USA > Maine > Somerset County > Skowhegan > History of the old towns, Norridgewock and Canaan, comprising Norridgewock, Canaan, Starks, Skowhegan, and Bloomfield, from their early settlement to the year 1849; including a sketch of the Abnakis Indians > Part 19
USA > Maine > Somerset County > Canaan > History of the old towns, Norridgewock and Canaan, comprising Norridgewock, Canaan, Starks, Skowhegan, and Bloomfield, from their early settlement to the year 1849; including a sketch of the Abnakis Indians > Part 19
USA > Maine > Somerset County > Bloomfield > History of the old towns, Norridgewock and Canaan, comprising Norridgewock, Canaan, Starks, Skowhegan, and Bloomfield, from their early settlement to the year 1849; including a sketch of the Abnakis Indians > Part 19
USA > Maine > Somerset County > Starks > History of the old towns, Norridgewock and Canaan, comprising Norridgewock, Canaan, Starks, Skowhegan, and Bloomfield, from their early settlement to the year 1849; including a sketch of the Abnakis Indians > Part 19
USA > Maine > Somerset County > Norridgewock > History of the old towns, Norridgewock and Canaan, comprising Norridgewock, Canaan, Starks, Skowhegan, and Bloomfield, from their early settlement to the year 1849; including a sketch of the Abnakis Indians > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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Nearly opposite, on the west bank of the Kennebec, is another small yard, containing several bodies, but the only monuments are erected above the remains of a wife and child of Mr. David Gilman.
Starks. - There is a beautiful place of rest on the intervale, settled by Mr. Waugh, within full sight of the river and the first haunts of the early settlers. The remains of many of the
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Waugh family repose there, until the earth shall be no more. The oldest monument is above Joseph Waugh, an infant, who died September 4, 1787.
There is another at the centre of the town, and another in the Williamson neighborhood, and others smaller than the foregoing. They are neat and quiet places of rest.
Bloomfield. - The graveyard in the village was laid out in the year 1826, and is one of the finest in the county. It is neatly enclosed in a fence of iron set in stone posts, and contains the bodies of many of the former citizens of Bloom- field. Among the tombstones, a beautiful mar- ble monument in the form of a pyramid, in- scribed with the names of Hon. Bryce Mclellan and Brooks Dascomb, is conspicuous. There are six large granite tombs, with marble doors.
The inscriptions are generally very appropri- ate, and among them the following may be designated as peculiarly beautiful. It is above the remains of Mrs. Deborah H., wife of Rev. C. G. Porter.
" If life be not in length of days, In silvered locks and furrowed brow, But living to the Savior's praise, How few have lived so long as thou. Though Earth may boast one gem the less, May not e'en heaven the richer be, And myriads on thy footsteps press To share thy blest eternity."
The old Bloomfield yard, about three miles below the village, contains many tombstones, and holds the sacred dust of many of the early pioneers of civilization. 27*
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Skowhegan. - The Skowhegan Graveyard is in an appropriate and very retired location. The oldest tombstone is that of William Leavitt, who died March 23, 1813, though the ground did not become public for several years after that time.
Among others who rest here, are Rev. Rich- ard E. Schermerhorn, Drs. Frederic Raymond, and O. C. Thayer. There is a large granite tomb, built by Jonas Parlin, in the year 1846.
One of the most striking monuments is a slight pyramidal shaft, of elegant granite, with these simple words : -
" Sleep, ALBERT, sleep !"
The following lines, copied from a tablet, deserve mention.
" As those we love, decay, we die in part, And string by string is severed from the heart."
There is quite an ancient yard at Malbon's Mills, well arranged for the solemn purposes to which it is devoted. There is also a small and neat yard about three miles below the village in Skowhegan, containing many monuments. The oldest stone is dated March 6, 1816, above the remains of Isaac Colman.
Canaan. - There is a beautiful yard in Ca- naan, near the village, filled with young trees and shrubbery, (in part the work of the year 1849,) destined to be a charming spot. The earliest tombstone has the following inscrip- tion : " Sacred to the memory of Joseph Os-
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good, who departed this life May 29, 1822, aged 79 years, 7 months, and 11 days.
" Here on my mother's quiet breast, My weary limbs find peaceful rest ; Ye busy world, adieu ! I rest in hope once more to rise, To realms of bliss beyond the skies, My Savior's charms to view."
