USA > Maine > Cumberland County > History of Cumberland Co., Maine > Part 70
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RESIDENCE OF CAPI JOSEPH BLANCHARD, CUMBERLAND, ME,
Photo. by Conant, Portland.
forthe Blanchard
CAPT. JOSEPH BLANCHARD was born in the town of Cum- berland, on the farm where he now resides, June 17, 1803. He is the youngest child of Nathaniel and Christian (Loring) Blanchard, natives of Cumberland County. The Blanchards are of French and the Lorings of English descent. Ilis father followed the sea the greater part of his life, and was drowned, at the age of fifty-eight years, at Jewel's Island.
Capt. Joseph Blanchard received a good common-school education, and at the age of fourteen went to sea, with his brother Nathaniel, aboard the coasting schooner " Telegraph." After four years he became second mate of the vessel for one year, two years first mate of the brig " Echo," and then as cap- tain of the vessel he made a trip from Portland to Charleston ; thence with a load of rice to Cowes, on the Isle of Wight, for orders ; thence to Antwerp.
Upon his return he made a trip with the brig " Rebecca" to Trinidad, Isle of Cuba, followed by two voyages in the brig " Catherine" to Europe. Ilis next trip was with the brig " Echo" to Havana. On his return he was wrecked on Cape Cod, near the Highland Lights, with a total loss of the vessel, cargo, and one man. For nine years he ran the brig " Freighter" to Point Peter, Guadeloupe, followed by two trips to Europe. With the ship "John Cadmus" he made four voyages to Europe and two coast voyages, followed by two voyages in the "Freighter" to Guadeloupe, and two voyages in the ship " John Cadmus" to Europe. He next made four voyages to the West Indies, and one coast voyage in the bark " Agnes." He made one trip to France in the ship " Helen Augustus" during the famine in Ireland. 1Ie made two voyages to Europe in the ship " Element," during which time he contracted to build the ship " Cornelia, " and upon his return with the " Element" he took charge of the ship "Cornelia," and sailed her eight years to Europe. IIe made a sail from Gun Key Light-llouse, near Havana, to Boston in five days with his ship " Cornelia." He also had charge of the " Vincennes" for one trip to Point Peter. Ile
built the ship " United States," commanded her two voyages, then chartered her in London for the East Indies, and put aboard as captain his cousin, John D. Blanchard, who made a successful voyage. Capt. Blanchard returned home, and with the ship "Cornelia" made three trips to Europe. At this time the Rebellion broke out, and he retired from a sea- faring life, putting Adam Woodside aboard his vessel as captain.
Since he retired from the sea he has taken charge of the old farm formerly occupied by his father in the town of Cum- berland, and enjoys the quiet of life on terra-firma sur- rounded by his many friends, although he is still interested in navigation. Ile has been little connected with local matters at home, but has devoted nearly his whole time to the interests of navigation. His success as a business man has given him rank among the strong financiers of the county. He is a stockholder in the Merchants' Bank, Portland. He is said to have made more trips to the West Indies than any other sea- going man in Maine, having made eighty-fonr, being on the sca for upwards of forty years, during which time he made thirty voyages to Europe.
llis many visits to foreign countries have made him familiar with the customs and language of other nations, and partic- ularly in the French he is a ready and fluent conversation- alist.
Capt. Blanchard is a man of remarkably fine physique, socia- ble, and he possesses that resolution and force of character to carry forward to a successful completion whatever be con- ceives to be for his benefit. He married, on Oet. 4, 1829, Al- bertine Prince, of Cumberland. Their children living are lIelen, Sarah F., wife of Royal W. Doughty, of Boston, Henrietta, and James A.
In politics Capt. Blanchard formerly belonged to the Whig party, and upon the formation of the Republican party became a staunch supporter of its principles. He is a supporter of church and charitable interests.
CAPT. REUBEN BLANCHARD.
MRS. REUBEN BLANCHARD.
CAPT. REUBEN BLANCHARD,
son of Beza and Prudence (Rideont) Blanchard, was born in the town of Cumberland, Ang. 24, 1794. He is the eldest in a family of twelve ehil- dren, seven of whom are living in 1879.
