History of Cumberland Co., Maine, Part 92

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

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347

TOWN OF OTISFIELD.

1835 .- Roland Holden, Harvey Mayberry, Francis Chute. 1836 .- John Hancock, Jesse Holden, Oliver Spurr. 1837 .- John Hancock, Joseph Hall, Daniel Weston. 1838 .- John llancock, Daniel Weston, Henry Holden. 1839 .- John Hancock, Henry Holden, George W. Burrows. 1840 .- John Hancock, Paul Stone, George W. Burrows. 1841 .- John Hancock, Robinson Cook, David Andrews. 1842 .- John Hancock, Robinson Cook, Henry Holden. 1843 .- Robinson Cook. Paul Stone, Samuel P. Hancock. 1844 .- John Hancock, Samuel P. Anderson, James Wight.

1845 .- John Hancock, George P. Holden. Daniel Westoo, David Andrews, Stephen Rich.#

1846 .- John Hancock, David Andrews, Gicorge P. Hollen. 1847 .- John Hancock, Dan. Shedd. David Andrews. 1848 .- John Hancock, David Andrews, William E. F. Linnell. 1849 .- Daniel Weston, Samuel Chambers, Samuel Spurr. 1850 .- William E. F. Linnell, Samuel Spurr. Daniel Hohlen. 1851 .- Daniel Weston, Robinson Cook, Ebenezer C. Andrews. 1852 .- Daniel Weston, E. C. Andrews, William Lamb. 1853 .- Robinson Cook, William Lamb, Johnson K. Lovewell. 1854 .- William Lamb, Johnson W. Knight, Joseph Green. 1855 .- Daniel Weston, S. L. Andrews. Alpheus B. Lovewell. 1856 .- William Lamb, William Smith, Francis Holden. 1857 .- William C. Smith, Asa Andrews, J. K. Luvewell. 1858 .- Johnson K. Lovewell, Mark Knight (2d), William Haskell. 1859 .- William Lamb, J. K. Lovewell, William H. Lord. 1860 .- William Lamb, William H. Lord, Johnson W. Knight. 1861 .- William H. Lord, Edward Scribner, Jesse F. Holden. 1862 .- William H. Lord, Johnson W. Knight, Jonathan Wardwell. 1863 .- William Lamb, Daniel Holden, Jonathan Wardwell. 1864 .- Daniel Ilolden, Jonathan Wardwell, Jr., Darius Jordan. 1865 .- E. C. Andrews, A. B. Lovewell, Daniel Holden. 1866 .- Robinson Cook, David D. Scribner. Joseph S. Mayberry. 1867 .- David D. Scribner, Daniel Holden, E. J. Sylvester. 1868 .- David D. Scribner, Albert F. Nutting, Daniel L. Brett. 1869 .- A. F. Nutting, D. D. Seribner, Joseph S. Mayberry. 1870 .- Joseph S. Mayberry, David Andrews, Johnson Knight. 1871 .- Johnson K. Lovewell, Daniel Holden, James Maines. 1872 .- Johnson K. Lovewell, Daniel Hollen, James Maines. 1873 .- Johnson K. Lovewell, James Maines, Moses Hancock. 1874 .- Jonathan Wardwell, Daniel Holden, James W. Holden. 1875 .- Jonathan Wardwell, Jr., James Maines, Il. II. Huntress. 1876 .- Albert F. Notting, H. H. Huntress, Fernald J. Sawyer. 1877 .- Albert F. Nutting, S. C. Barrows, Benjamin S. Skillings. 1878 .- Jonathan Wardwell, Hosea H. Huntress, Benjamin S. Skillings. 1879 .- Ilosea H. Huntress, Daniel L. Brett, Fernald J. Sawyer.

CLERKS.

PLANTATION.

Joseph Wight, Jr., 1787-90 ; Enoch Spurr, 1792-93; Benjamin Wight, 1794-95; George Peirce, 1796; John Ilolden, 1797-98.

TOWN.