There too, rest the remains of Daniel Nelson, who died February 27, 1837, aged 75 years. He was with Paul Jones in the Bon Homme Richard, and drew a pension from Government. He was a powder boy, aged only 13 years.
Another public burial ground is located about three miles below the village of Canaan. Besides the before-mentioned, there are private burying grounds, where the dust of the depart- ed has been hallowed by the dew of affection, - the tears of bereaved Mortality. Generally speaking, the places of the dead are rapidly improving their appearance, and are becoming as they should be. They are the vestibule of a Beautiful Land, and Art and Affection should do their utmost to adorn them.
REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS.
As these towns were not settled until about the period of the commencement of the Revo- lution, of course no individual born in either of them served in the war. Many of the settlers, however, engaged in the struggle for liberty, and many who have since settled here were engaged in the great conflict. Those I have been able to ascertain are annexed.
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Obadiah Witherell, Norridgewock; born in Pepperell, August 26, 1748 ; was in the service in the Massachusetts line, three years and eight months ; part of the time was lieutenant; was at the battle of White Plains, at the taking of Burgoyne, and at the battle of Monmouth. He died in 1847, aged 99 years.
Charles Witherell, Norridgewock ; was nine months in the service, in the Massachusetts line ; was half-brother of Obadiah ; was born Oc- tober 8, 1763, and died July 16, 1833.
Timothy Pollard, Canaan ; was born in the year 1740; was in the New Hampshire line one year.
Benjamin Patten, Canaan ; was born in 1762 ; was in the Massachusetts line one year ; was at the battle of Harlem Heights.
Thomas Robinson, Canaan; born in 1755; was in the Massachusetts line ten months ; was a lieutenant at the retreat from Ticonderoga ; died April 22, 1839, aged 84.
Daniel Parkman, Canaan ; born in 1746 ; was nine months in the Massachusetts line, in 1775-6; died Nov. 4, 1824, aged 78.
Robert Arnold, Starks; born in 1747; was in the Massachusetts line seven years; was at Hubbardstown and other engagements.
Adin Briggs, Starks; born in 1767; was in the Massachusetts line seventeen months.
Jacob Doyen, Canaan ; born in 1760 ; was in the New Hampshire line three years; was at the taking of Burgoyne, battle of Monmouth, &c .; was wounded in the breast at Burgoyne's capture.
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Noah Burrill, Bloomfield ; born in 1759 ; was in the Massachusetts line six years and three months; was at the taking of Burgoyne and Cornwallis, battle of Monmouth, &c.
Jabesh Bowen, Starks; born in 1757; was four years and nine months in the New Hamp- shire and Massachusetts lines.
Robert Hood, Canaan; born in 1742; was in the Massachusetts line nine months.
Benjamin Libbey, Canaan; born in 1763; was in the Massachusetts line three years ; was at the taking of Burgoyne, and battle of Mon- mouth.
Moriah Gould, Norridgewock; born in 1754 ; was in the Massachusetts line eighteen months. Calvin Russell, Canaan ; born in 1762 ; was in the Massachusetts line three years ; living in Bingham.
Benjamin Hinds, Norridgewock; born in 1755; was in the Massachusetts line three years.
William Youling or Yeuland, Canaan ; born in 1749; was in the Massachusetts line two years and six months; died July, 1838, aged eighty-nine.
Levi Flint, Norridgewock; was in the Mas- sachusetts line seven months.
Phineas McIntire, Norridgewock; born in 1757 ; was in the Massachusetts line one year ; was at Harlem Heights, &c .; died March 4, 1838, aged eighty-one.
David Pierce, Norridgewock; born in 1742 ; was in the New Hampshire line one year.
Thomas Whitcomb, Norridgewock ; born in
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1736 ; was in the New Hampshire line one year ; was taken prisoner by the Indians at the Cedars ; died June 21, 1824, aged eighty-eight.
Josiah Spaulding, Norridgewock ; born in 1761 ; was in the Massachusetts line one year ; was at the battle of White Plains ; living.
Joseph Frederick, Starks ; born in 1742 ; was boatswain's mate on board the frigate Alliance, twenty months; was in the engagement with the Serapis ; was wounded ; died March, 1822, aged eighty years.
Willard Sears, Canaan ; born in 1749.
Magnus Beckey, Norridgewock ; born in 1752 ; was in the New Hampshire and Massa- chusetts lines twenty-one months; was at the battle of Monmouth, &c.
