USA > Maine > Piscataquis County > History of Piscataquis County, Maine : from its earliest settlement to 1880 > Part 13
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Cold Brook, which flows into the Piscataquis from the south, affords another good privilege, upon which Messrs. Hitchborn & Hasty built a saw- and grist-mill in 1835. This is still improved. It makes the business center of the town, and a village is growing up around it.
FIRST SETTLEMENT. This preceded the grant or purchase of any part of it. As early as 1808, James Grover moved the first family into the township. He dwelt on the south bank of the Piscataquis River, near the upper ferry, but eventually settled on a farm near the top of the hill, on thé Bangor road. This he commenced clearing at his first en- trance, and here the first trees were felled. Mr. Boobar, mentioned already in the sketch of Milo, came in soon after Grover, and settled near him.
The date of the settlement on the east half is not easily learned. A Mr. Weston and two Hitchborns from Bangor, were among the pioneers. The census of 1810 reported fif- ty-five inhabitants, but in 1820, it had only sixty-one.
About 1820, the State opened the Bennock road from Pis- cataquis River to Oldtown. This tended to increase the settlement.
In 1824, it was incorporated as the town of Kilmarnock, Gen. Boyd selecting the name. The question arises, why
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HISTORY OF PISCATAQUIS COUNTY. -
he selected that name? Some thought that he was a na- tive of Kilmarnock, Scotland, and wished to perpetuate his early associations. But the American Encyclopædia affirms that he was born in Newburyport, Mass., in 1768. Probably his father was a native of Kilmarnock, and thence emigrated to this country, and reared his family here. True to Scotch tenacity, J. P. Boyd tacked that name upon the first town- ship which he could control. In 1856, the inhabitants peti- tioned for a change, and it became the town of Medford.
As Gen. Boyd was a man of mark, and owned another whole township in this county, a brief notice of him seems in place. As soon as of sufficient age, he entered the United States army, but soon left and sailed to India. There he raised an independent corps and commanded it, fighting for such of the native princes as would pay the most. Here he remained for several years, and obtained considerable wealth. By 1805, he had returned to this country, for his deed of the Orneville township bears that date. After his return he again entered the army of the United States, and as a colonel fought in the battle of Tippecanoe, Nov. 7, 1811. He com- manded a brigade, in the war of 1812, and was in some of the battles in Canada. After the war closed, he resided in Bos- ton and attended to the sale and settlement of his eastern lands, and in writing and publishing certain military essays. He died there, Oct. 4, 1830, possessing a fair estate.
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All the land reserved for public uses in this town aids in the support of schools. Stores were opened at Medford Cen- ter quite early, and generally two have been kept, though now there is but one. Medford is on the stage line from Milo depot to Enfield.
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As there is no bridge across the river, and only two fer- ries, the inhabitants cannot conveniently assemble for relig- ious meetings, schools, or business, as in other towns, and the population does not increase according to the opportuni- ties for it.
Its highest number of inhabitants at any time was 350; its State valuation in 1870, $60,321.
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CHAPTER XVIII.
PARKMAN.
PARKMAN was Number Five, Range Six, and has an area of 25,000 acres, being wider than ordinary townships. Its quality and quantity of good settling land exceeds the usual amount, but its water power falls below that of others. It was early purchased by Samuel Parkman Esq., father of the late Dr. George Parkman of Boston, the victim of the Dr. Webster tragedy in 1849, and it was lotted out by Stephen Weston in 1807. The proprietor adopted the following method to secure its early settlement. He offered to sell forty lots of one hundred acres each, at one dollar per acre, to as many as would become actual settlers, but beyond this amount, and after that number of lots was sold, the price would be two dollars or more per acre. About 1810, the first openings were felled, and in 1811 or 1812, the first fam- ilies moved in. They all came from Greene.
Peter and William Cummings, Ephraim Andrews, Arvida Briggs, William Brewster and Richard Caswell were the ear- liest. By this time a more direct road was opened from Har- mony to these Piscataquis settlements. Samuel Pingree early moved in, and became the proprietor's agent. He set- tled near the center of the town, and in a few years put a saw- and grist-mill in operation. The stream was small, the mill could run only in high water, and the people were com- pelled to go to Sangerville and Dexter for these conven- iences. Mr. Pingree was a hatter by trade, and in a small way started this business also, and made the first hats in this county. He had previously held a Justice's commission, and was early re-appointed for Somerset County. He was
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HISTORY OF PISCATAQUIS COUNTY.
the only one in that vicinity for several years, and was oft re- sorted to as a magistrate, but not being in political sympa- thy with the majority of his townsmen, he was not often hon- ored with the fruits of their suffrage. He resided in town until his death, at a great age.
