USA > Maine > York County > History of York County, Maine, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 106
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Charles W. Smith remained at home during his minority, receiving his education in the common school of his native town. At the age of twenty- one he was employed by the month on the farm of Isaiah H. Ricker, of Waterborough. In the fall of the same year he invested his earnings in a one-fourth interest in a small saw-mill near Waterborough Corner. At the end of another year he had become the owner of a three-fourths interest in the mill, and continued to carry it on for ten years. In the mean time he had purchased the farm at Waterborough Old Corner, upon which he subsequently built his present fine residence, and which he has carried on in conjunction with his lumber enterprises. From
1868 to 1871 he was engaged in contracts upon the Portland and Rochester, Boston and Maine, and Portland and Ogdensburg Railroads. In 1871 he leased the saw-mills at the Shaker village in Alfred, and carried on a successful lumbering business there for six years.
In December, 1877, he purchased the steam saw- mill at South Waterborough, formerly owned and run by Downs & Johnson, where he has since done a leading business in the manufacture of ship stock of every description, pine and hemlock lum- ber, and shook, employing an average of thirty hands throughout the year.
In politics Mr. Smith has been an active Repub- lican since the organization of that party. Has served as selectman of his town two years, and was a member of the Legislature in 1878. In religious sentiment he favors the Universalist belief.
He married, Feb. 11, 1861, Clara Roberts, dangh- ter of Samuel and Julia (Seward) Roberts. Mrs. Smith was born April, 1840, in Waterborough. They have three children, viz .: Fred. L., born Jan. 22, 1865; George H., born July 12, 1867 ; Edgar L., born May 12, 1872.
389
TOWN OF WATERBOROUGH.
of Durham, N. H., settled about a mile south of the Old Corner, and opened a public-house for the accommodation of lumbermen and teamsters on their way to and from the coast. This was the first public-house opened in the town.
The first church was formed in 1782, as a general union of Baptist, Free-Will Baptist, and Congregationalist people to support the worship of God together, neither being numerous and sufficiently able to sustain worship alone. Private schools were kept as early as 1784.
INCORPORATION.
The plantation of Massabesic was incorporated as a town under the name of Waterborough, March 6, 1787, with boundaries defined as follows : Beginning at the northerly corner of Coxhall, thence running north 113º west, five and three-fourths miles to Little Ossipee River; thence westerly by the river to the north corner of Shapleigh ; thence southerly by Shapleigh and Sanford to the West corner of Coxhall, and northwest by Coxhall to the bounds first mentioned. Nathaniel Wells, Esq., justice of the peace, was empowered to issue a warrant to the principal inhabitants for the clection of town officers.
Under a warrant issued to Andrew Burleigh, the voters of the town assembled at the dwelling-house of Capt. John Smith, innholder, April 5, 1787, and chose William Bean moderator. The town officers elected were Benjamin War- ren, Town Clerk ; James Carlisle, Andrew Burley, William Bean, Selectmen and Assessors; Nathaniel Hains, Treas- urer ; Lieut. Clement Moody, William Tibbetts, Constables ; Samuel Scribner, William Woodward, Committee to ex- amine the Treasurer's Accounts; Capt. John Smith, Deer and Moose Reeve; John Smith (3d), John Carll, Samuel Cammitt, Moses Downs, Fence-Viewers; Capt. John Smith, Thomas Gubtail, Surveyors of Lumber ; Valentine Straw, Poundkeeper ; Pumphrey Downs, Lient. Benjamin Perry, Tithingmen; Timothy Ricker, William Woodward, War- dens; Benjamin Warren, Sealer of Weights and Measures; William Bean, Sealer of Leather ; James Hamilton, Capt. John Smith, Nicholas Carpenter, Clement Moody, Joseph Sanborn, Thomas Gubtail, Lieut. Simeon Tibbetts, John Bridges, Surveyors of Highways.
The town was named in honor of Col. Josiah Waters. The first book of record contains on its title-page, in a large, bold hand, the inscription : " To the Inhabitants of the town of Waterborough this book is most respectfully presented by their Friend and very Humble Servant, Josiah Waters : Boston, March 10, 1787." In response, it was voted " the thanks of this town be returned the Honb! Josiah Waters, Esq'., for his generous donation in that he has been pleased to bestow on it a book for the records of said town, together with a number of other books for the instruction of the rising generation." The only appropriation at the first election was that of £75 to repair the roads, at the rate of 3s. a day in labor. The constable was an ex-officio collec- tor, that title not occurring on the old record previous to 1793. Town taxes were made payable in produce at the current price. A town pound thirty feet square and seven feet high was contracted for.
