History of Cumberland Co., Maine, Part 107

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 780

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Morris. Mrs. Hawkes was born in Scarborough, Oct. 4, 1822. They have had three children, viz .: William A., deceased ; Fred S., in trade with his father at Windham Centre ; he has been town clerk for eight years, and town treasurer for three years ; and Frank N., at home. Mr. llawkes, with the exception of the short time named above at Gorham, has been a life-long resident of Windham. His present residence at the centre of the town was formerly known as the Hansen Tavern stand, and was kept as a public-house for nearly a century. In polities Mr. Hawkes is a Republican. He has been postmaster at the Centre since 1872.

DR. B. F. DUNN

was born in the town of Oxford, county of Androscoggin, Me., Jan. 9, 1844, the fourth child of James and Ruth (Strout) Dunn. The family are of Seoteh descent. His father was a native of Poland, Me., and is a farmer by oc- eupation. There were eight children in his father's family, five sons and three daughters, all but one living. His mother died in August, 1863, at East Poland. The doc- tor's early years were spent on the farm at home. He at- tended the high school at Minot Corner, town of Miuot; several terms at Edward Little Institute, at Auburn, War- ren T. Webster, Principal ; and two years at the Maine Wesleyan Seminary, at Kent's Hill, in the town of Read- field. At the age of eighteen he enlisted as a private in Company G, Twenty-third Maine, a nine months' regi- ment; was honorably discharged at the end of term of ser- viee. He taught two terms of school at West Poland, and for a time at the State Reform School. IIe commenced the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Hersey, of Ox- ford, with whom he remained six months. For the next two years and a half he studied with Dr. S. C. Gordon, of Portland, Me. llis first course of lectures was at Bowdoin Medical College ; his second course, at the Harvard Medical College ; his third, at Bowdoin, from which he took his di- ploma, June, 1868. He temporarily opened an office with his old preceptor in Portland, where he remained four months. His next practice was in the town of Harrison, where he remained one year. He opened an office at Wind- bam Hill in the fall of 1869, and has remained here since, and has built up a large practice in the town of Windham and vicinity. The doetor married, Jan. 9, 1869, Clara A. Towle, daughter of Lorenzo and Harriet Towle, of West- brook. Mrs. Dunn was born in Westbrook, Feb. 13, 1843. In politics the doctor is Republican. Both the doctor and Mrs. Dunn are members of the First Congregational Church of Windham.

CHARLES ROGERS

was born in Windham, Cumberland Co., Me., May 12, 1826, the eldest child of Isaiah and Lydia (Gray) Rogers. Gershom Rogers, who was seleetman of Windham in 1783 and 1784, was his great-grandfather. Ilis grandfather, Isaac Rogers, and his father, Isaiah, were born in North Windham, on the place now owned by Lewis Libby. They

ITTLL

Photo, by Conant.

BT. Dann M.D.

Photo, by Lanison.

Benjamin Mr. Baker

Photos, by Lamson, Portland.

ALLEY HAWKES.

Charter Riques

407

TOWN OF YARMOUTH.

were farmers. His mother was the daughter of James and Lydia Gray, of the town of Standish.

There were in his father's family eight children, viz. : Charles, Marshall, Orin N., Cummings, Sarah K., Annette, Isaac R., and Albert T., all living except Marshall and Orin N. His father died Nov. 20, 1878 ; his mother, Dec. 3, 1878. Mr. Rogers lived at home till he was eight years of age ; he then went to live with his uncle, Daniel Rogers, and remained till he was twenty-one years of age. His education was received in the common schools of Wind- ham. For four years after his majority he worked at lum- bering on the Northwest River, Sebago. In 1851 he returned to Windham, where, in company with Charles and J. A. Parsons, he purchased what is known as the Narrows Mills. In 1859 he sold his interest in the mill, and in the spring of 1860 engaged in mercantile trade in North Windham. In 1861 he also engaged in the manufacture of elothing. In 1875 he became again interested in the lumber business, as a partner in the North Windham Man- ufacturing Company, building a new mill on the site of the old Narrows Mills. These several interests he still retains.

