USA > Maine > Penobscot County > Stetson > History of Stetson, Maine, 1800-1931 > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7
James Rogers was the stuff of which pioneers are made-strong, sturdy, well -. balanced, witty, big-hearted, sincere and absolutely honest. After sixty years, men who knew him in their boyhood still are able to paint a vivid picture of him. He was, doubtless, a wealthy man for his day as family heirlooms still in the possession of his descendants would indicate. Moreover, he owned a large part of Stetson at one time or other. Perhaps his landed interests made him more actively interested in town affairs, for he often directed the policy of the town at public meetings. He was selectman several years and served two terms in state legis- lature. He had fourteen children: Samuel, Matilda, Sarah, Franklin, Ira, Isabella, Amanda, Samuel 2nd, John, Mary Adeline, Charles, Clarissa A., James W. and Carrie Matilda.
HON. JOHN ROGERS, his son, was born in Wolfborough, N. H., January 13, 1826. He was only seven when he came to Stetson. Mary Adeline was six, Charles was five.
JAMES W. ROGERS was born in Stetson, Maine in 1835, married. Sarah Worthen, taught school for about ten years, did a large and prosperous farming business, held the post of selectman of Stetson several years. Also represented his class in the Legislature. In 1879, was elected State Senator from Penobscot County. Although a comparative young man when he died, he made for him- self a place in the hearts of his fellow townsmen. He died March 26, 1881:
John attended both Foxcroft and Corinth academies and taught school sev- eral years. In 1853, he married Frances H. Hawes of Corinna, probably grand- daughter of the first settler of that town. John was selectman, town clerk, treasurer and trial justice for many years. He was sent to the Legislature in 1858 and 1878, and elected to the Senate in 1879. His children were: Lyman, Jessie H., now hotel clerk in Augusta, and Seymore E.
James Rogers was a popular man in his day and was known among his fellow townsmen as "Uncle Jim." Even after all these years, "Uncle Jim's" say- ings are houshold words.
The old pioneers were accustomed to square dealing, and trading had none . of the subterfuge of the modern day.
In. 1835 James Rogers and Dr. Thompson built a saw and grist mill. Two years later Rogers bought Thompson out and operated the mills for fifteen years, doing a large lumber business and hauling a large part of his lumber to Bangor with ox teams. About 1840 he bought a farm at West Levant, built and operated a large hotel called The Rogers Stand for twenty years, cleared three large farms in Stetson and the C. B. Friend farm in Etna, all of which he owned and carried on for many years, always having a large stock of cattle, sheep and horses.
The family of Daniel Rogers and Hannah, his wife, were: David, Eunice, Daniel A., Roena B., Sarah A., Rachael M., and Samuel.
1
.
24
HISTORY OF STETSON, MAINE
.
CHAPTER V. PROPERTY VALUATION IN 1818
As early as 1815, there were, at least, 28 voters in Stetson, for it is known. that Hon. Jos. Carr, at election, received twenty-four votes and Hon. John Wilson four votes. A voter was then defined as "one who pays in property tax, in addition to his poll tax, a sum equal to two-thirds of a single poll tax. Voters must be male residents, twenty-one years old or over, having a freehold estate within said plantation in the value of sixty pounds or any estate with the annual income of three pounds per annum."
EARLY PLANTATION MEETINGS
The call to town meeting issued March 22, 1819 names the place of meet- ing as "Maj. Amasa Stetson's house." This is, no doubt, the Amasa Stetson 2nd" . who was one of the incorporators of the town, a nephew of Amasa Stetson, proprietor of the town. It was usual to meet at the home of Col. James Patten, William Ayer, the plantation . clerk, or with Deacon Thorndike Allen. Thirty votes for. governor were cast in 1815, 25 for Hon. Samuel Dexter and five for Caleb Strong.
The business transacted at these early plantation meetings was apparently handled very capably. The records are simple but clearly legible after more than a hundred years.
WILLIAM AYER served as plantation clerk and occasionally. as one of the plantation assessors for several terms. Samuel Holden, Robert Patten, Noah K. George also served as clerk until the District of Maine became a state in 1820.
