History of York County, Maine, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 56

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 730

USA > Maine > York County > History of York County, Maine, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 56

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Several granite quarries have been opened in the numer- ous ledges that abound, which yield an excellent quality of building stone, and the enterprising owners work them with advantage and profit, shipping them chiefly by water to dis- tant markets. Good clay is also found, from which a fine quality of brick is manufactured. Nearly all the edifices of this material in the city were built of brick made in the im- mediate neighborhood.

ROADS, BRIDGES, AND RAILROADS.

As the first planters settled near the sea-board, the readiest mode of communication between the different settlements was by water ; therefore, for many years, the only road was along the shore, the great highway from Portland to Boston being by the beach, and by ferries and fords across the streams. The Massachusetts commissioners, in 1653, gave as their reason

# It thus appears that the land sold by Phillips to Hobbs (1673), which was hounded northwest by Davis' Brook, was situated in some other part of the patent, and that the brook so called by the Phillips heirs (1718) was not the same mentioned in the deed to Hobbs. The latter seems to have been the brook now called Dungeon Creek, near which Deacon Wingate lived, who bought out one of the Hobbs heirs, -Elizabeth Vinning, of Salem.

Photo, by E. H. McKenney, Biddeford.

Gonard Ancemus

JOHN, great-grandfather of Leonard, with his brothers, James and Elisha, born in London, Eng- land, settled in Berwick prior to 1740, where he mar- ried and reared a family of children, He cut three ship-masts in Berwick, sent them to England, and gave them in exchange for a bell, which, having brought to this country, he placed on the meeting- house on Blackberry Hill, in Berwick. This is said to have been the first bell hung in the Territory of Massachusetts Bay, now Maine.

His son, Stephen, lived in Berwiek; was a farmer; was in the Continental Army, and was in the battle of Bunker Hill. He died about 1834, aged eighty.

James E. Andrews, father of Leonard, and son of Stephen, born Feb. 21, 1780, married, in 1803, Ruth, daughter of Joseph Hubbard, son of John Hubbard, of Berwick. She was born in 1780; was a member of the Baptist Church for over seventy years, having united with the Blackberry Hill Bap- tist Church, in Berwick, which was organized about 1768. She had forty-five living descendants at the time of her death. She retained in a remarkable degree the activity of body and mind in her old age, and died at the residence of her son, in Biddeford, at the age of ninety-three. James E. Andrews was by trade a ship-carpenter, and carried on farming. For many years he worked at his trade in Western Massachusetts; afterwards removed to Lyman, where he died September, 1856.

Leonard Andrews, youngest of three sons and three daughters of James E. and Ruth (Hubbard) Andrews, was born in Parsonsfield, Jan. 19, 1822. When he was six years old the family removed from Parsons- field to Saco, and afterwards, in 1836, settled in Bidde- ford, where he has spent the remainder of his life. His early educational advantages were limited. At

the age of seventeen he went to Lowell, Mass., and there learned the trade of a bricklayer. After two years he returned to Biddeford, where he began busi- ness for himself. Many of the brick structures in the city have been erected by him, and nearly all the masonry work on the Grand Trunk Railroad from Portland to the Connecticut River was done under his supervision, in partnership with his brothers, Ira and James. In 1856 he was engaged in build- ing up Back Cove, in Portland harbor, quarrying his stone on Hog Island, and superintended the build- ing of Fort Gorges, in Portland harbor, in 1861-62. As a stone contractor he built the wharves of Fort McLeary and Fort Constitution, at Ports- mouth, N. H., in 1863. Since that time he has done the mason work for the Bangor and Piscataqua Railroad.

Since his early manhood Mr. Andrews has taken an interest in local and State politics. Originally a Democrat, he became a Republican upon the organi- zation of that party.

In 1855 he was a member of the State Legislature, and obtained the charter for the city of Biddeford. In 1861 he was a member of the State Senate, serv- ing on the committees on banking, elections, and reform schools, having served on the judiciary com- mittee while a member of the House. He was known as a ready, pleasant speaker. In 1860 he was a mem- ber of the national convention, held at Chicago, that placed in nomination Abraham Lincoln and Hanni- bal Hamlin.

