History of Cumberland Co., Maine, Part 61

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

USA > Maine > Cumberland County > History of Cumberland Co., Maine > Part 61

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

PIIYSICIANS.

Before the advent of a doctor, it is said that Noah Stiles being unwell, was obliged to go to Standish for medical ad- vice. Procuring the prescription, he returned on foot, carrying a gallon of molasses and a bushel of salt !

Dr. Samuel Farnsworth, the first physician in the town, came in 1790. IIe became eminent in his profession, and was a leading citizen until his death in 1817. Dr. Samuel Farnsworth, Jr., his son, and a native of Bridgton, suc- ceeded to his practice, residing in North Bridgton. Dr. Theodore Ingalls began practice in 1817, living with his father, Phineas Ingalls, at South Bridgton. Ile moved to Bridgton soon after, and continued his practice until 1829. Dr. Jonathan Fessenden came to South Bridgton in 1818, and retired from business in 1839. Dr. Moses Gould, a native of Bridgton, located at North Bridgton in 1825, re- tiring from active practice in 1850. Ile died in 1874. Dr. Nathaniel N. Pease came to Bridgton in 1828, became a prominent political leader, representing his districts in the Legislature and State Senate. IIe died in 1866. Dr. Thomas Perley, grandson of Enoch Perley, Esq., had an extensive practice from 1841 to 1851, when he was suc- ceeded by Dr. Josiah M. Blake.

Of the present physicians, Dr. John HI. Kimball, es- tablished in the village in 1859, and Dr. Nathaniel P. Potter,

1865, are natives of Bridgton. Dr. John B. Bray began in 1875; James P. Webb, 1860 ; Charles E. Hill, 1861 ; William B. Perkins, 1870; Sylvester Robbins, 1864.

Dentists .- William H. Haskell, established 1862, and joined by his son, William S. Haskell ; Luther G. Kimball, since 1873.

MILITARY.

SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTION.

Nathan IIale.

Jacob Hazen, from Beverly, Mass , enlisted 1776, served three years; kept hotel in North Bridgton previous to 1800.

Stephen Gates, sergeant, came to Bridgton from Andover, Mass., in 1768; served through the war ; went to Ohio in 1790.

Asa Parker, wagoner, was under arms at the surrender of Burgoyne.

David Clark, born at Topsfield, Mass., 1748, entered the Continental army in 1776; served through the war; re- turned to Bridgton, where he died in 1831.

Ephraim Davenport, in the northwest expedition ; died in 1838.

Joseph Kimball, served through the war under Wash- ington ; died at Bridgton.

Lient. Robert Andrews, a native of Boxford, Mass., par- ticipated in the battle of Bunker and Breed's Ilill; died at Bridgton in 1845, aged ninety-two.

Isaiah Ingalls.

Capt. Phineas Ingalls, a native of Andover, Mass., served through the war; died at Bridgton, January, 1844, aged eighty-six.

Lieut. John Ilayward was in the Acton, Mass., militia, under Capt. Isaac Davis, at Concord, April 19, 1775 ; took command of the company on the fall of Capt. Davis, and was the first to cross North Bridge under a heavy fire from the 10th Regulars. He participated in the battles of Bun- ker Hill, White Plains, Trenton, and Monmouth ; removed to Bridgton at the end of the war, where he lived with his son until his death, Feb. 13, 1825, aged eighty-four years.

Capt. John Kilborn, a Minute-Man of April 19, 1775, enlisted as corporal, 1776; was at the storming of Stony Point, Ticonderoga ; promoted sergeant Dec. 1, 1777, was captain in 1780 ; moved to Bridgton 1794; died Sept. 8, 1842.

SOLDIERS OF 1812.

Nathan IIilton, Nathan Dodge, Samuel Ingalls, John M. Fields, in Capt. Kilborn's company, Portland ; Enoch Frost, Robert D. Bisbee, George Fitch, Luther Carman, Aaron Brigham, Daniel Perley, Nathaniel Martin, Jere- miah Hale, William Stevens, William Libby, Richard T. Smith, in Capt. Kilborn's company ; Capt. Samuel An- drews.

