History of York County, Maine, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 90

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 90

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He was eminently social in his nature, genial and kind- hearted, and his home was the centre of hospitality.

He married, Oct. 28, 1850, Matilda, daughter of Tim- othy and Anna A. Buffum, of North Berwick. She was born Jan. 4, 1823. They had five children, namely, Charles H., born Dec. 4, 1852, resides at Denver, Col. ; John M., born Sept. 24, 1854; Walter A., born March 30, 1856; Annie A., born Nov. 19, 1860; and S. Elizabeth, born Aug. 5, 1862.

See Members of Congress, in Civil List, chap. XXV.

PARSONSFIELD.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

PARSONSFIELD joins the New Hampshire line, and is the most northerly town in York County. It includes an area of about sixty-two square miles, or 39,387 acres of land and water. It is bounded on the north by the towns of Por- ter and Hiram, in Oxford County, on the east by Cornish and Limerick, on the north by Newfield, and on the west by the towns of Effingham, Ossipee, Wakefield, and Free- dom, in Strafford and Carroll Counties, N. H.

Province and Lord's Ponds are on the eastern boundary. The Great Ossipee, which forms the northern boundary, is fed by South River, Great Brook, and the outlet of Spruce Pond, which divide the northern part of the town into broad valleys and dividing ridges.

Cedar Mountain, near the centre, and Randall Mountain, in the southeast, are the highest elevations. From these heights the surrounding scenery is beautiful and impressive. Far to the northward the White Mountains, in New IIamp- shire, are seen lifting their rugged peaks above the clouds, which, in connection with the hills and valleys between dotted here and there with neat little villages, farm-houses, and the quiet lakes below, give a picturesque beauty to the scene rarely surpassed. The soil is generally fertile, pro- ducing good erops of hay and grain when properly tilled. The hills, where cleared, are covered with cultivated meadows nearly to their summits. Apples are grown in great abundance and form a chief source of income. Fine groves of maple produce sugar and syrups sufficient for home use. Many indications of iron, lead, silver, and gold are found in different parts of the town, but no heavy deposits have been discovered. Spruce, Long, and Mudget or West Ponds, in the east, cover an area of three to five hundred acres each, and are fed by springs.

PURCHASE AND TRANSFER OF LAND.

Francis Small, an Indian trader at Kittery, on the 28th of November, 1668, purchased of the sagamore, Captain Sunday, of Newichawannock, a body of land twenty miles square for two large English blankets, two pounds of powder, four pounds of musket-balls, twenty strings of Indian beads, aud two gallons of rum.

The General Court of Massachusetts confirmed the titles to Mr. Small, which covered all the lands in York County lying between the Great and Little Ossipee Rivers. Mr. Small sold an undivided interest to Capt .- afterwards Maj. -Nicholas Shapleigh, of Kittery, and April 30, 1711, transferred his remaining interest to his son, Samuel Small. There was no further transfer or occupancy until after the discovery of the missing original deed to Francis Small, in 1770. The descendants of the two proprietors then im- mediately took formal possession, and a partition of the land

was effected Aug. 5, 1771. The territory comprising the township of Parsonsfield, half of Limerick, and Shapleigh, which was afterwards found to be outside the limits of the grant, fell to the elaimants under Shapleigh, who, on the same day, conveyed Parsonsfield to Thomas Parsons and 39 associates. The lands were soon after laid out in lots.

PREPARATIONS FOR SETTLEMENT.

In pursuance of a vote of the proprietors at a meeting held at the dwelling-house of Deacon William Leighton, innholder, of Kittery, Dec. 19, 1774, a charter or agree- ment was given to Thomas Parsons, December 23d, by James Gowen. Jotham Moulton, Esq., Alexander Scam- mell, Philip Hubbard, and Nathaniel Remick, who were a committee on behalf of the Shapleigh heirs, by which 80 lots in various parts of the town were reserved for Thomas Parsons and his associates ; 3 lots each reserved for the first minister, the ministry, and the grammar school; and the remainder open for settlement. Mr. Parsons was required to cause 12 families to settle on his lots before the last day · of March, 1775, each having thereon a house 18 feet square and 3 acres of land cleared fit for the plow. Within four years from that date he was to have 40 families settled and actually residing in the town, and within seven years a house 30 by 40 feet boarded and shingled for public worship. At the end of that time he was to have the gospel continually and statedly preached ; provided, that in ease a war should fall out with the French and Indians, rendering it hazardous to proceed with settlement during that time, the duration of such war should be excepted.

