USA > Maine > Androscoggin County > History of Androscoggin County, Maine > Part 68
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1. Beginning at the Androscoggin river 60 rods north of Joseph Freeman's south line, and running southeasterly to the sonth line between Samuel Herrick and Andrew Cush- man, and thenee 40 rods upon said line. 2. Beginning at John Millet's house and running northeasterly to the road between Robert and Simeon Gould's. 3. Beginning near Robert Gould's, thence southeasterly to the county road near Hambleton Jenkins's. 4. Beginning on the road near Obadiah Pettengill's and running southerly to the road near William and Ebenezer Curtis's. 5. Accepted of a road running N. and S. through Greene and Leeds. 6. Beginning near William Pettingill's, and running southerly to the line between Curtis and Hammon. 7. Beginning at James Lamb's south line and running N. W. about 960 rods.
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TOWN OF LEEDS.
CHAPTER XXXI.
Excerpts from Town Records - First Town Meeting- First Officers-Action in the Civil War-Civil List.
E XCERPTS FROM TOWN RECORDS. - The First Town Meeting was called by John Chandler, Esq., and held at the house of Solomon Millett, April 6, 1801. Dr Abiel Daily was chosen clerk and treasurer; John Whiting, Daniel Lothrop, Oliver Otis, selectmen and assessors; James Lindsey, collector ; Levi Caswell, Stephen Welcome, John Jennings, Daniel Lothrop, Jr, fence viewers; Isaac Collier, Josiah Turner, Giddings Lane, Thomas Lindsay, tithing-men ; Josiah Turner, surveyor of boards; Isaac Collier, sealer of weights and measures; William Turner, viewer and sealer of brick moles; Abiel Daily, Benjamin Millett, Stephen Welcome, Cornelius Gilbert, Joseph Freeman, hog reeves; James Lane, pound keeper; Robert Elms, William Gilbert, Samuel Jennings, William Pettengill, field drivers; Josiah Day, Joseph Day, William Gilbert, Samuel Jennings, Giddings Lane, Thomas Lindsay, highways ; Joseph Day, Levi Bates, William Gilbert, John Jennings, Oliver Randell, Obadiah Pettingill, school committee. Voted to raise $700 for highways, and $200 for schools. Caleb Strong had 60 votes, and Elbridge Gerry 13 votes, for governor. April 30 Isaac Collier and Obadiah Pettingill were added to the board of selectmen. June 1 voted to pay for recording the county roads laid out from Greene to Livermore and Monmouth. 1806, April 6, voted to raise $75 for town stock of powder, etc. 1807, May 11, voted that the selectmen petition the General Court to grant the petition for incorporating a canal from Androscoggin to Kennebec rivers. November 16 voted to hold town meetings at the Baptist meeting-house. 1810, March 5, voted to raise $70 to procure military stores. May 7 voted that the selectmen be authorized to give a bounty of 25 cents to each person that shall present to them a crow killed in Leeds, at any time to the middle of July next. November 5 voted to build a brick house to deposit the military stores in, to be completed by May first, and to put up the building of the house to the lowest bidder, and Josiah Turner bid it off for $23. December 20 voted to raise $130 to complete stock of military stores and to defray other expenses. 1812, November 2, voted to pay to the detached militia men $5 per month, in case they are called into actual service. 1813, April 5, voted to pay the Baptist society $8 for the use of the meeting-house to hold town meetings in. 1815, April 3, voted that the town treasurer pay to the officers commanding the militia companies in September last, 60 cents for each man in said companies who furnished them-
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HISTORY OF ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY.
selves with three days' ammunition while in government service. May 8 voted to allow 60 cents to each commissioned officer and 20 cents to each soldier in the militia of the town who was called into service and not drafted at Pittston. 1816, May 20, on the question of the separation of the district of Maine and its erection into a separate state, Leeds voted yes, 154; noes, 3. 1819, September 20, Elder Thomas Francis chosen delegate to the constitutional convention in Portland, and December 6 it was unanimously voted to approve the constitution there adopted.
