USA > Maine > York County > History of York County, Maine, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 117
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Mr. Goodwin in early life learned the carpenter and joiner's trade, and built many of the residences about Emery's Mills, where he now resides. In 1841, with a limited capital, he settled at Emery's Mills, and for ten years gave his attention to his trade. He then commenced dealing in lumber, which proving remunerative, he became a manu- facturer and dealer in shooks for the Cuba market, which business he continues. In 1862 he erected a saw-mill, which is in operation in 1879. In all
he employs about twenty men the year round, and carries on an enterprising and successful business. He is thorough, industrious, and a man of good executive ability, and manages his business judi- ciously and systematically. He has been for sev- eral years selectman of the town, and for eleven years overseer of the poor.
In 1879, Mr. Goodwin was appointed trial justice, which office he justly merits and fills with credit to himself and to his friends. He is a member of the Baptist Church, is one of its deacons, and is clerk of the church. He has mostly been identi- fied with the Democratic party. He married, March 27, 1841, Hannah P., daughter of John Webber, of Emery's Mills. Their children are Eben M., Leroy P., Orin P., Octavius A., Edmund E., John W., Celestia A.
433
TOWN OF SHAPLEIGH.
Jellisons, received a large tract and one-half the Emery mill-privilege, on the payment of £60. Capt. Joshua Trafton and Samuel Trafton, who had lost an arm in the Revolutionary war, were each granted 100 acres in range 1. Nathaniel Kent, a blind man, was awarded four times as much as he had cleared on the piece he had taken up near the Little Ossipee. Joseph Jellison received 300 acres, and his son, Joseph Jellison, Jr., received 200 acres of land for being the first settlers in the town.
In 1781, 100 acres each were granted to Gilbert Warren, Joseph Hasty, and Darling Huntress, upon which they settled soon after.
In accordance with the vote of the proprietors, the follow- ing persons, who had settled in the town previous to 1782, were granted lands :
On range No. 1 .- John Giles, 30 acres; John Davis, 37 acres; Joseph Giles and Joseph Giles, Jr., 50 acres ; Daniel Giles, 90 acres ; Joseph Moody, 24 acres ; Nathaniel Thing, 35 acres ; Ebenezer Ham, 30 acres; Wm. Thomp- son, 40 acres; Benjamin Webber, 8 acres.
Range No. 2 .- Samuel Low, 30 acres ; Brazilai Low, 16 acres ; William Stone, 31 acres; Stephen Pillsbury, 54 acres ; Benjamin Crockett, 30 acres ; James Davis, 20 acres; Jotham Trafton, 12 acres; Deacon Jonathan Ross, 16 acres; Benjamin Goodwin, 40 acres; Deacon Thomas Shackley, 40 acres ; Charles Emery, 40 acres.
Range No. 3 .- James Davis, Jr., 12 acres ; David Tiney, 16 acres ; Richard Tiney, 12 acres ; Joseph Tiney, 30 acres ; Benjamin Abbott, 20 acres ; Moses Abbott, 20 acres; Gil- bert Warren, Jr., 6 acres; Edmund Neal, 40 acres ; James Sayward, 25 acres; Samuel Patch, 10 acres; Jos. Welch, 16 acres ; John Patch, 15 acres ; Daniel Wilson, 40 acres ; George Ham, 144 acres ; Nathaniel Kent, the blind man, 39 acres ; Joseph Jones, 10 acres ; Jethro Smith, 6 acres ; Abigail Kent, 6 acres ; David Maxwell, Jr., 14 acres.
William Stanley, one of the first settlers, Simon Rich- ards, and Saul Emery, Jr., refused to sign the relinquish- ment, and received no land.
The census of 1778 gives the following names, which in most cases differ from those given above as receiving land- grants four years after : Moses Abbott, William Bean, John Carr, Benjamin Connor, Daniel Cook, Jonathan Copp, John Connor, Benjamin Drew, Philip Durgin, Jeremiah Emery, Paul Farnham, Ralph Farnham, John Gelman, Joseph Goodwin, Capt. Zebulon Gilman, Jonathan Gilman, Jere- miah Gilman, Bartholomew Gould, Thomas Horn, John Hussey, George Ham, Jonathan Heard, Reuben Hussey, Capt. Philip Hubbard, David Jewitt, Elisha James, Benja- min King, Moses Leverett, John Legrow, Jonathan Moody, Ham Nason, John Patch, Joseph Remick, John Rowe, John Stacy, Clement Steele, Eleazer Tibbetts, Samuel Willey, Danicl Veazy, John York, John York, Jr.