The original plot was 6 miles square, and was laid out with usual liberal allowance for " slack of chain," water, swamp, and mountain, in lots one-half mile from north to south, and containing 220 acres each. These were num- bered from east to west, eommeneing with the north range. The nearest point on the Great Ossipee River was a quarter of a mile north. The land between that ineluded in the grant and the river had been sold to Patrick Tracy, but was joined to the plantation under the terms of this grant or purchase. Lot 45, on Great Brook, was reserved as a mill-privilege. Highways were allowed for in the survey on all east-and-west lines, and between every 3 lots north and south, as well as around the entire traet. A training- field and burying-yard were laid out on the northeast part of lot No. 100, now Parsonsfield Cemetery. Two lots were also voted soon after to Rev. Mr. Spring.

SETTLEMENT.

Twelve families moved into the town as early as 1772, and were already living there at the time of the agreement through which settlement was to be encouraged. In 1775,

324

MRS. LUTHER SANBORN.

LUTHER SANBORN.

RES. OF C. F. SANBORN, SOUTH PARSONSFIELD, ME.

325

TOWN OF PARSONSFIELD.

John and Gideon Doe, of Newmarket, N. H., settled in the western part of the town on land that has since been con- tinuously owned and occupied by their descendants. About this time, George Kezar, a native of Canterbury, N. H., moved into the town, and built a log house near bis hunting-camp at Kezar meadow. Mr. Kezar had been a renowned hunter and trapper in his younger days, and was probably the first white man who pitched his camp in either of the five Ossipee towns. When he began to feel the in- firmities of age, he moved from Francisboro' to Parsonsfield that he might dwell among his hunting-camps. Elisha Wadleigh, whose farm lay between Long and West Ponds, was informed by Kezar that in that vicinity had been his most productive hunting-grounds. The old hunter had a desperate encounter with a bear near Mr. Wadleigh's. The bear had killed a sheep on Mudget's Hill, dragged it down into the lowlands, and covered it with leaves. Mr. Kezar set a spring gun at the place, which the bear discharged when he returned for bis mutton. Following the trail of blood upon the leaves and grass, he came upon the bear lying beside a rock. Supposing it to be dead, he approached, when it arose upon its feet and confronted him. Ilis only weapon was a hatchet. In attempting to draw this from his belt his feet tripped, and he fell upon his back. The bear seized him by his right side. By a desperate effort he broke its hold, when the infuriated animal caught his right hand in its mouth. Taking the hatchet in his left, he con- tinued to chop with it until the bear fell dead. This was bis last hunt, his hand having been so crippled as to become useless. The village of Kezar Falls takes its name from him. Lot Wedgewood settled at North Parsonsfield about 1775-76, and several other families soon after.

Thomas Parsons, one of the proprietors, is supposed by many to have been the first settler, and there is no doubt of his having been among the original twelve who came in in 1772. He moved from Exeter, N. H., in 1771, and built a log cabin in Effingham, which he left to occupy his farm just over the State line in Parsonsfield, near Lord's Pond, and more recently owned and occupied by his grandson, J. P. Emerson. Mr. Parsons built, upon his farm, the first frame house in the town. He was twice married, and had twenty- one children.

The town was large, and, owing to the diversity of its surface, was thinly settled throughout.

Deacon Elijah Wadleigh, who was born in the garrison- house at South Berwick, Feb. 15, 1769, was an early settler between Long and West Ponds, where he pur- chased 100 acres of land, now occupied by his grandson, Elisha Shapleigh, for $300, none of which he was able to pay down. This he paid during the next four years. He lived to the remarkable age of one hundred and three years, and when passed one hundred was able to converse fluently on the events of the four generations of succeeding improve- ment through which he had passed. He died in 1874.

The road passing from Mr. Parsons' place to the south- east across the town was not laid ont until 1794. At that date the only residents along its line were David Hobbs, near the New Hampshire line; J. Grenville, Thomas Parsons, Levi Stone, Josiah Clark, Enoch and Walter Neal, and, beside the church, the inn, kept by Job