1
1820, April 3, for the first governor of Maine Hon. William King had 141 votes, with 5 scattering. 1822, September 9, voted to build a town house. Seth Fish bid off the building for $246. Voted that he come under bonds in the sum of $300 to finish the house by September 1 next in a workmanlike manner. 1823, September 8, the first meeting held in the new town house. 1824, Daniel Foss, John Keen, and Stephen Rackley were licensed to sell spirituous liquors. 1825, April 4, voted that Mr Elias Lane build the pound, according to the plan, for $30. 1831, March 7, voted to raise $400 for support of the poor. Voted to notify town meetings in the future by posting notices at the town house, at Oliver P. Frost's shop and at Stephen Welcome's. 1832, April 2, voted to notify town meetings in the future by posting notifications at Metcalf's shop, at the Baptist meeting-house, and at William Turner's store. September 10 voted to build a stone bridge over the stream near Robert Gould's. 1834, March 31, voted that Israel Herrick and Allen Freeman have gates on so much of the road as exists between the southeast corner of Samuel and Israel Herricks's orchard and Allen Freeman's Corner, so-called, during the pleasure of the town. 1836, voted to build a good new float bridge at or near where the old float bridge now is across Dead river. 1837, March 7, voted to raise $650 for the support of the poor. 1839, April 1, the constable was directed to post up copies of warrants for town meetings at Walter Foss's tavern, at Stephen Welcome's store, at Stephen Day's store, and on the outside door of the town house. December 1, voted that Harvey Bates, Uriah Foss, and Isaac Boothby borrow $250 to pay the expenses of camp equipage, etc., furnished the soldiers drafted by order of the legislature in 1839, and that they be remunerated from the town treasury.
1841, April 5, the town was divided into 12 school districts and the limits defined. 1843, March 8, resolved that the selectmen be instructed to use lawful means to suppress the sale of intoxicating drinks without a license in all places of the town. May 1 the constable was directed to notify town meetings by posting the warrant at the Centre Meeting House, at Union Chapel, at Welcome's store, and at the school-house near Thomas Owen's. December 9 the town line between Leeds and Monmouth was perambulated. 1846, October 26, the much-discussed bridge to succeed the float bridge across Dead river was let to Josiah Day, 2d, to build. Price, $300 and the old bridge. 1847,
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March 27, voted to raise $2,000 for highways, $450 for town expenses, $300 for bridge, $90 for making road to Monmouth line. 1848, April 25, East Livermore line perambulated. September 11 voted to build a bridge near George Turner's. 1849, March 6, voted to build a hearse house and purchase hearse, harness, etc., for the town and to raise $100 for the purpose. 1851, March 4, the clerk was authorized to collect all the books, maps, charts, and papers properly belonging to the town, and voted that, when any person takes out any of the above-named, he shall be charged with the same ; also, voted to repair the town house and that the selectmen shall erect guide-posts ; also to petition the legislature to define the boundaries of the town. April 7 voted to prosecute all violations of the law in the sale of intoxicating liquors. 1852, February 9, voted to aid the Androscoggin railroad to the extent of $15,000, 145 in favor, 106 against. March 10 voted that town meetings be notified by posting notices on all the meeting-houses in town except the Friends.
1853, March 7, raised $500 to pay town debts. 1854, March 7, voted $825 for schools, $800 for the poor, $250 for debts, $200 for expenses, $3,000 for highways. A new burying-ground was laid out in District No. 3 this year. In September cast 143 votes for Lewiston as county seat and 48 for Auburn. October 2 John Gilmore, Isaacher Lane, and Isaac Boothby were chosen a committee to buy a town farm, which they did soon, as January 15, 1855, it was voted that the committee who purchased the town farm procure all needed supplies for the poor, and February 10 William Robbins and wife were engaged to labor on and oversee the town farm and poor for $200 for the year. In April, 1857, voted to discontinue the bridge across Dead river near where Samuel Boothby formerly lived, and to rebuild the Foss and Stinchfield bridges. December 4 voted not to rebuild the buildings of the town farm, but instructed the selectmen to sell the farm and buy another whenever in either case they deemed it for the interest of the town to do so. [These buildings were burned November 25, 1857, and Mary Pease and Mary A. Bridgham lost their lives.] In 1860 Israel Washburn, Jr, had 171 votes for governor to Ephraim K. Smart 120. In 1865 voted $1,050 for schools, $500 for poor, $150 for repairing roads and bridges, $200 for expenses, $2,000 for town debt and interest, $2,500 for highways .. January 7, 1867, S. L. Howard chosen select- man in place of Aaron Winslow, resigned. March 10, 1868, voted to raise $150 for guide-posts. May 4 voted $300 to repair town house.
