USA > Maine > Genealogical and family history of the state of Maine, Volume II > Part 51
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prayers that it long might be a beacon light of hope for the whole earth. Its broad and deep foundations have never been shaken by the countless storms which have rushed upon it. After a terrible thunder tempest which swept down the Penobscot, hurling great trees to the earth and leaving marks of destruction every- where, an old lady quietly looked out from the window of her home and said: "I knew that the Seminary would be there. It looks just as if the storm had only put strength into it." The records of this noble school are en- riched with the names and attainments of scores and scores of the best men and women, and its teachers, as well as the pastors of the Methodist and Congregational churches of this town, have been of the highest types of scholarship and helpfulness. The rest and cheer of a Sabbath in Bucksport reaches its hands of blessing into the long years that may follow.
Rev. L. L. Knox, the first principal of the East Maine Conference Seminary, was one of the early graduates of Wesleyan University, of Middletown, Connecticut, and after his graduation was elected tutor in the university. After teaching for a time he joined the itiner- ant ranks and was an earnest and helpful preacher in New York state. He came to Bucksport in 1851 and remained until 1856, doing noble work for the school. He then went west and spent the remainder of his active life in pastoral work in the state of Illinois, dying at Evanston, January 18, 1901, aged ninety years.
Robert P. Bucknam was principal of the seminary from 1859 to 1863. He took the charge of the school after it had been closed for some time on account of financial em- barrassment, and he did a grand work, hav- ing much help in the energetic and able work of Rev. Ammi Prince. Mr. Bucknamn was born at Columbia Falls, Maine, was a grad- uate of Wesleyan University, a man of scholarly attainments, and died in Bangor, where he had been a very efficient principal of the high school. He married Jane John- ston, the first preceptress of the seminary.
Rev. James B. Crawford was principal of the seminary from 1863 to 1869, having been teacher of mathematics there for several years. He was born at Durham, Maine, a graduate of the famous Kent's Hill school, and he died at Bucksport during his term of service, March 29, 1869, aged forty years. He was of one of the strongest old families of Maine, a man of noble spirit, and a teacher and princi- pal of marked ability.
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Melvin F. Arey was principal of the semi- nary from 1869 to 1872. He was born at Hampden, Maine, and has been one of the ablest teachers wherever his work has led him. He entered Bowdoin College in 1862, but immediately enlisted in the Twenty-second Maine Infantry, from which he was honorably discharged in 1863, after a brave service. He graduated from Bowdoin College in 1867. After leaving Bucksport he taught at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and subsequently was superin- tendent of schools at Cedar Falls and Fort Dodge. He has been professor of natural science at Cedar Falls in the Iowa State Nor- mal school since 1890. He is president of the Iowa Academy of Science, member of the State Board of Geological Survey, and secre- tary of the lowa Educational Council.
Rev. George Forsyth, a native of Gates- head, England, a graduate of Wesleyan Uni- versity in 1864, took the principalship of the Bucksport Seminary in 1872. after having had several very successful years of service in the Wyoming Conference, and retained this po- sition, in which his influence was so strong and helpful, until 1881. In 1887 he returned to the Wyoming Conference, where he has held various pastorates with marked success, and has served as presiding elder.
From 1881 to 1884 the seminary was under the excellent care of Rev. Morris W. Prince, who was born at East Boothbay, Maine, and received his degree of S. T. D. from Wesleyan University in 1890. He joined the New Hampshire Conference in 1871, and in 1884 was transferred to the New York East Con- ference. In 1896, while pastor of Trinity Church, New Haven, Connecticut, he was elected to the Chair of History and Political Science in Dickinson College, Carlisle, Penn- sylvania, a position which he still occupies.