Colcord, at Parsonsfield village. Between there and Middle Road Crossing were Daniel Philbrick and Robert Brown. Two miles south, on the hill, lived Deacon " Sam" Moul- ton, and Jesse Wedgwood nearly opposite. At the foot of the hill, a mile below, were William Leavitt and " Zeb" Pease. George Wickford, Elisha Piper, "the master," John Morrison, Joseph Pain, and the old log school-house occupied the natural meadows at what is now South Par- sonsfield. Mr. Moore lived near the Newfield line. The whole route was then an unbroken wilderness, except at the meadow and the small clearings mentioned. These per- sons were nearly all living there in 1786. There were also at that date the following persons resident and holding lauds, who are not mentioned above, nor in the list of the first town officers : Nathaniel Ames, John Bartlett, Amos Blazo, Col. James Chesley, Edward Cutts, Job Colson, Capt. John and Gideon Frost, S. Gilman, Capt. John Good- win, Andrew and Dudley Hilton, John Hill, Philip Hub- bard, David Hilton, Solomon Kinsman, William and Sam- ucl Leighton, Col. Ebenezer Moulton, Dr. Daniel Pierce, Capt. R. S. Rogers, Nath. Remick, Capt. John and Elisha Staple, James Shapleigh, Jonathan Towle, Wint. Wiggin, and Jacob Scagel.

The loss of the proprietors' and original town record pre- vious to 1794 prevents the publication of much of the early history pertaining to the Revolutionary period. The records were abandoned at that date, after copying the list of offi- cers, acts of incorporation, and proprietary agreements only into a new town book.

INCORPORATION.

The town of Parsonsfield was incorporated by act of the General Court of Massachusetts, approved March 9, 1785, and passed in response to a petition of the citizens who de- sired a more secure government. It is very liberally de- scribed in the act as " containing about thirty-six square miles." The name was given to it in honor of Thomas Par- sons, Esq., who was highly respected by the citizens.

Under a warrant issued by Simon Frye, Esq., justice of the peace, the first town-meeting was held, at the house of Mr. Parsons, Aug. 29, 1785. Thomas Powers, Esq., was chosen Moderator ; John Doe, Town Clerk ; Thomas Pow- ers, John Doe, and Gilman Longee, Selectmen ; Samuel Page, Collector and Constable ; Gideon Doe, Thomas Par- sons, Jr., Assessors ; Elisha Piper, Josiah Colcord, James Marston, David Mudget, Tithingmen ; George Bickford, Taylor Page, Philip Paine, Gideon Doe, Samuel Longee, Surveyors of Highways; Job Colcord, Field-driver; Wal- ter Neal, Pound-Keeper ; Edward Chase, Surveyor of Lum- ber ; Jeremiah Avery, Scaler of Leather ; Tanner Doe, Lot- Layer ; Samuel Pease, David Hobbs, and Edmund Chase, Committee to Examine the Selectmen's Accounts.

CIVIL LIST. TOWN CLERKS.

John Doe, 1785-86; John Doe, Jr., 1787-89; Joseph Parsons, 1790; David Hohhs, 1791-92 ; Joseph Parsons, 1793-94; James Hart, 1795; Joseph Parsons, 1796-1806; James Bradbury, 1807-14 ; Rev. Jobn Buzzell, 1815-16; Andrew Pease, 1817-24; Rufus McIntire, 1825-27; Tristram Redman, 1828; Tohias Ricker, 1829-31; Noah Tebbetts, 1832-34; Asa Dalton, 1835; Tobias Rieker, 1836-40 ; John P. Bennett, 1841-43; William E. Moul-

326

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, MAINE.

ton, 1844-47 ; Silas Moulton, 1848-53 ; Alvah Doe, 1854; Joseph Wedgwood, 1855; Alvah Doe, 1856-58: John T. Wedgwood, 1859-61: Samuel Merrill, 1862-63; John Bennett, 1864-66; Otis B. Churchill, 1867-70; John Bennett, 1871-72; Luther Neal, 1873-75; George Moulton, 1876-79.

SELECTMEN.