Enoch Spurr, 1798-1802; Sireno Burnell, 1803; Enoch Spurr, 1804 -8; Levi Patch, 1809-17; Thomas B. Chambers, 1818; Levi Pateh, 1819-45; Benjamin Patch, 1846-48 ; Johnson W. Knight, 1849-50; Lewis II. Sawyer, 1851-55 ; Mark Knight, 1856; Mark Knight (24), 1857-58; Lewis H. Sawyer, 1859-63; Albert F. Nutting, 1864-67 ; R. G. Scribner, 1868: Roscoe T. (freen, 1869 -72; Russell G. Scribner, 1873 ; Silas Morton, 1874-77: Horace A. HIali, 1878-79.

TREASURERS. PLANTATION.

Lieut. David Ray, 1794: Elias Hancock, 1795 : Lient. Mark Knight, 1796; Benjamin Patch. 1797.

TOWN.

Lieut. Mark Knight, 1798; Benjamin Patch, 1799-1800; David Thurston, 1801-6; Thomas B. Chambers, 1807-8; Benjamin Wight, 1809; Daniel Holden, 1810-16; Thomas B. ('hamhers,

* Through a misunderstanding on first hallot, David Andrews and Stephen Rich were sworn in, and the whole five candidates served through the year, though bitter political opponents.

1817; Silas Blake, 1818 19: Thomas B. Chambers, 1820-21 : Silas Blake, 1822-27: John Phipps, 1828; Samuel P. Anderson, 1829-31 : Silas Blako, 1832; Merrill Knight, 1833-37 ; Thomas B. Chambers, 1838; John Phipps, 1839-40; Dan. Shedd, 1841 ; Merrill Knight, 1842; Samuel Chambers, 1843; Thomas Chute, 1844-46; Samuel Chambers, 1847-50: Samuel Chambers, 1851 -54; Lewis II. Sawyer, 1855; Johnson K. Lovewell, 1856-57 ; Samuel Chambers, 1858; Lewis HI. Sawyer, 1859-61; Silas D. Andrews. 1862-71: William Lamb, 1872-79.

COLLECTORS. PLANTATION.

Jonathan Moors, 1787; Stephen Knight. 1788-93; Benjamin Patch and Stephen Knight, 1794: Stephen Knight, 1795; Jonathan Moors, 1796-97: Stephen Knight, 1798.

TOWN.

George Peiree, Esq., 1798-1800; Stephen Knight, 1801-2: Capt. Jonathan Moors, 1803: Stephen Knight, Ist4: John Sawyer, Stephen Knight (vacaney), 1805: Nathan Wight, 1806: C'apt. Daniel llolden, col., Stephen Knight, cons., 1807: Benjamin Stevens, 1808: Stephen Knight, 1809; Dr. Silas Blake, 1810 ; Maj. Jonathan Moors, 1811-13: Ephraim Kneeland, IS14: C'ol. Francis Chute, 1815-21; Nathan Wight, 1822; Capt. Joseph Haskell, 1823; Horatio Wight, 1824; Harvey Mayberry, 1825; Horatio Wight, 1826: Harvey Mayberry, 1827-28 : Robert Edes, 1829-30; Emery Edes, 1831 : Merrill Knight, Thomas J. Carter, cons., 1832; Merrill Knight, Thomas J. Carter, cons., 1833; Mark Knight, 1834; Moors Hancock, 1835; Moses Hancock, Reuben Sampson (vacancy), 1836; Reuben Sampson, 1837; Mark Wight, Henry llolden (vacancy), cons., 1838; James G. Warren, 1839; Dan. Shedd, 1840-41; Moses Rogers, 1842-43; Dan. Shedd, 1844-46; Job Morton, 1847; Dan. Shedd, Job Morton (vacancy), 1848 ; Thomas Shedd, 1849; William C. Smith, 1850 ; Francis Ilolden, 1851; William C. Smith, 1852-56; Johnson W. Koight, 1857-58; William C. Smith, 1859; Joseph W. Holden, I860-61: George F. Andrews, 1862; David D. Scribner, 1863 -64 ; B. F. Skillings, 1865; Darius Jordan, 1866-67 : Moses D. Andrews, 1868-70; Daniel L. Brett, 1871-73; Eastman Bean, 1874-75: Johnson Knight. 1876-77; Zebulon Koight. 1878-79.

