USA > Maine > York County > History of York County, Maine, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 94
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The ascent is gradual on the east side of the main valley, but attains an altitude of twelve hundred feet at Clark's Mountain, in the south. Trafton's Mountain rises abruptly from the valley to the height of probably fourteen hundred feet. East of this is Cole's Mountain, sixteen hundred feet high. Separated from Trafton's and Cole's Mountains by a narrow valley, a high ridge terminates at its eastern ex- tremity in Hosac Mountain, which is about as high as Cole's. Northeast of Cole's is Gray's Mountain, a long ridge of land one thousand feet high, running nearly north and south on the east side of Little River, and sloping to the valley of the Saco.
THE INDIAN OCCUPANTS.
When white men first visited this country it was found to be occupied by the Sokokis, a tribe of Indians whose chief dwelt on Indian, now Factory, Island, Saco. A large village was located at the bend of the Saco River, in Fryeburg. In Hiram, just across the river, at the mouth of the Ossi- pee, a high bluff, the summit of which comprised about two acres of nearly level land, was occupied by another village. Years after, the circular spots of grass growing upon the sites of their wigwams gave proof of its long occupancy. Their chief stronghold was upon the south side of the river, in what is now Cornish. After these Indians had seen the stout stockades and block-houses of the white men, they employed carpenters from Biddeford to construct one for them, where they might defend themselves against the as- saults of their enemies, the Mohawks, upon their favorite bunting-grounds. The exact location of this fort, which was built somewhere between the present village and the mouth of the Ossipee, is unknown. It was strongly built of timbers, with bastions, or flankers, and was fourteen feet high.
This is thought to have been the place where Capt. John Lovell left a part of his men, and his provisions, when on one of his first expeditions against the Pequawket Indians, to the northward, in the winter of 1725. The old Pequawket trail crossed the Ossipee River at the ford near the present village, a few rods below where the covered bridge now stands, passed up the rising ground, and wound around the northern and western sides of Trafton's Mountain to Cole's Corner, then turned to the right and passed into Limerick near the base of Wescott's Hill. The old wagon-road fol- lowed nearly the same route, and the cabins of early settlers were built convenient for its use.
Many Indian implements have been found in the vicinity of the old fort, and near Hosac Pond in the south, indica- ting that the places were frequented, if not permanently occupied, for many years. Mr. Joseph Harding, son of one of the early settlers, became familiar with many interesting facts relating to the first occupants.
TRANSFER OF TITLE.
The lands of Cornish, together with all that portion of York County lying between the Great and Little Ossipee Rivers, was bought of Captain Sunday, a celebrated Indian sagamore of Newichawannock, by Francis Small, an Indian trader of Kittery. The deed, which was made at Kittery, Nov. 28, 1668, mentious, as the consideration, two large English blankets, two gallons of rum, two pounds of pow- der, four pounds of musket-balls, and twenty strings of In- dian beads. This title, with all similar ones, was confirmed by the commission appointed by the General Court of Mas- sachusetts. Mr. Small sold an undivided interest to Maj. Nicholas Shapleigh, of Kittery, and April 30, 1711, trans- ferred his remaining interest to his son, Samuel Small. The title appears to have been lost for a number of years subsequent, as there is no record of any transfer or occupa- tion of this tract, which was known as the Ossipee lands, until the discovery of the original deed to Francis Small, in 1770, when the descendants of Small and Shapleigh took formal possession. A partition was effected Aug. 5, 1771, and Nov. 19, 1779, Joshua Small, of Ossipee,-now Limington,-sold that part of his estate included in the present town to Joseph Dow, of New Market, N. H., and Benjamin Connor, of Newburyport, Mass., for £1980 cur- rency.
OCCUPATION AND SETTLEMENT.
