USA > Maine > Knox County > Thomaston > History of Thomaston, Rockland, and South Thomaston, Maine, from their first exploration, A. D. 1605; with family genealogies, Vol. II > Part 2
USA > Maine > Knox County > Rockland > History of Thomaston, Rockland, and South Thomaston, Maine, from their first exploration, A. D. 1605; with family genealogies, Vol. II > Part 2
USA > Maine > Knox County > South Thomaston > History of Thomaston, Rockland, and South Thomaston, Maine, from their first exploration, A. D. 1605; with family genealogies, Vol. II > Part 2
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57
The former pastor of the 1st Baptist church of this place, Rev. Amariah Kalloch, died June 16th, of this year, near Sacramento City, California, just as his numerous friends here were expecting his return. He was an able and success- ful minister, of great mental power, and of a winning and prepossessing appearance. His loss was deeply lamented not only by the church that had grown up with him here, but by the citizens and community at large, and particularly his own denomination, in whose Associations he had frequently pre- sided and always been an efficient member. The death of President Taylor was duly noticed in this place, and an ora- tion or eulogy delivered by T. K. Osgood, at the 1st Baptist church on the evening of August 18th.
1851 opened with frequent storms, obstructed mails, and greater depth of snow than had been known for eight or ten years.
. At the close of July and first of August, the bay and har- bor here were literally alive with mackerel, affording the citi- zens sport even to weariness in taking them. On the 27th of August the house occupied by Mrs. Rhoades was struck by lightning, which demolished the chimney, tore off the plas- tering, set fire to a bed, rudely knocked down a lady, and finally, after assaulting a stove and silencing a tea-kettle, made a hasty exit through the cellar. At the same time there was a flash and explosion like that of a pistol, in the Telegraph office near by. Then followed a season of severe heat, dust, and drought, which was not broken by rain till Sept. 23d; but which was borne patiently on account of the facilities it afforded for laying the pipes of the aqueduct. On Sunday, Sept. 14th, the dwelling of John Keen in the north- western part of the town, took fire whilst the family were all absent, and, with the furniture, papers, accounts, and notes, was wholly consumed. The schooner Fortune of this port having on board Thomas M. Stearns, master, and Wm. H. Stearns, mate, of this town, and two others, left New York for this place with a cargo of corn and flour; was last scen
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ROCKLAND AND SOUTH THOMASTON.
off Chatham, Nov. 25th; and was supposed to have been lost in the snow storm of that evening.
The strong and general interest in the temperance cause, characteristic of Rockland, was more strongly manifested this year by a number of crowded mass meetings under direction of the different temperance organizations. Nor was the movement confined to this place, but a general interest seemed to be awakened through the State, more especially by means of the Sons of Temperance. At the State celebration of this order held here July 11th, a procession, marshalled by Messrs: F. Cobb, C. Holmes, and E. W. Pendleton, and con- sisting of Lime Rock, Farmer's and Mechanics, Oak, and Hyperion Divisions, Cadets of Temperance, Temple of Honor, and Watchman's Club, (all, except the first, being new organ- . izations formed within the two preceding years) with the fire companies, brass band, committee of arrangements, clergy, and the Grand Division, marched to Rankin's Grove ; where a concourse of 5000 people listened to eloquent addresses from Arnold S. Richmond, president of the day, Revs. Fes- ·senden and Kalloch of this place, and many gentlemen from other parts of the State. The mass meetings continued every fortnight through the winters of 1851 and 1852; and, with strict watchfulness and prompt prosecutions under the new Maine Law, effected almost a complete annihilation of the baneful traffic. Every influential business man, it was stated, was in favor of temperance ; and, instead of the great num- ber of paupers formerly maintained, there was now but a solitary one, remaining in the poor-house.