THE LABOR QUESTION
The price of labor on the highways increased in 1820 from the former price of 14 cents "before haying" (August 1st) and 10 cents after to "16 cents before haying and 12 cents after haying." Four hundred dollars were voted to build highways that year. Charles George was chosen surveyor of District No. 1, Samuel Crocket of District No. 2, Stephen Messer of District No. 3; and Joseph Barden of No. 4. One hundred dollars was voted for the support of schools. Twenty-five dollars was voted to defray plantation charges.
PETITIONS FOR INCORPORATION
The citizens were considering having a name for the plantation in that year (April 3rd, 1820) for we find that they voted "That this plantation petition for an incorporation by the name of Liberty." . It was further voted that the plantation clerk, Noah K. George, draw the petition in behalf of the inhabitants.
June first of the same year, the plantation had a change of heart and decided to withdraw the petition for incorporation under the name of Liberty "until the next session." It is quite probable that the fact that Maine was soon to become
£
الدخل
25
HISTORY OF STETSON, MAINE
a state entered into their actions at this time. That, however, does not account for the town's voting at this time to reduce the one hundred dollars raised for schools at the previous meeting to sixty dollars. It was voted that the amount be paid in corn or grain at $1.50 for wheat and $1.00 for corn and rye, the grain when paid to be deposited with Samuel Stetson although Samuel Crocket was collector of taxes and treasurer at the time. Perhaps Samuel Stetson had a bigger grain box.
This same meeting disposed of two public charges for seventy-five cents each per week board, that amount being the lowest bid.
At the next plantation meeting, that of November 6, 1820, Stetson got still more economical and decided that sixty dollars for the support of schools was altogether too much money so they voted to raise no money at all.
Something must have happened in the interval between this meeting and the last for they voted at the November meeting to petition for incorporation under the name'of Salem.
Amasa Stetson; Col. James Patten and Deacon Thorndike Allen laid out a road in the summer of 1820 from the Buttrick farm to Etna.
It was voted in 1821 to lay out a road from Allen's Corner to intersect the county road leading to Levant, and to accept the road which had been laid out the previous year from "Esq. Buttrick's house to the bridge crossing Sowadabscook Stream and thence S. to Etna line."
CHAPTER VI. THE FIRST MAP
The earliest map of Stetson was made for Amasa Stetson, the proprietor, sometime prior to the year 1833 (probably about 1810, possibly earlier) by PHILLIP GREELY and was copied by THOMAS. M. MOSELY, surveyor, September 14, 1833 and "received, entered and examined by Stevens Davis, Regr." of deeds, Bangor, October 16, 1833. The map shows the township divided into 80-acre lots with most of the farms settled at that time located in the northeast part of the township north of "Little East Pond," later called Stetson Pond and now Pleasant Lake.
WILLIAM AYER
Records show that a plantation meeting was held at the home of William and Hannah Ayer March 1st, 1813, that their child, Lydia G., was born August 24, 1813, and the last record of the family is that signed by him as clerk, April 1, 1816. It is probable that this man, who was very active in plantation affairs during his residence in Stetson, moved away in 1816. His name does not appear in the 1818 tax assessments. Had he been here when the map was drawn, his house would have appeared and as we know he had a house in 1813, the map must have been made before that date: We know also, that Capt. David .Lakin had a frame house before the Clark's came here in 1814. This house does not appear on the map.
LI
26
HISTORY OF STETSON, MAINE
LEVI TOZER and Sally, (Sarah) his wife, seem to have come here prior to July 30, 1806 when their first child, Archabell, was born, provided that he was born in Stetson. Their other children, Lois and Lucindia, were born February 14, 1808 and April 6, 1812, respectively. A brook running in a general north and south direction through their farm was named for them and appears in the records as "Tozer's Brook." The description of the road laid out and accepted in the records of May 3, 1813 refers to Tozer's "old house" and the map shows two buildings, presumably the old house and the new one. That would seem to indicate that Tozer had been fairly well established when the map was drawn since he had had time to build two houses, the first probably a log cabin and the second a frame house.
