USA > Maine > Oxford County > Porter > History of Porter > Part 4
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According to all early accounts, Porter could boast of its market- able stands of timber; century-old red and white oak of excellent quality decked the hillsides; gigantic spruce and pine flourished in the rich alluvial soil of the lowlands. One notable report states that an American white pine, measuring six feet in diameter, three feet above ground, was cut down, in the early part of the past century, and left to decay on the ground where it fell. Evidently too big a tree to handle! Should you climb to the top of Libby Hill (el.
1
Colcord Lake (Colcord Pond) from Devil's Den Mountain. A slight glint from Bickford Pond appears beyond Colcord. The mountain climbers are Don and Madeline French.
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Ruins, photographed around 1900, of one of Porter's first two sawmills. This one, built in 1799, stood in the center of the village.
37
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
1040 ft.), and look toward Moulton Ridge, your eyes would scan a region eminently rich in scenic beauty; the valley between the two elevations being the locale designating the spot where the majestic pine - the monarch of the forest, reared its exalted countenance toward the sky!
Let me reiterate and emphasize the fact that these sawmills were actually a boon to farming and the building industry. Lumbering created an interest in clearing the land preparatory to cultivation - agriculture is, as we all know, the mainstay of all industries!
V
EARLY CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS
Although assiduously engaged in arduous work, most of the people of Porter, being genuinely pious, did not permit themselves to be- come enslaved by labor. They recognized the inestimable import- ance of the Sabbath - the day consecrated to rest and worship.
The first religious services in the plantation were held in the homes of the settlers. These assemblies were humble affairs; but what they lacked in pomp and circumstance were amply compen- sated by religious fervor and kindheartedness!
The first church organization (Congregational) had its origin in October, 1804; its members living in the northern section of the plantation and the adjoining Brownfield. Rev. Jacob Rice (1741- 1824), a Harvard College graduate, from Henniker, N. H., was in- stalled as pastor. His year's salary was, according to agreement, a bushel of wheat a year from each member. Rev. Rice became sud- denly ill while delivering a sermon in a schoolhouse - used as a church, and died a few hours later.
On a tombstone in Brownfield Center Cemetery we read the fol- lowing epitaph:
"Rev. Jacob Rice Died Feb. 1, 1824. Age 84 yrs. On sabbath morn while at his post He fell and yielded up the ghost. One half his message not yet said, Ere he was numbered with the dead."
A Baptist church was organized in 1806 or 1807 in the southern
39
EARLY CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS
part of the town. The Rev. Lemuel Rich of Machias, Maine, was present at this momentous event. The church records have disap- peared, but we have a list of the church members of that period - all well known to an appreciative posterity.
Elkins, Miss Nancy; married Joshua Hazeltine of Brownfield, Dec. 12, 1813.
Fox, Miss Abigail; married Oliver Stacy, Dec. 1, 1814.
Fox, Deborah, wife of John.
Fox, Miss Deborah, daughter of Deborah and John; married Thomas Howard.
Fox, Jemima, wife of Elijah Fox.
Fox, Abigail, wife of Edward Fox.
Knowles, Daniel and wife Mary.
Libby, James, son of Mary and Stephen Libby.
Libby, John, son of preceding.
Libby, Mary, wife of Stephen Libby.
Libby, Meshach.
Libby, Simeon and wife Hannah.
Libby, Mary, Jemima, Sally; 18, 16, 12 years, respectively-daugh- ters of Stephen and Mary Libby.
Mason, Tryphene, wife of John Mason.
Nutter, Charles, husband of Olive (nee Taylor).
Since this congregation had no settled minister, pastors from other churches were requested to contribute their service. Among these Churchmen were: Rev. Rice of Machias; Rev. Locke of Hollis; Rev. Kinsman of Limerick; and others.
The Free Will Baptist Church, founded by Elder Benjamin Ran- dall (d. 1808), was formed in Porter by Elder John Buzzell of Par- sonsfield, some time after 1808, but not later than 1818 or 1819 at the latest. The names of the first members of this organization are:
Brooks, Misses Lucy and Betsey.
French, Jacob and wife Mary. French, William and wife Kezia.
Hodsdon, Bethany, wife of Samuel. Mason, Betsey, wife of John 2d.
Pearl, Catharine, wife of Joseph.
