USA > Maine > York County > History of York County, Maine, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 108
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The following is a list of Revolutionary soldiers who served in Capt. James Hubbard's and Capt. Samuel Saw- yer's companies. Capt. Hubbard lived in that part of Wells since called Kennebunk, and his men were enlisted for eight months' service : James Hubbard, captain ; Jo- seph Churchill, lieutenant ; Nathaniel Cousens, lieutenant ; Stephen Larrabee, sergeant; Samuel Chadbourne, Barthol- omew Goodwin, Jotham Littlefield ; Samuel Burnham, sergeant ; John Butland, sergeant ; Thomas Wormwood, corporal ; Stephen Fairfield, corporal ; Remiek Cole, cor- poral; Richard Gilpatrick, corporal; Jacob Blaisdell, fifer; John Webber, drummer; Joseph Cousens, Rowlins Col- burn, John Denny, Jr., Joseph Daggett, Job Emery, Obe- diah Emmons, Jedediah Gooch, Dimon Hubbard, James Gilpatrick, Joshua Gilpatrick, Edmund Currier, Abraham Littlefield, Henry Maddox, John Manger, John Ross, Abner Wormwood, Samuel Waterhouse, John Kimball, John Webber, Jr., Benjamin Wormwood, Amos Storer, Jedediah Goodale, John Wormwood, Ezekiel Webber, Jon- athan Banks, John Campbell, John Penny, Isaac Storer, Benjamin Webber, John Boothby, Jr.
Capt. Samuel Sawyer's company : Samuel Sawyer, cap- tain; Jedediah Littlefield, lieutenant ; Samuel Stevens, en- sign ; Samuel Goodale, sergeant ; George Jacobs, sergeant ; John Littlefield, sergeant ; Joel Stevens, corporal ; Jon- athan Low, corporal; Nathan Kimball, corporal ; Stephen Johnson, corporal ; Joshua Taylor, drummer ; Joseph Kil- gore, fifer; Abraham Barnes, Jonathan Banks, Timothy Boston, Jonathan Boston, Nason Lord, Ebenezer Little- field, Josiah Morrison, Benjamin Morrison, John Mitchell, William Dealing, John Meldrum, Allen Penny, Joseph Stevens, Reuben Stuart, Ebenezer Storer, Ebenezer Tib- betts, Eliphalet Taylor, Seth Taylor, John Trow.
The following persons belonging to Wells enlisted in the company of Capt. Jesse Dorman, of Arundel: Ezekiel Wakefield, sergeant ; John Fisk, John Hubbard, James Smith, Abijah Wormwood, Daniel Meader, Moses Drown, Edmund Littlefield, Moses Blaisdell.
There was also a company under Capt. Noah M. Little- field, which was enlisted to guard the beach from Kittery to Portland, and was at the latter place immediately after it was burnt ; afterwards at Kittery, employed in building the fort; and another company under the command of Capt. Joshua Bragdon, many of whom were inhabitants of Wells.
Capt. Hubbard's and Capt. Sawyer's companies marched to Cambridge, and were there in service three months. Capt. Hubbard died in the service at Cambridge. When the eight months' service at Cambridge had expired, many of the soldiers of Capt. Sawyer's company re-enlisted for one year, among whom were the following: Jedediah Lit- tlefield, lieutenant ; Samuel Stevens, ensign ; James Gil- patrick, Isaac Storer, John Bourne, Elijah Boston, Nathan-
iel Butland, Paul Goodwin, Benjamin Kimball, William Perkins, Stephen Ricker, Daniel Stuart.
This service was one of great hardship and exposure. They marched to New York ; thence to Albany, Lake Champlain, St. John's, Montreal ; thence up the Cedars sixty miles ; thence back to St. John's, where most of them had the smallpox ; thence to Ticonderoga and Albany, Newton and Trenton, where they were discharged.
In the war of 1812 few or none enlisted, the feeling of nearly all the people being in opposition to it.
In the Rebellion of 1861 most of the quotas of the town were supplied from abroad. Bounties from $200 to 8400 were paid. In the aggregate of troops furnished for the military service in the various wars, Wells probably fur- nished as many soldiers as any other town in the State.