STEPHEN BUTTRICK, one of the first known assessors, must have come after the early map was made. And he seems to have disappeared before the year 1818.
It is possible that JOSEPH EMMERTON or his wife, Charity (spelled in town books "Charrity") may have been related to Amasa Stetson since their their son, born September 25, 1815, was given that name. Emmerton Hill, near Clark's Hill, was named for this family.
One of the pioneer landmarks is the house on the place known as the Collins farm, near Lakin's Corner. It was built by a MR. LAWRENCE, a friend of Sumner Hartwell, from Massachusetts. A 17-year old daughter, Mahala, taught school in Coborough and boarded with the Fenderson family. Mr. Lawrence was home- sick and the family returned to Massachusetts.
The SILAS. COLLINS family afterwards owned and occupied the property. Their children were: Margaret, Fannie and Charles.
SAMUEL SIMMONS, who was an assessor in 1813 also had disappeared by 1818. Samuel Holden, who succeeded William Ayer as plantation clerk in 1814, had disappeared by 1818. CHRISTOPHER OSGOOD, whose barn was designated as a pound for 1814 does not appear to have been in Stetson at the time the map was made but he and two others of the Osgood name are listed in 1818 as poles but without property. Abijah Osgood and Cynthia, his wife, had three children: Almond Eaton, born Wednesday, December 24, 1813; Alfred Try, born Monday, October 16, 1815, and Abijah Nason, born Friday, January. 9, 1818. Amos Osgood and his wife, Thankful, had seven children: Eliza J., Emily J., Amos L., Sophrona, Clarinda, Moses, and Adderson D.
THOMAS GEORGE, who was chosen moderator at the meeting of February 21, 1814, was established here at the time the first map was drawn as was also Mr. A. George.
Charles George's wife's name was Hannah, and they were known to have six children: Susan I., Charles Thomas, Diana, Austin, Isaac B. and Moses B.
DEACON THORNDIKE, ALLEN
Deacon Thorndike Allen (also spelled Thorndick on. the records) started a long public career as a member of the board of assessors in 1814. With an occasional interlude of a year or two, we find him serving in that capacity and as a selectman twelve terms. He occasionally changed to some other public office and frequently offered the use of his home for town meeting. In one capacity
1
27
HISTORY OF STETSON, MAINE
or another, he was associated with nearly all of the early pioneers in the carrying out of the public business. It can be said of him as of nearly all of those who were the first to settle in the wilderness that now is Stetson, he was a man of splendid character, firm, loyal, true. His efficiency in the handling of public business has often been demonstrated. His many re-elections to office but prove the esteem in which he was held by his fellow townsmen.
. Thorndike Allen (born August 9, 1781) and Sally Cole Beverly (born February 23, 1786), his wife, had the distinction of having the first twins born in Stetson, Nathaniel and Thomas, born October 28, 1807. There is a story that the town gave each of the twins a lot as a birthday gift. This story has not been substantiated. A sister, Joanna, was born September 13, 1805, Nobby H. was born August 14, 1809 (also recorded as Abigail), (Sarah) Sally, born November 3, 1812; John H., born March 11, 1816; William C., born December 24, 1818; Thorn- dike, Jr., born November 15, (or 18th) 1821, and Benjamin C., born April 3, 1824.
Nathaniel Allen was born in Stetson, October 28, 1807 and his wife, Sally H., in Sedgwick, May 15, (or 14th) 1805. Their children are: Caroline Elizabeth, who was born June 26, 1834 and Amanda M., born November 12, 1835.
Thomas Allen was born in Stetson, October 28, 1807. His wife, Lisette, was born in Sedgwick, June 25, 1809. Their children are: Roseltha H., Susan M., Judith C., Lydia A., Weston P., Clarissa M., Dean M., and Elmira A.
There is a record of Elbridge G. Allen who married Roxanna.
Fred Allen had three children: Winfield, who married Dora Hurd and has three children; Archie, who married Helen Emerson, and Nellie, who is a nurse, unmarried.
