USA > Maine > Oxford County > Rumford > History of Rumford, Oxford County, Maine, from its first settlement in 1779, to the present time > Part 19
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38
Maria E
17
Sarah A.
16
Granville
14
Holland
12
Jane .
10
Amanda
6
Almena
3
S-12
Eaton, Osgood
45
Betsey
34
Abigail G
16
Laura F.
13
Henry O.
6
Cyrus Q.
5
Bent, John.
12
Eaton, Mehitable.
52
Bethia, N. H
75
Elliott, Cyrus.
40
Betsey R. 37
Caroline V 12
Elliot, Cotton, N. H
72
Gracia, Mass
66
Elliot. Thomas C.
42
Philena, N. HI. 43
Sophia ..
17
Leonard D.
14
Edward
12
Franklin
7
Aaron
3
Elliott, Jacob, N. H
Betsey, N. H 56
Josiah R., N. H. 24
John E .. N. H ..
22
Matthew G., N. H 17
Elliot, William, N. H
33
Charlotte HI. 15
Elliott, David .
53
Polly, N. H 56
Benjamin W 16
Juliette
Elliott, Nathan W
31
Lydia M.
27
Hannah M
1-12
Elliot. Joseph, Millman, N. H .. 33
Phehe H .. 32
Timothy W
Charles E.
2
Benjamin, N. H
61
Alfred, N. II.
16
Ford, Benjamin F.,
32
Lord, Mary P'
32
Seth
3
Farnum, Reuben, N. H.
49
Susan, N. H.
75
Charles
20
Farnum. Anson W.
43
Susan, Mass
40
Martha C.
IS
Daniel G.
16
Nathan W.
14
Angeline
11
Margaret M
5
Anson E
9-12
Farnum, Simon K
37
Mary J.
28
Charles W
8
Mary J
6
Sarah M.
5
Luella
3
6-12
Farnum, Merrill.
55
Louisa .
46
Sarah L.
17
Freelinghuysen
10
Farnum, Benjamin, N. H.
82
Sally, N. H.
80
Farnum, Manly
25
Elizabeth, N. H.
Alma L., Mass
3
Mary, Mass
1
Farnum, William W.
45
Betsey, G., N. H.
39
David W. 17
Dorcas A. S
William G
1
James E.
1
Moody, Levi
2.4
Farnum. John C.
30
Mary R.
26
Walter H.
1
Nutting, Gustavus
14
Farnum, Jeremiah, N. H
65
Sally, N. H
62
Emily HI
33
Walter HI . .
28
Faruum, James H
43
Clarissa 43
Juliett H . IS
Charles W.
16
Martha II.
13
Maria G.
10
207
HISTORY OF RUMFORD.
Farnum, Dana F
8
Abby L. 4
Carey, John B.
11
Farnum, Stephen, House Car-
penter
41
Sarah
43
William V. F.
19
Nancy L. V.
17
Francis J
13
Solon S
11
Flint, John
57
Joanna
55
John M.
20
Jonathan
18
Farnum, Daniel.
50
Mary W., N. H.
40
Lucy A .
16
William H.
14
Edward H.
12
Rufus V.
S
Victoria S.
4
Betsey, Mass
84
Fuller, Mary, N. H
77
Frost, William, Shoemaker
51
Dorotha.
54
Moses S.
17
Daniel G.
13
Clark B.
11
Farnum, George J., House Car-
penter
37
Hannah F
27
Mary J.
16
George L
6
Nancy J.
4
Farnum, Rodney M., N. H. 38
Elizabeth E., N. H.
37
Jane E., N. H. 14
Mary S.
4
John E.
2
Glines, David B., N. H 46
Catherine B. 41
Augusta M
17
Harriet E.
16
Catherine G.
14
David G
11
Goddard, Elisha, Mass
67
Catherine, Mass 67
Mary A.
36
Elisha F.
13
Mary K.
11
Eben T.
9
Goddard, Ephraim F., Mass. ... 34
Goddard, Mary S
36
George T ..
5
Catherine B
2
Graham, George W
36
Irene
34
Martha
13
Frances E
12
Lorette S.
õ
Aaron F.
3
Graham, Aaron, N. H.
63
Geneva .