For many years before auy white settlers penetrated this part of the county, George Kezar, of Canterbury, N. H., attracted by the abundance of game, which had so long made it a favorite resort of the Indians, had established his hunting-camps in various parts of this section, and spent his falls, winters, and springs here. The plantation was an unbroken wilderness at the time of its survey, in 1772. Its hills and valleys were covered with a dense growth of maple, beech, oak, birch, and hemlock forest, and nearly every shrub common to this latitude, affordiug ample sus- tenance for an abundant supply of game.
The plantation was given the name of Francisboro', in honor of Francis Small, the first proprietor. All the old plantation records, as well as those of the town of Cornish, were lost by the fire which destroyed the store of the town clerk, Mr. John F. Jameson, in 1865. Henry Pendexter is believed to have been the first settler. He located on a little meadow half a mile from Trafton's Pond, on its outlet. The place, now the improved farm of Mr. G. W. Briar, is surrounded by steep hill-sides, and was an admirable location for a pioneer whose living was to come from the natural supply of forest and stream.
James Holmes, Jr., was eight years old when his father, James Holmes, moved from Scarborough to this town, and settled on the flat between the two streams, east. As he was born Aug. 30, 1766, this would fix the settlement of James Holmes at 1774. Stephen Gilpatrick, of Hiram, a descendant of John Gilpatrick, whose wife is a descendant of Mr. Holmes, states that Johu Durgin came to Francis- boro' the same year. Joseph Wilson settled near. Robert, Henry, and Asahel Cole, brothers, came from Biddeford in 1775. Henry and Asahel Cole, Charles Trafton, and Jo- seph Wilson, who married sisters of Edward Hammond, all settled near together.
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, MAINE.
They were soon followed by Charles Trafton, Robert Cole, Aldrich Cole, John Chute, James Wormwood, who settled between Hosac and Clark's Mountains, and John Gilpatrick and John Hodgdon, who also settled in the south part of the town. Trafton's and Cole's Mountains take their names from these early settlers. John Chute opened the Haley farm. His cabin was burned soon after with his two children.
In 1778, Timothy Barrows settled in the north part of the town, and built his cabin on the old Pequawket trail, a mile south of the Ossipee. Mrs. Betsey Barrows used to relate that she was in the woods several months without seeing a woman, and when she did, it was at a visit to friends in Parsonsfield, where she went the next winter, travel- ing on snow-shoes. John Gilpatrick and Mr. Hodgdon, who were well-known hunters, discovered Mr. Barrows' cabin on one of their exenrsions, and on their return were in high glee over their rare good Inek in having found a woman at the north. To Mrs. Betsey Barrows is awarded the honor of having been the first preacher in the town. Abraham Barrows settled a mile south of his brother Timothy the same year. The lands on being cleared were found remarkably productive. Pumpkins attained sneh a size that the early settlers familiarly called the plantation " Pumpkintown." Joshua Chadbourne, who was an early settler on the Gore, continned to follow trap- ping until disabled by old age. A Mr. Huff is well re- membered by the old families as a successful hunter. Joseph Seavey was an early settler, near Mr. Chadbourne, on the Gore. Many others entered the town at the close of the Revolution, increasing the population to 141 in 1790.
The early settlers were men of a hardy race, accustomed to the dangers and privations of frontier and army life, and most of them lived to an advanced age. Possessing but little education, they were endowed with sound prac- tical sense and good moral sentiments. In social character they were hospitable, jovial, fond of society, and charitable towards the suffering and needy. A plantation government was established ; and religious meetings were early held at the houses of different families. At the first plantation election, held in the month of April at the house of Asabel Cole, 13 men attended, all coming on snow-shoes. John Durgin was the last plantation collector, in 1792-93.
The first grist-mill was built by Asahel Cole at the out- let of Hosac Pond near his house. It had an overshot- wheel. The stones were hanled from Saco by ox-teams. Soon after a grist-mill was built west of Wescott's Hill, at the outlet of Long Pond, by Mr. Inff. About 1784, Joseph Thompson built a mill near his house upon Little River, but it was carried away by high water soon after.