A committee was chosen in October, 1787, to wait on Col. Josiah Waters, or any agent from the Phillips pro-
prietors, about purchasing their land. December 26th, Rev. Pelatiah Tingley was chosen a delegate to the conven- tion which met in Boston the ensuing Jannary. The 27 votes cast in the general election were all for Elbridge Gerry, Esq., for Governor. In 1790, old Mr. John Giles, who was an early settler, and had outlived his youth- ful energy, was sold for support to the lowest bidder at 2s. a week. He was the sole charge of the town for several years. Capt. John Smith filled the office of con- stable for his taxes many years. In 1790 the Court of General Sessions, which filled the place of the present Com- missioners' Court, was removed to Waterborough.
A meeting of the inhabitants of the town, held Sept. 19, 1791, " voted that it was expedient to build a court-house at ' the crotch,' near Phineas Colcord's, by subscription," but made no mention of auy subscription themselves. Soon after the court-house was built south of the Old Corners, in the fork of the road. In 1805 the courts were removed to Alfred, and in September, 1806, the court-house was sold to the highest bidder.
The Congregationalist and Baptist Churches were both making an effort to build a separate house of worship, and to this end the town was divided into two parishes by a line, south 563° east, passing four rods from Joseph Sanborn's Inn, across the town. " 'Squire" Burley and James Carlisle were sent to Boston to get the approval of the General Court.
The boundary, which had been disputed since the first settlement along the line of Hollis, was temporarily ad- justed in 1794, by a proposition to form a town, including the disputed territory on both sides, but this failed to meet the approval of the General Court, who themselves estab- lished the line in 1803. In 1807, 890 were appropriated for the purchase of 113 pounds of powder, 254 pounds of balls, 254 flints, and 7 camp-kettles to be kept for the use of the town soldiers, in case of need. In September, 1808, it was voted to petition the President of the United States against the embargo, and James Carlisle, Andrew Burley, and Michael Boaden were authorized to draft, sign, and forward it.
Foxes and wildcats were a source of great annoyance, killing young stock, lambs and poultry, and alarming the parents, lest the children should get torn to pieces. A bounty of $2 was voted on wildcats, and half a dollar on foxes, in 1811. A man came to Elder Hobbs, town clerk, with a wildcat-skin to claim his bounty, for which he received the proper certificate ; soon after he appeared before another clerk, and repeated the process. These oc- currences were rare, for strict adherence to principles of honor characterized the transactions of the early settlers.
A committee was appointed to inspect the town guns in 1814, and a loan of $700 was authorized until the amount could be raised by assessment. This was invested in muni- tions of war.
The town voted 61 to 37 in favor of separation from Massachusetts, in 1819. Rev. Henry Hobbs and Col. Samuel Braden were chosen by the town delegates to the Portland Convention, which convened the second Monday of October, 1819. The town voted 72 to 6 for the consti- tution when adopted. The first election for representative to
390
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, MAINE.
the new State of Maine resulted in a vote on the first ballot " not to send !" After a reconsideration, Rev. Henry Hobbs received 81 votes, Col. Henry Hamilton 59, and Col. Samuel Bradeen 15 votes. The proposition to build a house for the support of the town-poor was first presented in that year, and soon after a farm was bought for their eare.
In 1823 the people voted that the soldiers should be sup- plied with a dinner hereafter at trainings. There were then three companies. It usually took about three days to attend training and get well over it. Those who lived most distant assembled the evening before and went to the rendezvons early enough to be " heard" on their arrival be- fore the break of day. On all days training and parade ensued, during which a sham battle was fought. Each officer was supposed to treat his men to at least a mug of rum each. The bill of fare at the publie dinner of 1823 was " what flower bread and beef they can eat," and one barrel of cider to each company. The captains at that time were William Cook, middle company, Valentine War- ren, lower company, and John Hill, upper company. . The rations cost the town ten cents a man.
Elections were held alternately at Capt. Smith's inn, and at Jeremiah Brown's, near the county road, from 1787 to 1793, when they were changed to the "Upper Court- House," at the Old Corner. In 1794 they were held at the Baptist meeting-house, in the south part of the town, near the court-house, and at Mr. Brown's; in 1801 at the inn of Samuel Dame; and after 1807 at Rev. Henry Ilobbs' meeting-house, on Ossipee Hill, uutil it became dilapidated, in 1852, when they alternated with " the Seratch Bridge" ( Little Ossipee). They were transferred to the present town-house, Sept. 14, 1857.