60
Lucina A
18
Graham, John C
26
Susan M.
21
Charles H.
8-12
Goud, Robert ..
41
Eliza, N. H.
42
Cyrus K.
19
Phebe E
13
Robert F
11
James C.
7
Charles A
4
Glover, Livingston
33
Abagail
32
Oreann L
9
Ann A
S
Susannah
6
Salome T.
4
Lucius A.
1
Graham, Joshua, Merchant. 46
Sarah
33
Nancy B. 18
Philadelphia
16
Caroline C.
13
Albert L.
13
Ruth .
10
Lowell
4
Zachary T.
3
Glines, Chandler, N. H
72
Betsey, N. H.
72
Albert G., N. H.
47
Mary S. W
29
Godwin, Colman, N. H.
68
Keziah, N. H ..
58
Julia O.
29
Alvan B.
25
Cynthia
22
Mary W.
13
Bean, Erastus P.
18
Godwin, John.
54
Clarissa
55
Ajalon
26
208
HISTORY OF RUMFORD.
Peavy, Martha, Mass
ST
Howe, Calvin
4S
Thirsa
44
Frances A
21
Mark 'T.
19
Lucretia
17
Julia
15
Clara E
13
Emma
12
Mary J.
10
Alden C.
9
Nancy
Alethea
6
Catherine S
Susan K.
.
Rosilla
1
Howe, Otis Jr
31
Sarah S
21
Martha A 3
Diana M.
1
Howe. Otis. Mass.
56
Betsey B., N. H
47
Amos A., House Carpenter 29
Salome
26
Nancy K
24
Julia
Sarah E.
17
John H.
20
Charles F
15
Edward K
12
Mary E.
1
Hall, Kimball. N. H
46
Delia G
42
John K.
17
Phebe L.
14
Abigail D
12
Nancy M.
Mary L.
3
Betsey C.
1
Hopkins, Eliphalet S., Con. Cler- gyman .. 38
Mary A., Mass. 38
Joseph I.
9
Charles T.
G
Frederick W.
1
Mary E
Hodgdon, Daniel.
48
Mary R
37
Am M.
12
Samuel R.
0
Howard. Thomas J
Olive ..
40
Humphrey B.
23
Elias.
17
Howard, Huldah B
15
Orinthia
13
Thomas J. Jr
12
Charles K.
10
John R. .
8
Rodney F.
6
Sylvanus P.
4
Olive
. 6-12
Hemminway, Francis, Cooper,
Mass ....
73
Rebecca, N. B.
72
Howard, Asa S.
43
Betsey S
34
Henry F.
13
Mary W
11
Asa
9
Charles W
7
Abby M.
1
Virtue
3S
Hinkson, Aldana
30
Gracia A.
30
Loring K.
4
Elizabeth M
3
Charles F.
1
Hall, Daniel, N. UJ
58
Sally. Mass.
59
Henry S.
17
Hoyt, Jesse, N. H
55
Abigail,
55
Sylvanus. N. H
2S
Andrew J.,
26
Abigail,
24
Nial,
20
Patrick,
Mary E.
17
Loretta
.1
14
Lucebia.
11
Hall, Jeremiah, N. H.
GS
Betsey ..
58
Jeremiah
21
Howe, George W.
3S
Deborah, N. HI
76
Hall, Joseph, N. HI
68
Judith,
.6
66
Hall, Joshua 'T
44
Charlotte M.
36
Eugene M
10
Hinkson, JJohn.
47
Sarah .
15
Chestina W
10
HISTORY OF RUMFORD. 209
Hardy, Zebediah, N. H. 60
Sarah, N. H. 56
Asa 33
Charles H.
20
Napoleon B.
13
Martha J.
Ackley, Charles
3
Holt, Alonzo, N. H. 41
Abigail
39
John N:
S
Emily P
6
James.
5
10-12
Holt, Timothy, N. H
48
Nancy, N. H. 45
Robert S., N. HI 22
Chauncey
20
David
17
Hannah N.
13
Chloe
10
George L.
6
John W.
4
7-12
David, N. H.
76
.
Chloe, N. H.
79
Howe, John, Mass
58
Nancy
49
Rufus
21
Horace
19
John
16
Lucinda .
