Gazetteer of the state of Maine, Part 69

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

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562

GAZETTEER OF MAINE.

The first meeting-house stood near the centre of the town, and was a Union house. In 1826, a Free Baptist church was organized under the direction of Elder Aliezer Bridges ; who in 1831 was succeeded by Rev. Allen Files, as pastor. The house was taken down in 1854, and rebuilt on the Pond road. It is used as a Union house by the Free Baptists, Methodists and Baptists.

Captain Joseph Small built the first school in town. He was fol- lowed by Arthur Given, Daniel Evans, Fayette Mace, Richard Elder, Joel Small and Enoch Strout. Wales now has eight public school- houses, valued at $2,300. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $229,- 359. In 1880 it was $198,578. The population at the same date was 556. In 1880, it was 505.

Wallagrass Plantation lies in the north-eastern party of Aroostook County. It is bounded on the north by Fort Kent, south by Eagle Lake Plantation, and west by St. John Plantation. Fish River runs northward through the eastern part of the township, receiving about midway of its course Wallagrass Stream, whose branches gather from the whole western half of the town, north and south. The principal settlements are on the west side of Fish River, along the road from Ashland through Eagle Lake Plantation to Fort Kent.

This plantation was settled by Canadian French. The religion is Roman Catholic. The public schoolhouses are three in number, valued at $300. The population in 1870 was 297. In 1880 it was 431, of whom 85 were taxable polls. The valuation in 1880 was -$22,040.

Walnut Hill,-a railroad station in North Yarmouth, Cumberland County.

Waltham is situated on the eastern side of the Union River, and is near the centre of Hancock County. Its south-west corner approaches Ellsworth, and Mariaville is the adjoining town on the north and west. The town was carved out of Mariaville, and incorporated in 1833. It was named for Walthar, Mass. Its first settlers were Samuel Ingalls, Eben Jordan, Lebbeus and Eben Kingman, who came in 1805.

The north-eastern portion of the town is thickly strewn with gigan- tic bowlders. Marine shells and petrified forms of plants and animals are frequently turned up by the plow. The pretty village flat at Hast- ing's bridge has the appearance of having been a lake bottom not many centuries since. In Cave Hill is a considerable cavern, in which three rooms have been explored. The rocks here are said to be of the same family and age as those in Orland where caves occur. The rocks there are supposed to be of the Mountain Limestone period, and are interspersed with basalt. The prevailing rock in town is said to be slate and quartz. Waltham has a soil well fitted for potatoes and for apple orchards. The principal crop is hay and potatoes. Webb's Brook, the outlet of Webb's, Scammon's, Abrams and Molasses ponds, affords a valuable water-power. There is one mill for the manufacture of staves and shingles.

Waltham sent 37 men into the service of the Union during the

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563

WARREN.

Rebellion. The Baptists have a society and a church edifice in the town. The number of public schoolhouses is four; and the school property is valued at $1,500. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $57,727. In 1880 it was $78,154. The rate of taxation in 1880 was nine mills on the dollar. The population in 1870 was 365. In the census of 1880 it was 296.

Walton's Mills,-a small village in Mount Vernon, Ken- nebec County, the same as West Mount Vernon post-office.

Warren, one of the western towns of Knox County, 16 situated upon the St. George's River, which passes through it from north to south, dividing it into nearly equal sections. Other streams are Back River and the outlets of North and South, Crawford and White Oak ponds. The first of these ponds has an area of about one- half a square mile, and the second of about one square mile. The area of the town is near 27,000 square acres. The surface is quite broken, with many hills, the highest of which are Mount Pleasant and Congress Mountain. The first of these affords an ex- tensive view of the ocean and of Penobscot Bay. The soil of the town is variable-chiefly clay loam, and rewards well the labors of the husbandman. The chief crop for market is hay. Limestone is the principal bed-rock, though there is some granite, both of which are quarried. There was formerly a large quantity of lime made in the town, and the industry is still followed to some extent. The coast- ing trade was formerly much pursued, but has been mostly abandoned. Ship-building, also, was formerly a leading industry. Between the years of 1770 and 1850 there were built here 224 vessels, varying from fifty to above 1,000 tons burthen. This business too, has now tallen off. The principal manufactures at present are woollens, by the Georges River Mills ; snow-shoes, by the Warren Shoe Factory, each employing nearly 100 hands, and E. Wason, powder. The three prin- cipal villages are known as Warren, and North and South Warren. The station of the Knox and Lincoln railroad in this town is 12 miles west of Rockland.