A young men's Literary club was formed in the autumn of 1851; $200 were raised by sale of tickets, and a course of lectures provided ; which were by Rev. Messrs. Wm. Ware of Cambridge, on "Kossuth," November 25th; William A. Drew, on the " world's fair," December 5th; Chas. F. Allen of Bath, on " Cromwell," December 11th; Prof. Packard of Bowdoin College, on "nationality," January 7, 1852; J. W. Chickering of Portland, on " Switzerland," January 23d; Sylvester Judd of Augusta, on " the beautiful," February 2d; George Shepard of Bangor, on "reading," March 6th, and April 20th; and Theodore Parker of Boston, on " false and true idea of a gentleman," March 9th.
This year was distinguished for business prosperity and the rapid growth of the place. The spacious Kimball block, of brick, three stories in height, on the castern-side-of Main street, having been in progress since 1848, was now opencd, furnishing six new stores on the first floor, and on the second floor accommodations for the Bank, Insurance, lawyers' and
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HISTORY OF THOMASTON,
other offices. A large number of buildings of different des- criptions were going up. The Lindsey field, of 14 acres, a short distance north of Lime Rock and Main streets, was purchased by A. H. Kimball and Isaac C. Abbott, laid out in some 75 building lots, and four or five of them improved as such not long after by the owners. The Crockett pasture (as it was six years earlier) was now also in demand for building pur- poses ; and to facilitate renting, the first house-brokerage office was opened by M. S. Whiting, at his law office in the Spof- ford block. Two large ships, one of them of 1700 tons-the largest ever before built in Maine-and other vessels, build- ing; the manufacture of 741,000 casks of lime and the con- struction of the water works, rendered business unusually · lively. Of the merchants in the place, (nearly 100,) not a single failure occurred during the year. The Rockland Bank was incorporated, May 31st, with a capital of $50,000, and the right of increasing it to $100,000 on or before April 1, 1853. The stock was taken up almost wholly by citizens of the place; and the bank went into operation the following October. The present capital is $150,000, the number of stockholders 168, and its annual dividend 6 per cent. Alfred H. Kimball has been president and Wm. H. Titcomb cashier, from the beginning. The office is kept in the Kimball block, Main street ; discount day, Tuesday.
Nor was this prosperity confined to business alone ; a mark- ed improvement was manifest in the cause of education, pub- lic morals, mental culture, and social intercourse. The East Thomaston, now Rockland Athencum, an association for form- ing a library, after a preliminary meeting of seven individ- uals, had met Feb. 7, 1850, and chosen for president Jas. O. L. Foster, then in the practice of law here ; A. C. Spalding, vice president, W. H. Titcomb, secretary, C. Holmes, treas- urer, and a board of seven directors. It commenced with a capital stock of $1000, and 100 share-holders, who were to pay an annual tax of two dollars each, and other subscribers to share its privileges by paying $3 a year or $1 a quarter. A suitable room was provided in the Kimball block and fitted up at a cost of $157, carpeted by the ladies, hung with en- gravings, and furnished with nearly 1000 standard volumes, and the periodicals of the day, -of which the British Quar- terlies and Hunt's Merchant's Magazine were gratuitously be- stowed by Cor. C. A. Macomber. This library was removed, in Jan., 1857, to Berry's new block, where it still retains some 1800 volumes of standard works, and is one of the most val- uable institutions of the city.
By council duly called, the Second Baptist Church in Rock-
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ROCKLAND AND SOUTH THOMASTON.