1785 .- Thomas Parsons, John Doe, Gilman Longee. 1786 .- John Kinsman, Gilman Longee, Elisha Piper. 178 ;. f George Bickford, Philip Paine, Samuel Page. { Thomas Parsons, John Doe, Jonathan Kinsman." 1788 .- Thomas Parsons, John Kinsman, Gideon Doe. 1789 .- Jonathan Kiosman, David ITobbs, Samuel lIobbs. 1790 .- Thomas Parsons. Philip Pain, Jonathan Kinsman. 1791 .- David Ilobbs, Jonathan Kinsman, John Doe. 1792 .- Philip Paine, David Hobbs, Jonathan Kinsman. 1793 .- Joseph Parsons, Samuel Longee, John Doe. 1794 .- Capt. David Hobbs, Joseph Parsons, Samuel Longee. 1795 -Capt. David Ilobbs, John Doe, Jr., Lieut. James Remiek. 1796-98 .- Joseph Parsons, Joseph Iluekens, Samuel Longee. 1799-1800 .- Joseph Parsons, David Marston, Samnel Longee. 1801 .- Joseph Parsons, David Marston, James Remiek. 1802-5 .- Joseph Parsons, David Marston, John Paine. 1806 .- David Marston, Samuel Garland, William Blazo. 1807-8 .- David Marston, William Blazo, Simon Marston. 1809-12 .- Simon Marston, William Blazo, Simon Mudget. 1813 .- Simon Marston, Moses Sweat, Simon Mudget. 1814 .- Simon Marston, David Marston, Simon Mudget. 181 .- Simon Marston, Thomas Parsons, Capt. Abner Kezar. 1816 .- Simon Marston, Thomas Parsons, William Blazo. 1817 .- Maj. John Moore, Hardy Merrill, Ammi R. Lord. 1818 .- Maj. John Moore, Hardy Merrill, Rufus Melntire. 1819 .- Rufus Melntire, John Moore, Hardy Merrill. 1820 .- John Moore, Abner Kezar, Hardy Merrill. 1821 .- John Moore (2d), Abner Kezar, Hardy Merrill. 1822-23 .- Jonathan Piper, llardy Merrill, Abner Kezar. 1824 .- Jonathan Piper, Abner Kezar, Elliot Fernald. 1825 .- Jonathan Piper, Hardy Merrill, Elliot Fernald. 1826 .- Jonathan Piper, Hardy Merrill, Abner Kezar. 1827-2> .- Jonathan Piper, Isaac Felch, Abner Kezar. 1829-31 .- Ahner Kezar, John Bailey, Benjamin Weeks. 1832-31 .- Tristram Redman, Harvey M. Towle, James W. Weeks. 1833-36 .- Tristram Redman, John Brackett (2d), Gilman L. Bennett. 1837-35 .- John Brackett, Gilman L. Bennett, Jonathan Tuck. 1839-40,-Jonathan Tuck, John Mudget, James W. Weeks. 1×41-42 .- John Mudget. Alvah Due, Jesse Wedgwood. 1>15 .- Alvah Due, Jesse Wedgwood, John Kezar. 1.11 .- John P. Benuett, James Brackett, John Kezar. 1815 .- John Kezar, James Brackett, Jr., Jobn P. Bennett. 1416 .- Jobn P. Bennett, Capt. James Brackett, Robert T. Bluzo. 1-17-48. - James Braekett, Robert T. Blazu, Jacob Marston. 1519-30 .- Daniel Piper, Enoch W. Neal, John Kezar. 55] .- Enoch W. Neal, Wi. E. Moulton, Thomas B. Wentworth. 1.32-54. Wm. E. Moulton, Thomas E. Wentworth, Nathan Brown. 1 15 .- John Braekett (2d), John M. Ames, tilman Longee. I. Mi-a7 .- John Mudget, Ira Moore, Jacob Dearborn. 1 . .. John M. Ames, Jacob Dearborn, Ivory Fenderson. 1.0%- Alvah Dor, Chase Boothby, Thomas Churchill. I. h .- Chase Boothby, Thomas Churchill, Dominicus Rieker, Jr. PATI- - Chase Boothby, Thomas Churchill, Dominieus Ricker. Ttog. Chase Boothby, Dominicus Ricker, Elliot Fernald. FMA -Daniniens Ricker, Elliot Fernahl, Joseph Dearborn. IBAL Elliot Fernald, Joseph Dearborn, Samuel Merrill. Tab-Win. E. Moulton, Asa A. Parsons, Jonathan W. Trueworthy. Ko 6 ;.- Alvah Doe, Jonathan W. Trueworthy, Joseph S. Dearborn. 186 .. Joseph S. Dearborn, Samuel Merrill, Ilardy Merrill. 1.63. Joseph S. Dearborn, Samuel Merrill, Loring T. Staples. 1.70. Hardy Merrill, Loring T. Staples, Joseph Parsons. 1-71 .- Loring T. Staples, Joseph Parsons, James W. Cook. 1-72 73. Joseph Parsons, John Neal, Nehemiah T. Libby. 1871. John M. Ames, John Devereaux, Ivory Fenderson.

The first elected selectmen having refused to take the oath of al- legiance to the laws of the commonwealth, a second board was elected June 30th of that year.

