USA > Maine > Franklin County > Farmington > History of Farmington, Maine, from its First settlement to the year 1846 > Part 5
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79- Meeting Houses at the Falls.
The first Meeting House was built at the Falls by the Methodist Society in about 1800. The upper sto- ry was never finished. Jonathan Knowlton and Ste- phen Titcomb were among those who took the most active part in the erection of the house. It was suf- fered to go to decay and by degrees became useless. It has recently been taken down .- The new Meeting House was raised in 1826 and finished the year fol- lowing. It is owned by the different religious socie- ties, and is free to all under certain regulations, viz: that no religious society shall be excluded, but any one may occupy it on posting up a written notice on the door of the house at any time within four weeks of the appointment when there is no prior appoint- ment. But no one society is to occupy it more than one Sabbath in four to the exclusion of others.
80 .- First Meeting House at the Center.
The first Meeting House at the Center was raised in June, 1803, and finished soon after, with the ex- ception of the gallery pews, which were not complet- ed for some years. The house was built by a volun- tary Association of individuals of different societies, who chose David Moors their Treasurer. The site on which the house stands was given to the Society by Mr. John Church 1st, in 1802-except the Burying Ground for which fifteen dollars was paid. This site contains two acres of land, embracing the Common and Burying Ground, and was deeded by Mr. Church
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HISTORY OF FARMINGTON.
to Mr. Moors as Treasurer of the Society and his suc- cessors in that office, July 13, 1802. The house was built by selling the pews to the highest bidders, who gave their confessions to the Treasurer, to be paid in assessments to be made by the Treasurer as the money should be needed to meet the contracts made by the society, which were made by a majority of the whole at their meetings. The house and land cost about two thirds of what the pews sold for, exclusive of the gallery pews, the sale of which paid for fin- ishing them. The remaining third was never paid in. The Society obtained an Act of Incorporation, which was passed Feb. 6, 1822, for the purpose of confirm- ing their title, and for the better management of their affairs. The steeple was erected in 1>27, by volun- tary subscription, the porches at each end, with which it was originally built, being then removed. The house was occupied by the different religious societies in proportion to their respective interests, as regulated by the By Laws of the Society, for many years. In 1838 the several societies having built separate houses, the old house ceased to be occupied, and it became nearly useless, excepting for town meetings, for which it has usually been occupied. At this date the County of Franklin was organized, and it was proposed to transfer certain privileges in the house to the County. Some doubt being entertained whether the society had a right to appropriate the house to any other purpose than for a house for religious worship, Mr. J. Church was induced to execute a deed of Quit Claim, on the 28th of February, 1838, to the Society, of the whole site, for public buildings, while it might be used for a Court House, Town House, or Meeting House .- The Common on the west side of the road was to re- main and be used as a Common, and the Burying Ground to remain for the same purpose to which it had been appropriated. In consideration of this deed and of Mr. Church's former liberality, the Society paid his widow two hundred dollars. On the 27th day of
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HISTORY OF FARMINGTON.
June, 1839, the Society deeded to the County of Franklin, the house, with the site on which it stands, extending from the road to the Burying Ground, re- serving a passway through the lot to the Burying Ground, and the use of the lower floor for town or other meetings while the present house may remain, the County to have the right to fit up and improve the upper story for a Court House, at their discretion, or to take down the present house, and rebuild at their pleasure, their title to cease whenever a Court House shall be built on any other site.
81-Brick Meeting House, North Farmington.
In the fall of 1830 a number of individuals were organized into a Society for the purpose of building a Meeting House to accommodate the north and west- erly part of the town, known as the Farmington North Meeting House Society. The season follow- ing the Society built what is more commonly called the Brick Meeting House. It is located near the Up- per Bridge. The cost, which was about $1400, was defrayed by the sale of the pews. The dimensions of the house are 40 by 50 feet, and it contains 62 pews and a singing gallery, By the Constitution of this Society the different Religious Societies owning, have a right to occupy in proportion to the number of pews by them respectively owned. The house was mostly built by the Methodist Society, who have sup- plied preaching as far as it has been occupied. The Freewill Baptists, who own the residue, having built a house soon after at the Center Village, are better ac- commodated there. The Methodist Society having since become divided, the house is now occupied alternate- ly by the Episcopal and Wesleyan Methodists.
82-Freewill Baptist Meeting House.
The Freewill Baptist Meeting House at the Center Village was built in 1835, at an expense of $1250.
in
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HISTORY OF FARMINGTON.
including the cost of the lot. The sum was raised by the sale of the pews. It is built of brick in the present style of building. Its dimensions are 36 by 43 feet, and it contains 43' pews.
