USA > Maine > Androscoggin County > History of Androscoggin County, Maine > Part 36
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304
HISTORY OF ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY.
Waterhouse; Lisbon, Paul C. Tibbetts; Wales, John Andrews, Jr; Leeds, Leavitt Lothrop; Liver- more, Reuel Washburn; Turner, Daniel Hutchinson. 1834- Danville, James Goff; Durham, Henry Moore; Minot, Joshua Parsons; Poland, Benjamin Waterhouse; Lewiston, Stephen H. Read; Lisbon, Horace Corbett: Greene, Benjamin Allen; Leeds, Leavitt Lothrop; Livermore, Reuel Washburn; Turner, Job Prince. 1835 - Danville, Benjamin Waterhouse; Durham, Joseph Warren; Minot, Nathan L. Woodbury; Poland, William Maxwell; Lisbon, Paul C. Tibbetts; Wales, Joseph Foss; Leeds, Israel Herrick; Livermore, Reuel Washburn; Turner, Ajalon Dillingham. 1836 - Danville, Benjamin Waterhouse; Durham, Joseph Warren; Minot, Nathan L. Woodbury; Poland, William Maxwell, Jr; Lewiston, William Garcelon; Lisbon, Paul C. Tibbetts; Greene, Benjamin Allen; Leeds, Israel Herrick; Livermore, Benjamin Waterhouse; Turner, Ajalon Dillingham. 1837- Danville, Samuel Stincbfield; Durham, Jonathan C. Merrill; Minot, Enoch Littlefield; Poland, Stephen M. Marble; Lewiston, Thomas Hodgkin; Lisbon, Benjamin D. Bryent; Greene, Solomon Brown; Leeds, Issachar Lane; Livermore, Samuel B. Holt; Turner, Isaac Gross. 1838 - Durham, Thomas Estes; Minot, William Lowell, Jr; Poland, Stephen M. Marble; Danville, John Penley; Lisbon, Mark Garcelon; Lewiston, James Lowell; Leeds, Solomon Lothrop; Turner, Isaac Gross; Livermore, Samuel B. Holt. 1839- Minot, Calvin Bridgham; Durham, Thomas Estes; Poland, John Megquier; Danville, Samuel Stinchfield; Lisbon, Philip M. Garcelon; Lewiston, James Lowell; Leeds, Solomon Lothrop; Greene, John Stevens; Turner, Charles Andrews; Livermore, Willard Kelsey. 1840-Poland, John Megquier; Minot, Charles Millett; Durham, Jonathan Strout; Dan- ville, Ebenezer Witham; Lisbon, Philip M. Garcelon; Leeds, Joshua S. Turner; Turner, Charles Andrews; Livermore, Willard Kelsey. 1841 - Poland, David Dunn; Minot, William Lowell; Durham, Jonathan Stront; Danville, Ebenezer Witham; Lisbon, Simeon Dwinel; Lewiston, Stephen H. Read; Leeds, Jolm D. Millett; Greene, Nathaniel Robbins; Turner, Charles Andrews; Livermore, Reuel Washburn. 1842- Poland, David Dunn; Minot, James Goff, Jr; Danville, John R. Nutting; Durham, Joseph Warren; Lisbon, John Lewis; Lewiston, Temple Tebbetts; Leeds, Joshua S. Turner; Turner, Charles Andrews; Livermore, Samuel B. Morrison. 1843- Durham, Simeon Bailey; Poland, David Dunn; Auburn, James Goff, Jr; Lewiston, Gideon Perkins; Turner, William B. Bray; Livermore, Isaac S. Daly. 1844 -- Poland, David Dunu; Danville, Nathaniel L. Ingersoll; Minot, Jabez C. Woodman; Lisbon, Horace Corbett; Livermore, Samuel B. Morrison. 