He spent his youth at home until he was eigh- teen years of age, when he went to sea, first as a common sailor. In 1821 he took charge of a schooner in the coasting trade, which he eom- manded for two years. He then became one of four persons in building the brig " Morgiana," which, after its completion, he commanded in the European trade. He had charge of this vessel for four years, during which time he made two trips to the West Indies. For a time he sailed alter- nately to Europe and the West Indies. In 1845 he made a voyage to South America, and in the latter part of the same year he commanded the ship " Blanchard," of Yarmouth, and lost her on the coast of Virginia. He was shipwrecked in the first vessel he commanded (" The Union"), and, of
the eleven on board, all were lost but himself and the mate. Upon his return from South America he retired from the sea and settled on the farm where he now resides.
Feb. 15, 1821, he married Christiana, danghter of Solomon Loring, of North Yarmonth. Their children are Enos O., Horatio S., Frederick P., and Francis W.,-all living.
Since his retirement from the sea, Capt. Blanch- ard has interested himself in local and State mat- ters, and taken an active part in religions and kindred interests. He was seleetman of the town of Cumberland for four years, and in 1853 repre- sented it in the Legislature.
Both he and his wife are members of the Con- gregational Church of Cumberland, and he has been a supporter of church and town interests for sixty-three years. In 1871, Captain and Mrs. Blanchard celebrated their golden wedding, an event seldom occurring in the history of married life.
TOWN OF CUMBERLAND.
1688, while heroically relieving a besieged band of his workmen. The settlement was soon after abandoned. Benj. Larrabee sold to Henry Bibber 100 acres of land, with ten rods front on Broad Cove, in 1712; but, like other titles of that day, it appears to have had no real value. Persons began to return and occupy lands soon after, awaiting their chances to obtain some definite title.
In 1723, William Seales (son of William Scales, who was killed in 1678) had re-occupied Scales' Point on Broad Cove, and ereeted a strong garrison for the defense of hin- self, James Buxton, Matthew Scales, Joseph Felt, Franeis Wyman, and James Niecols. The same year a petition was presented to the General Court, asking for soldiers to defend the garrison. William Scales, Jr., father of Deacon Thomas and Matthew Scales, was killed on the Scales farm (lot 59, Broad Cove); Joseph Felt was killed at Royal River soon after, and his family taken captives. The Indians had hoped to surprise the settlement. One of them remarked to Mrs. Felt, after her capture, "Ilusband much tough man ! shot good many times,-no die ! Take scalp off alive; then take knife, and cut neck long 'round !" 1Ie also told her how he lay beside the fence upon which she stood, while pouring feed to her hogs, some days before. Capt. Peter Weare recovered the family four years after .* Joe Weare, his son, grew up with a deadly enmity against the savages, which afterwards made him famous as an Indian scout and fighter.
The Gendall farin was regranted to John Smith, of Bos- ton. John Powell built a saw-mill at the falls (now known as Felt's Falls), near the old stone fort of Mr. Phillips.
Previous to the laying out of lots by Phinehas Jones, in 1732, a school-lot and two farms for John Powell and John Dabney had been preserved on Broad Cove, comprising the farms now occupied by W. Russell and S. Loring. The balance of the coast, except the Geudall farm, had been laid out in lots of ten acres each by Capt. Jeremiah Moulton and Benj. Flagg; those back to, and including the Grand Trunk Railroad, containing more land, because of poorer quality, and back from the shore. The main part of the town is comprised in the " one-hundred-aere lots west of Royall's River," laid ont by Phinehas Jones in 1732, and drawn June 20, 1733. Five of these ranges of lots run nearly the length of the town, and are divided by three roads, the first of which, to the southward, was opened in 1761.
In the drawing the former proprietors were first allowed to select lots; the remaining names were then put into a hat ; the remaining numbers into another hat, the drawers pledged to the authority of the committee. The number following each name in the drawing was the number of the lot so chosen.t
Benjamin Prince® 80
1
Ephraim Craft *. 9
7
John llolmant.
72
2
Barnabas Hatcht
21
Samuel Smith.
27
3 Robert Johnson# 16 9
Thomas Dogget#
4 William Bond
34 10
Thomas Craft&
4S
5 Francis Wymans
87 11
George Monk#
56 6 Samoel Yorkt 47 J2
* Capt. Weare was a son-in-law of Mr. Felt.
t The first column of figures gives the number of the one-hundred- aere lots, the sceond of the home or ten-aere lots. Names marked with a star (*) became settlers, those marked with a dagger (|) were former settlers or their descendants.
Phinchas Jones" .. 5 4
13
William Scalest.
64
59
Capt. Jere. Moulton # .. 36
Richard Flagg+
57
60
Col. William Dudley ...