Warren was originally known as the Upper-town of St. George, and belonged to the Muscongus, afterward the Waldo Patent. The settlement was begun under the auspices of General Waldo, the pro- prietor, in 1736. At this time, says Eaton, " with the exception of a trading-house, mill and fort, wnich had been erected on the banks of the St. George one hundred and twenty-five years previous, no marks of civilization existed, and no inroads were made upon that unbroken forest, which over the whole county sheltered the moose and the Indian alike from the scorching suns of summer and the howling storms of winter." Having made a favorable arrangement with the proprietor, Waldo, forty-seven persons, in the summer of 1736, located themselves here. Waldo furnished them with provisions, and they occupied themselves principally in getting out staves and cord-wood, varied with hunting and fishing. In 1752, there was an arrival of German emigrants ; and in subsequent years more of these, with English, Scotch and Irish, augmented the number ot inhabitants. Among the settlers of 1735 occur many names still represented in Warren and the neighboring

564

GAZETTEER OF MAINE.

towns, as Patterson, Baggs, Creighton, Starrett, Spear, Lermond, MeIntyre, Robinson and Kalloch. Gen. Ellis Spear, recently commis- sioner of patents, is a native of Warren and a descendant of an early settler. In 1752, another colony brought 20 Scottish families, being among others the following names, now closely identified with the history of the town. Anderson, Dicke, Crawford, Malcolm and Kirk- patrick. The name Stirling which they gave their village still adheres to the locality. Great numbers of shad and alewives were formerly caught in the St. George's and its branches in this town, yielding quite a revenue. The natives marked a tree near the first falls and forbade the English to fish above it. The transgression of this edict was one of the causes of the hostility of the Indians.

Warren was incorporated in 1776, taking its name from Gen. Joseph Warren, who had then recently fallen at Bunker Hill. It was first represented in the General Court in 1779, by Moses Copeland, Esq. ; later, by Samuel S. Wilde and Samuel Thatcher ; Henry Alexander, elected in 1788-9, was the first captain of the plantation militia. His successor was Thomas Kilpatrick, who had charge of the block-house, built in 1753 above the fort. In 1754, the settlers were driven by the Indians to take refuge in these defences, and others in Cushing. The town records commence and continue unbroken from 1777. They show that the inhabitants were the active and bold friends of liberty. The first post-office in town was established in 1794; the first meeting- house, in 1793; and one was built by the Baptists in 1806. Rev. Robert Rutherford preached several years to this people prior to 1756. Rev. John Urquhart, was the first settled minister. He was dismissed in 1782-3 ; being succeeded by Rev. Jonathan Huse, ordained 1795. The first bridge over the river was built in 1780; another at the head of the tide was built in 1790-1. The first saw-mill was built in 1785. A court house was erected and courts established there in 1799.

Among the eminent citizens of the modern period are Hon. Edwin Smith, Oscar Eaton, Esq., Dr. B. F. Burton and Cyrus Eaton, the historian. An account of this town or of the county would be incomplete without a sketch of the latter. Cyrus Eaton was born at Framingham, Mass., in 1784 coming to Maine as a teacher of music at the age of 20 years. He settled in Warren, and subsequently by unre- mitting application became-unaided by teachers-a very learned man, a proficient in various branches of science, and master of several lan- guages. In 1845 he became blind, and assisted by his invalid daughter as amanuensis, turned his attention to writing the town histories of this central region of Maine, for which he had been for many years collect- ing materials. "For accuracy, elegance of style and general merit, nis works have seldom been equalled in their department of literature. Mr. Eaton received distinguished honors from various institutions and learned societies in recognition of his historical and other literary labors." * The church edifices belong to the Congregationalists and Baptists. There is a public library of about 500 volumes. The town sustains an excellent high-school. The number of public school- houses is nineteen ; and the school property is valued at $9,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $834,610. In 1880 it was $789,820. The population in 1870 was 1,974. In 1880 it was 2,166.

* [Howard and Crockers Hist. of New England, vol. 2, p. 80.]

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565

WASHINGTON.

Washburn, in Aroostook County, lies on the Aroostook river. in the 3rd range of townships from the New Brunswick border. Marysville and Caribou lie on the east. Caribou Lake, in the north- eastern part, is the largest sheet of water, but there are several small ponds scattered over the town. There is one saw-mill, run by water- power, for manufacturing long and short lumber, and one for shingles. There are two mills manufacturing shingles, and a furniture factory run by steam.