1845 - Poland, Eliphalet Davis; Auburn, Enoch Littlefield; Durham, Alvah Marston; Lewiston, Asa Garcelon; Greene, Orrin Daggett; Leeds, Barnabas Davee; Turner, William B. Bray: Livermore, Isaac S. Daly. 1846. - Auburn, Thomas L. Howard; Danville, Nathaniel L. Ingersoll; Poland, Freeland Marble; Lisbon, Joseph Moore; Webster, Jacob Hill; Livermore, Philip Munger; Turner, John F. Holt. 1847- Durham, Sewall Libby; Minot, Richard H. Ford; Poland, Freeland Marble; Lewiston, Stephen Davis; Leeds, Thomas W. Bridgham; Livermore, Benjamin Bradford. 1848- Danville, Edward T. Little; Minot, Richard H. Ford; Poland, David Dunn; Lisbon, John Whittemore; Greene, Martin Leonard; Wales, Daniel Larrabee; Livermore, James Chase; Turner, Luther Bailey. 1849- Auburn, Thomas Littlefield; Durham, Jonathan C. Merrill; Poland, Robert Martin; Lewiston, Stephen Myrick, Jr; Webster, Wentworth Jordan; East Livermore, Hanes L. Morrison; Leeds, Joseph Day, 2d; Turner, Isaac Strickland. 1850 - Danville, George W. Chase; Minot, Richard H. Ford; Poland, Robert Martin; Lisbon, John Atwood; Greene, Augustus Sprague; Livermore, Nathaniel Norcross. 1851- Anburn, John Downing, Jr; Durham, Joseph Warren; Poland, David Dunn; Lew- iston, James Lowell; Leeds, Peleg B. Caswell; Wales, Joel Small; Livermore, Nathaniel Norcross ; Turner, Timothy Ludden. 1852 - Auburn, John Downing, Jr, Durham, Joseph Warren; Poland, David Dunn; Lewiston, James Lowell; Leeds, Peleg B. Caswell; Wales, Joel Small; Livermore, Nathaniel Norcross; Turner, Timothy Ludden. 1853 - Minot, Nathan C. Harris; Durham, William Newell, Jr; Auburn, George Ricker, Jr; Poland, Daniel Waterman; Greene, John Stevens; Lew- iston, Alonzo Garcelon; Webster, Stetson L. Hill; Turner, Luther Bailey.
ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY. - 1854- Poland, George Bridgham, Jr; Auburn, Thomas Littlefield; Danville, Ebenezer Witham; Leeds, Giddings Lane; Lewiston, Charles Millett; Lisbon, Moses Whittemore. 1855- East Livermore, Gilman D. Garland; Lewiston, Jacob B. Ham; Greene, Tristram ITill; Auburn, Silvester Oakes; Poland, William Stanton; Minot, Isaiah Woodman; Turner, William Bray; Durham, Hezekiah Gerrish. 1856- Auburn, Jeremiah Dingley, Jr; Danville, Calvin Record; Poland, William Stanton; Leeds, Thomas Owen; Lewiston, Jacob B. Ham; Lisbon, Aaron J. West; Livermore, Reuben P'. Brown. 1857 - Auburn, Jeremiah Dingley, Jr; Durham, William D. Roak; Lewiston, Alonzo Garcelon; Livermore, Orison Rollins; Minot, David B. Sawyer; Poland, Thomas Lane; Turner, Samuel B. Holt; Wales, John Lombard; Webster, James Bryent. 1858 - Auburn, Timothy Bailey; Durham, William D. Roak; East Livermore, Cyrus Knapp; Lisbon, George Plummer; Lewiston, Alcander Burbank; Poland, Thomas Lane; Danville, Daniel Field; Turner,
305
NATIONAL, STATE, AND COUNTY OFFICERS.