Jonathan Hebbard, Starks; born in 1753; was in the Massachusetts line one year ; died September 19, 1838, aged eighty-five years.
Asa Longley, Norridgewock; born in 1762 ; was in the Massachusetts line 1777, 8, 9, 80.
Butler Lombard, Canaan ; born in 1756 ; was in the Massachusetts line from December, 1766, to December, 1779 ; was at the battle of Mon- mouth, taking of Burgoyne, &c.
Jonathan Davis, Canaan ; born in 1756 ; was in the Massachusetts line from January, 1777, to December, 1779.
Michael Arbour, Norridgewock ; born in 1754 ; was in the New York service from De- cember, 1776, to June 30, 1783; was in the battles of White Plains, Horseneck, Brandy- wine, and the surrender of Burgoyne and Corn- wallis; was wounded at the surrender of Bur- goyne.
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Abel Leathers, Norridgewock; born in 1746 ; was in the New Hampshire line one year.
John Emery, Bloomfield; born in 1754; was in the Massachusetts line three years ; was at the battle of Bunker Hill; was at Burgoyne's capture ; was kept in close prison in New York city by the British, eighteen months after his period of service had expired ; died February 26, 1848, aged 94 years.
Besides the foregoing the names of the fol- lowing persons should be held in lasting re- membrance for their services in the revolution. Facts concerning them may be gleaned from ".Deaths of Aged Persons," "Early Settlers," and other parts of the book.
John Clarke, N .; Oliver Wood, N .; Silas Wood, N .; Peter Gilman, N .; Joseph Weston, C .; Joseph Tarbell, N .; Benjamin Moor, N .; David Lancaster, N .; Luke Withee, N. ; Ed- mund Parker, N. ; Thomas Heald, N .; James Bigelow, B .; Peter Holbrook, S'ks .; Joseph
Jenkins ; William Young, S'ks. ; William Spaulding, N .; John Greenleaf, S'ks .; David Sterry, S'ks .; Eleazar Spaulding, N .; Amasa, Daniel, and Benjamin Steward, three brothers, C .; Nathaniel Lombard, Skowhegan ; Dyer Loomis, Skowhegan; Solomon Whidden, C .; Benjamin Eaton, Skowhegan ; Nath'l. Worm- wells, Skowhegan ; Tilly Mason, B .; Jonathan Hayden, N .; Elam Pratt, B .; Benoni Burrill, B .; Nathaniel Burrill, B. ; Daniel Nelson, C .; James Whidden, C. ; Joseph Pratt, N. ; Eben- ezer Dean, S'ks. ; [living.] Edward Hartwell, C. ; Stephen Holmans, B .; Jonathan Holt, C .; Nathan Taylor, C .; Samuel Cone, Skow-
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hegan ; David Kincaid, Skowhegan ; John Kincaid, Skowhegan; Eli Andrews, B .; John Barrett, B .; Isaac Lawrence, B. ; Eleazer Parker, B. ; was in the French war, and Revo- lution ; died aged about 100 years.
Obadiah Witherell, John Clark, Moriah Gould, Silas Wood, Benjamin Hinds, Peter Gilman, Joseph Weston, Joseph Tarbell, Ben- jamin Moor, David Lancaster, Luke Withee, Josiah Spaulding, Edmund Parker, Thomas Heald, Charles Witherell, were all alive Feb- ruary 22, 1825, and attended and gave great interest to a celebration of Washington's birth day. Hon. Warren Preston gave the entertain- ment, and it was one of great enjoyment. Jo- siah Spaulding and Thomas Heald are now (1849) living, one aged 88, and the other 85 years.
The five towns furnished seven men for the War with Mexico. Maj. Thompson Crosby, who enlisted a company in the different towns in the County, and who went into the campaign with the rank of Lieutenant, and who now, in consequence of shattered constitution, draws a pension, and Peter Laurie, of Norridgewock; John Greenleaf, of Starks; Wallace Tuttle, Cone, and - Goodridge of Canaan. Charles Gould, of Norridgewock, aged 16 years, reached Vera Cruz.
MILITIA. The militia of Maine is now in a low condition. As early as 1809 a company of artillery was formed in Norridgewock, Calvin Selden, Esq., captain. A company of Light Infantry was formed about the same time in
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Canaan, David Kidder, Esq., captain. These were the first of their kind as far north as Som- erset County. The military spirit has always dwelt in this vicinity, and though it has no vis- ible organization, it would be aroused from its slumber on the least foreign invasion, and would fall like lightning on the foe. Subjoined is the first order for a muster in Canaan.