63
15 Thomas Smith, Jr. 19
Benjamin Flaggt
58
16 Seth Mitchell#
75 62
Richard Brays
4 f
17 Thomas Stearnst
29 63
Gilbert Winslow ?
17
18 Job Lewis#
33
61 65
Samuel Fisher?
82
30
Jonathan Watson?
20
12
66
John Botters.
37
21
86
22
John Smith
53
67 68
John Mainet
John Smith
James Parker?
95 Samuel White
71
Amos Stevenst
14
Pet .r Blackmant
55
27 John Smith, Jr.
68
John Stevens?
77
2×
Jobn Buttolph?
22
Isune Larrabeet
65
William Larrabeet
.16
30
Margery Steven-t
76
76
Capt. Steph. Larrabeet
58
31
Joseph Mitchell? 35
77
Thomas Larrabeet .
15
32
James Maskfadden. 100
79 SO
llenry Coombst
73
34
Jonas Rices
11
Jobn Proven lert
3
33
Joseph Chandler#
79
81
William Ashfellt
93
36
Perez Bradford.
82
Benjamin Larrabeet.
92
19
83
Roger Edwardst.
66
13
84
Ministerial Lots
51
39 Col. William Tailer .. . 40 Barnabas Winslow ?.. John Smith ..
85 86 87
Ministers' Lots ..
103
2
Tobias Oakmant.
145 42
David Seabury#
5
88
Gershom Rice?
41 43
67
89
Joseph Harris
23
44 John Atwell®
90
" Old" John Harrist
101
Jacob Mitehell-
85
Thomas Southworth$.
46 Peler Walton
90
Cornelius Soale
98
48
John Allen
91
John Powell?
91
49 Samuel Brownª
5g
Henry Deering
33
50 Samuel Seabury
4
Joseph Malem.
39
51
John Yorkt
Samuel Baker*
S
52
William Coombs#
26
Ephraim Fenno?
23
5.1
James Buxton*
20
100
Edward Shoves
13
55 James Pitson
42 101
George Feltt
69
56 Middlecut Cook$
97 102
Moses Feltt
7
57 J. (endall's farmı
102
103
Robert Starforde
50
58 Sampson Salter#
104
The inhabitants, whose chief occupation was hunting, fishing, or furnishing lumber for the coasting vessels, com- plained that the best timber was sent away, and that their lands near the water were unfit for farms. All charges were met by tax upon the home lots. A home surveyor was em- ployed that he might more readily be paid in home products. Wolves succeeded Indians. In 1738 sis pounds bounty was paid for killing them.
Building of garrisons began again in 1740. In 1744, Jacob Mitchell and Edward King distributed the town's stock of ammunition and flints to the inhabitants, and sen- tries were kept in the watch-boxes upon the walls.
June 16, 1746, Nathaniel Blanchard, who was riding near the Falmouth line, had his attention drawn to a thicket by the barking of his dog. Raising his rifle, he kept it turned upon the point until out of sight. Half an hour later Joseph Sweat, of Falmouth, was shot from the same point and scalped, the Indian, who was in sight of the man in the watch-box, shaking the scalp in full view, then disap- pearing in the forest. Indians were troublesome until after 1760. The settlers were compelled, for safety, to live near together, and go armed to their work, which was commonly done in company, going from one man's field to another.
The soldiers, both of the Revolution and 1812, were a part of the quota of North Yarmouth.
In the fall of 1780 the schooner " Rhoda," Captain Gray, anchored in Broad Cove, near Anderson's Rocks, leaving two boys, John Barr and Perez Drinkwater, to keep ship while the crew all went ashore. Next morning the " Rhoda" was missing. Arming themselves with whatever conkl be
1 96
23
Hugh Blinning 99 9.5
69 70
24
John Powellª
26 Joseph Bartlett
62
72 73 74 75
Samuel Larrabeet ....
89
33
Barna. Seahury#
Ixaae Little*
38
Nathaniel Brewer?
Joseph Harrist.
52
91 92
Thomas Bloshfieldt
Byfield Lyde.
6
93
Daniel Watts.
35
53
Bartholomew Flagg
9× 97 99
Thomas Fish
95
96
37
29 School Lot
200.L
19 Jedediah Southworth? Abinh Wadsworth? John Smith
83
John Smith
265
34
266
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, MAINE.
used as weapons, the inhabitants took an old sloop and started outside. Passing Deer's Point, Chebeague, the two boys were found in the small boat of the " Rhoda" and taken aboard. About eleven o'clock the night before, a boat from an English cruiser had slipped the cable and taken them off. The boys had overheard the mention of Monhegan. Steering for that place, by a pretended acci- dent they ran into the prize, boarded her, and set sail for home. Falling in with a large English schooner off Sequin, the next morning, they captured her and proceeded to Port- land, where they exchanged their prize for the more-needed substantials of life.