He married, June 14, 1845, Sarah, daughter of Elias and Ruth (Roberts) Wakefield, of Lyman. They have two children living,-Ora, wife of How -. ard Hamilton, of Saco, and Pitt Andrews, of Bidde- ford.

JAMES ANDREWS,

second son of James E. and Ruth (Hubbard) Andrews, was born in Parsonsfield Oct. 19, 1818. His brothers are: Ira, James, and Hon. Leonard Andrews, of Biddeford. His sisters are : Lucy, wife of Thomas Murphy ; Eliza, wife of Captain Thomas Boardman, who resided at Ipswich, Mass., and was lost at sea ; Mary, wife of Joseph Hovey, of Ips- wich, Mass.

As early as seven years of age James Andrews went into the busy world to carve out a fortune for him- self. At the age of fourteen he be- gan a three-years' apprenticeship with the firm of Toppan & Cutler, brick-layers and masons of Saco, and subsequently worked at his trade for several years in Portland and Lowell as a journeyman. In 1840 he mar- ried Mary, daughter of Captain Thomas Ellis, formerly of the British army. His children are: Hoo. James Melville Andrews, ex-State senator, Willett, Solon, and Mary Elizabeth, wife of Albert K. Cleaves, of Biddeford.

Following his marriage, for three years he was employed in the Saco Cotton Mills; and from 1843 to 1850 he followed his trade, among others, building the Methodist Episcopal church edifice in 1847, and the High School building, in Biddeford, in 1848. For fourteen years following

1850, he was engaged in Portland, where he huilt one and one-half miles of wall along the sea, making Com- mercial Street, and rebuilding the masonry work of the Grand Trunk Railway.

In 1866 he furnished the stone, as contractor, for the piers of the bridge across the Merrimac River at New- buryport, and from 1868 to 1874, under contract from General J. G. Foster, he built the sea walls on Ga- loup Island and Long Island, in Boston Harbor, since which time until 1879 he has been engaged in contracts for submarine work on the Piscataqua, Merrimac, Penohscot, and Back Rivers.

Mr. Andrews has spent a life of activity and business ; yet amid all his cares, he has found time to do his part in local matters, and is a promoter of all worthy enterprises.

He was formerly a member of the Whig party, and readily joined the Republicao party upon its organiza- tion. For three years he was alder- man, and in 1857 was mayor of the city of Biddeford. He was one of the incorporators of the City Bank (now the First National), and for many years a director.

Both be and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and liberal supporters of church and kindred interests, For sketch of his ancestors, see notice of Hon. Leonard Andrews.

RESIDENCE OF JAMES ANDREWS, Lu 155 HILL ST., BIDDEFORD, MAINE.

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CITY OF BIDDEFORD.

for not coming to Saco to receive the submission of the in- habitants, that it was on account of the deficiency of roads. By order of the court, in 1673, convenient ways from Saco Falls to Sayward's Mills, and from Saco Falls to Scarborough, were required to be made forthwith. Messrs. Page and Gibbon were appointed by the town to lay out the upper way to Dunstan, and Maj. Phillips to mark out the way to Henry Sayward's Mills. For the accommodation of trav- elers a ferry was regularly kept, called the Lower Ferry ; afterwards a ferry was established at the Falls. The first ferryman was Henry Waddock, who was so licensed in 1654, and perhaps earlier. He was allowed to charge 2d. for every one set across the river. He also kept an ordinary for the entertainment of strangers. He was the licensed ferryman till his death, in 1673. Thomas Haley succeeded him, and was required to provide a boat sufficient to carry over three horses at a time. Humphrey Scamman purchased the Waddock property in 1679, took charge of the ferry, and entertained travelers. He died in 1727. He has nu- merous descendants residing in the town. Small streams were forded, and the point of crossing was called a wading-place.