INCORPORATION.
The town of Shapleigh was incorporated March 5, 1785, and named in honor of its original proprietor, Maj. Nicholas Shapleigh. It was previously known hy the name of Hubbard's-town, having taken that name from Joshua Hubbard, one of Maj. Shapleigh's heirs, and a leading proprietor. Shapleigh was the thirty-fifth town incorpo-
rated in the district of Maine. There were more than 100 ratable polls in the town at that date.
The first election for town officers was held in the West Parish (now Acton), May 3, 1785, under a warrant issued to Benjamin Chadbourne, Esq. John Cook was Moderator of the meeting. Joshua Brackett was elected Town Clerk ; John Cook, Simon Ricker, and Joshua Brackett, Select- men; William Rodgers, Treasurer; Josiah Megoon, Con- stahle on the west side of the pond, with a salary of $28; Ebenezer Ham, Constable on the cast side, with a salary of $11; Joseph Remick, Wm. Thompson, Simon Ricker, Jonathan Gillman, Jethro Heard, Abraham Pugsley, Ralph Farnham, Benjamin Goodwin, James Hubbard, and Samuel Sanborn, Surveyors of Highways ; Stephen Pillsbury, John Murray, Hog-Reeves ; Joshua Brackett, Lot-Layer ; Stephen Libby, Leather-Sealer.
Owing to a range of ponds and barren plains extending through its centre, the town was divided into the eastern and western parishes, with separate collectors of town taxes in each. Elections were held in the West Parish at the house of William Rogers, one of the heaviest landholders of the town, until 1801, when the first election in the East Parish was held at the house of Capt. J. H. Bartlett, and afterwards in the town meeting-house. After 1807, elec- tions were held alternately in each parish, and from 1812 to 1845 in the Baptist meeting-house. The town-house was first used in 1847.
The Western Parish was incorporated as a separate town, under the name of Acton, March 6, 1830. In June, 1844, some 600 or 800 acres joining the Little Ossipee River, and including Picket Mountain and Poverty Pond, were annexed to the town of Newfield. That part of the town west of the Mousam River was returned from Acton in 1831.
CIVIL LIST.
TOWN CLERKS.
Joshua Brackett, 1785-97; Aaron Hubbard, 1798; Joshua Brackett, 1799-1800; Andrew Rogers, Esq., 1801-2; Josiah Perkins Woodbury, 1803; John Bodwell, Jr., 1804-19 ; William Trafton, 1820-35; Joseph Gilpatrick, 1836; Elisha Bodwell, 1837-42; Thomas Garvin, 1843 ; Elisha Bodwell, 1844 ; Moses Goodwin, Jr., 1845-46: Elisha Bodwell, 1847-55; Samuel Hasty, 1856-58 ; Enoch W. Bodwell, 1859 ; James E. Coffin, 1860-61; Samuel Hasty, 1862; Enoch W. Bodwell, 1863-65; Andrew B. Ross, 1866; Ivory S. Lord, 1867; Andrew B. Ross, 1868-71; Enoch W. Bodwell, 1872-76 ; Edwin A. Moulton, 1877-79.
SELECTMEN.
1785-86 .- John Cook, Simon Ricker, Joshua Brackett. 1787 .- John Cook, Capt. Joshua Trafton, Joshua Brackett. 1788-89 .- John Cook, Simon Ricker, Joshua Brackett. 1790 .- Simon Ricker, Joshua Brackett, Nathan Goodwin. 1791 .- John Cook, Nathaniel Coffin, Aaron Hubbard. 1792-93 .- John Cook, Joshua Brackett, Simon Ricker. 1794 .- Joshua Brackett, John Bartlett, Nathan Goodwin. 1795 .- John Cook, Joshua Brackett, John Bartlett. 1796-98 .- John Bodwell, Jeremiah Emery, Aaron Hubbard. 1799 .- Aaron Hubbard, Jeremiah Emery, Nathan Goodwin. 1800 .- Aaron Hubbard, Jeremiah Emery, Daniel Fox. 1801 .- Jeremiah Emery, Nathan Goodwin, Darling Huntress. 1802 .- Jeremiah Emery, Nathan Goodwin, Moses Folsum. 1803 .- Aaron Hubbard, Andrew Rogers, Darling Huntress. 1804 .- John Bodwell, Paul Garvin, Nathan Goodwin. 1805-6 .- Jeremiah Emery, John Bodwell, Nathan Goodwin. 1807 .- Jeremiah Emery, Nathan Goodwin, John Leighton.
