USA > Maine > Oxford County > Rumford > History of Rumford, Oxford County, Maine, from its first settlement in 1779, to the present time > Part 8
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1830. Four hundred dollars were appropriated for schools. School committee chosen, Peter C. Virgin, Simeon Fuller and Sul- livan S. Rawson. Asa Graham was chosen constable and collector. A lengthy report was made by the committee appointed to redistrict the town for school purposes, which was accepted. The town lines
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were again perambulated. At a meeting in August, Wm. Frost was chosen collector of taxes. A chest was authorized for the selectmen, and a desk for the town clerk, in which to keep the town's books and papers. One hundred and eighty-one votes were thrown at the election meeting this year. Four hundred and fifty dollars were raised to defray the expenses of a lawsuit with the town of Peru.
1831. Moses F. Kimball was chosen town agent. William Frost was chosen collector, and he and David B. Glines constables. Barzilla Streeter Cobb was indentured by the selectmen to Hezikiah Hutchins, Jr. ; he was the son of Churchill Cobb. A movement was made this year for the purchase of a town farm. A committee was appointed to settle the accounts of Aaron Virgin, a former town treasurer. The selectmen were instructed to call a meeting of dele- gates from the towns and plantations in this representative district, for the purpose of making an apportionment for the next ten years. Samuel E. Smith had ninety-six votes for Governor, and Daniel Goodenow seventy-five.
1832. Lyman Rawson was elected one of the selectmen. Fif- teen hundred dollars were appropriated for roads, and two hundred and fifty dollars for town expenses. A report was made of the ministerial and school funds belonging to the town, and held by parties in the town, amounting to two thousand four hundred seventy dollars and forty cents. Voted four hundred and nine dollars for schools. Samuel E. Smith had one hundred and four votes for Governor. Eliza Bellows became a pauper and the selectmen were authorized to notify Bridgton, where she probably belonged.
1833. The same amount of money was raised for various town purposes as was raised last year. It was voted to fence the several burying yards in town. New names mentioned are David and Timothy Holt, Josiah Parker, Simon Parlin, Warren Mansur, John Dolloff and William R. Hemmingway. Francis Hemmingway was voted a snm for saving Concord river bridge in 1830 and 1831. Joshua Graham was collector and constable. Otis C. Bolster had seventy-four votes for representative, and Robert P. Dunlap one hundred and eight for Governor. Voted to allow David A. Godwin for caring for Concord river bridge.
1834. Voted to raise the usual sum for schools and for other
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town purposes. Joshua Graham was re-elected collector and treas- urer. JJane Milliken was among the paupers whose support was sold at auction. Voted that the act authorizing the division of the ministerial and school funds be put in force. Robert P. Dunlap had one hundred and twenty-six votes for Governor, and Peleg Spragne eighty-four. Alvan Bolster had one hundred and twenty- eight votes for representative to the Legislature ; Otis C. Bolster had eighty-six. At a meeting September eighth, it was voted to dismiss Rev. Daniel Gould as minister of the town. A snit between the town and New Portland was provided for.
1835. The appropriations of money were essentially the same as last year. Joshua Graham was continued as collector and con- stable. James McCrillis and Ira Elkins are new names on the records ; also John M. Eustis. For representative, Richard T. Lurvey had ninety-three votes, and Rowse Bisbee had fifty-seven. These candidates lived in Woodstock. The ministerial fund of the town was reported at two thousand six hundred and five dollars, and the school fund at seven hundred dollars.
1836. Lyman Rawson was chosen town agent, and Simeon Fuller, Nathan Sheldon and Elijah Walker, school committee. Joshua Graham again bid off the collectorship and was elected con- stable. Appropriations were made the same as last year. The selectmen were authorized to look after the management of the ferries in town. It was voted that the selectmen receive the minis- isterial and school funds from the trustees, and assume the duties of trustees hereafter.
