earnestness was not surpassed by the remonstrances of the colonies against the mother country. They also asked for incorporation. The appeal caused the law-makers to relent so far as to abate £571, 18s. from the sum previously ordered. The town was incorporated in 1785, and is said to have been named for that redoubtable Plymouth hero, Miles Standish. In 1806, Edward Mussey was sent to the legislature, being the first representative.

The Congregationalists, Unitarians, and Free Baptists, each have a church, and the Methodists two, in this town. Standish has thirteen public schoolhouses, valued at $5,800. The valuation of real estate in 1870 was $492,709. The population at the same date was 2,089. The census of 1880 places it at 2,037.

Starks lies in the south-western part of Somerset County, bordering on Franklin. Anson bounds it on the north, Norridgewock on the east, Mercer on the south, and Industry on the west. The sur- face is generally level, but there are a few hills, among which Mount Hunger and Maple Hill are the highest, having an elevation of about 600 feet. The rock is granitic in character, with some " blue ledge." The soil is a rich clayey loam. General farm crops are cultivated, and do remarkably well. Nearly all species of Maine trees are found in the forest in due proportion, except pine. Sandy River forms a part of the southern line of the town, and runs northward across the eastern part to the Kennebec, which forms a part of the line on the north-east. Lemon Stream, which furnishes the principal water-power, enters at the north-west and discharges into Sandy River at the south-east. Starks Village is situated on this stream in the western part of the town, where, also, are the manufactures. These are a saw-mill for long and short lumber, shingle-mill, grist-mill and carriage and pump factory, The nearest railroad station is 7 miles distant. Starks is 14 miles from Skowhegan on the stage-line from Temple Mills.

The first settler was James Waugh, who had previously resided for several years in Clinton. Hearing that the New Plymouth Company were making liberal offers for new settlers, he in 1772, with knapsack, dog and gun started up the Kennebec in pursuit of a farm. He as- cended as far as the mouth of Sandy River and selected a lot near it. In 1774 he returned with three of his neighbors and their families. So rapidly did this settlement increase that in 1790 there were 327 persons within the township. Starks was incorporated Feb. 28, 1795, being named for the hero of Bennington. Its area is 17,154 acres, of which 363 acres are in roads. Among the valued citizens of this town in time past were Stephen Williamson, Leonard Greaton, James Varnum, William E. Folsom, Asa Chapman, Joseph Witham, Stephen Green- leaf, Samuel Chapman, Abijah Joy, William Frederic, and others. Starks sent about 75 men to do battle for the Union during the war of the Rebellion, one-third of the number being lost.

The church edifices here are the Methodist and the Union. There

525

STETSON.

is also a Free Baptist society. There are thirteen public schoolhouses, valued at $2,500. The population in 1870 was 1,083. In 1880 it was 929. The valuation in 1870 was $281,614. In 1880 it was $312,264. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 1} per cent.

St. Croix River and Neutral Island. This river, through- out its whole length forms the boundary line between the territories of the United States (as well as of Maine) and Great Britain. It extends from Passamaquoddy Bay to near the middle of the eastern line of Maine, continuing its somewhat tortnous course through Schoodic or Grand Lake and North Lake to the Laroc monument, which marks N. latitude 45° 56' 36.8" on the boundary. St. Croix or Neutral Island, also called Docket's and De Mont's Island, lies opposite Robbinston, in the middle of this river. The area probably does not much exceed six acres,yet it is important from being on the dividing line between the two nations, which follows the middle of the river. It was early noted from having been the residence of the colony of Pierre De Monts, the French explorer, in 1604-1605 .* Apprehending danger from the savages he erected a fortification upon some high ground at the north part, which commanded the river and island. Traces of this were found in 1798 by the commissioners appointed by the two nations to settle the boundary, and served an important purpose in fixing the line in this vicinity under the treaty of 1783. There was a lighthouse erected upon this island in 1856, which is maintained at the pres- ent time.' It is opposite Red Beach in Robbinston. It stands first in the list of United States lighthouses. Upon the final settlement of the boundary, the British government relinquished all claim upon this island. At the date of 1858 one half of it belonged to the heirs of Stephen Brewer and the other to the United States.

