USA > Maine > Androscoggin County > Wales > History of Monmouth and Wales, V. 1 > Part 11
USA > Maine > Kennebec County > Monmouth > History of Monmouth and Wales, V. 1 > Part 11
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34
148
HISTORY OF MONMOUTH.
his house. Soon after, darkness fell upon them. Anxious to gain the settlement, they passed on until not a mark could be discerned on the trees about them. There was no alternative. Stretching themselves on the ground, they slept as well as owls and fear of wild animals would allow. In the morning, the first sound that greeted their ears was the shrill crow of a rooster apparently a mile away. Although it came from a point away from the line of their journey, it was a wel- come sound. It probably came from John Welch's, a mile south-east of the point where Capt. Prescott after- ward settled, and on the latter spot they evidently bivouacked. A half hour brought them to Zadoc Bishop's clearing. Here they breakfasted on parched corn and milk, and pushed on to their destination. Mr. Clough soon returned and started a clearing on Norris Hill. All alone, with no human being within the dis- tance of a mile, he toiled away through rain and shine, week in and week out, until he had made an opening of considerable size. He then returned to New Hampshire for a wife. On the 13th of March, 1791, he married Mary Marston of his native town, and soon the happy couple struck out on horseback for their new home. In 1794, he purchased the land, which he had taken up, of Gen. Dearborn. A portion of his first house is still standing in the ell of the large house owned by his grandson, Geo. M. Clough.
Mr. Clough was appointed justice of the peace by Christopher Gore, Governor of Massachusetts, in 1810. He received later appointments under John Brooks, in 1817, and Albion K. Parris in 1824. A document is shown, given under the hand of John
149
A NEW ADMINISTRATION.
Chandler, Lieut. Colonel, appointing him sergeant in the 30th Regiment, Second Brigade and eighth Divis- ion of the Militia of Massachusetts. He was commis- sioned ensign of the same company, in 1801, by Gov. Caleb Strong.
Asa Clough, son of the above, was born March 5, 1793. He received as thorough an education as the institutions of the town afforded, and devoted a por- tion of his early life to teaching. He was naturally very methodical, a characteristic which was of great benefit to him in his pedagogical pursuits, as well as in the business transaction of his later life. He married Mary F. Griffin, the daughter of a sea captain of Mas- sachusetts. Mr. Clough by diligence and good calcu- lation, added quite largely to his inherited property. He was several times commissioned in the militia.
Shortly after Mr. Clough came from New Hamp- shire, John Blake settled on the ascent of Norris Hill, a few rods south of G. W. Fogg's. He, also, was an Epping man. He served in the Revolutionary War, and after his discharge from the service, moved to Hallowell and thence to Monmouth. Later he pur- chased the farm on which G. B. Pierce Esq., now lives and moved from the lot on which he first settled. The "old Blake house" was for many years a pictur- esque land mark on Norris Hill.
Mr. Blake was a tanner and currier. He is de- scribed as a large framed man, robust and round-fav- ored. He drove the first line of stages that was run between Augusta and Portland by way of Monmouth. When he came to Wales Plantation he was not far from thirty years of age. After Gen. Mclellan re-
150
HISTORY OF MONMOUTH.
moved to Bath, he persuaded Blake, who was his most intimate friend, to settle near him. He subsequently removed to Gardiner, Me .. where he died, Jan. 20, 1848.
Mr. Blake was a man of great moral worth and con- siderable ability. He was prominently connected with the M. E. church both in Monmouth and Bath. In the latter place he was the leading male member, and as- sisted far beyond his means in building the first M. E. church edifice that was erected in the city.