As the town became settled, convenient and suitable roads were ordered and laid out from time to time. Inhabitants began to cluster about the Falls, finding attraction in the employment given at the mills erected there, and the busi- ness growing out of the lumbering interest that, from quite a large section, found a shipping outlet here. Bridges to connect the two villages growing upon both sides of the river were built ; the course of travel took a more northern and direct route; the ferries fell into disuse, and the old sea-shore roads were forsaken. The first bridge leading from this town to Saco was built by Col. Thomas Cutts, Deacon Amos Chase, Thomas Gilpatrick, Jr., and Benjamin Nason, in 1767. It bridged the west branch of the river to Indian Island, and was made a toll-bridge by act of Gen- eral Court in 1768. Col. Cutts bought out Chase and Nason, after which it came to be called Cutts' Bridge. Previous to this a bridge had been erected by lottery, con- necting the island with Saco side, and a ferry completed the passage of the western branch till this bridge was built. It was owned by Col. Tyng, who strenuously opposed the building of the bridge. The freshet of 1785 swept away the bridge, but another took its place, built by the enter- prising colonel, and occupied nearly the same place where the western free bridge now stands. With the modern modes of travel this town is well supplied. A line of steam- boats connects this place and Boston during the summer, and the Portland, Saco and Portsmouth Railroad traverses the town, crossing the river a few rods above the Falls, accom- modating the city well with traveling and shipping facilities. The extension of the Boston and Maine Railroad, now in progress of construction, will much enlarge the facilities al- ready enjoyed, while there is in contemplation an additional road from Kittery to this place, south of those previously mentioned, which, if completed, will make a direct and shortened route to Boston.

SHIP-BUILDING.

This, at an early time, was a leading enterprise. The registered tonnage in the district in 1820 was 1188 tons,

including 248 temporary ; enrolled, 2059 ; licensed, under 20 tous, 116. In 1829 the registered tonnage was 2009 tons, 81 temporary ; enrolled, 2250 tons ; licensed, under 20, 112 tous. The average tonnage built yearly for the ten years from 1819 to 1829 was about 650 tons. The greatest amount built in any one year of that period was 1679 tons in 1825.

During the war of 1812 the British destroyed some ship- ping at the mouth of the river. A British man-of-war, commanded by Capt. David Millne, anchored east of Stage Island, from which a party was sent to destroy ships on the stocks at Capt. Thomas Cutts' ship-yard at the Neck. The hull of a new ship, 265 tons burden, valued at $8000, was burnt ; another on the stocks, 540 tons, was cut to pieces, which, with loss of timber, was valued at 87000; and a third taken away, which Capt. Cutts afterwards ransomed for $6000 : all these vessels were his property. His store was entered and plundered of $2000 worth of goods. A small schooner and a sloop of 50 or 60 tons, belonging to Cape Cod, were likewise burnt. Capt. Cutts sought to save the destruction of his property by negotiating for its value, but the British captain would accept no terms.

Privateers were fitted out during the war of the Revolu- tion, but none of them accomplished much by way of taking prizes. The "Thrasher," under command of Capt. Ben- jamin Cole, made two or three cruises. Elisha Ayer built a cutter for Mr. Gray, of Salem, and she was manned here for her first cruise ; and Col. Morrill and Dr. Fairchild fitted out others at various times.

Capt. Philip Goldthwaite, inspector of this fort under the provincial government, was the only person in town who opposed the war for independence, and he at its com- mencement put himself under the protection of the British government.

FIRST POST-OFFICE.

The first post-office established in town was in 1789. Benjamin Hooper was appointed postmaster. Joseph Barnard carried the mail on the route, at first on horseback, and afterwards in a light wagon. His successor was Josiah Paine, of Portland, who introduced into this part of the country coaches drawn by four horses. Mr. Hooper re- signed the office in 1798, and his son Daniel succeeded him, who, in 1800, was succeeded by William P. Hooper. The office was kept at Hooper's public-house till 1802, when it was removed to Cutts' Island, and in 1807 to Saco village. John Cleaves was postmaster by appointment in 1810.