He married, May 27, 1853, Rebecca Knight, daughter of Reuben and Sarah (Rogers) Knight. Mrs. Rogers was born in Windham, Sept. 17, 1829. They have had four children, as follows: Orin N., born June 23, 1854, died May 24, 1855 ; L. Ella, born May 23, 1856; Charles D .. born Jan. 16, 1859, died April 16, 1862; Hattie P., born April 26, 1862.

In polities Mr. Rogers was first a Whig, and a Republi- can since the formation of the party. He was seleetman in 1865, 1867, 1868, and 1869; representative in 1874- 75 ; town agent in 1878-79; and trial justice since 1872.

BENJAMIN M. BAKER

was born in Windham, Cumberland Co., Me., Oct. 23, 1817, the eldest child of Elias and Margaret ( Morrill)

Baker. His grandfather. Josiah Baker, born in Falmouth, July 5, 1761. married Elizabeth Legrow, Nov. 13, 1783. Soon after his marriage he settled in East Windham, where all of his children, seven in number, were born. He died Oct. 24, 1829.

Gen. Elias Baker, his father, represented the town in the Legislature two years .. and was seleetman a number of years. Hle died March 8, 1872. His mother is still living, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years, with her son, Benjamin M. Their children were Benjamin M., David P., Han- nah M., and Elizabeth L. David P. is deceased.

Mr. Baker lived on the place where he was born, now owned by John L. Morrill, till January, 1857, when he moved on to the farm in East Windham where he now resides. Flis education was limited to the common schools of Windham. Ile married, June 21, 1840, Hannah A. Baker, daughter of Benjamin and Mary Baker. Mrs. Baker was born in Windham. Sept. 23, 1818. They have had nine children, viz .: Cordelia J., born Dec 26, 1841 ; wife of Joseph E. Maxfield; they have three children, Ina B., Mabel, and Herold Blinn. Ann Mary, born April 21, 1843, wife of Rufus A. Maxfield, brother of Joseph E. ; one ehild, Iva N. Elias L., born Jan. 11, 1847, died July 8, 1854. Ella L., born Dec. 25, 1848, wife of Calvin Morrill. Margaret V., born April 3, 1851. Frank P., born Oct. 3, 1854. Elias L., born Dec. 2, 1855. Lizzie B., born March 10, 1857, died May 14, 1863. Eugene B., born Dec. 9, 1862.

In politics Mr. Baker has been a life-long Demoerat, and is one of the leading men of that party in the town of Windham. Ile has been called to fill various offiees of public trust. Was depnty sheriff from 1848 to 1856; coroner from 1852 to 1856; representative in 1865 and 1872; seleetman in 1874; and State senator in 1876.

In the discharge of all public duties, and as a private citizen, Mr. Baker has always commanded the respect of the entire community in which his whole life has been spent.

YARMOUTH.

INCORPORATION AND BOUNDARIES.

THE town of Yarmouth was incorporated Aug. 8, 1849, and comprised the southern half of the town of North Yarmouth. It is bounded on the north by North Yar- mouth, on the east by Pownal and Freeport, on the south by Casco Bay, and on the west by Cumberland. It com- prises the greater portion of the early settlements formerly called Wescustogo, and taken possession of by Walter Gendall, George Pearson, and Lieut. Anthony Brackett, under an order issued July 13, 1681, by lon. Thomas Danforth. The islands belonging to the town are Cousins', Little Johns, Great and Little Moges, Lane's, and Crab Islands. Royall's River, passing to the southward through

the eentre of the town, l'urnishes three magnificent water- powers, 500 yards apart, the lower of which is at the head of steamboat navigation.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The beautiful bay, abounding with fish and fowl, dotted with verdant islands, the bountiful supply of timber upon its shores, and the immense profits of trade with the Indians, were allurements not to be resisted by the hardy sons of the Pilgrim Fathers of New England. The extensive mud flats along the shores abounded in clams, the shells of which had accumulated in immense heaps through many genera- tions of the red men.