GREAT CHEBEAGUE ISLAND
contains 1800 acres of land. The first sale was from Mr. Rigby, an English proprietor, to Walter Merry. In 1743 it was owned by the First Church of Boston, Mass. The island is thickly settled, and supports two schools, two churches, and the store of Simeon Hamilton, who is also postmaster. Mails are received daily by Portland steam- boat. In 1865 it was voted that the islands be a separate ward, for general elections, but the Legislature did not ap- prove the act.
BUSINESS INTERESTS.
Cumberland Centre, a beautiful village of 25 dwellings, contains also the town-house, built in 1832; church, Agri- cultural HIall, and stores of Blanchard Bros., established by M. Rideout & Son; C. Il. Blanchard's post-office and store ; Dillingham Sisters, fancy goods ; S. M. Rideout, wagons ; B. W. True, smith. A mile distant is the Cum- berland Depot. In the north are James Leighton's carding- mill, built as early as 1800; shingle-mill ; saw-will, built by Geo. Hicks in 1817; grist- and saw-mill, II. R. Mont- fort, built 1865. L. H. Wilson, West Cumberland, post- master, mails daily to Falmouth ; office in the store of Leighton & Wilson; store opened in 1854. Poland Cor- ners, eight miles from Portland, on lot 61, in the cast of the town, is a scattered hamlet of some 20 dwellings, cen- tering around the site of Charles Poland's old store, opened in 1842, and now owned by John E. Dunn, and the Cuul- berland station on the Grand Trunk Railway, J. N. Dunn station-agent and postmaster.
The old burying-ground beside the church at Cumber- land Centre is the oldest, and contains most of the early dead, and the tomb of Eliphalet Greely, founder of Greely Institute. That in the west, at the Methodist church, was opened in 1814. There is another on the Falmouth line, near the shore, and one on Chebeague Island. These are town property, in charge of a superintendent of burying- grounds.
TOWN-MEETING.
At the first town-meeting, held in the Congregationalist meeting-house, Monday, April 9, 1821, David Prince, Esq., was chosen Moderator, and Rev. Cyrus Cummings opened the meeting by prayer. James Prince was elected Town Clerk, and sworn before Rev. Cyrus Cummings, Justice of the Peace; David Prince, William Buxton, and Beza Blanchard were elected Selectmen, Assessors, and Overseers of the Poor ; Capt. Ephraim Sturdivant, Treasurer ; Ammi
R. Prince, Nathaniel Sweetser, Levi Sweetser, Benjamin Prinee, John Marston, Jr., Simeon Clough, Nicholas Ride- out, Jr., Jeremiah Shaw, John Wyman, Elijah Allen, Na- than Titcomb, Solomon Loring, David Spear, Surveyors of Ilighways ; Benjamin Sweetser, Constable; Nathaniel Sweetser, Collector ; David Spear, Joseph Smith, John Clough, John Pride, Joseph W. Collins, Surveyors of Boards and Lumber ; James Prince, Joshua Wyman, John Blanchard, Fence-Viewers ; John D. Blanchard, Benjamin Sweetser, Levi Sweetser, David Buxton, William Merrill, Jr., Andrew Leighton, Alexander Barr, Moses Stubbs, Tything-Men ; John M. Warren, Sealer of Leather ; Jo- seph Sturdivant, Harbor-Master. For the Island of Che- beague,-Ambrose Hamilton, Collector and Tything-Man ; Wentworth Ricker, Jonathan and Ambrose Hamilton, Fence- Viewers.
CIVIL LIST.
SELECTMEN.