The third meeting for 1791 was, like the last meet- ing of the previous year, deferred untit the first of the year following. It was held at John Welch's, Tues- day March, 20th, 1792. The object of this meeting was to choose a committee to settle with all the col- lectors and treasurers, and any other persons-debtors or creditors to the plantation-from the first act of the plantation to the date of the warrant. This committee was to report at the following April meeting the stand- ing of the plantation. Capt. Peter Hopkins was chos- en moderator, and Lieut. Jonathan Thompson, Ichabod Baker and Caleb Fogg were appointed to serve as the committee referred to. This was the last meeting of the plantation. A new era was about to open. From the time when the first settlers came in until now, the name of the plantation had undergone three changes. It was first known as Freetown, then as Blooming- boro', later as Wales Plantation, and now it was to re- ceive its final christening, and be promoted to the rank of an incorporated town.
CHAPTER VII.
A LEGAL SEPARATION.
On Monday, the second day of April, 1792, an eager and somewhat excited throng gathered at Monmouth Center. Two weeks before, John Chandler had walked down the road with an unusually important tread, with a paper roll in his hand. When he reached John Welch's house he stopped, unrolled the paper, fumbled in his waistcoat pocket a moment, picked out some sharp pointed brads that he had fashioned on his own anvil, and with them nailed the paper to the side of the house. What did it mean ?
Passers-by noticed the glaring white object on John Welch's house, and drew near to examine it. Horse- men reined up, and dismounted to satisfy their curiosi- ty. Resting their hands on their knees and tipping their chins up toward the hand-shaved shingles, they read :
Lincoln Ss. To John Chandler of Monmouth, said County, Greeting :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, You are required forthwith to notify and warn the Freeholders and other
152
HISTORY OF MONMOUTH.
inhabitants of the town of Monmouth qualified to vote in town affairs to meet at the house of Ichabod Baker, in said town on Monday, the second day of April, next, at nine o'clock in the fore- noon, there and then to act on the following articles, viz: Ist To choose a moderator, 2d To choose a Town Clerk. Select-Men, Assessors :- Town Treasurer : a Constable, and such other town officers, as the towns within this Commonwealth are required by law to choose in the months of March or April annually, 3d To grant such sum, or sums of money for the purpose of supporting Schools, repairing the Highways and other necessary charges arising within said town the current year, and to act thereon as the town shall think proper. And you are further required to notify and warn the Inhabitants of said town, qualified according to the Constitution to vote for Governor, Lieut. Governor and Senators, to meet at the place aforesaid, at one o'clock in the afternoon of said day, for the purpose of giving in their votes for a Governor, a Lieut. Governor and a Senator, for the counties of Lincoln, Han- cock and Washington.
Hereof, fail not, and make return of this Warrant, with your doings, unto myself or to Simon Dearborn of said town, on, or before the time for holding the first meeting. Given under my hand and seal, this sixteen day of March, in the year of our Lord, One thousand, seven hundred and ninety. two and pursuant to an act of the Legislature passed the 12th day of January 1792, incor- porating the said town of Monmouth.
DANIEL CONY, JUS. PEACE, RETURN.
Persuant to the within Warrant, I have notified the Inhabitants of said town qualified as therein expressed, to meet at the time and place, and for the purpose within mentioned.
Imagining ourselves back in 1792, standing about three rods south of the spot on which the residence of F. H. Beale now rests, confronting the large, two- storied house of Ichabod Baker, let us watch our grand- fathers as they gather in little groups all over the yard to form plans for this most interesting episode of their pioneer life.
Over in one corner we find a little knot of middle aged men and boys gathered around a deter-
153
A LEGAL SEPARATION.
mined looking fellow in rough dress, who is earnestly gesticulating with a limp, claw-like hand. We in- stantly recognize him as Thomas Gray. the hero of the bear fight. He is urging the claims of the pioneers over the asserted rights of the Epping usurpers. The New Meadows men listen to him respectfully. be- cause they keenly sympathize with him in his antagon- ism against the new party. Nowhere else do we find so many gray hairs. Nearly all the groups are made up of young men under thirty years of age.
A horseman is seen approaching from the north. The boys who have been listening to Gray's uncombed oratory, run to meet the new comer, and gather around him with expectant grins as he dismounts and ties his nag to a tree. It is Caleb Fogg, and the youngsters are on the alert to catch the jokes and witticisms that are always flying broadcast when he is on the field.
