History of Cumberland Co., Maine, Part 68

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 68


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).


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Towards the close of his first year, the society at Ferry village commenced building the church, in which worship is now held.


Dr. E. Clarke gave them land, which was sold for $300, and Mr. Cahoon gave them the two lots on which the church stands, and the church was completed, free of debt, the following year, and dedicated Jan. 25, 1853, by Rev. W. F. Farington.


In 1853, Rev. A. P. Ilillman was pastor, and the meet- ings for public worship were from that time held in the new church at Ferry village.


In 1854, Mr. Hillman was re-appointed to Ferry village, holding occasional service in the evening in the old church at Point village.


In 1855-56, Rev. John Riee was pastor of Ferry vil- lage Church, and during the first year of his ministry the


* Furnished by Rev. S. F. Wetherbee.


255


TOWN OF CAPE ELIZABETII.


old church at the Point was accidentally burned to the ground.


In 1857-58, Asa Green was pastor; in 1859-60, Chas. Andrews; in 1861, S. R. Bailey; in 1862-63, B. Free- man. During the ministry of the latter the church was repaired, and enlarged by the addition of 32 new pews, which were sold for enough to pay all the expenses.


In 1864-65, E. Robinson was pastor ; in 1866, Thomas Powers, a local preacher, supplied the pulpit; in 1867, U. Rideout was pastor, but died during the year; in 1868, O. H. Stevens; in 1869, John Collins; in 1870, W. H. Foster; 1871-73, Benjamin Freeman ; 1874-76, J. M. Woodbury. During the pastorate of Mr. Woodbury the vestry and parsonage was built, leaving an indebtedness on the society, secured by mortgage.


In 1877, G. W. Barbour was pastor, and in 1878-79, S. F. Wetherbee, who still has charge of the society. Soon after he became pastor he secured a subscription sufficient to thoroughly paint and repair the church, and it is now an ornament to the village, and the society is in a flourish- ing condition.


BOWERY BEACH METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI.


In 1839, Rev. Jesse Stone was appointed to Cape Eliza- beth circuit, and so divided his labors as to preach occa- sionally at Bowery Beach, then called the " Pitch of the Cape.".


In 1840 he was re-appointed to the Cape, and gave one- half of his labors to Bowery Beach.


This was the first pastoral service ever given to that neighborhood.


In 1841-42, Rev. G. D. Strout* was appointed to the charge, and he preached alternately at Brown's Hill (now called Cape Elizabeth Depot) and Bowery Beach. This was the first regular preaching at Brown Hill. Ferry vil- lage and the Point were set off and constituted another circuit.


Bowery Beach and Brown's Hill was supplied from year to year, as follows :


1843, John Frazier* ; 1844-45, E. K. Colby ; 1846, C. C. Covil ; 1847, J. Riee; 1848, S. S. Cummings ; 1849- 50, J. Cobb; 1852, L. B. Knight; 1853-54, A. P. Hill- man ; 1855, J. Rice ; 1856-57, B. Luffkin.


The charge was then divided, and the successive preachers were, viz. :


Bowery Beach : 1858-59, A. R. Sylvester ;+ 1860, J. Gibson; 1861, S. Payne; 1862-63, R. C. Bailey ;* 1864, D. D. Speer; 1865, George Iloit; 1866, supplied by a local preacher; 1867, E. H. McKenney; 1868, supplied by a local preacher; 1869, S. V. Gerry ; 1870-71, J. Fair- banks ;* 1872-75, supplied by local preachers ; 1876-77, J. Budden ; 1878, B. F. Pease ; 1879, A. Cook.


Brown Hill preachers : 1858-50, C. W. Blackman ; 1860, John Rice; 1861-62, U. Rideout ;* 1863, S. Ranks; 1864-65, G. W. Barbour; 1866-68, F. F. Ayer;} 1869


-70, K. Atkinson ; 1871-72, C. C. Mason (new parsonage built) ; 1873-74, D. B. Randall; 1875-76, J. Collins; 1877-78, T. P. Adams; 1879, W. J. Murphy.


SCHOOLS.


The whole number of school districts in the town is 14, containing provisions for the education of 1843 scholars. Nos. 5, 6, 11, 12, and 13 are graded schools, No. 5 being divided into grammar, intermediate, first primary, and second primary ; Nos. 6, 11, and 13 being divided into one grammar and one primary department cach. Thus there are 5 grammar schools, 1 intermediate, 6 primaries, and 4 mixed schools, beside the high school or District No. 14, in which the higher branches and a course preparatory for col- lege is pursucd.