Notwithstanding the trying hardships of the " cold sea- sons," the town filled up. Abiathar Briggs exchanged farms with his son Arvida, and brought in a large family which soon settled around him.
Other changes took place. Mr. Ephraim Andrews was af- flicted with a morbid and partially insane state of mind, which broke up his family, and caused him to sell and seek a home elsewhere. He was very peculiarly constituted. He had good intellectual powers, good business capacities, and a vigorous physical constitution. But, when in a melan- choly state, he was insanely jealous and bitterly revengeful. Although surrounded with good neighbors, he would drive his plow-team all day, with an axe on his shoulder, fearing that some of them would take his life. As his sons grew to man- hood, they did not treat his idiosyncrasies with much charity or patience, and his insanity increased. They regarded him as dangerous, and prepared a small cage, and shut him in. But he was marvelously ingenious in contriving and making escapes. They would capture him and force him back, and this would aggravate his insanity and his rage. In March, 1814, he had broken out, and his sons surrounded him to re- take him. He had armed himself with a small axe, and brandishing it, bade them stand off at their peril. But his youngest son, Samuel, then about fourteen years old, not be- lieving that he would strike, daringly pressed up. The en- raged father struck him a full blow in the face, with the edge of the axe,-nearly a fatal stroke. The father was then committed to the county jail. The son slowly recovered, but carried an ugly scar to his grave. The old man became more calm, and was set at liberty. But the trouble contin- ued. He separated from his wife, and gave all his property to Robert Herring jr., who gave bonds to maintain him com-
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PARKMAN.
fortably during his natural life. There he had a good home, lived in listless ease, and sought his own entertainments. But the evil spirit would at times return. Twice he left Mr. Herring's, and sued for the forfeiture of his bond, but failed to obtain it. For services in the Revolutionary army, he ob- tained a small pension. He died suddenly on his ninetieth birthday, in Mr. Herring's house.
Edward Soule from Freeport was also among the earlier settlers. In early manhood he followed the sea. In the war of 1812 he was three times taken prisoner by different Brit- ish cruisers. The last time, he was confined fourteen months in Dartmoor prison, long famous for the cruel and oppressive treatment practiced there. His recitals would make one's blood boil, and reports from Libby and Andersonville have more recently recalled them. He selected and cleared up an excellent farm, lived single till past the meridian of life, ever toiling with untiring industry. But he was so easily per- suaded to indorse for others, that much of his hard-earned property was taken to pay these claims which he had as- sumed, and thus he was kept poor. He would have lost the farm upon which he had expended so much toil, had not Dr. Parkman felt a generous compassion for him, and interrupted the plans of less pitying parties. He remained on a part of it until his death, and died, leaving a widow and two daugh- ters.
In 1818, Mr. Zenas Hall commenced preaching in Park- man. This soon led to the organization of a Baptist church, and he was invited to become its pastor. He consented, and was ordained in January, 1819, the public services being held in the unfinished private house of Elias Merrill.
In 1820, its population was 255. Soon after this, another saw-mill was built about two miles below Pingree's, near Parkman Corner, by a Mr. Sturtevant. He was a man of good parts, but strong drink led him to neglect his business, and eventually slew him. The mill passed to the Curtiss Brothers, who added a grist-mill. Though the stream was small, the breaking away of Pingree's dam swept these mills
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HISTORY OF PISCATAQUIS COUNTY.
away in 1828. They were rebuilt, and still run a part of the year. The Pingree mills have gone to decay, and a shingle mill on another spot occupies that privilege.
After being Plantation Number Five, Sixth Range, in January, 1822, it was incorporated as the town of Parkman. The first town meeting was called March 4th, following. At this, Elder Zenas Hall was chosen town clerk, and one of the selectmen. He was in political sympathy with the majority, and popular among them. He was sent as delegate to polit- ical conventions, as town agent to courts on town business, and once as representative to the Legislature, and there be- came a Justice of the Peace. At the second town meeting, he declined the town clerkship, and William Brewster was elected, and continued to hold that and other town offices for many years.
