USA > Maine > Franklin County > Farmington > History of Farmington, Maine, from its First settlement to the year 1846 > Part 8
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Soon after this period the Rev. Zenas Thompson settled with this society and continued his labors for some time. The Society up to this time, had received additional members to the amount of 38, making 88 in the whole, which number had been diminished by deaths, removals and dismissions to about 70.
In 1829 the state of the Society having become somewhat unpromising, it was thought best to organ- ize a new Society as the First Universalist Society in Farmington and Vicinity, which was done under the then existing law, by a Warrant from a Justice of the Peace, on the petition of Wm. Gould and sixteen other individuals, desirous thus to be embodied, who met at the Schoolhouse near Reuben Butterfield's, on the 29th of June, 1829. Gen. Wm. Gould was chos- en Moderator, and Zenas Thompson, Clerk. The meeting was then adjourned to the first Wednesday in Sept. at which meeting ten additional members were received, and the following officers were chosen, viz: John Russ, James Butterfield, and Lemuel Bursley,
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HISTORY OF FARMINGTON.
Assessors; Nathaniel Whittier, Collector; Moses But- terfield, Treasurer; and Leonard Billings, Ira Morse, and Wm. Gould, Standing Committee. The Society voted that the annual meetings should be held in March, or April, and also to raise the, sum of one hundred dollars for she support of preaching for the year. Mr. Thompson's labors were continued with the Society till April 27, 1833, when his pastoral re- lation with the Society was by his request dissolved. Since this time preaching on the Sabbath has been continued but a part of the time.
In 1832 the society received in securities from the first Parish in the town the amount of $536 17, being the proceeds of the funds arising from the lands ap- propriated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the use of the ministry, and for the first settled minister, an arrangement having been made by which the funds were divided equally between the six dif- ferent religious societies in town. The organization of this society has been regularly kept up, and the expenses have been borne by regular assessments, from the interest of the fund, and by voluntary con- tributions or subscription.
115- Congregationalists.
THE first preaching in Farmington was by the Con- gregationalists. Rev. Mr. Emerson, of Georgetown, in this State, who visited the place some time previ- ous to 1788, preached the first sermon in Mr. Tit- comb's log house, and baptized his child, being the first born, and the first baptized in this town.
In 1790 the place was visited by Rev. Mr. Little, then pastor of a church in Kennebunk, who was employed by the Massachusetts Missionay Society as a missionary. For several years succeeding the Rev. Jotham Sewall of Chesterville, and Rev. Samuel Sew- all, then of the south-westerly part of this town,
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supplied those who preferred Congregational preach- ing, either by the aid of the Society or by the volun- tary contributions of the people. In the early part of the present century, Rev. Jonathan Burr, who af- terwards settled at Sandwich, Mass., supplied the people for one season if not longer. In 1804 Rev. Mr. Gould preached with them as a missionary from Massachusetts. In 1805 Rev. Mr. Marcy labored here as a missionary from the Massachusetts Mission- ,ary Society.
From 1806 to 1812 Rev. Jotham Sewall furnished the principal supply. He was so well received that upon his exchanging for a season with Rev. Mr. Cox of New Hampshire, Mr. Starling remarked,- "We paid Mr. Sewall for wheat, and he has given us oats."
A Congregational Church was early organized in Chesterville, with which those of that denomination in this town united, and remained till a church was formed here in 1814. In 1813 Rev. Fifield Holt came here from Andover Theological Seminary, Mass. He was a good man and deservedly popular. He af- terwards also preached occasionally in the place, and exercised a kind of pastoral supervision over the in- terests of the denomination till the settlement of Mr. Rogers.
In 1814 Mr. Hezekiah Hall preached in Farming- ton and vicinity. He was a man of ready talent, and very fluent and copious in his words, and logical in his discourses, but he had many eccentricities, and so many and glaring faults, that although he was sub- sequently settled in New Sharon, he remained there but nine months.
In the years 1816, 1817, 1819, 1823, 1824, and 1825, Rev. John H. Ingraham, Rev. Thomas Adams, Rev. Elijah Jones, Rev. Seneca White, Rev. George W. Campbell, and Rev. Daniel D. Tappan labored here as missionaries for considerable periods of time, and others who came then and previously labored for
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shorter periods. To three of these - Rev. Messrs. Adams, White and Campbell, either overtures for settlement were extended, or movements to that ef- fect were made, but were not successful. The im- mediate predecessor of the present pastor, in mission- ary labors, was Rev. Fifield Holt, of Bloomfield, in this State. He closed his services in the fall of 1825, and died a few years after at the age of 48.