CHURCHES. CONGREGATIONALIST.

In 1794 the inhabitants of Otisfield agreed to build a meeting-house, and join with the proprietors in hiring a preacher. Funds were collected, and the first church in the town was erected on the hill just to the cast of the present one. In 1796, Rev. Thomas Roby came fromu Massachusetts and began preaching to the settlers. A council convened at the house of Dr. David Ray, Nov. 23, 1797. Rev. Mr. Webster, of Bradford, was chosen chairman, and Rev. Mr. Merritt, of Standish, scribe. Rev. Mr. Jewell, of Gorham, was also present. Thomas Thurston, George Pierce, Elisha Turuer, Joseph Hancock, Joseph Spurr, Elias Hancock, Merriam, William, and Enoch Spurr were the first members. Rev. Mr. Roby was installed pastor, and continued lo fill that position uutil Sept. 4, 1810. Elias Hancock was made deacon in 1798. During this year the church attempted by a unanimous vote to dis- miss Rev. Mr. Roby, for intemperance, but failed in their efforts, and a compromise was effected. George Pierce, Benjamin Patch, and David Thurston were appointed a committee to finish the church, which was done by June, 1800, at a total cost of £186 12s. In 1797 persons began to register their names with the clerk of the town to be released from this church, and new members were

348

HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, MAINE.

joined to the society each year. A second meeting-house was built beside the first in 1839, by Silas Blake, Sammel P. Anderson, and Levi Patel, committee, and the okl one given up for the use of the town officers, who had shared in its use since its erection. Percz Chaplain became church clerk in 1810. Rev. Josiah G. Merrill was pastor from November, 1814, to November, 1830; Rev. James P. Richardson, from October, 1833, to July, 1858, and was succeeded by Rev. Wm. Davenport, in 1862. Philo B. Wilcox was pastor from October, 1865, to 1870; Charles Morgridge, 1870 and 1871 ; Rev. Il. A. Loring, June, 1873-74; Warren F. Bickford, 1875; Geo. H. Dunlap, 1876; Daniel Green, 1877. Present deacon and clerk, Silas Morton. This church joined with the Free-Will Baptists in the support of their pastor, Rev. J. M. Pease, in 1878.

FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH.

In 1799, Deaeon Daniel Cobb, Chitman Cobb, Nephtali Cobb, and Jonathan Pepper were given certificates of ex- emption from the Congregational parish, and in 1802, James Gerrish, John Seribner, Eleazer Chadbourne, " so- ciety clerk," and Rev. Zachariah Leach are mentioned in the town records, and in 1804, Joseph Cates and Daniel Seribuer. Rev. James McOrson was pastor in 1804. The church failed for want of support, and was again organized Nov. 16, 1823, in a eouneil which convened at the house of Rev William G. Cobb. Andrew, Jonathan, and Han- nah Cobb, Eunice Morse, Betsey and Nancy Winship, were organized into a church, and Andrew Cobb was made clerk.

The next spring a reformation added many to the church. Rev. Mr. Cobb was succeeded in 1831 by Rev. James Libby, who was succeeded by Rev. Gideon Perkins, in 1833. Wm. G. Cobb remained with the church until his death in 1850, at the age of seventy years. He was con- verted at the age of twenty-two, and baptized by Rev. Mr. Leach, in 1801. Ile preached his first sermon March 27, 1808. 1Ie was ordained in 1824, and continued to preach until his death. Rev. Solon Royal assumed the pastorate in 1857 ; John Pinkham, 1860 ; Hubbard Chandler, 1862 to 1865. The church was reorganized in 1869, under the pastorate of Rev. Joseph Hutchinson, who was succeeded in 1872 by the present pastor, Rev. J. M. Pease, who holds services in the Free-Will Baptist church at East Otisfield, the Congregationalist church and the Union churches at Spurr's Corners, and east of Pleasant Pond. Deacons Andrew Cobb, 1830; John Winship, Stephen Edwards, 1834; Albert Kemp, 1869; William Lamb, 1870. Da- rius Jordan has been church clerk from 1843 to 1879. The present membership is 71.