In the great fire of 1825, several buildings were burnt in P.arkman. A town meeting was called to see if the town would aid the sufferers by appropriations from its treasury, but it was not carried.
In 1827 a town meeting voted to recognize Elder Zenas Hall as the minister of the town, provided he would deed to the town 120 acres out of the 320 reserved for the first set- tled minister. This was done, satisfying all parties.
To this date there had been no store in Parkman. Then, Thomas Seabury opened a store at Parkman Corner, and it has been continued by him and his sons nearly ever since. Mechanics gathered in, a physician, Dr. Nicholas Jumper, established himself here, another store was soon erected, and a village began its growth.
When the temperance reform commenced, a Methodist minister was residing in town. Elder Hall did not eagerly engage in the work and lead off in forming a temperance soci- ety, as others had done. So the Methodist minister took the lead, and the veteran, influential Elder was not even consult- ed or invited to co-operate. Every principle of sound policy and Christian comity would have sought his aid and secured his prestige, for his influence was mighty with the majority.
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But unfortunately for him, for many of his people, and for the cause of temperance in the whole town, he was let terri- bly alone, and he let the temperance society more terribly alone. So did many others, who might have been easily drawn into it. From all participation in the anti-slavery movement, he also stood aloof, as it conflicted with his politi- cal preferences. But he was strictly temperate in his habits, and had a strong hold on the Christian sympathies of his brethren, and his labors were abundant and successful in his ministerial work. So in these particulars, he could dare to be singular. But it had its injurious effect. Of this more hereafter, in its proper place.
In the year 1831, Mr. Ira York built a saw-mill on Cum- mings Brook, in the south-east part of the town. This stream flows into Main Stream. The mill stream is rather small, but a natural fall of sixteen feet runs a mill during four months of the year. It is still occupied.
In the summer of 1834, Dr. Jumper died suddenly from the effects of a wound received in making a post-mortem ex- amination. He was a quiet, worthy, well-read, Christian man, highly esteemed by his fellow citizens, and his depart- ure was generally lamented. Dr. A. J. W. Stevens, a young man entering upon the practice, was already there. He took the position, and retained it until his death, in 1875. He was an active politician, once sent to the Legislature, a useful educator, at times an able temperance lecturer, and a professing Christian. He sometimes vacillated in his relig- ious belief, and in his Christian deportment. He was quite a newspaper correspondent, and eventually became the cham- pion of anti-slavery. As a physician, he stood well, and gained a large practice. Late in life he became connected with the Methodists.
When Piscataquis County was incorporated, Parkman was included in it. This new arrangement was not acceptable to the people. They voted in town meeting to petition the next Legislature to repeal the act by which the new county was incorporated, or else re-annex Parkman to Somerset County,
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HISTORY OF PISCATAQUIS COUNTY.
as the above change had been made without their knowledge or consent. This petition was not granted, and it still re- mains an integral part of Piscataquis County.
In 1845, Elder Zenas Hall left Parkman and removed to Ohio. The Baptist church at that time numbered two hun- dred, and was in a flourishing state. In 1851, when the " Maine Law" was placed upon our statute book, and politi- cal parties divided upon that issue, Parkman rolled up a stronger opposition to it than any other town in the county. It then appeared that Elder Hall had built far worse than he had intended. And when he lived to see an expensive and demoralizing war draining the life's blood of our nation, un- dertaken to perpetuate the institution of slavery, his eyes were opened, he saw his error, and manfully renounced it. Though more than three score and ten years old, he revisited his old charge, and publicly acknowledged his serious mis- take. But he could not repair past damages, nor lead all his former followers into his present views. He returned to his Western home, and died there before the war had come to its close.
Dr. George Parkman, previous to his tragical death, visit- ed the place annually, and consummated the conveyances of land which his agent had made. To facilitate payments by the settlers, he would buy up neat stock, and have it driven to the Brighton market. One little incident will portray him .- A settler, in his eagerness to clear his farm from debt, turned out every "hide and hoof" of neat stock that he pos- sessed. The doctor executed his deed, and generously gave him back a cow, so important was such an article to the com- fort of a family having young children. It was willingly ac- cepted. But upon reflection, after the doctor left, he thought that a few dollars too much interest had been paid through mistake, and the present of the cow was forgotten. He sat down and wrote a letter to his kind-hearted patron, in a tone so harsh and accusative that the urbane doctor thought "it enough to make a minister swear!" He did not find any mistake, and he was not heard to swear.