Steep Falls,-a post-office in Standish, Cumberland County.

Stetson is a pleasant farming town lying in the south-western part of Penobscot County, 20 miles west-north-west of Bangor. It is bounded on the north by Exeter, east by Levant, south by Etna and Car- mel, and west by Newport. Its area is23,040 acres. The surface is not very uneven generally, but has several eminences of some 350 feet in height, as Roger's Mountain and Clark's and Wiggin's hills. The soil is gravelly loam, and quite fertile. The largest crops raised are hay and potatoes. Beech, birch and maple constitute the woods, but the original growth was pine. Stetson Pond, lying near the centre of the town, is the largest sheet of water, being three miles long by one-half a mile wide. There is another sheet of water which is regarded as some- what curious, being a mill-pond on a hill. The village is a little to the north-west of Stetson Pond, on its outlet. There are here and elsewhere in the town three saw-mills, a grist-mill, Stetson cheese factory, a carriage-factory, etc. A smaller centre of business is East Stetson post-office, at the eastern end of the pond. The principal occupation of the people is farming. Buildings throughout the town are generally in good repair; and the village shows some which are quite elegant. Elm and maple trees, of some forty years growth, * See L'Escarbot's Hist. De Mont's Voyages abridged in 5 Purchas' Pilgrims, p. 1619. " The colony of De Monts was made up of Romanists and Protestants. Among the latter was L'Escarbot, who was a Huguenot minister." Bartlett's Frontier Missionary, p. 240, note. Also the various histories of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

526

GAZETTEER OF MAINE.

shade the walks and adorn the place. A neat two-story building be longing to the town is occupied on the first floor as a school, while on the second floor is a hall, used for town meetings and other pur- poses. The village is on the stage-line from Exeter to Etna. The Maine Central Railroad passes across the south-west corner, but the nearest stations are in the neighboring towns of Newport and Carmel, some five miles distant.

Stetson was settled about 1800, and was incorporated Jan. 28, 1831. It bears the name of the original private proprietor, Amasa Stetson, of Dorchester, Mass. Among its valued citizens should be mentioned Hon. Lewis Barker, ex-governor D. F. Davis, Hon. T. M. Plaisted, Gen. J. A. Hill, General and Governor H. M. Plaisted, Hon. Amasa Stetson, Hon. James Rogers, and some others. There are residing in the town one person eighty-nine years of age, two eighty-three, and five of eighty-one years.

Stetson has Christian, Baptist and Methodist societies and a Union church edifice. There is a good high-school at the village, which is the special care of the Stetson High-school Association, incorporated, March, 1870. The number of public schoolhouses is seven; and the school property of the town is valued at $2,800. The valuation in 1870 was $262,735. In 1880 it was $219,399. The rate of taxation in the latter year was $1.35 on $100. The population in 1870 was 937. In 1880 it was 729.

Steuben is a sea-coast town, and forms the south-western angle of Washington County. It is bounded on the north by Cherryfield, east by Millbridge, west by Gouldsborough, in Hancock County, and south by the ocean. This town is nearly surrounded by water. On the east is Narraguagus River and Bay; on the south the sea, on the west Gouldsborough Bay and Steuben Harbor. At the head of the latter is Steuben village, the largest in the town. Others are at the head of Dyer's and Pigeon Hill bays, in the southern part of the town. These two bodies of water are separated by Pigeon Hill, at whose ex- tremity is Petit Manan Point. Pigeon Hill is situated at a narrow place on the upper part of the peninsula; and opposite on the western side of Dyer's Bay, is East Hill. Dyer's and Gouldsborough bays are separated by Dyer's Neck. Tunk Stream, which enters at the north- ern part of the town and empties into Steuben Harbor, is the principal water-course within this town, and above the village furnishes power for a saw-mill and a grist-mill. The manufactures are carriages and sleighs, staves, lumber, meal and flour, etc. This town is 36 miles west by south-west of Machias, and is on the Ellsworth and Cherryfield stage- line. The surface is quite uneven, and the soil rocky. The occupations of the people are seafaring, farming and lumbering, in proportion accord- ing to the order mentioned. There are in this town two mining com- panies, bearing the names of Petit Manan Silver Co., and Steuben Sil- ver Mining Co.