13
Nancy E
5
Hutchins, Joseph 42
Mary
36
Joel .
18
Nancy
16
Asa 11
Hutchins, Benjamin F 32
Deborah 32
Eliphalet H 9
Hezekiah E 4
7-12
Mulligan, Mary A., N. Y.
11
Hutchins, Hezekiah, N. H.
79
Hutchins, Frye H., Innholder .. 40
Abigail, N. H 31
Alice J. 13
George H
S
David, N. H. 81
Betsey, N. H. 68
Abbott, Moses B.
48
Hutchins, Elijah B.
23
Jones, John, Meth. Clergyman. 31
Mary
Susan M. 6
George D.
3
Jackson, Benjamin, Tailor
36
Sarah, N. HI .
31
Dolly M .
14
Ezekiel E., N. H.
12
Silvester S.
9
Benjamin Jr
6
1
Kimball, Robert. Mass
55
Virtue
17
Lucinda B
Adam W
17
Dana L.
7
Richardson, Columbus
14
Kimball, David
59
Lucy, Mass
57
Amanda, C.
30
Columbia
25
Juliette W
24
William W
22
David W. 20
Virgil
18
Lucy A . .
16
Elizabeth W
14
Kimball. Porter, Blacksmith, Mass. 56
Nancy
50
Charles H., Teacher
21
Small. Henry K.
2
Kimball, Moses F
60
Mary
58
Arabella C.
20
Kimball, Asa. 26
Geneva G. 28
Frederick C
3
Knight, Winslow
18
Kimball, Charles A. 33
Elizabeth
34
Charles W
11
Adelaide .
S
Caroline W
4
Ackley, Cynthia.
14
Kyle, William, V 67
Susan
60
Knapp, David.
40
Clarissa
37
David S.
11
Mary A. G
9
James H. F.
7
Laura F.
4
Knapp, Enoch
39
Eliza . .. 34
29
Helen E.
13
Caroline M.
11
14
210
HISTORY OF RUMFORD.
Knapp, Charles A
S
Orissa P. 2
Kidder, Burt, Mass.
28
Harriet C., Mass
25
Kenniston, James
46
Fanny
45
Lois
21
Diantha
18
Lovina
12
Norris
10
Arvilla
6
Lovejoy. Abial, Mass 66
Lucretia, Mass 57
Martha T.
25
Cecelia P.
22
Henry A
19
Lufkin, Alfred. 32
Dorcas
30
Charles A E.
G
Flora R. I. 4
George E. A 2
Lufkin, Pamela. 60
Addison.
Nathaniel 20
Horatio
17
Lufkin, Eliphalet E., N. H. 37
Mary R
30
Laura A . 7
Emery E
6
Henry II.
5
Mary A.
3
Elisha R
1
Lufkin, JJacob. 60
Eleanor, N. H. 56
Sanmel 13
Kidder, Jeremiah, Mass
34
Lufkin, Joseph, N. H. 64
Lornhama 58
Merrit N. 22
Mary A. 19
Lufkin, Oren H 27
Fidelia 26
Lovejoy. JJacob.
12
Lufkin, Nathan S. 26
Elizabeth
2.4
Clara E. 4
Horace R.
1
Lang. William, N. HI 59
William P., N. H 30
Melinda H., N. H.
18
Mercy C., N. HI.
16
Dearborn, Comfort, N. H.
81
Lovejoy, Christopher.
3S
Betsey .
38
Lucestia
10
Alvan B.
S
Lyman.
G
Harriet
1
1
Mehitable, Mass
Martin, Henry
51
Sarah, N. HI. 50
John II.
24
Sarah A. 21
Lydia A. 19
Lyman R. 17
Jeremiah W 12
Richard E.
10
Maria C. L.
4
Morse, Elijah
45
Lovina S. 39
William G . . 20
Stedman D. 17
Sarah F.
13
Elias A.
3
MeCrillis, James, N. II.
56
Sally, N. H. 50
George
22
Noalı
17
Lydia 15
Aseenath. 14
Phebe K. 12
Arvilla . .
10
Lyman R.
3
Martin, Jeremiah 50
Nancy. N. H. 49
Jonathan K. 21
Frances E. 19
Nancy
17
Willard, Julia .
