USA > Maine > Androscoggin County > History of Androscoggin County, Maine > Part 54
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Extracts from Town Records. - The first pages of the early records are largely occupied with records of roads, and in the quaint writing and spelling some are amusing enough. In 1800 $250 for schools, and elected a school committee. In 1801 William True was allowed "Liberty to Hang gate Acrost the Road on his Land. Voted Not to Let the Wider Davis Hang Any gates A Crost the Road. Voted Not to Let Wails Have two Miles of the [north part] of This town." May 5, 1801, an adjourned town meeting was held in Samuel Tebbetts's barn, and for several years it was quite customary to occupy some barn or other to hold town meetings in. In 1801, $200 was voted for schools, and $100 to defray town charges. In 1802 Hon. Caleb Strong had 56 votes for governor, Edward H. Robbins, 44 for lieutenant- governor, Nathaniel Dummer, 38 for senator. In 1803 voted that the constable in future post up three warrants for town meeting at Roberts Hewey and Luke Lumbard's store. 1804 voted $1,000 for highways, $400 for schools, not to raise money to build a meeting-house. 1805 several private roads accepted by the town. A meeting May 5, 1805, was "to see if the town will agree to divide said town . and have the southern part incorporated with Little River Plantation." It was dismissed. Also voted to give 25 cents per head as bounty for crows. 1807 25 votes were cast in favor and 55 against the separation from Massachusetts. Voted "to dismiss the article concerning raising money for the preaching of the Gospel." Voted to build a pound 40 feet square near Luke Cushman's, and chose him pound-keeper. 47 votes against and 28 in favor of annexing the plantations of Little River and Wales to Lisbon, and John Smullen, Captain Josiah True, and Dr Benjamin Hale Mace chosen to remonstrate against such legislative action. 1808 70 votes were cast against and 38 votes in favor of incorporating the north part of Lisbon with Wales plantation in a new town. Voted to petition the President of the United States to suspend the Embargo act either wholly or in part, and chose seven good men and true to " wright " said petition. Little River Plan- tation has now become a portion of the town. 1809 a committee was chosen to petition the "Legislatur" for relief of the grievances of the town on account of the distressed state of the times. 185 votes cast for governor.
1810 voted to hold the annual meetings in March. A committee chosen to superintend the inoculation of the inhabitants with eow-pox. 1811 voted $100 for the support of the Gospel, $1,500 for highways, $800 for schools, $350 for town charges. 1814 voted to build a magazine to hold the town stock and the building let to Phineas Jones, also authorized the selectmen to hire money to pay the expenses of the troops in the late expedition to Bath. 1815 an
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HISTORY OF ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY.
article in the warrant calling the annual town meeting, reading "to see if the town will raise money to purchase B. D. Bryant's large store at Lisbon Corner for a town-house, if not, to see if the town will raise money to build a new town-house," was "dismessed." 1816 James Small and Ezekiel Thompson chosen delegates to the convention at Brunswick. 116 votes cast for, 60 votes against, the separation of Maine from Massachusetts. 1819 the barn of James Small seems to be the favorite place of holding town meetings, and in March the town voted "not to have their town meetings in future at the meeting- house near the Factory." 170 votes cast for, and 35 votes against the separa- tion of Maine from Massachusetts. 1820 Levi Stowell, William P. Davis, Ezekiel Thompson, Aaron Dwinal, Nathaniel Eames chosen to petition the legislature to divide the county of Lincoln, or make a new county from towns from both Lincoln and Cumberland. For first governor of Maine the vote was: Hon. William King, 77; Colonel Dennie M. Cobb, 3; Benjamin Cushing, Esq., and Samuel W. Hinkley, 1. 1823, Aaron Dwinal, John Smullen, and Paul C. Tebbets chosen committee to report on the propriety of building a house to accommodate the poor. Voted to petition the legislature to annex the town to Kennebec county. 1824 voted to hold the next town meeting at the Methodist meeting-house in the Factory village, and then alternately at the Baptist and Methodist meeting-houses, but at a later meeting it was voted to hold the meetings at "Roger Goodwin's barn."