1837. Timothy Walker's name is among the list of minor town officers this year. Joshua Graham was elected collector and con- stable. School agents were chosen as follows : Eben Virgin, 2d, for number one, Stephen G. Stevens for two, William Hill for three, Josiah Parker for four, John Howe for five, Samuel Lufkin for six. Asa S. Howard for seven, John Dolloff for eight, Jesse Putnam for nine, Ebenezer Virgin for ten, Wade Moor for eleven, and Enoch Stiles for twelve. Voted that the poor for this year be left in care of the selectmen. This vote was reconsidered, and the whole num- ber of paupers were set up at auction and bid off by Phineas Wood. at three hundred and fifty dollars. Two thousand dollars were raised for roads, and five hundred for town charges. Dr. Elijah Walker's name appears on the records. Joshua T. Hall was elected
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agent to go to Augusta and receive the surplus revenue belonging to the town. Voted to keep said revenue as a fund, and never spend any part of it. Voted that the treasurer loan said revenue to persons giving good security, in sums not exceeding one hundred and not less than twenty-five dollars, interest to be paid in advance. The total amount of the money received was eighteen hundred sev- enty dollars and forty-four cents. As the amount received was a fraction over one dollar and sixty-six cents for each person, the population of Rumford at this time was about eleven hundred and twenty-five. The names of the persons who hired the money of the town in sums varying from twenty-five to eighty-five dollars, were David Colby, Jacob Abbot, Stephen Farnum, Jr., Asa S. Howard, Henry Abbot, Jacob Putnam, Colman Godwin, Asa Graham, Chas. E. Virgin, Osgood Eaton, Daniel G. Abbot, Simeon O. Reynolds, David F. Adams, Francis Cushman, Generous Ames, Simon Parlin and Enoch Knapp. At a meeting June 20th, it was voted to dis- tribute the surplus revenue. At a meeting July eight, it was voted that the town use a portion of the surplus revenue to pay the pauper bill due New Vineyard, and the debt of one hundred and fifteen dollars and fifteen cents due Aaron Stevens. Gorham Parks had one hundred and twenty-five votes for Governor, and Edward Kent seventy-seven. Lyman Rawson had one hundred and eighteen votes for representative to the Legislature, Spencer Drake seventy-nine, and Joseph Lufkin two.
1838. Chose Joshna Graham collector, constable and town treasurer. Among the new names on the record were Enoch Perry, Philip Hoyt, Peter D. Brackett, Benj. W. Stevens, Daniel Hodsdon, Abel Chapman, Jr., John Thomas, Harmon Eastman, Josiah Keyes, James Merrill and Luther Trumbull. Voted to divide the surplus revenue per capita without security, and that it be done in August next. Six hundred dollars were raised for town charges, and the usual amount for other purposes. The town's poor, consisting of Bartlett Hutchins, Burry Colby, Charlotte Virgin, Samuel Morse and family, Wm. H. Stevens, wife and children, Olive Hinkson. William Chew and Seth Puffer, were disposed of in various ways. Wm. R. Hemmingway bid off the contract to fence the town bury- ing grounds. Money was raised this year to make good the amount of the surplus revenue used by the town. John Fairfield had one hundred and sixty-eight votes for Governor, and Edward Kent one hundred and fifteen.
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1839. Timothy Walker was chosen constable and collector. For school committee, Albion K. Knapp, Peter C. Virgin and Elliot Richmond. Two thousand dollars were raised for roads, and the usual amount for other purposes. Timothy Walker, Samnel Barker, William Kyle, William W. Farnum, Jeremiah Richardson, Charles E. Virgin, Eliab Richardson, Joseph Lufkin, Otis C. Bolster, Eben Abbot, Enos Abbot and Robert Kimball, were chosen school agents. The support of the poor was bid off by Colman Godwin for four hundred and fifty dollars. Voted to let out the building of the bridge near Abbot's Mills, across Concord river. The selectmen were authorized to settle with R. B. Jennings and Col. Silas Morse for damage received by them at Rumford Falls.