In 1790 a saw-mill was erected on the same stream by Mr. Cole and John Durgin, and a saw- and grist-mill was erected on the Ossipee River, a quarter of a mile from its month. A new saw-mill was erected on the site of the Thompson Mill, and a grist-mill and machinery to card wool and dress cloth were added. These were swept away by the great flood in 1829.
About 1800, Andrew Sherburne left his farm between Clark's aud Ilosac Mountains and built a potash-factory,
and opened a store upon the Rease road, two miles south of Cornish village. A tannery was also erected here, and the place became the business centre of the town. Simeon Pease also opened a store, and in 1810 a post-office was established. Town-meetings were held in the old meeting- house on Brimstone Hill until the erection of the town- house after 1820, half a mile farther south. Courts were beld by " Esquire" Asahel Cole, and the militia met here to draw their annual supply of powder and rum, and the other requisites of a general training and muster. The learned judge who came from the north on horseback to attend court at Saco followed the old Pequawket trail, and usually stopped over night with Mr. Cole, for whom he procured an appointment as magistrate. Mrs. Cole, who was a Hammons, and highly educated, furnished the neces- sary literary talent and kept the esquire's books and papers.
The old town-house was removed to the poor-farm by the selectmen in 1872, and used as a store-room and barn.
INCORPORATION.
The plantation of Francisboro' was incorporated as a town, under the name of Cornish, Feb. 26, 1794.
The first election was held at the house of Asahel Cole, near the centre of the town, in 1794.
Benjamin Clark, Jr., was elected Town Clerk ; Andrew Sherburne, Ebenezer Barker, William Chadbourne, Select- men ; Benjamin Clark, Treasurer; Thomas Barker, Co !- lector and Constable.
The amount committed to the collector to be collected was £23 17s. 6d. The valuation of the town was £151 3s. 15d.
The following tax-list is a complete list of all the settlers previous to 1794, except Joshna Chadbourne, who had moved to Hiram ; Joseph Seavey, who had removed; and Joseph Wilson, who was so badly frozen during a severe storm while on his way to Saco that he had died previous to the making of the list :
Allen, Joseph.
Day, Nathaniel.
Adams, Thomas. Day, William.
Barker, Ebenezer. Day, William, Jr.
Barker, Simeon.
Day, Stephen.
Barker, Nathaniel. Estes, Benjamin.
Barker, Thomas.
Estes, Richard.
Barker, Ezra. Bolon, Jobn. Eastman, Daniel.
Estes, Jonathan.
Boynton, Samuel.
Eastman, Obadiab.
Barrows, Timothy W.
Eastman, Ezekiel.
Barrows, Abram.
Eastman, Jacob.
Brown, Clement.
Ellis, John.
Cole, Obadiah. Fessenden, William.
Cole, Robert.
Gray, Joshua.
Cole, Asahel.
Gray, Daniel.
Cole, Henry.
Gray, Isaac.
Colton, John.
Gray, John.
Chadbourne, Humphrey.
Gray, George.
Chadbourne, William.
Gordon, Joseph.
Chadbourne, William, Jr.
Groffam, Unite.
Chadbourne, Levi.
Groffam, Theodore.
Chadbourne, Jobn.
Gilpatrick, John.
Chick, Isaac.
Guptill, Daniel. Holmes, James.
Chick, Daniel.
Clark, Benjamin.
Holmes, James, Jr.
Clark, Benjamin, Jr.
Hubbard, Heard.
Durgin, John.
Hebbard, Joseph.
Davis, Josiah.
Hammons, Edmund.
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TOWN OF CORNISH.
Hamilton, James.
Perry, Jeseph. Perkins, Daniel.
Hart, Aaron.
Jehnson, Simen. Johnson, Thomas A. Jewell, David.
Pike, Noah.
Pike, Bennett.
Jewell, John. Kennard, Jehn.