Steuben was No. 4, of six second-class townships granted in 1762 by Massachusetts to an association of petitioners ; but these having failed to fulfill the conditions, it reverted to the State, and was on August, 26, 1794, granted to Thomas Ruston. It was first settled in 1760, and on February 27, 1795, was incorporated as a town, being named in honor of Baron Steuben, the German soldier who so nobly aided in our Revolutionary struggle.

527

STOCKTON.

The church organizations of Steuben are a Methodist and a Con- gregationalist society. The number of public schoolhouses is eleven; and the value of the school property is $3,200. The population in 1870 was 1,062. In 1880 it was 1,165. The valuation in 1870 was $186,528. In 1880 it was $185,133.

Stevens' Plains,-a village, railroad station and post- office in Deering, Cumberland County.

Stockton lies at the head of Penobscot Bay on the western side of the river in Waldo County. Prospect bounds it on the north, and Searsport on the west. On the opposite side of the river are Wetmore Isle (Verona), Orland and Penobscot. The area is about 18 square miles, with 8 miles of shore. The surface is generally level, and without a high hill. The rock is generally granitic in character ; and the soil, though rocky, is productive. The forests are of rock maple, beech, birch, spruce and some hemlock. The streams are small, and there are no considerable ponds. The manufactures consist of Stock- ton shoe factory, Stockton and Prospect cheese factory, a door, sash and blind, lime-cask and fish-barrel and clothing factories. The post- offices are Stockton and Sandy Point. The town is about 10 miles north-east of Belfast, on the stage-line to Bangor. The buildings in this town are in very good repair, and the roads and bridges in fine order.

There are good harbors at Sandy Point, Fort Point Cove and Cape Jellison. The latter is a large Peninsula extending southward. Fort Point is a smaller peninsula extending eastward from Cape Jellison, now occupied by an excellent hotel for summer visitors. The Indian name was Wasaumkeag. The point has its present name from the fort built here by Governor Thomas Pownall in 1759. The site is about 25 rods from the waters edge, where some vestiges are still to be found.

This fortification was in form of a square, the east side facing the water, and at each corner were flankers. The dimensions were 360 feet, or 90 feet on each inner side of the breastwork, which was 10 feet in height. This was surrounded by a moat or ditch 15 feet wide at the top, 5 at the bottom and 8 in depth. Each exterior side of the ditch, or the glacis, was 240 feet. In the middle of the ditch were palisadoes quite around the fort, except at the portcullis, or entrance, at the eastern side, where a drawbridge crossed the ditch. In the ditch at the foot of the wall was a line of pickets. Between the fort and the river were the houses of the commander and others, Indian attacks being usually from the mainland side. Within the walls was a square block-house, 44 feet on a side, with flankers at each corner, of diamond form, 33 feet on a side. The whole was constructed of squared timber, dove-tailed at the corners, and treenailed. The height of the block-house, in two stories, was about 22 feet, the roof was square or hipped, and had a sentry- box upon the top. On the roof was mounted several cohorn mortars ; and on the area between the breastwork and walls of the block-house 20 feet in width, three or four cannon were mounted. The upper story of the breast-work jutted over the lower about three feet, the space being covered with loose plank, easily removable. The lower story was used as barracks : and in the upper one, where 10 or 12 small cannon were mounted, garrison exercise was performed in stormy weather. There were two chimneys, one in the north-west and one in the south- west corner. After the war,* there was a large trade carried on for many years between the garrison and the Indians. An aged gentleman says " I have seen one of the flanker-rooms as full as it could well be stowed with the first quality of furs, beaver, otter, sable, &c." Soon after Majorbiguyduce (Castine) was occupied by the British A.D., 1779, Colonel Cargill came from Newcastle, and burnt the block- house and curtilage; and subsequently by order of government, he again appeared at the head of a party, and labored indefatigably till almost exhausted with toil * See article on Civil History in the first part of this work.