1875 .- Thomas B. Wentworth, John Neal, Samuel G. Dearborn. 1876-77 .- John Neal, Samuel G. Dearborn, Otis B. Churchill. 1878 .- Otis B. Churchill, Eben G. Perry, Robert Merrill. 1879 .- Otis B. Churebill, John Neal, Ivory Fenderson.

VILLAGES AND HAMLETS.

PARSONSFIELD VILLAGE.

Parsonsfield village, the seat of town government, is located on the southwestern slope of Cedar Mountain, a short distance below the old burying-ground, church-yard, and training-field laid out by the proprietors in 1774. The first town-house, begun in 1790 as a church, was fin- ished for a town-house in 1794-95, and succeeded Job Col- cord's inn, the first house in the village, as the place of all public gatherings. The town-house now standing on the hill joining the burying-ground was built by Wm. Moulton, Jr., in 1833, and decorated in the style of the times by painting the walls red, the doors green, and the trimmings white. The place now contains two churches, town-house, school-house, the tannery opened by John Morrell, in 1830, and conducted by his son, John A. Morrell, since 1867 ; a general store, conducted by L. T. Staples, proprietor, since 1872 (formerly Ed. Wentworth and Benjamin Dalton) ; blacksmith-shop of C. E. Weeman ; 16 dwellings, and half a mile west Whitney & Edwards' shingle-mill,-one of the oldest in the town. A letter written by Hon. Rufus Mc- Intire, in 1820, says the post-office was established in 1798. L. T. Staples is postmaster. Mails daily by East Wake- field and North Parsonsfield stage.

EAST PARSONSFIELD,

the chief business centre, is built upon a broad ridge, sur- rounded by hills covered with cultivated farms. The dwellings, 40 in number, are scattered over a large space, giving to the village an unusually neat appearance. This was a thriving business place in the early days of lumber- ing. The present business consists of the general store of Mrs. A. R. Ridlon, conducted by her two sons, Joseph M. and Woodbridge G. Ridlon, since 1878 (established by Frank Dearborn, in 1867); Moulton & Weeks' grocery- store (opened by Charles Newton and Timothy Poindex- ter) ; hardware, tin, and stove store, and manufactory of D. E. Garland & Co., opened in 1877 ; the clothing manu- factories of Nute & Co., established by Charles O. Nute, in 1867, and employing from 8 to 12 operatives in the shop; Benjamin Pray's clothing manufactory, employing 2 operatives since 1879; the carriage manufactories of G. W. Dearborn and J. S. Allen, and the blacksmith-shops of Joseph Dearborn and Ivory Marshall. The place contains two churches and a hotel,-the Eureka House, conducted by C. W. Brazier, proprietor, since 1870. Mails daily by Waterborough stage. Enoch Allen, postmaster.

NORTH PARSONSFIELD

is a prosperous village of 40 dwellings, and is the location of the North Parsonsfield Seminary. There are here three stores: John B. Sweat, established in 1877; Gardner Small, established in 1879; and a store of the Granger Association, Hardy Merrill, agent; carriage-shops, J. W. Hodsdon, established in 1830; Elisha B. Wadleigh, established in 1850; custom shoemaker, Gardner Smart, established in

MAJ. THOMAS CHURCHILL.

MRS. MARY E.CHURCHILL.

BAD DUKE OF SUMMERSET

RES OF THE LATE MAJOR THOMAS CHURCHILL NORTH PARSONSFIELD, ME.

PHOTOS BY CONANT, PORTLAND

THOS. S. CHURCHILL.

MRS. THOS.S.CHURCHILL.

RESIDENCE OF THOMAS S. CHURCHILL, NORTH PARSONFIELD, YORK CO., ME. THE OLD HOMESTEAD OF WY D. DIXON .

327

TOWN OF PARSONSFIELD.

1857. Postmaster since 1862, Gardner Smart. Mails daily, by South Parsonsfield and East Wakefield, N. H .. stage.

WEST PARSONSFIELD

is a post-office and store, now in New Hampshire, but for- merly in Maine, on the opposite side of the road which forms the dividing line.

SOUTH PARSONSFIELD

is a hamlet of several farm-houses surrounding a church and school-house, on the site of one of the natural mead- ows. George Hilton, postmaster, since 1835. Mails daily.

