USA > Maine > Penobscot County > History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 108
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THE SETTLERS' LOTS,
in tolerable number, had to be reserved in the grant to the Waldo heirs. Already a goodly number of hardy pioneers were upon the soil of the Newburg to-be. Be- tween 1794 and 1798, or not long after, had come Cap- tain and Rev. Edward Snow, a retired sea-captain, and, what is more remarkable, a Methodist minister as well, who is accredited with being the first settler; Cullum Muffit, said to have been the second on the ground; and then Messrs. George and Ichabod Bickford, Thomas Mor- rill, Spooner Alden, Freeman Luce, Levi Mudgett, James Morrison, Abel Hardy, Ezekiel Smith, Daniel Piper, and others. Settlement was measurably kept back for a time by the exorbitant prices asked for the land by Mr. Bus- sey; but after his death the heirs and their agents were more reasonable in their demands, and the Plantation (or township) filled up more rapidly.
MUNICIPAL ORGANIZATION.
The inchoate state of Newburg town, as before noted, was as "Plantation No. 3." March 13, 1819, it emerged from the transition period, and became a full-fledged town. It was the two hundred and thirty-second created by the General Court of Massachusetts in the District of Maine; one of the five (and the only one in Penobscot county) incorporated in 1819, and the fifth erected before the separation of the States.
Nine days thereafter, upon the call of Rufus Gilmore, under the act or resolve of incorporation, and upon a warrant issued by Thomas A. Hill, a Justice of the Peace in Bangor, the first town meeting was held at the school- house, near John Whitney's residence. There were at this time forty voters in the town, of whom about seven- eighths (thirty-four) were present, betokening the intelli- gent and eager interest taken in laying the foundation of permanent municipal government here. Mr. Spooner Alden was Moderator of the meeting, and Mr. Gilmore, Clerk. Both of these, with Mr. Benjamin Folsom, were elected Selectmen, Assessors, and Overseers of the new town.
A long list of honorable gentlemen, during the sixty- three years, nearly, since their election, have succeeded in the town offices the citizens chosen at this meeting for public service. Their last successors (in 1881) were : J. P. Rigby, Joseph M. Davis, Franklin Prescott, Select- men; Chandler H. Whitcomb, Town Clerk; Jabez Knowlton, Treasurer; S. E. Mudgett, Constable and Collector; C. A. Arnold, J. W. Chapman, William Jackson, School Committee; Jabez Knowlton, C. H. Whitcomb, S. C. Emerson, J. F. Hussey, George R. Thurlough, John M. Bickford (Quorum), Charles A. Arnold (Trial), George R. Thurlough (Dedimus), Justices.
NOTES OF PROGRESS.
Plantation No. 3 had 62 inhabitants at the beginning of this century. In 1810 it had 216, a truly remarkable increase (350 per cent.) for that period of Penobscot history and for a single decade. In 1820 Newburg town had 328 people, 63 voters, and estates valued at $24,718. Its population in 1830 was 626, 963 in 1840, 1,399 in 1850, 1,365 in 1860, 1, 115 in 1870, and 1,057 in 1880.
The number of polls in Newburg in 1860 was 294; in 1870, 286; and in 1880, 304.
The Newburg estates were officially rated in 1860 at $170,483; in 1870, at $237,964; and in 1880, at $275,- 102. The property valuation of the town has kept in- creasing, notwithstanding some lessening of population.
NOTED NEWBURGERS.
Rufus Gilmore, the caller of the first town meeting, and otherwise a prominent citizen in the early day, was an adjutant of militia on the Hampden battle-ground in 1814, and was afterwards promoted to be Colonel. He was a land surveyor for many years, and filled various State, county, and town offices. He afterwards removed to Monroe, now in Waldo county, where he died, aged eighty-five years. General Charles D. Gilmore, former High Sheriff of this county, was a son of the honored old pioneer. He was a colonel in the Union army dur- ing the civil war, and was finally promoted to a General- ship. He is now a well-known resident of Washington, District of Columbia.