Smith, Theophilus.
Linscett, Isaac.
Sherburne, Andrew.
Linscott, Isaac, Jr. Linscott, Noah.
Sherburne, Samuel.
Linscett, Joseph.
Sherburne, George.
1870 .- Reuben Small, Horace A. Pike, Benjamin F. Haley.
Long, John. Lord, Ammi.
Storer, Benjamin.
McKusick, Jehn.
Storer, William.
McKnsick, Francis. Merrifield, Samuel.
Storer, Jehn.
Shute, Jehn.
Mattex, Thomas.
Thompson, Joseph M.
Neal, Andrew.
Thempson, Isaac.
Norris, Jenathan.
Trafton, Charles.
Norris, Isaiah. Pendexter, Henry.
Treadwell, Mastress.
Pease, Stephen.
Tiney, Richard. Weymouth, James.
Pendexter, Edward.
Wormwood, James.
Pendexter, Paul.
Whitten, James.
Pendexter, Themas.
Whitten, Richard.
Pendexter, Eliab.
Wales, John.
Perry, James.
Weeks, Samuel. Wilson, Joseph.
CIVIL LIST.
Owing to the entire destruction of town records previ- ous to 1864, it is possible to furnish only a partial list of selectmen and town clerks, after a long and laborious search for papers bearing official signatures.
TOWN CLERKS.
Benjamin Clark, Jr., 1794 ; Jehn F. Jamesen, 1865 ; Roscoe G. Smith, 1866-67; David C. Pike, 1868-70; Winfield S. MeKenney, 1871 -72; Rescoe G. Smith, 1873-74; Elihn Parker, 1875-77 ; Lorain S. Boothby, 1878 ; Howard Brackett, 1879.
SELECTMEN AND ASSESSORS.
1794-95 .- Andrew Sherburne, Ebenezer Barker, Wm. Chadbourne. 1796-97 .- Andrew Sherburne, Themas A. Jehnson, Asahel Cole. 1798 .- Cyrus Snell, Noah Jewett, John Ellis.
1799 .- Andrew Sherborne, Wm. Chadbourne, Ebenezer Barker. 1800 .- Ebenezer Barker, Themas A. Johnson, Asahel Cole. 1801 .- Ebenezer Barker, Cyrus Snell, William Chadbourne. 1802-3 .- Ebenezer Barker, Cyrus Snell, Asahel Cole. 1804-5 .- Ebenezer Barker, Cyrns Snell, Themas A. Johnson. 1806 .- Ebenezer Barker, Jenah Dunn, Themas A. Johnson. 1807 .- Ebenezer Barker, Asahel Cele, Simeen Pease. 1808 .- Ebenezer Barker, Jonah Dunn, Isaac Morrell. 1809 .- Jenah Dann, Henry Cole, Isaac Merrell. 1810-12 .- Enoch M. Barker, Isaac Merrell, Richard Cele. 1813 .- Enoch M. Barker, Simeen Pease, - 1814 .- Thomas A. Johnson, Simeen Pease, - 1815 .- Thomas A. Johnsen, Jonah Dunn, Simeon Pease. 1816-19 .- Thomas A. Johnson, Simeon Pease, Benjamin Dnnn. 1820 .- Themas A. Johnsen, Eben. Barker, John Weeks. 1821 .- Simeen Pease, Benjamin Dnnn, John S. Wedgewood. 1822 .- Simeon Pease, Matthias Weeks, Benjamin Thompson. 1823-24 .- Benjamin Denn, Simeen Pease, John S. Wedgewood. 1825 .- Richard Cele, Benjamin Thompson, Jehn Wedgeweed. 1826-43 .- Ne record.