1873, March 17, voted to raise $400 for the support of free high schools the ensuing year. 1874, March 9, voted that any corporation or individual investing not less than $3,000 in any manufacturing carried on by steam or water-power located at Leeds Center, shall be exempt from taxation for 10 years. 1877, voted to abolish the liquor agency. 1879, September 8, voted unanimously for biennial elections and sessions of the legislature. 1880, March
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8, voted Isaiah B. Additon to go before the legislative commission on state valuation at such time as he may deem proper, to effect, if possible, a reduction of valuation of the town. 1882, March 13, voted that the selectmen procure a hearse and provide a place to keep it. 1886, March 8, voted to exempt the Lewiston Monumental Works from taxation for six years, if they will locate at West Leeds. 1887, March 14, voted to erect guide-boards at all points needed and repair old ones as required by law. 1890, March 10, the superintending school committee were instructed to expend the undrawn balance of the free high school appropriation of 1887 in the maintenance of a free high school in District No. 10 for not exceeding 10 weeks from February 24. The appropri- ations were : For support of schools, $1,000; for support of poor, $600; for roads and bridges, $500; for labor and material on highways, $2,000; for school text-books, $300; for repair of farm buildings, $200; for miscellaneous pur- poses, $500. September 8 the vote for governor was: William P. Thompson, 98; Edwin C. Burleigh, 97; Isaac R. Clark, 11; Aaron Clark, 3. In 1891 the annual report shows a valuation of $302,369, of which $214,385 is resident real estate and $63,208 personal. The number of polls is 271 at $2 each. The treasurer's account shows total receipts $4,676.99 and total expenditures $4,521.84, leaving an undrawn balance February 20, 1891, of $155.15. The town paid $7.90 in crow bounty.
Action in the Civil War. - At a special meeting July 6, 1861, voted that P. B. Caswell, Lloyd Gould, and Samuel More be a committee to draw orders on the town treasurer for such sums of money as may be expended for the support of families of those " who have or may enlist for the defence of the Stars and Stripes." March, 1862, voted to make the selectmen (Benjamin Harris, Greenwood C. Gordon, Benjamin Hodsdon) a committee to look after the soldiers' families. July 22, 1862, voted to pay each volunteer $75 when he is mustered into the U. S. service. August 26, voted $100 to each volunteer under the last call of the President, and $50 to each soldier drafted and sworn into the service from Leeds. 1863, November 30, voted that $350 be paid each reeruit when mustered in, and that the select- men designate some influential man to procure recruits to fill the town's quota. 1864, August 13, voted that the town furnish $300 for each man that enlists to fill the quota now called for. December 26 voted to pay $400 as a bounty to each volunteer or drafted man that may volunteer or be drafted to fill the call of the President to the extent of the town's quota, and that the town treasurer be authorized to loan the sum of $400 per man and make such papers as shall most effectually bind the town to the payment of the same. 1865, March, voted to issue town bonds to pay the war debt. Leeds furnished 161 men for the Union army of the Rebellion.
CIVIL LIST. - 1801 - Abial Daily, clerk; John Whiting, Daniel Lothrop, Oliver Otis, Isaac Collier, Obadiah Pettingill, selectmen, 1802- Abial Daily, clerk; John Whiting, Uriah Foss, Isaac Collier, selectmen. 1803- Abial Daily, clerk; Oliver Otis, John Whiting, Robert Gould, selectmen. 1804 - Isaac Collier, clerk; Oliver Otis, John Whiting, Robert Gould, selectmen. 1805- Abial Daily, clerk ; John Whiting, David Woodman, Uriah Foss, selectmen. 1806-Thomas Francis, clerk; Uriah Foss, Isaac Collier, George Lothrop, selectmen. 1807-Thomas Francis, clerk; George Lothrop, Isaac Collier, Robert Gould, selectmen. 1808-Thomas Francis, clerk; Isaac Collier, George Lothrop, Capt. Othniel Pratt, selectmen. 1809 - Thomas Francis, clerk; Thomas Francis, John Whiting, Moses Stevens, selectmen. 1810- Thomas Francis, clerk; Thomas Francis, John Whiting, George