Charles P. Brown, Esq., of Bangor; M. F. Mudgett, a lawyer in New York City; A. G. Mudgett, a captain in Colonel H. M. Plaisted's Regiment (Eleventh Maine), during the late war; also Major M. M. Folsom and his brother, Dr. A. P. Folsom, of Oldtown, are natives of this town.
The following notes occur in the Roll of Honor of Bowdoin College, published in the Reports of the Ad jutant-General of the State:
Class of 1865 .- William H. H. Andrews, born in Newburg, March, 1842; did not complete the course; Quartermaster Sergeant, with date September, 1862; promoted Quartermaster.
Class of 1867 .- William P. Mudgett, born in New- burg, January, 1842; Second Lieutenant Eleventh Maine; resigned.
THE BUSINESS INTERESTS
of Newburg, as last reported, consist of the cheese factory at South Newburg, organized eight or ten years ago ; the
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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE
North Newburg Cheese Factory, two lumber manufactur- ers, one carder, two carriage-makers, one cooper, one wheelwright, two stone-cutters, one harness-maker, three inasons, five smiths, one sign and carriage painter, three "butchers, one conveyancer and land surveyor, one physician, seven merchants, and one dealer in pictures, picture frames, and fancy goods. The Grange Store is kept at South Newburg-Mr. Marcellus Tinney, agent. Agriculture is the chief industry of the town.
THE POST-OFFICES
of the town are Newburg, G. H. Thurlougb, Postmaster; North Newburg, C. H. Whitney, Postmaster; North Centre, Solomon Foster, Postmaster; South Newburg, John F. Hussey, Postmaster; Newburg Village, J. J. Dearborn. The town is thus abundantly supplied with postal facilities.
THE CHURCHES
of Newburg are the Calvinistic Baptist, at Newburg Centre, whose pulpit is vacant at present; the Free Bap- tist, at the same place, whose church building was burned in 1876-Rev. Winthrop Andrews, Pastor; the Christian Baptist at Newburg post-office, Rev. Charles Rigby; and the Methodist Episcopal church at North Newburg, Rev. Rufus Day, Pastor.
THE OTHER ASSOCIATIONS
of a quasi-public character are at present only the Rising Star Grange, No. 11, Patrons of Husbandry, at Newburg, and the Golden Rule Grange, No. 183, at North New- burg.
THE SCHOOLS
of the town, on a public foundation, number ten. A free high school has been maintained during two terms per year.
SETTLEMENT NOTES.
One of the early settlers of Newburg was Mr. David Gilmore, who came here from Massachusetts. He was born in Franklin, Massachusetts, in May, 1763. When he came to Newburg, it was known as No. 2, Range I. He was for many years Land Agent for B. Bussey, and. was once waylaid and nearly killed by trespassers. He married Mary Robins, who was born in November, 1766. They had six children, all of whom are now deceased. Mr. Gilmore died in February, 1848, and Mrs. Gilmore in January, 1834. Rufus Gilmore, eldest son of David Gilmore and father of Mrs. J. M. Brown, was born October 26, 1787, and came to Maine with his father. He married Julietta Fairbanks, born April 10, 1788. . They were married December 8, 1808. Mr. Gilmore was a surveyor, and assisted in laying out the Hallowell Military Road and the townships in Aroostook county. He surveyed the Calais road. For over twenty years he was Postmaster in Newburg. At the time of the battle of Hampden he was an officer, and during his later life received a pension for a few years. He held prominent town offices, and was County Commissioner twice. So much was he held in esteem by his townsmen that he was chosen by them to represent them in the Legislature. In 1853 he moved to Monroe, Waldo county, where he and his wife both died. They had eleven children-six
daughters and one son. His son Charles David now lives in Washington, District of Columbia. He served in the army during the Rebellion, and was promoted to the rank of General.
Moses Adams was born in Hamilton, Massachusetts, June 21, 1797. He moved to Newburg, Penobscot county, Maine, in 1831, and settled on the farm he now occupies. Mr. Adams is the oldest man living in the town of Newburg. He served under Captain Parson in the War of 1812 for six weeks. He was married February 10, 1831, to Nancy Philbrick, Mt. Vernon, by whom five children were born-Delia J., born July 2, 1832, now the wife of George R. Thurlow, lives at home; Louisa A., born July 2, 1836, married William W. Jack- son, Jr., now living in Lowell, Massachusetts; Maria A., born September 15, 1838, married Charles H. Bond, lives in Charles River Village, Massachusetts; Sidney C., born October 14, 1841, died at the age of thirteen months.