10
Martin, William G.
36
Louisa L ..
37
Clinton W.
S-12
Martin, David G 33
Sarah G.
34
Daniel, N. H.
77
Morton, Alfred, Harness Maker 24
Mary A.
20
Mary A.
1
Martin. Daniel, Jr 42
Isabella C. 37
Betsey G.
16
Mary A
13
211
HISTORY OF RUMFORD.
Martin, Julia A
10
Edwin G. 7
James M. . 5
Winfield S.
3
Mansur.
Warren, Shoemaker,
Mass ..
46
Elvira, N. II
38
Thomas H.
12
George E
8
Mary J .
6
Susan F
4
John W.
1
Morse, William,
Blacksmith,
Mass ..
75
Sally, Mass
69
Moody, William 51
Laura
45
Jane T.
23
Mary
21
Eliza
10
Samuel L.
2
Morse, William M
33
Betsey M.
26
James S.
6-12
Morse, Dolly, N. H.
76
Clarissa
39
Moor, Wade
62
Betsey
53
Caroline
18
Sarah B
16
William
12
Heury
7
Sarahı
5
Martin, John 15
Arvilla . 12
Henry 14
Franklin
12
Abigail
11
.
Charles K
9
Mary E.
Jobin W.
7
Betsey C. 1
Kimball, Mass 75
Rebecca G
42
Hannah .
30
Esther K.
20
Monroe, Charles W 33
Abigail
24
Charles
8-12
Lufkin, Horatio
17
Newton. Sylvester
47
Susan, N. H.
47
Newton, Stephen H
23
Laura F.
1S
Benjamin F
19
Clarinda
16
Maria
9
Charles
7
Emma
4
Newton, Cyrus P.
23
Martin, Kimball, Blacksmith. 38
Lydia H . .
32
Rachel J.
13
Charles V
11
Asa A.
7
Putnam, Samuel, N. H.
82
Betsey, Mass.
66
Ivy A .
29
Martha C.
27
Mary
25
John F.
17
Francis M.
7
Poland, John. 46
Elizabeth
32
Hezekiah B 20
Aurelia T.
18
Martha B.
16
Rosalie E. 10
Ann M .. 8
Amanda T.
6
William S. 1
Alice J.
2
.
child .
. 3-12
Peabody, Loammi, Blacksmith, N. H. 40
Sally B. 33
Franklin D. 16
Philena
13
George H
4
Parker, Josiah, Mass
58
Keziah B
43
Eliza W ..
19
Charles D
13
Irvin B.
10
Juliette F
5
Putnam, Benjamin E
4S
Deborah . 44
Mahala M.
21
James
17
Benjamin P
14
Putnam, Stephen, N. H
85
Sally, N. H.
78
Daniel F
37
Elizabeth
13
.
1
212
HISTORY OF RUMFORD.
Putnam, Jacob
56
Betsey
56
Dana B., Teacher
24
Drusilla F.
21
William F., Cabinet Maker
18
Francis P.
14
Elliott, Imogene M.
Putnam, Sarah E.
26
Putnam, Jesse, N. H.
53
Polly
52
Edwin A
20
Solon T.
15
Jeremiah.
18
Philbrick, Stephen.
46
Ann W.
45
Mary A
20
Stephen W
18
Harriet
15
Rothelsa
9
Perry, Enoch, Mass
63
Reliance
50
Silvanus
21
Caroline C. .
19
Christopher C.
15
Lewis M.
6
Perry, George W.
28
Susan V
Russell, Theodore.
35
Lucy G.
36
Amanda A. 12
Melissa G.
8
Alonzo P.
6
Alphonso F
3
3-12
Dore, Charles
15
Russell, Tabitha 67
Richardson, Asa
32
Sarah .. 26
Mary A. G. 3
3-12
Ripley, Joseph 57
Betsey, Mass 54
Arvilla
23
John B.
19
Betsey M
17
Joseph L
15
Mills, Solon 11
7
Rawson, Lyman, Lawyer. 50
Jerusha
46
Ellen J
15
Louisa
14
Ralph L
12
Rawson, Mary H
10
Florence
6
Lane, Charles
16
Adams, Susan.
58
Roberts. Thomas, Physician
44
Harriet M.