The whole number of pupils registered in all the schools is as follows : spring, 1119; average attendance, 975 ; fall, 1129; average attendance, 1006; winter, 1141; average attendance, 967. The pupils in the high school were for the spring term 100, with an average attendance of 92; fall term, 87; average attendance, 82; winter term, 89; average attendance, 80. The following is the school fund of the town for the year ending Feb. 1, 1879 :


DISTRICT SCHOOL FUND.


Town appropriation. $1100.00


Reecived from State (bank tax) 1215.30


(mill tax). 1953.29


Total $7268.69


Per scholar.


3.94


HIGH SCHOOL FUND.


Appropriated by town. $900.00


Received from State.


500,00


Received from toition ... 6,00


Total


$1406.00


Less overdrawn, 1878


92.35


Net amount.


$1313.65


Amount expended ... 920.83


Estimated cost of winter term


435.50


The schools of the town are all reported in a prosperous condition. The following respecting the high school we take from the last report of the committee on public schools :


" We have beco fortunate in keeping Mr. D. W. Hawkes as princi- pal. Miss Il. M. Hawkes left us at the end of last year for higher wages and a smaller school, in Deering. Wo employed Miss Annie Nichols, of Searsport, as assistant, who has filled the position with thoroughness and efficiency. We believe this school has fully main- tained its high rank for decorum and scholarship. It is an honor to the town, and is doing for our youth a precious work which cannot bo estimated in silver and gold. During the spring term we procured a fine organ for the use of the school at a net cost of $120, paying down $25; the balance was to be paid in installments at oor convenience. Twenty-five dollars additional havo been paid by the high school scholars, leaving a balance still duo of $70. Probably another pay- ment will be made before the end of this term.


" Appleton's New American Cyclopedia has been purebased by the school-a very valoable acquisition-at the very moderate prico of $25. The larger part of this was raised by subscription by the scholars. It is hoped to raise the balance before the close of the eur- rent year.


" A glance at the high school table will give an idea of lho work donc.


"It is to be understood that the second classes in arithmetic and English analysis in the spring term, and tho clusses in the same dur- ing the current term, are in review. By compurisou with last year it


* The preachers thus marked are dead.


t During these two years a fino choreh was built and dedicated by Rev. W. F. Farrington, viz., 1858-59.


# Daring these three years the present fine church was built, and tho namo changed to Cape Elizabeth Depot.


256


HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, MAINE.


will be seen that the school is steadily advancing, especially in the direction of the higher English studies."


The town-house, the second story of which is devoted to the high school, is a substantial three-story brick building, with a foundation of granite, and surmounted by a tower and bell. It was erected by the town in 1874, at a cost of over $12,000. The first floor contains the town-hall and offices, a fire-proof vault and every convenience for the trans- action of business, and there is a Masonic hall in the third story.


Committee .- J. W. Lowell, Chairman, E. A. Harlow, E. C. Reynolds.


POOR-HOUSE AND FARM.


For the care of the poor the town owns a farm and build- ings valued at $7500. The additional property on the farm is estimated at $1832.80. The amount expended for out supplies, and for consumption on the farm during the year ending Feb. 1, 1879, was $4410.61.


FINANCIAL.


The following is an account of the receipts and expendi- tures of the town of Cape Elizabeth for the year ending Feb. 1, 1879 :


TAXES ASSESSED 1878.


For State tax.


$7,149.39 2,642.58


Schools


$4100


Roads and bridges


4000


Town charges ..


3000


Support of poor.


2500


Interest on tuwn debt.


4880


Collectors' eominissions.


600


Discount un taxes.


900


Winter and spring bills.


500


Reduction of town debt.


3000


Free high school.


900


Painting almshouse.


150


David Griffin suit


500


Cape Elizabeth Diking Co.


200


$25,230.00


$35,021.97


Overlays ........


1,313.63


Supplemental tax


171.54


$36,537.14


VALUATION, 1878.


Real and personal estates.


$1,773,991


Supplementary valuation.


4,445


Total ..


$1,778,436


Number of polls, 11-15.


Rate of taxation, $1.86 on $100.