Jabez Knowlton, the subject of this sketch, was born in Ashford, Connecticut, January 16, 1809, and settled in the town of Newburg, Penobscot county, Maine, in 1835, on the place now occupied by him. He engaged in the mercantile business, which has since been his oc- cupation. Mr. Knowlton was elected First Selectman in 1842, and held the office until 1877; was elected Rep- resentative of the county in 1847. Mr. Knowlton mar- ried Susan M. Bickford, June, 1839, by whom he had one child-Amos W., born April 27, 1845. Amos W. Knowlton was married November ro, 1869, to Anna Churchill, of Lawrence, Massachusetts. Amos W. held the office of Town Clerk in Newport three years. In 1872 .he went to Newport and engaged in mercantile business eight years, but for the past year he has been engaged in business with his father. Mr. J. Knowlton was elected Town Treasurer in 1842. In connection with his other business Mr. Knowlton has been interested in the carding, cloth-dressing, shingle, and lumber in- dustries, giving employment to many men. Amos W. is a Justice of the Peace, and is Master of Archon Lodge, No. 139, Free and Accepted Masons, East Dixmont.
George R. Thurlow was born in South Berwick, York county, Maine, April 19, 1821, moved to Monroe at the age of seven years, and lived in that town till 1852, from which place he moved to Newburg, Penobscot county, Maine, and settled on the place now occupied by himself and Moses Adams. He was the fifth son of James Thurlow, formerly of South Berwick, Maine, who was one of the earliest pioneers of Monroe. He was Superintendent of Schools in Monroe and Newburg for five years; served as Aid to both Brigadier and Major- General of Militia; has held the office of Town Clerk of the town of Newburg sixteen years; also Justice of the Peace sixteen years, and is now Qualifying Justice in said town. In 1870 he was elected Representative to the Legislature; served as a member of the Senate in 1875 and 1876; has also been engaged in farming, lum- bering, milling, conveyancing, and land surveyor. He married Delia J. Adams October 10, 1850, by whom three children were born-Sidney A., born in Monroe
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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.
October 23, 1851, is now clerk in foreign department of the New York City post-office, having charge of said de- partment, not married; Flora A., and Carrie I., both of whom have been engaged in teaching for several years.
Joshua B. Prescott was born in Dixmont, Penobscot county, Maine, January 9, 1811. In 1832 he came to Newburg, and settled on the farm now occupied by him. In 1837 he married Rebecca Varney, of Dixmont, by whom seven children were born-Charles H., born November 25, 1841, died from a wound received in the late war; Franklin, born May 5, 1843, married Addie Newcomb, of Carmel, and now lives in Newburg ; Augustus, born October 10, 1844, married Mary Mac- Pherson, of Newburg, living now in Newburg; Louisa, born October 9, 1846, married. Thomas King, of New- burg, now living in Etna; Ellen, born October 14, 1851, married William Rackliff, of Dixmont, lives at home; Emma, born November 19, 1853, died June 12, 1866; Clarence, born September 29, 1857, died June 12, 1866. Joshua B. has been one of the Selectmen of Newburg for ten years, also Overseer of the Poor. Charles H. enlisted in the Nineteenth Maine Regiment, Company B; was wounded in one of the engagements, and died from the effects of wounds received; also Franklin Prescott enlisted in the First Maine Cavalry, Company M, under Captain Brown, and was wounded near Petersburg. He was in many engagements during his service of three years. Since the war he settled in Newburg on the farm now occupied by him, and holds office of Selectman.