Samuel B. Holt; Leeds, Uriah Foss. 1859- Auburn, J. F. Cobb; Greene, Silas Sprague; Lewiston, Aleander Burbank; Minot, Joseph Bucknam; Poland, Charles F. Jordan. 1860- Auburn, T. A. D. Fessenden; Danville, William H. Rounds; Durham, Sewall Strout; Leeds, John Gilmore; Livermore, S. M. Norton; Lewiston, John B. Jones; Lisbon, Henry I. Holland; Poland, Charles F. Jordan; Turner, D. H. Teague. 1861- Auburn, Dexter Robinson; Poland, William Consens; Lewiston, William P. Frye; Livermore, John Monroe; Minot, W. L. Bonney; Turner, D. H. Teague; Durham, Emery S. Warren; Greene, Harrison Rose. 1862- Auburn, Nelson Dingley, Jr; Danville, James Wagg; East Livermore, H. C. Wentworth; Lewiston, William P. Frye, Mark Lowell; Lisbon, Jesse Davis; Poland, H. G. O. Haskell; Turner, Solon Chase. 1863- Auburn, Nelson Dingley, Jr; Leeds, Davis F. Lothrop; Lewiston, Nathan W. Farwell, Mark Lowell; Lisbon, David F. Shea; Minot, William P. Bearce; Turner, Solon Chase; Poland, H. G. O. Haskell. 1864- Auburn, Edward T. Little; Danville, Eben Jordan, Jr; Durham, Nelson Strout; Greene, Converse R. Daggett; Lewiston, Nathan W. Farwell, Nelson Dingley, Jr; Livermore, Charles W. Fuller; Wales, Harding L. Watts. 1865 - Auburn, Edward T. Little; East Livermore, Francis F. Haines; Lewisten, Nelson Dingley, Jr, Abial M. Jones; Lisbon, David S. Dunlap; Minot, William Moore; Poland, Adna C. Denison; Livermore, Daniel H. Kilbreth. 1866- Auburn, Oscar D. Bailey; Danville, Eben Jordan, Jr; Durham, James H. Eveleth; Leeds, Greenwood C. Gordon; Lewiston, Abial M. Jones, Daniel Holland; Poland, John R. Pulsifer; Turner, Phillips Bradford. 1867 -Anburn, Oscar D. Bailey; Greene, Bradford D. Farnham; Lewiston, Daniel Holland, William P. Frye; Minot, Josiah A. Bucknam; Poland, John R. Pulsifer; Turner, Phillips Bradford; Webster, Jonathan B. Jordan. 1868 - Auburn, T. A. D. Fessenden; Danville, Daniel Fields; Lewiston, George A. Clark, Nelson Dingley, Jr; Leeds, Wallace R. Leadbetter; Lisbon, Israel K. Estes; Livermore, Sylvan G. Shurtleff; Wales, Joel Ham. 1869- Auburn, Granville Blake; Durham, Jonathan Libbey; Greene, William M. Longley; Lewiston, George A. Clark, John S. P. Ham; Livermore, Albert C. Pray; Minot, Stillman W. Shaw; Poland, Andrew J. Weston. 1870- Auburn, Granville Blake; Leeds, Joseph G. Gott; Lewiston, Samnel R. Bearce, Jolin S. P. Ham; Lisbon, Edward Plummer; Minot, Marshall Jordan; Poland, Andrew J. Weston; Turner, Zebulon H. Bearce. 1871 - Auburn, Jeremiah Dingley; Danville, James Wagg; Durham, John D. Osgood; East Livermore, Cyrus Knapp; Lewiston, Henry A. Osgood, R. C. Reynolds; Poland, Luther Perkins; Turner, James M. Fish. 1872 - Auburn, Oscar D. Bailey, John W. Perkins; Leeds, Oscar D. Turner; Lewiston, David Farrar, John W. Farwell, Nelson Howard; Poland, Luther Perkins; Turner, Rufus Prince; Webster, O. D. Potter. 1873- Auburn, Oscar D. Bailey, Ara Cushman; Greene, Oliver Mower; Lewiston, Nelson Dingley, Jr, Nelson Howard, Warren E. Pressey; Lisbon, Charles B. Jordan; Minot-Poland, William H. Rounds; Turner, James A. Carey. 1874- Auburn, Isaiah Woodman, B. F. Sturgis; Lewiston, Warren E. Pressey, Adelbert D. Cornish, J L. II. Cobb; Livermore, Caleb Smith; Poland, Adna T. Denison; Lisbon, Oliver R. Small; Wales, David S. Sanborn. 