ASSETS OF THE TOWN, 1878.


Town-farm and buildings ..


$7,500,00


Town-house and lot.


15,000.00


Stock and personal property on farm ..


1,832.80


Grovel bank


2,500.00


Seven neres woodland


100.00


Ferry landing.


5,000.00


Iligh school furniture


600.00


Office furniture ..


100.00


Town-ball furniture.


400.00


Police station and lot. 690.00


Police station furniture. 25.00


Balanee L. D. Reynolds' tax bills, 1877 ..


$8,753.74


Balanee Geo. Fiekett's tax bills, 1878


8,866.89


Tox deeds beld hy treasurer .....


469.89


Tax deeds held by selectmen ....


1,200.00


Due from abutters en Cand E


Street sewers. 46.47


Due from Portland. 177.32


Due from Biddeford 51.85


Due from Yarmouth 6.00


$19,572.16


$53,319.96


TOWN LIABILITIES, 1878.


Town bonds issued 1863, due 1883 $25,900.00


=


1864, dne 1884. 16,800.00


= 1865, due 1885 9,750.00


1871, due 1881.


4,100,00


1872, due 1887. 5,000.00


=


1874, due 1889.


12,000.00


Town notes, Nos. 4 and 5, issued 1878, dne 1879, for police station .. 600.00


Outstanding town orders 9,003.36


Balance due schuol districts. 2,962.54


$$6,115.90


EXPENDITURES, 1878.


For schools


$6,322.85


Town charges


3,128.83


Winter and spring bills, 1877 and 1878. 630.70


4,131.70


Summer bills, roads, and brilges.


1,971.03


Poor bills (farm).


1,371.32


Interest on town debt


4,724.25


Abatements.


1,887.71


Free high school.


1,013.18


Collectors' commissions


656.93


Discount on taxes.


877.40


Rednetion on town debt 4,999.00


Note, David Griffin suit


500.00


$32,214.90


APPROPRIATIONS FOR 1878.


Balance due the several school districts, 1877. $1,478.22 4,100,00 Appropriations for schools, 1878


State schoul fund


1,022.75


State mill tax 1,953.39


Roads and bridges 4,000.00


2,500.00


Town charges


3,000.00


Interest on town debt


4,880,00


Collectors' commission


600 00


Discount on taxes


900.00


Winter and spring hills, 1877-78 500.00


3,000,00


Free high school


900.00


Painting almshouse.


150.00


David Griffin snit ..


500.00


Cape Elizabeth Diking Co. 200.00


Overlays and additions.


1,515.17


$31,199.53


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.


EBEN N. PERRY


was born in the town of Porter, Oxford Co., Me., June 3, 1832. His great-grandfather came to America fron France in 1740, and settled in York County. Allen Peirrie, his son, was born in Shapleigh, York Co., in 1750, and moved to Parsonfield, same county, in 1775. Stephen (Peare), his son, was born in Parsonfield, in 1778, and married Martha Beacham in 1798. She was a daughter of Richard Beacham, the son of Lord Beacham, of England. Stephen Perry, grandfather of Eben N., was the first settler of the family in the town of Porter. His father, James R. (Peary), born in Parsonfield, April 2, 1801, married, Oet. 3, 1823, Ahnira, daughter of Charles Nutter, of Porter. She was born Feb. 15, 1808. 1Iis parents moved to Porter in 1821, and removed to Biddeford in 1842. Eben N. received a good business education during his minority.


$33,747.80


Poor bills (out supplies) ..


Support of poor


Reduction of town debt ..


County tax


257


TOWN OF CAPE ELIZABETH.


IIe married, Oet. 5, 1851, Harriet M., daughter of Deacon William and Apha (Harmon ) Libby, of Sweden, Oxford Co., Me. She was born June 15, 1832. Their children are Luella May (deceased), Florence M., and Herbert B.