land was formed, Nov. 26th of this year, consisting of 12 male and 8 female members of the 1st church, cordially dis- missed for the purpose, together with three from churches in other towns, - mostly residents at the North End. At the first church meeting, Dec. 13th, John Porter and J. Riley Bowler were chosen deacons; succeeded, Feb. 12, 1859, by Waterman Fales and Joseph R. Walker. Rev. Winthrop O. Thomas, dismissed from Lincolnville church, was pastor in 1852 at $300, the two following years at $400, and 1855 at $500,-continuing his very acceptable services till Dec. 26, 1858, and then removing for a time to Leavenworth, Kansas. On the 29th Dec. 1852, their church edifice, standing in a commanding situation at the North End, was dedicated ; having been built on contract for $8000 by Col. H. G. Berry, and furnished with a town clock by subscription of the citi- zens at large, a communion service by Mrs. Geo. Thomas, a sofa by H. G. Berry, two stuffed chairs by Messrs. Sawyer & Colson, a table by H. Burpee, a chandelier and pulpit lamps by Secomb & Taylor of Boston, a bible by Dr. J. M. Blaisdell and W. G. Sargent, Esq., and a copy of the Psalmist by T. K. Osgood. The pews sold for a sum sufficient to cover the cost of the house. In March, 1859, Rev. Joseph Kalloch became the pastor, and still continues his services. The church has suffered somewhat from the death or removal of members ; but the whole number in 1863 was 109, and its number of S. S. scholars 110, with a library of 400 volumes .*
An Antiquarian Singing Choir under the lead of Mr. Har- rington, gave repeated and very successful concerts in the winter of 1851-2, the proceeds of which were distributed among the poor and needy families.
1852. For a week or more prior to April 22d, there was a constant succession of east and north-east gales and storms ; one of which lasted from Sunday till Wednesday, so violent that few could stand against it, and the steamers Governor, Boston, and Eastern State, were obliged to seek shelter till it was over. A drought succeeded; during which, June 6th, a fire broke out at Brown's Corner, in a barn, from which it rapidly spread to the store and dwelling of Wm. Lovejoy, and thence to the dwelling of Edward Lovejoy ; which were con- sumed, but the goods and furniture saved. Loss about $3000. The greatest exertions of the citizens were necessary to save the neighboring buildings. During a protracted shower, June 22, the schooner Rio Grande, Capt. Hix, at anchor in this
* Church records; Minutes of the Association.
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HISTORY OF THOMASTON,
harbor, was struck by lightning, her masts shattered, and house split its whole length. On the morning of December 28th, a fire broke out in the dwelling of D. C. Dinsmore, at the North End, which, with its contents and the furniture of a Mr. Lord, stored there, was consumed. The loss to this industrious mechanic, $1500, not being insured, the citizens with their characteristic liberality immediately raised a hand- some sum for his relief and something towards that of Mr. Lord.
Among the other signs of progress, was the building of a number of new stores on the west side of Main, below Spring street, three in one block, by Mitchell & Young, with a large hall above called Beethoven ; another block by Wm. Wilson; and still another, by G. W. Palmer. New streets were laid out in various directions ; and it was said that some 300 dwell- ings, stores, and other buildings, besides two churches else- where mentioned, were going up. Among others, George Lindsey repaired and enlarged his dwelling, which has since been converted into a tavern known as the Lindsey House, and which he had erected in 1835, -himself burning the lime, making the brick, and hauling the materials. A marine railway, wharves, kilns, and ship-yards, were built at the southern end of the harbor; and no less than 1,000,000 casks of lime were burnt during the year.
The Rockland Lime Rock Company was incorporated March 23d, with a capital not exceeding $10,000, for draining or oth- erwise removing the water from the range of quarries near Alden Ulmer's and improving the same. A plank road hav- ing been in agitation and advocated by many, was, as early as April 15, 1850, voted by the town to be built for twenty rods on Lime Rock street, by way of experiment ; and now, April 13, 1852, the Rockland Plank Road Company, with a capital of $25,000, was incorporated for the purpose of constructing a plank, road from the Austin quarries near the Thomaston line, to the lime kilns near the shore, with a branch to the quarries at Brown's Corner. But, in the mean time, the result of the town's experiment began to appear. It was found that the three-inch planks used, were, in less than two years, cut through by the heavily loaded wheels em- ployed in the transportation of limestone; and the plan was abandoned. In 1853 an additional Act authorized the com- pany to substitute a macadamized for a plank road, on any portion of the same; and, in 1864, on petition of F. Cobb and others, a railroad was granted by the legislature from the quarries to the wharves ..
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ROCKLAND AND SOUTH THOMASTON.
