USA > Maine > Oxford County > Porter > History of Porter > Part 3
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Sarah Libby (b. 1771, d. ? ), June, 1793.
Children: Isaac (b. Sept. 4, 1794, d. Jan. 15, 1867). Meshach (b. April 6, 1797, d. ? ). Betsey (b. March 25, 1799, d. May 5, 1835). Jonathan (b. Feb. 22, 1802, d. ? ). Simon (b. June 13, 1806, d. ? ). Susan (b. Dec. 13, 1808, d. 1896); married Abraham Chapman.
Remarks: Both Gideon and Sarah were born in Pittsfield, N. H. Sarah was the daughter of Meshach Libby, the first settler in Por- ter. Isaac, their first child, was born in Porter. Betsey died un- married. Jonathan died in Lovell, Maine.
1794
Henry Floyd (b. ? d. Sept. 20, 1827); married Betsey Bickford (b. Feb. 27, 1775, d. ? ).
Children: Michael (b. in Rochester, N. H., Oct. 4, 1794, d. ? ). Sally (b. Jan. 2, 1796, d. ? ); married Andrew Varney. Lovina (b. Feb. 17, 1798, d. ? ). William (b. Dec. 13, 1803, d. ? ). Henry, Jr. (b. July 13, 1805, d. ? ). Lovell (b. Aug. 31, 1807, d. ? ). Betsey (b. May 2, 1809, d. ? ). Jacob (b. Nov. 2, 1812, d. ? ). Ira (b. Oct. 12, 1815, d. ? ).
1795
John Mason (b. Aug: 21, 1774, d. Oct. 12, 1861); married
Tryphene Allord (b. Aug. 25, 1775, d. May 1, 1852), Aug. 7, 1793.
Children: Jacob (b. Jan. 1, 1794, d. Oct. 26, 1813). Sally (b. July 8, 1795, in Porter, d. Feb. 7, 1877); married David Colcord, Nov.
20
HISTORY OF PORTER
15, 1821. Abraham (b. Oct. 25, 1797, d. ? ). John, Jr. (b. Dec. 19, 1799, d. March 20, 1879). Henry (b. Feb. 12, 1802, d. ? ); married Abigail Libby, May 20, 1824. Lydia (b. Oct. 30, 1804, d. ?); married Rufus Brooks. Mary (b. Oct. 8, 1806, d. Feb. 10, 1851); married Ralph McCartee, April 21, 1825. Thomas (b. Jan. 30, 1809, d. Nov. 16, 1865). Tryphene (b. April 23, 1812, d. ? ); married E. C. Pillsbury. Joseph (b. July 3, 1814, d. ? ). Abigail (b. April 14, 1816, d. ? ); married John Lord.
Remarks: Both came from Pittsfield, N. H. John was the brother of Gideon Mason. John's wife, Tryphene, was the daughter of David Allord, mentioned earlier. Their son, Jacob, who served in the War of 1812, was the only one of the 28 men from Porter who failed to return.
1796
William French (b. Sept. 15, 1776, d. ? ); married
Kezia Libby (b. March 28, 1776, d. ? ), March 11, 1797.
Children: James (b. Sept. 24, 1798, d. ? ). William, Jr. (b. Dec. 3, 1801, d. ? ). Isaac (b. April 26, 1803, d. June 17, 1827). Ruth (b. Dec. 10, 1806, d. ? ); married Joseph G. Towle, Dec. 12, 1824. John Moulton (b. May 21, 1813, d. March 11, 1818).
Remarks: William French came from Farmington, N. H. His wife, Kezia, was the daughter of Isaac Libby.
1796
Samuel Brooks (b. March 19, 1761, d. April, 1825). He enlisted in the American Revolution, March 14, 1777. He also served in the War of 1812.
Hezekial Bickford (b. ? d. ? ) was the second captain of the mil- itary company first organized in the plantation.