408

HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, MAINE.

In 1629, William Royall, a cleaver of timber, came from England, and settled in 1636 between Cousin River and the stream bearing his name. lle purchased a tract of land here of Thomas Gorges, in 1643. In 1637, John Cousins bought of him and moved on to the land between the two branches of Cousin River, afterwards occupied by Mr. Lane. In 1645 he became the owner of Cousins' Island. In 1647, Richard Bray purchased of Mr. Cousins one-half of his island, and with William Wise settled thereon. Richard Carter, Sr., settled on the Foreside .* In 1652 he sold " his sixty acres of lands, with fenced fields," to John Mayne (or Maine), from whom the western end took the name of Maine's Point. Hugh Mosier settled on Mosier's Island in 1647 ; Nicholas White came the same year. John Holman settled on Prince's Point, near Mr. Mayne. In 1658 a fort or stronghold was erected on Mr. Royall's place, a saw- mill was built at the lower falls by Henry Saward, and a grist-mill partially completed.

George Felt, Francis Neal, and Jenk Williams bought a large tract of land from some Indians, but were opposed by other Indians, who claimed that the first had no title to the land, which was theirs.

Thomas Blashfield settled in that part of the town now Freeport, and Benjamin Larrabce on the old " Staples farm."

Great care was exercised in selecting defensive localities for dwellings. Every man's house was his castle. Forts or strongholds of timbers were erected singly, if alone ; while near neighbors joined in a more substantial place of retreat and defense against Indian incursions, and in this oue of the families lived.

In June, 1675, the Indians began a war of extermina- tion against the settlers, who were fast encroaching upon their favorite fishing-grounds. Lane's Island had been their council-ground, and its western end their burial-place. Another burial place was at Maine's Point. The large piles of shells and many stone implements scattered over these flats attest their long occupancy. James Lane was killed. Two of the sons of a Mr. llazelton, who had re- cently bought the remaining half of Cousins' Island, were killed while hunting their cows in the woods. The panic- stricken settlers abandoned their homes in haste. Royall's fort was destroyed, the mills burned, and the dwellings and improvements destroyed. After three years peace was made, and the inhabitants returned to their desolate homes, September, 1680, the name was changed to North Yar- mouth. A committee, appointed by Governor Danforth to determine the most defensible place for laying out a town, fixed upon the neck or flat south of Royall's River, for- merly occupied by John Maine and John Holman, and comprising all the lands south of the Meeting-House Ledge. The former owners were awarded lands elsewhere in ex- change for their old titles, on condition of actual settle- ment. The mill was rebuilt by Capt. Gendall. Capt. Walter Gendall (of Cumberland), Lieut. Anthony Brackett, and George Pearson, surveyor,-committee,-measured and staked out a square of 10 acres of the plains land on the flat below for a meeting-house, minister's house, market-place, school, and burial-plat, surrounded by a street four rods wide.

* Forcside,-the local name applied to the peninsula extending into Casco Bay.

The outer side of the street was laid out in dwelling-house lots, five on each side, eight rods front and ten rods deep. A common field, comprising 6 acres for cach house-lot, was also laid out. Each inhabitant was required to build a dwelling-house upon his lot within one year's time, under penalty of forfeiture of his lot and 40s. fine, unless the committee saw fit to release the fine only.

June 28, 1684, John York, John Royall, ; John Harris, and Capt. Walter Gendall were appointed trustees and com- mittec,-any two of whom, with the selectmen of the town, might grant lands.