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Lothrop, selectmen. 1811 -Thomas Francis, clerk; Thomas Francis, George Lothrop, Abial Daily, selectmen. 1812-Thomas Francis, clerk; Thomas Francis, Uriah Foss, Isaiah Beals, selectmen. 1813-Thomas Francis, clerk; Thomas Francis, Uriah Foss, Isaiah Beals, selectmen. 1814 - Thomas Francis, clerk; Thomas Francis, Uriah Foss, Martin Leonard, selectmen. 1815- Thomas Francis, clerk; Thomas Francis, George Turner, Oliver Otis, selectmen. 1816- Thomas Francis, clerk; Thomas Francis, Uriah Foss, Oliver Otis, selectmen. 1817-1818-1819-Thomas Francis, clerk; Thomas Francis, Uriah Foss, George Lothrop, selectmen. 1820-1821 - Thomas Francis, clerk; Thomas Francis, Lewis Turner, Daniel Parcher, selectmen. 1822 - Thomas W. Bridgham, clerk; William Gould, Harvey Bates, John Francis, selectmen. 1823-1824 -Thomas W. Bridgham, clerk; Capt. John Francis, William Gould, Harvey Bates, selectmen. 1825-Thomas W. Bridgham, clerk; John Francis, Harvey Bates, Solomon Lothrop, selectmen. 1826-Thomas W. Bridgham, clerk; John Francis, Solomon Lothrop, Stephen Wellcome, selectmen. 1827 -Thomas W. Bridgham, clerk; Oliver Otis, Harvey Bates, Stephen Wellcome, selectmen. 1828 - Thomas W. Bridgham, clerk; John Francis, Solomon Lothrop, Levi Foss, selectmen. 1829-Thomas W. Bridgham, clerk; Harvey Bates, Israel Herrick, Stillman Howard, selectmen. 1830-1831 - Thomas W. Bridgham, clerk; Harvey Bates, Levi Foss, Solomon Lothrop, selectmen. 1832-T. W. Bridgham, clerk; Harvey Bates, Israel Herrick, John Gould, selectmen. 1833-1834-1835-T. W. Bridgham, clerk; John Francis, Stephen Rackley, Joshua Turner, selectmen. 1836-T. W. Bridgham, clerk; Joshua S. Turner, Benjamin Francis, Issacher Lane. selectmen. 1837-T. W. Bridgham, clerk; Harvey Bates, Benjamin Francis, Issacher Lane, selectmen. 1838-1839- Thomas Francis, clerk; Harvey Bates, Uriah Foss, Isaac Boothby, selectmen. 1840-Thomas Francis, clerk; John Gilmore, Uriah Foss, Isaac Boothby, selectmen. 1841-Thomas Francis, clerk; John Gilmore, Reuel Foss, George K. Stinchfield, select- men. 1842- Barnabas Davee, clerk; Josiah Day, 2d, Harvey Bates, Charles Knapp, selectmen. 1843-1844- B. Davee, clerk; Leavitt Lothrop, 'Josiah Day, 2d, Benjamin Francis, selectmen. 1845 -- B. Davee, clerk; Leavitt Lothrop, Benjamin Francis, Uriah Foss, selectmen. 1846- B. Davee, clerk; Josiah Day, 2d, Uriah Foss, Thomas Owen, selectmen. 1847- B. Davee, clerk; Uriah Foss, Thomas Owen, Isaac Boothby, selectmen. 1848- B. Davee, clerk; Uriah Foss, Isaac Bootliby, John Lane,
selectmen. 1849- Friend D. Lord, clerk; Isaac Boothby, Peleg B. Caswell, Stillman L. Howard, selectmen. 1850-F. D. Lord, clerk; Peleg B. Caswell, S. L. Howard, George K. Stinchfield, select- men. 1851 - F. B. Leonard, clerk; S. L. Howard, George K. Stinchfield, Davis F. Lothrop, selectmen. 1852- F. B. Leonard, clerk; Josiah Day, Cyrus Bates, F. D. Millett, selectmen. 1853-F. B. Leonard, clerk; Harvey Bates, S. L. Howard, I. T. Boothby, selectmen. 1854-John Turner, clerk; Harvey Bates, S. L. Howard, I. T. Boothby, selectmen. 1855 - John Turner, clerk; S. L. Howard, Salmon Brewster, Uriah Foss, selectmen. 1856-1857- John Turner, clerk; Uriah Foss, Peleg B. Caswell, Isaiah B. Additon, selectmen. 1858 - Gessius F. Jennings, clerk; P. B. Caswell, Isaac Boothby, Oscar D. Turner, selectmen. 1859-1860-G. F. Jennings, clerk; Isaiah B. Addition, O. B. Turner, Augustus Ramsdell, selectmen. 1861-G. F. Jennings, clerk; P. B. Caswell, Lloyd Gould, Samuel More, selectmen. 1862 -- G. F. Jennings, clerk; Benjamin Francis, Greenwood C. Gordon, Benjamin Hodsdon, selectmen. 1863- Davis Francis, clerk; Benjamin Hodsdon, G. C. Gordon, Arza G. Lothrop, selectmen. 1864- Davis Francis, clerk; Seth Howard, Benjamin Turner, Henry F. Woodman, selectmen. 