Before the Revolutionary war, a few of the people en- gaged in navigation. Several small vessels were built ; some of these were engaged in the West India trade, others in coasting only. After the great conflict was closed, the enterprise in this direction was more general ; larger vessels were built and more of the people embarked in it. A ship of nearly 300 tons was launched in 1790. Brigs and smaller vessels were added yearly to the navigation. Some of these were captured by the French. Deducting the losses which happened in this way, and others by the perils of the sea, probably the town was not made richer by its navigation.
OCCUPATIONS OF THE PEOPLE.
The main body of the people are, and always have been, farmers. A few are engaged in trade and in lumber opera- tions, but it is believed agricultural life has been as success- ful as any other. It was said by the late Judge Wells, in a publie document, that the lands in Wells are exceed- ingly poor and unfertile. But it is believed that among the varieties of the soil there is as much which may be termed good as in other towns in the county. Being adjacent to the sea, and embracing within its limits exten- sive marshes, the additional value given to it by the benefits arising from these sources make a farm of as much value to the owner as farms in any other town which has no superior market. During the last century the principal annual product was corn, and several of the farmers raised between 200 and 300 bushels. As great a harvest can be had now if equal labor and attention are bestowed for the purpose. The people also from the early days of the settlement up to the latter part of the last century kept large stocks of cattle ; some of them a dozen cows. Corn, butter, and cheese bring a higher price than in olden times, and any farm equal to the average in town, after the war-debt shall be removed, will bring to the man who faithfully and judiciously tills it a reasonable income.
At the present time W. G. Mathews, George G. Hatch, L. E. Keyes & Son, W. Rankin & Son, S. B. Farnsworth & Son, and Samuel Bragdon are engaged in mercantile business at the village ; G. Getchell, L. A. Stevens & Co., and Samuel Emery, merchants, at Wells Depot; B. Max- well, Charles H. Littlefield, and William Varrell, merchants, Ogunquit; David Chick, Wells Branch, general merchan- dise.
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, MAINE.
Manufacturers : J. N. Buffum, D. Clark, Joseph G. Storer, lumber dealers; Bean & Littlefield, B. E. Trip, blacksmiths ; J. R. Rankin, wheelwright; E. P. Hobbs, John Hilling, painters. At the Depot, Theodore Wells, West & Bragdon, lumber dealers ; R. S. Hubbard, black- smith ; Jacob Storer, carpenter. At Ogunquit, J. D. Eaton, William Maxwell, lumber dealers; David Kimball, black- smith ; William Jacobs, carpenter.
Hotels : Atlantic House, O. A. Frost ; summer boarding- houses, Charles Perkins, Samuel S. Perkins.
Libraries : Wells Library Association, HI. N. Curtis, librarian ; Wells Depot, Depot Library, E. J. Getchell.
SCHOOLS.
No schools existed in the town prior to 1715, nor does it appear that the town till this date voted to employ a schoolmaster. The Indian wars had been a serious imped- iment to education. It does not appear that the first vote of the town was carried into effect, for in 1716 the town was indicted for not procuring a schoolmaster. This led to the employment of the first teacher,- Mr. Richard Martin, the son of a former minister. He was a graduate of Har- vard in 1680. In 1717 the town voted £30 to Mr. Martin for his year's services, "to teach girls and boys to read, write, and sifer, or Latin, according to their capacity ;" school to be kept the first quarter at Col. John Wheel- wright's house; the second quarter at Mr. Daniel Little- field's house, near Ogunquit River ; the remaining half-year near the meeting-house, in the middle of the town. "The persons with whom Mr. Martin diates to be paid 6s. per week during the term of time exprest."
Schools went on prosperously from this time. In 1734 it was voted to build two school-houses in town, one " on the ministerial lot, and the other near Deacon Samuel Treadwell's, each of one story, and 22 feet by 16."
Among those who taught in towu from 1728 to the Revolution were Nathaniel Harrington (graduate of Har- vard), Andrew Tyler ( Harvard, 1738). John Lester, Eben- ezer P. Kingman, Robert Swainson, Master Morse, John Cluff, John Heard ( Harvard ), Nathaniel Adams (Harvard ), John Denine, Samuel Prentiss, John Coffin, Daniel F. Ayer, Daniel Rogers (graduate), Edmund Webber, Nathaniel Libby, Master Haile, Samuel Hancock. Those who were graduates taught the grammar schools. After the Revo- lution Jonathan Ward. Robert Harvey, James Snow, and James Osborn were employed as teachers.