Stacy, Ruth, wife of John.
L to R-
ELDER HOUSE
ELDER C. K.WARD
ELDER STORER
ELDER
ELDER
ELDER ELDER CHADBOURNE Wm. COTTON H.WENTWORTH
ELDEBLLOCK
PHOTO BY
ABRAM WARD NO. SEBACO"
ME.
Early Elders who Preached the Gospel in the Porter Old Meeting House.
41
EARLY CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS
Stanley, Joseph and wife Eunice.
Stanley, William and wife Susannah.
Tibbetts, Henry and wife Hannah.
These were the men and women who helped to build one of the most historic structures in New England - the Porter Old Meeting House; erected in 1819; dedicated in 1820; rededicated on Sunday, September 6, 1953.
The foundation of the Old Porter Meeting House was laid in 1819, and the actual work of construction began at the time of its dedication in 1820, but for some reason the work was suspended in 1821 or 1822. The work was resumed in 1824, however, following the town meeting held on April 5th of that year, when it was voted to raise $400.00 for the purpose of finishing the building. Fortu- nately, we have an eyewitness account of the actual process, coming from a most trustworthy source; the narrator being, Elias Gould (1815-1910), the youngest son of Bartholomew Gould (1774-1855). Elias came to Porter with his father in 1821, at the age of seven years. The present writer got the information from the pen of Levi Libby Cook (1866-1939), the great, great grandson of Stephen Libby.
Elias Gould distinctly remembered the many trips he and his fa- ther made with a yoke of oxen hauling "pumpkin" pine boards from Stephen Libby's sawmill to the place on John Libby's lot where the meeting house was under construction. He related an instance that occured at the "raising" of the framework of the building. This particular circumstance is of interest because of the poise and cour- age required for its performance. It was an old custom for someone, who had steady nerves, to walk the entire length of the ridgpole ("running pole"), then back again - this was the outstanding fea- ture of the "frame-raising ceremony." And who, do you think, per- formed this feat at the meeting house? Why, our old friend, Stephen Libby - known among the old settlers as "Leftenant" Libby! He was 61 years of age then!
At the town meeting held on April 5, 1824, mentioned previously, it was voted "to give Elder James Sawyer a call to preach the gospel." He accepted the "call," hence became the first settled minister in the town. How long he held his office, is not given, but the church was for many years thereafter without a settled minister.
42
HISTORY OF PORTER
In the March 18, 1909 issue of "The Ossipee Valley Weekly," Levi L. Cook wrote: "In the summer of 1881, this ancient and rev- vered edifice was shorn of the most intrinsic ornament; the pulpit in which has stood many of the most influential advocates of Chris- tianity for five generations was taken down." In the next paragraph he gives a description of this "antique affair." But the reader can form his or her own opinion about the pulpit now, inasmuch as it was recovered, in 1953, by the present writer, and restored to its original condition by Mr. Eugene C. Quint, the famous wood carver of Kezar Falls. More about this Old Porter Meeting House and its venerable pulpit anon.
May 20, 1816, was an important date to the District of Maine in general and to the town of Porter in particular. William French, as a juror from Porter, attended the United States court at Portland on that eventful day. A vote for the separation of Maine from Massa- chusetts and the establishment of statehood was passed unanimously. But not until March 3, 1820, did Congress admit Maine into the Union.
The year, 1816, also brought about some strange weather in Maine, known as "The Year without a Summer." Deacon William Went- worth of Brownfield kept a record of weather conditions in his town, and here is what he had to say about it: "There was some snow on the 6th, 7th and 8th of June; a frost on the 30th of June, July 9th, and August 22d." Everything, except rye, was injured by the frost; this naturally brought about severe privations throughout the state, especially during the winter of 1816-1817.
H.J. PIKER
What was formerly the first church in Kezar Falls - see text herein for further data. The building has since been converted into the Garner Gymnasium, and the local Fire House.
Ridlon Bros. Store in 1905. Standing in front of counter, left to right, are Carroll Wales, Merton Gentleman, Will Tarbox, and Dr. Magnus Ridlon, then a stud- ent at Bowdoin College. In the rear are Benjamin Ridlon at left, and Walter Ridlon, business partners.