1827 Nathaniel Gerrish and Moses Tebbets, innholders, and Paul C. Tebbets, Robert Jack & Co., Eaton & Carr, Aaron Dwinal, William Colby, Joshua Gerrish, Jacob Bibber, Ebenezer Han, James Weymouth, Miss Harriet G. Sampson, Sewell Moody, retailers, were licensed to sell liquors. 1828 241 votes cast for presidential electors, Levi Hubbard receiving 172, Cornelius Holland 69. Voted to give Sampson Colby $3.50 for a chest four feet long, two feet wide, and one and one-half foot high, to keep the town's books and papers. 1829 voted to petition the legislature for a new county. 1832 voted that we disapprove of the doings of the majority of our late legislature in agreeing to sell a part of the state to the British, and Aaron Dwinal, Moses Tebbets, Joseph Sandborn, James Emerson, and Paul C. Tebbets chosen to draft resolutions on this subject. 1833 voted not to grant licenses to retailers of spirituous liquors. 1837 22 school districts formed. 1839 voted to divide the town, and William Garcelon of Lewiston, Johnson Jacques of Bowdoin, and Elisha Barrell of Greene, chosen committee to make the division. 1840 the town meeting is held in the barn of Nathaniel Gerrish. 1842 voted to raise $625 for support of schools. 1844, March, voted to raise money to build a town-house the present year. Chose John Whittemore, John Ham, and Peter Charles to locate a place and procure land, etc., for said house. April 13 voted to locate the place and build the town-house on land of Horace Corbett opposite the brick school-house at the Factory village; also voted
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TOWN OF LISBON.
that the selectmen be a committee to superintend the building. September 9 the Lisbonians assembled at the town-house for their first meeting therein. 1845, March 17, voted to have the town-house Painted on the Outside (Red) and a stove furnished ; voted, that the selectmen be a committee to attend to the retailing of spirituous liquors, and put the license law in force. 1847 voted in favor of having a toll-bridge over the Androscoggin river at or near the southwest bend of said river. 1850 27 votes in favor and 40 votes against changing the time of meeting of the legislature. 1851 voters sustain the present liquor law.
Action of Town in the Civil War .- 1861, November 10, the inhabitants voted that the selectmen should see to the families of all who have enlisted or may enlist in the U. S. service, inhabitants of Lisbon, and assist them if they need assistance, and not consider them town paupers. 1862, July 19, resolved that a liberal encouragement ought to be given to persons who are willing to leave their homes and their families to fight the battles of our country, protect our homes and the constitution, and uphold the honor of our flag, by volunteer- ing their services, rather than by a resort to draft. Also resolved and voted that $100 be paid to each volunteer, to the number of 15, who will enlist within twenty days. Voted and chose Aaron J. West, agent. August 25 voted to choose two recruiting officers, one for the Factory village, and one for Little River village, who shall open offices for the enlistment of men as are called for as the quota of this town, and $100 be offered each person who may enlist, etc. This motion was made by Asa P. Moore, Esq. Aaron J. West and Emery W. Sawyer were chosen recruiting officers; also, voted that the select- men hire $1,800. December 8, voted to authorize the treasurer to hire $300, to be expended for the support of soldiers' families. 1865, January 2, voted to raise $450 for each soldier procured for three years, if they cannot be procured for less, and to instruct the selectmen to assist the agent in securing the quota. Henry H. Thompson was chosen town agent in place of A. J. West, deceased.