" Rigemanteal orders for the forth Rigement, in the County of Lincoln, in the furst Brigade.
" Sir, you are Required to muster the Com- pany under your Command as Sun as Posa- bley you Can for the Purpose of makeing a Return of thare Equpements and also for the Purpes of makeing tham Radey and prepared for a Regimantal muster which is to be on thursday the 2th Day of octber Naxt at Fort Halifax in the town of Winslow at teen o Clock in the fore Noon on said Day, at which time and Place you will not fall to appear with your offcres and Compney, as wall as thay Posabley Can be aq'upt. for the Purpose.
" I also Sand you a Coppe of Return of the Equpements of your Compney.
" EZEKIEL PATTEE COLE."
SCHOOLS. The first settlers of Canaan and Norridgewock were governed by the same spirit which has made the schoolhouse almost equally regarded in the villages of New England with the temple of God.
* Mrs. White, wife of Deacon John, opened the first school in Canaan, in the year 1777.
* Eusebius Weston, Esq.
28
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She met with good success. Mr. Robert Hood, * who lived and died in Skowhegan, kept a school for a short period, commencing the year after Mrs. White's. Polly, a daughter of Parson Emer- son, and William Whitaker, son of Dr. Whitaker, also kept a while. After him Daniel Steward, Samuel Weston, who had as early as 1778-80, a class of married men, and Andrew Turner, who was called "Master Turner " during his life. In about the year 1796, John O'Neil kept a summer school in a barn; Mrs. Trowbridge, daughter of Dr. Whittaker; Isaiah Wood in 1796; Mr. Calef during his residence; Ephraim Russel in the winters of 1797-8.
While Mr. Wood taught, the first innovation on the old routine was made. Besides his classes in the Psalter and Dilworth's Spelling Book, he introduced a class in the Newspaper, which proved a very interesting document to the young generation. In 1797, the third part of Bingham's American Preceptor was intro- duced, and then schools increased in number and excellence.
The first attempt at school teaching in Nor- ridgewock, was made by Josiah Spaulding, Esq., who, in the year 1779-80, kept a private school in Laughton's house; the principal schol- ars were the Spauldings and Laughtons. The first town schools were taught by the Misses Lydia and Sarah Tarbell, who occupied private dwellings. Sarah married a Parker, and Lydia married Benjamin Longley.
The town of Norridgewock was divided into
* He had $5 per month.
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five districts, in the year 1790, and different citizens were selected to provide for the wants of the schools. It was decided "that Grain or Corn of any kind, beans, peas, flax, Sheep's wool, Pork and Beef, be Rece'd in payment for the School and Minister Rates. That Wheat be 6s. pr. Bushel, Rye 5s. pr. Bushel, Corn 4s. pr. Bushel, Pease 6s. pr. Bushel, Flax 1s. pr. 1b., Wool 3s. pr. lb., Clear middling pork, well salted, 1s. pr. lb., salt Beef, 4s. to discharge sd Rates." The first teachers who received wages from the town, were " Coln Moor," who received £3, Ss. 0d .; Elizabeth Heald, £2, 8s. 0d .; and £5,8s. 0d; Jane Laughton, £1, 12s. 0d .; Jonas Parlin, £2, 17s. 0d. £30 were raised in 1791 for the support of schools. It was to be ex- pended in " Each Class their Equil proportion in Schooling, according as the majer part of said class shall agree." We are led to judge by the orthography of several of these votes, that they were penned before the services of the school-master were secured. Another district was created in 1792, extending from "Heald's mills to John Cooks." £20 were raised for the support of schools in the year 1793, and £40 for the year 1795 .*
In the year 1806, the town instructed a com- mittee to report a series of regulations for the schools, and among other rules, were the two following. i
"2ª. It is recommended to parents and others who have the care of youth, that previous to * Town Records. t Ibid.
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their sending them to any school that they be careful that they are free from the Itch.
"3ª. It is the duty of every Teacher of a school when it shall be discovered that any one belonging to the School is infected with the Itch, to debar such youth from attending the school from that time until cured."*
The schools in each of the towns have con- tinued to increase in number and excellence. The following are the statistics for the year 1848 : Starks, 600; Canaan, 720; Norridgewock, 800; Bloomfield, 480; Skowhegan, 740; Norridge- wock Academy, 70; Bloomfield, 90; Total, 3,470.