Jonathan Cook (b. ? d. ? ), Abraham Cook (b. ? d. ? ) and Nath- aniel Cook (b. ? d. ? ) came to the plantation in 1796.
1796
The first bridge across the Great Ossipee at Porter Village was constructed between 1796 and 1800. This type of bridge was known as the "pier" bridge; that is, the roadway was built upon
21
FIRST SETTLERS
piles extending across the stream - easily swept away by an ice- choked, swollen stream; a misfortune that happened to this bridge a few years after its construction. Another "pier" bridge replaced the first one in 1808, withstanding many a spring freshet during its sixty-eight years of existence. The present covered bridge took its place in 1876, at a cost to the town, $1,717.24!
The covered bridge was a purely American type of architecture created by Paul Paddelford of Littleton, N. H., shortly before 1844.
1796
John French (b. Sept. 26, 1775, d. Aug. 21, 1836); married Sally Trefren (b. Sept. 14, 1774, d. March 12, 1856).
Children: Benjamin (b. in Farmington, N. H., Feb. 7, 1796, d. ? ). Jacob (b. in Porter, March 1, 1798, d. Feb. 16, 1878). Sally (b. March 23, 1800, d. ? ); married Nehemiah F. Towle, Feb. 25, 1821). Aaron (b. April 7, 1802, d. ? ). Mary (b. Aug. 5, 1804, d. Feb. 21, 1838); unmarried. John, Jr. (b. Dec. 6, 1806, d. ? ); married Be- linda Trefren, July 25, 1830. Kezia (b. May 25, 1809, d. ? ); mar- ried Alexander Berry, June 12, 1831. Lucy (b. Aug. 13, 1811, d. Jan. 7, 1878); married Jesse Bickford, Nov. 4, 1849.
1797
Charles Nutter (b. in Portsmouth, N. H., Dec. 27, 1783, d. May 1, 1845); married
Mrs. Olive Durgin (b. Jan. 9, 1778, d. Aug. 24, 1846).
Children: Almira (b. Feb. 15, 1808, d. ? ); married James Perry. Charles, Jr. (b. Aug. 28, 1810, d. Sept. 14, 1874); married Dorothy Moulton, Oct. 17, 1833. Cordelia (b. Oct. 28, 1812, d. ? ); mar- ried Richard Cosins. Eben. T. (b. March 12, 1815, d. ? ). Sarah Ann (b. Jan. 20, 1818, d. ? ); married Alvan Pride, March 23, 1843. Henry (b. Jan. 17, 1821, d. ? ).
Remark: Charles Nutter's wife was the daughter of Ebenezer Taylor.
1797
The death of the great hunter, George Kezar, took place about the year, 1797, at his home in Parsonsfield - his home stood in
The old time Kezar Falls covered bridge around 1882. The suspension bridge from center of this bridge to Garner Island is shown. The bank block had not been built. Other buildings from right to left, in order, are; the W. H. Newbegin store and cigar manufactory ("Deacon Cigars"); the Jeremiah Bullock home (since burned); the G. Randall store, burned around 1894; the Sutton Edgecomb store (now the Hamilton Hardware); the Stephen Fox store (now the Post Of- fice and Kelly's Market and Howe's Plumbing establishment (the latter includ- ing the barn, seen at rear of white building here). The then grist mill and bob- bin factory appear over center of bridge, and close at right at Newbegin's store is seen what later became Ham's Apothecary Shop, after being moved to a site beside the hardware store.
23
FIRST SETTLERS
the intervale where Great Brook flows into Great Ossipee. His passing to the Great Beyond left a vacant room in many a human heart! He had acquired many friends amongst his countrymen in Parsonsfield and Porterfield. The time of his coming to Parsons- field has never been definitely established. Some say, 1772-Thomas Moulton puts it at about 1766; the latter date, most likely. We do know that when he settled in Parsonsfield he had a wife and three children-he left numerous descendants. Mr. William R. French (1879-1953), a warden in the Maine Inland Fish and Game Department for sixteen years, informed the present writer, that while stationed in Lovell, Maine, he had come upon several of George Kezar's camp-sites in the Pequawket country-north of Fryeburg.