Mr. Colby's steam engine, of 25 horse power, was pur- chased this year by the Rockland Steam Manufacturing Com- pany, consisting of I. K. and A. H. Kimball, Jos. C. Libbey, and H. G. Berry, which was incorporated April 2d, with power to hold property not exceeding $30,000, and to manu- facture wood, iron, &c. It did a good business, especially in the manufacture of doors, sashes and blinds, till destroyed by fire in 1855.
The Rockland Fire and Marine Insurance Company was incorporated Feb. 7th, with a capital of $50,000; and in March following duly organized by the choice of N. A. Far- well, John Gregory, Jona. White, A. H. Kimball, F. Cobb, C. W. Shaw, and C. McLoon, directors; Mr. Farwell was appointed its first and, as yet, only president; and E. Spear, Jr., secretary, succeeded, Jan. 1854, by Maynard Sumner, the present incumbent. It has been very prosperous in its operations.
In Dec. 1852, the Advertiser, a small weekly sheet which had been published nearly a year at Camden, was removed to this place and here issued under the new name of COMMER- CIAL ADVERTISER. It was published by F. C. Messenger, and continued till 1854. Aug. 31st of the same year, ap- peared the PINE TREE STATE, a political campaign paper, published six weeks here and at Camden, under patronage of Hon. E. K. Smart, of the latter place. The year was some- what memorable for political excitement, no less than three
congressional conventions being held in this place; one, the democratic, proving very stormy and at length splitting into two, and nominating Hon. Iddo K. Kimball of Rockland and Hon. M. H. Smith of Warren as their respective candidates. Jas. O. L. Foster, Esq., was nominated for the same office by the free soil convention; but, in consequence of these divis- ions, Hon. E. W. Farley, the whig candidate, was elected. .
The Rockland Lyceum was organized in the fall of 1852, and, under its auspices, lectures delivered, by Messrs. Joseph Harvey of Amherst; E. G. Brooks of Lynn; Geo. Shepherd of Bangor; Wm. Smyth of Brunswick; C. F. Allen of Bath; E. B. Webb and Asa Dalton of Augusta ; G. F. Talbot of E. Machias ; J. W. Hanson, Gardiner ; J. P. Skeele; Henry Giles of Bucksport; U. Balkam of Wiscasset ; E. Whittle- sey of Bath ; W. A. Drew of Augusta; and closing with H. Giles again, April 8, 1853.
The Youth's Educational Union was organized this year, by Z. Pope Vose and seven other young people of the place, for purposes of self-improvement. It continued for some VOL. II. 2
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HISTORY OF THOMASTON,
four or five years, and contained considerable native talent ; publishing in 1854 a small volume of 218 pages of original compositions, under the title of The Stray Sunbeam, edited by Mr. Vose, Cynthia I. McIntosh, H. F. Perry, and S. Francis White; which, though now regarded by some of its widely scattered members as a youthful indiscretion, is a pleasant memento of happy hours, and exhibits marks of fine feeling, taste, and the germs of genius, since more amply developed and appreciated. About the same time, The Dial, of 29 pages, was published; being a creditable number of a semi-monthly paper got up by Mr. Osgood's pupils, at Grace street school.