The next principal of the seminary was Rev. Alden F. Chase, who was born at Woodstock, Maine, a student at Kent's Hill, and a grad- uate of Wesleyan University in 1869. He re- ceived his degree of Ph. D. from Colby Uni- versity, and in 1872 became a member of the Maine Conference, being transferred to the East Maine Conference in 1884. He was a delegate to the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church in 1892, repre- senting the first district of the book committee from 1892 to 1896. He taught with great success in several important places, and re- signed his position in Bucksport to become president of the Kent's Hill Seminary, dying at that place October 22. 1898, at the age of fifty-six years.
The next principal of the seminary, Rev. WV. A. Hutchinson, though not of Pine Tree State birth, but a native of Delaware, did grand work from 1897 to 1898. He was a graduate of Dickinson College, Pennsylvania, and took postgraduate work at Chicago Uni- versity and Harvard. He is now principal of the college preparatory school, Carlisle, Penn- sylvania.
Rev. J. Frank Haley, who is now the able pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church, at Brunswick, Maine, was principal at Bucksport from 1898 to 1900. His birthplace was Ken- nebunk, Maine, and he graduated from Wes- leyan University in 1876, and spent the next four years in teaching in Bucksport Seminary. He afterwards joined the East Maine Con- ference, was for five years the presiding elder of the Bucksport district, and was a delegate to the General Conference in 1896. He is a man who has had marked success in all his lines of Christian work.
Rev. Simpson P. Bender was principal of the seminary from 1900 to 1905, giving to it work of an excellent character. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and a graduate of Dickinson College and of Drew Theological Seminary. He joined the East Maine Con- ference in 1892 and was stationed at Calais when he was called to the presidency of the seminary. He is now pastor at Elroy, Wis- consin.
The Hanson family is traced to HANSON an ancient English origin. Watson's History of Halifax, England, gives a full account of the early history of this family and the origin of the name itself. According to this authority, the earliest known progenitor was Roger de Rastrick, who lived before and about 1251, and was a person of considerable importance. He owned land in various places in Yorkshire, England, Rastrick being one of his estates. John de Rastrick had a son Henry, who in turn had a son John. In those days. when only Christian names were in use, the two Johns of Rastrick were doubtless confused, and in order to distinguish them, the younger John became Henry's son, shortened to Hen's son, and Henson, or Hanson, as it was spelled later. As early as 1337 the name is found spelled Henson, at Halifax. John Hanson, of this line, went to London, and it is thought that his son Thomas was the American emi- grant.
Thomas Hanson was born in England and was among the early settlers at Dover, New
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Hampshire, in the vicinity of which his de- scendants have been numerous. He had a grant of land January II, 1658-59, near Sal- mon Falls, one hundred acres, bounded by land of Joseph Austin, Nathaniel Twombly, Job Clements and Jeremy Tibbets. He was admitted a freeman June 5, 1661, and resided at Cocheco. His will was proved June 27, 1666, his wife Mary being executrix. He provided dowries for his daughters when they should reach the age of eighteen. His widow was killed by Indians June 28, 1689. Their children : I. Thomas, born about 1643. 2. Tobias, born about 1640. 3. Isaac, born at Dover, taxed at Cocheco. 4. Timothy. Two daughters.
The Hansons of the family here considered are descendants of Thomas Hanson, of Dover. through one of his four sons whose names are mentioned in the preceding paragraph, prob- ably through his second son Tobias, although there is no certain proof to support this as- sumption.
(I) Nicholas Hanson was born in Dover, ,at Auburn, and two years later additional New Hampshire, November 6, 1789, died at South Berwick, October 31, 1865. He was a farmer, tanner and also interested in ship- building at South Berwick. He made his tannery his main enterprise, carrying this on very extensively. He was a Friend in his religious belief. He married, at Newburyport, Massachusetts, February 27, 1825, Lydia, born November 24, 1794, died at South Berwick, February 5, 1873, daughter of Ebenezer Sar- gent, of Newburyport. Children : I. Ebenezer S., see forward. 2. Lynthia Ann, born April 9, 1827, died March 5, 1843. 3. Sarah S., June 1. 1829, died January 23, 1846. 4. Nicholas, December 21, 1831, married, 1863, Lucy J. Wentworth ; he was a druggist; died at Somerville. 1904. 5. Miriam P., married Captain John M. Richardson, of South Ber- wick ; she died at Portland, July 23, 1880.