What do we know about George Kezar's ancestry? Very little, indeed! The name "Kezar' is of German origin - he was born in the valley of the Merrimack. Any relation to J. G. Whittier's "Cobbler Keezar?"
1799
Two saw-mills were built in the plantation about the year, 1799. One was located in the village, on Mill Brook, the other, also on the same stream, was situated about a mile below Bickford Pond - on the plantation map, this body of water was called "Deer Pond," and several years later, the name was changed to Stanley or Roberts Pond. The present name, however, dates back to the middle of the past century. Almost every building erected sub- sequently to 1799 were frame houses as they were more easily and quickly built than the log structures. The log cabins were, how- ever, more durable, besides being warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
1800
Joseph Towle (b. Feb. 18, 1747, d. April 1, 1820); married
Elizabeth Coffin (b. March 7, 1753, d. Feb. 17, 1829), Oct. 2, 1769.
Children: Amos (b. Oct. 1, 1770, d. ? ). Joseph, Jr. (b. Sept. 3, 1772, d. Dec. 27, 1848). William (b. July 18, 1774, d. April 25,
Porter Bridge. First built as a simple "pier bridge," 1798-1800; rebuilt in 1808, and for the last time, 1876.
25
FIRST SETTLERS
1841). Ezra (b. Feb. 14, 1776, d. June 4, 1802). Nancy (b. April 24, 1778, d. Dec., 1801); married Eben. Blazo. Daniel (b. Jan. 24, 1780, d. March 25, 1875). Elizabeth (b. Aug. 27, 1783, d. ? ); married James Garland. Sarah (b. March 26, 1785, d. April 10, 1866); married Samuel Taylor. David (b. Dec. 27, 1787, d. Aug. 7, 1860). Simon (b. May 16, 1794, d. Oct. 4, 1814).
1801
John Fox (b. May 26, 1760, d. April 17, 1834); married
Deborah Gilman (b. Nov. 13, 1760, d. July 26, 1810), first wife. Children: Nathaniel (b. Nov. 30, 1786, d. Feb. 6, 1853). Deborah G. (b. Oct. 4, 1788, d. ? ); married Thomas Howard. Sarah (b. May 25, 1791, d. ? ); married Isaac Bickford. Mary G. (b. Sept. 2, 1793, d. Sept. 4, 1865); married John Libby, Aug. 6, 1815. Anna (b. Dec. 7, 1795, d. July 17, 1865); married Jonathan Peare. John, Jr. (b. Dec. 7, 1795, d. May 6, 1852); married Clarinda Stanley, April 22, 1830. Lydia (b. March 5, 1798, d. Oct. 21, 1825). Char- lotte (b. Nov. 29, 1800, d. ? ); married Ezra Bickford. Ruth P. (b. Aug. 9, 1803, d. ? ); married Job Libby, June 27, 1822.
Susan Mills (b. ? d. ? ), second wife.
Children: Andrew G. (b. Jan. 20, 1813, d. ? ); married Ruth G. Stacy, Dec. 5, 1839. William (b. ? d. ? ). Edward (b. ? d. ? ). Susan (b. ? d. ? ). James (b. ? d. ? ).
Remarks: John Fox was born in Gilmanton, N. H., and served in the American Revolution. His brother, Edward, served in the War of 1812. Edward's son, Ephraim, also saw service in this war. Ephraim's son, Edward, took an active part in the Mexican War; his other sons, David M. and Daniel, Jr., fought in the Civil War. Ephraim's brother, Richard, had five sons; George Henry, James L., Jonathan, 2d, Lorenzo D., and William W., all served in the Civil War.
1802
Jacob French, Josiah Bridges, Josiah Bridges, Jr., William Floyd, Francis Mathews (vet. War of 1812); and Jonathan Blazo came to Porterfield in 1802.