42
Ann S ..
14
Lawson G.
11
Sidney I . .
S
Euthalins C
6
Euthalia W.
6
Richards, Thomas, N. H.
46
Pamela
54
Ricker, Hiram.
39
Jeanette W
29
Edward P.
3
Richardson, Jeremiah
44
Harriet, N. II. 44
Amanda J. 19
Mahala K.
18
Bartlett E.
16
German 14
Sophia S. 12
Rosina 11 8
Brittania
5
Scott W
Am A
1
Rolfe, John E 45
Joanna S 32
Henrietta
10
Henry A. J.
S
Susan M. V.
1
Rolfe, Henry C
51
Dorcas
46
Charles H
20
Arvilla W.
9
Wheeler, Abel. N. H.
76
Betsey
75
Richardson, John, N. H
63
Mehitable, N. H.
57
Harriet E.
33
Samuel
31
Roberts, Joseph H
28
Harriet 30
Mary E.
4
George W
1
Ray, George A., Mass.
30
Lucy C.
Edwin F.
4
Harriet C.
4-12
Ray, Elijah, Mass.
65
Elizabeth, Mass.
63
213
HISTORY OF RUMFORD.
Ray, Sarah M.
21
Herman
A
19
Alonzo B. 14
Richmond, Eliab 64
Sally
61
Benjamin F
30
William C.
22
Aurelia M.
16
Richardson, Joseph
43
Eda ..
32
Mary J.
8
Betsey A
5
Sarah F.
3
3-12
Hinkson, Esther
Ricker, Thomas N., Blacksmith 36
Mary E.
34
Rosina E
10
Mary A.
8
Charles H.
5
Delphina
3
Hoit, Patrick
22
Richardson, Hazen, N. H
47
Mary, N. H.
49
Charles, N. H.
18
Sarah J., N. H.
17
Sophronia, N. H.
15
Prudence
11
Emily
8
Albert
6
Rolfe, John, N. H
65
Betsey, Mass
62
Benjamin M.
32
Henry L
28
Clara
20
Oscar D.
17
Simpson, Paul R., N. H. 59
Hannah
53
Willard E.
25
Paul B., Carpenter
23
John D., Carpenter
22
Hannah M.
19
Segar, John E. 47
Lydia
46
Ambrose C. 16
Jonathan M. 13
Jarvis M.
S
Stevens, Edward. 40
Sybil 40
Edwin 12
Henry
10
Aaron .
S
Frederick
6
George
3
Silver, Daniel
42
Sarah .
39
David H.
17
George M
14
Savina M
11
Sarah J.
S
Pascal F.
6
Andrew W
1
Small, Sumner
32
Eliza .
33
Fanny
7
Albert
6
Coral
3
Abby
1
Small, Cyrus 34
Polly
37
James P.
S
Charles V.
6
Lucien
2
Lucy A.
3
Smith, Africa, Blacksmith 40
Mary, Mass.
40
Erskine C., Blacksmith .. 15
Uriah H ..
13
Lyman G
11
Sidney
8
Sewall
7
Mary A.
3
Child
1
Stevens, Ruth.
60
William T.
18
Samuel B., Teamster
21
Silver, James 41
Sarah
37
Cordelia
18
George
16
Adeline
13
Frances .
11
Annette
Clara
6
Emma
8-12
Small, Joseph P., Shoemaker .. 45 Pamela 34
Sarah M.
16
Pamela
11
Oreann
9
Morris M
7
Stevens, Nancy
43
Viola
19
Mercy
16
Susan
9
Swain, John, House Carpenter. 29 Sally W ....... 21
214
HISTORY OF RUMFORD.
Swain, John, Mass
56
Rebecca.
51
Levi .
24
Roxanna
20
Edwin
15
Philona
14
Loring
12
Mary, Mass
S5
Swain, Hiram
27
Elizabeth
22
Lucina R.
1
Silver, Hezediah, N. H
51
Lucy G., N. H
43
Jeannette B. 21
Orren B ..
18
Mary A. B
16
Hannah B.
12
Jonathan B
9
George W. T
6
Silver, Charles II.
25
Harriet M.
23
Silver, Sally, Mass
54
Solomon
24
Martha J.