VI
POSTMASTERS: PORTER VILLAGE AND KEZAR FALLS
The population of the Plantation of Porterfield in 1880 is said to have been 272 souls - the nearest post office was at the village of Saco! In 1820, thirteen years after a part of Porterfield had been incorporated into a town - the town of Porter, and the year when Maine was admitted to the Union as a part of the Missouri Com- promise, Porter had 486 inhabitants - a rise of only 114 in twenty years! What the town lacked in quantity, it made up for in quality, as substantiated by the Italian proverb: "He who goes slowly goes far and goes long." For several years prior to 1822, the good people of Porter had to go to the post office on Middle Road, Parsonsfield, to receive, or post, their mail. On December 21, 1822, however, Porter got its first post office. A big step forward! Postage stamps first came into use in 1852, by an act of Congress.
The National Archives and Records Service ( Washington 25, D. C.) presents the following information about the post office at Porter:
"According to records of the Post Office Department now in our custody, the post office at Porter was established as Porter's Bridge on December 21, 1822. Its name was changed to Porter on Decem- ber 31, 1835. Names of postmasters and dates of their appointments were:
James Coffin Willaim Towle, Jr.
Jane Coffin Ebenezer Blazo, Jr. John Higgins Ebenezer Blazo, Jr. William Stanley
December 21, 1822 August 20, 1823 March 31, 1830 December 29, 1830 December 5, 1839
December 11, 1843
June 16, 1853
--
25 .160
The center of Porter Village in 1953. What was formerly Wentworth's black- smith shop is on the left close to Mill Brook.
POST OFFICE.
IN FORTER, 180G
Post Office and Store, 1910 - the oldest building in Porter at the time. Built in 1806. Left to right: Wirt Cross, Lester Wentworth, Al Stanley, Sam Blazo, Postmaster, Harry Blazo, Unidentified, Jacob Wiggin, Henry Wilson.
46
HISTORY OF PORTER
James French, Jr.
Ebenezer Blazo
Annie M. French
Amos Blazo
Amos F. Mason
David A. Redlon
Samuel C. Blazo
October 22, 1908
Charles W. Cole
January 15, 1917 December 1, 1921
May H. Hadlock
Ophelia M. Hadlock
December 14, 1921
Jens K. Johanson
Mrs. Sarah C. Chase Arnold D. Chase (acting)
October 7, 1922 June 21, 1946 August 30, 1956
The same source of information -- National Archives and Records Service informs us that, "a post office was established at Kezar Falls, York County, on December 14, 1839. Names of postmasters and dates of their appointments were:
Flanders Newbegin
December 14, 1839
Calvin F. Bonney
December 14, 1848
Gideon M. Randall
John W. Randall
William T. Sargent
William G. Davis
Walter H. Newbegin
August 6, 1851 March 5, 1862 March 24, 1865 April 21, 1879 June 14, 1893 June 16, 1897
Preston J. Stanley
Orman L. Stanley W. H. Newbegin
Rita C. Batchelder
December 16, 1902 July 29, 1913 February 11, 1918 September 28, 1918
Ellsworth W. Sawyer
Mrs. Mabel S. Sawyer (acting)
May 14, 1932
Arnold Chase July 1, 1933
June 29, 1857 August 3, 1861 February 20, 1886 July 10, 1889 March 17, 1903 February 20, 1906
Sewell H. MacDaniel (still serving in 1956) July 1, 1939
VII
THE GREAT RATTLESNAKE HUNT
The year, 1820, is also kept green in Porter because of a "rattle- snake hunt" that was staged on Rattlesnake Mountain. Rattlers were found everywhere within the borders of Porter up to the time of the following incident. It was spring, and a bright sun beat upon the crags and ledges of Rattlesnake Mountain, the favorite haunt of the rattlesnake. Oliver Stacy and a neighbor, both carrying firearms, grimly set out to reduce the number of these venomous reptiles; and so successful were they that within an hour eleven rattlers were sent to the happy hunting grounds! One hundred and fifteen years have passed since the last rattler decided to leave Porter.
The reader would undoubtedly be interested in knowing more about Oliver Stacy -- the intrepid pioneer who not only freed Porter from venemous serpents, but also contributed years of his time and labor toward promoting the welfare of his town and the "Ship of State."