Capt. John Kilborn, Jr., stationed at Portland, and pro- moted to colonel ; Uriah Gibbs, John Davenport, Amos Gould, Darius Long. John Lamson, under Gen. Brown ; captured at Sackett's Ilarbor; held as hostage and taken to Montreal, Quebec, and Halifax, where he was discharged. Aaron Littlefield, stationed as guard at Kennebunk ; Joseph Milliken, drafted as a marine, was on duty at Fort Preble, and participated in the engagement between the " Constitu- tion" and the " Guerriere." Ilenry Day.

Enoch Derley

John PoPurley

RESIDENCE OF COL. JOHN P. PERLEY, SOUTH BRIDGTON, MAINE.

299

TOWN OF BRIDGTON.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

COL. JOHN P. PERLEY

is a descendant of one of the oldest families in America. Ilis ancestor, Allen Perley, was a native of Wales, and emigrated to New England, arriving at Charlestown, Mass., July 12, 1630. From thence he removed, in 1634, to Ipswich, and the year following married Susanna Bokeson, by whom he had four sons, viz., John, Samnel, Thomas, and Timothy. The third son represented the second gen- eration in direct descent of our subject. He had two sons,- Thomas and Jacob, -- the elder of whom was the third generation. His family consisted of three sons,-Thomas, Allen, and Asa, the oldest of whom was the fourth gener- ation ; and his family embraced five sons,-Isaiah, Oliver, Thomas, Enoch, and Aaron, of whom Enoch was the grand- father of Col. John P. Perley, who was born at Boxford, Mass., May 18, 1749, and became a resident of Bridgton in 1776, settling in the southern part of the town, on the place now owned and occupied by his grandson, 'Squire Perley. He was a man of strong native intellect, ready tact, and uncommon sagacity. He held many of the most important offices in the town, and was for many years an acting magistrate, and became extensively known as a man of intelligence and superior business capacity. Ile was a strict utilitarian, for whatever his hand touched was always turned to some practical account. By extraordinary fore- cast and untiring industry he accumulated a large estate. He was a man of active benevolence, and was noted for bis public gifts for the support of religion. He was married to Miss Annie Flint, who was born July 26, 1753. Their family consisted of two sons, viz., John and Thomas, and three daughters, -- Rebecca, Nancy, and lluldah. This worthy man died Dec. 23, 1829; his wife's death occurred April 15, 1823. The homestead was inherited by John, who was born Jan. 5, 1779, in Bridgton. He was a prac- tical surveyor by profession, and was for years connected with the State militia, and at the time of his resignation held the rank of brigadier-general. Ile was married to Miss Sarah Treadwell, of Groton, Mass. She was born Aug. 26, 1782. They had a family of three boys and five girls, only four of whom are now living, viz., Mary M., widow of Rensselaer Cram, and resides in Portland; Au- gustus, a resident of Bridgton Centre; John P., and Sarah, wife of Marshall Cram, of Brunswick, Me. Gen. Perley died May 13, 1841 ; his wife died Sept. 30, 1860. John P. was born on the old homestead, July 31, 1815. Ile has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. Ile is a Republican in politics, and has held many positions of trust and honor in his town. He was a member of the State Legislature of 1861, '62, '65. In his early life he was con- nected with the State militia, from which he retired with the rank of colonel. He is also a trustee of the Bridgton Acad- emy. Ile was married June 25, 1840, to Clarissa, daughter of Asa and Phoebe (Berry) Ingalls, of Bridgton. She was boru May 27, 1817. They have no offspring. They are both active and energetic members of the Congregational Church of Bridgton. Col. Perley resides on the old home- stead of his father, and, although over threescore years of age, he still retains the activity of early manhood.

ISRAEL P. PEABODY.

Lient. Francis Peabody, of St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England, born in 1614, came to New England in the ship " Planter," in 1635. Hle first resided at Ipswich, and in the summer of 1638 became one of the original settlers of Ilampton, Mass. Ile, in 1681, became a resident of Tops- field. Ile married Mary Foster. Ilis death occurred Feb. 19, 1697. His wife died April 9, 1705.