1840. Timothy Walker was re-elected collector and constable. New names in the record were David Knapp, Calvin Howe, Isaac Robinson, Samuel S. Snow, Wm. Ackley, Livermore C. Hall, John Clement, JJr. The town agent was instructed to see that a boat be kept at the mouth of Swift river; also to obtain for the use of the town, a license of the ferry at Rumford Point. At a meeting in July, JJeremiah Martin was chosen collector of taxes. At the meet- ing for choice of presidential electors, the democrats polled one hundred and forty-three votes, and the whigs one hundred and four- teen.
1841. Samuel B. Bodwell bid off the taxes and was chosen constable. It was voted to send Bartlett Hutchins, son of David Hutchins, to the Insane Hospital, if the selectmen think best. Six hundred dollars were raised for town expenses, four hundred and nine for schools, and two thousand for roads. At an adjourned meeting Colman Godwin was elected collector. It was voted that "some one go to Alna and get William Stevens' children which are there on expense to the town." The support of David King Dolloff was bid off by John Dolloff at two cents per week. Edward Kent had one hundred and twenty-two votes for Governor, and John Fairfield one hundred and forty-two. A bridge was voted across Bog Brook, and Rufus Virgin was appointed to superintend its building. Dr. Thomas Roberts had settled in town.
1842. The following school agents were chosen : Jonathan Virgin for district number one, William Ackley for number two, Peter A. Thompson for number three, David W. Abbot for number four, John Howe for number five, Samuel S. Snow for number six,
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Francis Cushman for number seven, Wm. M. Morse for number eight, Henry C. Rolfe for number nine, Enoch Knapp for number ten, John Swain for number eleven, and Asa Green for number twelve. One thousand dollars were raised for defraying town charges. The pauper bills were very light this year. Colman Godwin was chosen collector and constable. The whole number of votes cast for Governor was two hundred and fifty-five. For rep- resentative to the Legislature, several ballotings were had without choice. At the third trial, Amos Dwinal had eighty-four votes, Joseph Lufkin fifty-seven, and David Knapp forty-one. At the fourth trial, November fourteenth, Mr. Dwinal received one hundred and three votes, out of one hundred and eighty-nine. Eleven per- sons received votes. At the seventh trial, on January sixteenth, Amos Dwinal received one hundred and twenty votes out of one hundred and ninety-two. This ended the contest.
1843. Timothy Walker was chosen town agent, a position he had held for several years. Five hundred seventy-seven dollars and sixty cents were raised for schools. Colman Godwin was again elected collector and constable. Charles A. Kimball bid off a portion of the town's poor at four hundred and twenty-three and a half dollars. Several had previously been set up singly and dis- posed of. Nearly forty persons presented claims against the town for various services. The town voted to oppose a road asked for across the Androscoggin at East Rumford, unless assurance could be given that a bridge should never be asked for. For representa- tive, David Knapp had one hundred and eight votes, and Amos Dwinal one hundred and nine; scattering, five. Action was had to prevent Moody F. Abbot and others from being annexed to Hanover.
1844. James M. Dolloff was chosen collector and constable. The town's poor were disposed of as follows : Mrs. Samuel R. Morse and five children to Moses F. Kimball ; David Silver, wife and five children to Theodore Russell ; Marion Stevens to John Thomas ; Hazen Virgin to Wm. B. Walton ; Charlotte Virgin to H. W. Silver ; Phebe Virgin to Hezekiah Hutchins ; Esther Abbot and child to James H. Farnum ; Alphonso Dolloff to Ebenezer Virgin, 2d; Nathaniel S. Warren's family left in charge of the overseers of the poor ; Charles Dore to Theodore Russell; E. B. Hutchins to David Hutchins ; Lucy Morse to Samuel Morse ; Olive Hinkson to
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Asa Abbot ; Jeremiah Virgin to Ebenezer Virgin, 2d ; Benj. Allen and wife to Benj. Allen, Jr. : the sick McAllister girl in Harrison, to the care of the selectmen ; subsequently this was reconsidered, and the whole were set up together and bid off by Henry C. Rolfe for three hundred and three dollars.