The Methodist Episcopal Society of Rockland, whose house of worship here was erected in 1829 or '30, and whose his- tory has been already brought down to 1838, in chapter XVI, had continued to thrive under the preaching of Revs. A. Cald- well, 1839-40; John Atwell, 1841; Thomas Greenhalgh, 1842; C. C. Cone, 1843; J. C. Perry, 1844-5; Charles Baker, 1846; L. P. French, 1847-8; J. Atwell, 1849-50; and Geo. Pratt, 1851-2. Having now, from a handful of humble believers, become a numerous and able body, they put up the present year an addition to their chapel, of 12 or more feet, making a commodious and neat church, with sittings for 500 persons, which, in 1862, was valued at $5000. Mr. Pratt - has been succeeded by Revs. H. C. Tilton, 1853-4; A. Church, 1855-6 ; C. F. Tupper, 1857-8; Wm. H. Crawford, 1859 ; C. B. Dunn, 1860 ; Barnet M. Mitchell, 1862 ; and E. W. Hutchinson, 1863. In 1862, the number of church mem- bers was 107; probationers, 24; Sabbath School scholars, 75 ; volumes in library, 200 ; preacher's receipts, $346; value of parsonage, $1200 .*
1853. The year opened sadly in this place ; - a fire breaking out at eleven o'clock øn New Year's eve, in the attic of the northern half of the Kimball block. When first dis- covered, such damage was done to the roof and upper story, that strong fears were entertained for the whole block and the wooden buildings across the narrow street ; but, by exertions of the fire companies and citizens at large, among whom Messrs. Chas. S. Crockett, J. Cables, Israel Perry, J. S. Co- burn, and I. Gregory were particularly noticed, aided by full hydrants and a storm of sleet which covered every wall with ice, the fire was arrested and finally got under. The loss was estimated at $7000 to I. Kimball on the building; $1500 to
* Church Records, Mr. S. Albee, Conference Minutes.
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ROCKLAND AND SOUTH THOMASTON.
Kimball & Tate, hardware merchants, both uninsured; $4500 to B. W. Sawyer & Co., furs, &c .; $10,000 or $12,000 to E. Barrett, dry goods, on the first floor, insured ; while on the second floor the Municipal Court room, the law office of C. L. Lowell, Esq., dentist's office of Dr. J. E. Hunt, with their contents, were all destroyed; as well as the hall and rooms occupied by Relief Lodge of I. O. of O. F., Lime Rock Div. S. of T., and a chapter of the Temple of Honor, on the third floor. Much damage also was sustained by others in the re- moval of goods, and the pilfering, which was carried on to so great an extent that strong suspicions of incendiarism were awakened.
Roused to a sense of danger by this occurrence, the town, at a meeting called Jan. 29th, voted that the selectmen and auditors of accounts purchase two fire engines and necessary apparatus ; provide and locate suitable engine houses ; and hire the amount of money necessary, to be paid in four annual instalments. This action, though prompt, was altogether too tardy for the events which followed. A second fire succeeded on the morning of Feb. 28th, in the clothing store of S. E. Benson, Jr., which was totally consumed, with most of his stock in trade, estimated at $3000, insured $2000. The ad- joining establishment of M. E. Thurlo and the office of W. G. Sargent over it, were torn down to prevent extension of the flames ; whilst a barber's shop and two shoemaker's shops were wholly destroyed, without any insurance. Just one month later, March 28th, still another fire occurred in and totally consumed a wooden building on Main street, belong- ing to S. Rankin, the lower part being occupied as a provi- sion store by the owner, and as a variety store by Ephraim Gay, who lost a new stock of goods worth $5000, wholly un- insured; and the upper story occupied as dwellings by Wm. O. Fuller and M. C. Andrews, who lost all their clothing and furniture, Andrews only being insured for $250. But the greatest fire of the season and most destructive one ever be- fore experienced here or perhaps in any part of the State, took place at three o'clock in the morning of May 22d. It broke out in the rear of S. Pillsbury's store on Main street, consuming all the buildings on the west side of that street from the store of Larkin Snow on the corner of Spring street to Holmes's block on Lime Rock street inclusive, - the Com- mercial and Rockland hotels, Holmes's, Thorndike's, Spof- ford's, and Shipbuilder's Bank, blocks; and all immediately opposite on the east side ; - including Berry's stables, and those of Dennis, Thorndike, and Young; 23 stores; and a
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HISTORY OF THOMASTON,
large number of dwellings and other buildings. The total loss was estimated at from $150,000 to $200,000, and the in- surance on the same at about $60,000. The causes which led to so extensive a destruction of property, were, the strong wind blowing at the time; the lack of water in the hydrants, from its having been shut off a few days before, and the tide being out ; together with a want of engines; - the only one in town not being in good working condition, and the two new ones ordered not having yet arrived, though both those from Thomaston with many of its citizens came and rendered effective aid. Notwithstanding the hurry and confusion of the crowds engaged in arresting the flames and removing goods, no serious accident to life or limb happened, except that J. Spofford, Esq., broke his shoulder blade and arm in falling through the scuttle of a store, John Bennett had his face and hands badly burnt in rescuing some hose, and Mrs. T. Frye was slightly injured in escaping from her burning house.