CIVIL LIST. TOWN CLERKS.
Benjamin Warren, 1787-1809 ; Rev. Henry Hobbs, 1810-16 ; Daniel Smith, 1817-18; Rev. Ilenry Hobbs, 1819-20 ; Orlando Bagley, 1821-32; Benjamin R. Hamilton (vacaney), 1832-33; Henry llobbs, 1834-36: John Hill, 1837-39; Robert Huntress, 1840- 41; James M. Burbank, 1842-43; Jere. Roberts, Jr., 1844; Ja- seph Chase, 1843-46; John Whood, 1847-49; Joseph Allen, 1850 53; Jere. B. Scribner, 1854-55 ; Benjamin Leavitt, 1856- 37 : Alonzo Leavitt, 1858; Jason Hamilton, 1859-60; Warren C. Downs, 1861-62; Benjamin P. Hamilton, 1863-64: James Mills, 1865-66; Horace Day, 1867-68; Horace C. Boothby, 1869 ; John D. Taylor, 1870; Jason II. Hamilton, 1871; James 11. Downs, 1872-73; Ilorace Day, 1874-75; James II. Downs, ISTG ; lloraee Day, 1877-79.
SELECTMEN.
1787-88 .- James Carlisle, Andrew Burley, William Bean. 17-9 .- James Carlisle, William Bean, Benjamin Warren. 1790 .- William Woodward, Nathan llines, Andrew Burley, Esq. 1791 91. James Carlisle, Nathan Hines, Benjamin Warren. 1795. James Carlisle, Benjamin Warren, Michael Boaden. 1796 .- Andrew Burley, Michael Bonden, James Carlisle. 1797 .- William Woodward, Andrew Burley, Michael Boaden. 1796 .- Andrew Burley, James Carlisle, Henry IJobbs. 1749 .. - Benjamin Warren, James Carlisle, Isaac Coffin. 1.00 .- Paul Chadbourne, Henry Hobbs, Nathan Carlisle. 1 . 11-2 .- James Carlisle, Rev. Ilenry Hobbs, Benjamin Warren. 10.4, -- James Carlisle, Benjamin Warren, Andrew Burleigh. 1.01 .- John Kelsey, Jacob Emery, Robert Bradeen. 1805 .- Andrew Burleigh, James Carlisle, Paul Chadbourne.
1806 .- Paul Chadbourne, James Carlisle, Andrew Burley. 1807-9 .- Henry Sayward, James Carlisle, Andrew Burley. 1810-11 .- Benjamin Pearce, Paul Chadbourne, Jr., Henry Sayward. 1812-14 .- Benjamin Pearce, Paul Chadbourne, Jr., Gilbert Hasty. 1815 .- James IIamilton, Paul Chadbourne, Jr., Gilbert Hasty. 1816 .- James Hamilton, Henry Bradeen, Dennis Emery. 1817 .- Daniel Smith, Samuel Bradeen, Rev. Henry Hobbs. IS18 .- Daniel Smith, Samuel Bradeen, Samuel Carll. 1819 .- John Scribner, Samuel Carli, Col. Samuel Bradeen. 1820-23 .- Andrew Roberts, Pbinehas Ricker, Col. Samuel Bradeen. 1824 .- Andrew Roberts, Phinehas Ricker, Capt. John Hill. 1825 .- Phinehas Ricker, Col. John Hamilton, Capt. John Hill. 1826 .- Andrew Roberts, Capt. John Hill, Jr., Rev. Henry Hobbs. 1827-29 .- Andrew Roberts, Orlando Bagley, Capt. John Hill, Jr. 1830 .- Richard Bean, Orlando Bagley, Capt. John Hill, Jr. 1831-32 .- Maj. Jeremiah Roberts, Orlando Bagley, Capt. John Hill, Jr. 1833-34 .- Maj. Jeremiah Roberts, Nathaniel Emery, Dr. John Say- ward.
1835 .- Jonathan Downing, Nathaniel Emery, Dr. John Say ward.
1836-37 .- Jonathan Downing, Nathaniel Emery, Samuel Webber, Jr. 1838 .- Joel Bean, Nathaniel Emery, John Sayward. 1839 .- Joel Bean, Isaac Deering, John Sayward.