1865-D. Francis, clerk; S. L. Howard, Uriah Foss, Davis Francis, selectmen. 1866 -- J. G. Gott, clerk; S. L. Howard, D. Francis, Benjamin Hodsdon, selectmen. 1867- J. G. Gott, clerk; A. G. Lothrop, Freeman Andrews, Aaron Winslow, selectmen. 1868-J. G. Gott, clerk; A. G. Lothrop, Benjamin Francis, B. Hodsdon, selectmen. 1869-John Turner, clerk; A. G. Lothrop, B. Francis, G. C. Gordon, selectmen. 1870 - John Turner, clerk; I. B. Additon, G. F. Jennings, T. S. Carver, selectmen. 1871-1872-1873-1874-1875-1876-1877-1878-John Turner, clerk; I. B. Additon, T. S. Carver, A. J. Foss, selectmen. 1879-C. H. Foster, clerk; I. B. Additon, William B. Sumner, John F. Jennings, selectmen. 1880- William R. Pettingill, clerk; I. B. Additon, William B. Sumner, John F. Jennings, selectmen. 1881-1882-C. H. Foster, clerk; I. B. Additon, William B. Sumner, Henry Francis, selectmen. 1883-G. W. Lane, clerk; I. B. Additon, John F. Jennings, Joseph Moody, selectmen. 1884-R. S. Loring, clerk; C. A. Lovejoy, John F. Jennings, Joseph Moody, selectmen. 1885-R. S. Loring, clerk; C. A. Lovejoy, John F. Jennings, Joseph Moody, selectmen. 1886- R. S. Loring, clerk; C. A. Lovejoy, Henry Pettengill, Joseph Moody, selectmen. 1887- R. S. Loring, clerk ; C. A. Lovejoy, H. F, Pettengill, J. F. Moody, selectmen. 1888-R. S. Loring, clerk; C. A. Lovejoy, C. B. Lane, G. T. Bishop, selectmen. 1889-1890-R. S. Loring, clerk; C. B. Lane, G. T. Bishop, G. A. Jennings, selectmen. 1891-R. S. Loring, clerk; C. B. Lane, G. T. Bishop, George Parcher, selectmen.
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HISTORY OF ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXXII.
The First Baptist Church - Universalism -Methodism-The First Freewill Baptist Church - The Quakers-Schools -Temperance - Mills, Other Industries -Sketches.
I HE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH .- At the time of Jesse Lee's preaching here in 1794 Thomas Francis and others were converted, and in June, 1795, Elder Potter baptized a few persons. This was the first Baptist movement in the town. Mr Case came soon after and baptized several who joined the Baptist church in Wayne. Meetings in Leeds were held in Gid- dings Lane's barn. In 1799 Mr Francis was ordained as an evangelist, and in June, 1800, a "Church of Christ " was constituted at Leeds Centre, with these members: Elder Thomas Francis, Eleazer Carver, Daniel Lothrop, Giddings Lane, Eunice Knapp, Jemima Lane, Daniel Robbins, Matilda Millett, Joanna Turner, Isaac Freeman, James Sampson, Sarah Foster, Joseph Gould, Thomas Millett, Zebulon Millett, Elizabeth Otis. Elder Francis was elected pastor, and Giddings Lane, deacon. Elder Francis was appointed to prepare a letter to the Bowdoin Baptist Association requesting admission into that body, and Elder Francis and Deacon Lane were sent as "messengers." The First Baptist Society was incorporated June 23, 1804, with these members : Thomas D. Francis, Oliver Otis, Josiah Turner, Zebulon P. Millett, James Lane, Nathaniel House, Jr, Andrew Cushman, Samuel Herrick, John Millett, Isaac Collier, Uriah Foss, Giddings Lane, Isaac Truman, Ebenezer Mason, Daniel Lane, Jr, Thomas Millett, Jr, Simeon Gould, Phinehas Foss, Robert Gould, Joseph Gould, Seth Howard, Abial Daily, Daniel Lowthrop, Daniel Lowthrop, Jr, James Stanley, David Woodman, Eleazer Carver, Daniel Robbins, Thomas Millet, and William Turner, "and their families and estates." With some of the best people as members and constant attendants upon divine service, and under the earnest labors of Rev. Mr Francis, this church grew in numbers and strength. March 19, 1806, this letter was read to the society : -
I hereby certify that the following persons request to join the first Baptist Society in Leeds with their polls and estates, and they co-unite in religious worship with said Society : (viz) James Lamb, Samuel Leadbetter, Peter Lane, Thomas Lothrop, Samuel Lane, Obediah Turner, Roger Stinchfield, Isaac Boothby, and Dodavah Harmon, all of Leeds. ABIEL DAILY, Clerk of said Society.
