USA > Maine > Piscataquis County > Historical collections of Piscataquis County, Maine, consisting of papers read at meetings of Piscataquis County Historical Society, also The north eastern boundary controversy and the Aroostook War, V. I > Part 2
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John Whitney, Justice of the Peace.
Hancock, S. S. March 17th, 1812. Then personally appeared the within named James Lyford and made oath that he would faithfully and impartially notify and warn the inhabitants of Sebec as herein required agreeably to law.
Before me, John Whitney, Justice of the Peace.
Pursuant to the within warrant I have summoned and notified the inhabitants of said town qualified as herein expressed to assemble at the time and place and for the purposes within mentioned.
James Lyford.
Pursuant to the foregoing warrant the inhabitants assembled at the dwelling house of James Lyford on Saturday the 21st day of March 1812. Meeting opened by James Lyford.
Sworn Voted Jason Hassell Town Clerk Voted James Lyford Moderator Selectmen voted
Sworn John Sleeper, First
Sworn James Lyford, Second
Sworn Alexander Thompson, Third
Town Treasurer voted
Sworn Jeremiah Molton
Assessors voted
Sworn John Sleeper, James Lyford and Alexander Thompson.
Constable and Collector voted Abel Chase, he ap- peared and took the oath prescribed by law.
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Voted to choose three surveyors of highways.
Voted, James Lyford, George Knight and George Brier (sworn.)
Surveyors of Boards, Plank Timber and Slitwork, voted Jonathan Chase and George Thompson (sworn.)
Surveyors of Clapboards and Shingles, voted Jonathan Chase and George Thompson (sworn.)
Fence Viewers, voted Jeremiah Molton and Silas Harriman (sworn.)
Tythingman, voted Moses Cross (sworn.)
Fish Wardens, voted, William Douglass, Jr., Heze- kiah Hall, Moses Cross, Jr., Peter Morrill and Jeremiah Douglass (sworn.)
Hog Reeves, voted, Jason Hassell and Luke Perry.
(Sworn) Pound Keeper, voted, James Lyford.
(Sworn) Field Driver, voted, George Knight and John Sleeper.
Voted to adjourn the meeting until the first Monday in April next at ten of the clock in the forenoon to this place.
Met according to adjournment.
Voted to choose five school committee men. Voted, Jason Hassell, William P. Lowny, Peter Morrill, Jere- miah Molton and James Lyford.
Voted to hold future annual town meetings on the second Monday in March. Voted that future town meetings should be warned by posting up written noti- fication in some one central place.
Voted to choose a committee to settle with the select- men at the close of the year. Committee voted, Silas Harriman, Jonathan Lyford and Ezra Gould. Voted to dissolve the meeting.
Jason Hassell, Town Clerk.
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HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
(Early in the summer of 1812 the British were mak- ing their way up the Penobscot and the town of Sebec made preparation to repel the invaders. )
These are to notify and warn the freeholders of the town of Sebec qualified by law to vote in said town affairs to meet at the barn of James Lyford near the centre of said town at three of the clock in the after- noon to act on the following articles that is.
1st. To choose a moderator to govern said meeting.
2d. To see if the town will vote to equip themselves.
3d. To vote in what way and manner they will equip themselves.
4th. To act on any other things relating to the above articles if thought proper.
Sebec, July 8th, 1812.
John Sleeper, - Selectmen.
James Lyford, S
Pursuant to the foregoing warrant the inhabitants of the town of Sebec assembled at the barn of James Lyford in said Sebec.
Voted Mr. William R. Lowny, moderator.
Voted the town should equip themselves.
Voted the arms should be bought at the expense of the town.
Voted to choose a committee to send for the arms.
Voted the committee should consist of but one.
Voted Mr. James Lyford be the committee.
Voted to send for forty-five guns and sixty pounds of powder.
Voted the committee get what lead and balls he shall think proper.
Voted the committee shall get cartridge boxes or materials to make them as he thinks best.
Voted to close the meeting.
Jason Hassell, Town Clerk.
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Formation of Militia Company Aug. 1st, 1812. Ezekiel Chase, Captain. Jason Hassel, Lieutenant. Jonathan Chase, Ensign.
In the year 1812, the following sheep marks were registered :
May 5th. Abel Gould's artificial mark for sheep a swallow tail out of the left ear.
June 6th. James Lyford's artificial mark for sheep crop off the right ear and a slit in the left.
June 6th. James Douglass' artificial mark for sheep a crop from under the left ear.
June 6th. Abel Chase's artificial mark for sheep a swallow tail in left ear.
June 6th. Hezekiah Hall's artificial mark for sheep a crop off the left ear and a slit in the same.