KEZAR FALLS,

a prosperous village of some 30 dwellings, on the Ossipee River, takes its name from George Kezar, the famous hunter, and first resident at that point. There are here a fine water-power and the following manufactories: lumber mills, Devereaux & Elliott, since 1877 (formerly Stone & Elliott) ; grist-mill, John Devereaux, established previous to 1800; stone- and saw-mill, Charles B. Pendexter ; shovel handles, James H. Keyon, established in 1878; stoves, J. Merrifield ; blacksmiths, A. C. Wentworth, M. Ridlon & Son ; painters, Eastman Bros.

Merchants : E. H. Newbegin & Son, established 1870; W. G. Davis, established 1878, formerly Norton & Davis' general store ; S. Edgcomb, groceries, corn, and flour, established 1874; John Devereaux, corn and flour, estab- lished 1872.

William T. Sargent, postmaster. Mails daily.

In the southeast, two miles from East Parsonsfield, are the old Blaisdell Mills, erected by Dr. Thomas Blaisdell about 1790, and operated by G. H. Stanley since 1872, and the carriage-shop of Zephaniah Scavey, opened in 1846; a stcre formerly kept here was discontinued many years ago.

The town contained, in 1839, seven grist-mills, seven saw- mills, a woolen-factory, and an oil-mill.

BURYING-GROUNDS.

The ground, set aside by the proprietors in 1774, is half filled with a grove of thrifty young pines, and carpeted with a dense growth of evergreens. The old church which stood near has long since disappeared, but many of its worshipers rest in this little burying-ground. Rev. Benjamin Rolfe, the first settled minister, was buried here in 1817; Tobias Ricker, in 1844; Rev. Wentworth Lord, in 1846, at the age of eighty-nine ; Edmund Stackpole, Josiah Hanneford, and Deacon Samuel Garland, early settlers, are also buried here.

There is another large and well-filled burying-ground at North Parsonsfield, containing nearly all the earlier pio- neers who are not buried in some of the numerous private grounds on their own homesteads.

Among the places of historie interest stands most promi- nent the "Old Emerson House." This is a modern title derived from Capt. Luther Emerson, a prominent citizen, and son-in-law of Thomas Parsons, Esq. The house was the dwelling-house of Mr. Parsons, and the first frame house erected in the town. It was in this house that the

first election was held, and all public business transacted for some years previous to the incorporation in 1785.

CHURCHES.

CONGREGATIONALIST.

At the second town-meeting, held in 1786, £90 were voted for preaching the ensuing year. The first meeting- house was commenced on the Middle road, after much fast- ing and prayer and many delays, in 1790 ; but, as a Baptist sentiment prevented unity of action, the frame stood ex- posed to the weather for two years, when the town voted to finish the meeting-house, and that it should be considered a town-house. Either society was allowed the privilege of buying it on payment of the other society's investment. After two years' further delay (in 1794), £25 were voted to repair the frame, and it was finished by the town. Corn was exchanged at the same time to the value of £26 for warlike stores, and £40 for preaching. It was first voted to organize a church in 1792, and settle Rev. Benjamin Straw, who was employed to preach. Rev. Rufus Anderson succeeded him in 1793, and was offered £45 a year, two- thirds corn at 3s. a bushel. This offer was accepted by Rev. Benjamin Rolfe in 1795, and he became the first set- tled minister. He remained until May 31, 1815. He was born at Newbury, Mass., graduated at Harvard in 1777, and died at Parsonsfield, Dec. 17, 1817, aged sixty- two years.

The Congregational society was incorporated Feb. 27, 1802, on petition of Thomas Parsons and 27 others, with a right to control all real estate granted by the proprietors for the support of the Congregational ministry.

Rev. Mr. Rolfe's successors have been Henry True Kel- ley, from June 29, 1825, to June 27, 1827 ; Charles S. Adams, from Sept. 17, 1828, to Dec. 27, 1831; David Page Smith, from July 11, 1832, to Aug. 19, 1834; Samuel Ordway, from Dec. 5, 1838, to Dec. 8, 1841; Elias Chapman, stated supply from 1849 to 1852; Nathan W. Shelden, stated supply for six months of 1857; Jonas Fiske, stated supply for 1859; Edmund Burt, for 1860 ; John H. Mordough, for 1862; George S. Kemp, for half of 1864; and recently, Rev. N. Lord and Rev. David L. Jones. Other supplies have been enjoyed for shorter terms than one year, while at various times the society has been destitute. Membership, 14. Officers, Otis G. Smith, Clerk ; Charles F. Sanborn, Secretary. The present church was built in 1830.

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History of York County, Maine, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 90

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