Rev. Isaac Rogers, the present pastor, came here. in Nov. 1825, and was ordained as Pastor of the First Congregational Church, on the 9th of March, 1826.
At this time the only house for religious worship at the Center was what is now the Court House. That was then owned and liable to be occupied by six or seven denominations. For five years Mr. R. preached in Farmington three-fourths of the time, and the other fourth in Wilton and vicinity. The old Meeting House, being owned with others could not always be occupied by him even that part of the time. Hence they occupied school houses and dwel- ling houses, in different parts of the town, and they not unfrequently held interesting and profitable meet- ings in the Hall of the Academy, which is now de- nominated the Chapel. In 1831-2 a new building was erected by Deacon Nathaniel Green, for the purpose of a High School. Through his gener- osity this. afforded a quite convenient place of worshp for several years. The Congregationalists occupied the old Meeting House half the time, which was something less than the amount owned by the Soci- ety entitled them to. The building erected by Dea. Green is that recently occupied by S. G. Ladd Esq. as a hardware store.
In 1837 the neat and convenient house of worship which the Society now occupies was dedicated to the service of Almighty God. Since that time their meet- ings have been stated and regular, and exceedingly
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well attended. The Church was organized Dec. 14, 1814. It then consisted of twelve members; viz; -
Thomas Wendell, Prudence Minot,
Abraham Smith,
Dorothy Townsend,
Luther Townsend, Mary Bailey,
Ebenezer B. Wellman,
Mary Case,
Harrison Allen,
Hannah C. Beale,
Mehetable Titcomb, Susannah Richardson.
The Deacons have been Abraham Smith, chosen 1814; Hebron Mayhew, chosen 1815, died Dec. 1826; Nathaniel Green, chosen 1828, dismissed 1845; Thos. Hunter, Chosen 1836. Thos. Wendell, the present Clerk, was chosen in Jan. 1818.
The church had increased at the time of the pres- ent pastor's ordination to not far from fifty who had been admitted, but by deaths and dismissions this number was diminished to forty. Some small addi- tions were made to the Church in the years 1826 and 1827, but its greatest times of enlargement have been in connection with three seasons of deep and general religious interest, with which it has pleased God to favor the place since that period. These were in the years 1828, 1834, 1842, and 1843, and at these several periods, not far from 120 were added to their numbers by profession and letter, and upwards of 30 have been added since.
There have been connected with this Church since its organization not far from 207 members. Of these upwards of 157 have been added under the present pastor. Of the whole number 38 have died, 42 have been dismissed to other churches, and four have been excommunicated. The present number is 122. Not far from 20 of these, however, reside in other plac- es, while not far from 10 members of Congregational Churches in other places reside in town and attend on Mr. Rogers' ministry.
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HISTORY OF FARMINGTON.
116-Christian Church.
On the 22nd of Dec. 1822 a number of professed Christians in the south-west part of the town, of different societies, but principally Freewill Baptists, met and formed an association for their mutual edi- fication as Christians, to promote their spirituality, and to adopt measures to extend the cause of the Redeemer on the earth-but without the intention of forming a distinct or separate church-but from have ing been impressed with the necessity of all the fol- lowers of Christ being knit together, in the spirit of love, as far as their locality would permit, without references to differences of opinion in things which they did not consider essential to their fellowship as Christians. They proceeded to establish monthly or conference meetings, which were constantly attended from 1822 to 1832, with a few exceptions. They
entered into an agreement that they would watch over each other, not for their halting, but for their fur- therance in the divine life-that they would take the Scriptures for their rule of faith and practice, invit- ing all of every name and denomination, who sincere- ly love God and wish for the promation of Prince Immanuel, to unite with them for the purposes re- ferred to. It was further agreed that all such as might unite with them, should have the privilege of retain- ing their standing in whatever church they might be attached to, and to help or receive help, from any Christian church or society, but were required to at- tend, as far as consistent, all church or conference meetings appointed by the society.
They continued to have accessions to their num- bers from different denominations, and some who had not attached themselves to any church, who signed the preceding agreement, so that their numbers in- creased to some 60 or 70. During this period preach- ers of various denominations occasionally held meet- ings in the neighborhood where their conferences were
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HISTORY OF FARMINGTON.
held, but mostly of the Christian connection. On exchange of views with preachers of the last named denomination it was found that their views and prac- tices agreed with the views of most of the Society, and thinking it might be for their furtherance in the gospel, they appointed delegates to the Christian Ken- nebec Conference, held at Monmouth, on the 13th of Oct. 1832, who bore a request for their admission to fellowship with that body, upon which they were received.