June 6th. Daniel Hall's artificial mark for sheep a crop off the right ear and a slit in the left.
June 10th. John Sleeper's artificial mark for sheep a crop off of the left ear.
June 11th. Wm. R. Lowny's artificial mark for sheep a slit in the right ear, and a slit and a hapenny in the left.
Jason Hassell, Town Clerk.
In the election held Monday, Sept. 10th, 1821, the inhabitants of Sebec brought in their votes as follows :
For Governor, Albion K. Paris, 50
Gen. Joshua Wingate, 9
Dr. Isaac Case, 61
For Senator,
Simeon Stetson, 3
For Representative to Wm. R. Lowny, Esq., 49
Ichabod Thomas, Esq., 8
Legislature of Maine,
Moses Greenleaf, Esq., 3
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HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
Sebec was originally Number Four, Seventh Range, the eastern of the Bowdoin College Townships. Its area is 22,228 acres. It was lotted in 1802 by Moses Hodgdon. In May, 1803, the treasurer of Bowdoin College deeded 16,000 acres to Richard Pike of New- buryport, Mass. He paid about seventy cents an acre. At the outlet of Sebec Lake among the hills lies Sebec Village. In a short distance there is a fall of 18 feet, making an excellent mill privilege. In 1804 Mark Trafton, Samuel Kimball and others built a dam and erected a mill, the first framed building raised in the county.
Roger Chase of Carratunk built the water-wheels and put a saw and grist-mill into operation. In these mills the first boards were sawed and the first grain ground in the county. For 25 years Sebec Village was the leading business center of the county. Large amounts of lumber were sawed and rafted down the rivers to Bangor.
Capt. Ezekiel Chase, a soldier of the Revolution, was the first settler, locating near where the Hon. A. J. Chase now lives, in 1802. Capt. Chase was a self-taught physician, very skilful among the sick. He was active in politics and was chosen a presidential elector by the Democrats. A grandson, Jonathan A. Chase, still lives on the farm which was settled by his father, Ezekiel Chase, Jr. A great-grandson, Ezekiel L. Chase of Brownville, is one of the deputy sheriffs for the County of Piscataquis.
In 1803 James Lyford settled on what is now known as the John Lyford place, now occupied by a son of Fremont Livermore. Later he was followed by his brother Jonathan. The Lyfords came from Canter- bury, N. H. James Lyford, Silas Harriman, John Morrill and Bylie Lyford, who settled in Atkinson, married sisters, whose maiden name was Lyford. John Morrill
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was my maternal grandfather and father of Joseph Morrill, who was for many years prominent in town affairs and was at one time one of the county commis- sioners. The late A. M. Robinson told me this story of Joseph Morrill: During a session of the Supreme Judicial Court Uncle Joseph was foreman of one of the juries. A pauper case was on trial between the towns of Atkinson and Foxcroft; the case was tried and after the jury retired a ballot was taken and the vote was 11 to one. Uncle Joe was the one. They commenced to dis- cuss the matter, and after a five hours' session the 11 men changed their views and a verdict was given accord- ingly.
Wm. R. Lowny settled in Sebec in 1812. He was prominent in town affairs, and in 1819 was a member of the convention which framed the Constitution of the new State of Maine and was the first member elected to the Maine Legislature from this section.
The "Minister's lot" so called, was voted in town meeting to Elder Asa Burnham, a Free Will Baptist minister, who labored in town for 40 years.
In 1816 Ichabod Young put a fulling-mill in oper- ation, the first in the county, and at a later date a card- ing mill, the second in the county. John and Nathaniel Bodwell succeeded Mr. Young. In 1835 the Bodwells sold out to my father, Joseph W. Cushing. The next year a woolen factory company was incorporated, a building was erected and two sets of machinery were put in operation. Mr. Cushing ran the mill for five years, when he moved to Milo and erected a new mill. The first store at Sebec Village was opened in 1821 by Mr. Towle, and soon after Solomon Parsons became his partner. In 1823 Jos. Lamson, Sr., and his son, Jos. Lamson, Jr., opened a second store. I have in my possession a day-book kept by J. Lamson & Son. The
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HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
most frequent charges were for New England rum. Isaac Terrill comes to town from Bowerbank. The following charges in the day-book will follow: Isaac Terrill to glass rum 4 cts. ; before returning to Bowerbank Isaac makes another purchase, Isaac Terrill to two qts. N. E. rum 25 cts., to one jug 12 cts.