1865 voted to exempt the Lisbon Manufacturing Company and the Lisbon Centre Falls Manufacturing Company from taxation for five years. 1867 town line between Bowdoin and Lisbon established. 133 votes, all cast, were in favor of the suppression of drinking houses and tippling shops. 1870 voted to exempt from taxation for ten years any manufacturing establishment that may be erected at the Lisbon Centre Falls privilege ; also to exempt for five years the property owned and operated by N. W. Farwell. 1871 voted to abolish the school district system ; voted to build school-houses in the Plains and Frazier districts ; also to build this town's portion of the bridge across the Androscoggin at once, and raise $1,200 for the purpose. 1872 voted to exempt from taxation for ten years all buildings, machinery, and capital erected, used, and employed in the manufacture of boots and shoes or leather in any form,
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HISTORY OF ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY.
provided the capital so employed shall amount to $10,000. 1876 voted to fund the floating debt. 1879 voted to accept High, Winter, and Park streets. 220 votes cast in favor and 5 votes against state biennial elections and biennial sessions of the legislature. 1880 east 275 votes for and 170 votes against the amendment of the Constitution to provide for the election of a governor by a plurality ; also 273 votes for and 109 votes against constitution amendment to change the term of office of senators and representatives. 1882 voted to raise $250 for a free high school; also to raise $2,300 to build a school-house on Lisbon street. 1885 voted to build a school-house at Lisbon village this year ; also voted to exempt from taxation for ten years the Bowdoin Paper Man- ufacturing Company. 1886 voted to expend $2,000 for an engine house, lot, building, and reservoirs at Lisbon Falls, and $2,000 for the purchase of engine house and lot, and building reservoirs at Lisbon village. 1888 voted that we have a new school-house at Lisbon Falls, and to raise $300 to build a sidewalk from Lisbon Centre to Lisbon post-office. Electoral ticket for President headed by Samuel N. Campbell had 314 votes ; that by Clark S. Edwards, 255; that by Neal Dow, 28; that by Dexter W. Smith, 13. 1890 voted to raise $500 to purchase a hearse ; also to build a new school-house in the Durgin district. The annual report for the year ending March, 1891, gives the valuation as $1,471,318. Of this $1,191,319 is resident and $97,265 non- resident real estate, $180,334 is resident and $2,400 non-resident personal estate. The amount assessed was $24,004.90; number polls, 826 ; rate of tax- ation, .0151. The expenditures included : roads and bridges, $4,966.62; contingent account, $2,280.52; support of soldiers and families, $551.68; fire department, $321.82; street lights at Lisbon Falls, $200; Memorial Day, $50; support of poor, $657.54; new school-house, $786.45. The farm account shows, $156.33 in favor of the farm. The town's total interest-bearing debt is $11,257.34, a decrease of $2,838.44; its resources are $7,466.43, making the net indebtedness, $3,790.91, a decrease of $4,927.55. The receipts amounted to $22,363.16; disbursements, $20,784.19.
CIVIL LIST. - 1801 - Noah Jordan, clerk; Thomas Ham, John Smullen, Jonathan Hebbert, selectmen. 1802-Noah Jordan, clerk; Thomas Ham, John Smullen, Jonathan Hebbert, selectmen. 1803- Noah Jordan, clerk; Jonathan Hebbert, Thomas Ham, John Smullen, seleetmen. 1801 - Noah Jordan, elerk; Jonathan Hebbert, Thomas Ham, John Smullen, selectmen. 1805 - Noah Jordan, clerk; Robert Howey, John Smullen, Thomas Ham, selectmen. 1806-Sammuel Tebbets, clerk; Thomas Ham, Robert Hewey, Nathan Hanson, selectmen. 1807 - Daniel Hanson, elerk; John Sinnllen, Josiah True, Thomas Ham, selectmen. 1808- Daniel Hanson, clerk; Josiah True, Thomas Ham, Gideon Curtis, selectmen. 1809- Daniel Hanson, elerk; Samuel Tebbets, Josialı True, Isaac Tebbets, Jr, selectmen. 1810- Ezekiel Thompson, clerk; Gideon Curtis, Samnel Tebbets, James Small, selectmen. 1811 -Ezekiel Thompson, clerk; Samuel Tebbets, Gideon Curtis, James Small, selectmen. 1812- Ezekiel Thompson, clerk; James Small, Melvin Stow, Isaac Tebbets, selectmon. 1813-Daniel Hanson, clerk; Moses Tebbets, Ezekiel Thompson, Jolm Smullen, seleetmen. 1814 - Daniel Hanson, clerk; John Smullen, Moses Tebbets, Daniel Hanson, selectmen. 1815-Daniel Hanson, clerk; John Smullen, Moses Tebbets, Daniel Hanson, selectmen. 1816- Daniel Hanson, clerk; James Small, Daniel Hanson, Nathaniel Eames, selectmen. 1817- James Small, clerk; James Small, John Smullen, Daniel Hanson, selectmen. 1818- John Smullen, elerk; John Smullen,
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TOWN OF LISBON.