1821 .- David Prince, William Buxton, Beza Blanchard. 1822 .- William Buxton, David Prinee, Beza Blanchard. 1823 .- William Buxton, David Prince, Nicholas Rideout, Jr. 1824-29 .- William Buxton, Nicholas Rideout, Jr., James Prince. 1830 .- Nicholas Rideout, Jr., David Buxton, Tristram Sanboro. 1831-32 .- Nicholas Rideont, Jr., James Prince, Tristram Sanborn. 1833 .- Ephraim Sturdivant, James Prince, Tristram Sanborn. 1834 .- James Prince, Ephraim Sturdivant, Moses Leighton. 1835 .- James Prince, Moses Leighton, Andrews Blanchard. 1836 .- James Prince, Moses Leighton, Revel Drinkwater. 1837 .- Nicholas Rideont, Jr., Reuel Drinkwater, James Prince. 1838 .- Tristram Sanborn, Moses Leighton, Reuben Blanchard. 1839 .- Tristram Sanborn, Reuben Blanchard, Joseph Smith. 1840 .- Renel Drinkwater, Joseph Smith, William Reed. 1841 .- Tristram Sanborn, Reuben Blanchard, Nicholas Rideout, Jr. 1842 .- Nicholas Rideont, Jr., Reuben Blanchard, James Prince. IS43 .- Nicholas Rideout, Jr., Ephraim Sturdivant, James Prince. 1844-45 .- Nicholas Rideout, Jr., Reuben Blanchard, James Prince. 1846 .- Reuben Blanchard, Sewall Blanchard, Mattbias Morton. 1847 .- Sewall Blanebard, Matthias Morton, Joshua M. Rideout. 1848 .- Sewall Blanchard, Alvan Sturdivant, Joshua M. Rideout. 1849 .- Matthias Morton, Alvan Sturdivant, Moses Leighton. 1850 .- Matthias Morton, Alvan Sturdivant, Ebenezer Hill. 1851-54 .- Moses Leighton, Asa Grecly, Ebenezer Ilill. 1855 .- Alvan Sturdivant, William Buxton, Stepben Orr. 1856-57 .- Joshua M. Ridcout, Nicholas L. Ilumphrey, Saml. Ross, Jr. 1858 .- Joshua M. Ridcont, Nicholas L. Humphrey, Elijah Sonle. 1859-60 .- Joshua M. Rideout, William L. Prince, Stephen Orr. 1861 .- Moses Leighton, Robert Dyer, Eben Ilill. 1862 .- Joshua M. Rideout, Sewall Blanchard, Stephen Orr.
1863 .- Robert Dyer, Asa Greely, Daniel Stowell.
1864 .- Robert Dyer, Willard Clough, David Stowell.
1865 .- Willard Clongh, Asa Greely, Samuel Ross, 1866 .- Josiah M. Rileout, Charles Wyman, Ebenezer Hill. 1867 .- Josinh M. Rideout, William Russell, Samuel Ross, Jr. 1868 .- William Russell, Robert H. Rogers, Samuel Ross, Jr. IS69 .- William Russell, Robert 11. Rogers, Donald M. Smith.
1870-71. - Nicholas L. Humphrey, Ferdinand C. Blanchard, Robert Hamilton, Jr. 1872 .- Nicholas L. Humphrey, Asa Greely, Reuben Hill. 1873 .- Charles E. Herrick, William S. Blanchard, Renben Ilill. 1874 .- William S. Blanchard, Asa Sawyer, Stephen B. Hamilton. 1875-76 .- William S. Blanchard, Asa Sawyer, Amoi R. Littlefield. 1877-78 .- Daniel R. Allen, Nelson M. Shaw, Ammi R. Littlefield. 1879 .- Nelson M. Shaw, Hollis Doughty, Ammi Littlefield.
TOWN CLERKS.
James Prince, 1821-36; Col. Joseph Smith, 1837; Nicholas Rideout, Jr., 1838-39; Reuben Rideont, 1840-41 ; Alvan Sturdivunt, 1842-41; Daniel R. Allen, 1845; Reuben Ridcont, 1846-51; Samuel True, 1852-54; Amasa S. Sweetser, 1855 59; Daniel R.
Photo, by Conant, Portland.
Entrance Stundwent
CAPT. EPHRAIM STURDIVANT was born in the town of North Yarmouth, Cumberland Co., Me., Feb. 14, 1782. He was third son of David A. and Jane (Greely) Sturdivant, who were of German de- scent but of New England birth.
Capt. Sturdivant met the usual obstacles to sue- cess in early life with that resolution and energy that characterized his manhood. The first twenty- eight years of his life, beginning at the age of twelve, were spent on the sea, and before he reached his majority he commanded a vessel, and ever after- wards until he retired from the sea. In 1810 he imported a cargo of Merino sheep from Portugal, being the first ever landed in Maine. He then set- tled upon the farm now owned and occupied by his widow, Mrs. Mary T. Sturdivant, whom he married Nov. 5, 1843, she being his third wife. His first marriage occurred Jan. 12, 1809. Of this union were born nine children, of whom seven are living, -Mrs. George Clark, of Virginia ; Mrs. William Sparrow, of Deering, Me .; Mrs. Stephen Allen, of Hallowell, Me .; Mrs. Josiah Sawyer, of Alna, Me .; Mrs. Joshua A. Gray ; Henry, of Freeport, MIe. ; and Mrs. John W. Smithi, of Nagasaki, Japan.