18
Charles H.
16
Green, Ansel W.
14
Margaret.
11
Stevens, Mary S., Mass
46
Betsey K.
Mary J.
16
Martha J.
14
Frances R
13
Segar, Allen.
57
Achsa, Vt
50
Mary E.
15
Milton H.
12
Dana B.
8
Trumbull, Mary G
47
Martin, William
9
Tyler, William.
32
Sally
36
Madison M.
Martin, Kimball
6
Solomon
5
Taylor, William, N. H
26
Mehitable P.
21
Alineda T.
3
Miranda L.
S-12
Thompson, John, Mass
75
Elizabeth .
4-4
Robert R., Civil Engineer 27 Belinda D.
Thompson, Margaret
21
Thomas E.
19
Charles
15
Thompson, Peter A.
47
Wealthy
48
Sarah
20
John
17
Emily
14
Ezra 8
Thomas, John
39
Lydia
36
John L.
16
Triphena
13
Wilson
10
Warren B. S
Susan M. 6
Lewis A.
4
Lydia S.
2
3-12
Barrett, Reuben, N. H.
73
Sarah, N. H. .
69
Virgin, Bazen
38
Phebe
49
Abbott, Esther
4S
Trumbull, Joseph, N. H .
69
Virgin. Peter C., Lawyer, N. H. 66
Sally ..
57
Doreas C.
16
Keyes, Ophelia.
14
Virgin, Ebenezer, N. H.
5G
Sarah .
49
Sarah
10
Virgin, Benjamin.
34
Eunice
29
Clara F. 6
Aaron
63
Polly
57
Elvira .
36
Virgin, Ebenezer 2d.
34
Ruth P., N. HI.
30
Solon
1
Mary K.
Sarah M.
Susan M.
John W.
9-12
Polly, N. H.
69
Richardson, Ransom
19
Virgin, Osgood E
50
Clarissa
48
IIazen G.
17
Virgin, Stanley M.
25
Louisa F.
25
215
HISTORY OF RUMFORD.
Virgin, Rufus, N. H.
58
Susan
56
Chaplin, Wheelwright
30
Abbott ...
28
Susan M.
21
Albert
19
Virgin, Peter
46
Mary A.
44
George, Manufacturer. .
24
Edwin, Manufacturer.
20
Charles, Manufacturer
16
Paulina, Manufacturer ...
12
Augusta
10
8
Lucy
Franklin
4
Maria .
2
Virgin, Charles E., N. H.
43
Diantha .
43
Rebecca B.
15
William
16
Nancy, N. H
70
Virgin, William B.
26
Irene
26
1
Woods, Nathaniel
41
Lois E ..
41
Charles E.
17
Caroline A
14
Leonard M.
11
Horace F.
9
Sarah A.
3
Wood, Samuel H.
25
Elizabeth, Mass
57
John R . .
23
Thomas A
15
Wardwell, Jeremiah. Cabinet
Maker
40
Jeanette
38
Mary J .
19
Martha
12
Emily .
7
Wardwell, Lydia, N. H
56
Win. H., Portrait Painter, 30
Jarvis C., Carriage Trim- mer 20
Spofford
H.,
Cabinet
Maker
19
Wardwell, Lydia J.
16
Elizabeth S.
14
Walker, Timothy, N. H
37
Luna
39
Sarah
14
Charles
12
Hannah
10
Cynthia
5
1
Susan
Winslow, Francis
35
Susan M.
30
Simon
3
6-12
Washburn, James, Mass
54
Lavina
40
Martha T.
21
Angela M
17
James E. .
10
Randall, Francis E
2
Washburn, Tristram N
32
Nancy S.
35
Martin B.
8
Hiram K.
5
Wheeler, Deborah D
38
Ann V. A.
15
Charles F.
7
Wyman, Henry H.
36
Mary
37
Eliza J.
14
James H.
12
Benjamin B 10
Dorrington 8
Martha 6
Nancy W.
1
Samuel S.
3
Warren, Nathaniel S.
50
Parney .
47
William S. 19
Charles
16
Trueman S.
13
Sarah J
12
Olive H 10
Lydia 8
Jeanette
6
Nathaniel
3
. .
...
Augustus ....