Officers .- John M. Pease, Pastor ; William Lamb, Albert Kemp, Deacons; Darius Jordan, Clerk, and ex officio Trustee.

A free meeting-house was erceted at East Otisfield by Thomas Jordan, John Knight, John Phipps, Methodist, and Ilenry Holden, Oliver llancock, Baptist, trustees, at an expense of $1036, and dedicated by Revs. Clement l'hinney, Z. Jordan, and Stephen Waterhouse, Jan. 9, 1829. This became the property of the Baptist Society in 1869, and was rededicated by Rev. B. F. Hayes, of Bates College.

The Union church at Spurr's Corners was dedicated Jan. 18, 1871, by Rev. Dr. Harris, of the Auburn, Me., Congregationalist Church, and Rev. L. B. Green. Trus- tees in 1879, JI. P. Spurr, E. J. Sylvester, Jonathan Ingalls.

THE SOUTH OTISFIELD GENERAL BAPTIST CHURCH

was organized in the South Otisfield school-house, June 16, 1857, by Rev. John A. Bridge and Rev. James S. Potter. Edward Scribner was made deacon, and John C. Smith clerk. Among the first members were Mrs. Scrib- ner, A. J. Scribner, Lydia Lunt, Louis Smith, Saralı Bur- gess, Dorcas Edwards, Harriet Scribner, Deborah Smith. Preaching has been supplied by Revs. Walter Parker, Thomas Strout, O. Gammon, N. L. Robinson. Nathan Maxfield was made trustee of the association in January, 1878. Their church was ereeted in 1874, a short distance east of Pleasant Pond, near the Casco line. It is at present occupied by Rev. Mr. Pease, of the Free-Will Baptist Church.

SCHOOLS.

In 1798, Jonathan Moors, David Thurston, and Ben- jamin Pateh were appointed a committee to dispose of timber on the school lands. That on lot 15 was sold for $236! In 1800, $70 were voted for the support of schools. The next year a school-house was built on the hill, and Joel Simmons taught the school of 1802-3. William Swan taught school as early as 1794-95. By act of Legis- lature a committee was appointed to divide the ministerial and school lands in accordance with the division which made the town of Ilarrison. David Ray was made chair- man of the board of five trustees for Otisfield, with power to elect their successors annually ; Nepthali Harmon was chairman of the similar organization in Harrison. The school appropriations have gradually increased from $300 in 1813; $524 in 1842; 8600 in 1854; 8725 in 1860, to $1200 in 1868. In 1819 the school fund was $2361.50. In 1826 the town comprised 9 districts and 506 children. There were, in 1879, 13 districts, one of which is a joint district with Harrison, 9 wood and 3 briek school-houses, valued at $2300, and 308 school children, 251 of whom attended school ; $1503 have been expended for their sup- port during the year, of which $880 was from tax, and $141 from interest on the school fund. The schools have been managed by a supervisor since 1876. Supervisor for 1879, Rev. John M. Pease.

ASSOCIATIONS.

MASONS.

Crooked River Lodge, No. 152, F. and A. M., or- ganized April 15, 1869. Officers, William Chute, W. M .; Fernald J. Sawyer, S. W .; William Twombly, J. W .; George B. Dorman, Treas. ; Alpheus B. Lovewell, Sec .; Gilman Nutting, S. S. ; Leander Dorman, J. S. ; Jonathan Ingalls, Chaplain. Officers 1879, Stephen C. Maxfield, W. M .; Leander Dorman, S. W .; Isaae Sands, J. W .; Fernald W. Sawyer, Treas .; Alpheus B. Lovewell, Sec. ; S. S. Skillings, S. S .; Cyrus W. Stone, J. S .; Benjamin Skillings, Tyler ; Alpheus B. Lovewell, Chaplain. Mem- bership, 67. The lodge own a hall and grounds, costing

349

TOWN OF OTISFIELD.

$1000, in Bolster's Mills, Harrison, the lower room of which is leased for a store.

PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.