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PARKMAN.
After Dr. Parkman's death, S. P. Shaw Esq., his nephew, bought a small farm near Parkman Corner, dwelt upon it, and took charge of the proprietor's business. Though he be- longed to a family of wealth and culture, though liberally educated and admitted to the bar, though of literary taste and accomplishments, he had unfortunately fallen into in- temperate habits. But during his stay of a few years in his country residence, he was reclaimed from these by the perse- vering efforts of the Sons of Temperance, and became him- self again. At length he sold out to Thomas B. Seabury what remained of the wild land, and returned to Boston.
In 1849, Messrs. Isaac and David Pease built a saw- and shingle mill upon the south branch of Piscataquis River, which, by a bend southward, comes into the town of Park- man. After operating it a few years, David sold out and left. Capt. Isaac Pease and his son Jerome continued to run it until 1865, when it was destroyed by fire. This had a very depressing effect on the spirits of Capt. Pease, and he did not rebuild it. In 1874, he terminated his life by drowning himself.
LAWYERS. E. F. Harvey Esq. has been in practice at Parkman Corner for some years, and recently J. H. Warren has opened an office there also.
PHYSICIANS. Since Dr. Stevens' death, William L. Samp- son has practiced here, but he has left, and Dr. C. D. Sprague has succeeded him.
At Parkman Corner there are now several mechanics, four stores, and one hotel.
Its State valuation in 1870, was $259,304; its population 1,105.
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CHAPTER XIX.
THE BINGHAM PURCHASE; WELLINGTON; KINGSBURY.
THE southern half of the western tier of townships in Pis- cataquis County is on the Bingham Kennebec Purchase, and Wellington is the most southern of them. A tract of wild land, containing more than sixty townships, lying on both sides of Kennebec River, and amounting to one million of acres, was sold by the State to Messrs. Jackson and Flint, at twelve and a half cents per acre, as Greenleaf says.
After passing from them to others, it fell into the hands of William Bingham Esq. of Philadelphia. Hence it was called the Bingham Purchase, often the "Million of Acres." Mr. Bingham held the same amount on Union River, and Col. John Black of Ellsworth was his agent and attorney. At length Mr. Bingham died, and his lands were devised to Alexander and Henry Baring of London, England, J. R. Ingersol and William Miller of Philadelphia, all of whom had married his daughters. The Baring Brothers were Englishmen, of the house of Barings, and Alexan- der eventually became a peer of the realm, with the title of Lord Ashburton. He was appointed by the Queen, in oppo- sition to her cabinet, Envoy Extraordinary to this country, to settle the North-eastern boundary question; hence the treaty framed by him and Daniel Webster, settling that line, is called the "Webster and Ashburton treaty."
Between 1825 and 1830, these devisees, wishing to close up their land business in Maine, directed Col. Black to sell out what was not already disposed of. He accordingly put this eastern tier of townships into the market.
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WELLINGTON.
WELLINGTON.
Wellington at the above date was partially settled and already incorporated. Its area is 23,120 acres. It has quite a good soil and a fair amount of water power. Higgins' Stream flows through the western part of the town, upon which there are four mill privileges, three of which are im- proved. Another, upon a branch of this stream is improved, and still two others on Carleton's Brook, near the north-east corner of the town. Henry Carleton built a saw-mill upon the latter, in 1826, hence its name. A saw- and shingle mill still runs there, and another saw-mill, a few miles above it. The township was lotted out by J. P. Bradbury. Four lots of 320 acres each were reserved for public uses, three of which went to make up a school fund.
A Mr. Bridge first purchased the township, and it was called Bridgestown until incorporated. But he did not retain it.
FIRST SETTLEMENT. In 1814, James Knowles moved in- to the western part of the township, He was soon followed by David Staples, and the next year J. B. Porter and John Ward joined them.
About 1819 or 1820, a settlement was begun on the east side of the town, adjoining Parkman, and from this period there was a constant and gradual increase. In 1821, Mr. Isaac Hutchings came into town, and became one of its prom- inent citizens.