1875 - Auburn, Benjamin F. Sturgis, James Wagg; Durham, Leonard Macomber; East Livermore, John W. Eaton; Lewiston, Nathan W. Dutton, Seth D. Wakefield; Livermore, John Sanders; Poland, Adna T. Denison. 1876 - Auburn, James Wagg, Hannibal R. Smith; Lewiston, Nathan W. Dutton, John G. Cook, Cyrus Greely; Minot, Charles II. Dwinal; Leeds, George Parcher; Turner, Lewis A. Farrar; Webster, J. W. Maxwell. 1877 - Auburn, Ansel Briggs, Hannibal R. Smith; Durham, William Stackpole; Greene, Virgil H. Sprague; Lewiston, John G. Cook, Cyrus Greely, George H. Pilsbury; Poland, Jesse M. Libby; Turner, Lewis A. Farrar. 1878- Lewiston, George H. Pilsbury, Abial M. Jones, Joseph S. Garcelon; Auburn, Charles E. Smith, Ansel Briggs; Poland-Minot, Gideon Bearce; Lisbon-Durham- Webster, Charles B. Plummer; East Livermore-Greene-Leeds-Wales, John W. Eaton; Livermore- Turner, Samuel Boothby. 1879- Lewiston, Abial M. Jones, Joseph S. Garcelon, Liberty H. Hutchinson; Auburn, Charles E. Smith, Jeremiah Dingley, Jr; Poland-Minot. D. B. Perry; Lisbon- Durham-Webster, Nathaniel J. Shaw; Leeds-East Livermore-Greene-Wales, Charles H. Lane; Livermore-Turner, James N. Atwood. 1880 - Lewiston, Liberty H. Hutchinson, Silas W. Cook, Isaac N. Parker; Auburn, Ebenezer Jordan, Ellery F. Goss; Poland-Minot, Thomas B. Swan; Durham - Lisbon-Webster, William H. Thomas; Greene-Leeds - East Livermore -Wales, Charles M. Washburn; Turner-Livermore, Horace C. Haskell.
BIENNIAL .- 1881 - Lewiston, L. H. Hutchinson (speaker), Silas W. Cook, Isaac N. Parker; Auburn, Ebenezer Jordan, Ellery F. Goss; Poland-Minot, Thomas B. Swan, succeeded by D. B. Perry; Lisbon- Durham-Webster, Elijah M. Shaw; Wales-Greene-Leeds-East Livermore, Joseph G. Bragg; Turner- Livermore, Horace C. Haskell. 1883- Lewiston, Wallace HI. White, Oren A. Horr, Chas S. Newell; Auburn, Benj. J. Hill, Arthur B. Latham; Poland-Minot, John S. Briggs; Webster-Durham-Lisbon, Roscoe D. Y. Philbrook; Wales-Greene-Leeds-East Livermore, Thomas W. Ham; Turner-Livermore, H. W. Copeland. 1885- Lewiston, Chas Walker, John M. Robbins, D. J. McGillicuddy, L. J. Martel;
306
HISTORY OF ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY.
Auburn, Benj. J. Hill, Silvester Oakes; Poland-Wales, Benj. H. Noble; Minot-Durham, Prescott R. Cobb ; Lisbon-Webster, Jeremiah Philbrook; Leeds-Greene-East Livermore, Seth Howard; Turner- Livermore, John O. Palmer. 1887- Lewiston, Frank L. Noble, Albert B. Nealey, Joseph E. Cloutier, J. Harper; Auburn, David P. Field, Geo. G. Gifford; Durham-Minot, Chas W. Harding; Poland-Wales, Chas N. Burns; Lisbon-Webster, Alfred E. Jordan; Greene-Leeds-East Livermore, Eli Hodgkins; Turner-Livermore, John T. Cushing. 1889-Lewiston, Ivory W. Emerson, Albert B. Nealey, Joseph E. Cloutier, John Harper; Auburn, David P. Field, George G. Gifford; East-Livermore-Greene- Leeds, Alvin Record; Minot-Durham, Frank O. Purinton; Wales-Poland, Alden Moulton; Webster- Lisbon, James G. Jordan; Livermore-Turner, John O. Palmer. 1891 - Lewiston, William Dickey, T. F. Callahan, Charles H. Osgood, Frank L. Noble; Anburn, Albert R. Savage, Albert M. Penley; East Livermore-Leeds-Greene, R. N. Maxim; Minot-Durham, Joseph H. Davis; Webster-Lisbon, Charles M. Ham; Poland-Wales, W. W. Dennen; Turner-Livermore, Roscoe Smith.