H. A. Arnold was born in New Brunswick, the 15th of February, 1820. He is the first son of Joseph Arnold, who emigrated to this county in 1832, and settled in Dixmont. Mr. Arnold, not having a chance to attend school in early life, by his own energy and self-will ac- quired a fair education, and taught common school twenty-five terms. He has been in the mercantile busi- ness for many years. He came to the town of New- burg in 1854. He has been a School Committeeman for three years, also Selectman three years, and is Post- master at present. Mr. Arnold married May 1, 1843, Hannah Tasker, of Dixmont, by whom five children were born-Marcela, born February 5, 1844, married I. B. Bickford, of Newburg, now living in Somerville, Massa- chusetts; Hannah A., born September 5, 1851, married Algernon Brown, of Carmel, now living in Newburg; Charles A., born 'September 17, 1853, married Florence Toothaker, of Dixmont, now living in Newburg ; Lillie F., born May 13, 1856, married George Curtiss, of New- burg, now living in Boston, Massachusetts; Melville A., born October 24, 1864, now living. at home .. Charles Anson Arnold, oldest son of H. A. Arnold, received his education in common and high schools, and also at the Maine Central Institute, and has since been elected Trial Justice. He has also been Superintendent of Schools of Newburg township three years, and is now a member of the School Committee in said town.
John Eaton «vas born in Sedgwick, Maine, March 16, 1808. In 1830 he moved to Winterport and bought a farm, on which he lived ten years. He then moved to
Newburg, where he has since resided. He married Mary K. Doten, and had six children: Caroline H., married Joseph M. Davis and died in 1858; Lucinda R., married John W. Davis, and lives at home; Mary H., married Charles B. Abbott, who died in the late war; Francis A., married Joseph M. Davis and lives at home; Maria P., married George F. A. Avery and lives in Exeter; Harriet. R., married Burgess W. Newcomb and lives in Newburg. Joseph. M. Davis was born in Sedgwick, Hancock county, Maine, March 22, 1832. After he was nineteen years of age he worked seven years in the ship-yards, when he moved to Newburg. He has held the office of Select- man for six years. November 26, 1854, he was married to Caroline H. Eaton, and had two children, Fred O. and Caroline H., both of whom, together with his wife, died. In 1858 he married Francis A. Eaton and has hạd five children: Frank W., John A., Carrie E., all deceased; Cora G. and Joseph F., at home.
John W. Davis. was also born in Sedgwick, Maire, April 25, 1833. In early life he followed the sea for three years, after which he settled in Newburg and en- gaged in farming and ship building. He married Lu- cinda R. Eaton and has two children: Flora E. and Ad- die R.
Eleazer K. Davis was born at Jackson, Waldo county, Maine, February 20, 1812. In 1866 he moved to the farm he now owns and occupies. His early life was filled with the toils and difficulties invariably found in a new country. His education was confined to a few short weeks in each winter for a few years, when he learned the trade of clothier and wool carding, aud after that the carpenter trade. He was married February 13, 1839, to Jerusha House, of Dixmont, and had six chil- dren: Louisiana M., married James F. Ruggles; Martha J., married Daniel Pillsbury ; Francis C., died in infancy ; William D., lives at home. While living in Jackson Mr. Davis was elected Collector and Constable.
Charles Rigby was born at Newcastle, Maine, Decem- ber 19, 1803. He is a son of James Rigby, who emi- grated from England in an early day, and when ten years of age went to Palermo. He married and commenced house-keeping in Albion, and in 1841 removed to New- burg, where he is now living, engaged in carriage making. and farming. In November, 1837, he was ordained as a Christian minister, and has since preached on Sundays. November 1, 1821, he married Mahala Perkins, and had two children : Martha A., deceased, and Josiah P., born April 11, 1834, remains at home. Mr. Rigby was elected Representative in the State Legislature in 1862, and served one term.
Josiah P. Rigby was born in Albion, Kennebec county, Maine, and moved to Newburg when a small boy, where he received a common school education, and com- menced to work in a carriage shop with his father, mak- ing that his business till 1872. In 1872 he went to New- port and engaged in a general clothing manufactory and mercantile business, in the firm known as Knowlton & Rigby, for two years. Since that time he has been engaged in farming. He has been. Selectman for twelve years, and was elected Representative in 1878. Mr.
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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.