1845. Dr. James Bullock was chosen collector of taxes and constable. The additions to the poor list this year were Jacob Puffer, wife and children, George F. Moody, and widow Peavy. The usual amounts were raised for town and other purposes. At a meeting holden April seventh, resolutions were passed in favor of temperance, and against licensing any person to sell liquor in town other than for medical and mechanical purposes. This meeting was presided over by Timothy Walker, and it was voted that the selectmen carry out the spirit of the resolutions by prosecuting every person violating the same. It was voted to build a pound near the Center Meeting House. Several disputes with regard to lines were settled this year, and placed on record.
1846. The poor of the town this year were left in charge of the selectmen. Fourteen hundred and fourteen dollars were appropri- ated for town expenses, and the usual amounts for other purposes. Colman Godwin was again chosen collector of taxes. The claim of Roxbury for the support of Jonathan S. Bunker, deceased, was left to the care of the selectmen. It was voted not to purchase a town farm for the support of the poor. Voted that physicians be em- ployed to examine the case of Esther Abbot, and see whether or not she has been benefitted by her treatment at the Maine Insane Hospital. Several meetings were held to choose a representative to the Legislature, and on the fourth trial Alvin Kimball had ninety-three votes ont of one hundred and seventy-six polled. Rufus Virgin had seventy-two. Mr. Kimball was of Mexico.
1847. For school committee, Dr. Zenas W. Bartlett, Rev. Eliphalet S. Hopkins and Wm. W. Virgin. Moses F. Kimball was elected collector and constable. The poor were again left in the hands of the selectmen. It was voted to allow Thomas Carey, Nathaniel S. Warren, William Lang, Livingstone Glover, Peter C. Virgin, 2d, George A. Ray and Elijah Ray, "what school money their children draw, to be expended in schooling their own children." Jonathan Virgin and Joshua Graham were licensed to sell liquor for medicinal and mechanical purposes only. The question of
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annexing that part of the town lying west of Ellis river to Bethel, came up again this year, and the town voted to oppose it. For Governor, John W. Dana had one hundred and twenty votes, David Bronson ninety-five, and Samuel Fessenden six.
1848. Eliphalet S. Hopkins, Wm. W. Virgin and Henry Abbot were elected school committee. Virgin declined to serve and Alvau B. Godwin was chosen to fill the vacancy. Benj. Morse, Nathan Abbot and Jeremiah Andrews were chosen sextons. Bartholomew Coburn was allowed to draw his school money and pay it out in Andover. John Poland was set on to another district. James M. Dolloff was elected collector and constable. This year, Samuel Fessenden's vote for Governor was thirteen, showing a steady gain for the Free-Soil party. The Free-Soil electors polled fifteen votes.
1849. The usual sums were voted for town purposes. James M. Dolloff hid off the taxes, and was elected collector and consta- ble. The seleetmen were authorized to oppose the location of a road prayed for by Hiram Ricker and others. The partition fence between John and Alvan B. Godwin was adjusted. It was voted to open the road from Putnam's Ferry to David W. Abbot's. John Hubbard had one hundred and thirty-five votes for Governor, and Elijah L. Hamlin eighty-seven. The following were chosen high- way surveyors, the several districts having been numbered the past year : James M. Dolloff for district number one ; Jeremiah Martin, number two ; Edward Stevens, number three ; Samuel V. Abbot, number four ; Charles Carter, number five ; Benj. F. Virgin, num- ber six ; Merrill Farnum, number seven ; Daniel F. Putnam, num- ber eight : David W. Abbot, number nine ; Jesse Putnam, number ten ; Daniel G. Abbot, number eleven ; Joshua T. Hall, number twelve ; Stephen Philbrick, number thirteen ; Samuel Arnold, number fourteen ; Livingston Glover, number fifteen ; Oren H. Lufkin, number sixteen ; Reuben Farnum, number seventeen ; Ira A. Putnam, number eighteen ; Samuel II. Wood, number nineteen ; Eliphalet E. Lufkin, number twenty ; Asa Richardson, number twenty-one ; John C. Dearborn, number twenty-two ; and Wm. H. Caldwell, number twenty-three.