His second marriage occurred Dec. 31, 1834, to Dolly S. Taylor. Of this union were born four chil- dren, two of whom are living, viz. : Mrs. Henry
Newbegin, of Defiance, Ohio, and Mrs. Walter Wells, of Portland.
Of his third marriage, to Mary T. Greely, were born four children,-Sumner; Mrs. Marcellus Lowe, of Cumberland ; Mrs. John E. Dunn, of Cumber- land ; and Clara S.
Capt. Sturdivant took an active part in local and State legislation, and as a member of the Demo- cratic party was a strong advocate of its principles. He was selectman of his town for many years, and also treasurer.
For several years he represented his town in the Leg- islature, and for two years was State Senator. Capt. Sturdivant was continually before the public, and was a man of undoubted integrity, and high moral worth. In conjunction with Judge Preble, he bought the right of way for the Grand Trunk Railroad. Religiously he was a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and a liberal contributor to church and kindred interests.
He received a limited common-school education while young, but his life was one of constant appli- cation and reading, and his general intelligence only limited by his opportunities. His sound judgment and ability was generally acknowledged, and he re- tained the confidence of all who knew him. He died Aug. 31, 1868.
Photo, by Conant, Portland. JOSEPH THOMES.
MOSES THIOMES.
-
El
ALZIEL UMARALEY'S02
RESIDENCE OF MOSES THOMES, CUMBERLAND, MAINE.
ROBERT H. THOMES.
MOSES THOMES.
ITis father, Moses P. Thomes, was born Dec. 18, 1780, in Gorham, Me., and was the only son of Deacon Ebenezer Scott Thomes, who was born in Portland, and among its pioneers.
Moses P. Thomes was a farmer by occupation. He first married Jane Hasty. Their children were Abigail, Jane, Ebenezer S., Joseph, Moses, Robert H., Margaret A., and Mary.
He married, second, in 1830, Abigail, widow of Jacob Blanchard. Of this union was born one daughter, Har- riet S., wife of Albert Rideout. He was a member of the First Congregational Church. He died March 28, 1870. His first wife died in 1825 ; his second wife died Dec. 18, 1858.
Moses Thomes was third son of Moses P. and Jane (Hasty) Thomes, and was born in Cumberland, Jan. 19, 1815, to which town his parents had removed from Scar- borough in 1814. Ile received a fair education during his minority. Has spent his life as an agriculturist, except eight years which were spent at sea.
In December, 1845, he married Sarah A., daughter of Benjamin Whitney, of Cumberland. She was born in June, 1819. In politics Mr. Thomes, like his ancestors, is a Democrat. Ile is a member of the First Methodist Church of Cumberland.
Joseph Thomes, a brother of Moses Thomes, was born in Scarborough, May 10, 1812, and spent his life as a farmer, except three years at sea. He was a supporter of church and like interests, but never became a member of any church. Ele died Sept. 19, 1876. He was never married.
ROBERT H. THOMES.
Robert HI. Thomes, fourth son of Moses P. Thomes, was born in Cumberland, June 16, 1817. His early life was spent at home on the farm and at school. Upon reaching his majority he went to Missouri, and after two years began his journey to the far West, crossing the Rocky Mountains in 1841. He was among the first to undertake this, then, hazardous journey. On arriving at San Fran- cisco (then nothing but commons) he engaged in building houses and real-estate operations. In 1844 he took up
land, receiving deeds from the Mexican government which were afterwards ratified by the United States government. He paid particular attention to raising fine-bred horses and cattle, and at one time owned a herd of ten thousand cattle. He became the owner of twenty thousand acres of land, and amassed a large fortune. Prior to his death, March 26, 1878, he made large sales of his land to stock- growers, and sold the land where the village of Tahama (six hundred population ) now is. Ile had no great desire for political notoriety, and cast his vote with the Republi- can party. He was a supporter of religious interests and of good society. ITis remains are buried in Tahama Cemetery, the spot being marked by a beautiful polished granite mon- ument. His portrait accompanying this sketeh is a contri- bution from his sister Jane. He was never married.
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