Rigby is leader of the South . Newburg band, a very fine organization started by Mr. Rigby two years ago, which is liberally patronized by the public in general. He mar- ried Ruth A. Fairbanks, of Dixmont, the 27th of May, 1856, by whom one child, Frank J., was born May 24, 1862. Frank J., the only child of Josiah Rigby, is a young man of more than ordinary musical ability, play- ing E clarinet in Newburg band. He is now receiving a musical education at Kent Hill Seminary.
Marcellus Tinney was born August 3; : 1842, in New- burg. He is the eighth son of David and Saloma Tin- ney, natives of Penobscot county. After leaving school he went to sea. in a merchantman, under Captain John Short, and was gone two years, visiting Ireland, England, Alexandria, Egypt, Constantinople, Turkey, Odessa, and Russia ; was anchored in the Black Sea, on the coast of Russia, two months; came back to Ireland and took passage to this country in the steamer City of Dublin, and afterward settled on a farm in Newburg for eight years, after which he followed the occupation. of black- smithing for the European & North American Railroad Company .. Was married, October 29, 1872, to Frances Fisk, by whom one child was born, Francis. Both mother and child are now deceased. He came back to Newburg and followed farming till four months ago, when he took charge of the Rising Star. In November 1), 1873, he was married again to Eliza Doble, of La- grange, daughter of William Doble, by whom two chil- dren were born, viz: Frank W., born August 23, 1874, now living at home Ida M., born June 13, 1879, living at home.
R. B. Thomas was born July 14, 1823, in the town of Newburg. He is the fourth son of James Thomas, one of the earliest settlers of Newburg, whose occupation was farming. He was a recruit in the War of t812; was Town Agent, also one of the first selectmen, overseers of the poor, and assessors. R. B. Thomas received a com- mon school education in his early days, and afterwards followed farming and ship-carpentering. He has been Selectman, Assessor, and Overseer of the Poor for one term. He was married January 12, 1855, to Sarah Leavitt, of Newburg, daughter of G. B. and Sally B. Leavitt, one of the oldest ladies now living in Newburg, her family being also one of the early settlers of the town. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have one child, Sabine F., born April 1, 1857; married Ada J. Malley, of Newburg, now deceased; is now living at home occupied on the farm with his father.
1 [George Sweetser was born in Newburg July 19, 1836. He is a son of Jonathan Sweetser, born in the same town; and married Lydia Haley in 1830. The father of Jona- athan Sweetser was one of the earliest settlers in the town. Jonathan and Lydia Sweetser had two children : Charles, married Myra Marces and lives in Minnesota ; George, married Ellen Elliott, of Idaho, May 9, 1863, and died in Newburg, August 7, 1880. George Sweetser obtained a common school education, and when a young man en- gaged in trading with the Indians in the Red River coun- try, and afterwards spent six years in the mines. On their return they were attacked by Indians, and burned
their wagons. After his return to Newburg he was elected to the Legislature and served one term. He, with others, took the first quartz-mill across the plains to Idaho.
George Hill was born in South Berwick, March 5, 1800. His father, James Hill, was also born in the same town. His wife was Alice Ferguson, and their family consisted of George, Eliza, Mary Jane, Nathaniel, Sarah Ann, and Eunice. George Hill settled in the town in the year 1827. On the 27th of May of the same year he married Harriet F. Jennison, daughter of Eben- ezer Jennison, of Dixmont, by whom he had ten children : George, Jr., and Sarah (twins; the former deceased. Sarah married Samuel Smith, and lives in Easton. George J., deceased; Henry W., deceased ; John J., married France's E. Knowles, of Newburg, and has three children ; John J. was a soldier three years, and since his return has been Selectman several terms. Eben J. married Bertha L. Lipseble ; he also served in the late war, and was wounded. Edward K. and F. O. J. S. (twins) were also in the war, and are both phy- sicians. The former married Georgie F. Speake, and is practicing in Washington, District of Columbia; he served as assistant surgeon of the Fourth Massachusetts Cavalry. F. O. J. S. married Lizzie Hill, of Newburg, and is now engaged in practice in that town. Harriet F. Hill. lives at home with her parents. Helena M., married Mark H. Siprelle, of Monticello.