Benjamin D. Bryant, Ezekiel Thompson, selectmen. 1819-Paul C. Tebbets, clerk; James Small, Paul C. Tebbets, Benjamin D. Bryant, selectmen. 1820- Paul C. Tebbets, clerk; Paul C. Tebbets, James Small, Daniel Hanson, selectmen. 1821 - Paul C. Tebbets, clerk; Moses Tebbets, Benjamin D. Bryant, Joseph Sandborn, selectmen. 1822- Paul C. Tebbets, clerk; Joseph Sandborn, William P. Davis, William Coombs, selectmen. 1823-Paul C. Tebbets, clerk; Joseph Sandborn, William P. Davis, William Coombs, selectmen. 1824 - Paul C. Tebbets, clerk; Joseph Sandborn, William Coombs, John Ham, selectmen. 1825- Paul C. Tebbets, clerk; Joseph Sandborn, William Coombs, John Ham, selectmen. 1826- Robert Jack, clerk; William Coombs, Jolin Ham, Samuel True, selectmen. 1827 - Robert Jack, clerk; John Ham, Benjamin D. Bryant, Mark Garcelon, selectmen. 1828- Robert Jack, clerk; Benjamin D. Bryant, William Neal, Mark Garcelon, selectmen. 1829- Robert Jack, clerk; John Ham, Joseph Sandborn, Jonathan Davis, selectmen. 1830- Robert Jack, clerk; John Ham, Joseph Sandborn, Jonathan Davis, selectmen. 1831 - Robert Jack, clerk; John Ham, Joseph Sandborn, Jonathan Davis, selectmen. 1832- Robert Jack, clerk; John Ham, Joseph Sandborn, Jonathan Davis, selectmen. 1833- Robert Jack, clerk; Joseph Sandborn, Ebenezer Ham, Jonathan B. Jordan, selectmen. 1834 - Robert Jack, clerk; Joseph Sandborn, William Woodward, Robert Jack, selectmen. 1835 - Joshua Nutting, clerk; Joseph Sandborn, Thomas Jordan, Simeon Dwinal, selectmen. 1836- Joshua Nutting, clerk; Thomas Jordan, Simeon Dwinal, Joseph Moore, selectmen. 1837-Joshua Nutting, clerk; Joseph Moore, Philip M. Garcelon, Jonathan B. Jordan, selectmen. 1838- Joshua Nutting, clerk; Joseph Moore, Philip M. Garcelon, Jonathan B. Jordan,
selectinen. 1839 - Joshua Nutting, clerk; Joseph Moore, Philip M. Garcelon, Jonathan B. Jordan,
seleetmen. 1840-John Hoyt, clerk; Joseph Moore, Peter Charles, James Booker, selectmen. 1841-John Hoyt, clerk; Joseph Moore, Peter Charles, Jolm Whittemore, selectmen. 1842- John Hoyt, clerk; John Whittemore, James Booker, John Ham, selectmen. 1843-John Hoyt, clerk; John Whittemore, James Booker, John Ham, selectmen. 1844 - Robert Jack, clerk; John Whitte- more, John Ham, Peter Charles, selectmen. 1845- Robert Jaek, clerk; Joseph Moore, Asaph K. Horton, Ammi Dunham, selectmen. 1846- Robert Jack, clerk; Joseph Moore, Ammi Dunham, Peter Charles, selectmen. 1847 - Robert Jack, clerk; Joseph Moore, Ammi Dunham, Enoch Stover, selectmen. 1848- Robert Jack, clerk; John Ham, Asaplı K. Horton, Joseph D. Smullen, selectmen. 1849- Robert Jack, clerk; Asaph K. Horton, Ammi Dunham, Addison Metcalf, selectmen. 1850 - Robert Jack, clerk; Jolin Whittemore, John Ham, Jacob Whitney, selectmen. 