55
434
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, MAINE.
1804-9 .- John Bodwell, Jr., John Leighton, Moses Jellison. 1$10 .- John Leighton, John Bodwell, Jr., Jeremiah Emery, Esq. 1811-15 .- John Bodwell, Jr., Abraham Cassell, Nathan Goodwin. 1816 .- John Bodwell, John Webber, Enoch Wood. 1817-19 .- John Bodwell, Simon Ross, Samuel Hurd. 1820 .- Maj. Aaron Hubbard, Stephen Pillsbury, John Bodwell. 1821-22,-John Bodwell, Simon Ross, Samuel Hurd. 1823 .- John Bodwell, Simon Ross, Stephen Pillsbury. 1824 .- John Bodwell, Simon Ross, Samuel Hurd. 1825 .- John Bodwell, Simon Ross, Stephen Pillsbury. 1826 .- John Bodwell, Simon Ross, Maj. Aaron Hubbard. 1827 .- Stephen Pillsbury, Moses Hemingway, William Trafton. 1828-29 .- John Bodwell, Simon Ross, Enoch Wood. 1830 .- Simon Ross, Elisha Bodwell, John Webber. 1831 .- Simon Ross, Elisha Bodwell, Capt. John Ricker. 1832-34 .- Simon Ross, Elisha Bodwell, John Ricker. 1835 .- Elisha Bodwell, John Ricker, William Say ward. 1836 .- Simon Ross, William Sayward, John Treat Paine, Esq. 1837 .- Simon Ross, William Sayward, John Ricker. 1838 .- Elisha Bodwell, John Ricker, Samuel Thing. 1839 .- Elisha Bodwell, Samuel Thing, Elibu Webber. 1840 .- Samuel Thing, Elihu Webber, Thomas Garvin. 1841 .- Elisha Bodwell, Elihu Webber, Thomas Garvin. 1842 .- Elisha Bodwell, Samuel Roberts, John Goodwin. 1843 .- Samuel Roberts, John Goodwin, Thomas Garvin. 1844 .- Elisha Bodwell, Stephen Garvin, John Goodwin. 1845 .- Joseph Gilpatrick, Abijah Littlefield, George Hurd. 1846 .- Stephen Garvin, John Goodwin, William Gilpatrick. 1847 .- Elihu Webber, Levi Bragdon, Morris S. H. Stanley. 1848 .- Levi Bragdon, Morris S. H. Stanley, Moses Goodwin, Jr. 1849 .- Moses Goodwin, Jr., Thomas Garvin, Luther Thompson. 1850 .- Moses Goodwin, Jr., Ivory Bragdon, John N. Garvin. 1851 .- Ivory Bragdon, John N. Garvin, Edmund Goodwin. IS52-53 .- Elisha Bodwell, Edmund Goodwin, Elias Ham. 1854-55 .- John N. Garvin, Thomas Low, Ivory Hall. 1856 .- Samuel Hasty, Nathaniel Ferguson, Lyman Hooper. 1857 .- Samuel Hasty, Rosewell F. Abbott, Bradford Ross. 1858 .- Rosewell F. Abbott, Bradford Ross, Andrew B. Ross. 1859 .- Andrew B. Ross, John Goodwin, James M. Trafton. 1860 .- John N. Garvin, John Hemingway, Samuel Thing. 1861 .- Levi Bragdon, Thomas Low, Samuel Thing. 1862-63 .- Andrew B. Ross, Bradford Ross, Lebeus Grant. 1864-65 .- Andrew B. Ross, Bradford Ross, John Goodwin. 1866-68 .- Andrew B. Ross, Edmund Goodwin, Isaiah Ham. 1869-70 .- Edmund Goodwin, Isaiah Ilam, Marcus L. Ham. 1871 .- Audrew B. Ross, John Goodwin, Sewall Morrison. 1872-74 .- Andrew B. Ross, Thomas Low, John N. Garvin. 1875 .- Bradford Ross, Hosea S. Merrifield, John Low. 1876 .- Alfred Hull, Bradford Ross, Timothy F. Pike. 1877 .- Charles Staples, Howard A. Stanley, Edwin J. Plum. 1878-79 .- Edmund A. Goodwin, John N. Garvin, Amaziah Littlefield.
WATER-POWERS.