83-Baptist Meeting House.
The Baptist Meeting House is situated at the Cen- ter Village. It was commenced in 1835, and com- pleted in the year following. It is a brick house, 42 1-2 by 68 feet, and contains 62 pews, with a vest- ry on the same floor, which serves as an entry to the body of the house, and to communicate with the gallery. The gallery is very pleasant, the building being of an extra hight. It is supplied with an organ at a cost of $250, The structure of the house is good. It has a belfry but no bell. The cost of the house was about $5000, which was raised by the sale of the pews, with the exception of $600 which was appropriated from the funds of the society, and per- haps $200 by voluntary subscription or donation .- It has a commanding prospect, and with the Acade- my, which is on the same eminence, adds much to the appearance of the village.
84 .- Congregational Meeting House.
The Congregational Meeting House at the Center Village was erected in 1836. The house is of brick, 42 by 54 fcet. It is a neat and convenient house, but small for the congregation usually attending the meetings held there. The original cost, including the lot, was about $3000, which was mostly paid from the sale of the pews. It has a belfry and is furnish- ed with a bell, the purchase of which was made by voluntary subscription, in which Jacob Abbott Esq. was a liberal donor.
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HISTORY OF FARMINGTON.
Arrangements have been made to enlarge this house the present season [1846] by an addition of 15 feet, which will add 20 pews, making the whole number of pews 76. The expense is estimated at $800, $200 of which will be required for repairs and alterations in the present house. This will make the entire cost of the building about $3500. The house is furnished with a number of sheds for the reception of carriages.
85 - Academy.
Farmington Academy was incorporated Feb. 13, 1807. The following persons constituted the Board of Trustees by the Charter:
Dea. Church Brainard Benjamin Abbott Esq. of Temple
Nathan Cutler Esq. Ebenezer Eaton Esq of Wilton
Mr. Thomas Hiscock Thomas Fillebrown of Hallowell
Ezekiel Porter Esq.
Dr. Thomas Flint of New Vineyard
Mr. Timothy Smith
John Hovey Esq. of Mount Vernon
Dr. Ebenezer Taylor Win. Read Esq. of Strong, and
Stephen Titcomb Esq.
Rev. Jotham Sewall of Chesterville.
Thomas Wendell Esq. all of Farmington
The Charter provides that the number of Trustees shall never be less than nine, nor more than fifteen, five of whom at least shall be necessary to constitute a quorum. It allows the Trustees to hold real estate the income of which shall not exceed $3000 annually. The first meeting of the Trustees under the Charter was held April 14, 1807, and organized by the choice of Wm. . Read Esq. as President, Nathan Cutler, Sec- retary, and Church Brainard, Treasurer. The Trus- tees had no funds except the voluntary subscriptions of individuals. Relying on these they proceeded to erect the frame of the present building in the Fall of 1808, which, in the succeeding three years was so far completed that instruction was commenced in it the first of Jan. 1812, by Mr. James Hall, at a salary of $400 for one year. Since this date the school has continued in operation most of the time. By a Re- solve of the Legislature of Massachusetts, passed Feb. 17. 1812, a grant was made of one half of a town-
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HISTORY OF FARMINGTON.
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ship of land, six miles square, to the Trustees, to be selected from any of the unappropriated lands belong- ing to the State; and the Land Agent was authorized to lay out the same, subject to the usual reservations. In 1822 the Trustees received a conveyance of the south half of Township No. 5, in the 5th Range west of thr Bingham Kennebec Purchase, in the County of Oxford, containing 11,520 acres, subject to a reservation of 480 acres. The creditors of the in- stitution, by an agreement took the amount of their respective claims in land in the township, at the ap- praisal of the Surveyor, who valued it at 35 cents an acre on an average. The residue of the land was sold at auction for from 24 to 30 cents an acre. The amount added to the funds of the institution by the sale of the land was small. The whole amount of the funds, at the present time, exclusive of the build. ing and lot, is not far from $1500. This institution has suffered considerably from the embarrassed state of its funds, owing to a considerable loss in the sub- scription raised for its encouragement, and being un- fortunate in the selection of the land appropriated by the State It is now furnished with an extensive Phi- losophical Apparatus, and retains a very respectable standing as a literary institution. For its standing it is much indebted to its superior location, the prudent and economical management of the Trustees and the superior talent and untiring exertion of the Preceptor. The records do not show the names of all who have been employed at different times as Teachers. The following names and dates appear :-
36-Teachers of Farmington Academy.