A saw-mill was built quite early, by John Davis, at Wel- lington Corner, and some time afterward a grist-mill was put in operation on the same falls. John and Cotton Weeks also put up a mill above this, on the same stream. So, by 1827, when Carleton's mill was built, there were three mills in different places.
About 1826, Levi Merrill opened the first store in town, at the Corner.
It was incorporated as the town of Wellington, Feb. 23, 1828. Henry Carleton was for several years its town clerk, and one of the selectmen. In November of that year, the
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· HISTORY OF PISCATAQUIS COUNTY.
vote cast for President amounted to 94. But in 1830, but 80 votes were cast. A land sale in 1839 gives us a clue to the progress of its settlement. Col. Black then sold to William B. Kingsbury of Roxbury, Mass., 2,812} acres, it being one- sixth of all the unsold and unreserved land in town. This shows that 16,875 acres were then unsold, and that, then, about 5000 acres had been sold to settlers,-fifty lots of 100 acres each.
A store was opened at Burdin's Corner, some time since, by Elbridge Burdin, and some business is still done there. More recently, A. F. Libby has commenced trade at Huff's Corner, There are also two stores at Wellington Corner, and the manufacturing of lumber, machinery and axes is done there.
In 1870, its population was 683; its valuation $119,269.
KINGSBURY.
Kingsbury, also on the Bingham Purchase, lies between Wellington and Blanchard. Some of its soil is fair for cul- tivation, a part quite hilly, and still more of it is not adapt- ed to settling.
It is well watered. The outlet of Kingsbury Pond af- fords a superior mill privilege, and this forms the south branch of Piscataquis River. This township, after being lot- ted by Eleazer Coburn Esq., was purchased in 1833, by Hon. Sanford Kingsbury of Gardiner, for $4000. The next year, Wm. Hilton and his brother, from Mayfield, felled openings, the first made within the township. The next summer, 1835, Judge Kingsbury commenced clearing at the outlet of the pond. He also built a dam, and in a short time had a saw- and grist-mill in operation, also a clapboard and shin- gle machine. He did much to encourage settlement, putting up a store, erecting a large dwelling-house, and soon moved in, and became a permanent resident until his death.
As the part first entered was near other settled towns, it was easily reached, and settlers came in rapidly.
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KINGSBURY.
In March, 1836, it was incorporated as the town of Kings- bury, adding another small town to our number.
A State road from Athens to Moosehead Lake had been already located, crossing this town, and when this was opened, teaming and travel turned this way. But it was abandoned in part, and a new route by the eastern side of Russell Mountain was opened. Over this road a stage still runs, and the mail is carried from Athens to the lake.
Since Judge Kingsbury's death, his entire family has left town, one of whom, Hon. Benj. Kingsbury, resides in Port- land. The mills passed into the hands of I. S. Abbott, who run them for several years. They are now owned and oper- ated by Leonard and William S. Hilton.
Embarrassments have arisen in collecting the non-resident taxes. Large tracts of land have been sold at auction by the town, and lawsuits have arisen, to settle conflicting titles. By these things its population has been kept small, reaching only 174, in the census of 1870. But they have four school districts, most of them small, in which schools are kept a part of the time.
The stimulus of religious institutions has been painfully deficient in this town. Unfortunately the proprietor and his family did not sympathize with the people on this subject, did not encourage them to establish and support religious meetings. Many of the first settlers and leading men were quite indifferent to these things. So, in a small community like this, religious efforts have moved heavily, but some- thing has been done. A Free Baptist church of the Buz- zellite wing has been formed, and still exists, and meetings are kept up a part of the time by preachers from adjoining places.
At the present time, 1880, there are convenient mills, a hotel kept by G. T. Hewit, a store, and mechanic shops, at Kingsbury village. This place is but ten miles from Abbot Village depot, on the Bangor and Piscataquis Railroad.
CHAPTER XX.
BLANCHARD.
BLANCHARD was Number Three in the Third Range of the Bingham Purchase, and its area is 28,000 acres. Russell mountain covers quite a portion of it, and other high hills diminish its agricultural districts. In its primeval state it abounded with pine timber, and this was its chief attraction. The Piscataquis River passes through it, into which, with- in its limits, the Bog and Bald mountain streams unite and flow. These are all large enough in time of freshets to float down logs. They afford also any amount of mill privi- leges, one of which, at Blanchard village, has been for a long time improved.
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