Weston Allen is still active at the age of 87 years.
William Cleaves Allen and his wife, Cynthia Wing, had one daughter, Hattie B .; now Mrs. Walter Blanchard of Corinna.
JAMES EMERSON, one of the first settlers of Mt. Pleasant, came from Saco about 1831. He married Mary Wodley and they had five children: Cyrus, Seth, James, Hulda Angelia, and Mary. Cyrus married Hannah Hammond and had seven children: Frederick, Moses, Dr. Charles, Edwin, Royal, Alonzo and Lewis. Frederick married Eldora Norton. Their children were: Cyrus, Eva and Samuel.
STEPHEN MESSER was named chairman of a committee to build a school- house in 1814. Other members of the committee were: William Ayer and David Lakin.
J. Barden, whose farm was lot 22 in the sixth range of farms on the first map, was probably John Barden, who in 1818 held real estate valued at $290, and personal property to the amount of $125. The assessors' list gives also the names of Timothy Barden and Joseph Barden. These might easily have been sons of John Barden, the original Barden settler. The records of vital statistics give an Alvin Barden, who was born in Stetson March 11, 1809, doubtless a son of John. The children of Alvin and his wife, Elizabeth, were Horatio F. and Judson Wade.
MAJ. AMASA STETSON, nephew of the proprietor, was residing in Stetson on July 6, 1819, at which time a warrant for a plantation meeting was posted warn- ing the voters to gather at his house. It might be interesting to note that at that meeting fourteen votes were cast for the Hon. Martin Kinsley of Hampden for
28
HISTORY OF STETSON, MAINE
Representative to Congress. Martin Kinsley and Amasa Stetson of Dorchester owned the plantation of Carmel, cach having an undivided half interest, and it was . that parcel that was conveyed to Amasa Stetson. with the township of Stetson (except the farm previously sold out of the Stetson tract and excepting also a few farms previously sold from the Carmel tract). It may have been a good political move to hold that meeting at the Stetson home and, since the vote was unanimous for Kinsley, we conclude that the Major was a good politican.
There was a unanimous vote of 15 for separation of the Province of Maine from Masachusetts and incorporation as the State of Maine at a meeting held at Major Stetson's house, July 26, 1819.
In 1817, James Patten, Jr., was made collector of taxes at 312 cents. Thorn- dick Allen and David Lakin were named as surities for the collector .. It is evident that the citizens of Stetson at that time were in no rush about collecting taxes, . for they voted "that the non-resident bill of 1815 which is now with Charles George for collection against Amasa Stetson shall remain in said George's home until said Stetson comes down." . That would seem to indicate that the proprietor of Stetson was in the habit of visiting the township occasionally. No money was voted that year for highways, for schools, or for support of the gospel. It should be remembered that this meeting was held in April of 1817, the year following the year that had no summer, and it was not until July of 1817 that prospects for a crop began to warrant optimism on the part of the farmers. $400 was raised for highways in 1816. In 1815, $300 had been voted for highways, $100 for the support of schools. In 1818, the township raised $200 for highways. In that year Allen Carter was named surveyor of the Third Eastern District.
THE FIRST GOVERNOR
In 1820, Hon. William King, the first governor of the State of Maine, received 22 votes from Stetson. The assessors' report of 1818 gives 32 poles from 28 families. Considering that this was not the annual town meeting and consequently no local questions were under discussion, the vote recorded speaks well for the interest which the voters of that day took in affairs outside the confines of the plantation. These pioneers were real men, vital, earnest, patriotic.
In 1821, JOHN FERREN was chosen school committee or agent for district number one. 'As his name is not in the 1818 list, he must have come to Stetson after that year.
SAMUEL DARLING was chosen third member of the board of assessors in 1817. The 1818 assessors' report quotes as having real estate.