In 1806 the meeting-house at Leeds Centre was completed. Rev. Thomas D. Francis laid deep the foundations of the church by his fervent preaching until 1835. Ile died May 9, 1836. This year the meeting-house was repaired. Solomon Lothrop, Rowland Howard, and Leavitt Lothrop were the committee
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in charge. The successors of Elder Francis were Allen Barrows, from 1835 to 1837; Smith Hinkley, 1837; Wilson C. Rider, 1838; Daniel Hutchinson, 1839; Robert C. Starr, 1840; Daniel Hutchinson, 1841; S. S. Leighton, 1842 to 1845 ; J. W. Lawton, 1846 to 1848; Elders Sargent and Tilton, 1849; Allen Barrows, 1850 to 1855; Abram Snyder, 1856; Elder Gurney, 1857; Elder Fulton, 1858; Joel P. Chapin, 1859 to 1863; O. Richardson, 1863; William E. Noyes, 1864 to 1868; Joel Wheeler, 1868; Henry A. Libby, 1869; S. S. Brownson, 1870 to 1873. In 1870 Seth Millett was chosen deacon in place of A. J. Lane, resigned. J. E. Palmer was also deacon at this time. In 1887, in a communication to the Bowdoinham Baptist Association, was written : -
During the 87 years of our existence upwards of 200 members have been enrolled. For 67 years a Woman's Foreign Missionary Society has been snstained, and every year a con- tribution of from $5 to $20 has been made in its behalf. Our pulpit has been supplied occasionally for the past year. Bro. A. A. Mainwaring has labored among us nearly every week with encouraging results. Our congregation has averaged somewhat larger than for a few years past. Our Sunday school is still flourishing under Bro. H. W. Lincoln's earnest and able management.
Deacon T. C. Libby died in 1889, and October 12 Seth Howard was re-elected senior deacon and W. R. Pettingill junior deacon, to serve seven years. March 7, 1891, it was voted to make the seats free, and March 12 to make extensive repairs. This time-honored structure has been remodeled, reconstructed, and entirely renovated.
The Second Baptist Church and Society were organized in 1843, erected a meeting-house at South Leeds, and had a prosperous existence for many years under the ministrations of Rev. Walter Foss, its only pastor. It lost its visi- bility about 1872.
Universalism. -- From a very early period the preaching of Rev. Thomas Barnes had found sympathy in many households of Leeds. The earliest history of a Universalist organization is given in a manuscript in the hand- writing of Israel Herrick, bearing date 1833, giving answers to questions asked in the Intelligencer of September 28, relative to the state of Universalist societies in Kennebec and Somerset counties. He says: -
The First Universalist Society in Leeds was organized March 13, 1830, of 60 members. There usually attends meeting about 200 people. In the summer of 1832 the society hired preaching one-quarter of the time for six months. Rev. Thomas Dolloff preached, for which we paid him $24 in money, raised by subscription; we have no funds. Our society is scattered all over the town, and the subscriptions fall on those near the meeting, besides our society generally is not of the wealthiest class, therefore our subscriptions are not in proportion to our numbers. The society has not much increased or diminished. Our prospects are as good as at any former period. We have had no difficulty in obtaining preaching in proportion to our means until the present season. We have no meeting-house, our meetings are well accommodated in the town house. Our society is well united -a good degree of feeling existing among the members. We hold no meetings except on Sundays,
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have no Sunday School nor Bible Class. We have our regular yearly society meetings besides intermediate meetings as occasion requires, but generally not fully attended. It is my opinion that the number that attends our meeting is larger than attends any other meeting in town except the Free-Willers, which occasionally may be as large or larger than ours. I should think not far from one-half of the ratable polls were in favor of the doctrine of Universalism.
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