COUNTY OFFICERS .- Clerks of Courts. - Cyrus Knapp, appointed by the Governor, March 31, 1854- January 1, 1855; J. D. Pulsifer, January 1, 1855-December 31, 1863; Daniel P. Atwood, January 1, 1864-December 31, 1878; 1. W. Hanson, January 1, 1879, present term expires December 31, 1892. County Attorneys .- Charles W. Goddard, Lewiston, 1854-5-6-7; Charles W. Walton, Auburn, 1858-9- 60; Thomas A. D. Fessenden, Auburn, 1861-62; Mandeville T. Ludden, Lewiston, 1863-4-5-6; Emery O. Bicknell, Lewiston, 1867-8-9; Angustus M. Pulsifer, Auburn, 1870-1-2; George C. Wing, Auburn, 1873-4-5; Wallace H. White, Lewiston, 1876-7-8-9-80 (resigned 1880, and Albert R. Savage, appointed); Albert R. Savage, Auburn, 1881-2-3; Tasens Atwood, Auburn, 1885-6; J. M. Libby, Poland, 1887- 8-9-90; William H. Newell, Lewiston, 1891, present term expires December 31, 1892. Sheriff's .- Charles Clark, Danville, 1854-5; Lee Strickland, Livermore, 1856; Charles Clark, Danville, 1857-8-9-60; Isaac N. Parker, Lewiston, 1861-70; Daniel H. Teague, Turner, 1870-1; W. H. Waldron, Lewiston, 1872; Thomas Littlefield, Auburn, 1873-4-5-6-7-8-9-80-1. Vacancy. Hillinan Smith, Auburn, 1883-4-5-6- 7-8; John F. Lamb, East Livermore, 1889-90-1, term expires December 31, 1892. Judges of Probate .- Nahum Morrill, Auburn, 1854-5-6; Reuel Washburn, Livermore, 1857-8, July, 1859; Edward T. Little, Danville, 1859-60-1-2-3; Enos T. Luce, Lewiston, 1863-4-5-6-7-8-9-70-1; Cyrus Knapp, East Liver- more, 1872-3-4-5; George C. Wing, Auburn, 1876-7-8-9-80-1-2-3-4; Albert R. Savage, Auburn, 1885- 6-7+8; Franklin M. Drew, Lewiston, 1889-90-1, terin expires December 31, 1892. Registers of Probate .- Stetson L. Hill, Webster, 1854-5-6; William P. Frye, Lewiston, 1857-8-9-60; George S. Woodman, Auburn, 1861-80; Nathan W. Harris, Anburn, 1881-88; Fred O. Watson, Auburn, 1889-90-1, term expires December 31, 1892. County Treasurers. - James Goff, Auburn, 1854; Jesse Hayes, 1855-6; A. H. Small, Lewiston, 1857-8; Philip A. Briggs, Auburn, 1859-60-1-2; I. G. Curtis, 1863-4-5; Joel S. Cobb, 1866; Joseph Littlefield, 1867; Alcander F. Merrill, 1868-82, Mr Merrill died in office and his son was appointed to serve out the term ; J. F. Merrill, 1883-4; Daniel Lara, Auburn, 1885-6; Noel B. Potter, Lewiston, 1887-91, term expires December 31, 1892. County Commissioners .- 1854-S. H. Read, Lewiston; Job Chase, Livermore; Emery S. Warren, Durham. 1855-Isaac S. Small, Wales; Job Chase; Benjamin Waterhouse, Poland. 1856-Isaac S. Small, Job Chase; Samuel F. Waterman, Poland. 1857-Job Chase, I. S. Small, S. F. Waterinan. 1858-59- I. S. Small; Jonathan C. Merrill, Durham; Sam] F. Waterman. 1860-Jonathan C. Merrill; Rufus Prince, Turner; Augustus Sprague, Greene. 1861-2- Rufus Prince, Augustus Sprague; William S. Cotton, Lisbon. 1863- William S. Cotton, Rufus Prince; Robert Martin, Auburn. 1864- Rufus Prince, Robert Martin; Jesse Davis, Lisbon. 1865-68- Robert Martin, Jesse Davis; Lee Strickland, Livermore. 1869-Jesse Davis; John Read, Lewiston; Lee Strickland. 1870- Lee Strickland, John Read; William D. Roak, Durham. 1871-5-John Read, William D. Roak; Davis F. Lothrop, Leeds. 1876- Davis F. Lothrop, John Read; Luther Perkins, Poland. 1877-8 -John Read, Luther Perkins; H. W. Briggs, Livermore. 1879-80 -II. W. Briggs, John Read; J. W. Maxwell, Webster. 1881-J. W. Maxwell, H. W. Briggs; O. D. Bailey, Auburn, 1882-H. W. Briggs, O. D. Bailey; Henry Turner, Turner. 1883-6 - O. D. Bailey, J. W. Maxwell; R. C. Boothby, East Livermore. 1887- J. W. Maxwell, R. C. Boothby; W. B. Beals, Turner. 1888-R. C. Boothby, W. B. Beals, J. W. Maxwell. 1889-90-1- W. B. Beals, R. C. Boothby; Seth Chandler, Lewiston. Registers of Deeds. - J. H. Otis, Leeds, 1854-7; William F. Garcelon, Lewiston, 1857-68; Silas Sprague, Auburn, 1868-91, present term expires December 31, 1892.