1844-45 .- Hiram Remick, Ebenezer Barker, T. P. McKusick. 1846 .- Ebenezer Barker, T. P. McKusick, Stephen Jewett. 1847-50 .- Stephen Jewett, Jehn Stone, William Hammens. 1851 .- John Stone, William Hammons, Ebenezer Barker. 1852 .- Stephen Jewett, Hiram Remick, Durrell Nason. 1853 .- Durrell Nasen, Ebenezer Barker, William Hammons. 1854 .- Samoel Pendexter, Jr., Benjamin F. Pease, Oscar Lincoln. 1855 .- William Pease, Horace A. Pike, James Stene.
1856 .- Samuel Peadexter, Joshua D. Small, - -.
1857-58 .- Ilorace A. Pike, N. W. Barker, James Stone. 1859 .- Ivery B. Weeks, N. W. Barker, Edwin A. O'Brica.
1860-61 .- William Parker, Benjamin F. Pease, Durrell Nason. 1862 .- William Parker, Benjamin F. Pease, Rufus Allen. 1863 .- E. A. O'Brien, Ammi Boynton, Rufus Allea. 1864-66 .- Levi W. Stone, Ammi Boynton, Thompson Lincoln. 1867 .- Samnel Poindexter, Ammi Boynton, Silas West. 1868 .- Ivory B. Weeks, Horace A. Pike, Charles D. Morrill. 1869 .- Horace A. Pike, Silas West, Ivory B. Wecks.
1871 .- Benjamin F. Halcy, Beejatuin F. Pease, Joshna D. Small.
1872 .- Isaiah Cheney, Ebca Barker, Horace A. Pike. 1873 .- William H. Warren, Eben Barker, Isaiah Cheney. 1874 .- Charles D. Morrill, Preston Dnrgin, Horace A. Pike. 1875 .- Charles D. Morrill, George II. Milliken, Noah Weeks. 1876 .- Noah Weeks, John M. Pease, Horace A. Pike. 1877 .- Jehn M. Pease, Isaac M. Brackett, John Bradley.
1878 .- J. B. Weeks, Eben. Barker, William H. Warren. IS79 .- Eben. Barker, William F. Allen, Ivory B. Weeks.
CORNISH VILLAGE.
Cornish village is the only place in the town at which there is a post-office, and is the largest village in northern York County. It is finely located on a narrow bench of land between the hills and the Saco River, which spreads out into broader plains to the east and west. On the plain to the west is one of the finest burying-grounds in the county, abounding in statuary and fine sculptured memen- toes of the dead. To the east the village overlooks the pine grove occupying the ground where stood the Indians' fort, built by the Biddeford carpenters a century and a half ago.
Passing westward from the centre of the village, across Little River bridge, past the old burying-ground, until nearly to the last of the neat dwellings upon Kezar Street, you will find on the right a little house with green blinds, four doors from the corner. This is the old house of Jo- seph M. Thompson, the first frame house built in the vil- lage. It was moved from its building-place to make room for the fine mansion of the late Dr. B. Thompson, and in 1879 repaired by the widow of Jacob Lord, who is its present occupant.
In the centre of the village a beautiful little park has been laid out at the confluence of three streets, and taste- fully planted in trees and shrubbery. The buildings are of a higher order, indicating taste and prosperity. Few towns present a more inviting appearance to the stranger.
The first settlement in the village of Cornish was made by Joseph M. Thompson, who erected a log house about the year 1782, on the south side of the main street, near the park, where now stands the law-office of Hon. Caleb R. Ayer. He soon afterwards built a small frame house a few rods south. Some years later, Isaac Thompson took up the lot upon the river, joining, and also built a frame house. For many years these were the only houses in the vicinity. About 1817, Cotton Lincoln, father of Thomas Lincoln, Esq., came from Gorham and built a store near Mr. Thomp- son's house, where he began to sell goods and deal in lum- ber. This was a fine location for trade, and soon began to be frequented by the few inhabitants of the surrounding country. The post-office was moved up from the south. Lands lying near were soon settled, and in 1832 a church was built in the village. The church on the hill was
Perry, Samuel.