James Hall, from 1812 to 1814 Otis Briggs 1814 to 1815 N. G. Howard 1816 Joseph Caldwell 1817 to 1818
Moses S. Moody 1818 to 1819
Win. A. Drew 1820 to
Nathaniel Green
1823 to 1830
David Worcester
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HISTORY OF FARMINGTON.
M. Upham
John J. Butler 1837 to 1839 O. B. Cheney 1839 to 1841
Alexander HI.Abbott1841 to present time [1846]
[Jonas Burnaam followed Mr. Abbott, to whom Mr. A. P. Kelsey succeeded, after which the Academy was merged into the Normal School.
87-Trustees of Farmington Academy.
The following statement shows the names of the Trustees, the date of their appointment, when their places were vacated, and how they were vacated:
Constituted by Charter, 1807; Church Brainard, Resigned 1828 Nathau Cutler
Thomas Hiseoek, Resigned 1814
Ezekiel Porter, Absence 1814
Timothy Smith, Died 1818
Ebenezer Taylor, By vote 1808
Stephen Titcomb, Resigned 1811
Thomas Wendell,
Benjamin Abbott, Resigned 1816
Ebenezer Eaton, Died 1838
Thomas Filebrown, Resigned 1821
Thomas Flint, Age 1845
John Hovey, Resigned
William Read Died
Jotham Sewall, Resigned 1837
Appointed, Joseph S. Smith 1808, Vacated by Absence Thomas Johnson Jr. Appointed 1811, Vacated 1828 by Vote
Oliver Bailey, 1814 Died
Josiah Prescott, 1815
Sylvester Srickland, 1817 Resigned
Wm. Gould, 1818 Died -
Joseph Fairbanks, :821 Died
Isaae Rogers, 1827, Resigned 1833
John Corbett, 1823 Resigned 1845
Isaac Tyler, 1828,
James Butterfield, 1828 Resigned 1845
John Read, 1828, Died
Robert Goodenow,
1832
Asa Abbot, 1832
John Russ, 1832 Died Charles Morse, 1835 Died 1845
Ebenezer Childs, 1835 Jacob Abbott, --- Resigned 1845
Lafayette Perkins,
1845
Holmes A. Boardman, 1845 Died 1846
Moses Sherburne, 1845
George Gage, 1845
William Cothren, 1845
John L. Cutler, 1845
Samuel Belcher, 1845
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HISTORY OF FARMINGTON.
SS-Abbott Family School as it was in 1846.
There is also in the village a Family School for boys, which was established by Rev. Samuel P. Ab- bott in 1844. The situation of the house and grounds is very favorable for the health of the pupils, and for their progress in study, being quiet and retired. and affording every opportunity for healthy recreation. The terms are $150 per year of 46 weeks. This in- cludes every charge excepting for traveling expenses, clothing, postage bills, classical books, medical attend- ance in case of sickness, and any incidental expens- es which may be incurred at the request, or by the permission of parents. Pupils are received at any time, and are charged in proportion to the time of their connection with the school. No deduction is made for absence of less than one week. Payments are made quarterly, and in advance when convenient. The only regular vacation commences on the first Monday in May, and continues six weeks. Mr. Ab- bott endeavors to exert over his pupils, the govern- ment of a Christian parent, and he expects them to be under his entire direction and control, except as he receives specific directions from those who entrust them to his care. The present number of pupils is seventeen.
89-Public Funds.
In 1811, agreeably to a petition of the town, Oliver Bailey, Elijah Norton, Nathan Cutler and Timothy Johnson were incorporated into a body politic, by the name of the Trustees of the Farmington Ministerial and School Funds, with power to sell and convey the ministerial and school lands belonging to the town, and to put at use the moneys arising from the sale of the same, as soon as might be ; the interest aris- ing from the money due for the . ministerial lands to be annually appropriated to the support of the gospel
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HISTORY OF FARMINGTON.