(II) Ebenezer S., son of Nicholas Hanson, was born in South Berwick, Maine, November 25, 1825. He was for many years agent for the "Old Conway" division railroad, but at the beginning of the civil war he left that company and enlisted in the regiment com- manded by General Joshua L. Chamberlain. At the end of the war he returned home and resumed his former duties. He married, July 2. 1849, Hannah Hilliard Wentworth. Chil- dren: I. Charles Frederick, born May 19, 1850. 2. Henry H., December 1, 1851. 3. Nicholas S., October 2, 1853. 4. William, January 31. 1860. 5. Lynthia. 6. John Mal- colm Richardson.
(III) Henry H., second son and child of Ebenezer and Hannah Hilliard ( Wentworth) Hanson, was born in South Berwick, Maine, December 1, 1851, and received his education in public schools and Berwick Academy. When fifteen years old he left school and found employment in a dry-goods store in South Berwick, remained there some time, then went to Haverhill, Massachusetts, and worked in the same capacity in that city. In 1870 he went to sea as a sailor before the mast, on board of a clipper ship, "Anna Decature," from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and dur- ing that and the following year visited many of the important seaports of Europe; when he at length returned to this country he was third mate of the ship. After returning from foreign shores Mr. Hanson worked for a time as druggist's clerk in South Berwick, but in 1873 removed to Lewiston, and was employed as clerk in the freight department of the Maine Central railroad. In the following year he was advanced to the position of station-agent
duties were given to his charge, with clerks and other employees under his supervision, and for integrity and accuracy he was in a measure responsible. In 1904, just thirty years after he first entered the service of the company, Mr. Hanson was given the agency of the Bates street station, in addition to the stations previously under his charge, and since that time he has directed the work of about seventy-five employees in all departments. These duties have made constant demands upon his time and energies, but he has proved equal to every emergency, and yet has found time to interest himself in municipal affairs and to give service for two terms as member of the city council. He holds a prominent place in Masonic circles and has advanced to the thirty-second degree in that ancient and hon- orable craft. He also is an Odd Fellow and an Elk. On August 7, 1875, Mr. Hanson mar- ried Elizabeth, daughter of Sylvanus and Ur- sula (Dunton) Brann. They have one daugh- ter, Charlotte M. Hanson, born May 15, 1876, married Ralph E. Files, principal of Haver- hill high school, Haverhill, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Files have two children, Elizabeth N. and Thomas Stone Files.
Watson is an ancient English WATSON surname, derived from the ab- breviated form of Walter- Wl'at-and son, as Kitson, Dickson, Hickson, Bilson were derived. Many of the branches
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bear arms and have had men of distinction in the United Kingdom and America.
(I) William Watson, the progenitor, was of Yorkshire, England. He married Eliza- beth Watson. Children : Alfred, Raphael, William, John, Ellen, Julia, Ann, Mary.
(II) Henry, son of William Watson, was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, 1833. He married Matilda Scott, born in Dundee, Scot- land, in 1832. He had a common school edu- cation, working in a dye-house at the age of eight years. Twenty-eight years later he be- came superintendent and manager of the same plant. He came to America in 1877 and was superintendent of dyeing and finishing at the Pacific Mills, in Lawrence, for five years. In 1882 he returned to England and embarked in business for himself with a dyeing and finish- ing establishment. Ten years later he came to America again and was made superintend- ent of dyeing and finishing at the Goodall Woolen Company, at Sanford, Maine. He held this position until he retired from active life in 1899. He now lives at Lawrence, Mas-" sachusetts. Mr. Watson was a Conservative in English politics; a Republican in Ameri- can. He became a Free Mason at Sowerby, Yorkshire, England, and is a member of the Episcopal church. He married, in 1856, Ma- tilda Scott, born in Dundee, Scotland, in 1833. Children : Lucinda, Annie, Harry, Frank, William, John, mentioned below.