26
HISTORY OF PORTER
1803
Samuel Taylor (b. in Hampton, N. H., March 27, 1781, d. Aug. 31, 1846); married
Sarah Towle, Aug. 22, 1803.
Children: William T. (b. April 24, 1810, d. 1833). Samuel, Jr. (b. March 23, 1812, d. March 9, 1855). Simon (b. April 16, 1815, d. Feb. 16, 1853). Eliza Ann (b. July 22, 1820, d. Sept. 17, 1842). Daniel (b. March 4, 1823, d. 1905). Josephine (b. June 16, 1825, d. ? ); married John Sutton, Jr., April 28, 1844. David (b. March 17, 1829, d. Oct. 23, 1868). Amos (b. March 17, 1829, d. ? ). Remarks: Samuel Taylor's wife, Sarah, was born in Epsom, N. H. David and Amos were twins.
1804
John Stacy (b. in Berwick, Me., Feb. 20, 1763, d. May 18, 1837); married Ruth Gould.
Children: Oliver (b. Sept. 30, 1792, d. 1880); married Abigail Fox, Dec. 1, 1814. Salome (b. Sept. 1793, d. 1877); married Jonathan Fox, Aug. 7, 1812. Jordan (b. March 5, 1796, d. 1878); married Sally Libby, Dec. 4, 1817. Hannah (b. 1799, d. ? ); married John Mason. George (b. Nov. 9, 1804, d. April 3, 1876. Ruth (no record).
1805
Samuel Hodsdon, William Stanley, Richard Young, Job Bailey came to the plantation in 1805, but only Samuel Hodsdon became a permanent settler.
1806
John Bailey, Ebenezer Taylor, Henry Tibbetts, Elisha Stanley settled in 1806.
1806
Joseph Stanley (b. ? d. Sept. 18, 1843); married four times
Betsey Parsons (b. ? d. ? ), first wife.
Children: Charles (no record); Samuel (no record); Olive (b. ?
27
FIRST SETTLERS
d. ? ); married Samuel Hooper.
Eunice Stone (b. ? d. ? ), second wife.
Children: Betsey (b. Dec. 28, 1802, d. ? ); married Caleb Thomp- son. James (b. March 2, 1804, d. ? ). Joseph, Jr. (b. Dec. 21, 1806, d. 1869). John (b. May 13, 1808, d. ? ). Eunice (b. April 4, 1810, d. May 7, 1854); married William Ridlon.
Sally Palmer (no record), third wife.
Mary Nason, fourth wife.
Children: Mary (b. July 24, 1824, d. ? ); married Charles Hadley. Benjamin (b. Sept. 11, 1827, d. ? ).
1806
James Coffin (b. ? in Biddeford, Me., d. March 11, 1823); married
Jane McMillan (b. ? in Conway, N. H., d. May 27, 1859). Children: James (b. in Biddeford, Jan. 24, 1799, d. July 8, 1833). Jane (b. Oct. 31, 1800, d. ? ); married John Moulton. Hannah (b. Sept. 12, 1802, d. ? ); married James W. Thompson, Oct. 20, 1830. Martha (b. April 18, 1804, d. ? ); married William Rice. Andrew McMillan (b. Feb. 7, 1806, d. ? ). Catharine (b. in Porter, Dec. 21, 1807, d. ? ); married Stephen Berry. Shuah T. (b. April 11, 1810, d. ? ); married James Norris. Edmund (b. July 11, 1812, d. ?). Sophia Ann (b. Sept. 25, 1815, d. ? ); married Addison Prentiss.
Remark: James Coffin was the first Justice of the Peace in the plantation.
1806
William Towle (b. in Epsom, N. H., July 18, 1774, d. April 25, 1841); married
Mercy Garland (b. ? d. ? ).