1840 .- Joel Beal, Isaac Deering, Nathaniel Emery. 1841 .- Jeremiab Roberts, Nathan Chadbourne, David Sinclair.
1842-43 .- Jeremiah Roberts, Jr., John N. Chadbourne, David Sin-
clair.
1844-45 .- Abrabam Coffin, James M. Burbank, Andrew B. Hasty. 1846 .- Abraham Coffin, Samuel Roberts, Andrew B. Hasty. 1847 .- Samuel Roberts, Joseph Cbase, Samuel Webher, Jr. 1848 .- Elijah Thing, Joseph Chase, Samuel Webber, Jr. 1849 .- Elijah Thing, Porter Hamilton, Joseph Chase. 1850 .- John T. Scribner, Porter Hamilton, William H. Deering. 1851 .- John T. Scribner, George Thing, William H. Deering. 1852 .- George Thing, Orin Bradeen (2d), Oliver IIamilton. 1853 .- Jobn B. Roberts, Orin Bradeen (2d), Oliver Hamilton. 1854 .- John B. Roberts, Benjamin R. Hamilton, John Bean. 1855 .- Rufus Thing, Benjamin R. Hamilton, John Bean. 1×56 .- Rufus Thing, John B. Roberts, John T. Scribner. 1857 .- Porter Hamilton, John Bagley, Joseph Chase. 1858 .- John T. Sentnor, Mark H. Warren, Albert N. Chadbourne. 1859 .- Seth S. Carll, Mark II. Warren, Albert N. Chadbourne. 1860 .- Abraham Coffin, Jere. B. Scribner, Jeremiah Roberts. 1861 .- Jeremiab Roberts, Jeremiah B. Scrihner, William Mills. 1862 .- Jeremiah Scribner, Seth T. Scribner, William Mills. I863-64 .- Bradford Bean, Benjamin Leavitt, Gilbert Hasty. 1865 .- Benjamin Leavitt, George W. Frost, Col. Ivory Pareher. 1866 .- Benjamin Leavitt, Col. Ivory Parcher, Charles L. Hamilton. 1867 .- Joseph Chase, Charles L. Hamilton, James Mills. 1868 .- James Mills, Gilbert Hasty, Benjamin P. Ilamilton. 1869-70 .- Asa S. Ricker, Ilalsey M. Littlefield, David Deering. 1871 .- James Mills, Wallace Libby, Horace Day. 1872 .- George L. Smith, Hiram II. Chadbourne, Ezekiel Deering. 1873 .- William H. Johnson, Hiram H. Chadbourne, Ezekiel Deering. 1874 .- William 11. Johnson, Mark W. Warren, Charles L. Hamilton. 1875 -Charles L. Hamilton, James Miles, Nathan Cluff. 1876-77 .- Benjamin F. Bennett, Charles W. Smith, Samnel H. Carll. 1878 .- Benjamin F. Bennett, Samuel H. Carll, Jobn J. Jellison. 1879 .- Benjamin F. Bennett, John J. Jellison, John T. Seribner.
VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. WATERBOROUGH VILLAGE.
Waterborough village is a station on the Portland and Rochester Railroad, thirteen miles from Biddeford, finely located on a smooth beneh of land half a mile wide, to the southeast of Straw-Mill Brook. There are here thirty dwellings, a school-house, depot, and the following business houses :
Groceries and provisions : Walter J. Downs, established in 1874.
General stores: W. F. Warren, established in 1877; Warren C. Downs, established in 1879.
391
TOWN OF WATERBOROUGH.
Fancy goods : Mrs. Hiram Hanson, since 1879, estab- lished by Mrs. J. T. G. Emery.
Custom shoes : M. A. Emery.
Hoops : Levi Hobbs and John Raymond, established in 1879; John E. Taylor.
Carriages : Horace Day, established in 1860.
Steam mill : Charles W. Smith, saw-, planing-, shingle-, and shook-mills, established in 1865.
Clothing : James H. Downs, established in 1873, runs two teams, and employs 12 to 15 operatives in shop making pants ; Langley & Rieker, coats, employ 8 to 12 operatives. Smiths : Orrin C. Bootliby ; John Smith.
Postmaster : William F. Warren; mails daily by railroad. Distributing post-office for Newfield, Ross Corner, North, East, and South Parsonsfield stage-routes.
Union Hotel : W. S. Files, established 1870. Resident lawyer : Benjamin F. Chadbourne.
Physician : Dr. J. T. G. Emery.
WATERBOROUGH CENTRE.