POPULATION.

The population of Biddeford by the first census, 1790, was 1018; in 1800. 1296; in 1810. 1563; in 1820, 1768; in 1850, 6095 ; in 1860, 9350 ; in 1870, 10,285.

INCORPORATION AS A CITY.

In 1855 an act of incorporation was granted by the Legislature constituting Biddeford a city.

At the first charter election Daniel Somes was ehosen mayor, and held the office one year. His successors have been James Andress, 1857 ; Cyrus Gorham, 1858-59 ; J. Tuck, who died before the expiration of his term, which

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, MAINE.

was filled by Esreff H. Banks; Seth S. Fairfield, 1861-62 ; John Q. Adams, 1863-64; Charles Shaw, 1865-66; Fer- guson Haines, 1867-68 ; James R. Clark, 1869 ; E. W. Wedgwood, 1870-71 ; Francis G. Warren, 1872 ; James H. MeMullan, 1873; Francis G. Warren, 1874-75 ; John H. Burnham, 1876; Alfred Pierce, 1877; Charles M. Moses, 1878; James A. Strout, 1879.

The city clerks have been Levi Loring, Jr., 1855-58; Frederick D. Edgerly, 1858-60; George H. Knowlton, to Dec. 5, 1860 ; Frederick D. Edgerly, Dec. 5, 1860, to May, 1870 ;* John A. Staples, 1870-73; Cyrus P. Berry, 1873-75; Samuel Tripp, 1875-77; Cyrus P. Berry, 1877-79 ; Frank W. Roberts, 1879.

The judges of the Municipal Court have been Edward E. Bourne, Jr., 1855; William Berry, 1856 ; Abel H. Jelleson, 1864; Samuel W. Luques, 1876-80.

PROFESSIONAL MEN. LAWYERS.

James Sullivan was born in Berwick, iu 1744, and came to Biddeford about 1769, and opened an office. He was the first regular attorney that had settled on the river. He soon rose into favor and acquired an extensive practice, but in 1774 litigation ceased and his occupation for the time being was gone. Having become early in life accustomed to the use of the axe, saw, shovel, and plow, he could handle them if necessity required equal, if not superior, to most men. In 1772 the town of Limerick was located, in which he had a share, and the proprietors named it in honor of the town in Ireland from which his father emigrated. As nothing better offered, he would take his axe, week's pro- vision, blanket, frock, and trowsers, and with other settlers go to Limerick and commence felling trees to bring his land there into a state of cultivation. Saturday evenings he would return, black and begrimed, but cheerful as the sun- niest. The business of the county soon revived, and he found better fields for the use of his talenty. He repre- sented this town in the Provincial Congress, in session from Oct. 7, 1774, to July 19, 1775. He removed to Massachu- setts in 1778, and occupied official stations till the close of his life in 1808. He was a member of the Legislature, commissary of troops, judge of the Supreme Court, attor- ney-general, commissioner of the United States, and Gov- ernor of Massachusetts, in which position he died during his second term. He also wrote a history of Maine, which is much quoted by succeeding historians.

Mr. Sullivan's successor in the practice of law was Hou. George Thacher, who was born at Yarmouth, Mass., April 12, 1754, graduated at Harvard in 1776, studied law with S. Bourne, entered first upon practice in York about 1780 or 1781, but in 1782 removed to this town, succeeding James Sullivan. He was well and thoroughly read in his profes- sion, and immediately entered upon an extended practice. Ile became highly popular and successful as an advocate, attending the courts in all the counties in the district. In 1788 he was elected by the Massachusetts Legislature a delegate to Congress, and afterwards was successively elected by the people till 1801, when he resigned his seat

and was appointed associate justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, a position he retained till 1824, when he resigned and came back to this town to spend his days, which were ended April 6th of the same year. As an advocate he was acute and apt ; as a legislative debater full of irony and satire, but abundant in useful information and sound argument ; as a judge just, faithful, upright, in- dependent, and firm ; as a friend genial, kind, and benevo- lent. Unostentatious, his humble, one-storied house stood about a mile west of the Falls, ornamented only by a few beautiful fir-trees, and yet here the President of the nation and foreign noblemen have partaken of his hospitality with- out the attendance of pomp, parade, or fashion. He married, in 1784, Sarah, daughter of Samuel Phillips Savage, of Weston, Mass. His children were five sons and an equal number of daughters.