A middle-aged man of stately carriage and military bearing, dismounts, and leaving his horse to the care of a boy, approaches the house. As he passes along. the groups of men standing in the way silently open and salute him with raised hats. This is Major Norris. the Revolutionary officer, who, next to Gen. Dearborn. is most greatly esteemed. He is not here to seek honors for himself. John Chandler is his brother-in- law, and it may be that he will use his influence in his behalf.
Standing some what apart from the groups so earnest- ly engaged in discussing the situation, and taking no part in the conversation except to acknowledge the pleasure of a new acquaintance as he is presented to one and another of the New Meadows settlers. is a
154
HISTORY OF MONMOUTH.
young man of about twenty-eight years. This is Ben- jamin Clough who has recently taken up a residence on Norris Hill.
A little aside from the others, is another young man whose glossy knees and wax-stained hands mark him as a shoemaker. He is engaged in conversation with a firm, sober looking man of a little more than fifty years, who is inquiring about his wife and children. It is Josiah Brown and his father-in-law, Phineas Blake. Near by are Dearborn Blake, now twenty-eight years old, and Phineas, jun., who although he has paid a poll- tax four years, will not be old enough to vote until the next annual meeting.
A man a trifle below middle life, has gathered a small crowd around him, aud is earnestly haranging them in a tone and manner that mark the natural ora- tor. If his hearers do not agree with him, they listen willingly, charmed by his rough eloquence. It is Asa- bel Blake; and near by stands his distant relative, John Blake, a man of large, noble physique, ten years his junior, quiet and unassuming, speaking only when spoken to, and then with a low tone and pleasant smile, that instantly win him friends.
Another conspicuous figure is that of a man nearly sixty years of age, dignified in bearing, and of firm, grave cast of countenance. He moves quietly about, never seeking to join in the discussions; but wherever he goes he is followed by men who desire advice and patronage. This is Esq. Simon Dearborn, Monmouth's first Justice of the Peace.
But more conspicuous than any of these is the spare young man, clothed in coarse, ill-fitting garments, who
The Tohohad Rober Honen FLAT WHERE THE FIRST TOWN "TETING WAS HELD.
1'
-
155
A LEGAL SEPARATION.
has been dogding about from one group to another. He button-holes one man, and with a suave smile wins his attention for a moment, pats another familiarly on the shoulder, and whispers a word in the ear of a third. He is scarcely thirty years of age, yet anyone can see that he is mowing a wide swarth through the ranks of those rugged pioneers. Young though he is, he is getting a firmer hold on the strings that run the machine than any other man in the crowd. It is John Chandler, the political prodigy, and we shall hear from him before this day closes.
As the sun rises higher, and the snow begins to soft- en and work through the seams of their tallowed boots, the men begin to turn away from the electioneering groups, one by one, and to ascend into the loft of Icha- bod Baker's house. The upper story has never been finished, and here we find abundant room for the fifty or sixty men and boys who have come to attend Mon- mouth's first town meeting. Behind a rude table, or bench, sits Capt. Peter Hopkins. On it are an hour- glass and a dish for the ballots. The sand in the hour- glass is steadily sifting down into the bottom. At last all is out. Peter Hopkins has been watching it sharp- ly. He now rises, turns the glass, and calls the meet- ing to order.
"Gentlemen of the town of Monmouth (how he must have swelled up with the importance of the words) bring in your votes for moderator." Here we must stop. Thus far we have leaned over the lapse of a century and watched the founders of our town without any fear of transgressing the bounds of true history; but now the imagination of the individual reader must
156
HISTORY OF MONMOUTH.
picture the proceedings that followed. Jonathan Thompson was placed in the moderator's chair. Who would value the price of this book if it contained his opening speech? The man who would not rise to the pinnacle of log-cabin oratory on such an occasion must have been tame-spirited.