Children: Hannah (b. Dec. 18, 1797, d. ? ); married James Cool- broth, April 8, 1812. William, Jr. (b. Oct. 3, 1801, d. ? ). Joseph G. (b. March 22, 1806, d. Dec. 28, 1875); married Ruth French, Dec. 12, 1824. Mercy (b. May 8, 1809, d. ? ); married Benjamin Larrabee, June 12, 1827. Nancy (b. Aug. 8, 1812, d. ? ); married Nathaniel Bedell, Dec. 2, 1830. Maria (b. April 7, 1819, d. ? );
28
HISTORY OF PORTER
married John Kezar, Aug. 29, 1835.
1807
Jessy Colcord (b. in Newmarket, N. H., Feb. 9, 1769, d. April 3, 1835); married twice
Elizabeth Nason, first wife.
Child: John N. (b. in Sanford, Me., April 18, 1793, d. May 25, 1852).
Betsey Emery (b. Oct. 21, 1771, d. Dec. 6, 1829); second wife, married April 6, 1794.
Children: Elizabeth (b. Nov. 30, 1794, d. April 19, 1795). David (b. April 28, 1796, d. June 9, 1867); married Sally Mason. Mary H. (b. April 27, 1798, d. Aug. 28, 1876); married John Pearl. Betsey (b. July 13, 1800, d. Dec. 8, 1800). Rhoda (b. March 16, 1802, d. April 27, 1802). Jesse, Jr. (b. April 8, 1803, d. Nov. 25, 1825). Phineas (b. Feb. 8, 1806, d. Aug. 21, 1846). Susan N. (b. in Porter, Dec. 4, 1808, d. July 18, 1832). Isabella (b. June 5, 1811, d. ? ); married Stephen Brooks. Caleb E. (b. March 4, 1814, d. Aug. 20, 1853). Charlotte S. (b. Feb. 18, 1817, d. June 30, 1846); married Peter H. Hatch.
Remark: The Colcords came to the plantation of Porterfield shortly after it had been transformed into the township of Porter.
III
A TOWN IS BORN
The record of this event reads: "An act to incorporate a part of Porterfield into a town by the name of Porter, passed both branches of the Legislature of Massachusetts, and was duly signed by Gov- ernor Caleb Strong on the twentieth day of February, 1807."
In New England, a "township" is known as a "town," where it exists in its primitive form except as modified and partly subordin- ated by the later-formed units, the county and state. The idea of having Porterfield incorporated as a town had been discussed at a meeting held on Aug. 5, 1805, but, as we already know, the plan did not materialize until almost two years later. The population of Porter now stood at about 280 souls. The last annual plantation meeting was held on April 7, 1806; the first town meeting under the act of incorporation was held on March 20, 1807. At this meet- ing, held at the home of James Coffin - James Coffin chosen mod- erator, the following men were chosen town officers: Hanson Libby, clerk; David Moulton, James Moulton and Hezekiah Bickford, se- lectmen and assessors; John Stacy, treasurer; William French, con- stable and collector.
The original "Warrant for the first Town Meeting" reads as follows:
"Oxford of Commonwealth of Massachusetts. To David Moul- ton, one of the principle inhabitants of the town of Porter: You are hereby required in the name of the Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts to notify and warn the freeholders and other inhabitants of said Porter qualified to vote in town affairs as the law directs to meet at the Dwellinghouse of Mr. James Coffin in said Porter on Friday the twentieth day of this instant March at ten o'clock
30
HISTORY OF PORTER
before noon of said day to act and vote on the following artickles: 1st to choose a moderator to govern said meeting.
2d to choose all such officers as towns are by law required. In the months of March and April annually. Given under my hand and seal, sixth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seven, and you are to make return of this warrant and your doings thereon to me within sixty days."
(Sig.) NATH'L MERRILL, Justice of Peace. Agreeable to the above warrant to me directed, I do hereby notify & warn the freeholders and other inhabitants qualified to vote in town meetings. Given under my hand, Porter, March 6th, 1807. HANSON LIBBY, Town Clerk. DAVID MOULTON.