LITTLE

ISRAEL P. PEABODY.

The lineage is traced through his progeny as follows : giving one in each generation, and beginning with his son, who was third in a family of twelve children ( William, born 1646; John, born Aug. 1, 1695 ; John, born Aug. 20, 1732; John, Nov. 2, 1766; Israel P., subject of this sketch). John Peabody, grandfather of Israel P., was a lieutenant in the Provincial army at the taking of Ticon- deroga by the French, in 1759, was at the siege and capture of Louisbourg, in 1758, was captain of a militia company that marched from Andover on the news of the battle of Bunker Hill. Ile removed to Bridgton, Me., in the winter of 1783-84. lle was known as a man of integrity, good intellect, and ready wit, and was one of the deacons of the First Congregational Church. Ile dicd June 12, 1820. Ilis wife was Mary Perley, the mother of ten children ; she died July 15, 1824.

llis father, John, married Asenath Stevens, in 1794. He was also a deacon in the Congregational Church, and died May 13, 1838. Ihis wife died April 19, 1840. They had eleven children, of whom Israel P. is ninth child, born in the town of Bridgton, April 24, 1810; married Oct. 23, 1834, Rebecca, daughter of Francis and Polly (Wilson) Foster, of Bridgton. She was born June 19, 1811.

Mr. Peabody has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and resided upon the farm settled by his grand- father. Ile is a promoter of good society, and has been a member of the Congregational Church since he was sixteen years of age. Politically, he is a member of the Republican

230

HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, MAINE.

party. Their children are Mary A. (deccased) ; Mrs. Alonzo C. Chapin, of Cape Elizabeth; Mrs. A. Chapin, of Portland ; Mrs. Appleton D. Hill, of Naples ; Mrs. Alonzo E. Quinn, of Portland ; Mrs. Daniel F. Johnson, of Portland ; Francis E. (deceased) ; Mrs. Wallace W. Hatch, of Cape Elizabeth ; and Charles E.

LUKE BROWN.

The Brown family was first settled in America at Water- town, Mass., in the years 1630-31, by two brothers, Abra- ham and Joseph, from Surrey, England. Their descendants remained for years in the eastern part of Massachusetts.

Joshua, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of that State, and removed in early life to Stowe, Mass.

LITTLE

LUKE BROWN.

lle was a man of sterling qualities, and was captain in the American army during the Revolutionary war, was present at the battle of Bunker Hill, and was the last man to leave the fort before its occupation by the British forces. He reared a large family of children, of whom Obededom, the father of our subject, was the second son. This old soldier died at Stowe about the year 1815, at the age of seventy-four.

Obededom was born at Stowe, Mass., May, 1782. He was married to Betsey Walcott, of Bolton, Mass. He re- moved to Livermore, Me., in 1820, where he died Dec. 15, 1839. His wife died at North Bridgton, Jan. 2, 1843, aged fifty-six years. By his marriage he became the father of ten children, viz., Susan, Luke, Obededom, Charles W., Betsey, Mary Ann, Lydia Augusta, George, Martha Pit- man, and Samuel B. W., five of whom are now living.

Luke, our subject, was born in Bolton, Mass., Aug. 23, 1807. Ilis father being a carpenter, he was apprenticed to the same trade. Ile removed to Livermore with his father, where he remained four years; he then went to Boston, where he commenced business for himself as a