Oliver Stacy was born in Berwick, Sept. 30, 1792; the eldest child of John and Ruth Gould Stacy. He moved with his parents into Porter in 1804. He held the office of Selectman in Porter in 1828, 1829, 1832, 1833, 1834; was representative to the Legislature in 1863. He and his first and second wives; Abigail and Apphia, respectively, rest in the Moses Stacy Lot, Riverside Cemetery, Kezar Falls.
The never-ending work of building and repairing roads has always been a debatable subject -- almost as controversial as religion and politics! From the viewpoint of the historian, the methods em- ployed by our forefathers hold the most fascinating appeal. These thoroughfares usually followed the course of least resistance. Ani- mal trails were, in many instances, adopted and developed by primi-
48
HISTORY OF PORTER
tive man -- the early settlers, however, possessing more ingenuity than their predecessors, made further improvements. A swamp or bog, for instance, was not regarded as an insurmountable obstacle, but unhesitatingly bridged by means of logs laid side by side transverse- ly across the spongy or miry land. All right for horse-drawn vehicles. Modern road constructors occasionally come upon these corduroy roads, Small streams were spanned by huge blocks of stone brought from the nearest ledge, whereas the water courses that were too wide to be bridged by such means were forded. We still enjoy these rus- tic bridges and fording places on our leisurely walks along the aban- doned roads in Porter.
The years 1827, 1828, 1829 and 1830 were chiefly concerned with road-building, and $3,000.00 were voted to be used for labor and material in the construction of the county road between the town of Hiram and the New Hampshire-Maine boundary. And what were the wages and hours of work? Each man was paid twelve and one- half cents per hour for himself and the same for a yoke of oxen! The working-day in those "good, old times" was from sunrise to sunset! The modern eight-hour day was undreamt of - there were no labor unions!
No sooner had this project been completed than another one con- fronted the townspeople. To build a bridge across the Great Ossipee at the Falls became a hotly debated problem. By 1833, however, this question had also been settled, and that to the satisfaction of all concerned. A "pier' bridge was built across the mighty stream; financed through subscription. It was swept away by the freshet of 1868. A covered bridge took its place in 1869, at a cost to the town of Porter, $1,632.15.
VIII
THE OX
A book of unique verse came out in 1833; called by its author, Thomas Randall, "The Farmer's Meditations or Shepherd's Songs." As the reader already knows, Randall's father, Thomas Randall, came to the plantation of Porter in 1793, and was listed as a citizen in 1803; he subsequently moved to Eaton - the first settler of Eaton was Joseph Snow. Thomas Randall, the poet, was probably born in Eaton, N. H., inasmuch as he is mentioned as "A Resident of Eaton, N. H." in the Preface to his volume of poems, published by William Burr, Printer, in Limerick, Maine. He lived to a great age, spending most of his life in the town of Parsonsfield. His "Poem XII," bearing the title, "The Ox," is given here in its entirety.
"God made the earth with all its flocks, The grow'ling swine, the docile ox; He made them all for noble use, Tho' many suffer great abuse.
2 The ox was made in aid of men, To draw his wood, to plow his land; Submissively he draws his load, And in his labor chews his cud.
3 His tallow serves to make us light, (A fine assistant to the sight.) His meat is rare, it's what we choose; His hide is always good for shoes.
50
HISTORY OF PORTER
4 His horns we use to make us combs; Oil is extracted from his bones. The ox we view with great delight, And love to taste his tender tripe.
5 His liver, too, it is confess'd, Is excellent, if rightly dress'd. His hair, when mixed well with lime, It plasters well on oak or pine.
6 His gall is used for a sprain, 'Twill cure the wound and ease the pain, And if applied, you'll find it so; 'Twill help the crippled man to go.
7 His paunch, the country women, please; It's often used to fetch their cheese. (Tho' this may make the ladies laugh, It's not inferior to the calf.)
8 The tongue, that often roll'd. the cud, Combed his hair and lick'd the mud, (We can't reproach it for a lie,) It makes a most delicious pie.
9 The foot, that wore the iron shoe, Affords a juice that's good for glue; The cabinet-makers like it well, They glue their work to make it sell.
10 The steady ox the corn will nib; He knows his master and his crib; With resignation bears the yoke, Until his sweated body smoke.