Notice the result of the two following ballots-for town clerk, John Chandler; for first selectman, John Chandler. John Chandler, a citizen of Wales Planta- tion only six years; farther down in the ranks of pov- erty than any other man between Winthrop and Lis- bon; so illiterate that he was just learning at the age of thirty years to write his name-he, the first select- man of Monmouth! Oh! the native genius of John Chandler! What subtle powers, what perseverance, what prescience! He did not always remain unknown. and poor, and illiterate. It will not do to say too much in his praise, for there are many in town who will shake the head at the recollection of the treatment their fathers received from his hands. It must be con- fessed that he was often unfair and treacherous in his dealings, and these grave faults we will not attempt to cover; but forgetting, for a moment, if we may, his failings, we must admit that John Chandler was by far the smartest man who ever trod the soil of Mon- mouth; and we may go farther and say, or breathed the air of Maine; for who can cite an historical character of the past century who has risen from so degraded a level to so exalted a position ?
Lieut. Jonathan Thompson and Capt. Levi Dear- born were placed beside Chandler, on the board of selectmen and assessors; Capt. Levi Dearborn was
157
A LEGAL SEPARATION.
elected treasurer; and Robert Withington, constable, to collect for two pence on the pound, with Capt. Peter Hopkins as his bondsman. Capt. Peter Hopkins, Mat- thias Blossom, Ichabod Baker and Daniel Allen were chosen surveyors of the highway; Asahel Blake and Daniel Allen, surveyors of lumber; Nathaniel Smith and Ichabod Baker, fence-viewers; Philip Jenkins, Gilman Moody. Daniel Allen, Daniel Gilman, and John Arno, fish wardens; Zadoc Bishop and Joseph Allen tythingmen; Robert Withington, sealer of leather; John Judkins and Josiah Brown, hog reeves; Simon Dearborn and Timothy Wight, field-drivers; Capt. James Blossom, Capt. Peter Hopkins, Daniel Gilman, Joseph Allen, John Blake, Daniel Allen and Simon Dearborn, Esq., committee to divide the school dis- tricts: It was "voted to excuse Daniel Allen and Daniel Gilman from serving as Wardens; Chose Robert Withington, Field-Driver; voted to raise thirty pounds for support of schools, to be paid in Corn and Grain, Corn at four shillings, Rye at five shillings, and Wheat at six shillings the Bushel; voted to raise one hundred twenty-five pounds for making and repairing High- ways; voted to reconsider the last vote in the meeting; voted to raise one hundred pounds to lay out on high- ways in work at four shillings per day; voted to raise fifteen pounds for preaching, to be paid in Corn at four shillings, Rye, five shillings, Wheat, six shillings per Bushel; voted to raise six pounds, to defray town charges." Simon Dearborn, Esq., and Joseph Allen were chosen a committee to procure a minister.
The record of this meeting possesses great interest. I litherto an apathy had rested on the voters. No money
158
HISTORY OF MONMOUTH.
had been appropriated for repairing the highways, or for religious or intellectual instruction. New life seemed now to take possession of them. Spurred into action by the burden of fresh responsibilities, and perhaps awakened by the novelty of a change in the local gov- ernment, measures were advanced which had too long remained in the background; or, if for a moment brought to the front, had been spurned as unworthy of consideration.
According to Williamson* the town was incorporated the 20th day of January, eight days later than the date assumed in the warrant.
The boundaries, as given in the act of incorporation. were as follows: "Beginning at the south-easterly corner of Winthrop, on the west side of Cobbosseecontee Great Pond: thence running south-south-west six miles to a large heap of stones erected for a corner: thence west- north-west about five miles to the westerly line of Ply- mouth Patent: thence northerly, on the westerly line of said Patent about six miles, until it intersects a line running west-north-west from the south-easterly corner of Winthrop, aforesaid: thence east-south-east by the southerly line of Winthrop to the first mentioned bound."
The valuation for the year 1792 shows the number of ratable polls to have been seventy-two, while the en- tire voting list ( numerated only sixty-two. This is ac- counted for by the fact that every male inhabitant above sixteen years of age was reckoned as a poll, subject to taxation, while all voters were required then, as now. to be at least twenty-one years of age.