carpenter, and where he resided till 1840. His educational advantages were limited. He is a life member of the Massa- chusetts Charitable and Mechanics' Association, which he joined Oct. 26, 1829. In 1840 he removed to Bridgton, where he engaged in the manufacture of furniture, which he conducted till 1878, manufacturing his wares from the native log, and shipping his products to domestic and foreign ports. Ile was also engaged in the general merchandise trade. He was married April 9, 1829, to Sophironia, daughter of Nathan II. and Ruth (Foster) Bartlett, of Boston, where she was born July 23, 1808. By this union he had eight children, three of whom are living,- George II., born April 9, 1830, and is engaged in the manufacture of furniture at Bridgton ; Cornelia M., born Jan. 5, 1846, and is the wife of Charles W. Hill, of Bridg- ton ; Freeman II., born Dec. 5, 1849, and is a manufacturer of furniture at his father's old stand. His wife died May 15, 1871. He afterwards was married, Sept. 16, 1872, to Lizzie, danghter of James and Sarah ( Proctor) Jordan, of Waterford, Me .; she was born at that place. In politics he was originally a Democrat, but on the nomination of Franklin Pierce for President of the United States, being opposed to the extension of slavery, he joined the Free- Soilers, and afterwards, on the organization of the Republican party, was one of its foremost promoters in the State. He has held the office of chairman of selectmen, and other town offices ; represented his district in the State Legislature of 1855, being the first Republican legislator elected from his town. Ile was also a member of the State Senate of 1867-68. Is an active supporter of religion, being con - nected with the Congregational Church of North Bridgton, and has been a member of a religious organization since 1827, and has been deacon of the church most of the time of his residence in the town. Ile has, since 1843, been one of the trustees of the Bridgton Academy. Mr. Brown has retired from active business, having delegated to his sons the responsibility of maintaining the honor and credit of an enterprise of which he was the father, and which has been a source of revenue and prosperity to the town of Bridgton.

P. P. BURNHAM,

son of George and Florilla Burnham, natives of Gilead, Me., was born in Gilead, Oxford Co., June 26, 1845. Ile re- ceived his education in the common school at home, in Gould's Academy, at Bethel, and at the Maine Wesleyan Seminary.

In 1863 he went to Portland, and was a clerk in the dry- goods house of R. A. Chapman until 1867, when he became a clerk for Deering, Milliken & Co., jobbers of dry goods. In 1869 he became a member of the firm of Davis, Stevens & Co., of Bridgton, and upon the dissolution of that firm, in 1876, he commenced business alone in the same building formerly occupied by the firm of which he was a member. Ile was elected treasurer of the Bridgton Savings Bank in 1872, which position he resigned in February, 1879, and was elected one of the trustees of that bank. He is one of the substantial business men of Bridgton, and a promoter of all worthy local enterprises. He married, Aug. 29,

XXXXXXXXXXX

RESIDENCE OF P. P. BURNHAM, BRIDGTON, MAINE.

RESIDENCE OF ALBERT F. RICHARDSON, BRIDGTON, ME

Photo, by 1 .. M. Berry, Bridgton,

R. G. Barnard

Daniel, the grandfather of this gentleman, was born at Andover, Mass., Jan. 20, 1758. He was the youngest of seven sons who, with their father, were all soldiers in the Revolutionary war. In 1781 he came to Bridgton, and settled on the same farm now owned and occupied by his grandson. He married Ruth Andrews, a native of Boxford, Mass., she being born in the year 1764. Their family consisted of three sons and three daughters. The sons' names were Putnam, Daniel, and John. He died April 6, 1832, and his wife Dec. 8, 1837.

Daniel, the father of R. A. Barnard, was born in Bridgton, June 18, 1798. He turned his attention during his life to the improvement and tilling of the soil. He was married, Nov. 3, 1833, to Kezialı, daughter of Joseph and Martha (Jordan) Dingley. She was born in Casco, Cumberland Co., Me., Aug. 6, 1811. By his marriage he became the father of a son and daughter; the latter died in chiklhood. He was a member of the old Whig party, and held the rank of captain in the State militia. He was

a man of strict integrity and honest worth, and at his death, which occurred June 19, 1854, he was deeply mourned by friends and neighbors.

Robert A., the only son of this worthy couple, was born on the old homestead, March 22, 1840; he was reared to agricultural pursuits, and has re- mained on the old farm all his life, excepting six years he spent in California engaged in sheep- raising. He has had the advantages of only a common-school education. He was married, Nov. 26, 1872, to Annette, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Fessenden) Farnham, of Bridgton, where she was born Dee. 1, 1849. They have but one child, Evelyn F., born July 3, 1876. He is a Republican in politics, but was never an office- seeker. Mr. Barnard is engaged at present in farming, and is one of the town's most enterprising citizens. He devotes his means liberally to re- ligions and charitable purposes, and is proud that he resides on the farm which has been in posses- sion of the family for three generations.