Waterborough Centre, at the south end of Little Ossipee Pond, contains the town-house, J. C. Durgin's hotel, store of Charles Carll, established in 1873, and smith-shops of B. F. Roberts and A. Bagley. The place is finely situated on the open plains, and contains 18 dwellings. S. H. Carll, postmaster ; mails daily.
OSSIPEE MILLS.
Ossipee Mills, formerly the site of the Ossipee Woolen- Mills, which were burned in 1874. F. P. Johnson, post- master and stone-cutter; Nathan Graffam, blacksmith, on one of the fine Ossipee River bridges formerly called " The Scratch."
NORTH WATERBOROUGH.
North Waterborough, between the two above, is a lum- bering hamlet at the outlet of Little Ossipee Pond, con- taining some 30 dwellings, scattered over an area of a mile, and includes the old union church ; Chadbourne & Lewis' saw-mills, power owned by the Saco Water-Power Company ; steam lumber- and shingle-mill of Dennis Johnson, estab- lished in 1872; Charles B. Mills and Henry Robinson, wheelwrights ; Andrew Chadbourne, shook manufacturer; Gilbert Hasty, insurance agent ; L. Chase, postmaster.
EAST WATERBOROUGH POST-OFFICE.
East Waterborough Post-Office is a station on the Port- land and Rochester Railroad, in the east part of the town, opened in 1877, under the name of Centre Waterborough, at the site of the old Capt. Smith mill, erected previous to 1787, now the mill of Horace Thing. There is a general store here, established hy Roberts & Carll in 1877 ; J. B. Abbott, postmaster.
WATER-POWERS.
The outlet of the Ossipee Pond affords the best power in town, and runs 4 saws and 1 planer.
The Ossipee Pond Company, at the outlet, manufactured 600,000 feet of lumber annually between 1760-70, and there are 200,000 feet annually manufactured at other mills in town.
Johnson's Brook runs two saws half the year. Roberts'
Brook, sufficient to run one saw half the year, is now occu- pied by a steam mill in connection with the water-power. The Little Ossipee River, bounding the town on the north and east, affords many fine water-powers, most of which are occupied on the Limerick side.
The Ossipee Manufacturing Company, at Ossipee Mills on the Little Ossipee, was incorporated in 1861, with a capital of $17,000. It employed 25 hands, manufacturing 18,000 pairs of blankets per year. This was burned in 1874. The Steam Mill Company, at South Waterborough, manufactured in the season of 1872 about one million feet of lumber into boxes, shingles, ete.
There are two powers on Branch Brook capable of run- ning three-fourths of the year. Smith's Brook runs two saws the whole year. Coleord Brook runs one saw half the year. Down's Brook affords a good mill-privilege, but is not occupied.
BURIAL-GROUNDS.
An old burying-ground on the West road, among the hills, comprises a half-acre and contains some 55 graves, both old and new. Among the older and more intimately connected with the early settlement, are Joseph Pike, died 1857, aged ninety-one years and nine months, and Joseph Pike, died 1828, aged ninety-two, with their wives, who sleep side by side ; Jolin Emery, died 1804; John Fish, died 1825, aged seventy-two; Richard Bean, died 1806, aged fifty-six ; Joseph Maddox, died 1858, aged sixty-nine.
On the Thing homestead are William Thing, died 1858, aged eighty-three, with others of his family.
On the Hill farm, Reuben Hill, died 1821, aged fifty- one, and his son, Deacon Jonathan Hill, died 1876, aged ninety-two.
A burying-ground at Waterborough Centre contains a larger number than any other beside those mentioned; but the custom of burying on homesteads has largely prevailed within the town from its earliest settlement.
In the northeast part of the town, surrounded by mem- bers of the Burrows and Lane families, is the fine granite monument of Rev. Pelatiah Tingley.
PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST.
Waterborough Old Corner, a mile and a half northwest of South Waterborough Station, is a point of interest from the fact that it was once a half-shire village of the county, and contained the court-house at the commencement of the present century. It is now a neat hamlet of a church, a school-house, and seven dwellings. The church occupies a knoll inelosed by the triangle at the junetion of three roads, and is surrounded by a railing and row of elosely-planted sugar-maples, which tower above the eaves, and give to it a fine appearance in summer. The land surrounding is broken, rocky, and divided into numerous small patches of ground by walls of stone, laid when it was the chief village of the town, and a prospective eity. Thorn, apple, haw, butternut, and ash grow along the walls, while many of the once-cleared fields are dotted with young white pines. Tall elms point the location of former dwellings. The Baptist parsonage, and the dwelling of Dr. J. H. Pierce are the chief dwellings. The old court-house was moved away in 1806.