There were, according to this appraisement, only ten *Williamson's History of Maine.
159
A LEGAL SEPARATION.
framed houses in town, owned respectively by Peter Hopkins, Simon Dearborn, Esq., Caleb Fogg, John Judkins, James Norris, Esq., James Norris, Jr., John Chandler, John Welch, Ichabod Baker and Gen. Henry Dearborn. All the other dwellings were log houses. There were no shops, but several barns, owned by the following persons : Peter Hopkins, two; Simon Dear- born, Esq., one; Caleb Fogg, one; Sewall Prescott, one : John Chandler, one; and Gen. Henry Dearborn, one.
There were two mills, one owned by Thomas Stockin, at North Monmouth, the other, by Gen. Henry Dearborn, John Welch and Capt. James Blossom. Of tillage land there were twenty-two acres; of mow- ing land, one hundred and thirty-three acres. Gen. Dearborn owned fourteen acres of the latter; the others owned from one to fourteen acres each. Of meadow land there were ten acres; of pasture land, eight and one-half acres, ten acres of which belonged to Gen. Dearborn. Many held but one acre of good pasture ground. The number of acres of wild land taxed to resident proprietors aggregated five thousand and fifty- seven. The smallest amount, forty acres, was taxed to Robert Smart. Gen. Dearborn held four hundred and thirty acres, which was the greatest amount taxed to any individual. Thirteen thousand two hundred and sixty-nine acres of wild land were taxed to non-resident proprietors. The sum total of taxable estates amounted to eighteen thousand five hun- dred and seventy-two and one-half acres.
There were twenty-two horses of three years and up- wards; five three-year-old colts, and two yearlings. Twenty-eight yokes of oxen four years, and above, old;
160
HISTORY OF MONMOUTH.
thirty-eight neat cattle above three years of age; twen- ty-six two-year-olds and thirty-nine yearlings. There were seventy-nine cows. Of these Philip Jenkins owned six; Joseph Allen, three; Thomas Gray, three; Josiah Brown, two; William Allen, three; Levi Dear- born, two; Timothy Wight, two. Thirty-nine of the settlers had no oxen, and twelve had no cattle of any description. Philip Jenkins owned the largest stock. in all sixteen head. Peter Hopkins came next with thirteen head. The number of swine was sixty-three. Philip Jenkins had three; Benjamin Kimball, three: Jonathan Thompson, three; Capt. Levi Dearborn, three.
There were only from fifty-three to fifty-five fami- lies in the entire town. On Norris Hill there were eight families : Nathaniel Smith's, Robert Smart's. Eliphalet Smart's, John Blake's, John Arnoe's, Benj. Clough's, James Norris. Jr's .. and Benj. Kimball's. John Blake lived where G. Boardman Pierce now lives: Clough on the farm now owned by his grandson. Geo. Clough; Kimball where John McCulla now lives. The Smart's lived at Smart's Corner, on opposite sides of the road. The houses were long ago destroyed.
In the Richardson neighborhood lived Peter Hop- kins, Geo. Hopkins, Jonathan Thurston, Robert With- ington, Zadoc Bishop, and Timothy Wight. William Hopkins and Eliphalet Wight had taken up lots in that neighborhood but were not married. At North Mon- mouth proper, there was but one family, Nathaniel Brainerd's, living at the outlet of Wilson Pond. Thomas Stockin lived in that neighborhood, but he had no family except a large white cat. Stockin used to claim that he kept the cat to wash his dishes, but never
161
A LEGAL SEPARATION.