Otisfield Grange, No. 117, organized Feb. 27, 1875, with E. J. Sylvester, Master ; Sumner Spurr, See. ; Sam- uel G. Spurr, Overseer ; Otis F. Mitehell, Leeturer ; James Maines, Lecturer ; Henry P. Spurr, Treas. ; Elizabeth M. Cane, Ceres. Officers 1879, Ezekiel J. Sylvester, Master ; Sumner Spurr, Sec. and Treas. ; Marian T. Sylvester, Ceres.

The early merchants have been - Perkins, Jonathan Small, at Ray's Mill; William Swett, on Meeting-llouse IIill ; Consider Hill, Ivory Tripp, John Phipps, 1820-29 ; Enos Woodward, Oliver and Daniel Dale, Oliver Cooley, and Dr. Horace Barrows, 1854. An early store was kept at the town-house by B. Shaw, Rufus Ilouston, and last by Benjamin F. Wight, T. B. Chambers, and Samuel G. Seribuer in 1826. John Lombard, Jr., R. G. Scribner, and S. L. Gilson were late merchants at Spurr's Corners, and W. Turner, at Bolster's Mills, 1828, to his death, 1878. Major Jonathan Moors kept an early tavern near the old church.

PIIYSICIANS.

The physicians have been David Ray, 1780 to 1822; Joseph Wight, 1784; Sirenus Burnell, 1803-4; Silas Blake, 1810 to his death in 1851, sueceeded by his son, Josiah M. Blake; Albion Cobb, 1851-57; Horace A. Barrows, for many years previous to his death, in 1852; Jonathan Small, 1854; Dr. Kimball, Dr. Carter.

LAWYERS.

Hon. Aaron B. Holden, now judge of probate, Port- land, Me., Eastman Bean, Grinfell B. Ilolden, a native of Otisfield, admitted to practice in 1865, and sinee in the employ of the general government, engaged in lumbering in Wisconsin sinee 1870.

MILITARY.

SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTION.

Lieut. David Ray, born 1742; served until 1779 : died at Otisfield, 1822. Lieut. Joseph Hancock, Thomas Hancock.

John Holden, Jr., born 1762; served as a waiter boy from the first of the war : died 1828.

Johu Holden, born 1739; died 1806.

Robert Anderson, afterwards captain of militia, born 1762; died 1846.

Jonathan Britton, Benjamin Green, Ebenezer Kemp.

Mark Knight, born 1730; died 1813: buried at Spurr's Corners. Nathan Morse, Jr.

Enoch Spurr, born 1761; died 1$43; buried at Spurr's Corners.

Jacob Thurston.

Dr. Joseph Wight, a surgeon on bourd a privateer.

John Winship, died 1848, aged eighty-five.

Jonathan Piper.

John Knight, universally known as " Snappy" Knight, from his peculiar quickness and sharp, snapping eyes.

Jonathan Moors, afterwards major of militia, born 1756 : died 1829. James Sampson, born 1764 ; died 1851 : buried at Elmwood Cemetery. Joseph Weston, born 1756: died 1840, aged eighty-four.

John Lombard, served on Lake Champlain and at Ticonderoga ; died 1853, aged eighty-nine.

SOLDIERS OF THE WAR OF 1812.

Drafted from militia company commanded by Capt. Levi Patch, Lieut. Samuel Knight, in 2d Regt., Ist Brigade, 5th Division, of which Francis Chute was lieutenant-colonel.

Capt. John Kilborn's company. under Col. William Ryerson, drafted Sept. 21, 1814 ; Lieut. John Smith, Ist Sergt. Stephen Edwards, Mark Jordan, David Thurston, Jr., Daniel Chute, Enoch Brack- ett (substitute), Joseph Neribner (sub.), Joseph Noble (sub.), Cal- vin Morse, John Noble, Jonathan Kemp. July : Stephen Noble, Apollos Knight, Richard Edwards, Nathaniel Edwards, Jr.

Drafted into Capt. Bailey Bardwell's company, September, 1814, for forty days : Thomas Jackson, Samuel Wardwell, Jr., Charles Tur- ner, Shepherd Hawke, William Lamh, Solemon Lamb, Daniel Walker, James Scribner (sub.), Thomas Wardwell (sub.).

In Capt. Asa Ingalls' company, fourteen days from Sept. 14, 18M : Samuel P. Anderson, Samuel Knight, Harvey Mayberry, Caleb Edwards, Oliver Spurr, Joseph Noble.