On the 30th of April 1835 Elder Peter Young, formerly from York, in this State, united with this Church, and became its pastor, and was much esteem- ed. His labors were blessed to the edification of the Church, and considerable additions were made during his ministry, which was continued most of the time till his death, being about three years. In April 1835 a number were dismissed for the purpose of forming another Church in Jay, who, with others, were soon after embodied in a Church of the same order. Mr. Young died at his residence in Chester- ville, May 24, 1838, when the Church was left des- titute of a pastor. In Oct. 1838, Elder Jonathan · Bradley of Vienna, was received into the Church and assumed the pastoral charge, and preached with the Church occasionally. He died Oct. 21, 1839. The Church remained destitute of a pastor till March 23, 1841, when. Elder Daniel Rogers, from New Hamp- shire, united with the Church, took the oversight, and preached with them the principal part of the time. Under his labors there was some revival, and additions were made to the Church. He continued his labors about three years, and then returned to New Hampshire. He was a man who possessed the confidence and esteem of the Church, and of most of those who knew him. Some two or three years since, some fifteen members withdrew on account of some difference of opinion, and a number having
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HISTORY OF FARMINGTON.
moved away, and some having died, the Church is now reduced to about 30 members, whose local situ- ation is rather scattering. Since Mr. Rogers left, Elder Henry Frost has preached occasionally with the Church. They are at present destitute of stated meetings for religious worship. John F. Woods is the only one who now remains of the original mem- bers.
117. - Unitarians.
The first Unitarian Society in Farmington was or- ganized Feb. 27, 1830, on the petition of the follow- ing individuals, who constituted the original mem- bers; viz: Nathan Cutler, Asa Abbott Jr., Henry Tit- comb, Joseph Johnson, Isaac Tyler, Argalis Pease, Robert W. Tobey, Henry Stewart, John A. Stoyell, Wm. H. Johnson, E. Gilman Rosson, and Thomas Williams .- Wm. H. Johnson was chosen Clerk, and Isaac Tyler, Treasurer, and Henry Titcomb, Argalis Pease, and Henry Stewart a Standing Committee for the year. Asa Abbot Jr. was appointed agent to re- ceive the society's proportion of the ministerial fund. Nathan Cutler was chosen Treasurer in 1831, and A. H. Stewart Clerk in 1833, which offices they have filled to the present time. They soon after received considerable accession of numbers, and they proceed- ed by an arrangement with the Trustees of the Acad- emy, to fit up the upper story of the Academy Build- ing, for the accommodation of meetings for public worship, and which answered conveniently for the purpose, and which has since been known as "The Chapel." In 1836 the Rev. Thomas Beede, Abigail Beede, Hannah R. Beede, Elizabeth Moore, Deborah Belcher, Ann B. Titcomb, Caroline W. Belcher, and Josiah Prescott were received as members of the So- ciety. Mr. Beede was employed to preach with them, which he continued to do for some time. He was supported by subscription, and the interest arising
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HISTORY OF FARMINGTON.
from the share of the ministerial fund received from the town. Since Mr. Beede left they have not had stated preaching. Small appropriations have been made from the interest arising from the funds, for the purchase of tracts and books for gratuitous dis- tribution-otherwise the interest has been added to the principal, which has considerably increased. The whole number of members received into the society appears to be 36. From deaths, removals, and other causes, the number has been somewhat reduced. The Society now numbers 23.
118-Protestant Methodists.
A Protestant Methodist Society was formed in the upper part of the town, Jan. 17, 1843, by Benjamin Dodge, who had formerly been an ordained local preacher in the Episcopal Methodist Church, but who had subsequently united with the Protestant Method- ists in Massachusetts, in the same capacity. The first organization embraced five persons; viz: Benj. Dodge, Richard H. Dorr, Nathan Davis, Moses Brown, and Stephen Williams. Jabez T. Gay and Marchant Holly united immediately after. A religious revival soon after commenced in the neighborhood, which cxtended to the Center Village and into other sections of the town. About 70 were received into the Soci- ety, which was divided into several Classes, most of which remain, and which contain at the present time about 35 members. The Protestant Methodists have at the present time four ordained: preachers; viz: Benj. Dodge, Richard H. Dorr, Nathan Davis, and Marchant Holly. Jabez Talbot Gay united with this Society immediately after its formation, and act- ed a very conspicuous part in the reformation to which we have alluded. He was a man of undoubted Chris- tian character, though possessed of some eccentrici- ties. He possessed an acceptable gift, and was un- usually devoted to the work of preaching the gospel,
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HISTORY OF FARMINGTON.
to which calling he devoted himself without reserve. The interest which he felt in the salvation of his fel- low men, and his incessant labors in the ministry, no doubt served to hasten his early death. He died in Feb., 1845, at the age of 35.