The number of school districts in town in 1878 was 14; estimated value of school property, 85000; number of male teachers employed in winter, 11 ; number of children be- longing to the town between the ages of four and twenty- one, 839 ; number registered, 536 ; percentage of attendance, .4G; number of female teachers in summer, 18; number of female teachers in winter, 10; average wages of male teachers per month, 833.60; average wages of female teachers per week, exclusive of board, $7.22; amount of school money voted, 82218; amount available from State treasury, $1500.
MILLS.
It has a great many mill-sites, though the water-power is not great on any of the streams. The three rivers-
Webhanuet, Little, and Ogunquit-have many mills on them, and they offer good sites for small factories; while all along the sea from York to Kennebunk are fine locations for houses for summer resort.
EMINENT MEN.
Thomas Gorges, deputy Governor of Maine and mayor of Gorgeana, was granted by Sir Ferdinando Gorges, in 1641, 5000 acres of land, which he was permitted to select for a barony, with full power to divide the same into manors and lordships, and to hold courts-baron and court-leets within said lordship. He chose the tract near the Ogun- quit, in the southwestern part of the present town of Wells. On the 19th of April, 1643, Gorges conveyed a part to Rev. John Wheelwright, who had been banished from Massachusetts on account of his antinomian principles. Mr. Wheelwright was a leading man in the early civil affairs of the province. (See General History.) He was the father of John Wheelwright.
Besides these whom we have mentioned as distinguished in the wars of the country, Wells can boast of its full share of eminent men in the other departments of life. Joseph Hammond and John Wheelwright were councilors of the province, and judges of the Courts of Common Pleas and of Probate. Samuel Wheelwright was judge of the Court of Common Pleas and Probate. John Storer was judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and engaged in various ways in the service of the government. Joseph Sayer, a judge of the Common Pleas; Nathaniel Wells, many years a judge of said court, commissioner on eastern land, and in many matters agent in the public service. Rev. Dr. Hem- menway was one of the most eminent theologians of New England. Col. John Wheelwright was town clerk forty years, and one of the selectmen. He was judge of the Court of Common Pleas, judge of Probate, and one of the councilors of the province for many years. He was in the service as an officer under Mayor Converse, went on the eastern expedition, and was afterwards stationed at Fort Mary, near the mouth of the Saco River. Government relied upon him with great confidence. He died Aug. 13, 1745, aged eighty-one years.
CHURCHES.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF WELLS.
Previous to the formal gathering of a church the people had been provided with preaching by the town, as the law required. The celebrated John Wheelwright probably was one of the first ministers. July 1, 1661, the court at York appointed Ezekiel Knight and Wm. Hammond " to conduet worship at Wells on the Lord's day, as the law of God and this jurisdiction require." This order prevailed about two years, when the people hired their own minister at a stipu- lated salary, so long as they saw fit to remain. Six minis- ters, or religious teachers, were thus employed from 1664 to 1690. Accordingly, in 1664, Joseph Emerson was set- tled for two or three years; in 1667, Jeremiah Hubbard for a few months ; soon after, Robert Payne, probably five years. A house was built for him on the town lot, and he had a salary of £45. Sept. 2, 1672, John Buss settled for about eleven years, at a salary of £60, the use of the town-