1851 - Robert Jack, clerk; William Neal, Addison Metcalf, William S. Cotton, selectmen. 1852 - Robert Jack, clerk; Simeon Dwinal, Jacob Whitney, Edward P. Briggs, selectmen. 1853 - Robert Jack, clerk; Simeon Dwinal, Jacob Whitney, Edward P. Briggs, selectmen. 1854- Robert Jack, clerk; John L. Davis, William S. Cotton, William Blake, Jr, seleetmen. 1855- Robert Jack, clerk; William S. Cotton, John B. Douglass, Joseph Durgan, selectmen. 1856- Robert Jack, clerk; William S. Cotton, Asaph K. Horton, John L. Davis, selectmen. 1857 - Robert Jack, clerk; John L. Davis, Thomas T. Small, Jason Rand, selectmen. 1858-Robert Jack, clerk; Reuben Rand, John Atwood, James Farrow, selectmen. 1859- Robert Jack, clerk; Reuben Rand, John Atwood, James Farrow, selectmen. 1860-Robert Jack, clerk; Reuben Rand, William S. Cotton, Charles B. Jordan, selectmen. 1861 - Robert Jack, clerk; William S. Cotton, Aaron J. West, Charles B. Jordan, selectmen. 1862 - Robert Jack, clerk; Aaron J. West, Henry H. Thompson, David F. Shea, selectmen. 1863- R. W. Jack, clerk; A. J. West, H. H. Thompson, D. F. Shea, selectmen. 1864 -- R. W. Jack, clerk; A. J. West, James G. Jordan, Jason Rand, selectmen. January, 1865, chose H. H. Thompson in lieu of A. J. West, deceased, and H. C. White in lien of Jason Rand, resigned. 1865- Charles B. Jordan, clerk; J. G. Jordan, W. S. Cotton, Jordan Rand, selectmen. 1866-C. B. Jordan, clerk; J. G. Jordan, Edmond H. Ham, Seth P. Crosman, selectmen. 1867-C. B. Jordan, clerk; J. G. Jordan, S. P. Crosman, O. R. Small, selectmen. 1868- Aaron Nutting, clerk; S. P'. Crosman, O. R. Small, Jesse Davis, selectmen. 1869- Aaron Nutting, clerk; O. R. Small, Jesse Davis, H. C. White, selectmen. 1870 - A. Nutting, clerk; O. R. Small, Orlando Merrill, H. C. White, selectmen. 1871- A. Nutting, clerk; H. C. White, Orlando Merrill, A. E. Jordan, selectmen. 1872-A. Nutting, clerk; A. E. Jordan, J. G. Tebbets, C. H. Douglass, selectmen; in June, Douglass resigned, and Edward H. Berry chosen. 1873-A. Nutting, clerk; A. E. Jordan, J. G. Tebbets, Edward Berry, selectmen. 1874 - A. Nutting, clerk; E. H. Ham, H. V. Small, Edward Berry, selectmen. 1875- A. Nutting, clerk; E. II. Ham, E. N. Chamberlain, J. G. Tebbets, selectmen. 1876- A. Nutting, clerk; E. N. Chamber- lain, Jordan Rand, Hiram V. Small, selectmen. 1877- A. Nutting, clerk; E. N. Chamberlain, Hiram V. Small, E. M. Shaw, selectmen. 1878- A. Nntting, clerk; E. N. Chamberlain, Hiram V. Small, J. R. Edgecomb, selectmen. 1879 - A. Nutting, clerk; E. N. Chamberlain, J. R. Edgecomb, E. M. Shaw, selectmeu. 1880- A. Nutting, clerk; A. E. Jordan, Jere Philbrook, Henry Farrar, selectmen. 1881 - A. Nutting, clerk; A. E. Jordan, Jere Philbrook, Henry W. Farrar, selectmen.