The underlying rock in this town is limestone. The surface is rolling, and without high hills. The soil is a sandy loam, and at present potatoes are found to be the most profitable crop for money returns. Cedar, spruce, birch and maple constitute the woods. The bridge across the Aroostook in the western part of the town is 75 feet in length. The nearest railroad station is at Caribou, 12 miles from the principal settlement in Washburn.

This town was surveyed by W. P. Parrott in 1842. Nathaniel Churchill was the foremost man of the first colony, which settled here about 1829. The town was incorporated February 25, 1861 ; being named in honor of Governor Washburn. The Baptists have a minis- ter resident in the town. The number of public schoolhouses is six. The entire school property is valued at $2,400. The population in 1870 was 922. In 1880 it was 1,110. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $63,021. In 1880 it was $100,243. The rate of taxation in the latter year was ¿ of 1 per cent on the whole valuation.

Washington is the north-western town of Knox County. It is bounded on the south by Waldoboro and Jefferson, east by Union, west by Somerville in Lincoln County, and north by Palermo and Liberty in Waldo County, and Appleton in Knox County. It contains two considerable ponds, Washington and Clark's ; the first having an area of 800 and the last of 350 square acres. The streams are Damariscotta River, which bisects the town from north to south, and the outlet of Clark's Ponds and of Washington Pond,-the last con- stituting Muscongus River. The surface of the town is uneven and in some parts rocky. Patricktown Mountain, in the north-western part, is the greatest elevation. The soil is productive, and the inhabi- tants are generally thrifty. Washington, the chief business centre, is about 35 miles easterly of Augusta, and 22 miles north-west of Rock- land. It is on the stage-line from Augusta to Rockland and to Belfast. The post-offices are North and West Washington. The products of manufacture are boots and shoes, barrels and casks, cabinet-work, lumber (two mills), staves, harnesses, flour and meal, etc.

Washington was in part included in the Plymouth and in part in the Muscongus (subsequently called the Waldo) patent. The town was made up of the westerly part of Union and several strips and gores adjacent, and was incorporated in 1811, under the name of Putnam. Among the petitioners for incorporation were Mark Hatch, John and James Laughton, John Bowmin, David Colamy, Benjamin Speed, William Starrett, Thomas Nelson, James Daggett, Samuel Stickney and Sanford Rhoades. The name was changed to Wash- ington in 1823.

The religious societies are the Free Baptist Methodist, Congregational

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GAZETTEER OF MAINE.

and Baptist. The number of public schoolhouses is twelve ; and the school property is estimated at $3,000. The valuation of estates in 1870 was 8289,857. In 1880 it was $294,551. The population in 1870 was 1,276. In 1880 it was 1,249.

Washington County, as originally constituted, em- braced the entire eastern frontier of Maine. It was established June 25, 1789, by the same act which formed Hancock County. Its western boundary was the castern line of Hancock. It was bounded "south and south-east by the sea or western ocean, on the north by the utmost northern limits of this commonwealth, and easterly by the river St. Croix." In 1839 it surrendered to Aroostook County-established at that date-all the territory "north of the north line of the fourth range of townships, north of the 'lottery townships.'" The area of the county is about 2,700 square miles. It has about 180 miles of sea-coast, abounding in bays and inlets which afford excellent harbors. The principal rivers are the St. Croix and its west branch, the Schoodic, Denny's, East and West Machias, Pleasant and the Narraguagus. Of its numerous lakes, the largest are the Schoodic series, Baskahegan, Meddybemps and Gardner's. The surface is gradually undulating or varied by swells of no great height, and the soil back from the sea- shore is usually fertile. Probably the first European visitor of Maine was Capt. John Rut and his crew of the English vessel called " The Mary of Guilford," in 1527, when he reconnaitred along our shores, sailing westerly from Liverpool, N.S. The next of whose landing- place we have definite knowledge was DeMonts, in 1603; who erected a fort and buildings and passed the succeeding winter on an island at the mouth of the St. Croix River. This is now known as Neutral Island. By him it was named St. Croix ; and from this, probably, the river has acquired its name. His company was composed of Roman Catholics and Huguenots, or French Protestants, in about equal numbers; himself belonging to the first, as well as his chaplain. Here was preached the first European sermon in New England. "There is no authentic record," says the historian of Washington County,* " of a settlement by whites on Machias River prior to June, 1763. Richard Vines, however, set up a trading-house on the west side of Machias River, near Clark's Point, now Machiasport, in 1632 or 1633, leaving it in charge of five men. In less than one month, La Tour, a French explorer, deputy and proprietor in Nova Scotia, seized the whole stock of Vines' trading-house, made prisoners of the men and sent the whole to France. The French planted a few habitations here in 1644, but were unsuccessful; and a similar attempt in 1674 also resulted in failure. In 1748 Richard Hazen was employed by the Governor of Massachusetts to make surveys and form a chart and plan of the coast. About 1753 Florentius Vassal, a resident of the island of Jamaica, proposed that Massachusetts should transfer the territory between St. Croix and Penobscot to him and his associates, on certain conditions of settlement. The legislative branches of the government assured him that if he would, within five years, obtain his Majesty's approbation, introduce 5,000 settlers, a proportionate number of Pro- testant clergyman, and satisfy Indian claims, the emigrants should