At a meeting, held at the house of Thomas Blashfell Feb. 24, 1685, the committee declared themselves empow- ered to deed a grant of land to every man who was an in- habitant of the town. John Royall, William Ashfell, Isaac Larrabce, and Roger Edwards each received 10 acres of land and 4 acres of marsh; and Nov. 15th, Henry Coombs. Samuel Larrabee, and John Harris, each 10 acres of land and 4 acres of marsh, on the west side of Royall's River and along the shore.

By 1686, 36 families were settled along the shores of North Yarmouth, most of whom were in the present town of Yarmouth.

In July, 1686, an Indian named Joseph was arrested by Constable Henry Coombs, for abusing the Lanes in (now) Freeport. He plead drunkenness, having had " eight quarts of rum of John Royall the day before, and four this day !" Mr. Royall denied selling to him,t and testi- fied to his previous bad conduct. The Indian was fined, and Mr. Royall remanded to Boston, to appear before the Governor.

The Indians were soon engaged in a general war. William Scales was killed and his family taken captive. John Royall was taken prisoner.

A number of Indians met the whites at Royall's River, as they were going from the Royall garrison near the west end of the lower bridge to their work upon a stockade on the east bank in the morning. They were impudent, and one of them finally pushed one of the Larrabees, who in- stantly shot him dead. Another Indian who attempted to interfere was cut down by a broad-axe in the hands of Benedict Pulsifer. The fight then became general. The whites, inferior in numbers, retreated below the bank of the river. The garrison, perceiving that their ammunition was about exhausted, Capt. Gendall went in a boat with an attendant to supply them. As the boat neared the shore the savages fired. Throwing the ammunition to the shore, he exclaimed, " I have lost my life in your service !" and fell dead in the boat. William Harris was captured, but escaped. John Royall was taken prisoner. A garrison was established in his house by Col. Tyng, but two months later we find Mrs. Loyall petitioning the Governor for good soldiers. William Scales was killed, and his family taken away. The mills were again burned, and the inhabitants of Lane's Island butchered. Their bodies were found,

t This name was also spelled Rial, Ryall, and Riall, in the early records. le made his mark, to official papers, thus : "John R. Ryal."

# Mr. Royall was an Indian trador. At this time a fine of 20%. was exacted for each pint of intoxicating drink sold to an Indian.

LITTLL

JAMES BATES, M.D.

JAMES BATES, M.D.,

was the eldest son of Solomon Bates and Mary Macomber, and was born in the town of Greene, County of Lincoln (now Kennebec), District of Maine, Sept. 24, 1789. At the age of seven his father moved to Fayette, in same county, where the subject of this sketch remained till he became of age, ac- quiring in the meao time a common education, such as the times afforded.

At the age of twenty-one he began the study of medicine, as the pupil of Dr. Charles Smith, of Fayette, and Dr. Ariel Mann, of liallowell, Me., the latter one of the most accomplished physicians and surgeons which Maine has ever possessed. After attending the usual course of medical instruction at Harvard Medical University at Boston, he was appointed " surgeon's-mate" of Col. Denny MeCobb's regiment of volunteer infantry in 1813. In 1814 he was appointed " hospital surgeon's-mate," served on the Niagara frontier until the close of the war in Gen. (then Col.) Winfield Scott's brigade; was present at the surrender of Fort Erie, and at the bat- tles of Chippewa und Bridgewater. At the close of the war, in 1815, he was left io charge of the general military hospital near Buffalo, with seven hundred sick and wounded, and was the ranking medical officer at that tique remaining in the service. lie left the army in May, 1815, and entered into a copartnership with his former preceptor, Dr. Mann, of Hallowell, Me., for the practice of his profession.