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HISTORY OF ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY.
1882- A. Nutting, clerk; A. E. Jordan, Jere Philbrook, Henry W. Farrar, selectmen. 1883-A. Nutting, clerk; A. E. Jordan, Henry W. Farrar, Edward Marr, selectmen. 1884- A. Nutting, clerk; A. E. Jordan, Henry W. Farrar, Edward Marr, selectmen. 1885-G. Eugene Robbins, clerk; A. E. Jordan, JJohn Smith, George Crosman, selectmen. 1886-E. H. Lunt, clerk; A. E. Jordan, John Smith, W. S. Cotton, Jr, selectmen. 1887- E. H. Lunt, clerk; John Smith, G. W. Gowell, George Plummer, selectmen. 1888-James H. Eacott, clerk; John Smith, G. W. Gowell, George Plummer, selectmen. 1889-E. H. Lunt, clerk; John Smith, G. W. Gowell, George Plummer, selectinen. 1890- James H. Eacott, clerk; John Smith, J. H. Coombs, F. A. Jordan, selectmen. 1891-James H. Eacott, clerk; John Smith, Frank A. Jordan, E. HI. Lunt, selectmen.
CHAPTER XXII.
Religious Societies - Free Baptists - Congregationalists - Universalists - Methodists - Baptist Church of Lisbon Falls-The Roman Catholic Church.
R ELIGIOUS SOCIETIES .- In 1808 there was an article in the warrant "to see if the town will choose an agent to attend the Court of Common Pleas at Warren, to answer to a complaint against said town, for not employing and supporting a teacher of piety, religion, and morality, and for neglect in providing for the public worship of God as the law requires." Abel Boynton was chosen, and in 1811 the sum of $100 was voted for support of the Gospel, to be appropriated under the direction of Samuel Tebbets, Esq., Deacon Joseph Kilgore, Captain Moses Tebbets, Captain Nathaniel Eames, Isaac Smith, and Gideon Curtis. This is the first record found of any appropriation for the support of the gospel. The first preachers were Elder James Gareelon and Elder Cole, Baptists.
Free Baptists. - The first "Church of Christ in Lisbon called Freewill Baptist," was organized by Elder Josiah Farwell, in 1812, and consisted of these members: Hezekiah Purington, Susan Purington, Jonathan Blethen, Nancy Fulton, Isabella Kimball, Polly Sutherland, Ruth Tebbets, Hannah Smith, Axy Blethen. The present Free Baptist society was organized November 8, 1862, by Reuben Rand, with these members : Isaac Blake, William D. Crockett, James A. Harmon, Charles B. Jordan, James G. Jordan, Jacob Whitney, John Gould, John Smith, John Hatch, Charles Smith, Caleb C. Smith, Harrison Davis, Samuel Hinkley, Philip G. Frost. It has been ministered to by Revs. Albert W. Purinton, O. H. True, Andrews, Kimball, Bartlett, and Gould.
The Free Baptist Church at Lisbon Falls was organized November 20, 1856, by a council consisting of Revs. N. Bard and W. T. Smith and fifteen members. George Plmnmer was chosen clerk, Nathaniel Gatchell and Charles Brown deacons. The church made but little progress the next five years, worshiping
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TOWN OF LISBON.