Pike, John.
Sargent, Chase.
Smith, David.
Stone, Paul.
344
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, MAINE.
moved nearer, and another one built in the village in 1842. In 1870 the village contained 80 dwellings, with a popula- tion of 400; 6 stores and 18 manufactories of various kinds; with an assessed valuation of $75,000. This had inereased by 1879 to 103 dwellings, 3 churches, school, Odd-Fellows' hall, chapel, a printing-office issuing a 28-col- umn weekly paper, a telegraph-office, and the following business and manufacturing houses.
Clothing manufactories : Danforth & Allen, established by Danforth & Milliken in 1879 ; employs 5 to 8 operatives in shop, and A. T. Danforth, eustom tailor ; Cole Brothers, established in 1879, 6 to 10 operatives in shop; T. Brack- ett & Son, established in 1862, 12 to 17 operatives in shop ; Milliken & Durgin, since 1878, established by A. T. Danforth and G. H. Milliken in 1870, 10 to 15 opera- tives in shop; W. H. & R. G. Warren, established 1878, 12 to 14 operatives in shop.
Furniture : J. B. Watsou & Son, established by Watson & Colby in Eagle Building in 1865 ; manufactures com- plete work and supplies finishing-shops.
Lumber, staves, and shooks: Freeman Hatel, Eagle Mills, steam- and water-power, erected 1875.
Carriages and sleighs : B. J. Stone, established 1854; G. F. Merrill, established 1869; Humphrey Ayer, estab- lished 1861.
Blacksmiths and carriage-ironers : Waterhouse & Ricker, established by A. Rieker, 1849; F. Walker, established 1879; Lorenzo D. Stackpole, established 1854; S. B. Knight, established 1858.
Painters : Clark Watson, established 1875; George F. Ryan, established 1859 ; E. H. Newbegin.
Flouring- and grist-mill : George Adams, since 1877; crected by T. Lincoln previous to 1800.
Marble- and granite-works : Kincaid & Copp, since 1879 ; established by G. W. Kincaid in 1854. Fine copies of statuary have been executed by Mr. Kincaid, including Ilope, The Recording Angel, etc.
Ilarness: W. W. Thompson, established in 1874; R. G. Knight.
Tailors : H. K. Allord ; E. A. Gurney.
Barber : Frederick W. Knight.
Millinery and fancy goods : Smith & Warren, established 1879; Guptill & Hall, established 1876; Mrs. F. E. Boothhy & Co., established 1873; Miss Ida Danforth, es- tablished 1877.
General stores : T. Brackett & Son, established 1862; O'Brien & Marr, dry goods, groceries, iron, and steel, es- tablished 1854; W. H. & R. G. Warren, since 1878, es- tablished by Freeman Hatch in 1865 ; Jamison & Ayer, established by John F. Jamison in 1868.
Grain and provisions: Pike & Boothby, established 1877. llardware: J. W. Partridge, established 1871.
Furniture : Freeman Hatch, established 1873.
Dry goods : Milliken & Durgin, ladies' and gents' ready- made, also fine boots and shoes, established 1877; Ira C. Otis, since 1878, established by C. E. Woodbury in 1871.
Drugs: R. Blake, established 1877; O. II. Pike, es- tablished by Dr. W. B. Pike in 1860, and conducted sinee his death in 1870 by his daughter.
Watches and jewelry : W. II. Nevers, established 1866.
Restaurant and confectionery : J. Damsell, established 1879.
Hotels: Park House, J. B. Sanborn, opened in 1877; Cornish House, M. B. Davis, since 1875, erected by J. D. Small in 1857.
Physicians : W. H. Smith ; J. T. Wedgwood ; W. B. Swasey, established 1872; Joshua K. Bickford, dentist, established 1878.
Lawyers : Ayer & Clifford, established by Caleb R. Ayer ; George W. Goodsoe, established 1879.