11 With steady gate he braves the storm; Strong in his limbs, a noble form;
51
THE OX
His gate is quickened by the rod To plough the ground and break the sod.
12 Here I've described his partial use; Tho' oft he suffers great abuse, When tyrants beat him with a rod - Which once was thought Egyptians' god!
13 Oft tyrants beat his body sore, And heavy curses on him pour! Ten thousand evils on him wish, But still in part is human flesh.
14 Here I've described the noble ox, The first of father Adam's flocks; He is faithful, kind, and true, In every age he's passing through.
15 His use or end no one can know, How far above or deep below, What part of nature he may stand, Whether with angel, God, or man.
16 What future state he may abound, Or in what shape he will be found, We do not know, nor can we tell - On the great scale all things are well."
IX PORTER IN THE WARS
Silent leges inter arma - "The laws are silent in time of war." The Romans coined many apt epigrams, but they, like all other peo- ples of the world, rarely, if ever, acted habitually in conformity with them!
That Christ, Himself, "The Prince of Peace," did not authorize warfare, would suffice to condemn the destruction of life and prop- erty amongst rational beings, but real or fancied wrongs easily lead to retaliations - the laws that govern decent conducts are com- pletely ignored under the pressure of religious, political and military obsessions!
Since we all lament the untimely passing of those we once loved, it is but proper that we should continue to cherish their memory, inasmuch as they had fought and died for what they had been taught to regard as the only way to an everlasting peace!
The following list contains the names of the soldiers, either resi- dents in, or natives of, Porter, who served in American and foreign wars. The military records of those who served in American wars will be found in Thomas Moulton's "History of Porter;" pages 52 to 74.
Revolutionary War (1775-1783) Volunteers - 6
Samuel Brooks, James Brown, John Fox, David Moulton, Joseph Pearl, Josiah Wood.
53
PORTER IN THE WARS
War of 1812 (1812-1814) Volunteers - 28
Job Baily, William Bickford, John Brooks, Samuel Brooks, Na- thaniel Cook, Nathaniel Cook, 2d, Edward Fox, Ephraim Fox, John Hays, Jr., David Hodsdon, James Libby, John Libby, Jacob Mason, Francis Mathews, - McIntire, John Moulton, Diamond Pearl, John Pearl, Simeon Pearl, Jonathan Philbrick, Perkins Philbrick, Simeon Philbrick, Daniel Sargent, Samuel Stanley, John Thompson, Samuel Tibbetts, Hugh Tucker, Jr., Daniel Wentworth.
Mexican War (1846-1848) Volunteers - 7
Samuel Brooks, 3d, Edward Fox, George W. Kennard, George W. Pearl, James Peters, Thomas B. Peters, Jonathan Stacy.
Civil War
(1861-1865) Volunteers - 82
Ivory H. Banks, John Berry, Isaac Bickford, Ezra Blazo, Benja- min F. Cole, Erastus W. Bradeen, John C. Bridges, John M. Brooks, John W. Cole, Joseph B. Cook, Thaddeus W. Coolbroth, William J. Coolbroth, Samuel Danforth, Joseph M. Davis, Wentworth Day, Joseph Downs, Henry D. Durgin, John B. Duroy, Ira Floyd, Os- good F. Floyd, William F. Foster, Albion P. Fox, Daniel J. Fox, David M. Fox, George Henry Fox, James L. Fox, Jonathan Fox, 2d., Lorenzo D. Fox, William W. Fox, John Fox, Charles French, Daniel D. French, Lorenzo D. French, Randall French, William H. French, William H. Garland, Joseph O. Gentleman, Elias R. Gibbs, Samuel N. Gibbs, William Kimball, George W. Lewis, Randall Libby, 2d., John Lord, Samuel McDonald, John Moulton, Jr., Moses F. Norton, William G. Norton, Isaac Pearl, Joshua R. Pearl, Oliver T. Peters, Jeremiah Pugsley, Benjamin H. Ridlon, George F. Ridlon, George W. Ridlon, Joseph S. Ridlon, William Ridlon, Frank Robbins, Oren W. Rogers, William Rounds, Henry H. Sawyer, Isaac B. Sawyer, Sewell S. Sawyer, George H. Smith, Lorenzo D. Stacy, Oliver Stacy, Jr., Moses N. Stanley, Samuel Stanley, 2d., William S. Stanley, Sam-
54
HISTORY OF PORTER
uel Stewart, John Storer, Henry C. Tibbetts, Ezra Towle, Nelson Towle, Wellington Towle, William G. Towle, David Varney, Ed- ward K. Varney, William S. Weeks, Isaac D. White, John F. Wig- gin, James M. Wilkinson, Darius Wormwood.