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THE COURTS AND BENCH AND BAR.
CHAPTER XV.
THE COURTS AND BENCH AND BAR.
The Courts-Supreme Judicial Court - Probate and Insolvent Courts -Court of County Commissioners - Auburn Municipal Court-Lewiston Municipal Court-County Build- ings-The Little Family - Bench and Bar.
1 HE COURTS .- When the county was organized, the present judicial system of a supreme judicial court, a court of county commissioners, and a court of probate and insolvency, had been in force for many years. Under this system, with the addition of the municipal courts of Lewiston and Auburn, the citizens of Androscoggin have lived and litigated.
Supreme Judicial Court .- This court is composed of a chief justice and seven associates, who exercise, as a full benchi, the powers of a law court, and one of whom holds trial terms at Auburn for this county on the third Tuesdays of January, April, and September. This is the court of general jurisdiction in matters civil, criminal, and equitable. It has by statute gen- eral supervision over inferior courts for the correction of errors and abuses, and appeals lie to it from the lower courts of the county. At the trial term the grand jury and two petit juries are in attendance. The first term in this county was opened in Auburn Hall, then an unfinished wooden building, and immediately adjourned to Jones's Hall, in Lewiston, where its terms were held until Auburn Hall was completed, which was used until the county buildings were built.
Probate and Insolvent Courts. - The court of probate and insolvency is composed of a single judge and a register, both elected by the people of the county. This court has jurisdiction of all matters relating to the settlement of the estates of deceased persons, the appointment of guardians of children and insane persons, of the adoption of children, and in cases of insolvency. These courts were held in Engine Hall, on North Main street in Auburn, until the county buildings were completed.
Court of County Commissioners .- The County Commissioners are the general fiscal agents of the county. Claims against the county must be allowed, and the accounts of county officers audited by them. In their judicial capacity, they have jurisdiction in cases where roads and bridges are to be jointly built and maintained by two or more towns, and where a town unreasonably refuses to lay out public ways. They also have appellate
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HISTORY OF ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY.
jurisdiction in cases in which a party is aggrieved by a town in laying out a public way, or by the valuation of property for purposes of taxation, and have authority to award damages to an individual whose property is taken by a railroad company for the construction of tracks or buildings.
Auburn Municipal Court .- This court had its origin in the Auburn police court, established in 1869, and presided over by Nathaniel French from 1869 to 1873, and by Thomas Howard from 1873 to its abolition in 1875, when the municipal court was created. Richard Dresser was the first judge, and has presided over the court since. The Legislature of 1891 increased its juris- diction, made it a court of record, and provided for the appointment of a clerk. Albert E. Verrill, of Auburn, was appointed clerk.
Lewiston Municipal Court. - In 1859 a police court was created in Lewiston. John Smith was the judge, and held court in a building on Lisbon street, standing where does now the law-office of A. K. P. Knowlton. In 1871 a new court was established, and Enos T. Luce was appointed judge. Judge Luce held the office for about a year, when A. K. P. Knowlton was elected for a four years' term. In 1876 Adelbert D. Cornish was appointed. In 1872 the court moved into rooms in the City Building, where its terms were held until the building was burned, January 7, 1890. Since then it has been held in Tracy Block, on Lisbon street.