ministry in said town, in the same way and manner as the income and profits of said ministerial land would by law be appropriated if this law had not been passed. And the interest arising on the money due for school lands, to be annually appropriated for the use of the public free schools in the town, it never being in the power of the Trustees or Town to alter or alienate the appropriation of the funds aforesaid. This Act passed Feb. 5, 1811. At the first meeting of the Trustees Oliver Bailey was chosen President of the Board, Nathan Cutler, Treasurer, and Timothy Johnson, Clerk. The Board was then filled up by the choice of Moses Chandler, Jabez Gay, and Jesse Gould, making seven in the whole. any four of whom were to form a quorum for doing business, agreeably to the art of incorporation. The whole of the lands have been sold at different periods. The total amount of sales amounted to, -- Ministerial Fand $1297, 58, interest, $77,57,-School Fund $1449,25, interest, $86,95. The income arising from the School Fund has been annually applied to the support of free schools in the town, agrecably to the original design of the appropriation made by the State. In 1824 the land reserved for the first settled minister was sold by the board of town officers, agrecably to the direction of the town ; an Act having been passed by the Legislature of the State on the 12th day of Feb. 1824, making them a body corporate for that pur- pose, and declaring the lands vested in the inhabit- ants, where trustees had not already been appointed, and the lands become otherwise vested. The lands were sold, and the securities received amounted to $1368,08, bearing date the 15th day of May, 1824. By the provisions of the act the interest accruing from this fund was to be added to the principal an- nually, and the whole kept at interest for the original purpose. This fund was kept at interest and manag- ed according to the foregoing regulations till Sept. 10,
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HISTORY OF FARMINGTON.
1832. The interest arising on the former fund raised from the land reserved for the use of the ministry, having been divided by the town equally between the different religious societies existing at the time, was by the societies appropriated for the support of preach- ing .- An Act was passed by the Legislature in 1832 authorizing the inhabitants of Farmington to distribute the proceeds of the land reserved for the first settled minister equally among the six following religious Societies, viz :- the Congregational, Baptist, Freewill Baptist, Methodist, Universalist, and Unitarian. But doubts were entertained of the constitutionality of the law, and it was thought advisable to settle a minister by the first Parish, which was organized on the 10th day of Sept. 1832, at a meeting duly called for that purpose, when it was agreed to give the Rev. Timo- thy Johnson a call to become their pastor, on condi- tion of his giving his consent to an equal distribution of the whole of the ministerial fund, excepting fifty dollars,-which he was to retain for his own personal benefit,-among the six following religious Societies, viz :- the Congregational, Baptist, Freewill Baptist, Methodist, Universalist, and Unitarian, to be by them received and managed at their discretion, and for their individual benefit. Mr. Johnson having signi- fied his acceptance, the parish passed a vote confirm- ing the sale of the lands, and also giving their con- sent to the foregoing arrangement, which was accord- ingly carried into effect by the proper officers, and the funds transferred into the hands of agents chosen by the Town, in trust, for the Societies, and by them passed over to the several Societies, and by them have been appropriated to their individual benefit,- amounting to $636,17 to each society.
90- Bridges.
The first bridge across the Sandy River was built by Benj. Butler, at the center of the Town, on the
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HISTORY OF FARMINGTON.
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road laid out on the dividing line between the Church and the Stoyell lots, being a continuation of the Per- ham Road west across the river, and thence norther- ly around the hill to intersect the County Road near where Jedediah Thomas formerly lived, the whole of which has since been discontinued. The bridge was begun in 1805 and completed in 1808, on a contract made by Ezekiel Porter and Timothy Johnson, who were to pay Mr. Butler $1000 on its completion .- A small part of the amount was paid by subscription. The bridge was damaged by the freshet in 1812, and repaired by the town. It was rendered impassable by the freshet of 1814, when the road on the inter- vale was much damaged, and it was soon after dis- continued.
91 -Farmington Falls Bridge
The second bridge built across the Sandy River was at the Falls, in about 1808. It was built by volun- tary subscription. A part of it was carried away by the freshet of 1814, and was repaired by the Town. By the great freshet of 1820 it was wholly swept away, and it was rebuilt in the following winter by the towns of Farmington and Chesterville .- Chester- ville now builds and keeps in repair about one third part of this bridge .- The larger part of the bridge was again carried away, and the Farmington part rebuilt at the expense of the town by John Russ, in 1827, and again by Mr. Russ in the winter of 1828, and again in 1831, at an expense of $1300, and covered. Since that time $250 only have been expended.
92-Fairbanks Bridge.
The third bridge was built in 1811 at the upper part of the town, by subscription. It is commonly called the Fairbanks Bridge. It was accepted by the Town in 1813, free of any expense. In May, 1814,
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HISTORY OF FARMINGTON.
the bridge was carried away by the freshet. It was rebuilt by the town in 1815, and was somewhat dam- aged by the great freshet of Oct. 1820 and again re- paired by the town. In the winter of 1826 it was rebuilt by John Russ, on a warrant for ten years, for the sum of $890. He partially rebuilt it once during the period. In 1858 it was built with stone abutments and covered, at an expense of $1800, and destroyed by the ice in the winter following. It was again rebuilt, in its present form, in 1839, at an ex- pense of $600, and again rebuilt in part in 1842, since which time it has undrgone some repairs.