1850. James M. Dolloff was again chosen collector and con- stable. Patrick Hoyt was elected clerk. He had already served as such a part of the previous year in place of Zenas W. Bartlett, resigned. The poor were left in charge of the overseers, as had
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been the custom for some years. It was voted to paint and repair the Center meeting house. Elipbalett S. Hopkins resigned as school committee, May 9th, and Nathan S. Lufkin was appointed to the vacancy.
1851. It was voted to raise three thousand dollars for the repair of highways, and the usual amount for schools. The matter of guide boards was attended to. Several roads were accepted as located by the selectmen, one upon the application of Ira A. Putnam.
1852. Dr. Thomas Roberts was elected clerk, Peter C. Virgin treasurer, Alvan B. Godwin school committee and Lyman Rawson agent. Voted that no agent be appointed to sell spirituous liquors. Barzilla Curtis was chosen collector of taxes. For Governor, John Hubbard had one hundred and thirty-six votes, Anson G. Chandler one hundred, Wm. G. Crosby fifty-nine and Ezekiel Holmes 1. For representative to the Legislature, Timothy Walker had one hundred and thirty-nine and Charles E. Virgin one hundred and forty-six. A committee was chosen to look after the rebuilding of the bridge across Ellis river.
1853. Otis C. Bolster, David Kimball and Charles E. Virgin were chosen selectmen. Charles E. Virgin was chosen collector and constable. The selectmen were instructed to deed to Nathaniel S. Warren "the farm on which he lives, on the payment of fifty dollars." For Governor, Albert Pillsbury had one hundred and fourteen votes, Wm. G. Crosby seventy-five. Anson P. Morrill seventy-four and Ezekiel Holmes nine. Peru sent the representa- tive this year, and the vote in Rumford stood for Lyman Bolster one hundred and fifty-five, to one hundred and fifteen for Stephen Gammon.
1854. Alvan B. Godwin, Hiram Abbot, Jr., Caleb Eastman. George G. Martin, James M. Dolloff and JJames Bullock were chosen constables, and P. W. Abbott, Burt Kidder, Jeremiah Andrews, Benj. F. Ford and David Elliot, sextons. Six hundred and eighty-seven dollars and fifty cents were voted for schools. Joseph E. Colby bid off the taxes and was chosen collector. For Governor this year the following votes were thrown : for Anson P. Morrill, one hundred and twenty-one; Isaac Reed, twenty-nine ; Albion K. Parris one hundred and one, and Shepard Cary, eleven.
1855. The selectmen this year were Joseph E. Colby, Frye Il.
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Hutchins and John Martin. Asa S. Howard was elected town agent. Four thousand dollars were appropriated for roads, sixteen hundred and fifty for town charges, and what the law required for schools. Dr. James Bullock bid off the taxes and was elected col- lector and constable. It was voted not to have a liquor agent appointed. William Moody was chosen agent to expend money on the road between Rumford Falls and John Swain's. A suit was pending between Rumford and the town of Industry. Jacob Elliott was appointed liquor agent in June. For Governor. Anson P. Morrill had one hundred fifty-three votes, Samuel Wells one hun- dred fourteen, and Isaac Reed fourteen.
1856. Patrick Hoyt was chosen town agent. Eight hundred and fifty dollars were raised for the support of primary schools. James Bullock was continued as collector. Four hundred dollars were raised to defray the expenses incurred in the suit of Swain against Rumford. For Governor, Hannibal Hamlin had one hun- dred and seventy-seven votes and Samuel Wells one hundred and twenty-three. The republican ticket for electors of President and Vice President polled one hundred and seventy-nine votes, and the democratic one hundred and four. The town lines were perambit- lated this year.