ROADS
At the time the first map was drawn, Stetson plantation had few roads. There was an east and west road bisecting the sixth range of 80-acre lots nearly the full width of the township. Near its western end (in Stetson) near the home of John Barden was a road leading into this east and west road but not crossing it. This road was called "the Barden Road." In 1821 there was an attempt to have a road "from the Mills southwest to the Barden road" accepted but this was voted down. Besides the roads mentioned, there was a road from the east boundary between the third and fourth range of lots (there were nine ranges in the township) and following a general southwesterly course by the residences of.
1
£
29
HISTORY OF STETSON, MAINE
Mr. Trout, and Mr. Crocker, (or Crocket) intersecting but not crossing the east and west road near the residence of Mr. Rowell. What appears to have been the . location of a school-house was on the south side of this road. The "Hampden Road," so named on the map, intersected but did not cross a road running nearly due southeast from Sebasticook Stream at lot 18 of the third range to lot 10 in the ninth range. The Hampden road followed a southerly direction into the next township a little west of "Sourdabscook Pond" (Etna Pond). Those were the only roads. It was voted in 1815 "that no bars or gaits shall be made across the roads after the first day of August next."
In 1822, Nathaniel Ingalls was chosen moderator at the meeting of March 25th. That, was all of the business transacted that day as the meeting was ad- journed to convene the following day at the home of Thorndick Allen. In. this day and generation when time is so at a premium, we can hardly conceive of these men going home and coming another day to transact the small amount of business which was usually required for the township meetings of those carly years. Samuel Stetson was chosen treasurer that year and the others were elected by "a hand vote." Nathaniel Ingalls was elected constable and collector of taxes. Capt. Matthew Patten, Thorndick Allen, Capt. David Lakin and Allen Carter were chosen highway surveyors. The superintending school committee were Nathaniel Ingalls, Samuel Stetson, Noah K. George, with school agents as follows: Amos Osgood, District No. 1; Samuel Stetson, District No. 2; Allen Carter, Dis- trict No. 3; and Capt. David Lakin, District No. 4. $800 was raised for repairing roads and $200 for the support of schools. (This was later reduced to $600 and $100). It was voted that each school district build its own school-house "respect- fully" in each district. It was voted that half of the school money be paid in corn, rye or wheat. Wheat was quoted at three shillings per bushel. It was voted. to pay the plantation officials in grain. Labor was quoted at twelve cents per hour for work on the roads before August first and ten cents the remainder of the season for man or oxen. It was voted "that the plantation ammunition of powder and balls be deposited with Col. James Patten.
In 1822, Deacon Thorndick Allen represented the plantation in "perambulat- ing" the boundary line between it and Newport.
Caverly, Moses (born Barrington, N. H., January 4, 1880) ; Alice (born Waterborough, Maine, May 25, 1807).
LEVI D. CAVERLEY was born in Barrington, N. H. His wife, Mary Ann, was born in Boston, Mass., November 3, 1813. Their children were: Thomas T., Hannah, Lydia, Clara B., John, Flora E., and George H.
Tobias Caverly died March 30, 1862. His wife, Eliza, died March 23, 1852, aged 39. Their children were Charles S. and Almon H.
JONAS CHASE formerly lived where the Tuckos family now lives. His chil- dren were: Frank Chase, Amanda, Mary (Mrs. Tom Langley) and one son who was killed in the army.
The children of an early Smith family were: Harry, Otis and Isaac.
JOSHUA BUXTON, one of the early settlers, died in 1877 at the age of 77 years. His wife, Abigail S., died February 4, 1895. Their children were: George T., Joshua T., George, Harry and Lewis.
EBENEZER WENTWORTHI (1807-1893) and wife, Lucy M. Greeley (1807-1903) are buried in Stetson.
HISTORY OF STETSON, MAINE
30
CHAPTER VII. POSTMASTERS
A list of the postmasters from the establishment of the first post office at Stetson, Penobscot County, Maine:
This office was established May 12, 1829, with Daniel Whitheridge as postmaster.
Postmasters
Date Appointed
George Crockett
September 5, 1835
Horace Shepley
December 28, 1838
Josiah Goodwin
December 18, 1840
Horace Shepley
May 24, 1843
Lewis Barker
November 8, 1847
William Plaisted, Jr.