By the act establishing this county the erection of county buildings was delayed for one season until the people by ballot selected a shire-town and it was proclaimed by the governor. At the election held October 2, 1854, Auburn was chosen by a majority of 876 votes, and November 15, Governor Crosby proclaimed Auburn "the shire-town of the county, to all intents and purposes the same as if it had been designated in the act creating the county." In obedience to this proclamation, the board of county commissioners promptly removed the county offices from Lewiston to Auburn, providing the best accommodations attainable in the brick dwelling of Mrs Davis and in the wooden engine-house. There was, however, no building of suitable size within the legal limits of Auburn for the holding of sessions of the supreme court, and Judge Rice was compelled in January, 1855, to adjourn his court to Lewiston. By April, Auburn Hall was in readiness to be used for this purpose, and from that time courts have been regularly held in Auburn. Quite a difficulty was experienced in securing a location for county buildings, but the present site of nearly one acre was purchased November 1, 1855, for $1,800. The contract for building was let to Hon. Albert Currier, of Newburyport, Mass., for $69,753. Work was begun April 14, 1856, and the structure was to be completed January 1, 1857. Unforeseen delays prevented this, but the offices for county officials were occupied as fast as they were ready, and during the summer of 1857 the whole work was completed. The buildings are convenient, artistic, and centrally located. They give a pleasing effect to the
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THE COURTS AND BENCH AND BAR.
locality of Turner and Court streets where they are situated, and are truly ornamental in appearance. The three buildings are connected, arranged to form three sides of a hollow square, and are fire-proof. The exterior walls are brick with a granite basement. The south building on Court street is 97 x 54 feet in size, and two finished stories in height, exclusive of the cellar. The first story is occupied by county offices; the second by a court-room (55 x 50 feet), jury rooms, etc. The roof is slated, hipped to meet a "flat" in the center, and is surmounted by a cupola or dome light. The north building measures 96 x 85 feet and contains the jail and jailor's residence. The third building connects the others, measures 65 x 25 feet, and is one story high.
THE LITTLE FAMILY.1-The searcher of land titles in Androscoggin county finds no family name of more frequent occurrence among the early grantors than that of Little. In fact, Colonel Moses Little, of Newbury, Mass., the first to interest himself in the region, at one time in his life must have held fee simple of the major part of eight of these thirteen towns. He was a shrewd old soldier of indomitable energy and natural abilities of no mean order. He served with much credit in the French and Indian War, and for several years afterward was surveyor of the King's woods, a position which gave him excellent facilities for becoming acquainted with the value of wild lands. The war of the Revolution found him over fifty years of age, but as active and earnest in the defense of his country's liberties as the youngest. Upon the first tidings of the encounter at Lexington, he marched with his company to the American headquarters at Cambridge. Tradition says the news reached Turkey Hill at midnight, and by six the next morning he was on the road at the head of his men. At the battle of Bunker Hill he was reported as having behaved with much spirit. Though not wounded, he had several narrow escapes. Men on each side of him were killed, and his clothes were bespattered with blood. Forty of his regiment were killed or wounded. He remained with his command at Cambridge, leaving it only two days when called home in August to attend the funeral of two of his children. He was the officer of the day when Washington took command of the army, and afterwards became personally acquainted with his commander-in-chief, who held him in high esteem. It is said that on one occasion, when several officers were complaining bitterly of the character of the provisions, Washington suggested that they confer with Colonel Moses Little, who had not found time to allude to hardships of this sort. He went with the army to New York after the evacuation of Boston, and was present at the disastrous battle of Long Island. He held command of Fort Greene, near the center of the American line, before the engagement, and during it was stationed at the Flatbush Pass. He also took part in the battle of Harlem Heights, but did not accompany his men in the retreat through New Jersey, being detained by sickness at Peekskill.
1 By Professor George T. Little.
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HISTORY OF ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY.
During the winter he was in command of an important encampment at the latter place, but in the spring of 1777 was forced to return home on account of ill health. Two years later he declined for the same reason the commission of brigadier-general and the command of an expedition raised by the Common- wealth of Massachusetts to dislodge the enemy from their position on the Penobscot. After his return to Newbury he was pressed into the civil service, and represented his native town in the legislature for several years, as he had done before the war. In 1781 he lost, to a large extent, his power of speech by a stroke of paralysis. He lived, however, several years, dying 27 May, 1798.
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