The two new engines being at length received and named, the one Dirigo, No. 3, and the other Defiance, No. 4, meas- ures were immediately taken to form a company for the man- agement of each of them. Two effective companies were accordingly organized, the former under Wm. G. Berry and Elijah Walker, first and second foremen, with G. L. Smith and C. S. Crockett, foremen of the hose; and the latter, under officers not ascertained. These did good service without any compensation, till the city council made, in April, 1855, an appropriation of $150 for each company. This sum not proving satisfactory, the Dirigo company refused further ser- vice and voted to disband. It, or a new one, was immediate- ly re-organized, however ; and both companies have continu- ed their organization to the present time, contributing much to the security of life and property, as well as to the general credit and respectability of the city.
The business of Rockland was never more prosperous than in 1853 ; though its usual substratum, that of lime, fell off this year, on account of the scarcity of eastern wood, to 613,323 casks. Yet 40 or more new kilns for its manufacture were built, at an average cost of $800 or 8900. Ship-building was also actively prosecuted ; one of its distinguished exploits being the clipper ship Red Jacket, of 2500 tons, which, a few months after, performed the passage from New York to Liverpool in thirteen days, one hour and twenty-five minutes : the quickest, it was then said, on record. Many stores and other buildings, also, were going up in various parts of the
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ROCKLAND AND SOUTH THOMASTON.
village. Among these last, were a brick block by Capt. John Spear, on Main street, with three spacious stores below and dwellings above; and, in the northern part of the village, a like block, by Jos. Hewett, and another, of four stores, by Constant Rankin. At Ingraham's Point, great improvements were made, especially by the Atlantic Ship Wharf and Lime Manufacturing Company, which was incorporated March 19th, with a capital of $50.000, and power to construct a wharf not exceeding 800 feet into tide waters. It was or- ganized April 30th, by the choice of H. Ingraham, president, and F. Cobb, treasurer, and the same with Sidney B. Morse of Boston, and H. C. Lowell and Thomas Colson, directors. After the burning of the public houses mentioned, the large wooden dwelling, recently owned by Charles Holmes, on Lime Rock street, was fitted up for a hotel, and opened June 13th, by J. C. Merrill, last from Gardiner. Adjoining the Kim- ball block, which was also enlarged, a block was built by Berry & Abbott, of brick, with a cast iron front to the sec- ond story, containing three stores, with offices above ; a large wooden store by W. A. Farnsworth, on the site formerly oc- cupied by him on Main street, at the head of Sea street; and a block of three very large and fine stores by Jeremiah Berry, on the site of the late Commercial House. Messrs. Dyer & Co. of Portland, established themselves, in the spring, as brass foun- ders and machinists, at the North End. The steamboat Rock- land, of 195 tons, was this year built at Hoboken, N. Y., and, August 21st, entered upon her route between Rockland and Machias, under the command of Capt. E. S. Blaisdell of this place ; and has proved a popular little steamer for vari- ous excursions with our citizens. For this, or some kindred enterprise, the Maine Steam Navigation Company, compris- ing many leading men of this place and Camden, was incor- porated Jan. 31st. The " Rockland" was, for some reason, sold in 1858, - and bid off by F. Cobb and others of this place, for $7800. The Rockland Gas Light Company was incorporated March 5, 1853, and, under the care of R. Young,. superintendent, commenced making gas at 9, A. M., Jan. 13, 1855, -lamp-posts being erected in different places, and the city first lighted up by its means in June, 1855. An Act for the protection of the shores, docks and harbor of Rockland from injury, by the deposit of core and other waste matter from the lime kilns, was passed March 10th, and a fine of ten dollars imposed for every offence of the kind.
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