1
CHAPTER XXXV.
GLEANINGS.
HE early settlers were greatly annoyed by bears carrying off their sheep and lambs, and also by destroying the standing corn. When corn is in the milk. as it is called, and before it begins to harden, bears are very fond of it, and in securing it. they will tread down and destroy much more than they can eat. They were hunted and destroyed in large numbers, but the supply was always unfailing. Rufus Virgin, who lived near Rumford Falls, one day, when at work in his field, saw some animal walking in the road about fifty rods off, which he at first thought was a large dog. But when the animal left the road, climbed over the fence and started for the woods, he knew it was a bear. He went to the house, and his wife immediately started off for help to come and surround the piece of woods into which the bear had gone. A number of men soon arrived armed with clubs, pitch-forks or shot-guns, and accom- panie d by a number of dogs. They were stationed at different points around the woods, and in the road to prevent him from taking to the river. The word was given, and the dogs on being let loose, made their way as fast as possible into the woods. There was soon a medley of barks and growls, and then came a shout from the side of the woods next the river, followed by the report of fire-arms and the brandishing of clubs, and the bear hastily retreated into the woods from which he had been driven by the dogs, in doing which, he went so near Paul Simpson that he touched him with his hat. After being driven back and forth through the woods for several times, the bear ran down to the foot of the hill where Rufus Virgin was stationed. Virgin had a gun called the Queen's Arms, charged with an ounce bullet, which he raised and fired, and the ball passed through the bear just back of his fore-shoulders, but did not bring him down. The wounded beast rushed between two trees leaving blood on each of them, and was soon over the fence into the road. Ilere the dogs attacked him, but he made short work of them, and again took to the woods before help could arrive. The
217
HISTORY OF RUMFORD.
men followed a long distance by the blood-stains on the leaves and ground, but finally lost the track, and the dogs could not be induced to follow him. Night now came on, and it was agreed to postpone further pursuit until the next day. They followed up the trail on the next day, but without success. They all agreed that they had had an exciting time, but they would have been much better satis- fied could they have found the bear, which they had no doubt had died of its wounds.
In the olden time, it was considered no disgrace to get the worse for liquor on training and muster days, and on such occasions, after having imbibed freely, men were often quarrelsome. On one occa- sion when Captain Richardson was drilling the old " Barefoot Com- pany," as it was called, a man named Lane, who was captain of a company of Light Infantry, tried several times to break through the ranks of Richardson's Company. Richardson bore it for some time, but as the other persisted, he lost his temper, and sheathing his sword, he drew off and knocked Lane down. There was great excitement between the two companies, and there was danger of more serious trouble, but Lane got up and walked off, and the ex- citement subsided. It showed some forbearance in Richardson, to sheathe the more deadly weapon, and make use of the one furnished by nature, but he was more familiar with the use of the latter, and probably thought he could sufficiently punish Lane without resort to the sword.
At a military training in Rufus Virgin's field, a man named Weaver became a little quarrelsome, and pulled a Mr. Abbot from his horse. Then they clinched, and had scuffled for some time without advantage to either, but finally Abbot got his opponent's hair around an apple tree, and pulled it with one hand while he punched him with the other. Captain Calvin Howe now interfered and parted them, and that was the end of the affair so far as they were concerned, but the apple tree was fatally injured, and did not leaf out the next year.
Though the Indians had abandoned the Androscoggin valley when the early settlers came, they frequently revisited their old haunts, in small numbers, but only to remain for a short time, when they dis- appeared as suddenly as they came. One morning as Henry Abbot was going to the Falls, he heard an outcry and stepped to the bank of the river to ascertain the cause. There he saw an Indian and
218
HISTORY OF RUMFORD.
squaw in a birch canoe, near the head of the Falls, and the Indian was permitting the canoe to float down to the very verge of the fall, close to the Rolfe pitch. The squaw would cry piteously, and then, with a stroke or two of the paddle, he would throw the frail bark out of danger, but only to repeat the same thing over and over again, seeming to enjoy the fright of his mate in the highest degree. Abbot called to him to desist, and bringing his canoe along by the bank where Abbot stood, he laughingly said, " Me squaw fraid of deble, but me no fraid of deble."