On the 27th of July, 1815, he married Mary Jones, danghter of Capt. Sylvester Jones, of Fayette, with whom he lived happily for sixty years, and by whom he had five children, two sons and three daughters. One son, James M. Bates, M.D., and one daughter, Mrs. William Jewell, for many years a resident of Bangor, now of Berlin, N. II., are still living. ITis oldest daughter, Mary A. C., married Edward C. Sellen, of Norridgewock, Me., and died in April, 1847. His second daughter, Lydia C. J., married Inmes B. Farnsworth, son of Judge Drummond Farosworth, of Norridge- wock, Me., and died in January, 1860, at Tomah, Wis. llis oldest son, Charles A., married Margaret Farnsworth, sister of James B., who died in 1845; and he married, for his second wife, Ellen A. Drew, since deceased. Charles A. himself died since the war of the Rebellion, in which he served as captain.

In 1819 he removed from Hallowell to Norridgewock, Somerset Co., Me .. where for twenty-six years he was engaged in au extensive practice of medicine and surgery, which included several counties of the State. llas performed what are termed capital operations in surgery in ten of the six- teen countics. In 1830 was elected a member of the Thirty-second Congress, representing the counties of Somerset, Penobscot, and Piscataquis. In 1843 was appointed superintendent of the Maine Insane Hospital, at Augusta, in which capacity he served six years, until that institution was destroyed by fire, when he was commissioned hy the (fovernor to visit all the public institutions of note as far south as Virginia, with a view to obtain information as to the hest modes of heating and ventilating, pre- paratory to rebuildling the hospital. He made an elaborate report on his return, containing much valuable material, which was made use of by the State.

Next, after spending one year in Gardiner, Me., he removed to the town of Fairfield, where he entered into practice, and remained until 1858, when at the solicitation of many citizens of Yarmouth, Cumberland Co., Me., he removed to that town, where he was for ten years or more engaged in the active duties of his profession. and where he now lives in retirement, after fifty-five years of professional duty, at the age of ninety, in the full enjoy- ment of his mental faculties.

Ile is a man of strong points of character, always holding a leading position and influence in the communities in which he has lived. Hle has always felt a strong interest in agriculture and horticulture, and for many years, while living at Norridgewock, cultivated and beautified an extensive farm, and was a large stock-raiser. In those years delivered many addresses at county and State fairs, being actively engaged in pro- moting the interests of agriculture throughout the State. Hlas been con- nected with the Masonic order since 1817, and was one of the charter mem-

Thune Haconon. Site

bers in organizing Somerset Lodge of F. and A. M., in 1820, at Norridgewoek, of which he was for several years Master. Has been a member of the Congregational Society for more than fifty years, and for the last twenty a member of the Central Congregational Church at Yarmouth. The must important and interesting fact in connection with this biographienl sketch is, that whatever record he has made during his long and eventful life has been the result of an inherent force of character, and in spite of extremely limited early advantages. Born and reared in the wilds of Maine, his character acquired a vigor which enabled him to encounter the battle of life vigorously, manfully, and successfully.

JAMES M. BATES, M.D.,

youngest son of James and Mary Dates, was born in Norridgewock, Somer- set Co., Me., May 31, 1827, where his boyhood days were passed, a large part of the time at school, with exception of two years or so at Waterville Institute, pursuing academical studies.

In 1845 his father, heing appointed superintendent of the State Insane Asylum, moved to Augusta, where the son continued his studies, and en - gaged somewhat in teaching, until in 1848 he began the study of medicine and was a pupil of his father and Dr. H. Il. Hill, of Augusta. In 1>19-50 attended the Medical School of Maiae at Brunswick, and in IS51 completed his medical course at Philadelphia, where he graduated io March, 1551, at the Jefferson Medical College.

Began practice in Kennebec County, where he remained eight years. 11. . last five of which at Sidney, doing an extensive business, where in Orto (1. 1855, he married Miss II. Ann R. Sawtelle, daughter of Calvin Sawtelle : wife still living. Has had four children ; three still living, as follow .. Edward (., has followed the sea for three years-foreign voyages, now in Europe, aged twenty-one ; George F., now a member of the sophomore class in Bowdoin College, aged nineteen ; and Hattie L., aged nine. Their oldest chill, Lottie M. C., died July 3, 1868, aged eleven.