with other churches in union meetings. In 1862 it was decided to hold a separate meeting, and a house was obtained. The original members were Ira G. Ridlon, Silas Plummer, George Plummer, Isaac Douglass, Charles Brown, Nathaniel Gatchell, Abigail Douglass, Nancy Douglass, Emily E. Plummer, Almira J. Plummer, Mary M. Ridlon, Mary Hewey, Deborah Gatchell, Elizabeth Brown, and Theresa Cornish. Pastors: The first was Rev. George Plummer, five years ; Rev. A. F. Hutchinson, one year; Rev. H. Lockhart, two and one- half years ; Rev. A. L. Morey, one year; Rev. G. O. Wiggin, one year; Rev. O. L. Gile, one year; Rev. Charles Mason, one year; Rev. H. F. Young, two years; Rev. B. M. Edwards, two and one-half years. The last pastor was Rev. John Nason. The old church being too small it was thought advisable to build a new church, and in 1887 one was erected. Among the contributors were Frank Gutmann, who gave $1,000 ; G. C. Moses, $500; Edward Plummer, $500. The church cost over $6,000, and was dedicated March 6, 1888. Rev. Carter E. Cate, of Lewiston, preached the dedicatory sermon.
A Congregational church building was erected on the Ridge, about 1840. The original members were Esquire Moody and wife, Edmund Berry and wife, Stephen Gould and wife, and Mrs George Smith. Rev. Stephen Merrill was the first pastor. This church became extinct as early as 1870.
The Universalists have been numerous at Lisbon for years, but there is no active organization. A society has existed for some years at Lisbon Falls, and services have been held semi-monthly (or nearly so) by various clergymen in Good Templar's Hall.
Methodism. - At the introduction of Methodism into this section, Lisbon formed a part of " Bowdoinham circuit," organized in 1803, and included Bath, Bowdoinham, Bowdoin, Topsham, Georgetown, Pejepscot, Durham, Pownal, and Lisbon. Afterwards classes were formed in Litchfield, Wales, Lewiston, Richmond, and Phippsburg, and these were added to the circuit. In 1806 the name was changed to Durham circuit. In 1830 Lisbon was made a part of Monmouth circuit. In 1835 Lisbon circuit was organized of Lisbon, Wales, and Lewiston. During 1836-7 Lisbon was re-united with Durham circuit, but in 1838 Lisbon circuit was restored with its former limits. From 1835 preaching continued at Sabattus on alternate Sabbaths until 1850, when, under the ministration of Rev. E. K. Colby, that appointment was abandoned. There were 28 members in the class at Sabattus, and they continued to supply them- selves with preaching for several years, being served by Rev. R. J. Ayer and Rev. Thomas Mason. The lot of land on which the church formerly stood at Sabattus was sold in 1880 and the proceeds invested in the new M. E. church at Lisbon.
Perhaps it would be of interest to note the fat salaries on which Methodist preachers lived in "ye olden times." In the steward's account for 1809 are these " disbursements " for the year: "Expense, $2.12; J. Soule (afterwards
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HISTORY OF ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY.
Bishop Soule), $3.00; J. W. Hardy, $8.62; J. Spaulding, $1.05; R. Hays, $6.16; L. Sargent, $2.45; total, $23.40." Preachers then lived on faith and "of the gospel." Their home was in the saddle; and they "boarded round." Again, in 1815, we find the following distributions: "O. Beale, $11.08; R. Hays, $47.80; J. Paine, $23.90; expense, $7.22; total, $90." Some grateful preacher has appended this comment to the record: "Lord, fulfill Thy promise to the benevolent. AMEN!" As early as 1824 records show that luxury had crept in. We read of "table expenses" (the ministry had so far declined that some of them lived in parsonages and indulged in the unncessary expense of having a family). The charges for that year were: "Caleb Fogg, $61.73; Aaron Sanderson, $30.86; total, $92.59." In 1840 the times had become quite corrupt, as indicated by these prodigal "estimates": " Table expenses, $52; house rent, $15; horse-keeping, $20; firewood, $18; quarterage for preacher and wife, $200; quarterage for two children, $32; moving (50 miles), $10; horse-shoeing, $4; total, $351." What part of the estimate was paid is not stated. The records for successive years show, however, that it was not considered necessary to pay more than 50 to 75 cents on the dollar.
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