In 1830 Benj. P. and John Gilman succeeded Towle & Parsons and also acquired the Morrison lumber mills and did a large business. B. P. Gilman afterwards moved to Orono, where he formed a partnership with Hon. John Morrison in lumbering and in manufacturing lumber. At Mr. Gilman's decease he left a goodly estate. Mr. John H. Gilman lived in Sebec for many years, was prominent in town affairs, represented his class in the State Legislature, and in the early sixties, during Israel Washburn's term as governor, served as a member of the executive council. He was an incorrigible wag and many stories have been handed down of his oddities. Once while at home on a furlough during the Civil War I called on Mr. Gilman. He had an ill turn and was lying on the lounge. While chatting with him his wife came into the room, and he said to her: "While Wain- wright is here I want to make a request of you ; I am not feeling well and am liable to be taken away suddenly, and I want you to promise me that when I die you won't have any d --- d copperheads for bearers, for if you do I shall rise right up in my coffin and protest." Mrs. Gilman assured him that his wishes would be respected. Mr. Gilman moved to Foxcroft and later to Orono, where he resided until his death.
J. W. Jewett opened another store in 1832, and in 1833 Theodore Wyman formed a co-partnership with him. The business is still continued by Theodore H. Wyman. Mr. Theodore Wyman was prominent in town affairs and at his decease he had the respect of every one
----
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in the community. He was an honored member of the Piscataquis Lodge, F. & A. M. At his funeral services the members evinced their respect by being present in large numbers.
The first lawyer to open an office in Sebec was Henry Parsons. He was followed by John Appleton, who after- wards moved to Bangor and became Chief Justice of Maine. He was succeeded by his brother Moses in 1833, who after a few years also moved to Bangor. In 1838 Hon. A. M. Robinson opened an office at the village. After six years he moved to Chase's Corner and later to Dover where he resided until he died.
David Shepherd was the only physician in town from 1825 to 1863, when he was elected Register of Deeds and moved to Dover. He was an estimable citizen and at one time represented Piscataquis County in the Maine Senate and held many offices of trust in town.
By the courtesy of Judge Martin L. Durgin of Milo I am enabled to make extracts from an address made by him at the celebration of the eightieth anniversary of the formation of Piscataquis Lodge, F. & A. M., which was organized at Sebec Village: Eighty years ago last December 19th a certain number of Master Masons met at the house of Advardis Shaw in Sebec to discuss the expediency of establishing a lodge of Free Masons in that vicinity, and there were present at that meeting the following named brethren, Advardis Shaw, Eben Greenleaf, Josiah Towle, Moses Greenleaf, Jason Hassell, Col. Wm. Morrison, Eben Weston, Esq., Daniel Chase, Esq., John W. Thompson, Jonathan Robinson, Moses Morrill and Capt. Ephraim Moulton. These brethren came together again on January 2d, 1823, and it was voted that they thought it expedient to organize a lodge, and Moses Greenleaf, Josiah Towle and Wm. Morrison
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HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
were chosen a committee to transact all business neces- sary thereto.
On February 13th a meeting was held and it was then voted to postpone the designation of a name for the lodge until the next meeting when each brother was to propose a name. At the next meeting held on March 13th, 1823, it was voted unanimously to adopt the name of Piscataquis Lodge. At this meeting for the first time a record was made designating the three chair officers by their proper titles and Moses Greenleaf was acting as Master, Jason Hassell as Senior Warden and Wm. Morrison as Junior Warden. From that time on meetings were held at stated intervals. .
On April 10th a petition was addressed to the Grand Lodge praying to be constituted a regular lodge, and Worshipful Master Moses Greenleaf was chosen a com- mittee to attend the next meeting of Penobscot and Rising Virtue Lodges, (being the two nearest) relative to the organization of Piscataquis Lodge. On November 6th Moses Greenleaf, Josiah Towle and Solomon Parsons were selected as a committee to procure the charter, jewels and furniture for the lodge; also a place to hold its meetings and to prepare a code of by-laws for the government of the lodge. And it is here worthy to note that the code of by-laws presented by the committee 80 years ago is practically unchanged to this day. I have learned that during the space of about a year Brother Towle was building a convenient hall for the accommo- dation of the lodge, and that the committee was procur- ing furniture, jewels, etc., as fast as the state of the treasury would permit.