119- Wesleyan Methodists.
In March, 1843, a Wesleyan Methodist Society was formed on the west side of the river, consisting of Moses Lufkin of Strong, Joseph Russell, Peter R. Tufts and wife, Ira Sprague and wife, Daniel Stan- ley and wife, Matthias S. Norcross and wife, Andrew Tuck and Daniel York of this town-twelve in all. Peter R. Tufts was appointed Leader, and at the en- suing Conference, Benjamin Bullock was stationed with the Society for half the time, where he contin- ued for the two years following, and occasionally since, occupying the Brick Meeting House alternately with the Episcopal Methodists. Messrs. Russell, Luf- kin, and E. Pope have occasionally supplied the lat- ter part of the time. Some additions have since been made, and the society now numbers about 20.
SKETCHES OF NEIGHBORING TOWNS.
120-NEW SHARON.
MR. PRINCE BAKER
Was the first settler in the town of New Sharon. He was a native of Pembroke, Mass., from which place he removed to Readfield, in this State, at an early day, and from there to what is now New Sha- ron, in 1782. Nathaniel Tibbits, Benjamin Cham- bers, Benjamin Rollins, James Howes, and Samuel Prescott Ist, were among the first settlers in that town.
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HISTORY OF FARMINGTON.
The township was purchased of the State by Prince Baker, Feb. 14, 1791. It contains 28,600 acres. The
MILLS AT THE FALLS
Were first built by Abel Baker, in 1801. They afterwards passed into the hands of Francis Mayhew, and were rebuilt by him and much improved. The water power privilege at the Falls is a superior one, and the location possesses many advantages for a business place. It has a Grist Mill, a Saw Mill, a Shingle Machine, Starch Factory, one or more Tan- neries, a Fulling Mill, a Carding Machine, a number of Blacksmith's Shops, and most kinds of Mechanics, a number of stores, two Lawver's Offices, and
FOUR MEETING HOUSES,
Baptist, Methodist, Congregationalist and Univer- salist. The Freewill Baptists have a Meeting House in the south part of the town, and there is a free Meeting House at
WEEKS' MILLS,
In the North-west part of the town, where there is a set of Mills, a Starch Factory, and a considera- ble village. [The mills at Weeks' Mills have since been abandoned, as well as both the Starch Factories. Of the six meeting houses the Baptist has been aban- doned and the Universalist purchased by the Congre- gationalists for a Vestry. Another Saw Mill has been erected below Weeks' Mills, and the chair and car- riage manufacturing business have grown into import- ance.]
THE BRIDGE
Was built about 1809 or 1810, and has since been rebuilt with permanent stone abutments, and covered.
INCORPORATION-VALUATION-SOIL-FIRE.
New Sharon was incorporated June 20, 1794. In 1840 it contained 1820 inhabitants -- 319 polls -- val-
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HISTORY OF FARMINGTON.
uation as corrected by the Legislature, $286,890 .- The town possesses a variety of excellent soil and has an advantage in location over most of the towns in the County as to access to market and water commu- nication. A large and convenient Meeting House, built by the different religious societies, about 1816, on the site now occupied by the Congregational Meet- ing House, was burned in April, 1842.
121 - JAY.
NAME-INCORPORATION.
Jay, which takes its name from Hon. John Jay, was incorporated Feb. 26, 1795. It was formerly known as Phipps' Canada, and was granted to
CAPT. JOSIAH PHIPPS
And 63 others, for services in the French War of 1755. It was a large township situated on both sides of the Androscoggin, and embracing 27,200 acres, about one third of which, lying on the west side of the River, was incorporated into a town by the name of Canton in 1821. By the grant it was to be divid- ed into rights of 400 acres each, one to be reserved for Harvard College, one for the first settled minister, one for the use of the ministry, and one for the use of schools. It was early surveyed and divided into lots of 100 acres each, a settling committee was ap- pointed by the associates, who subsequently purchas- ed the whole, and so managed the business that the original owners received little or no benefit from the grant.