1857. Patrick H. Virgin was elected town agent. Timothy Walker was elected special agent to look after Rumford matters in Augusta. The movement to set off the west end of the town to Hanover was renewed. James Bullock again bid off the taxes. The rebuilding of Ellis River bridge, which had fallen, again came up, and a committee was chosen to look after it. A meeting was called at Rumford Point, at which it was voted to rebuild Ellis River bridge at the site of the old one, and Alvan Bolster was appointed a committee to oversee the work. James Bullock having died, Joseph E. Colby was appointed, July first, tax collector in his stead. For Governor, Lot M. Morrill had one hundred and ninety-four votes and Mannasseh H. Smith had one hundred twenty-seven. January twenty-third, the special agent on Ellis River bridge made a final report of his doings, that the bridge was completed, and was discharged.
1858. Elisha F. Goddard was chosen moderator and Hiram F. Abbot school committee. A committee consisting of Joseph E. Colby, Jeremiah Richardson and David Kimball was chosen "to
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settle and close np all the unsettled business of the town." Seven hundred dollars were raised in addition to other regular appropria- tions, to meet the first installment due for money raised to rebuild Ellis River bridge. Thirty-two lots of land were advertized by the collector for non-payment of taxes. The selectmen as a finance committee reported outstanding orders against the town, three thou- sand and four hundred and five dollars and ninety-nine cents ; interest on same, three hundred dollars ; orders drawn last two years, four thousand five hundred forty-six dollars and fifty-seven cents, and orders renewed, eight hundred sixteen dollars and fifty- one cents.
1859. Orrin H. Lufkin was chosen moderator, James M. Dolloff treasurer, Charles A. Kimball agent and Elias B. Richard- son school committee. It was voted to purchase a farm for the town's poor, and one thousand dollars were raised for support of poor and other town expenses. Joseph E. Colby was chosen collector of taxes. The surveys of several roads were accepted. A movement was made to divert the school fund and expend it for a town farm. but was voted down. The vote in favor of giving the public lands to aid in the construction of a railroad to Aroostook stood three in favor and sixty-one opposed.
1860. Dexter D. W. Abbot, Patrick Hoyt and Jonathan K. Martin were chosen selectmen, and John Elliot school committee. James M. Dolloff was elected collector. Three thousand dollars were raised for roads, eight hundred and twenty-five for schools and fifteen hundred for town expenses, including poor. Paupers were no longer sold at auction, but were cared for by the overseers of the poor. At a meeting March twenty-fourth, William Irish was chosen selectman in place of Dexter D. W. Abbott, resigned. Israel Washburne had two hundred and fifteen votes for governor, and Ephraim K. Smart one hundred and three. For representative, Patrick Hoyt had two hundred and three, and JJames M. Dolloff, one hundred and eleven. The republican candidates for electors of president had one hundred and seventy-three votes, the democratic sixty-five and the third party twelve. The selectmen were in- structed to settle with former collectors and treasurers.
1861. Wm. Irish, Jonathan K. Martin and Frye II. Hutchins were chosen selectmen, and Henry F. Howard, school committee. Five hundred dollars were raised for the support of the poor, and
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one thousand to defray town charges. James M. Dolloff was elected treasurer. Israel Washburne had one hundred and seventy- three votes for governor, Charles D. Jameson sixty-two and John W. Dana twenty-two. At a meeting December seventh, it was voted to build a bridge across Swift river.
1862. Timothy Walker, Frye H. Hutchins and Henry Abbot, Jr., were chosen selectmen, Dr. Frank G. Russell school committee. Alvan Bolster was chosen collector of taxes. Eight hundred dol- lars were raised for support of poor. Timothy Walker was ap- pointed agent to hire three thousand dollars to pay the outstanding liabilities of the town. Four thousand dollars were raised for roads. Voted to purchase a farm for the town's poor, and that the selectmen be a committee to receive proposals. It was voted to borrow the school fund with which to purchase a poor farm. The selectmen were directed to hire five hundred dollars to aid soldiers' families. At a meeting July twenty-fourth, it was voted to pay those who would enlist on the quota of the town under the late call for troops, the sum of fifty dollars. Alvan Bolster, collector of taxes, having died, William Frost was elected collector in his stead. At a meeting September tenth, voted to pay soldiers who enlist for nine months, twenty dollars bounty and nine dollars per month. Voted to rebuild Swift River bridge.
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