MARCH 20, 1807
Agreeable to the foregoing warrant met and provided as Follows: 1st Voted James Coffin Esq. for moderator of said meeting.
2d Do Hanson Libby, Clerk for the ensuing year.
3d Do David Moulton for first Selectman.
4th Do James Coffin 2d Do.
5th Do Hezekiah Bickford 3d Do.
6th Do John Stacy, Treasurer for the year ensuing.
7th Do Wm. French, Constable & Collector for the ensuing year.
8th Do John French, Surveyor of Roads for the 1st District. 9th Do John Mason 2d Do.
10th Do Wm. Stanley Do.
11th Do Hezik. Bickford for fence viewer (See footnote No. 1).
12th Do David Moulton, fence viewer.
13th Do Daniel Knowles, Tithingman (See footnote No. 2).
14th Do Sam'l Hodgdon Do.
15th Do David Hodsdon, hogreaf (See footnote No. 3). 16th Do John French Do.
17th Do James Coffin, Pound Keeper (See footnote No. 4).
18th Do Jon'n. Cook, field driver (See footnote No. 5).
19th Do Henry Tibbets Do.
20th Do Wm. Stanley, Surveyor of board, shingle, etc.
21st Do Henry Tibbets, Culler of staves, hoops, etc. (See footnote No. 6).
31
A TOWN IS BORN
The above officers lawfully sworn. HANSON LIBBY, Clerk"
FOOTNOTES:
1. Fence viewer .. In New England, a town officer whose duty it is to inspect fences to determine whether they are sufficient in law.
2. Tithingman. In New England, a parish officer annually elected to preserve good order in the church during divine service and to make complaint of a disorderly conduct.
3. Hogreaf, hog reave, hog reever - spelling not uniform. In New England, an officer formerly holding authority over hogs - an overseer of hogs; a "hog-constable." this office.
4. Pound keeper. One who has the care of a pound - a pound is an inclosure, erected by authority, in which cattle or other beasts are confined when taken in trespassing, or going at large in violation of law.
5 . Field driver. In New England, an officer whose business it is to impound cattle wan- dering in the streets.
6. Culler. An inspector who selects merchantable hoops and staves for market.
Future town meetings were held at the James Coffin Place until Nov. 2, 1812, when the school house in the first district was used for that purpose till Nov. 1, 1824, when the north meeting house- now the Old Porter Meeting House, became the town house. We will have a great deal more to say about this historic structure later.
At the second annual town meeting, held in April, 1808, two hun- dred dollars were raised to defray town expenses, one hundred for the support of schools, and five hundred dollars in labor and mater- ials for repair of highways. Labor was cheap in those days. Here's what the town officers asked to be paid for their year's service: The three selectmen, $38.07; the clerk, $1.50; the collector, $9.20; the treasurer, $2.00. Grand total, $50.77. Compare this with the town's 1956 expenditure!
IV
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Any community is dependent upon transportation for its growth and development. Meshach Libby put this indisputable logic into practice when he blazed a path between his home and the Ossipee Trail. Furthermore, his next move was to widen and smooth this path so as to make it accessible to vehicles. This naturally called for the industrious application of both time and labor; attributes within reach of this strong, young man facing a boundless future in a free country!
A clause in the contract of the proprietors' deed to the plantation stipulated that a county road be built in the area concerned, and that within a reasonable period of time - this initial road construction began soon after the proprietors' deed had been signed (1793). The building and repair of roads became the leading problems of the day. At the April 4, 1802 meeting, it was voted to raise two hundred dol- lars "in labor for repairing roads." And at a meeting held on Aug. 23, 1802, the road, previously laid out, between the village and the northern limit of Meshach Libby's lot, was "accepted." This was the first "highway" built by taxation. At the meeting, just men- tioned, another road construction was voted upon, namely; to repair the Ossipee Trail between the village and the Maine-New Hampshire state line. At a meeting held on Sept. 7, 1802, it was voted to ex- tend the first-named road to the home of Stephen Libby-the name, "T. C. Libby," on the Porter map of 1875, designates the place. Furthermore, by consulting this map and the modern topographic map of Porter, one is impressed by the intricate network of high- ways and byways in the town.