World War I (1917-1918) 22
Fred R. Allard, Perley Sheridan Champion, Curtis L. Chick, Lord Randolph Churchill, Fred Day, George F. Day, Elmer Douglass, Harry V. Fox, George W. Gray, John W. Hallett, Nathaniel Lewis, Ralph T. Libby, Ray E. McAllister, Ralph W. Mason, Sumner A. Metcalf, Grover R. Norton, Linwood W. Rice, Burton S. Sawyer, Harold E. Stacy, Archie P. Stanley, Guy S. Wentworth, Howard Wentworth.
World War II (1939-1945) 93
Erwin Archibald, Ernest Cartland, Gordon Champion, Curtis Chapman, Frederick Chapman, Roland Chapman, James Chase, Charles Churchill, Robert Churchill, Chester Cutting, Arnold L. Day, Erwin L. Day, Erwin F. Day, Harley E. Day, Merle F. Day, Roland Day, William S. Day, Dorothy Davis, Harry Davis, Kenneth Douglas, Adrian Durgin, Maurice Durgin, Roland L. Eastman, Bernard Eastman, Howard Giles, Patricia Goodwin, Jackson Ham- mond, Clayton F. Hartford, Everett Ingraham, Fred Jones, Jr., Glen Jones, Roger E. Jordan, Raymond E. Kennard, Clifford L. Kennard, Frank E. Lewis, Laurence Lewis, Lucian Lewis, Ralph Lewis, Delwin Libby, Edward C. Libby, Everett Libby, George Libby, Harrison L. Libby, Jr., Laurence Libby, Lorry Libby, Lionel Locklin, Delbert Mason, William Mason, Carlton McDonald, Carleton McDonald, Conrad McDonald, Lloyd H. McDonald, Winfield McDonald, Mer- ton S. Meloon, David Merrifield, Eleanor Merrifield, Richard Merri- field, Chester Metcalf, Carl Mills, Dorothy Nuzzo, Eugene Perkins, Henry B. Perry, Roscoe Pease, Eugene Pierce, Harold Pierce, Lau- rence Pierce, Esther I. Ridlon, Kenneth Ridlon, Ralph Ridlon, Mabel I. Sanderson, Kermit Sargent, Allan Sawyer, Jr., Maxine
55
PORTER IN THE WARS
Sawyer, Robert B. Sawyer, Samuel S. Sawyer, William B. Sawyer, Fred Shackley, Charles Smith, Jr., Arthur F. Stacy, Wayne Stacy, Preston J. Stanley, Roger Stanley, Neal A. Taylor, Reynold Tibbetts, Vernon K. Wales, Elwin Watson, Rodney Watson, Vaughn Watson, Elwin Weeks, Laurence Weeks, Roland Wentworth, Percy Went- worth, Kenneth C. Wright.
These various wars, although fought with the customary violence of enraged men, have had a few salutary reactions upon all con- cerned. All the suffering and sorrow of the American Revolution have subsided into one lingering sigh of relief! The War of 1812, through the "Monroe Doctrine," that "the free and independent con- dition which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European power." The Mexican War was but the inevitable outcome of an overt act of U. S. aggression -- nothing less, nothing more! The Civil War, on the contrary, had, so far as the North was concerned, a higher objective in view, namely; the abolition of slavery -- they thought with Lincoln "that there can be no moral right in connec- tion with one man's making a slave of another." Moreover, "can we as a nation continue together permanently -- forever -- half slave and half free?" The Civil War was dearly won -- through indescribable suffering! The town of Porter contributed greatly in man-power to abolish the institution of slaveholding. Many of its most valorous citizens paid the supreme sacrifice! Even financially, Porter paid a. heavy price for victory. In 1862 -- at the early stage of the war, the town's debt stood at $3,475,34; in 1865, Porter's indebtedness had risen to $29,547,00 -- a formidable figure to a population of some 1,100 souls!
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