The next attorney in Biddeford was George Stacy, who came about 1789, and getting but little professional busi- ness, remained only two or three years.

The next attorney was the Hon. Prentiss Mellen, who was born in Sterling, Mass., Oct. 11, 1764, graduated at Harvard, 1784, and commenced practice in Biddeford, 1792. From 1804 to 1820 he practiced extensively in every county in the State. He removed from town to Portland, in 1806. In 1808-9 he was chosen member of Executive Council of Massachusetts; in 1816 presi- dential elector at large. In 1817, while holding office of councilor, he was chosen senator to Congress from Massachu- setts. When Maine was organized as a State, in 1820, he was appointed chief justice of the Supreme Court, which position he held till 1834, when he resigned. He died 1840.

Samuel Hubbard took the office of Judge Mellen in 1806, and practiced in town till 1810. He was born in Boston in 1785, and graduated at Yale in 1802. He re- turned to Boston from this town, and became judge of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts from 1842 till his death, Dec. 24, 1847.

Hon. Wm. P. Preble resided a short time here as the successor of Mr. Hubbard.

Other advocates have followed whose forensic abilities are acknowledged in the halls of legislation and courts of justice.

EARLY PHYSICIANS.

The first physician reported to have settled in town was Dr. Lyman, formerly of York, who was here a short time during the ministry of Mr. Willard.

The next was Dr. Donald Cummings, a native of Scot- land, who obtained quite a celebrity in this section. He came in the spring of 1755, and resided for a few months on the Saco side, but in December of the same year he married Mrs. Elizabeth, widow of William Cole, and re- moved to this side of the river west of the Falls soon after. He acquired a great reputation for skill, and practiced ex- tensively in this and neighboring towns. His manners were prepossessing, his habits social ; and possessing cheerfulness and a great fund of anecdotes, good nature and friendly feel- ing accompanied him wherever he went. On his return late one night from Winter Harbor, he was thrown from his horse on the shore of the Pool, where his lifeless body

* Died May 25, 1870.

Photo, by E. H. McKenney, Biddeford.

SIMEON P. McKENNEY was born in the town of Limington, June 7, 1816. His father, Humphrey, born in the same town in 1780, died there at the age of eighty-one, and his grandfather, Humphrey, was one of the first settlers of the town. His mother was Eunice Robinson ; survived her hus- band, and died June 7, 1878, aged ninety-two years and six months.

He has one brother, Freeman, a resident of Lim- ington, for several years a selectman, and an ex- representative of the Legislature, and an only sister, Eunice, wife of the late James Heard, of Oxford Co., Me.

Mr. McKenney received a liberal English and classical education in early life, and from the age of sixteen to twenty-six was a teacher for several terms. During this time he fitted for college, and took one year's college course. Concluding not to take a full course in college, in 1842 he entered the law-office of Caleb R. Ayer, of Cornish, and, after the regular course of study, was admitted to the bar of York County in May, 1845. He was in practice in Turner, Me., from December, 1845, until 1851, and came to Biddeford, where he has since resided, and a part of the time has been en- gaged in the practice of the law.

Mr. McKenney has been considerably connected with municipal matters since he became a resident of Biddeford. He was a member of the Common Council in 1858, of the board of aldermen in 1858,

city solicitor in 1858-59, in 1863-64 chairman of the board of assessors, treasurer of the city in 1863, and treasurer and collector in 1865. During the latter year, by virtue of his office, he issued one hundred thousand dollars in bonds, thereby creating the war debt of Biddeford, a part of which remains unpaid in 1879. Mr. MeKenney was again city solicitor and a member of the city government in 1874-75.