231

TOWN OF BRUNSWICK.

1874, Helen M., daughter of Capt. Nicholas, of Searsport, Me. They have an only daughter, Edith, born May 15, 1875.

RUFUS GIBBS,

son of Alpheus and Abigail (Wheeler) Gibbs, was born in the town of Bridgton, Cumberland Co., Me., Ang. 26, 1800. He attended the district schools during his boy- hood, and there obtained the rudiments of an education, which subsequent self-study and observation largely aug- mented. At the age of fourteen, on account of the death of his father, he embarked in the pursuits of life for him- self. Ile engaged with John Perley, with whom he re- mained seven years, during which time he worked mostly at tanning, and the remainder of the time upon the farm. Upon reaching his majority he established himself in busi- ness in the village of Bridgton, as a tanner and leather merchant, and was also quite largely engaged in land spec- ulation. This business he continued until about the year 1840, when he gave his entire attention to lumbering until the fall of 1855, when he commenced the building of the large " blanket-mill," which was completed and in opera- tion the following April. Mr. Gibbs, in connection with his sons, was in business successfully until 1877, when he retired. In politics he has always been a Republican, and has never missed a presidential or State election. He never sought political preferment. Although often urged to accept different nominations, he always declined the flattering honor upon business considerations, until in 1878 he gave way to the urgent solicitations of his party, and accepted the nomination for representative. He was elected by a

large majority, and served one term with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. Mr. Gibbs is an active member of the Congregational Church, contributing largely to its benevolent and missionary enterprises. In 1825 he married Adeline, daughter of Joseph Sears. Of this union were born seven children. Four sons and one daughter are living,-Edward A., Ann Maria, wife of William F. Perry, Charles E., John S., and Horace I. Mr. Gibbs is one of Bridgton's most honored and substantial citizens.

ALBERT F. RICHARDSON,

son of Mark Richardson, was born in Sebago, July 2, 1841. For many years he was a teacher, and taught schools ste- cessfully in Sebago, Otisfield, Harrison, Bristol, and in Bethel and Monmouth Academies. Ife graduated at Bow- doin College in 1873, and received the honorary degree of A.M. from Colby University in 1876. In 1873 he took charge of the Bridgton High School, which position he retains in 1879.

Mr. Richardson has always been interested in all local enterprises tending to make society better, and is a man of correct habits, of strong force of character, and possessed of a rare executive ability. Hle is also noted as a disciplina- rian.

While a resident of Sebago he was a member of the school committee, and for two years was a selectman of the town. He is a member of the school committee of Bridg- ton. He has been Noble Grand of Cumberland Lodge of Odd-Fellows, Worthy Master of Oriental Lodge of Free- Masons, and Worthy Chief Templar of Selden Connor Lodge of Good Templars.

BRUNSWICK.

TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES.

THE town of Brunswick forms the northeastern portion of Cumberland County. It is bounded north by the An- droscoggin River, noted for its numerous falls and abundant water-power. The New Meadows River, on the east, sepa- rates this town and Harpswell, which lies directly south of it, from Bath, West Bath, and Phippsburg. New Meadows River rises in the town of Bath, about half a mile from Merrymeeting Bay, and flows south into Casco Bay. It was anciently called Stevens' River. Merrymeeting Bay, which lies east of Brunswick, is formed by the confluent waters of the Androscoggin, Muddy, Cathance, Abagadus- set, and Kennebec Rivers. It is about six miles in length and three in breadth at its widest part. In a deed from Sir Ferdinando Gorges to Sir Richard Edgecomb, in 1637, this

sheet of water is called the " Lake of New Somerset." In other ancient deeds it is called " Swan Pond."*

The scenery of Brunswick and of the territory imme- diately adjacent to it is varied and interesting. The central portion of the town consists chiefly of low, sandy plains. " In the western part a rocky elevation is to be observed, extending quite from the Androscoggin to Casco Bay. Many citizens are familiar with the picturesque scenery at Rocky IIill, some four miles up the river road, where this ridge begins. At the deep cut, some three miles west of the village, the railroad passes through a depression of this ridge, but at Oak IFill it again rises to full height.