*Geo. W. Drisko ; article " Washington County," in Crocker and Howard's Hist. of New England.

567

WATERBOROUGH.

have all the lands they would settle, and all the islands within 3 miles of the coast. In 1760 a similar proposition was made to Massachusetts by the Earl of Castlereagh and Francis Vassal in regard to lands upon Machias River, but nothing was done. About this time the King authorized the General Court of Massachusetts to make free grants of land to those officers and privates who had served in the French and Indian wars, just terminated. A captain was to receive 3,000, a subaltern 2,000, and a private 500 acres.

After the downfall of the French power in the north, in 1760, the Indians manifested a disposition to maintain peace and amity with the settlers, and to the present time this friendship has not been in- terrupted.

The rivers of this county are noted for their falls, and their ample lake reservoirs, forming abundant water-power. They were heavily tim- bered to their sources, and their extensive areas have been diked and reclaimed from the waters and made valuable hay-producing lands. The bottom lands are rich, and there are many large tracts of fine arable soil, which are bearing heavy crops of corn, wheat, hay and potatoes. The rivers are prolific in pickerel, trout, togue, perch, and salmon. The sea fisheries are extensive and profitable, employing a large capital and great numbers of men and boys. The granite business is receiving increased attention, and excellent quarries are being wrought at Addison, Jonesborough, Marshfield, and Red Beach in Calais.

Machias, the shire-town of this county from its inauguration, is also the oldest town. By an act of Congress in 1789, all the coasts and ports of Maine were classed in nine commercial districts, in each of which a collector and other customs officers were appointed by Pre- sident Washington. Machias was made a port of entry, Stephen Smith being appointed first collector. From the earliest settlement of the county its people have been largely engaged in building vessels, mostly of a small size, suitable for coasting and fisheries. In 1873, 9,482 tons of shipping were built in the Machias district. In 1856, 17 vessels, ranging from 100 to 1000 tons each, were built at Robbinston. Pembroke, Calais, East Machias, Lubec, Millbridge, Columbia Falls and Addison are ship-building towns.

Washington Plantation is situated in the southern part of Franklin County. It is bounded north by Perkins Plantation, east by Temple, south by Wilton, and west by Perkins Plantation and Carthage. The dimensions of the territory are three miles north and south by one and one half east and west. There is one lofty hill in the western part of the township, the termination of a range approaching from the south-west. The outlet of a pond in Perkins Plantation runs south ward through the eastern part of the township. The plantation is 6 miles north-west of Wilton, on a stage-fine. Washington Plantation was formerly township No. 4. The organization is now given up. The valuation in 1870 was $6,000. The population at the same date was 62. In 1880 it was 32.

Waterborough, in York County, is twenty-eight miles from Portland, on the Portland and Rochester Railroad. The town of Hollis forms most of its eastern boundary, Limerick and Limington

508

GAZETTEER OF MAINE.

are on the north, and Alfred and Lyman on the south, and Alfred, Shapleigh and Newfield on the west. The area is 26,491 acres. Water- borough was part of the purchase made by Major William Phillips, of Saco, in 1661, of the Indian chiefs, Captain Sunday, Fluellen and Hobinowell. By virtue of the will of Major Phillips' widow, John Avery, Colonel Joshua Waters and John Wheelwright, of Boston, be- came proprietors ; and the town took its name from Colonel Waters. The first permanent settlement was by John Smith, in 1768, near Waterborough Old Corners. Prior to its incorporation (in 1787), the town was included with the northern part of Alfred under the name of Massabesic Plantation.