From 1851 to 1854 Mr. Perry was engaged with D. E. Somes, Biddeford, manufacturing loom harnesses, and then went to Lewiston to superintend a manufactory in the same business for Mr. Somes. In 1856 he went into trade for himself in Lewiston, carrying on a general store, having associated with him in business his brother (E. N. & G. S. Perry). In 1859 he went to Cape Elizabeth, and for two years was engaged in farming. He was elected colleetor on the Republican tieket, and served the town 1861-63; and in 1864 he was collector and treasurer. lle was


enrolling officer during the late war for Cape Elizabeth and Scarboro', and was appointed by Governor Corry one of the general recruiting officers of the State. In January, 1865, he was appointed deputy sheriff of Cumberland County, holding the office for four years. Elected sheriff for 1869- 70, and re- elected and held the office a second term. For two years following his service as sheriff he was a farmer. In April, 1875, with M. C. Foss ( Perry & Foss) he opened a general commission store in Portland, but after one year Mr. Foss retired from the firm, and after continuing the business alone one year, Mr. Perry, in January, 1877, took in as partner Mr. F. T. Flint, and the firm of Perry & Flint, well established in business, continue as successful commission merchants in 1879.


Photo. by Lamson.


HON. W. B. HIGGINS.


HON. W. B. HIGGINS,


seventh child, and son of Capt. Sylvanus Iliggins, was born in the town of Cape Elizabeth, May 29, 1814, on the farm formerly owned by his father, but now owned by him. Ile remained at home during his minority, and spent his time in the routine of farm labor and at school. IIe re- mained for eleven years after reaching his majority at home, and in 1842 married Irene M. Dyer, of Cape Elizabeth. The same year of his marriage he ereeted the house in which he now resides, and followed agricultural pursuits until 1864, when he was elected to the Legislature. This position, which he held for one term, he filled with satis- faction to his constituents, and with honor to himself. Ilis re-election was urgently sought by his many friends, but he declined further publie honor. lle is interested in local and national legislation, and a supporter of all enterprises tending to benefit his fellow-citizens, In politics he is a Democrat, and is known as a man who looks as well to the 33


man as to the principles he represents. Since his eonnee- tion with publie matters, he has given his attention almost wholly to the interests of his farm.


SILAS SKILLEN,


son of Daniel, and grandson of Samnel Skillen, was born in the town of Cape Elizabeth, May 17, 1801. The farm upon which he resides was deeded to his paternal ancestor in the year 1681, and has remained in the family since.


Mr. Skillen was reared on the farm, and received only a common-school education. His reliability as a citizen, his good judgment, and careful business management, have, through many years as a farmer, gained for him a compe- tenee, which places him beyond the apprehension of want. He married in July, 1836, Maria, daughter of Nathaniel


258


HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, MAINE.


and Luey Ward, of Kennebunkport. She was born July 1, 1811. Of this union were born eight children,-Imey, Daniel, John J., Hezekiah, Edwin A., Silas E., Augusta E., Franklin A.


Mrs. Skillen died Feb. 23, 1860. For his second wife


Photo, by Lamson.


SILAS SKILLEN.


he married, in 1864, Catharine, daughter of Moses and Mary Fiekett, of Cape Elizabeth. She was born April 7, 1820. Mr. Skillen, now nearly fourseore years of age, en- joys the esteem of all who know him, and is surrounded with the fruits of many years of labor and industry.


A. W. PEABBLES,


son of Charles and Auna Peabbles, was born Aug. 27, 1815, on the farm where he now resides in the town of Cape Elizabeth, his grandfather having resided on the same farm during his life. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers of the town.


Mr. Peabbles was youngest in a family of eight children, and received a fair common-school education while young. In 1839 he married Miss Mehetabel Mitchael, of Cape Elizabeth, and the same year assumed control of the old homestead. Aside from his farming, he for many years carried on a grist- and saw-mill. His parents remained with him until their death. ITis father died at the age of twenty-nine, and his mother at the age of ninety.


Mr. Peabbles is known as an unswerving member of the Democratic party, and has been honored with the offices of selectman and overseer of the poor for several years by the citizens of his town.


In church institutions he is interested, and has been a member of the Congregational Church for twenty years, and for several years a deacon of that church.