This town has some good water-powers, the best of which arc Emery's Mills, upon the Mousam River, near the foot of Mousam Pond. The fall is fourteen feet, and is occupied by saw-, shingle-, and planing-mills ; but a small portion of the power is used. Good sites exist, with plenty of good stone and lumber for building purposes. Three ponds, Mousam, Square, and Loon, constitute natural reservoirs, from which this power is derived. Their combined area is 2528 aeres, as follows : Mousam, 1760; Square, 640; and Loon, 128. Suitable dams erected at the outlets of each of these ponds would give storage to a large amount. The Portland and Rochester Railroad comes within three miles. A short distance below, on the same stream, is another privilege unoccupied. On the Little Ossipee are three powers, as follows : " Hargraves' Woolen-Mills," with a fall of eleven fcet, reckoned at 3200 spindles. Eighty rods below is a fall of fourteen feet, called Twombly's Privilege,
occupied by a shingle-mill. About fifty rods below another fall of eighteen feet. The two last powers are owned by the Newfield Paper Company. Balch Pond forms a natural reservoir, with an area of 1600 acres. A dam at its outlet gives a head of ten feet. There are a few other small powers.
VILLAGES AND HAMLETS.
The four principal settlements in the town are Emery's Mills and Shapleigh Corner, on the west side, near Mousam Pond; Ross Corner, on the east line; and North Shapleigh, on the north line, beside Little Ossipee River. There is a post-office, having daily mail and stage lines, at each place.
SHAPLEIGH CORNER.
Shapleigh Corner, the most central village, is the seat of town government, and contains a fine wooden town-house, a church, high school, common school, and twenty-four dwellings. A thriving trade is conducted with the sur- rounding country. The business consists of the general store and custom shoe-shop of Thomas Ricker, established in 1865; store of Charles M. Abbott, established by Elisha Bodwell, who was a prominent citizen, and held the office of town clerk here as early as 1837. Mr. Abbott became the proprietor in 1878, and is present postmaster. Mails are received by Springvale and North Shapleigh stage. Daniel Newbegin opened a blacksmith-shop here in 1876.
EMERY'S MILLS.
Emery's Mills received its name from the mill erected by Simon Emery, a few rods below the church, previous to any other improvement or permanent occupation of lands in the town. The place contains eighteen dwellings and a church. The business consists of the saw-mill and general wood-working machinery of Edmund Goodwin, on the site of the old mill; clothing manufactory of H. S. & C. W. Merrifield, established by Hosea S. Merrifield in 1873, and employing six to eight operatives in the shop; the stores of H. S. & C. W. Merrifield, opened in 1875, and John Hemingway, opened in 1878. J. Hubbard, Esq., was a merchant here for many years previous. John Heming- way is postmaster.
ROSS CORNER.
Ross Corner, on the western side of a long, narrow val- ley at the east line, contains sixteen dwellings, a church, and the stores of S. Lord, established 1868; M. J. Emery, established 1866; and until quite recently, the store of O. R. Ross, successor to Andrew B. Ross, from whose father the place takes its name. A. Littlefield has a patent evap- orator here, erected in 1879, for drying fruit. Dr. L. W. Leighton, a prominent resident physician for some years, is postmaster.
NORTH SHAPLEIGH.
North Shapleigh is a compact manufacturing village, containing twenty-four neat dwellings, a church, a fine large school-house, three factories, and two stores. It is closely surrounded by timbered hills, except to the westward, where the open lake extends from the factory to the hills, half a mile distant. In the early settlement an iron-smelting fur-
Javory Braydon
LEVI BRAGDON.
IVORY BRAGDON,
eldest son of William and Sally (Coffin) Bragdon, was born in the town of Shapleigh May 16, 1809. His parents were both natives of Shapleigh. Mr. Bragdon spent his minority at home and received a common-school edneation. He married, June 27, 1830, Susan Garvin, of Shapleigh. Of this union were born five children, four of whom are living, viz. : Eliza, wife of John Leavitt, died March 14, 1860; Caroline, wife of Samuel G. Pillsbury, of Long Island, Kansas; William H., M.D., of North Conway, N. H .; Mary E., and George H.
Mr. Bragdon has followed farming during his life. He took an interest in polities in early manhood, and at the age of thirty was elected treasurer of the town of Shapleigh, which office he held for four years. He was a member of the Legislature in 1843, sub- sequently town treasurer, and for two years follow- ing 1850 selectman. For some forty years he was a member of the Baptist Church and for several years a deacon of the church. He was a liberal supporter of church and educational interests, charitable and kind, and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all who knew him.