having seen the operation performed we are prone to doubts. On High Street there were John Chandler, Caleb Fogg, Simon Dearborn, Simon Dearborn, Jr., Matthias Blossom and Abraham Morrill. Capt. Sewall Prescott was then unmarried. On the road leading from the Center to North Monmouth, between N. M. Nichols's and Ellis's Corner, were three families : Robert Judkins's, Asahel Blake's and Peter Lyon's. John and Jonathan Judkins had taken up lots, but were unmar- ried and lived with their father. In East Monmouth and vicinity were Phineas Blake, Edmund Allen, Woodward Allen. Daniel Allen, James Norris, Esq .. Gail Cole, Samuel Titus and William Titus-nine fam- ilies. Nathaniel Norris, another resident in this section was not married. At the Center were Capt. James Blossom, Ichabod Baker, John Welch and William Allen. Allen lived on the land now owned by Dea. C. B. Bragdon in the back field across the railroad from the M. E. parsonage. He had as fine a section of land, and as good prospects, as any of his neighbors, but relinquished all to gratify his love of strong drink. For one hundred dollars's worth of rum he gave a mortgage on a lot that in a few years was sold to Samuel Brown for one thousand dollars in cash. and failed to redeem the mortgage. Between Ichabod Baker's and Dearborn's Corner lived three families : David Smith's, Daniel Gilman's and Gilman Moody's. Smith lived in Gen. Dearborn's house and Benj. Dear- born at Moore's Corner. From his house eastward toward Gardiner there were the families of Capt. Levi Dearborn and Joseph Day. Dudley Dearborn also lived in this vicinity but he had no family. From Dearborn's
162
HISTORY OF MONMOUTH.
Corner southward were the families of Alexander Thompson, William Thompson, Philip Jenkins, Joseph Allen, Thomas Gray, Benj. Kimball, Josiah Brown, Lieut. Jonathan Thompson and Thomas Gray, Jr. From the outlet of South pond, and from Capt. Levi Dearborn's to Purgatory Mills, including Oak Hill, where it is now thickly settled, there was practically no break in the wilderness, for the clearings were small on all the lots that were taken up.
The second town meeting for the year 1792 was held at John Welch's house, on Monday, the 7th day of May, to act on the following articles: "Ist, to choose a moderator; 2nd, to give in their votes either for, or against, the separation of Maine from Massachusetts; 3rd, to see if the town will discharge Mr. Allen from a certain part of the taxes committed to him to collect, which he says cannot be collected; 4th, to see if the town will let hogs run in the woods of said town, or a part thereof, during the year." At this meeting Jon- athan Thompson was chosen moderator. Thirty-ser- en votes were given in favor of separation; against it,
none. Philip Jenkins, Daniel Gilman and Benjamin Dearborn were chosen a committee to inspect Mr. Allen's tax-bills, and discharge him from such part there- of as they thought proper. The fourth article was dis- missed, and the meeting dissolved. The hogs were left in the hands of the hog-reeves, John Judkins and Josiah Brown. Hogs in these days were professional racers. They were long-legged, long-nosed, and flat-ribbed, and were built principally for speed and heavy squeal- ing. To fatten one was the zenith of the impossible; to get one in fair condition was almost the work of a
163
A LEGAL SEPARATION.
life-time. Noah Sampson, who lived some years later on the Nathan Randall place, had one of these hogs bred from the stock of the first settlers. He kept him year after year in the hope of getting him fat. Samp- son had neither barn nor pig-pen and the lazy old pork- er used to occupy his time in rooting about the fields with two or three hens on his back. In the course of time he became quite generally known among the jokers as "Sampson's hen-roost." At last, discouraged and disheartened, Sampson sold the hog to Capt. Thomas Kimball. Kimball had better facilities for fattening the time-honored porker than his former owner possessed. and by perseverance and an enormous expenditure of corn and meal, he succeeded in making tolerable pork of him. Shortly before old age came to claim its victim, Kimball plunged the knife into him. dressed him, and sent him to the Bath market by John Blue. Pork was then high, and Blue was congratulating himself that he would get at least ninepence a pound ; but, unfortunately for him, Capt. Judkins happened to be in Bath at the time,appearing just as Blue was about to close a bargain. "Godfrey knows," exclaimed the Captain; "Godfrey knows, Blue! Faithful! You've got the old Sampson hog here. hain't ye? Sampson's hins have roosted on that hog's back years and years to my sartin knowledge. Faithful!" Blue's countenance and the price of pork received a simultaneous fall.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.