REUBEN HIGGINS,


son of Michael Higgins, was born in the town of Cape Elizabeth, Feb. 11, 1811. His grandfather, Reuben Ilig- gins, came to Cumberland County from Cape Cod, and met an untimely death by being drowned while capturing sea- eows. Mr. Higgins received a common-school education during his boyhood. At the age of seventeen he embarked on a coasting vessel, and remained in the service for three years. He went to Bangor, Me., where he learned black- smithing and the edge-tool trade, and was engaged in this business until 1830, when he sold out to his brother, Ar- thur, and returned to Cape Elizabeth, where he remained one year, and for the next three years was engaged in the groeery trade in Portland. In 1839 he married Calista L. Smith, of Newmarket, N. II. He removed to Androscog- gin County, and remained three years, during which time his father died, and he, purchasing the interest of the other heirs of the estate, settled on the old homestead in Cape Elizabeth. He has been honored with various offices of trust in his town. In 1843 he was elected selectman and overseer of the poor, and held these offices for six years. In 1849 he was elected a member of the Legisla- ture on the Democratie ticket, and held the office one term. Following 1851, for eight years he was clerk on a steamer plying between Portland and Boston. In 1861 he was elected county commissioner, and remained in that office three years, and the same year was again elected to the Legislature, and served one year. For several years he has acted as justice of the peace in the town, and continues to discharge the duties of that office to the satisfaction of his fellow-townsmen and with honor to himself.


Mr. Higgins is a member of the Free-Will Baptist Church, and a supporter of church and kindred interests. He is a man of acknowledged integrity and correet habits.


JONAHI DYER


is the son of Nathaniel and grandson of Nathan Dyer, who was a native of Cape Cod, and settled in Cape Elizabeth during the early history of that town. Jonah Dyer was born Dee. 25, 1794. Ilis minority was spent in the rou- tine of school life and on the farm, receiving, however, limited opportunities for obtaining an education from books. For three years after reaching his majority he was engaged on a sailing vessel. Returning home, he purchased sixty acres of land, agreeing to pay therefor one thousand dol- lars, but having at the time of purchase only one hundred and fifty dollars. By industry, economy, and a judicious management of his affairs, he has not only completed the payment for his first purchase, but has added to it much other real estate, sufficient for himself and children. In 1824, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Ephraim and Elizabeth Roberts, of Cape Elizabeth. They have three children,-George T., Mrs. William B. Higgins, and Na- thaniel. His wife died Aug. 6, 1878. He and his wife


-


Photos, by Lamsou.


REUBEN HIGGINS.


MRS. REUBEN HIGGINS.


TTLE


Photos, by Lamson.


JONAHI DYER.


MRS. JONAHI DYER.


LITTLE


A. W. PEABBLES.


Photos. by Conant.


ATT&S


MRS. A. W. PEABBLES,


259


TOWN OF CASCO.


were consistent members of the Free-Will Baptist Church. He will be remembered for his charity to the poor, and his support of enterprises benefiting his fellow-citizens. Hle ranks among the wealthiest of his town.


EDWARD F. HILL


is eldest son of Edward Hill, of Eaton, N. HI., was born in Portland, June 14, 1834, and now resides on the farm in the town of Cape Elizabeth, formerly owned by his mother, Euniee Jordan. He was educated in the common school and at Yarmouth Academy. At the age of eighteen he became a teacher, teaching school during the winter terms, and working on the farm summers.


For four years following 1864 he was associated with his father-in-law, Mr. Chamberlain, as proprietor of the Ocean House, on Cape Elizabeth. In 1856 he was elected a mem- ber of the school committee, and was aetive in establishing the high school in Cape Elizabeth. In 1868 he was elected treasurer and collector of the town, and held these offices for two years. In 1878 he received the appointment of inspector of publie works on river and harbor improvements, on Richmond Island Breakwater, under Gen. George Thom, and continues to hold the same position. He married, Dee. 3, 1865, Miss Sibyl M. Chamberlain, of Cape Elizabeth, and has two children, viz .: Henry C.,


born Oct. 1, 1866, and George E., born Sept. 10, 1876. Mr. Hill is a thrifty and successful farmer, and a man of


LITTLE


l'hoto, by Lamson.


Edward OF Hill


sterling integrity in all his business relations. In polities, Democratie.


CASCO.


GENERAL DESCRIPTION.


THE town of Caseo was formed from the northwestern half of Raymond, by aet of incorporation approved March 18, 1841. An effort had been made to divide the town as early as 1825, and, in 1838, Edward Mayberry, Samnel Jordan, and John Cook were elected a committee to desig- nate the division line. In 1831, '32, and '34, there were two collectors elected for Raymond, which was divided into the Eastern and Western Distriets. Casco is bounded on the north by Poland and Thompson Pond, on the cast by Raymond, on the south by Sebago Lake, and on the west by Naples and Otisfield. It is bordered by five great ponds, and contains seven smaller ones within its limits. The snr- face is rolling, forming continuous ridges, and rising to its highest point in Rattlesnake Mountain,-a peak comprising 450 acres,-on the castern border of the town.