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house, and a contribution of labor each year. Of the salary £5 should be money, and the balance in farm and mill pro- ducts, as follows : wheat at 5s., corn 4s., beef 4d., and boards at 4s. per hundred. Mr. Buss was a physician as well as minister, and from Wells removed to Durham, N. H., where he followed both professions. In 1683, Percival Greene settled for five or six years, salary £50, and use of town-house. June 21, 1869, Richard Martin, school- master in town, was employed. He had the use of the parsonage and £50, payable as follows : wheat at 4s., rye 2s. Gd., peas 4s. per bushel, pork 2}d. per lb., boards 19s., and staves 17s. per thousand. About this time a meeting- house and parsonage were built, and some regular order observed. From this time until the close of the century, it is probable that there was little or no preaching. It required all the energy of the settlers to sustain themselves against the hostile Indians. The First Congregational Church of Wells was organized Oct. 29, 1721, and at this period the church records commence. Samuel Emery was ordained the first pastor, and remained until his death, De- cember, 1724. The original signers of the church cove- nant were John Wheelwright, Wm. Sayer, Josiah Littlefield, Jonathan Littlefield, Nathaniel Clark, Thomas Baston, Na- thaniel Clayes, James Adams, Jeremiah Storer. On Nov. 22, 1725, both town and church concurred in the settlement of Samuel Jefferds. He was a native of Salem, a graduate of Harvard ; studied divinity at Beverly, ordained at the age of twenty-one, and died Feb. 1, 1752, aged forty-eight. During the early part of his ministry a lot was procured for a parsonage, and the building erected. After the death of Mr. Jefferds, church destitute for two years. Feb. 27, 1754, Gideon Richardson ordained; removed by death, March 17, 1758, aged twenty-seven. Aug. 8, 1759, Moses Hemmenway was ordained. After a long and useful pas- torate of more than fifty years, he died April 5, 1811, aged seventy-six. He was a native of Framingham, a graduate of Harvard, and was distinguished for close and patient study. He was early made a D.D. by Harvard. Benjamin White, who had been an assistant of Dr. Hem- menway, was ordained June 26, 1811. His health rapidly declined, and he died at Thetford, Vt., March 23, 1814. Jonathan Greenleaf, author of " Greenleaf's Sketches," suc- ceeded, being ordained March 8, 1815, and was dismissed Sept. 28, 1828. He died at Brooklyn, N. Y., 1855, aged eighty. Since his dismissal the pastors have been Wil- liam Clark, from Feb. 18, 1829, to April 18, 1837 ; Jonas Colburn, from April 18, 1837, to July 27, 1844; James R. Cushing, from Nov. 20, 1844, to May 20, 1854. Giles Leach (stated supply), from Sept. 1, 1854, to March 7, 1868, at which time Lewis Goodrich (stated supply) com- menced his labors. The present pastor is Rev. H. F. Arnold. The following is a list of the earliest deacons, with date of election and terms of service : Joseph Storer, Oct. 29, 1714, fourteen years; Jonathan Hammond, Oct. 29, 1714, two years and ten months; Thomas Wells, March 3, 1717, twenty years ; Samuel Treadwell, July 31, 1730, twenty-nine years ; Joseph Sayer, May 27, 1738, thirty- five years and nine months; Nathaniel Wells, Sept. 8, 1756, twenty years; Benjamin Hatch, April 23, 1772, thirty-six years; Michael Wilson, April 23, 1772, three years nearly ;
Nathaniel Wells, July 8, 1779, thirty-nine years; Robert Wells. Oct. 13, 1785, thirty-four years and three months.
By vote of the church, Dec. 22, 1726, Deacon Wells was desired to purchase a book for records, and also a pew- ter platter and tankard, and a stone jug for the use of the church. In 1730 he was instructed to purchase two pewter flagons, and two pewter tankards for church use. A legacy of £10, left by Joseph Ilill to the church, was expended for half a dozen hard metal cups for communion table. This society has a good meeting-house, a comfortable par- sonage, and several acres of parish or parsonage land.
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF WELLS
was organized Aug. 23, 1831. The following have been its pastors, with their terms of service : Charles S. Adams, from Dec. 28, 1831, to January, 1834; David Oliphant, from Sept. 24, 1834, to March 28, 1838 ; Charles Walker, from May 8, 1839, to April 16, 1844; Benj. Howe, from Nov. 5, 1845, to Nov. 5, 1849 ; Jacob C. Goss, from March 19, 1851, to July 16, 1855; Jonathan B. Cook (stated supply), from Jan. 1, 1854, to July 18, 1855 ; dismissed April 30, 1867; Samuel Bowker (stated supply), from 1867 to August, 1870. Benjamin Southworth (stated supply) commenced his ministry Oct. 1, 1870. The meet- ing-house was built in 1831, and dedicated December 28th. This society has a good and convenient parsonage.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN WELLS.