Drafted Sept. 8, 1814 : Samuel Knight, Jr .. fifer ; Nathaniel Edwards, Caleb Edwards, John Morse.

Lieut. Samuel Knight, Jonathan Seribner, David Jordan, Nathan Knight, Joseph Haskell.

Drafted Sept. 21, 1814: Andrew Cobb, Jonathan Cobb, Thomas Wight, David Thurston, Jr., Daniel Walker, David Lord, Rich- ard Lombard, Thomas York, Jr., Abner Bean, John Lord. Solomon Lamb, John Weeks, Ephraim Edwards, Andrew Cates, Sergt. Stephen Edwards, Joshua Goodridge, Joseph Wight. Simeon Libby, Willoughby Serihner, John Seribner, Richard Gardner, James Weston, David JJordan, Sergt. Oliver Spurr, Samuel P. Anderson.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

JONATHAN INGALLS,

son of Cyrus Ingalls, was born in Denmark, Me., Feb. 9, 1814. At the age of fifteen he began learning the black- smith's trade, and at the age of twenty began business for himself in the village of Denmark, which he continued for twelve years. He spent several years as a stock-dealer, in which he was quite successful financially. In 1861 he settled in the town of Otisfield and purchased the farm now occupied by him, since which time he has given his atten-

tion to farming and blacksmithing. He first married Rebecea Swan; she died soon after the birth of her first ehild, which also died. In 1862 he married Caroline Barker, of New Hampshire. Mr. Ingalls served as deputy sheriff for four years in Oxford County, and has served for twelve years in Cumberland County. He is identified with the Republican party .*

# See portraits of Jonathan Ingalls and wife on following page.

350

HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, MAINE.

JONATHAN INGALLS.

TTLE

MRS. JONATHAN INGALLS.

POWNAL.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

POWNAL, the northeastern hall' of Freeport, was incor- porated as a separate town by aet of the Massachusetts Legislature, approved March 3, 1808. Previous to 1789, the southern part was a portion of ancient North Yar- mouth. The northern part, comprising 13 squadrons of 450 aeres each, was part of a gore extending across the northeast end of North Yarmonth, and annexed through the efforts of Rev. Ammi R. Cutter, June 24, 1734. The southern part was surveyed by Phinehas Jones, and drawn June 20, 1733. The town comprises its original lands. It is bounded on the northeast by Durham, in Androscoggin Connty ; on the southeast by Freeport ; on the southwest by Yarmouth and North Yarmouth ; and on the northwest by New Gloucester.

The surface is varied, presenting an ever-changing land- seape, eonsisting of broad meadows separated by narrow groves and numerous bold granite ledges rising to a height of from 25 to 80 feet above the surrounding surface. From the high rock forming the main peak of Bradbury Monn- tains in the centre of the town, 100 feet above Pownal Centre, half a mile distant, the view of broad and nearly level fields is encircled by glimpses of the ocean, revealed between timbered headlands, beyond which the open water blends with the horizon. To the westward the vision is bordered by higher lands, which rise in broken peaks, until it ends in Mount Pleasant and Mount Washington in New Hampshire. To the north and east the more broken land extends over the town, ending in Bradbury Mountain, its highest point.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

Much of the history of the old town of North Yarmouth is antecedent to the history of Pownal. The first local rulers were Jeremiah Dummer, Walter Gendall, John Roy- all, and John York, trustees and sub-committee in 1685. The first inhabitants were mainly descendants of the hardy settlers along the coast, who were prevented penetrating farther inland by Indian wars for many years. Settlement began shortly after 1780. Jonathan True located in the south part of the town, a mile from Freeport line, where his son John, father of the present Lyman C. True, was born, Aug. 7, 1785. Lieut. Peter W. Brown settled in the north. William Lawrence, John York, Lebbeus Tuttle, and Jeremiah Knight were settled previous to 1785. Mr. Tuttle lived under the ledge near Bradbury Mountain while elearing ; his shelter was a " lean-to," made by standing słabs against the eliff. John Sturdivant and John Sawyer were living on lot 13, in the north corner, in 1789. After the first settlement was made, people began to centre around the end of the road opened from Yarmouth, by way of Walnut Hill, by Jacob Parsons in 1756. Nathaniel True, and Jonathan Barbour, Job Allen, Asa York, Levi Knight, Simeon Jones, John Dam, Jacob Bemis, Esq., Josiah Walker, Caleb Richardson, Eleazer Lake, Isaae Small, Isaac Libby, Jonathan Newbegin, Capt. William Blackstone, William Sawyer, Melzar Turner, Thomas Noyes, Thomas and William Cotton, Josiah Walker, and Robert Royal came soon after the first settlers. Thomas Haskell erected his mill in 1796, and the settlement of Little Yarmouth, approachable from the south over a continuons bridge of