On receiving the charter, which bears the date of Octo- ber 28th, 1823, from the Grand Lodge of Maine, a meet- ing was held on March 31st, 1825, and for the first time an election of officers was held, resulting as follows: Moses
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Greenleaf, W. M .; David Shepherd, S. W. ; Solomon Parsons, J. W. ; Wm. Morrison, Treas. ; Eben Greenleaf, Sec'y ; Josiah Towle, S. D .; Jason Hassell, J. D .; Ephraim Moulton, S. S. ; Jonathan Robinson, J. S. ; J. W. Thompson, Tyler. In January, 1826, our breth- ren were asked to donate something for a monument to Washington. Just how much that fund was swelled by the brethren of Piscataquis Lodge I am unable to say. In September and October there were no commun- ications of the lodge by reason of the unparalleled prevalence of fevers in Sebec. At the December meet- ing a petition was received from sundry brethren in Sangerville, praying for the right to form a lodge in that town to be known as Mosaic Lodge. The petition was unanimously granted. Mosaic Lodge is now located at Foxcroft. Our brethren in those days did not let lodge matters interfere with business, for the Secretary tells us that on account of the pressure of other business in September and October, 1828, the members held no meetings of the lodge.
In April, 1829, owing to the extreme "badness" of the traveling no lodge was held. In September of this year action was taken looking to the surrender of the charter of the lodge and personal notice was given to each member to be present at next meeting to discuss the matter. In October and November owing in part to the inclemency of the weather, but more to the apathy of the members, meetings of the lodge were not held. December 10th, however, a meeting was held and it was decided inexpedient to surrender the charter. I desire to call attention to three brothers who attended this meeting, namely, David Shepherd, Joseph Chase and Abner Ford, and you will agree with me that these men had tenacity of purpose, that they possessed what we term in these later days staying qualities. At this meet-
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HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
ing proposals were made to change by-laws so that our meetings should be held quarterly in the months of January, April, July and October. After some discus- sion a decision upon the foregoing was postponed until our next communication.
On November 22d, 1831, nearly two years later, the next meeting of the lodge was held. This was a special called by the Master and the lodge was honored by a visit from the D. D. G. M. of the seventh district, Dr. David Shepherd. At this meeting the question of amending the by-laws relative to time of meeting where it had been for two years, and it was sought to further amend it by having semiannual communications in the months of March and September and that a yearly tax of 25 cents be collected from each member as dues. It was finally decided to postpone the decision of this question until the next communication of the lodge; but I fear that when the next meeting was held the commit- tee to whom this matter had been referred had passed to "that land where ends our dark uncertain travel," for I have failed to find their names recorded in any of the proceedings since. The members of that committee were Moses Greenleaf, Solomon Parsons and Advardis Shaw. I feel, however, that these brothers were excus- able for not being present at the next communication, or for dying before it was held, for twenty-three years, two months and twenty-two days elapsed before the next communication was held. Now permit me to revert to the three named brothers I spoke of as possessing so much tenacity of purpose, Brothers David Shepherd, Joseph Chase and Abner Ford. At the meeting of this lodge held in November, 1831, they were present and holding office. At the next meeting in February, 1855, they were present and acted as W. M., S. W. and J. W. What, many of you may ask, was the cause of this long
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hiatus of nearly 24 years? I am told however that one William Morgan was claimed to have told tales out of school in 1826 and later he disappeared. He published in 1826 a pretended exposition of Masonry which attracted at the time more attention than it deserved. Morgan soon after disappeared, and the Masons were charged by some of the enemies of the order with having removed him by foul means. There were various myths of his disap- pearance, and his subsequent living in other countries. They may or may not be true, but it is certain that there is no evidence of his death that would be admitted in a Court of Probate. I am told that feeling in the matter ran high, enemies of the order were certain that Morgan was slain by members of the fraternity and missed no opportunity to injure the craft wherever dispersed, and we know that Masons are forbidden to talk back. The result was the craft suffered until time somewhat cooled the passions of men and reason once again asserted itself. This may have been one of the causes at least why Piscataquis Lodge lay fallow for so many years.
On March 14th, 1855, officers were once more regu- larly elected, and installed March 30th by R. W., E. B. Averill, Past Master. Following are the names of officers installed : David Shepherd, W. M. ; Edward Nason, S. W. ; Abner Ford, J. W .; Russell Kittredge, Secretary and Treasurer, by proxy ; Wm. H. Stanchfield, S. D .; James W. Burton, J. D.
At the Grand Lodge session held in Portland May 4th, 1855, it was voted that Piscataquis Lodge be restored to the list of lodges under the jurisdiction and that it be removed from Sebec to Milo and that a dis- pensation be issued by the Grand Master for that purpose.
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HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
Note .- Mr. Cushing in his sketch of Sebec carries the history of Piscataquis Lodge no farther than its connection with that town; the following is the rest of the history as prepared by Judge Durgin. [ED. ]
On May 25th, 1855, Piscataquis Lodge, No. 44, met at Temperance Hall in Milo. At this meeting four petitions were received-a very good start in Temperance Hall.