ATTORNEYS AT LAW. Norridgewock. - Gen. William Jones was born in Massachusetts ; came to Norridgewock about 1803, was an officer in the Oxford army, general in the mili- tia, first clerk of the courts for Somerset, died in 1813.
Calvin Selden, Esq., was born in Connecti- cut, settled in Norridgewock in 1808, captain of the first artillery company north of Hallow- ell, member of Maine and Massachusetts Leg- islature, commissioner in bankruptcy, a gentle- man much respected and honored.
Hon. Warren Preston came to Norridgewock in 1809; Judge of Probate; removed to Bangor in 1828.
Joseph Donnison, Esq. was here about a year in 1812.
Jotham Fairfield, Esq. was born in Water- ville, and settled in Norridgewock in 1816, died
* Town Records.
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in 1822 ; he was a lawyer of remarkable ability and learning.
Hon. John S. Tenney was born in Rowley, Mass., settled in Norridgewock in 1820, has been a member of the legislature, appointed Judge of the Supreme Court in 1841, re-ap- pointed in 1848, lives in Norridgewock.
Hon. David Kidder. (See Skowhegan attor- neys.)
Hon. Charles Green was born in York County, settled in Norridgewock in 1823, mem- ber of the council, State Senator, Judge of Pro- bate, removed to Athens in 1826.
James Adams, Esq., "was a native of Roch- ester, N. H. When about thirty years old, he came to Norridgewock and entered the office of Hon. John S. Tenney. Locating himself at Guilford, he had an extensive and lucrative practice. From Guilford he removed to Exe- ter, where he remained until Governor Kent appointed him clerk of the courts in Penobscot County, which office he held until Gov. Kent retired from office. He then removed to this town and formed a copartnership with Judge Tenney.
"In the summer of 1846 he represented this town and Madison in the State Legislature, and was an active and influential member of that body. He was selected by the Whigs of this county as delegate to the National Whig Con- vention, and was a member of the body in Philadelphia that nominated Gen. Taylor for President.
" He died at his residence on Wednesday 28*
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evening, Aug. 30, 1848, aged 48 years. The society of Odd Fellows, (of which he was an honored member, having held the highest offi- ces in the lodge,) attended his funeral in a body." - Communicated by W. D. Gould, Esq.
John H. Webster, Esq. was born in Hart- land, Vt., removed to Norridgewock in 1834, remained until 1837, then went to North An- son, returned to Norridgewock in 1849.
Hon. Cullen Sawtelle was born in Norridge- wock, admitted to the bar in 1830, Register of Probate, State Senator, member of the twenty- ninth and of the thirty-first Congress, lives in Norridgewock.
John S. Abbott, Esq. was born in Farmington, and settled in Lincoln County, came to Nor- ridgewock in 1841, County Attorney for Lin- coln, Visitor to West Point Academy for 1849.
Wm. D. Gould, Esq., was born in Norridge- wock, and was admitted to the bar in 1846, the only attorney ever settled in South Norridge- wock, or Oosoola.
Bloomfield .- Judah Mclellan, Esq., was born in Connecticut, settled in Canaan, now Bloom- field, in 1803, County Attorney from 1824 to 1834, Representative to Massachusetts Legis- lature.
Skowhegan. - Hon. David Kidder was born in Dresden, and settled in Canaan, (now Bloom- field,) in 1811, removed to Skowhegan in 1817, to Norridgewock in 1821, to Skowhegan in 1827, captain of the first Light Infantry compa- ny north of Augusta, field officer in the militia, County Attorney from 1811 to 1823, member
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of the Maine Legislature, and of the eighteenth and nineteenth Congresses.
Hon. John Ruggles was born in Massachu- setts, and resided one year in Canaan, (now Skowhegan,) in 1815-16, removed to Thomas- ton, Speaker of Maine House of Representa- tives, District Court Judge, U. S. Senator.
Hon. Milford P. Norton was born in Read- field, and came to Canaan, (now Skowhegan,) in 1819, removed to Canaan proper in a year or two, subsequently to Waterville and Bangor, returned to Canaan about 1836, Land Agent, member of Maine Legislature and State Sen- ator, removed to Texas in 1838, and is now Judge of the 3d Judicial District, Superior Court, Texas.
Hon. Ebenezer Allen was born in Vermont, and came to Skowhegan in 1836 ; he was sev- eral years County Attorney, and removed to Texas, where he became Attorney-General and Secretary of State for the " Lone Star."