John Dearborn, son of Jacob and Nancy Dearborn, was born May 12, 1850. Since becoming twenty-three years of age he has been engaged in cheese-making, superintending the South Newburg Cheese Factory for six years past. He has also been engaged in mercantile business the past two years. He married Seville Kimball, daughter of James and Elizabeth Kimball, of Carmel, and has one child, Hall C.
John Whitney, at the age of twelve, came to Newburg with his father, Amos Whitney, and settled on the place now owned by Allen Newcomb, living there sixty years. Amos Whitney died soon after settling in the town. John Whitney lived on the farm with his father in early life. He received a common school education, and taught school several winters. He was in the battle of Hampden under General Blake and Captain Bickford. He was Selectman for many years, as well as Town Agent, Superintending School Committee, Treasurer, and was one of the prominent men of the town, He died at the age of eighty-seven. He married Betsey Fairbanks, by whom he had a large family of children : Calvin H., Mary Jane, John, Susan Elizabeth, John F., Nancy A., George W., Charles Henry, Warren L., Anna A., all liv- ing but one. C. H. Whitney was born November 22, 1814, in Newburg. After receiving an academical and classical education he taught school several years very successfully in town and high schools. He afterward en- gaged in mercantile business for fifteen years, since which time he has devoted his attention to farming. He was Representative to the State Legislature one term, and. has held nearly all the town offices; he is now serving as Postmaster. He married Rebecca C. Steward, of St.
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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT. COUNTY, MAINE.
Albans, by whom-he has six children: Charles A:, born January 17, 1851, married Martha Merrill, of Brownville, and now lives in that place; Olive Elizabeth, born Feb- ruary 7, 1853, is the wife of Arthur Merrill, of Brown- ville; John R., born January 20, 1855, now living in Massachusetts; L. Jennie, born March 31, 1859; Re- becca C., born January 3, 1865; Calvin Lincoln, born February 14, 1867. The last three are living at home. He has always been deeply interested in the cause of ed- ucation, in every way doing all he can to benefit the schools of the town. He has been Postmaster for about thirty years, and is enjoying well deserved comfort, sur- rounded by a fine family.
Charles Croxford came to the county with his father in an early day. His father, Ezekiel Croxford, served for a time in the War of 1812. He had a family of eleven children. Charles settled in this township in 1829, and married Nancy B. Moss, October 14, 1849, who bore three children: Arthur R., married Julia M. Sylvester, and is engaged in mercantile business in New- burg; Selma J., deceased; Emily, deceased. Mrs. Crox- ford was a daughter of James and Frances Moss, who came from England to this country.
Arthur R. Croxford was born December 30, 1850, in Newburg. He is now engaged in mercantile business, buying wool, etc., also dealing in stock. He married Julia Sylvester, who was born September 5, 1850. They have one child, E. Josie, born January 20, 1877.
William Sawyer was born in Gorham, Cumberland county, November 13, 1797. He came with his father, Thomas Sawyer, to Hampden when a mere child. Thomas Sawyer was a seafaring man, and is supposed to have been lost at sea. William Sawyer came to Newburg in 1835, and settled where he now lives with his son. He married Eliza Hewes, of Hermon, in 1819, and had six children: Thomas, deceased ; twins, died unnamed; Eliz- abeth; Sylvester H., born in 1829, lives in Rockland; William, Jr., born in December, 1828, and lives in Hamp- den. Mr. Sawyer lost his first wife in 1829, and in 1831 he married Jane Miller, by whom nine children were born: Eliza J. married Ray Cooper, lives in Hampden. Elizabeth A. married Job Collett and lives in Bangor. Ruth M. married Lyman Miller and lives in Newburg. Henrietta lives in Lawrence, Massachusetts. John and Lusetta (twins), the latter living with her sister at Law- rence. Charles T., deceased. John Sawyer was a ser- geant in Company K, Second Maine, two years, and then enlisted in Hancock's Veteran Corps. Was three times wounded. Since his return he has held several town offices. He married Elizabeth Fernald, daughter of Frederick and Betsey Fernald, of Shapleigh, November 19, 1874.
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