The Court of General Sessions, which filled the place of the County Commissioners' Court, was removed to Waterborough in 1790, and a courthouse built south of the Old Corners in the forks of a road. In 1805 the court was removed to Alfred. The first hotel in town was about a mile south of the Old Corners. It was opened by Samuel Dam, who came from Durham, N.H., about . 1780. Mr. Dam built the first grist-mill in Newfield Village. The first church was formed in 1782. It was a Union church, and its meetings were held at dwellings. The second was a Baptist church, organized in 1791. In 1794 Rev. Henry Smith became its pastor, and continued there until his death, in 1836. The third church was a Free-will Baptist, organized by Rev. Henry Hobbs, in 1798. The first school in town was held in a barn, in 1784, and was taught by Samuel Robinson. The number of public school- houses in the town at this time is twelve; and their estimated value is $8,000. A few of the most notable names of natives or citizens are Dr. James H. Pierce, Ira J. Drew, B. F. Hamilton, Abel Jellison, Amos F. Allen, Chas. F. Leavitt, Dr. Jefferson Smith, Dr. Dryden Smith, Revs. John Haines, Stephen Webber, Timothy Hodgdon and Frank K. Roberts.

The town has five post-offices, South Center, Ossipee Mills, North and East Waterborough. The chief pond is the Little Ossipee, which contains about a thousand acres. The Little Ossipee River bounds the town on the north and affords several good water-powers. The outlet of Little Ossipee Pond affords the best power in town, running four saws and a planer. There are two powers on Branch Brook capable of running three-fourths of the year. Smith's Brook runs two saws through the year. Down's Brook affords a good privilege, but is not occupied. Robert's Brook, sufficient to run one saw for half the year, is now occupied with a steam mill. The Ossipee Manufacturing Com- pany, Ossipee Mills, on the Little Ossipee, employs 25 hands, manufac- tures 18,000 pairs of blankets annually, the business amounting to $63,000 ..

The Steam Mill Company at South Waterborough manufactures large quantities of lumber into boxes, shingles, and similar articles. The Ossipee Pond Company, at the outlet, also manufacture lumber. The amount annually manufactured in town is about 1,800,000 feet. Waterborough ranks high as an agricultural town, though better adapted for grazing than for crops. One farm keeps a stock of forty head of neat cattle and horses. The roads are good. One hundred and eighty-four men were enlisted from the town during the war of the Rebellion. Bounties were paid to the amount of $46,270.61 ; and to soldier's families, $5,535.74; contributions for soldier's relief, $900.

569

WATERFORD.

The surface of the town is uneven. Large swells or ridges run through it in nearly a northerly and southerly direction, with tracts of sandy land lying between. The ridges are largely covered with white, red and yellow oak, beech, birch, maple, pine and hemlock. The plains abound in white and yellow pine, interspersed with hard wood of the varieties mentioned. Ossipee Mountain, near the centre of the town, is with one exception, the highest land in the county, and is a station of the United States Coast Survey. The valuation of estates in 1870 was $364,270. In 1880 it was $373,580. The population at the same date was 1,542; in 1880, 1,482. The rate of taxation for 1880 is two and a half mills on the dollar.

Waterford lies in the southern part of the broad middle section of Oxford County. The township is almost square, with angles marking nearly the points of the compass. Norway bounds it on the north-east, Albany and Stoneham on the north-west, Sweden and Lovell on the south-west, and Harrison and Bridgton in Cumberland County, on the south-east. Crooked River enters the town on the north-west side and leaves it at the south-eastern angle in its course completely exemplifying its name. Extending across the southern portion of the town is a range of ponds, bearing the names of Long, Thomas, Bear and Moose. At the western angle, lies Kezar Pond, Island Pond, lies near the southern angle, Pappoose Pond near Crooked River in the north-eastern part, Bog Pond a little south-east of Thomas Pond, Chapin Pond at the north of Kezar, and Duck Pond on the south-western side of the town. These vary in size from 484 to 50 acres, in the order in which they are mentioned. In the southern part of the town is a range of three considerable eminences, of which the highest have the names of Bear and Hawk mountains. In the western part of the town Beek Hill stands solitary and beautiful. On the outlet of Bear Pond, and near Hawk Mountain, are a saw-mill, grist-mill, a clothes-pin factory, and a hotel. Waterford post-office and the town house are at " Waterford Flat," on the western side of Thomas Pond. South Waterford post-office (" Waterford City,") is on the stream connecting Thomas and Bear ponds. East Waterford post-office ("Rice's Junction "), is between Crooked River and Long Pond, on the outlet of the latter. North Waterford is situated on Crooked River near the north-western side of the town.

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Gazetteer of the state of Maine, Part 69

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