(III) John, son of Henry Watson, was born in Bolton, Lancashire, England, June 8, 1869. He attended the common schools in his native town, and learned the dyer's trade under his father's instruction. Hle came to America in 1889, and worked first for one year in the dyeing department of the Stevens Mills, at Lawrence. He removed to Sanford, Maine, in 1891, and since then has been in the em- ploy of the Sanford Mills in the dyeing de- partment. He succeeded his father as the head of the dye department, in 1899, and has held the position to the present time. Mr. Watson is a Republican in politics ; a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Dover, New Hampshire ; Preble Lodge, Free Masons, of Sanford: White Rose Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; St. Armond Command- ery, Knights Templar, of which he has been commander ; Maine Council, Royal and Select Masters; Kora Temple, Order of the Mystic Shrine, Lewiston; a thirty-second degree Mason, well known throughout the state. He belongs to Clover Chapter, Eastern Star Lodge. In religion he is an Episcopalian. He
married, June 23, 1894, Annie Elizabeth, born October 16, 1869, daughter of Charles Young, of Leeds, England. They have one daughter, Alice Irene, born November 20, 1895, now at- tending the Sanford public schools.
BRAGDON
This family is of English ex- traction, and many useful and prominent men of the name
have been residents of New England. They were leading spirits in some of the coast towns for many years, filling various stations of trust. Arthur Bragdon Sr. was in Kittery as early as 1652. In a deposition given by him in York in 1665 his age was stated to be "about 67 years." He was called to fill many responsible positions in that old town. His son Arthur made his will in York in 1736, in which he states that he was "far advanced in years" ; mentions his wife Sarah, an only son Thomas, and daughters named Sarah John- son, Martha Lord, Tabitha Linscott, Bethia Leavitt, Love Sayer and unmarried Mary; grandchildren named Farnum. The will was probated May 5, 1743. Samuel Bragdon, of York, "aged and crazy of body," made his will May 10, 1709, in which he mentions his wife then living, sons Samuel and Joseph, "under age," and daughters Magdalin, Pa- tience, Sarah and Ruth, to each of whom he gives "five-and-twenty shillings." He called Deacon Bragdon his "dear cousin" and ap- pointed him "sole executor" of his estate. In- ventory returned January 6, 1712, two hun- dred and ninety-six pounds, eight shillings, no pence. Another Arthur Bragdon removed from York to Scarborough about 1725 and spent there "the remainder of a long and useful life." He was one of the few to whom the name "Gentleman" was applied in old legal documents. Captain Solomon and Gid- eon Bragdon removed to Scarborough soon after, and their descendants have been nu- merous there and in Buxton, Limington, and other adjacent towns. Thomas Bragdon was treasurer of the county of York in 1667. A Captain Thomas was representative to the gen- eral court from York in 1749.
(I) William Bragdon, great-grandfather of Dr. Frederick Augustus Bragdon, was a na- tive of Scarborough and settled early in Lim- ington, becoming the head of the families of that name in the town. His wife's name was Sarah, and their children were: I. Amy, born February 10, 1781. 2. Elizabeth, June 30, 1783. 3. Sarah, March 1, 1785. 4. Arthur, June 6, 1787. 5. Susanna, April 9, 1789. 6. William, see forward. 7. Edmund, March 20,
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1794. 8. Mehitable, April 28, 1796. 9. Sew- all, July 6, 1798.
(II) William (2), second son and sixth child of William ( 1) and Sarah Bragdon, was born December 30, 1791. He married Han- nah Bryant, and they had children: Orrin, Sumner. Sarah, Susan, Louisa, John, James and George.