S. J. COM. SC.N.YV

FORT POINT HOUSE STOCKSTON ME.

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STOW. 529

and hunger, in filling the ditches and levelling the breastwork. Yet some of the cavities are now to be seen (1830). Williamson's History of Maine, vol. 2, p. 337.

A light-house erected on this point in 1837 marks the entrance of Penobscot Bay. It was refitted in 1857. The tower is square, con- structed of brick and painted white. The focal plane is 27 feet above the ground and 103 feet above sea level. It has a flashing white light.

Stockton was set off from Prospect and incorporated March 13, 1857. It was first settled about 1759. C. S. Fletcher and N. G. Hitch- born were valued citizens of this town. Stockton sent between 60 and 70 men into the Union army during the late war, losing about one- third of the number. A granite monument has been erected to their memory. There are Congregationalist and Universalist societies here, the latter having a church edifice. Stockton maintains a high-school and has nine public schoolhouses, with school property valued at $8,800. The population in 1870 was 2,089. In 1880 it was 1,548. The valuation in 1870 was $880,220. In 1880 it was $401,446. The rate of taxation in the latter year was 31 mills on the dollar.

Stoneham lies in the western part of Oxford County, south of the Androscoggin River. It is 17 miles west of Paris, and is connected with South Paris, on the Grand Trunk Railroad by a stage-line. It is bounded on the north by Mason, east by Albany, south by Lovell and west by Stow. The whole northern, western and the northern half of the eastern border is marked by mountains. These in order, beginning at the south-west, are Shell, Ellis, Adams, Speckled, Durgin, Red Rock and Bear mountains, with others smaller intervening, and not named upon the town map. Sugar Hill is quite an eminence in the north- western section .. This town lies on the north and east sides of the angle of Lovell. Adjoining Lovell on both sides are also mountains lying within the borders of Stoneham. Upper and Lower Stone ponds lie in the eastern part, each being about one square mile in area. Horse- shoe Pond lies on the western part of the southern line, Issachar Pond on the west-line of the southern limb of the town, and " The Five Kezars" at the extreme southern part. The principal streams are the outlets of these ponds, and Great Brook, running through the middle of the town southward to Upper Kezar Pond, which also lies partially on the southern line .* Cold Brook, from the north-western mountains, and with a pond on its course, enters Upper Kezar west of Great Brook .. The central parts of the town are more level, and in some parts have. a high degree of fertility, and many farmers have laid by money. The. manufactures also have proved profitable and consist, at East Stoneham,, of staves, spool strips, boards and shingles; and at West Stoneham, of spool strips, short lumber, carriages, wood and iron work, etc. The principal religious organization is that of the Methodists.

This town was incorporated January 31, 1834. It has five public schoolhouses, and the school property is valued at $2,000. The popu -- lation in 1870 was 425. In 1880 it was 475. The valuation in 1870 was $70,250. In 1880 it was $63,381.

Stow, in Oxford County, lies on the border of New Hampshire, being the second township south of Gilead on the Androscoggin.

* The Kezar ponds have their name from an old hunter who frequented them.

530

GAZETTEER OF MAINE.

Stoneham and Lovell bound it on the east, Fryeburg on the south, and Bachellor's Grant on the north. Its extreme length north and south along the border is upwards of 10 miles, and its greatest width about 33 miles. This town embraces nearly the whole of the beautiful Cold River valley, that stream running the whole length of the town and emptying into Charles Pond. The latter lies in the north angle of Fryeburg which notches the southern line of Stow for its whole extent. On the south-east side of the town lies Upper Kezar Pond, into which Charles Pond discharges its waters by means of Charles River. The other principal stream is Little Cold River, emptying into the larger stream near the south line of the town. Stow Corner and post-office, the chief business centre, are situated near this stream a short distance above its mouth. In the north-eastern part is a large elevation with two peaks, but bearing no name on the town map. The manufactures of this town consist of saw-mills, a grist-mill, a carriage-factory and smithy.

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Gazetteer of the state of Maine, Part 64

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