1
LEVI BRAGDON,
second son of Arthur and Eleanor (Preble) Brag- don, was born in the town of Shapleigh June 24,
1800. His parents were both natives of York, in York Co., Me.
His father served in the Revolutionary war, spent the most part of his life as a farmer, and died in Shapleigh in September, 1833. IIe was a member of the Congregational Church. Levi Bragdon spent his carly life on the farm where he now resides, and was educated in the common school and at Limerick Academy. He married Ann Namas, of Great Falls, N. H. She was a daughter of James Namas, and died in January, 1834. Second, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Ezekiel and Ann (Pray) Worster, a native of Berwick, Me.
Mr. Bragdon is a Republican, has held several offices of responsibility in the town, and served in the Legislature in 1840-41, and at an extra session in the following spring. He is identified as an active member of the Methodist Church, to which his wife also belongs.
Mr. Bragdon is a genial, kind-hearted man. His life has been spent in usefulness to his fellow-citizens, and, whether as a teacher during his early manhood, as the highest officer of his town, or as a legislator, he has always discharged the duties incumbent upon him with fidelity to those whom he represented. Now eighty years of age, his well-preserved body and sound mind show correct habits and a robust constitution. His wife was born Feb. 15, 1799, and still survives.
435
TOWN OF SHAPLEIGH.
nace was erected here, but abandoned soon after its comple- tion. The business consists of the clothing manufactory of Joseph Miller, established in 1872, and employing three operatives in shop ; grocery-store of Joseph Miller, opened in 1872.
General store: J. E. Coffin, established by O. R. Ross & Son, previous to 1848.
Hargraves' Woolen-Mill : Blue blouse flannels and cassi- meres, Edward Hargraves, proprietor ; Thomas H. Roberts, agent. This establishment is an outgrowth of a custom carding- and woolen-mill, erected by John Hargraves in 1844. Two sets of spindles were added, and afterwards the present proprietor increased the number to four sets of 1600 spindles, and employs from 60 to 75 operatives.
Leather-board manufactory : F. H. Hargraves & Co., for the manufacture of artificial leather from leather scraps and other materials ; employs ten operatives, making about one and one-half tons of leather daily.
J. E. Coffin is postmaster,-mails by stage daily from Wakefield, N. H., and Springvale.
There is here a cornet band, organized in 1877, by John F. Reed, leader ; a Good Templars' Lodge; and there was in 1873 a Children's Cold Water Temple, which was very popular and successful.
BURIAL-GROUNDS.
The Shapleigh burial-grounds are scattered about the town on the homesteads of the early settlers, but are by no means neglected. Nearly every old settlement has its little walled inclosure from fifty to one hundred feet square, the walls of which are well built to a height of three feet, and the inclosures filled in with earth to the height of the wall, making a lasting monument or mound, upon which are set the customary grave-stones and monuments.
PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST.
Emery's Mills, as the point of first settlement, was at that time the extreme point in the backwoods from the coast, and was penetrated to only on foot or by the most tedious roads, but when once here living was comparatively easy. As late as the commencement of the present century game was abundant, and salmon could be caught by thousands. In the old burying-ground may be seen the peculiarly-cut beadstones of a hundred years ago.
.
The Eastern Ridge has been traditionally known as Fort Ridge, though no fort has ever been connected with its his- tory. In the early days of mast-cutting by British marines, an earthwork was erected here in connection with a swing or derrick, upon which the huge long pieces of timber were raised from the wagons, swung around a difficult bend in the road, and the wheels again placed under them in their new course. From this point the greater part of York County can be seen, and also the adjoining part of New Hampshire, the White Mountains to the north, and the ocean to the southward. The names of Stanley, Pillsbury, Bartlett, Norton, and Linscott are given to the points and ridges on the west, and Fox, Hilton, Brackett, Hubbard, Young, and Leighton are given to those on the east, to indi- cate the earliest settlement on or near them.