Nathaniel Deering, Esq., was born in Port- land, and came to Canaan, (now Skowhegan,) in 1822 ; returned to Portland in 1837 ; he is a literary gentleman of just celebrity.
Horatio Bridge, Esq., was born in Augusta, and came to Skowhegan in 1828; remained one year ; now purser in the Navy.
Henry Dummer, Esq., was born in Hallowell, and came to Skowhegan in 1830; removed west in 1831.
Hon. W. B. S. Moore was born in Waterville, and came to Skowhegan in 1832; remained about six months, and removed to Waterville ; now settled in Bangor; member of the Maine
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Legislature; Attorney General and U. S. Senator by Executive appointment.
James T. Leavitt, Esq., was born in Bangor, and settled in Skowhegan in 1838 ; Judge Ad- vocate in the militia; member of the Maine Legislature, County Attorney.
George F. Talbot, Esq., now of Machias, was formerly settled for a few months in Skow- hegan. He was the Free Soil nominee for Governor of Maine, 1849.
Llewellyn Kidder, Esq., was born in Bloom- field, and settled in Skowhegan in 1835; field officer of Cavalry ; elected Clerk of the Courts in 1847.
Alonzo and Stephen Coburn, Esqs., were born in Bloomfield, and settled in Skowhegan in 1847. Stephen is a member of the Board of Education.
Henry A. Wyman, Esq., was born in New Sharon, and settled in Skowhegan in 1848.
Canaan .- Hon. Levi Johnson was born in Readfield, and settled in Canaan in 1830; State Senator in Maine.
George M. Mason, Esq., was born in Vermont, and came to Canaan in 1833.
Rev. Joseph Stockbridge was born in North Yarmouth, and came to Canaan in 1834; re- moved to Monson the next year, and is now a chaplain in the navy.
J. M. Waters settled in Canaan in 1849 .*
To these may be added Timo. Langdon, H. W. Fuller, A. Allen of Norridgewock, and oth- ers, who like them remained a short time.
* Hon. David Kidder, Calvin Selden, Esq., Hon. Levi Johnson, W. D. Gould, Esq.
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Starks. - There was never an attorney settled in the town.
PHYSICIANS. Bloomfield. - Dr. Nathl. Whit- aker settled as a minister in Bloomfield about 1784, and practised medicine to some extent while he remained in Town. What his profes- sional attainments were is unknown, but he gave pretty general satisfaction, yet some of his difficulties with his people arose from misde- meanors incidental to his medical practice to- wards some of his female patients.
Dr. Zebulon Gilman, for a long time sub- sequent a resident and practitioner in Norridge- wock, settled in Bloomfield, then Canaan, about 1786,-remained a few years, when he became interested in carrying the U. S. mail from Nor- ridgewock to Augusta. He removed to Nor- ridgewock, settled on the farm now owned by Capt. Elias Works,-was a careful, useful man, in a new place ; he was not eminent, and hardly "kept up with the times,"- lived to a good old age and died respected.
Dr. Wm. Ward came from Antrim, and set- tled in Bloomfield, near the Skowhegan falls, at the old Ferry way, about 179-, and practised medicine very satisfactorily and extensively in this new country ; - was a man of good talents and acquirements for the time. He was in partnership with Senr. Col. John Moor, * who furnished him medicines. Habitual intemper- ance rendered him unfit at times for profession- al service, although his experience in it and his
* Col. Moor lived on the hill near Col. J. G. Neil's.
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ever ready wit, gave him some advantages. In 1794 he married Patty Bullen.
Dr. James Butterfield came to the town about 1796 or 8, as a Baptist preacher, but left shortly, and in a year or two came back, and began the practice of medicine, with great suc- cess. He staid four or five years or more - was probably 30 years old or more when he began the practice, moved to Athens, thence to Curn- berland, where he became a Universalist and preached again. He died not long ago.
Dr. Joseph H. Shepard, a son of Dr. Samuel Shepard of Brentwood, N. H., came to Bloom- field about 1806 or 7, had considerable success in practice, but he left the place and settled in Newport, Penobscot County, and is still liv- ing. He had some inventive talent, and tried to make water rise above its head : - published a chronology in a small pamphlet, which did not succeed, and which run him in debt for publish- ing, &c. It was very similar to the table ap- pended to Johnson's small dictionary.
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