There was never a bridge across the river at the head of the falls, although one was long contemplated. Rufus Virgin and Nathan Knapp, the two energetic young men spoken of by Rev. Daniel Gould in his " History of Rumford," at one time started a subscription to raise funds to put across a bridge just below the Rolfe pitch, still known as " the bridge place," and were quite suc- cessful. The abutments were built, the timber got out and partly framed, and a pier constructed some thirty feet from the shore. The floor timbers were also laid. About this time, one day, Virgin, who was at work, found he was going to fall from the abutment, and to save himself. he jumped, and striking upon a ledge he broke the bone of one of his heels, and was laid up a long time. Then Mr. Knapp went over the falls and was drowned, and the project of a bridge at this place was abandoned. The timber was used for other purposes, and a freshet carried away the pier.
Speaking of the Indians, a citizen of Rumford remarks: "I well remember when four Indians on their way to the lakes, stopped at my father's over night. They were invited in to warm their feet, and then were taken to the barn for a lodging place. They went down into a bay to sleep, where the top of the hay was six feet below the floor; after they had laid down, hay was pitched over them, and in the morning they were very thankful for their warm bed. An Indian on the Androscoggin at this point, is now a rare sight."
Counterfeiting the coin of the country was quite common in some parts of Oxford county, three score years ago. On one occasion, Gen. Alvan Bolster, with three men from Hallowell, called on Rufus Virgin at the Falls, very early in the morning, and requested him to take a lunel, then hastily follow them up Swift river, until he should overtake them. He did as directed, and when he had
219
HISTORY OF RUMFORD.
·caught up with them, they told him they had arrested a man in Chesterville for passing counterfeit money, and that he had divulged the place on Swift river where it was made. The party then climbed a mountain, and hunted all day, but without success. They had made a mistake in the location, and on the following day, with more help, they found the place, but the counterfeiters had left it and had carried away most of their tools and appli- ances for making spurious coin ; enough was found, however, to prove what business had recently been carried on there. Shortly after, several men were arrested and brought before Esquire Bol- ster, who placed them under bonds to appear at court, but they did not appear, and the bondsmen came forward and settled their liabil- ities. It was thought that some who occupied high places in the community were concerned in the business, but there were no more prosecutions, and the matter soon ceased to be talked about. As a reminiscence of the occasion, it is related that there was much riding up Swift river on nights and Sundays about that time. Cattle and horses that were out to pasture required frequent salting, and old block tin and pewter were in great demand.
The early settlers adopted various devices to out-wit the bears, which, in summer, came to prey upon their growing corn. One year, an old shy bruin would swim the river, above the Falls, and spend a part of the night in Rufus Virgin's corn field, doing great damage. Acting on the advice of Mr. Henry Abbot, an old hunter, Mr. Virgin set a loaded gun in such a manner that the bear, on entering the field, would run against a line connected with the trig- ger, and if everything should work as hoped, would receive the charge in his body. Everything being arranged, Mr. Virgin, his adviser and another neighbor or two, sat up and awaited the result. About eight o'clock, Mr. Abbot informed his associates that if the bear was coming in the fore part of the night, it would be about that time ; otherwise, he would not come till toward morning. Hardly had he ceased speaking, when they heard the report of the gun, and all rushed out to see what had been the result, and this is what they ascertained : That the line had been wet by the dew, had shortened by shrinking, and had pulled off the gun. The next night they set the gun again, but the bear walked over the line, feasted on the coveted corn, and retired in safety. But the next night he went to another field where a gun had been set, and was
220
HISTORY OF RUMFORD.
shot and killed. He was a huge animal, and had troubled the settlers many years.
Sudden freshets on the Androscoggin, often convert the higher intervals into islands, a broad belt of water passing between them and the upland. On one occasion a man named Jeremiah Thomp- son was at work for a man above the Falls, when a freshet came, the water backing up into a creek so that Thompson could not get to his work. They had no boat, but they did have a large scalding tub, and in this Thompson proposed to make his way to his work. The tub was launched, and Thompson stepping in, proceeded to navigate it, but when half way across the tub tipped to one side, and in trying to right it, Thompson upset it, and was left flounder- ing in the turbid water. He struck out for the shore which he reached in safety, but the tub went down stream and was lost.
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