EARLY SETTLEMENT.


C'apt. Joseph Dingley, the first settler in Casco and Ray- mond, was born in Duxbury, Mass., Nov. 28, 1729. He


selected the lot on which he lived, had it recorded in the proprietors' book at Beverly, Mass., Sept. 24. 1770, and ar- rived in what is now Casco, Nov. 28, 1770, after a spirited raee from Massachusetts against Mr. Jordan, whom he out- traveled by taking a boat and crossing Great Sebago Pond in the night. This race was for the 100 aeres of land to be given the first settler in the town. Capt. Dingley proceeded to ereet a saw- and grist-mill at the outlet of Thomas Pond, for which he received a reward of 100 acres of land from the proprietors. The grist-mill stood on the Raymond side of the outlet. Thomas Lewis and William Dingley selected lots the same year. The first deed of land in the town was given by George Williams, Esq., John Gardner, gentleman, George Dodge, merchant, and Stephen Abbott, Esq .. of Sa- lem, Mass., agents, to Lewis Gay, of Raymond, for 100 acres, lot 13, range 4, March 28, 1784, in consideration of 5s., law- ful money. This is the well-known Gay Homestead, in South Casco. Mr. Gay came from Buxton, Mass., in 1786. He lived to become a leading citizen, was deputy sheriff for many years, and died June 29, 1823.


260


HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, MAINE.


Among the thirty deeds drawn for the first settlers of Raymond and Casco, March 29, 1704, were those of John Mitchell, near Lewis Gay's place ; Aaron Goodwin, Moses Whitney, and Zachariah Jordan, on and near Crooked River ; Joseph Dingley, on the lot ineluding the mills and South Casco burying-ground ; John Ring, Widow Jane Mitchell, and Samuel Dingley, around Kettle Cove; and Peter Staple, half a mile northwest of Dingley's mill. Among the later arrivals were Horatio Wight, north of Webb's mill, in 1813; Ed. and Richard Mayberry, Eliakim Maxfield, and Peter Graffam, west of Panther Mountain, in 1814; Elijah Varney, William Jackson, Jeremiah Alex- ander, and Henry Hooper, in the north part of the town, in 1817 ; John and Daniel Barton, on Great Rattlesnake Pond, in 1822; and Obadiah Gould, on Quaker Hill. Richard Manning, of Salem, son of one of the proprietors, came in 1800, and opened a blacksmith-shop across the road from Capt. Dingley's place, in front of the burying-ground. Ile was proprietors' agent for many years.


It was a common practice of the early settlers to draw their goods to their new homes on hand-sleds, over blazed paths too rough and narrow for loaded teams. To have a frame house was a sign of prosperity the settler would have, if he had to carry the boards for its building upon his baek. Corn was hoed in on new lands without plowing, and the green ears, with milk and game in summer, or rye and In- diau corn and pork in winter, formed the chief diet, aside from the regular weekly baked beans.


A back town, somewhat off the main routes of travel, Caseo developed a people peculiar to itself, hardy and in- dustrious. Gathering in parties of 20 or more to roll the blackened logs of a fallow, after a fire had consumed the smaller and drier branches, a day's hard rolling and lifting would transform half a dozen acres of blackened trunks into huge blazing fires at night-time; and in place of he who passed the jug of rum all day, the fiddler would form the centre of attraction, the ragged and blackened heroes of the logging leading maidens clothed in homespun through the quiet dance, or indulging in wild frolic of which the older men still love to tell. It was no uncommon event to run afoul of a bear on the way home. These pests were very plenty, and levied their toll upon sheep or swine with a regularity which caused many a man to wear tow shirts, flax being a sure crop and taking the place of wool. Meet- ings were a higher recreation. Whole families came on horseback from miles around, the pillory-a small carriage without wheels, riding as part of the saddle-containing numerous children and the lunch-basket. Preaching was had in the morning, a two or three hours' discourse lasting until noon ; then a general picnic and gossip, a long after- noon sermon, and perhaps baptism in the clear waters of the lake, when all would disperse for their homes, just in time to complete the day by doing the chores, and partak- ing of the very common supper of hasty-pudding and milk.




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