(III) George, youngest child of William (2) and Hannah (Bryant) Bragdon, born in Raymond, Maine, 1831, died in 1904. He was educated in the schools of Limington and in the Limington Academy, and was engaged in teaching until a short time prior to his death. His time was for the most part spent in the schools of Maine, Bath, Biddeford, Gorham, and other places. He was principal of a number of the schools in which he taught and attained prominence in educational circles. He removed from Raymond to Limington and retained his residence in the latter place until his death. His political affiliations were with the Democratic party, and at various times he filled town offices, among them being those of selectman and supervisor of schools. He married Amanda Sawyer, and had children : I. Frank A., a flour merchant in Boston. 2. George C., engaged in the baking business in Boston. 3. Lillian Bell, deceased. 4. Freder- ick Augustus.
(IV) Frederick Augustus, youngest child of George and Amanda (Sawyer) Bragdon, was born in Limington, Maine, October 28, 1858. His education was acquired in the public schools of Limington, the Limington Acad- emy and at Bowdoin Medical College, from which he was graduated in June, 1883. In July of the same year he established him- self in the practice of the medical profession, in which he has been successfully engaged since that time. He practiced ten years in Shapleigh, Maine, and in 1893 removed to Springvale, where he has since resided. He is a member of the Maine Medical Society and the Maine Academy of Medicine. He is an attendant at the Baptist church. His fraternal affiliations are with the following organiza- tions : Springvale Lodge, No. 190, Free and Accepted Masons; White Rose Royal Arch Chapter, of Sanford, Maine; St. Armand Commandery, of Kennebunk ; Maine Council and Korah Temple, of Lewiston; Ossipee Valley Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Cornish, Maine; Riverside Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of Springvale. His ear- nest support is given to the Republican party. He married, 1884, Nellie, daughter of Aaron Welch, of Sanford, Maine. They have had
children : 1. Blanche A., born January 15, 1886, was graduated from the high school in Springvale and from Bates College; is now assistant principal at the high school in Spring- vale. 2. Lena B., born September 2, 1887, was graduated from the Springvale high school and the Farmington Normal school; is now teaching in Gilbertville, Massachusetts. 3. Florence E., born September 10, 1892. 4.
Frederick Ray, born September 8, 1895. 5. Harry B., born February 5, 1899. The younger children are students in the Spring- vale schools.
COFFIN The family whose name is af- fixed to this sketch is an exten- sive one, and very old. The sons haveborne worthily the good name set up by the sires in old England and in New England. Tris- tram Coffin was around Newbury and Haverhill, Massachusetts, in 1642, and is said to have first used the plough in that section. He, with others, bought Nantucket island, then a port of New York, for thirty pounds and two beaver hats, and removed there. From his iron-girded loins have sprung a sturdy yeo- manry, and our Coffin is of the Tristram line, though his connection has not been fully es- tablished.
(I) Seth A. Coffin was born in Webster, Maine, and was a farmer. He later removed to Bowdoin, Maine, and his wife, Nancy Bowker, was the widow of Charles Sylvester. Their children were: 1. Seth A. Jr., of Lewis- ton, married Georgie Lane; children : Ray, died in 1906, aged nineteen years; Arthur, resides in Bowdoinham ; Ethel, married W. W. Warren, candy manufacturer, of Bowdoin- ham, Maine; infant son deceased. 2. Laura J., wife of Charles L. Darling, of Lisbon, Maine. 3. John, deceased. 4. Arthur, de- ceased. 5. William H.