On September 21st Piscataquis Lodge met at their lodge room and later at their hall instead of at Tem- perance Hall. At the November meeting Brothers J. S. Sampson, Russell Kittredge and William Stanchfield were chosen as a committee to furnish and fit up the hall. On December 7th our late Brother Stephen D. Millett was initiated. December 31st occurred the election of officers, and we find Abner Ford and David Shepherd still "in it," and W. E. Gould was elected S. D. It was decided not to install until the next regular communication, and that each Mason have the right to invite his wife or spouse. In these days we would say his "best girl." At this meeting Joseph Chase disap- peared from the stage with a "Card."
On July 18th, 1856, Caleb J. Ford, father of our present Brother Ford, was raised as a M. M.
On January 24th Brother Henry Snow of Mechanics Lodge, Orono, visited this lodge.
On February 1st, 1856, occurred the first public installation, the installing officer being Brother E. B. Averill of Dover. Before the services began they listened to music from the choir, and closed with the same.
May 16th stated communication was substituted for regular communication.
On February 12th announcement was made that a Masonic convention would be held at Dover on the 12th
1
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OF PISCATAQUIS COUNTY
of the next November. Surely no one could say that he hadn't sufficient notice.
December 4th, 1856, our present esteemed Brother William E. Gould, was elected W. M. We doubt if any other lodge in the State can present a P. M. of 46 years' standing.
On December 18th a special meeting was held for the purpose of installing officers which was done publicly by P. M., E. B. Averill, assisted by the perennial David Shepherd. After the installation a very appropriate address was given by Brother Averill.
In October, 1857, Brother Caleb Tolman of Hender- son, Ky., was a visitor.
On January 12th, 1858, the lodge was called off and its members met the ladies of Milo, who presented to them the Holy Writings, after which a prayer was offered, and the officers installed.
At a meeting held December 24th, 1858, a committee on resolutions on the death of Brother Abner Ford reported. From this report I learn that he died at Sebec November 10th, 1858. On June 10th, 1859, this lodge was incorporated.
In December, 1859, another public installation occurred, after which a collation was prepared.
On May 24th, 1860, the lodge attended the funeral services of Brother James Burton, who was buried with Masonic honors.
On June 29th the late Sheriff E. S. Ireland was initiated. December 5th, 1862, the committee of guard- ians was succeeded by our present committee of enquiry.
In September, 1863, the lodge purchased the hall in which it met, of Russell Kittredge.
Fearing to weary your patience I pass over years of our existence, as nothing of importance transpired of particular interest, except to the fraternity. I find
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HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
scarcely a meeting recorded when there was not some- thing doing in the way of work, however.
On December 1st, 1865, there was an election of offi- cers, and Isaac Leonard was elected Treasurer, Charles S. Leonard, Secretary, and Abial E. Leonard, J. D. Members of this family have been much in evidence as officers of this lodge, ever since.
On January 22d, 1869, it was decided unanimously to let the Odd Fellows have the use of the hall at $12.50 per quarter.
March 3d, 1871, consent was given for the formation of a Masonic Lodge at Brownville.
September 22d Russell Kittredge was selected to complete the history of our lodge for the last decade.
On November 24th consent was given for the forma- tion of a Masonic Lodge at La Grange.
April 19th, 1872, a committee, consisting of our late Brother S. D. Millett, and Brothers J. M. Palmer and H. F. Daggett, was chosen to ascertain on what terms our hall could be sold, and to confer with other societies, etc., relative to building a new hall.
At the next meeting the committee, as is usual in such matters, asked for further time. At the following meeting the committee was released and it was decided to take no action that summer.
On December 13th it was decided to have a public installation and a cordial invitation was voted to be given to Pleasant River and Composite Lodges of Brownville and La Grange.
In March, 1878, another committee was appointed to consider the question of building a new hall, and our late Brothers Wm. P. Young, Lambert Sands and W. H. Owen were appointed. This committee at the April meeting reported and asked for further time. In
-
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September it was decided to accept an offer from Brother Fenno of $300 for our hall.
On August 29th, 1879, the stated communication was held at the office of W. P. Young. On September 26th the long anticipated moment had arrived when the Secretary could record the fact that Piscataquis Lodge met at its new hall, since which time this room has been our Masonic home. The furnishings of this room were but scanty. Hard wooden chairs and wooden settees with never a soft spot in them. Cloth curtains and bare walls; a debt that was as hard to get rid of as the pro- verbial seven years' sar-cop-tus scabeie, but thanks to the prudence and good judgment of "the boys" the debt has now become only a nightmare of the past.
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