This church had its origin in the labors of Nathaniel Lord, a licentiate. A parish society was formed June 3, 1793, and consisted of 20 members, viz., Jeremiah Hub- bard, Joseph Eaton, Joseph Goodwin, John Witham, Geo. Penny, Abraham Annis, Joseph Hobbs, Nehemiah Annis, Moses Chick, John Hatch, Elisha Perkins, Samuel Chad- bourne, James Littlefield, Joseph Day, Richard Lord, David Littlefield, James Speare, Stephen Annis, Jonathan Hill, and Joshua Eaton, Jr. They petitioned the General Court for a new parish, but an arrangement was entered into with the old parish by which those who paid the tax could choose to which of the two societies it should be applied. Oct. 10, 1780, 14 persons were organized as a church at the house of Joseph Hatch by Rev. Dr. Shepherd and Rev. William Hooper. The first deacon was Joseph Eaton, who became the second pastor.
The following have been the pastors : Rev. N. Lord, from November, 1780, to Feb. 28, 1798; Joseph Eaton, from Feb. 28, 1798, to June 27, 1821 ; Oliver- Barron, from June 27, 1821, to 1829 ; Abner Flanders, one year ; Isaac Merriam, from 1830 to 1837 ; Oliver Barron, from 1837 to Feb. 15, 1844; Rufus Chase, for three years; P. C. Hine, from Jan. 10, 1847, to May 5, 1851; M. Jameson, J. M. Wedgwood, closing March 20, 1857 ; G. E. Tucker, closing Sept. 6, 1859; Cyrus Chase, from 1861 till May 31, 1866; J. Frank Roberts, for three years; Rev. Mr. Gruder, one year. William H. Copeland was employed in the autumn of 1871.
During the early part of Mr. Eaton's pastorate the church was much increased. In 1804, 76 were dismissed to form North Berwick Baptist Church ; others withdrew to form the Free-Will Baptist Church of Wells, and divi-
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, MAINE.
sions followed, so that at the close of his term but 29 members remained. Under the care of Isaac Merriam the church increased from 30 to 156 members in about five years. The first meeting house was built in 1791; the present one in 1800.
WELLS CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
This church was organized March 14, 1809, by Elder Elias Smith, with the following members : Richard Little- field, Solomon Stevens, John Kimball, Nathan Kimball, William Boston. Mercy Witham, Betsey Kimball, Mary Kimball, Susan Butland, and Rebecca Stuart. The follow- ing have been its supplies : Richard Littlefield, from 1814 to 1843; Elder Mosier; George S. Osborn, from 1861 to middle of 1863; Joel Wilson ; Elder Sawyer, for a time, since which preaching has been maintained part of the time by different ministers. Solomon Stevens was the first deacon, followed by Jonathan Kimball. In 1861 the church was reorganized, Jonathan Kimball, deacon. Two small houses for worship were erected about 1833.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF WELLS AND YORK,
at the village of Ogunquit, was organized Aug. 16, 1830, by Elders Mark Fernald, Peter Young, and Jedediah Goodwin, with a membership of 21,-7 males and 14 females. Elder Payne occupies the pulpit at this present time. The first place of worship was built about 1831, on the joint-stock plan so common in this part of the country. About 1857 the present church structure was erected half a mile south of the old site. It was dedicated with ap- propriate ceremonies by Elder Pike Daniel. The first deacons were Israel Littlefield and Moses Perkins. Iu 1850, Johnson Littlefield was chosen deacon. Jedediah Perkins was his successor. In 1869 a fine parsonage was built. This church has flourished greatly under the care of its pastors and preachers, and reports a membership of 182.
FREE. WILL BAPTIST.
By advice of council it was voted Aug. 16, 1843, to dis- band the old church, and organize a new one of those mem- bers who might be found in love and Christian union. Twelve persons were accordingly constituted a church under the name of the Free-Will Baptist Church of Wells, with Nathan Clark for clerk and deacon. Elder N. K. Sargent became the first pastor.
METHODIST -MARYLAND RIDGE.