A telegraph line was laid from the village to connect with the Western Union Line at Baldwin, in Cumberland Co., by R. Blake, as a proprietary line, with customary privileges, in January, 1878. Mails are semi-daily, by Baldwin and Freedom stage; W. H. Nevers, postmaster.
BURYING-GROUNDS.
Just across the Little River Bridge, to the west, almost in the centre of the beautiful village of Cornish, a single lot on Main Street, containing about a quarter of an acre, has been fenced and left to the occupancy of the most honored dead. On one side is a fine school-house ; on the other, a neat hotel. Running parallel with the street a grove of pines shuts out the view of the river ; within this inclosure a few shrubs are scattered among the marble slabs, which tell who lies beneath. The inscription on one reads : " John C. O'Brien, a Soldier of the Revolution under the Immortal Washington. He was taken prisoner at the battle of White Plains, and carried to West Point, where he remained a prisoner ten months. He then re- turned home, but soon enlisted again for three years, and remained in the service until the declaration of peace."
Capt. Joshua C. Thompson rests here near Joseph M. Thompson, the first settler of Cornish village. Joseph M. Thompson was born at Exeter, N. H., Nov. 12, 1751 ; en- listed in the patriot army, fought at Bunker Hill; and after making Cornish one of the busiest places in northern York County, died Nov. 18, 1840.
Dr. Ben Thompson, an early physician, and son of the first settler, is buried here. Also, Humphrey Ayer, who died in 1828, aged fifty-three; Jotham Johnson, Daniel Philbrick, Royal Lincoln, and William Waterman, early settlers, who died at advanced ages, previous to 1843.
On the hill where the old church rested for twelve years, on its way to the village, a well-kept ground contains the graves of three of its deacons,-Col. John Pike; Capt. Noah Bennett, an early settler, who died in 1829; Capt. Joseph Boynton, a soldier of the Revolution, who died in 1831, aged seventy-six. Near him lies Lieut. George E. Eastman, a soldier of the Rebellion, who died in 1865.
Rev. Timothy Remick, who died in 1850, at the age of seventy-five years, was buried here among the oldest of his people.
The new burying-ground, just outside the village, on the western roads, is one of the most beautiful in the county, and is a source of much pride to the citizens of the town, who take great interest in improving and beantifying its grounds. It contains many specimens of fine workman- ship, and is the last resting-place of some of the most hon- ored citizens of Cornish.
345
TOWN OF CORNISH.
CHURCHES.
BAPTIST CHURCHI.
As soon as the early settlers had obtained comfortable homes and the necessaries of life, they banded together for the public good. There was no law or grant enforcing it, yet public schools were established, and they met for public worship at such places as could be obtained until they were able to build a church. Elders John and Levi Chadbourne, ministers of the old Baptist Church, preached in Cornish as early as 1798. Dr. Hezekiah Smith held meetings in old Mr. Chadbourne's log house before a church was organized. Mrs. Betsey Barrows, the first woman in the north part of the town, was an earnest preacher, and did much to advance the cause of religion. The old meeting-house was built upon the rock forming the highest point near Pease Cor- ners, two miles south of the village, in 1803, and dedicated in 1805. The place was given the name of " Brimstone Hill" soon after, from the sulphate of iron, with which the decaying rock is filled, giving out a sulphurous odor in damp weather. The building was taken down and moved part way to the village in 1842, by J. M. Pease, committee, and rededicated by Rev. John Hibbard. Elder Timothy Re- miek, who was ordained pastor in 1805, continued to preach until his death, Nov. 29, 1850. After a long life of min- istry, in which he was honored by the respect of all classes of people, he was buried beside the church. Rev. George Knapp and Rev. Amariah Joy succeeded him. In 1857 the church was again moved and rededicated. Soon after it became the property of the Congregationalist Church. There is still maintained an organization of the old mem- bers, only nine of whom are now living in the town. Mrs. Hannah Small is acting clerk.
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