351

TOWN OF POWNAL.

logs, or " corduroy" road, a mile in length, became known to the outside world. A school-house was erected near the grist-mill, and in 1798 the inhabitants presented their claim to the parish at the annual meeting, and were allowed the use of the parishi minister once in three months! This school-house became the centre of all general gatherings until the erection of the church, and was for many years the town-house. IIere each soldier, on training-day, re- ecived his pound of powder, ready made into cartridges, and here the poor were for years bid off in open market.

The town has become nearly cleared during the last twenty-five years, and presents a prosperous appearance. The chief industry is raising hay and apples, the manufac- ture of butter and light cheese, and shipment of milk for the Portland market. There is but little trade or manu- facturing conducted within its borders.

BURYING-GROUNDS.

The dark, ancient headstones of the pioneers, ranged in regular order beside the first church erected in the town of Pownal, far outnumber the white marble ones beneath which sleep their children. Beneath the shade of the hackmatack, acacia, apple, and lilac you may here read the names of Rev. Perez Chapin, the first minister; Jacob Bemis, a soldier of the Revolution ; Seth Sweetser, died 1867, aged ninety-three; Joseph Brown, died 1838, aged seventy-seven ; Edmund Cleaves, died 1828, aged seventy-seven ; Uriel Whitney, died 1835, aged seventy-eight; Thomas Noyes, died 1821, aged fifty-one; Capt. Jabez True, died 1848, aged seventy-six ; Joseph Thoms, died 1833, aged seventy- five; Capt. William Blackstone, died 1850, aged eighty- four ; and George M. Allen and George S. Noyes, soldiers of the Union, who died in battle during the great Rebellion. The ground for this yard was purchased of Jabez True, in 1824, by the town. A town hearse was procured in 1834, and a house erected on this ground for its keeping.

In the North Pownal burying-ground nearly all the old headstones are retained, giving it an ancient appearance not generally preserved. Prominent here are the graves of Lieut. Peter W. Brown, an officer of the Revolution, who died in 1830, aged seventy-five; Col. Samuel Newell, an officer of the war of 1861 ; Edward Tompson, died 1854; Simeon Jones, died 1859; Simson Thoits, died 1838; John Dam, died 1830; Levi Knight and Eleazer Lake, died 1850.

At West Pownal the old burying-ground on the Col. War- ren place is overgrown with sumac, cherry, and briars, while modern attention is turned to the new ground, half a mile north. In the old ground are the Warren family, of whom George Warren, Esq., was a leading citizen until his death, in 1819, at the age of sixty-nine years ; Thomas Paine, who died in 1854, aged ninety-three; Nehemiah Allen, died 1841, aged eighty-six; and in the new ground the later dead of the Keith, Tuttle, and Allen families and others.

The Eastern Cemetery, a beautiful grove of a third of an acre, contains the graves of Captain Benjamin Davis, died 1859, aged eighty-four ; John Mann, died 1815, aged fifty- one; and Benjamin Soule, died 1836, aged sixty-six.

On the old True farm, in the south, near the centre of the little burying-ground, a plain white stone bears the inscription, " John True, born in Pownal, Aug. 7, 1785;

died March 28, 1861." This man was the son of Jonathan Truc, and the first male child born in Pownal. Around him are members of the Noyes, Merrill, and Loring families, John Newbegin, and John Lawrence.

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History of Cumberland Co., Maine, Part 92

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