FIRST SETTLERS.
Actual settlements were not commenced till after the Revolutionary War. Simon Coolidge, Dea. Oli- ver Fuller, Samuel Eustis, Scarborough Parker, Mo- ses Crafts, Isaac West, Thos .; Fuller, Joseph Hyde,
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HISTORY OF FARMINGTON.
Nathl. Jackson, Samuel Jackson, Wm. Godding, and James Adkinson were some of the first settlers .- There is something of a village on what is called '
JAY HILL,
Where James Starr Esq., now a resident of the place settled as early as 1802. Here are two Stores, a Tavern, Meeting House, &c.
JAY BRIDGE-MILLS.
Near Jay Hill there is a toll bridge across the An- droscoggin, where a first rate Grist Mill and a Saw Mill were put in operation in 1846. There is also a Meeting House in the northern part of the town, and another in the more easterly part. This town has derived little benefit from water power or floating capital, but was settled by, and possesses a population of industrious, independent yeomanry. There is al- so a small village known as
BEAN'S CORNER,
In the north-east section of the town, where sev- eral sons of the late Friend Bean of Readfield, settled at an early day. [A fine union Meeting House has since been erected at Bean's Corner.]
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
At first the people of Jay had only occasional preaching from traveling preachers. A Baptist Church was organized in 1799, which became large and flour- ishing. Joseph Adams, one of its members, became its first pastor in 1804, where he continued his la- bors some 14 years with success. He was followed by Rev. E. Nelson in 1821, who continued 3 years. In 1824 the Church had 153 members. In 1826 it became divided in opinion, and nearly one third of the members. were excluded. The excluded portion formed a second Church. Since this they have been supplied by various preachers, as employed from time
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HISTORY OF FARMINGTON.
to time. Some six Baptist ministers have been raised up from this Church. There is also a considerable Methodist Society, who have stated preaching, and two small Freewill Baptist Churches. In 1840 the town had 1750 inhabitants, and 290 polls .- The val- nation in 1842, as corrected by the legislature, was $239,077.
122 -STRONG.
EARLY SETTLERS-WM. REED-DESCRIPTION-
The first settlement in Strong-formerly Middle- Town-was made as early as 1784, by Wm. Reed, from Nobleborough, in this State. He was followed by Edward Flint, John Day, David and Joseph Hum- phrey, Jacob Sawyer, Wm. Hiscock, Benjamin Dodge, Timothy Merry, Eliab Eaton, Peter Patterson, Rob- ert McLeery, and -- Ellsworth, all from the same vicinity. The first framed barn was put up by Mr. Reed, in 1786-7, and his house-the first framed house-in 1791-2. The inhabitants of the town, as well as those located higher up the river, frequently had to go to Winthrop to mill, and to use mortars for some years. Richard Clark and Joseph Kersey settled in Strong about 1792. The township was purchased of the State by an Association, of which Wm. Reed was one, and who acted as agent in the purchase and survey of the Town. The State reserv- ed one lot for Pierpole, on which he had settled, af- ter leaving Farmington Falls. He put up the second framed house, where he remained till 1801, when he went to Canada with his family. Strong is situated directly north of Farmington, on the Sandy River. It embraces a territory of seven miles from north to south, and five from east to west. The soil is strong and fertile, though the surface is somewhat uneven. It has a considerably large pond in the eastern .ex- tremity, at the outlet of which a Saw Mill and Clover Mill. built and owned by Alexander Porter, are situ-
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HISTORY OF FARMINGTON.
ated. There is a Grist Mill on the Sandy River, and on the North-east Branch of the Sandy River a Grist Mill, Saw Mill, Fulling Mill, Carding Machine, Starch Factory, Tannery, and various kinds of Me- chanic Shops, and a very pretty village containing a number of Stores, a Post Office, Lawyer's Office, Meeting House, and two Taverns. Just below the village there is a Bridge across the Sandy River. At the lower part of the town there is also a Meeting House, and one in the easterly section, all of which- were mostly built, and are chiefly occupied by the Episcopal Methodists. There is a Meeting House in the north-east part of the town which was built by the Congregationalists, and which they occupy.
WILLIAM REED
Was early commissioned a Justice of the Peace, and held many important offices till near the close of life. He was a man of more than ordinary talent and possessed the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. His house was ever the home of the trav- eler, and his hands were ever open to the wants of the needy. His house was burned in April, 1823, which was the cause of his instant death.
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