" A few miles farther, another depression is succeeded by

* Pejepscot Papers .- WHEELER.

232

IIISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, MAINE.

Brimstone Hill, in Freeport, which completes the line quite to Harrascekit Landing, on Caseo Bay. From Oak Hill, and the higher points of the parallel ridge west of it, the sea is usually visible. From all elevated points, for miles around, appear also the spires of the villages of Brunswick and Topsham, the highest among them being the twin towers of King's Chapel. On the approach from up river, Powder-House Ilill (at an earlier date known as Sunset Ilill) hides much of the villages from view. A bend of the river, with a broad expansion at this point, gives all the effeet of a lake, with the accessories of high, rocky banks, green hills, low, grassy shores, and sandy beaches.

" At the upper railroad bridge, where the banks of the river approach each other and the compressed waters go rolling on between the firm bounds of rock, the scene begins to change. Here is the beginning of the Brunswick Falls, the finest water-power on the Atlantic coast. This mag- nificent fall of water, though lacking in the grandeur which attaches to the more famous falls of some other rivers, has yet a beauty of its own which should by no means be over- looked. Its numerous cascades afford not only varied and picturesque views, but furnish a motive-power probably un- surpassed in New England within so small a space. The natural bed of the fall consists of coarse graphie granite and gneiss. The rock upon the middle fall projects above the water at several points, serving as natural abutments to the several sections of the dam. Shad Island, the former site of the mills, divides the lower fall about midway. There are three pitches : the first has a vertical descent of about eleven feet, the middle of fourteen feet, and the lower of about fifteen feet. The total height of the fall is about forty-one feet above high tide, which flows to the foot of the fall, eausing a variation in the height of the water of about three feet. The whole horizontal distance of the descent is nineteen hundred and eighty feet."

The soil of Brunswick varies from the sandy loam of the plains to a gravelly loam at the westward. Rich loamus and heavy clays are found in a few localities. Peat has been found in the low ground east of Miss Narcissa Stone's house, and has been used by her. The best farms were formerly (and probably are now) at Middle Bay and Ma- quoit. The land is said, however, to have been much more fertile in former times than at present.

The climate of this region is somewhat different near the sea-coast from that a few miles farther inland. In Harpswell, and around the bays of Brunswick, the tem- perature is as uniform as it usually is on the coast of Maine. Topsham, from its greater elevation, is cooler than Bruns- wick in the summer, and, probably owing to its southern slope, is slightly warmer in the winter.

EARTHQUAKES.

Accounts have been preserved of some ten shocks of earthquake, which have occurred here since the first settle- ment of Brunswick. The first and severest was the one which was felt throughout New England, and is called the " Great Earthquake." It happened on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 1755, at about a quarter past four o'clock A.M. The un- dulation of the earth's surface in this vicinity was so vio- lent as to rock houses, and throw down chimneys, log

fenees, and erockcry from the shelves. The chimney of Rev. Mr. Dunlap's house fell in, and some of his children narrowly escaped injury. The inhabitants generally were greatly alarmed, and viewed the occurrence as an omen of evil. Rev. Mr. Dunlap preached a sermon with especial reference to this event. The other earthquakes were much less severe, though some of them were sufficient to cause a degree of trepidation among the timid. They occurred Nov. 22, 1755; June 12, 1805, at 7.30 A.M .; June 26, 1808, at 2.51 P.M .; Nov. 28, 1814, at 7 P.M .; the oscilla- tions moved from north to south, lasted fifty seconds, and were followed by an explosion ; May 23, 1817, at 3 P.M., lasted one minute; March 7, 1823, at 10 A.M .; July 25, 1828, at 6 A.M .; Aug. 26, 1829, at 9 P.M., and at 9.15 P.M .; and Oct. 17, 1860.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Cumberland Co., Maine, Part 61

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