In 1851, Rev. J. C. Strout formed a class of 10 mem- bers, with Shadrach Littlefield as leader. Their neat and tasty house of worship was designed and erected under the direction of Rev. James W. Sawyer, and dedicated July, 1870, by Joseph Colby, the presiding elder. The society has a few acres of land, on which is a comfortable parsonage, built about 1864. The succession of pastors has been as follows: J. C. Strout, 1856 and 1857 ; L. Roy, 1858; H. H. Martin, 1859 and 1860; R. C. Bailey, 1861 ; H. B. Sawyer, 1862; David D. Spear, 1863; Jesse Stone, 1864 ; J. E. Baxter, 1865 and 1866; local supply, 1867 ; Daniel Helleron, 1868; James W. Sawyer, 1869; James Nixon, 1870 ; and Rev. Charles Andrews, 1871. Estimated value of church property, $4000.
UNIVERSALISTS.
The first Universalist Society of Wells was formed July 13, 1861. July 5, 1861, Joshua Chick, Gustavus Q. Clark, Joshua Clark, David Chick, Joshua C. Littlefield, William Clark, Jomtha Day, and Daniel Day petitioned for a warrant to authorize a meeting for incorporation. These petitioners, with others, met July 13, 1861, and chose Daniel Day moderator, Samuel Mildram clerk, and Joshua Clark treasurer and collector. Sept. 2, 1861, Samuel H. Littlefield and Daniel Storer were admitted members of the society. Nov. 11, 1861, David Chick was chosen clerk. Nov. 30, 1861, a vote was taken to build a meeting-house, and a committee appointed to solicit subscriptions, and during the following year it was built. July 12, 1862, Owen B. Littlefield was admitted a member. Preaching has never been sustained in this society except during the summer season. The Rev. Silas Stone Fletcher, of Exeter, supplied their pulpit for several years. The Revs. Mr. Drew and Quinby have also preached for them. They have a neat little chapel on a sightly location.
THE UNION HOUSE,
in District No. 6, at Plaisted Corner, was fitted for worship about 1868. It reports a band of Christians occupying an independent position, recognized by none of the standard denominations of the day. The Word of God is taken as counsel and the Spirit as guide. It is composed of 25 or 30 members, and their preacher or leader has been, and still is, Henry Plaisted.
Photo. by Conant, Portland.
BARAK MAXWELL.
Gershom Maxwell, whose father emigrated from Scotland, was born in Windham, Mass., in 1696. He came to Wells, York Co., in 1720, and married Mary Young, of York. They had eight children. Barak, the fifth child, remained on the homestead, and married Anne Littlefield in 1763, by whom he had eight children. After the decease of his first wife, he married widow Mary Sawyer, by whom he had two sons, Barak and Aaron, and one daughter, Anna. He died at the age of eighty-four years.
Aaron, the second son by his second wife, was born Jan. 13, 1785; married Lydia, daughter of Aaron Warren, who was an assistant surgeon in the navy of the United States during the Revolutionary war. In the year 1822 he opened a public-honse at Cape Neddick, in York, Me., but soon after removed to his native village, where he successfully continned his business for about fifty years. He was the second, if not the first, landlord in Maine to ban- ish all kinds of intoxicating liquors from his bar. He died April 17, 1864. His wife died April 17, 1858.
BARAK MAXWELL, son of Aaron and Lydia
Maxwell, was born April 5, 1816. He had one brother, Lincoln Leer, who was born March 23, 1822, and died July 26, 1830.
Barak Maxwell received an academical education, and at the age of sixteen entered a store as clerk. At the age of nineteen he commenced mercantile life for himself in his native town, and has continued this business, with the exception of about one and a half years, until 1879.
He married Sept. 20, 1842, Betsey Ames, the adopted daughter of Rev. Jonas Colburn. Of this union there have been born six children,-Elizabeth Ames, born June 30, 1847; Warren Brown, born Oct. 18, 1848 ; James Henry, born Sept. 3, 1852; Myron Ames, born March 5, 1854; Aaron Arthur, born June 4, 1858 ; Lydia Alice, born Oct. 6, 1859.
Mr. Maxwell has filled at different times the offices of selectman, town treasurer, superintendent of schools, and has represented the town one session in the State Legislature. He has from youth been connected with the First Congregational Society, and for twenty years in succession he has been superintendent of the Sabbath-school.
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