93-Center Bridge.
The first bridge built where the one now stands, at the center of the town, was in 1818. The cost was $4837,12, of which $497,91 was raised by sub- scription, and $1357,12 was paid by the town. In 1820 it was somewhat damaged by the great freshet, and repaised by the town. It was again repaired in 1827, and extended in length. In 1831 it was re- built at an expense of $2117, the road from the east- ern abutment being filled to the high bank. It fell in 1841, and was rebuilt the same year at an expense of $700. The eastern abutment was injured by the Nov. freshet in 1845, and has since been rebuilt.
94- Powder House.
The town has a substantial brick magazine for the deposite of military stores, which was built in 1817. It is now of little use, as by the present laws, the town is not required to keep such storos on hand. [Since the publication of the first edition of Judge Parker's history, Farmington has had a race of boys, and consequently we have now no Powder Magazine, The Powder House, however, has given a permanent name to the hill on which it once stood.]
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HISTORY OF FARMINGTON.
95-Tanneries.
The first tanyard in Farmington was commenced by Ebenezer Sweet about 1785, a few rods south- west of the present site of the Cong. Meeting House. This was the first tannery this side of Winthrop .- Samuel Sewall commenced tanning at the lower end of the town soon after Mr. Sweet. Samuel Pool com- menced about the same time, near Mr. Sweet, on the farm now owned by Jacob Abbott, Esq. Messrs. Ba- ker & Hopkinson constructed a Tannery at the yard afterwards owned by Joseph Knowlton, in 1805. Mr. Baker soon after sold out to Mr. Hopkinson and re- moved to Wilton. Mr. Hopkinson continued to car- ry on the business with success till 1818, when he sold to Mr. Knowlton and removed to Ohio. Mr. K. made considerable improvement, and continued the bu- siness with apparent success till 1842, when he failed in business and went to Indiana, where he has since removed his family. This Tannery is now improved by Mr. Taylor. Elijah Butler built a Tannery on the farm now owned by James Presson, in the upper part of the town, about the same time. He continued the business for some time, after which it passed into the hands of his son, Winthrop Butler, who carried it on till near his death, in 1835, since which time the buildings have been taken away, and the yard has become extinct. Luther Townsend began the es- tablishment now owned by him in the upper section of the town, in 1810. The dam connected with the Bark Mill was swept away by the freshet in 1827, when his yard was much injured. He has since re- built it with considerable improvement. He has a Bark Mill which goes by water. Mr. T. has since turned his attention to farming, and the Tannery is now managed by his son, Samuel O. Townsend .- Joshua Adams commenced the Tannery formerly own- ed by him, at the Center Village, in 1828, where he did considerable business until the present season.
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HISTORY OF FARMINGTON.
He has removed to Wilton. The yard now owned and improved by Charles Hutchins was put in. ope- ration by Henry Brooks about the year 1835, in con- nection with Apollos Osgood.
96-Blacksmiths.
The first Blacksmith Shop put up in Farmington is said to have been opened by one Sally, on the west side of the river, near where Mr. Austin lived, op- posite the Center Village. He continued the busi- ness but a short time. Peter Gay put up a tempo- rary shop where he settled, at the upper part of the town, on the west side of the river, about 1789 or 90, where he did some business for some eight or ten
years .- Soon after this a Mr. Bowley commenced, and continued the business for some years, near Mr. Knowlton's, at the lower end of the town .- John Church put up a shop at the center of the town in 1790. He was the principal workman for some time .- John Young commenced the business at the Falls about 1800, where he has continued the business most of the time since .- Benjamin Heath made a set- tlement on what is commonly called the Heath Farm, nów owned by Henry Titcomb and others, in 1792, where he continued to carry on the Blacksmithing business till he removed to Salem in this County, about 1818, who with his sons were among the first settlers in that place .- Asahel Wyman, from Groton, Mass., set up the business on the farm since owned by Mr. Quincy, prior to 1800, and continued it while he was able to attend to business. After him Jere- my Wyman, his son, set up the business on the west side of the river. He built the brick shop now oc- cupied by M. S. Norcross for the Pottery business, in 1810, where he continued till March, 1814, when he died with the spotted or cold fever, being the second case in town .- Nathan Backus first commenced the business on the west side of the river, about 1800,
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