392
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, MAINE.
CHURCHES.
FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
During the summer of 1798, a large and successful reformation was conducted by Elder Pelatiah Tingley and Elder John Buzzell. October 4th, a meeting of the repre- sentatives of the different surrounding settlements and churches was held at the house of George Bickford, in Par- sonsfield, to consult as to the future action in regard to the subjects of the reformation. This resulted in forming a quarterly meeting at that time, to meet at Waterborough, Newfield, North and South Parsonsfield alternately. Revs. John Buzzell and Pelatiah Tingley were clerk and mode- rator of this meeting. November 1st, ensuing, a conference of those persous living in Waterborough met at the dwel- ling of James Carlisle, in the north part of the town, elected Elder Tingley moderator, and Henry Hobbs clerk, and proceeded to organize themselves into a society. This in- cluded Elder Pelatiah Tingley, Joshua Warren, William Deering, Zachariah Emery, Timothy Rieker and wife, Hul- dah Emery, Betsey Sanborn, Deborah Dudley, and soon after Caleb Parker and Richard Emery.
Ilenry Hobbs, who was a native of Berwiek, was after- wards converted, baptized Oct. 4, 1799, and within a week from that date preached his first sermon in the dwelling- house of Timothy Rieker, on Ossipee Mountain, near his home. Mr. Rieker was appointed deacon Jan. 2, 1800, and Henry Hobbs and Moses Pitts were recommended to improve " their gift" in public. May 22, 1801, Mr. Hobbs was ordained by Revs. Tingley, Weeks, MeOrrison, and Buzzell, at the Quarterly Conference, and became successor of Elder Tingley, and first settled pastor over this charge. The meeting-house, long known in town affairs as "Rev. Henry Hobbs' meeting-house," was first occupied by the church May 2, 1805. Benjamin Brown, of this church, commenced preaching in 1806. Moses Ricker, Jonathan Hill, David Burroughs, and Daniel Andrews, Jr., were ap- pointed deacons. Elder Hobbs ceased active work as a minister in 1845, and was succeeded by various supplies until his death, which occurred March 20, 1848. The church declined soon after. The meeting-house was used as a town-house until after 1854, when it became so dilapi- dated that it was abandoned for a better building, and was soon after torn down by the proprietors.
The Lyman Church, and another at North Waterborough, were branches of this church.
Elders James Gray and Richard Emery also entered the ministry from this church. Both were natives of the town.
Elder Pelatiah Tingley was educated for a Congrega- tionalist minister, but became a Baptist, and was one of the first ministers of that society in Waterborough, in 1791. It is said of him, that as he was about to commenee reading a sermon, it was caught by a sudden gust of wind and car- ried out of the open window. This so affected him that he accepted it as a reproof from God, and changed his eourse to the extemporization followed by the Free- Will Society. Be this as it may, we find him working vigorously, and organ- izing Free-Will Baptist Churches in 1797, and working with them during the remainder of his life.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
A Baptist society was organized Oct. 27, 1791, with eight members. Elder Pelatiah Tingley was one of the first ministers. In 1794, Rev. Henry Smith became its pastor, and continued his ministry among them until his death, Feb. 11, 1836, at the age of eighty-four. Rev. Mr. Smith lived in Alfred as a farmer until at the age of thirty-four, when he left his employment, and became ordained to the ministry in 1785. His biographer says of him, " He pos- sessed a feeling heart, a tender conscience, and a correct judgment. His sermons were solemn, argumentative, and impressive."
The subsequent ministers and pastors have been Revs. Abner Flanders, from 1836-44; L. S. Tripp, 1844-45; William Johnson, 1846-48; John L. Sanborn, 1848-52; Bartlett Pease, 1852-55 ; and William Beorins, 1855-57. Rev. Hannibal M. Sawtelle was installed in 1859, and suc- ceeded by Rev. J. L. Sanborn, the preseut pastor, in 1878. Present membership, 98. Deacons, Archibald Smith, Simeon Haines, Noah Ricker, William Johnson, L. An- drews. Present deacons, Frank Blaisdell, James Peirce. Clerk, W. B. Johnson. The meeting-house at the Old Corner was erected in 1849, and dedicated by Rev. Mr. Sanborn, in 1850.
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