CHURCHES.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
Baptist meetings were held in town long before any church was organized or meeting-house built. Elder Tozier Lord and Abraham Pugsley were the pioneers in this work, gathering people in barns and private houses for public worship. The Rev. Nehemiah Davis was the first Baptist preacher. A little society of those embracing Baptist senti- ments was formed in the East Parish in 1781, and about 1787 Mr. Davis was ordained in Edmund Coffin's dwelling- house, neai Shapleigh's Corner. He became settled pastor in 1796, and remained with the society, comprising members in both parishes, till his removal to Ohio, in 1798. Elder Davis is remembered as an humble, but pious man, laboring gratuitously upon the Sabbath, and toiling hard through the week upon a new farm he was clearing. He has been heard to say that he had traveled three hundred miles bare- footed to preach the gospel. This society in 1802 erected a meeting-house at the Corner at an expense of $1500, and a church was organized Oct. 6, 1803, containing 22 mem- bers,-12 males and 10 females. From this time till 1818 the church prospered through the occasional labors of neigh- boring ministers, especially by those of Elder Z. Delano, of Lebanon, who spent a part of the Sabbath with the church, and by the steady and devotional labors of its deacons, Thomas Shackly, John Ross, and John Chadbourne. In September, 1818, Mr. Chadbourne, who at first was a deacon, then licensed to preach, was ordained as its first pastor. He remained till 1822, when he was dismissed at his own request. His successor was Rev. Charles Blanch- ard, ordained April, 1823. During his ministry the church was increased. He left in 1828, and the Rev. P. L. Fogg followed from 1829 to 1832. The Rev. Jos. Gilpatrick succeeded from December, 1834, to September, 1841, in- creasing the membership to 110. From 1843 to 1848, Rev. John Hubbard was pastor. During his ministry the meeting-house was remodeled and much improved in ap- pearance. The Rev. Noah Hooper followed, supplying the pulpit two years. In 1850, Rev. Leander S. Tripp com- menced preaching for them, and continued his labors till 1853. The church was destitute, except occasional preach- ing, till 1856, when Elder Wm. H. Copeland accepted a call to the pastorate, and continued till 1863, when he resigned. His successor, Elder J. P. Chapin, remained three and a half years, and was followed by Rev. N. C. Everett. Elder W. H. Copeland began a second pastorate in 1868, and re- signed in October, 1871. Rev. Albion E. Spring became pastor in 1872, W. H. Copeland, 1874, and Rev. Gideon S. Smith, 1877. Revs. J. Chadbourne, Luther C. Stevens, and Augustus Hubbard originated from this church. Other deacons, besides those mentioned, were James Ross, chosen about 1819 ; Ivory Bragdon, Jonathan Ross, 1819 to 1879; James Sayward, since 1848; Charles Staples, since 1870. Since 1841 this church has been known as the First in Shap- leigh. Previous to the division of the town the Acton Church was called the First, and this the Second. Mem- bership, 60 ; present clerk, James Sayward. A new meet- ing-house was built in 1847.
A second Baptist Church was organized at Emery's Mills
436
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, MAINE.
in 1841, and public worship established in a hall. Among the first members were John Ricker, Nathan Churchill, John K. Chase, and Harriet Wedgwood. After the Metho- dists ceased to occupy their house in 1844 it was purchased by this society. Among the ministers have been Elder Geo. Heard, J. M. Wedgwood, J. K. Chase, T. Jameson, and Wm. H. Copeland. Elder G. Heard supplied in 1854, and Elder W. H. Copeland closed his labors here in 1871. Rev. John Libby became pastor in 1871; E. P. Noyes 1872; J. W. Porter, 1871 to 1876, and the present pastor, Rev. J. S. Smith, became pastor of both churches in 1876.
Present deacons, Thatcher Ricker and Edmund Goodwin, appointed 1869. Edmund Goodwin, clerk. Membership, 46.
THE FREE-WILL BAPTIST SOCIETY
dates its origin back to 1818; its house for worship was built in 1834, at Ross Corner. Situated so near the line of Waterborough, many of its members are from that town. The meeting-house is so located in reference to others that a large congregation might be well accommodated here, but for long periods in their history they have been destitute of stated preaching. Elder S. W. Perkins supplied in 1854; S. Poindexter, 1871-73; Emery II. Butts, 1874; Rev. Mr. Boynton, 1876; Rev. John Lord, 1877-79. Deacons, Ira Baker, Charles Conant. Membership, 33. Bradley Stanley, Clerk.
The North Shapleigh meeting-house was built in 1866, and dedicated by Rev. F. W. Touns. Baptist meetings were held there by Revs. H. P. Mansur, A. P. Sauborn, Jonathan Fairbanks, and Samuel Lord, who were succeeded by Rev. W. S. Packard. Uuder his labors a church was organized March 22, 1876. IIe was succeeded by Rev. O. S. Hasty, the present pastor, in 1879. This church has 38 members. The present officers are Asa W. Goodwin, Deacon, and John Lowe, Clerk.
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