September 2, 1850
Jabez H. Soper
February 20, 1857
Charles W. Hill
April 4, 1861
Joel W. Cloudman
May 25, 1866
Charles R. Ireland
January 31,. 1877
John A. Jordan
April 30, 1883
Henry W. Brown
July 31, 1885
Edward W. Perry
April 5, 1889
Charles H. Foster
May 22, 1890
George M. Bond
December 2, 1892
William B. Ireland
April 24, 1897
Nella I. Curtis
November 9, 1914
Miss Helen M. Lawrence
August 27, 1927
1
Not much information is available concerning some of the earlier postmasters. We know that DANIEL WHITHERIDGE was among the first settlers and active in plantation affairs. His name appears under a number of spellings, including Wittridge, Whitredge and Whittridge. He was known as "Capt." so that it is possible he served in the war of 1812, although it may have been from service in the militia. Capt. Daniel and Joanna had the following children: Charlotte, Lydia Ann, and Daniel Martyn.
GEORGE CROCKETT was born in Danville, January 20, 1811. His wife, Mary S., was born in Strong, September 2, 1812. They had a son, Edward Everett, born in Stetson, March 1, 1845.
Benjamin Crocket and Eliza had the following children: Joel, Francis, Lucy Ann and Nancy, John and Judson.
Menzeor and Mary A. Crocket had two daughters, Julia Ann and Olive.
John Crocket was born in Danville, October 18, 1806. His wife, Harriet, was born in Norridgwock, September 9, 1808.
John B. was born October 2, 1832. His wife was Orra Ann, born November 30, 1835. Their children were Ella and Lizzie. Ella married Eugene Tufts; Lizzie married Eldorus Nutter and has one daughter, Orra M., who married Frank Galvin and resides on the Tom Clark homestead.
1
31
HISTORY OF STETSON, MAINE
Charles Crockett and wife, Laura, had a daughter, Eflie.
Lucy Crockett married Mark Cloudman. They had one daughter, Anna, who married Charles C. Fogg and lives on the old home place with her son, Ray.
Samuel Crocket was treasurer and also collector of taxes in 1820 as well as surveyor of District No. 2.
HORACE SHEPLEY was born in Solon, May 31, 1807. He married first Maria, who died. Later he married Hannah B. --- , who was born in Newport. Their children were: Oscar Horace, born in Stetson, and Viola Ada.
Oscar married Carrie Matilda Rogers. They had two children: Charles R., a graduate of the University of Minnesota, who was a prominent engineer, having been employed in connection with the construction of the Selby tunnel. He died at Tucson, Arizona, in 1930. The daughter, Clara, (Mrs. A. Basford) is a teacher in the Minneapolis schools and has a son. Mrs. Shepley is still living at age of 86 years.
HON. LEWIS A.'BARKER, who was born in Exeter, February 18, 1818, the son of Nathaniel Barker, a native of Exeter, N. H., who first came to Limerick, Maine and in 1802 to the plantation to which he gave the name of his native place, Exeter. His mother was Sarah Pease, born in Parsonsfield, Maine, a woman of remarkable qualities. Lewis was educated in Foxcroft Academy and later taught school. He read law with Albert G. Jewett in Bangor one year and completed his study of the law with Messrs. Kent and Cutting. He was admitted to the practice of law in 1841, opened his office in Stetson in 1841 and remained there 30' years. He then removed to Bangor. He was both a member and speaker of the House of Representatives, president of the Senate, and member of the Executive Council and also Executive Councillor. He married Elizabeth, born June 22, 1822) daughter of Col. Francis Hill of Exeter, by whom he had two children: Corddia Evelyn, (Evvie) who became. a writer but died at age twenty-four, and à son, Lewis Amasa Barker of Bangor, an attorney, born in Stetson, August, 1854. Noah Barker and David Barker of Exeter were his brothers. Lewis Barker was a born orator and his patriotic and political speeches earned him a reputation that caused him to be called not only all over Maine, but on many occasions to other states. He was especially active during the enlistment period of the Civil War.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.