Gates were kept across all roads until 1802, when an exception
33
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
was made to the county road; this to be kept free from gates or bars throughout the year.
Two great changes took place in 1805; both having an important bearing on the town of Porter. One concerned the New England currency: The change from pounds, shillings and pence, to dollars, cents and mills. The other change concerned the county of York: The General Court of Massachusetts divided York county into two districts in 1799; the Great Ossipee River acting as the natural boundary. The northern district got its own Probate Court and Reg- istry of Deeds at Fryeburg. This arrangement existed until 1805, when the northern district was included in the newly formed county of Oxford.
The early settlers of Porter recognized the intrinsic value of an education. To them, education, in its broadest sense, meant more than the ability to read, write and cipher - it had moral and spir- itual values at well, and in accordance with this concept, the fun- damentals of an education had to be taught at home; the most sacred of all educational institutions! The first public school in this community was probably built soon after the incorporation of the plantation of Porterfield in 1802. This is evidenced by the fact that at a meeting held on April 4, 1803, it was voted to raise two hun- dred dollars for the support of schools. The plantation was divided into five school districts at a meeting held on June 13, 1803; three of which were within the present limits of Porter. The other two were in what is now the town of Brownfield. Sixty-six years later (1869) there were thirteen districts in the town of Porter.
The site of the first school house in town, according to a report furnished by a contributor to this history, was located where the R. E. McDonald (Hadlock) house now stands. This house was rudely constructed of logs with benches and seats hewn from logs. Goose quills were used for pens, and the ink was the juice of garget berries - the pokeweed (Phytolacca americana). School was maintained for only thirteen weeks out of the year. Ebenezer Blazo (1802- 1892), who once taught school in this rustic log-cabin, informs us that at one time there was an attendance of over 90 pupils, and that on many occasions he had heard his grammar class recite by the light of pitch-wood torches held in different parts of the room!
The Norton Hill Schoolhouse in 1895. This is the old school that Levi L. Cook eulogized in his "Reminiscences of School Days."
Porterfield (Lord) Schoolhouse about 1900. The two cyclists, Frank Stearns and Arthur (or Burt) Smith just happened to be present.
35
1225571 GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Inasmuch as there is a dearth of school records between 1803 and 1854 - they were probably destroyed by accidental fires, we will drop this subject matter for the present, but return to it later. In the meantime, let's examine other relevant topics.
It is a noteworthy fact that there was no settlement in the eastern section of Porter prior to 1808. Kezar Falls was, of course, non- existant. The foundation to this village was not laid until a few years after Maine had become a state. We'll have much more to say about this place in a later chapter.
The utilization of water power again comes to our attention. As previously mentioned, two sawmills were in operation as early as 1799. Although Moulton's history tells us that the first gristmill in town was built in 1793, there's a strong reason for believing that at least one mill for grinding grain was in use before that date. About this matter, Levi L. Cook wrote in 1910: "I have information coming from reliable sources that the first corn ever ground in this town by water power was ground in a little mill located on the so-called Fox Brook; a few rods westerly of the present residence of Charles K. Garland."
The need of another sawmill in town became apparent in 1804, when Stephen Libby began building his mill on the brook about half a mile above the upper Spectacle Pond - John Weeks built a mill near this site many years later. Stephen's sawmill was com- pleted in 1805, and for years did a thriving business. It must be remembered that Stephen Libby was an industrious person. He owned large tracts of timber; was the father of nineteen children - twelve boys and seven girls; he took an active part in the construc- tion of the Old Porter Meeting House; reaching the ripe old age of ninety-two years!
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