(II) William H., son of Seth A. Coffin, was born in Bowdoin, Maine, November 7, 1867, and was a pupil in the local schools. When twelve years of age the desire to be inde- pendent of his parents caused him to seek employment in the woolen mills at Lisbon, Maine. He resolved to make something of himself, and to that end sought to obtain an education, to defray the expenses of which he pursued various occupations. In 1888 he be- gan the study of dentistry with White & Leav- itt, of Lewiston, Maine, and in 1890 passed the examination by the state board. In 1899 he purchased the Mason Dental Parlors, at Lewiston, where he has built up an extensive practice. December 25, 1896, he married
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Edith, daughter of Samuel and Carrie (Stat- en) Flewelling, of Lewiston, who was born May 21. 1872. Dr. Coffin is an Ancient Free and Accepted Mason, member of the Knights of Pythias uniformed rank, and Grand Lodge, and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In politics he is a Republican, and has served in the city government. The success he has attained in his profession attests his proficiency ; the fact that he has been honored by his fellow citizens with official preferment proves his popularity among those with whom he lives.
This family originally settled PLUMMER at Newbury, Massachusetts, 1635. Francis Plummer, a linen-weaver, came from Woolwich, England, 1633. His wife Ruth died August 18, 1647, leaving two sons, Samuel and Joseph. It is thought that the Plummers of Durham, Maine, are descended from Samuel. Five descendants of Francis Plummer bearing his name have been members of congress. Governor William Plummer, of New Hampshire, was one of them. Samuel Plummer was taxed in Dur- ham, 1798-1805, and a little later Joseph and Arthur Plummer. Luther went West in 1817. Robert Plummer was born at Cape Elizabeth, March 1, 1761. He married, August 29, 1786, Zilpah Farr, who was born in Easton, Massa- chusetts, November 3, 1768. They settled in Royalsborough soon after marriage, not far from the Stone Mill. Children were : I. William, born May 26, 1787, settled in Dover, Maine. 2. Lucy, September 1, 1789. 3. John, June 25, 1791. 4. Abagail, February 16, 1792. 5. Zilpah, January 21, 1794. 6. Henry, December 18, 1796. 7. Moses, April, 1798. 8. James, July 17, 1801. 9. John, October, 1807.
Henry Plummer, son of Robert and Zilpah (Farr) Plummer, was born December 18, 1796. He was a prominent farmer and mill man, operating a grist and sawmill which was formerly owned by the Gerrishes prior to 1835. He was a licensed preacher in the Free Will Baptist church, and contributed liberally to the building fund of the new church and its support after its completion. He married (first), February 18, 1819, Wealthy, daughter of Silas and Mary ( Sargent) Estes. She was born May 22, 1800, and died January 15, 1830. He married (second) Martha Lancaster, who died November 19, 1894, aged ninety-one years eleven months. He died February 18, 1876, aged seventy-nine. Children of first marriage : I. Silas, born October 6, 1821. 2. Mary E.,
September 24, 1823. 3. George, April 7, 1826. 4. Charlotte, January 2, 1828. 5. Edward, January 4, 1830. Children of second mar- riage: 6. Wealthy, April 4, 1832. 7. John W., June 19, 1833. 8. Joseph, September 7, 1834. 9. Charles B., February 3, 1836. 10. Susan, September 9, 1838. 11. Margaret, Sep- tember 10, 1839.
Edward, son of Henry and Wealthy ( Estes) Plummer, was born January 4, 1830, in Dur- ham, Maine. He began his business career at the age of eighteen, in 1849, and purchased a saw and grist-mill just below Lisbon Falls, which he operated until 1862, when he sold out to the Worumbo Company, of which he be- came agent. He superintended the building of the large woolen-mill at Lisbon Falls. He was a promoter and director of the Androscoggin Water Power Company. He was prime mover in the building of the Rumford Falls railroad, and pulp and paper-mills of Lisbon Falls Fi- ber Company. He was representative to the legislature in 1870. He married (first) Au- gusta Taylor, of Lisbon. (Second) Sarah A. Shaw, of Durham. Three children : I. Walter E. 2. Harry E., married Mary Libby, of Lis- bon. 3. Ida F., married W. H. Newall, of Lewiston.
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