Along with Zopher R. Folsom, Benjamin F. Day, and John Tuck, he was appointed by the mayor, in May, 1876, to make a new valuation of property in the city, and in 1879 he was again elected a member and chairman of the board of assessors.

He has taken a somewhat active and influential part in local politics, and as a member of the Demo- cratie party unswervingly supported the Union canse in the late Rebellion, and in all his official re- lations he is known to the citizens of Biddeford as possessing integrity, sound judgment, frankness, and resolution to complete whatever he undertakes. In 1871 he associated with him as partner his nephew, Carlos Heard (McKenney & Heard), and has since carried on the hardware business. Mr. Heard was elected to the State Legislature in the fall of 1879.

He married, in July, 1850, Octavia, daughter of Flanders Newbegin, of Biddeford. Of this union have been born six children,-Frank P. (deceased), Ellen (deceased), Carrie B., Carlos II., Simeon l'., Jr., and Frank L.

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CITY OF BIDDEFORD.

was found on the morning of April 2, 1774. He left three sons,-James, Donald, and Nathaniel.

Before the death of Dr. Cummings, Dr. Abiathar Alden came to Biddeford about 1765, but being a strong Tory he soon lost what little practice he had acquired. Dr. John Jackson, also about the same time, resided here a short period. Dr. Aaron Porter settled in 1773, and seeured an extensive practice, which he retained till his removal to Portland in 1810.

BIDDEFORD POOL.

The Pool, a beautiful expanse of water, in the south- eastern part of the town, and connected with the occan by a narrow strait near the mouth of the Saco, has recently so attracted the attention of pleasure-seekers to its superior advantages as a summer resort, that a pretty little village of hotels and boarding- houses has sprung up to accommo- date the watering season. Its distance from the city and railroad station is about nine miles.

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

The first minister of whom we have mention as resident in this section was Rev. Richard Gibson, who lived at Spur- wink previous to 1636. In that year he appears on the court record as a party to a suit, and in 1640 he had two actions in the same court. The Rev. Robert Jordan eame from the west of England, it is thought, in the summer of 1640 ; married the daughter and only child of Mr. John Winter, the early trader of Richmond Island, and upon his death, in 1648, administered upon his estate. It is supposed these two elergymen performed religious services in the early settlements of that day, and that Biddeford, or Saco as then called, shared in them. The Rev. Thomas Jenner, a non- conformist, was preaching here in 1641. He remained about two years, and by some is thought to have been the first Puritan preacher in Maine. In 1652, George Barlow, a follower of Rev. Mr. Wheelwright, so annoyed the good townsmen by the exercise of his gift as a preacher that he was complained of, and the Massachusetts commissioners forbade him under a penalty of £10 to any more publicly preach or prophesy. When the town came under the juris- dietion of Massachusetts in 1653, they were destitute of a minister, and the Commissioners' Court, held at Wells, ordered that Robert Booth, one of the principal inhabi- tants, " have liberty to exercise his gifts for the edification of the people there." Under this order he officiated as religious teacher several years, the town voting a small stipend yearly, or the people making voluntary eontribu- tions towards his support. His education was superior to that of many of his townsmen, and during his lifetime he filled many useful offices in the gift of the people. The first minister of whom record is preserved was Rev. Seth Fleteher. The town employed him in 1666, and as far as records speak, he continued as town minister by engage- ment from year to year till 1675, when the Indians nearly destroyed the settlement. The Rev. William Millburne preached a few years about 1685, and in the following year a parsonage was ordered built for his use. His salary was to be paid in beef at 1}d. per pound, pork 2}d., wheat 4s. 6d., Indian corn 3s., butter 5d. per pound, boards 18s. per thousand, and red-oak staves 16s. Indian hostilities were

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History of York County, Maine, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 56

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 730

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 730