Hle removed to Yarmouth, Cumberland Co., in August, 1859, and engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery, in company with his father, until the breaking out of the Rebellion in 1861, when, after passing an examination before the State Medical Examining Board, he was commissioned by tion ernor Washburn surgeon of the 13th Regiment Maine Infantry Volunteers, Dec. 5, 1861, with which regiment he served in that capacity throughout its whole term of three years' service,-going to Gulf of Mexico with the Butler Expedition : thence up the Mississippi to tho " Forts" and New Orleans ; thence in the Banks Expedition to Texas, and in 1864 in the Red River Expedition ; thence north to Washington, and into Maryland. joining Sheridan's forces in the Shenandoah Valley, during part of which campaign he was medical director at Martinsburg, W. Va. After the close of the above campaign tho regiment was ordered home, its term of service having expired, arriving at Augusta, Me., Dec. 31, 1864, and he was mus- tered out of the service Jan. 6, 1865.

Immediately thereafter he resumed the practico of his profession at Yarmouth, where he is now actively engaged in an extensive practice of medicine and surgery.

For many years he has been an active member of the Cumberland County Medical Society, of which he was president in 1869, and of the State Medical Association, of which he was president in 1875.

In Masonry he is a Knight Templar, and a member of St. Alban Com mandery of Portland : also of Cumberland Royal Arch Chapter, and Casco Lodge, at Yarmonth. Has served on school committees, and as supervisor of schools for several years in each town in which he has been in business. Ile is at present a member of the board of trustees of the State Reform School by appointment of the Governor.

During more than two years of his three years' service in the army he was in active field service, and thrown into extensive surgical practico among the wounded in the different battles in which the regiment was en gaged, as well as among those wounded in other organizations with which his regiment served.

40 9

TOWN OF YARMOUTHI.

together with that of a stranger they had tortured there, and buried. Foreed to abandon their homes, the settlers removed to Jewell's Island and built a fort there to protect themselves until they could return to Massachusetts. Ilere they were again attacked by a large party, whom they de- feated with great loss.

Joseph Felt made the first resettlement on his father's place, on Royall's River, in 1715, and James Parker, at Parker's Point, opposite Lane's Island, in 1717. Capt. Nathaniel Weare, afterwards son-in-law of Joseph Felt, re- built the saw-mill in 1715, to encourage settlement under the Gedney claim. The inhabitants and their descendants soon began to return to their old homes, now covered with a second growth of young trees. Through all the destruc-

tion the Indians had preserved only the barn of Mr. Say- ward. Five soldiers were sent to garrison the town. In 1723 there were living near Stephen Larrabee and Capt. Parker's garrison, John Downer, John Brock, Isaac, Ste- phen, and Benjamin Larrabee, James Parker, Thomas Lawerthy, and Joseph Harris .*

A meeting was held at James Parker's inn, September 14th, to complete settlement. Capt. Jeremiah Moulton and Benjamin Flagg, with John Stevens and Phinehas Jones, chainmen, laid out 50 lots of 10 aeres each, on Maine's Neck, and 50 more on the west side of Royall's River. Stevens, Jones, and Parker were each awarded a house-lot for watching timber through the past winter, and Capt. Moulton, the lot between the wharves, south, for sur- veying. A printed circular advertised the meeting which assembled at James Parker's Inn, May 18, 1727, for the first drawing of lots. Each proprietor was required to elear 5 acres and build a house before June, 1729. A space of three rods wide was to be kept open on the water front for- ever. A meeting-house was commeneed near the head of lot No. 101, in 1727, on an unsurveyed lot permanently reserved for a burying-place, training-field, and pound. By March, 1730, there were 41 houses and 12 frames erected. Samuel Seabury and Jacob Mitchell built a saw- and grist- mill at the lower falls, for which they were given 120 acres of land and 10 acres at the mill-site.

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History of Cumberland Co., Maine, Part 107

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 780

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 780